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#Post#: 2685--------------------------------------------------
Playing For Keeps
DIR By: Maggie Flannery
Date: June 12, 2013, 1:27 pm
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I really really have to apologize for this one, I have no idea
where the hell the idea for this one came from but I woke up
with it this morning. I also have to apologies for the over
zealous drug use, sex, and booze in this one as well. Please
forgive me!
Author's Note : *Disclaimer* - Please know that this is a work
of pure fiction. I'm but a humble writer and I don't make a cent
from these works, I just write them for my own and the enjoyment
of others. I do not mean in anyway to infringe upon the famous
individuals/characters that are mentioned within the work. I
only own the original characters unless otherwise stated. If you
would like to post my work please contact me and I will gladly
grant permission as long as my name is mentioned and the
disclaimer (above) is posted along with the piece. I don't bite,
I promise. :-)
HTML http://i1255.photobucket.com/albums/hh628/mcohen3/playingforkeepsbanner333_zpsdb86a360.jpg
Summary: (I'm so so sorry that it's bland)
A Writer. An Architect. An Ad Exec. A Fashion Designer. They
were known as the Silver Spoons in High School, all of whom went
on to become graduates from four distinct and prestigious
colleges scattered across the country. New and old demons arise
as they meet up and try to keep it together as they're thrust
into the real world that was once their oyster. It's amazing
what four years away from home can do to a group of people.
Especially your best friends.
Theme:
HTML http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFRx4PkXeVM
Playlist: (please let me know if some of the songs don't work)
<iframe
src="
HTML https://embed.spotify.com/?uri=spotify:user:highlandfling22:playlist:3GVtOjmumYainnOtPN4Ze1"<br
/>
Meet the Characters:
Charlotte "Lottie" Worchester Helmsley - The Writer, the gentle
one, one half of the Good Time Girls. From the well to do
Helmsley Hotel fortune, recent graduate of Gillingsford College
in Vermont. ( Really wanted to be a model but Father said no.)
Has a penchant for late night parties and loves a certain
architect that dabbles in music. Also the best friend to Mags
and always will be. Is the author of one of the year's best
selling novels. The male lead in her novel is based off the
quiet musician turned architect and she wonders if he's even
read her book.
Margaret "Maggie" Winthrop Cavendish - The Designer, the dreamy
one. From the Cavendish Oil fortune, recent graduate of the
Wiltshire School of Design and Fine Arts in Vermont. (Right next
to Gillingsford). Shares her best friend Lottie's love of late
night parties and second half of the Good Time Girls. Long time
girlfriend to some Ad Exec Yuppie from The Valley.
George "Harris" Worthington Harrison III - The Architect, the
quiet one. From the Harrison distillery fortune, a recent
graduate from UCLA Berkeley. A dabbler in musical pursuits and
carries a torch for the author of this year's best selling novel
but is really too shy to tell her, or ask her to autograph his
copy of the book. Enjoys a night of partying here and there. Is
best friends with the Ad Exec that's dating his love's best
friend, the designer. Is planning on opening his own
architecture firm and finally professing his love to the Author.
Prefers to be called George.
David "Dave" Taylor Mcallister II - The Ad Exec, the hot head.
From the Mcallister banking fortune, recent graduate of the
Ferriss Ferthing Institute of Art, Grand Rapids. Quite the party
animal and go getter, made his father proud when he signed onto
the Prushing-Farrow Ad Firm's contracts list. Best friends with
the The Architect who loves The Author, long time boyfriend of
The Designer. Wishes he'd applied locally so he could have spent
four years closer to his lady love but didn't. Highly prefers to
be called David.
The Style of the Ladies
HTML http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/collection?id=2629648
#Post#: 2686--------------------------------------------------
Re: Playing For Keeps
DIR By: Maggie Flannery
Date: June 12, 2013, 6:22 pm
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I'm so so sorry about this, the muse has been whispering about
this one for a while and I really really have to apologise in
how the characters act in this one. Totally depraved and in
excess and I don't condone what they're doing what so ever. Beat
the muse! Although, I totally understand if never want me to
borrow Lottie ever again. I'm sorry! But I will say that I'm
having a good bit of fun writing this but I'm still sorry.
Disclaimer
*** Please note that the persons depicted within this piece are
over the age of 18 and are in no way meant to represent anyone,
living or deceased. I'm merely borrowing the faces of some very
well known persons and the character of Lottie. This is a work
of fiction, nothing more. Also, please do not post my work
anywhere else unless you get my permission. If you ask, I will
gladly give. Enjoy!***
“Youth offers the promise of happiness, but life offers the
realities of grief.”
June 1985 Le' Cirque
"If you keep checking your watch they'll never get here, Mags."
David muttered over the din of our fellow late night diners.
Here we were, two of the epic foursome that prowled the halls of
the prestigious and ultra private Loyola High School. The days
of ditching Latin and gym classes to sneak out the back entrance
to cruise around downtown L.A. and head off to the Hills to raid
our parents beach house liquor cabinets seemed like a distant
memory. Our friends Charlotte and George have yet to arrive,
they were always the two that were on time. David and I were
exclusively exclusive to one another and had made these past
four years work, We'd recently become engaged and a wedding was
planned for the summer of next year. I either flew out to
Michigan or he came to Vermont, either way, having our parents
money and respective jets at our ever ready disposal was always
a plus. After all, the four of us came from old money families,
most built up shipping magnates that had invested well so the
world was our oyster, or so we'd been told over the course of
our collective lives. All four of us hadn't a care in the world
even though we were making our own money. David was a rather
successful Ad Exec over at Prushing-Farrow and I was the owner
of a rather successful boutique that specialized in one of a
kind pieces for high end clientele. We'd just combined our
assets and put a down payment on a rather pricey piece of Art
Deco real estate over in West Hollywood. Our parents had been
pleased and offered us each a blank check for the furnishings
which we filled in and deposited in our joint account. The place
had come furnished and we liked it as it was, what they didn't
know wouldn't hurt them, although I don't think they would have
cared either way, they never once came to visit. Our tax return
ensured that we both had enough to splurge on a beach place over
the Stone Canyon part of Bel Air.
"I knew I shouldn't have given you that bump earlier. Here, have
another Vodka Tonic, it'll calm your nerves, babe."
David said as he looked over his menu and slid me his glass
across the table. I rolled my eyes as I accepted the drink and
took a sip. David always did have a love of Grey Goose, I on the
other hand preferred Stolichnaya.
"Good God, Where's the Tonic in here, David? Trying to get me to
bed early or what? It's just another Friday night in the Valley,
huh?"
David looked up from his menu, a smile dancing around his mouth
and a twinkle in his blue green eyes.
"That comes later, after our guests of honor have either gone
home or passed out in the guest rooms. You just have to promise
to keep quiet."
I let out a laugh as I set the glass down and and patted his
hand.
"We both know I keep my promises, dear although that one is a
hard one even fathom. Don't get your hopes up."
Just as we prepared to order the maitre d' escorted a rather
flustered Lottie and George over to our table.
"Ahh! There are our guests of honor!"
I crowed happily as David and I got up from the table and pulled
them each into a hug before two other wait staff seated them and
brought them their water and mixed drinks.
"Sorry it took us forever to get here, the traffic was horrid."
George said as he took a sip of his Cuddy and Water.
Lottie looked as if she hadn't slept in weeks and was
functioning on fumes. I casually reached for my purse and
excused myself from the table, but not before asking her to join
me.
"So, how was your grad ceremony over at Gillingsford? Ours was a
bust."
I said as we both swooped into the bathroom and locked the door
behind us. Lottie checked for feet in various stalls as I
prepared two lines of Columbia's finest import on my compact and
produced two small straws.
"It was boring as all hell. I mean, at least during the High
School thing I had you guys but the whole college experience
sucked. I'm sorry I didn't see more of you, you were right down
the road."
Lottie bent over the marble counter top and proceeded to down
her line in nothing flat. As she brought her head back up I
noticed her warm brown eyes dilated a bit as our choice chemical
entered her bloodstream. A smile spread over her face as she
wiped her nose and checked herself in the mirror and reapplied
her makeup.
"I know exactly what you're saying. Half of the students body at
Wiltshire was paired off and swapping partners it was dizzying.
Oh, don't worry! We've got all the time in the world now that
you and George are back home. David and I just bought a summer
place over in Stone Canyon, I know you're looking for a place
and George is still looking so why don't you both crash there?
It's just been redecorated and repainted."
It was my turn to lean over the counter and take a swot at the
compact. One deep inhale and it was gone in a flash. The back of
my throat went numb and my field of vision swam a bit for a
second. My eyes adjusted and I was ready to go.
"Ooh, sounds nice. Now, is that the place you send me the
pictures of or the place your Mother was telling mine about?"
I cleaned off my nose and put everything back into my bag as I
retrieved my bottle of perfume and spritzed myself.
"I think I sent you the pictures. My Mother's never visited,
probably doesn't want too."
Lottie gave me a grin as she shook her head.
"Well, can you blame her? After she caught you and David at it
like rabbits at your graduation party, Mags. You probably
scarred her for life."
I let out a second snort as I passed her the bottle and fluffed
out my hair.
"No, I can't blame her but still the pool house door was locked
I still don't understand why she couldn't take a hint. You
know...you're probably right, does Hallmark make "I'm really
sorry you saw more of your son-in-law than you ever planned to
in your life" cards? I could really use one, maybe I'll slip a
check in for pain and suffering?"
Lottie spritzed herself and almost dropped the bottle into the
sink.
"Oh my god you're bad, Maggie! I don't think they do but you and
David might just have a corner in that market."
I looked over at Lottie as she paid careful attention to her
mascara. Her eyes were always so lovely and doe like that I
envied them. They always drew you in when she was talking and it
was one of the many features George loved about, and she knew
it. We all did.
"So, where are you and George headed do you think?"
I asked as she put her makeup back into her bag and looked at me
almost bewildered.
"I don't know what you mean."
"Oh, don't play dumb with me, Lottie. We all know you and George
have been after one another since we were kids. The only two
people that can't see it are you and him. Take a chance, you
might be surprised. He always asked about you, you know?"
Lottie faced colored as we walked out and she stammered.
"How...who..."
"Our Mothers do talk dear and mine was nice enough to call me
occasionally in between flights to Saint Barths and San Tropez."
We circled back to the table to find that David and George were
in a deep discussion about the state of the stock market.
"Well, I don't know if the future's in all that Home Computer
stuff, David. It just doesn't seem tangible to me. I might just
start a record label or something. Just for kicks.
George said as he picked at his oysters and caviar as David
poured himself a bit of white wine.
"I'm telling you, George, Computers and electronics are the way
to go. Maggie and I have invested in Apple and it's going to
catch on. Half the banks in the world are already getting them
in, it's only a matter of time before everyone has a home
version."
George shurgged it off and then looked at David, his face quite
serious.
"Now, now there's a name for a record label. Apple. It's simple,
memorable. Care to draft a logo for me, David?"
David looked at him and almost shook his head.
"I'll pay you cash, straight up."
"Alright, deal. But tonight we put business aside and party it
up. No talk of ad layouts, fashion drafts, novel revisions,
design redrafts. The fearsome foursome are back in town for
good."
We raised our glasses in unison and let out a cheer.
"To the Silver Spoons! May we never part!"
The rest of the night went by in a haze, we hopped around to
various clubs. The Studio, The Casa, Club X, Dillon's, not
matter where we went it seemed nothing could contain us. We
finally found the spot we wanted to be, The Florentine Gardens,
Hollywood's answer to yuppie excess. We were young and wild and
coursing with enough booze and Bolivian Marching Powder that we
put the The Brat Pack to shame. We we meant to be there and we
were entitled, and club carrying members to boot. George and
Lottie had gone off to a private corner to "catch up", leaving
David and I to our own devices, something that should never ever
be allowed to happen. At least not when the booze was flowing
half price and Depeche Mode's Pleasure, Little Trasure was
blaring over the speakers. I had already known that when our
night kicked off that I was in for a hangover so I threw all
caution to the wind and ended up pulling David into one of the
long deserted stalls of the ladies room.
Pleasure, little treasure
Everybody's looking for a reason to live
If you're looking for a reason
I've a reason to give
"Wait a second...my foot's caught on the...screw it."
I groaned as I situated myself up against the stall door and
wrapped my legs around David's waist. A rhythm was soon
established that had whipped us both into a frenzy until a
thought struck me.
Pleasure, little treasure
Everybody's looking for someone to follow
Finding the whole thing hard to swallow
Everybody's looking for a reason to live
If you're looking for a reason I've got a reason to give
Pleasure, little treasure
"David...David...David! Pull out!"
David was off in his own world as he thrust into me and nearly
drove me over the edge.
Everybody's looking for a new sensation
Everybody's talking about the state of the nation
Everybody's searching for a promised land
Everybody's failing to understand
Pleasure, little treasure
"David don't you...dare....oh my god!"
The last few drinks that had coursed through my bloodstream, not
to mention the bump I'd taken made me feel as if I were
floating. Although, I was blessed with that feeling every time
David and I were intimate, even when we did it sober.
Everybody's looking for a reason to live
If you're looking for a reason
I've a reason to give
Pleasure, little treasure
David face was buried in my neck and I could feel him nipping
harder at the side of my neck, I knew I was in for a hell of a
love mark tomorrow morning. He was close and we both knew it.
"I swear to God if you...Ahh!"
I was cut off as his lips came down over mine and gave me a
rather fiery kiss as the music reached it's climax, with the two
of us not far behind it.
"Just another Friday night in the Valley, huh?"
David asked with a smile spreading across his face as we
straightened ourselves up and excused ourselves from the
bathroom as another couple clambered in and slammed the farthest
stall door shut behind them.
"Ok, I take it back. Now...where did our dear guests of honor
get off to do you think?"
I asked as we scanned the crowd and ended up retreating to the
bar for another round of vodka tonics. The night was young and
so were we, until we woke up tomorrow morning, each of us
nursing the hangover from hell. But we all knew that we'd be
out again at the latest new spot in town or at some secluded
party in the hills, or throwing the party ourselves. We were
young and we were alive and that's all that mattered. The world
was ours and we still believed it.
#Post#: 2687--------------------------------------------------
Re: Playing For Keeps
DIR By: Wolfy
Date: June 13, 2013, 4:43 am
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Can I just adopt this story?
I loved the intro with all the info and the songs are brilliant!
as are the ladies sense in fashion and the banner. The banner
actually makes me want to go and live there, even if I'm not
entirely sure where it is, aha. I have to mention that I have no
problem at all with the storyline and am not at all displeased
with what you've turned Lottie into ;] and Maggie, for that
matter. It's quite a turn from the norm and I like that!
impatiently awaiting another update :3
#Post#: 2688--------------------------------------------------
Re: Playing For Keeps
DIR By: Maggie Flannery
Date: June 13, 2013, 5:01 am
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Ahh! I'm so so so glad you liked the first part! You may by all
means adopt it if you wish :) I didn't want to go all out over
the top 80's on the poor girls so I tried to keep it very
tailored. I believe the background pic in the banner is
somewhere in Los Angeles, but don't quote me. Working away on
an update for your reading pleasure so never fear. :)
#Post#: 2690--------------------------------------------------
Re: Playing For Keeps
DIR By: Maggie Flannery
Date: June 19, 2013, 10:10 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
I'm so so sorry this update took so long but David's been toying
with me to start another Lost Boys fic. I've pushed it aside for
now because I really really want to finish this one.
Saturday (West Hollywood)
Birds chirped, the excruciatingly bright summer sun shone
through the Venetian blinds, and David and I were nursing some
horrid hangovers. Paying the piper for our bit of fun last night
was certainly in order but to this extent it was almost
criminal. I attempted to dislodge my tongue from the roof of
mouth and ended up groaning in pain. I moved closer to David,
feeling utterly defeated and settled my head on his chest. I
was most certainly not ready for this day to begin.
"We have to leave this bed sometime, Mags."
David muttered as he stroked my hair and stifled a yawn and
ultimately failed.
"I know but can we just leave after the pounding in my head's
stopped? I knew I shouldn't have had that third vodka tonic. I
knew I shouldn't have listened to you on that one."
David shifted closer and playfully pinned me to the bed,
trailing kisses down my neck and nipping at my collar bone. I
let out a snorting laugh as I tried to fend him off and failed.
He knew exactly where I was ticklish and he was relentless.
"Sstt..op! Oh my God, David you're incorrigible! I can't
breathe!"
Our fun was cut short by the sound of the doorbell downstairs.
We'd given the maid weekends off so it was up to us to answer.
David and I groaned in unison and each made a wild grab for our
robes and headed downstairs. I went toward the front hall while
David ducked into the kitchen to start the morning coffee. He
must have gone through the living room because I could hear the
opening lines of Robert Palmer's newest single filtering in
through the open expanse of the downstairs. I smiled as I opened
the front door and was greeted by the grinning faces of George
and Lottie.
" Good morning! We brought breakfast!"
Lottie said, almost in an ecstatic tone as George grinned and
held up a few bags from the local cafe that we all used to
frequent.
"Ooh, very nice indeed. Come on in, David's just put some coffee
on. Make yourselves at home."
I said as I welcomed them into the house. George marveled at the
architecture and Lottie was asking me which decorator I'd hired.
"Actually I did it myself, well we did it ourselves. David gave
me a hand with the painting and the color palette. We did the
beach house together too. Oh, by the way, how did you two sleep
while you were there?"
Lottie turned beet red and her grin grew quite a bit. George let
out a cough as he went around the kitchen island and set down
the various bags.
"I can tell you one thing...the parkay flooring you've got in
the living room is lovely. So is the area rug. Although I have
to say I've got a rather nasty case of rug burn on my lower
back."
Lottie let out a horrified squawk and gave him a sound smack in
the chest before trying to utter an apology. David and I
exchanged looks and shook our heads. I went over to Lottie and
wrapped an arm around her.
"It's ok, trust us. Why do you think we bought that area rug? It
softens the blow a bit. Just wait until you get upstairs,
there's a water bed in the master bedroom."
George let out a whoop as he came over and gave Lottie a kiss on
the cheek.
"We'll have to try it out."
David and I exchanged grins and I bit back the urge to pull them
both into a hug and congratulate them. It looked like the stars
had finally aligned themselves for our friends. I poured myself
a cup of coffee and sat down at one of the island as the various
bags of bagels and spreads were passed around. Given how I felt
I knew I wouldn't be able to keep anything solid down but I
didn't want to seem rude so I grabbed a sesame bagel and picked
at it while I sipped my coffee.
"So, how did you two fair last night? You two were all but
holding up the bar when we came off the dance floor."
Lottie said as she buttered a croissant and took a sip of her
own coffee and looked at David and I with interest. George
grinned as he wrapped an arm around Lottie's shoulders and
pulled her to him. David and I shrugged.
"Well, from what I can gather and the nail marks on my back
pretty damn good. We dropped you two off and came back home and
I believe we set a new record for shedding our clothes."
I rolled my eyes as David gave me a kiss on the cheek that
trailed down my neck. I laughed in spite of myself and playfully
pushed him away.
"So, what's on the agenda today now that we're all home and
together again?"
I asked as I tried to fend off David again but his playful mood
was infectious.
"Well, we were going to go out to look at a few places and see
what's for rent. We thought it over last night and we thought it
would be easier to just find a place together that way someone's
always home and we don't have to worry about trekking between
two places."
I took a bite of my bagel and nodded. David gave me a grin that
said exactly what I thinking. After four years they were finally
taking the step together of being exclusive.
"That makes sense, do you need a lift? We'd be happy to help you
out."
David offered as he poured a second cup of coffee for George and
offered Lottie a refill, which she declined. I took note that
she had barely touched her croissant, something she would have
normally had two of. I kept thinking that perhaps her stomach
was unsettled from the jet lag but remembered that she barely
ate a thing the night before. Perhaps she and George had picked
something up once they had gotten back to the beach house last
night or eaten early this morning before coming over?
"Oh no no, we couldn't impose on you two. You guys probably had
your weekend planned out..."
Lottie started and I waved my hand to shush her.
"Planned? Lottie, you know neither of us plan anything let alone
our weekends. Besides, it's not every day your best friends
decide to move in together and start life anew back home. We
insist, don't we David? Hey, here's an idea, we can make a day
of it. Maybe stop by La Scala for lunch or something? I'm also
working on something for you Lottie, I'll show it to you while
the boys are discussing stock and trade options."
Lottie and George's face brightened and David gave me a kiss on
the top of the head.
"Please tell me it's my maid of honor dress, Mags."
Lottie said as she continued to pick at her croissant and
wandered over to where my various sketch pads lay on the
counter by my work bag.
I kept my lips sealed and
"If you'll excuse me I've got to take a quick shower and make
myself more presentable."
I said as I excused myself and went upstairs into the master
bathroom and went about my morning preparations. After a shower
and quick dry off I sat in front of my vanity examining myself.
Somehow I was slowly turning into my mother, I couldn't fight
it. I looked over at the prescription bottle of Lortab that sat
unused for the past week on my vanity. I threw it into my purse
and tried not to think about it. Tears welled up in my eyes
which I quickly brushed away and quickly went about blowing out
my hair and tying it up before applying my makeup. I ended up
changing into a simple pair of black linen slacks and an
electric blue wrap top before attempting to hunt down my prized
Manolo Blahnik's. After a deep recon mission from the kingdom
of Under the Bed I finally found them, along with David's
wallet. I finally came back downstairs to find on the phone,
probably work, and Lottie and George marveling over the backyard
view.
"This is beautiful, Maggie."
George said as he held his face up to the sun, a grin spreading
across his face as he drenched himself in California sunshine.
He fanned himself a bit before retreating back inside for the
safety of the AC. Lottie was busy looking out at the new rose
bush I had planted just a week before with fascination.
"I didn't know you liked white roses, Mags."
I shrugged a moment and then forced a smile. I desperately
wanted to skirt the subject of those roses and what their true
meaning held to David and I, the pain was still too fresh for
either of us to talk about.
"Oh, yes they're lovely aren't they? I've been meaning to ask
you, Lottie. What colors do you think suit you? I mean if you're
going to be maid of honor I'll need your input on things like
that. I mean David's tried but he seems to be all thumbs."
I asked as I lead Lottie away from the flowers she marveled at
and brought her back into the air conditioned living room where
George was now lounging flicking through a binder of David's
finished Ad prototypes. David must have retreated upstairs to
finish his phone call or get changed, knowing him he was
probably attempting to do a bit of both.
"Remind me to ask about central air conditioning, Lottie. It's
heavenly."
George said as he basked in the cool air that circulated around
the sparse gleaming living room that David and I called ours.
We'd gone with a black, white, and hunter green motif with glass
and chrome accent pieces. The entire black and white theme was
repeated throughout the house and gave it an almost cold
atmosphere. Which wasn't intentional by any means but neither of
us were home enough to make it look lived in. The only room that
got the most use was the bedroom, and on occasion, the kitchen
but since I'd picked up clients we ate the vast majority of our
meals in restaurants and in take out form. Given the amount of
speed I'd pop occasionally when David was out of town on
business the house was sparkling which made our maid, Carlotta's
job a hell of a lot easier. She always muttering that this was
no home for children. I, for once had to agree with her.
"Will do, George."
Lottie sighed as she flopped down next to him and thought my
question over.
"Well, when's the wedding set for...summer right? June? July?
Early August? Because if you were to go with June you could pull
off pale pinks or soft corals, July is definitely a red month,
as for August I'd go with green or perhaps blue. Are you having
an outdoor affair or an indoor country club type thing? Because
when Mimi Decker and Alan Fuller got married they had an outdoor
wedding and an outdoor reception and they got rained out."
I shuddered at the very thought of Mimi Decker and her wedding
to that atrocious Fuller. They were Loyola High's answer to the
preachy christian lovey dovey make you want to puke couple.
David and I had long bridged the gap from just going out to
dinner together to being intimate in the time it took Mimi and
Alan to pick out matching promise rings. I almost gagged at the
mere mention of their names.
"Please, please, please don't compare me to the sugary sweet
butter wouldn't melt in her mouth Mimi Decker-Fuller, Lottie.
She and I have nothing in common. Unless you count that we share
the same dentist and gynecologist. I was thinking of going with
black and silver or maybe grey. I thought it was something that
would look put together and polished. We're slated to walk down
the aisle on July 1 next year, it'll be indoor because lets face
it, the heat will do us all in if we were to go outdoors.
Although I quite like the idea of red, thank you, Lottie."
Lottie beamed as she lit a cigarette and took a deep inhale
before blowing smoke rings upward toward the high ceiling. I
hear could David rummaging upstairs before he called down asking
where his wallet was.
"I left it on the dresser next to your cologne."
"Which one? The Hugo Boss or the Gucci?"
I sighed as I reached for a cigarette myself and called back.
"Boss, darling. Who was that on the phone?"
"Ah, found it. It was my mother, she wanted to invite you to my
cousin Amelia's baby shower. I told her you'd call her back
later for the details."
I took a long drag from my Marlboro and sighed I pushed aside a
few dark thoughts I'd been harboring toward women with children.
David's cousin on his mother's side was a regular Fertile Myrtle
and was heavily pregnant with her third child in three years.
She and I were the same age and she'd married straight out of
High School. I was always invited to her showers and I always
attended and brought a gift from David and myself given the fact
that I was practically family and we were on separate coasts. My
gifts were always fawned over as was the check that we always
enclosed in the card that supposedly went into a college fund
for the child. Rumor had it that Amelia's husband, Walter, a
stock broker for some international firm, had squandered what
was in his oldest child's trust and college fund and was working
through the second's at a rapid pace. He enjoyed a bit of dog
racing and dabbled in betting on horses. David and I hadn't
been asked to babysit for them but something told me we would
soon enough, they were wearing out their welcome with friends as
well as family.
"Lottie, please tell me you'll go with me to pick out a gift. I
don't know how much baby related shopping I can take. First it
was Marion Hayworth’s twins, then it was Fern Tenny's baby boy,
now it's Amelia Stern's newest spawn. I honestly don't want to
go shopping alone for this one."
Lottie laughed at my new frenzied thoughts and gave my hand a
gentle pat. I honestly wanted to tell her the real reason I
didn't want to go shopping alone for this newest addition to the
Stern family but I just couldn't. I suppose in time I would but
not now.
"Of course I'll go with you. Two heads are better than one when
it comes to that thing and don't worry, Mags."
David and I had always said we'd never ever rely on the nannies
and governesses and faceless sitters that had all but raised us.
We would do more or less everything we did now but with a child
in tow. Perhaps lay off the parties and charity events, leave
the work at the door and create a more stable home base. For
some reason I never could picture my parents even remotely doing
that, even though I was an only child. As were David, George,
and Lottie. We'd all been raised in the same fashion and we'd
turned out fine, hadn't we?
David came down attempting to comb back his hair one last time
and only ruffling it into place. He looked rather casual as
opposed to last evening. Decked out in his finest polo shirt and
a pair of chinos, Ray Ban's hanging from his shirt pocket.
"Alright, the rest of you ready to roll and cruise Bel Air, or
what?"
Just as we collected our things to leave the phone rang. I
rolled my eyes and waved it off.
"Let the answering machine pick it up, that's what it's there
for."
Our jovial message of "You've reached David and Maggie. We're
not here right now but if you leave a really nice message we
might just get back to you."
Three second pause and then the beep and my mother's voice
filled the front hall making me cringe. She was already half in
the bag and probably pool side sipping a Vodka Collins. I could
see her lounging there in her pink silk robe and marabou heels,
a huge sun hat and sunglasses on long nails tapping away on the
side table as she yakked away and then leaned over and took a
sip of her drink. She was probably staring out at the newest
pool boy as she did this, a tiger stalking it's prey.
"Oh how cute! You've recorded a message together. Margaret dear
it's Mother. I thought maybe you'd like to join me for lunch at
Spago sometime this week? A little birdie told me that you and
David have chosen a date for the wedding. Will you be having an
open bar? Oh, there's Hans, my masseuse. Must dash darling, kiss
kiss."
David, George, and Lottie looked at me for a moment while I
stood there almost seething. I calmly walked over to the machine
and deleted the message.
"She just wants to spend time with you, Maggie."
David said as we all piled into his newest buy, a gleaming black
Mercedes 380SL with tan leather interior. My own car, a little
white Porsche 911 Carrera Targa was parked safely in the garage.
David's car wasn't nearly as cramped as mine was, that way poor
George had some leg room and Lottie didn't have to duck around
the back dome.
"If she really wanted to spend time with me she'd make an effort
long before this, David. She'd actually visit instead of saying
she'll stop by. She would have been there for when I...the...to
see me graduate. She wouldn't have gotten totally trashed at my
high school graduation party and taken a header into the pool."
I yanked the safety belt around me and ended up pinching my
fingers in the process.
Lottie gave me a reassuring pat on the shoulder from the back
seat and David took my hand and kissed my fingers.
"You know I'd have gone insane without you guys right?"
George leaned forward and gave me a kiss on the cheek.
"We know and the same would have happened to us without you,
dear girl. So, lets leave your shriveled old prune of a mother
in the dust and go out and enjoy ourselves, shall we?"
#Post#: 2691--------------------------------------------------
Re: Playing For Keeps
DIR By: Maggie Flannery
Date: June 19, 2013, 10:19 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
(update continued )
Lottie's dress/Maggie's newest creation
HTML http://www.polyvore.com/lottie/set?id=86253771&lid=2629648
The better part of our day was spent requesting tours of various
homes for sale, nothing was found that suited our newest couple
and I couldn't blame. If they were paying they'd better get what
they wanted, especially if the price tag went into the
seventy-five thousand dollar and up range. Our day wound down
with a stop over to David's office where he picked up a few
pieces of trademarking paperwork for George and a stop by my
boutique to let Lottie have a look at my surprise for her. I
lead her through the empty shop by the hand as she had her eyes
closed.
"Now, it's still in need of a final fitting but I hope you like
it. When you called me and told me you got your hair cut I was
beside myself for a moment and then I started sketching. I
always thought red was your color, Lots. This is something you
can wear over again and the structured shoulder can be tweaked
later on to streamline the outfit."
I said as I unlocked the tiny area that I called my office and
where I worked on special order pieces. David and George had
already secured a table down the street at La Scala and gave us
some peace and quiet. We planned to walk over after we finished
up at the shop.
Lottie's eyes opened and she let out a yelp as she ran over to
the dressmaker's dummy and walked all the way round it. She then
looked at me with a mixture of glee and apprehension. The
fabric, a watered silk, glistened a bit as Lottie turned the
dummy a bit to admire the back and side detailing.
"Can...can I touch the fabric?"
"Of course! It's your dress after all. I thought you'd need
something one of a kind to wear to the engagement party next
month. I figured this would be something you could wear again,
or I could tweak for you if you wished. A little birdie over at
Chanel told me that red's a power color for brunettes,
especially ones with a new and very chic bobbed hairstyle."
I turned toward my desk and found the key for wall safe in which
held another surprise for Lottie.
"Don't you even think about paying me, Lottie. I won't take it
and you know it. Now, I couldn't let you go in a dress without
some accessories could I? These are a gift from David and I for
your graduation."
I opened the safe and got out the Cartier boxes that had been
wrapped for Lottie's return.
"I'm sorry I didn't get the chance to give them to you last
night."
I handed her the boxes with a smile and watched as she opened
them with shaking hands. Inside the first box was a ruby and
diamond tennis bracelet David had chosen and in the second was a
ruby and diamond necklace and earring suite I had chosen. We
both knew that Lottie had a love of rubies and had decided on
Cartier because it was a quality brand that stood the test of
time.
"Oh, Mags! This is beautiful! I can't wait to wear them along
with the dress. But you've got to promise me something."
I causally lit a cigarette and exhaled a plume of smoke above
our heads as we walked, arms linked through the shop and out
into the street where I locked the door. Clouds has formed and
the air which was normally already heavy seemed to weigh a
hundred pounds. Rain was long overdue.
"Anything for you, Lots. You know that."
"You've got to promise me that you'll be the one to make my
wedding dress when the time comes."
Now it was my turn to let my eyes bulge as I nearly choked as I
inhaled and sputtered a moment. We were walking down Rodeo Drive
and I nearly keeled over on the spot.
"Are you telling me..."
Lottie shook her head as she laughed at my display before
reached and taking my cigarette and finishing it off.
"Oh lord no! We've only just decided to move in together, baby
steps, Mags. Baby steps. I'm going to have to ask you to help me
redecorate when we finally find a place."
We turned down the street and stopped at the crosswalk before
making our way across.
"Of course, you know you two can always stay at the beach house
as long as you like. David and I don't mind at all."
We came upon La Scala and hurried inside before the clouds
opened up and the first light rains of summer descended upon us.
We were seated across from a very chatty David and George as
they went over logo designs and perused the menu at the same
time.
"Well, I'm not so sure on red...what about green? Ooh, look
they've got bluefin tuna back in!"
George said as he pointed out the tuna to David who was busy
trying to decide between Beef Wellington or Steak Diane. Lottie
had settled on a simple Caesar salad with low fat dressing on
the side and a small portion of the poached white fish without
seasonings or sauces. Lottie was normally a very voracious eater
but for some reason her appetite was off over the course of a
day, perhaps she was still adjusting to time zones? God I hoped
so. I, on the other hand found none of it even remotely
appetizing and found my thoughts drifting. I was able to pull it
together when the waiter arrived and ordered a plain chopped
salad with light dressing and a glass of sparkling mineral
water.
"Someone must be feeling last night."
George said good-naturedly as he and Lottie put their own orders
in. David looked at me worriedly and I shook my head giving him
the "Not now" sign. I played along as Lottie and George laughed
as they recalled last night. My stomach, on the other hand was
still in knots. I quickly excused myself for a moment and made a
grab for my purse and bolted to the bathroom. In the process I
nearly ran over a fellow patron as I hurried along and attempted
to compose myself in the locked stall. My doctor had informed me
that the next few months were bound to be a roller coaster of
various things, heavy bleeding and emotional outbursts along
with cramping were completely normal. I was still attempting to
assimilate. With shaking hands I pried open the script bottle
and shook out two pills and hurriedly gulped them down only to
have them lodge themselves in my throat. I leaned over the
faucet and cupped my hands and took a quick swallow of water and
closed my eyes for a second. By the time I composed myself the
pills had taken effect and I was able to walk back to the table
with a numbed nerves and the knots and cramps lessening in my
stomach.
"You okay, Mags? You're awfully quiet over there."
Lottie said as our waiter collected our plates and offered us
the dessert menu, which everyone except Lottie ordered from.
"I'm just...fine, Lottie. I'm just a bit tired that's all, and
the hangover really isn't helping"
Talk of various realtors filled the rest of the conversation
until we said our goodbyes to Lottie and George who were due to
pay his parents a visit while they were in Bel Air, they'd
already called ahead for a car. Lottie pulled me in for a hug
before whispering in my ear.
"I'm calling you later on tonight. I'm worried about you."
I pulled her in for a quick hug and assured her that I was just
fine. I noticed then that she seemed much more slight than she
had when I'd seen her last year at her parents Christmas party
in Vermont. Lottie had always been petite but now she was just
down right bony.
Not as much as I'm worried about you, Lots. Ok, Maggie you're
over reacting. Maybe she's under stress?
"Just have a good time with George and don't worry about me one
bit. I'll be just fine and besides, David's here."
I gave her a peck on the cheek before George pulled me in for a
hug and bid me goodnight. The ride home was a quiet one until
David broke the silence.
"You ok, Mags?"
"Are you ok, David?"
"I asked you first, babe."
"Still in pain, still gushing like a stuck pig and still on an
emotional roller coaster. How about you, dear? I'm more worried
about you than anything else."
David took my hand in his and ran his thumb over my knuckles as
he usually did when we were in the car.
"Still having moments when I think about it. I still can't walk
past new parents without wondering. I know it's a million times
harder on you and I feel helpless because I can't make it go
away. I'm supposed to protect you from the bad things,
Mags...and I failed."
I could hear his voice crack as we turned into the drive way and
idled for a moment. I looked over and saw that his eyes had
misted over with tears. I took his face in my hands and kissed
him gently before pulling him in for a hug.
"You could never ever fail me, David. Remember that, always.
What happened wasn't anyone's fault, not yours, not mine. It
just happens, maybe it wasn't meant to be this time. We'll be
okay as long as we have one another we'll be just fine. I
promise you."
David wrapped an arm around me and pulled me to him before
returning my kiss.
"That's why I love you, Mags. You know exactly how to make
someone feel better and put their mind at ease."
"Oh funny, I thought it was my sparkling wit and grace that drew
you to me, dear David."
David rolled his eyes as he got out and helped me from the car
and into the house.
"I see you haven't lost your sense of humor."
"Me lose my sense of humor? Never! Now get yourself in here, it
looks like we've got Saturday night in to enjoy together."
#Post#: 2693--------------------------------------------------
Re: Playing For Keeps
DIR By: Wolfy
Date: June 20, 2013, 7:02 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Oh dear..!
I'm really beginning to worry about them both now. I can only
just take a guess at Maggie's problem but I haven't a clue
what's going on with Lottie and it's all very worrying. I do
hope they are both okay soon, though. I have to compliment the
dress Magz made for her and the rubies both her and David picked
out, it's all very lovely! and though red isn't normally a
colour I would wear, I couldn't help myself with that dress.
Very much a fan of the bracelet :] I think I like that best.
Ooh, also.. before I forget.. not too far into the second update
where George let slip what him and Lottie had been upto, that
had me laughing quite a bit :') can't wait for the next bit to
find out what's going on with everyone :D
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