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Chapter 43
July 2005
"Lydia is a
WHAT!?"
It was the Saturday
afternoon after Chris' bachelor party. Will stood in the middle
of Lizzy's Metairie apartment, and she was not a happy camper.
"It's true,
Lizzy. I saw her last night, and I spoke to her."
"Oh my god…oh
my god…" Lizzy almost fell onto her sofa. "She's
all right. We were so worried…" She looked up at her
boyfriend. "Where is this place? I've got to go see her!"
"Lizzy - wait.
You can't…"
"What do you
mean, I can't?"
"I promised
her I wouldn't tell your family how to find her. I'm breaking
that promise telling you."
Lizzy gasped at
the statement. "How could you promise such a thing?"
"She demanded
it. It was the only way I could get her to agree to meet with
me."
"But my mother,
my family…we've been suffering for over a year! Thinking
terrible things!"
Will tried to console
her. "I know, I know…It's just for a few more days.
Things are really dicey right now. She might rabbit, and then
we'll never find her."
"At least I
can call Mom…"
"No - don't!"
He sat down next to her. "If Lydia gets wind that y'all
know what she does for a living, she'll take off. She really
doesn't want y'all to know she's an exotic dancer." He took
a breath. "It's really complicated. I'm going to meet with
her - alone - to try to get her to return home. We've got to
get her out of the city before Wickham decides he wants her back."
"How do you
know Wickham will come after her?"
"I don't. But,
do you want to take that chance?"
Lizzy shook her
head.
Will took her hands.
"Lizzy, you've got to promise me you won't call anybody
about your sister until you hear from me. That includes Jane."
She started shaking her head. "Lizzy, you've GOT to! Promise,
me, love! Please!"
Lizzy stared straight
ahead. "All right, I promise."
"Thank you,
sweetheart. It won't be long. A couple of days, at most."
Lizzy had her mouth
in a firm line. She felt she had no control over events, and
she hated it. "Where and when are you meeting her?"
"Lizzy, I can't
tell you."
She whirled on him.
"William! That's my sister! I have a right to know!"
"Lizzy, if
we want to get her back, you're going to have to let me play
this my way."
"Then, let
me go with you, please."
"No, I've got
to handle this alone." He interrupted her retort. "If
she walks into our meeting place and sees you, she could bolt
out of there, and we're right back to where we started. You've
gotta trust me on this one, honey."
Lizzy clenched her
fists. "I do trust you, Will, but…but that's
my sister! How can you ask me…?" She caught herself
before she could say any more. "Will, do you understand
how frustrating this is? I'm sorry. I should be more grateful,
but…oh, damn!" She dropped her face into her hands.
Will sat next to
her and gingerly placed a hand on her back. Some of Lizzy's tension
dissipated at his touch. Keeping her head down, she said, "What
are your plans, Will?"
"Play it by
ear. A combination of pleas and threats. We've got to get her
out of the city, otherwise, Wickham could get to her." He
paused. "Lizzy, I do understand your frustration, I do.
I'm really sorry, but I just don't see any other way of doing
this."
"It's not just
that." She looked up. "I feel out of control - that
all of the decisions are being made for me, without consulting
me."
"I'm not trying
to cut you out," Will protested, "but we have to move
fast. Don't you agree?"
"Yes, I do.
I just want to be…consulted!"
Will saw her point
and felt guilty. "I had to make a decision - I didn't have
time. I'm sorry."
The two sat in silence
for a moment.
"How is she,
Will?"
"She looks
fine…I mean she's healthy. Not sick - she's in good shape…oh,
hell."
Lizzy put her hand
to her forehead. "She danced for you, didn't she?"
"Yeah."
Even though she
knew the answer, she couldn't help but ask, "Naked?"
"She, umm,
left this thong-thing on."
"Oh, god. Can
this get any more mortifying?"
"At least she
didn't give me a lap dance, or give one to Chuck, either."
Will thought it best not to mention the ones she did give to
Chris and Mike.
"Chuck was
there," Lizzy looked up. "Do you think he recognized
her?"
"I don't think
so. She's dyed her hair blonde, now."
Lizzy shook her
head. The knowledge that her lover and brother-in-law had seen
her sister topless in just a G-string turned her stomach.
"Umm, Lizzy,
there's more."
Lizzy flinched at
Will's cautious tone. "Tell me."
"There was
another girl with Lydia - they were a team. From what she said
later, I think they're more than just friends."
Lizzy stared at
him as his words sunk in. "No…I can't believe it. Are
you sure?"
"Pretty sure."
Lizzy dropped her
face back into her hands. "Mom and Dad will never accept
that."
Will tried to think
of something to say to console her, but everything that came
to mind sounded patronizing. So he did the next best thing -
he took her into his arms. Lizzy didn't fight him, and allowed
herself to be held closely against his chest.
"Hang in there,
honey, and it'll get better."
"Keep saying
that and I might believe it. It can't get much worse." She
paused for a moment. "Will, can I ask you to promise me
something? Will you please in the future talk to me before
you make a decision for the two of us?"
Will flushed again
in guilt. "I'll try, honey…"
Lizzy sighed. "Will,
trying's not good enough. I love you to death, but you have
to let me in. You have to let me be your equal, your partner.
Or, I don't see how we're going to make it."
Will's mouth went
dry, for he could see the truth in her words. "You're right,
you're right. I will do better, I promise. We're a team, now
and forever."
Lizzy said nothing,
but she relaxed a bit in his embrace, pleased with his vow.
He stroked her hair.
"Look, just because I have to meet with Lydia by myself
doesn't mean you can't help."
"How?"
"I don't know
her, but you do. Are you up to telling me about her? How you
remember her? What she was like back in Chackbay?"
"I don't know
what good that will do. My parents certainly didn't raise us
to be strippers." She sighed and closed her eyes. "Lydia
was the youngest of all of us, the baby of the family, and we
all probably spoiled her…"
~*~*~
Prior to the Great
Mississippi River Flood of 1927, local communities were responsible
for flood control. Citizens in Louisiana were not unwilling to
tax themselves for such purposes, as long as the funds were used
for the intention claimed. Experience showed that cities and
parishes were liable to raise money for levees, only to spend
it on something else. In the late 1800s, the Legislature established
a series of levee district boards responsible for "the operation
and maintenance of levees, embankments, seawalls, jetties, breakwaters,
water basins, and other hurricane and flood protection improvements,"
and they were given the taxing power to raise funds. The largest
of these groups was the Orleans Levee District.
Cooperation is an
alien expression in Louisiana. The good people in Plaquemines
and St. Bernard could not trust Orleans officials to safeguard
their homes. Individual levee districts had to be set
up. In Jefferson, the mistrust between the East Bank and West
Bank was as great as it was over Orleans, and separate districts
were established. The politicos used the positions on the district
boards as patronage for supporters, so there was no demand for
reform.
In the aftermath
of the 1927 Flood, the United States Congress gave the United
States Army Corps of Engineers supervision and control of design
and construction of flood control throughout the Mississippi
Valley. Local levee boards remained, however, in charge of day
to day inspection and maintenance of the levee systems in their
areas. They also were responsible for raising the matching funds
the government required for projects.
With the Corps of
Engineers designing all projects and choosing all contractors,
there was not much for these levee districts to do. Inspections
involved merely driving by the levees to see if there were any
leaks. The Corps handled all but the most minor of dredging of
the canals and waterways.
So, the districts
were given additional powers - that of operating "public
parks, beaches, marinas, aviation fields, and other like facilities."
The Orleans Levee District ran two marinas, a casino, and the
Lakefront Airport. It even had its own police department. East
Jefferson had its own law enforcement, too. Corruption on these
boards was rampant, and not a few commissioners would end up
in jail.
The people were,
by degrees, unhappy about the corruption, but since their protection
was mainly in the hands of the federal government, no one got
really upset over it.
There was one outcome
of the Corps dealing with separate levee districts. Projects
were based on need (population) and funding (money). Orleans
and East Jeff had the most of both, so they got the lion's share
of the projects. It was why the levees around Lake Pontchartrain
were fifteen feet high, while the 40 Arpent Levee protecting
St. Bernard from the MRGO was between seven and nine. As for
West Bank of Jefferson, its projects were always on the back
burner.
~*~*~
Café du Monde
is synonymous with coffee and beignets and rightfully so. But
what might surprise many visitors is that many New Orleanians
say that Café du Monde is not their favorite coffee spot.
Certainly, there are those traitors who drink the over-roasted,
over-priced swill served up by national chains. But as for the
connoisseurs of chicory coffee, they are split between Café
du Monde and its Metairie competitor, the Morning Call Coffee
Stand.
The Morning Call
was established in 1870 on Decatur in the Quarter, but one hundred
years later, the owners decided to monopolize the Jefferson East
Bank coffee crowd. They closed the Decatur location and moved,
original bar and all, to a strip center behind the region's largest
shopping mall. Legions of loyal customers followed, enjoying
what they claimed was the ultimate coffee and beignet experience.
Many disagreed,
sticking with Café du Monde, but there was no argument
that one would find far fewer tourists in the Morning Call.
Will took a back
table on this mid-afternoon Sunday, enjoying the cool darkness
of the place. The large carved wood bar was lit by bare bulbs,
looking like something out of the 1920's. He just started sipping
his cafe au lait when the front door opened.
A tall, short-haired
brunette with sunglasses surveyed the place. She was wearing
a cropped t-shirt and hip-hugging jeans. Her perusal of the coffee
stand ended when she faced Darcy's table. She stood still for
a moment before stepping outside. Another moment passed before
the door opened again. The brunette was accompanied by a short,
buxom blonde in a tank-top and shorts, her hair in pig-tails.
Even with her Ray-Bans, Will recognized her and waved them over.
"Well, we're
here, and right on time," said Lydia as the two women stood
by the table.
"And not alone,"
Will said as he glanced at the brunette. "Sit down. I don't
believe we've been introduced. I'm Will Darcy."
"Anne Betancourt,
stage name Spice," the woman said in a completely neutral
tone. Without makeup and wig, her sharp features were quite mannish,
while no lack of cosmetics could diminish the femininity of her
companion. The cool air in the restaurant proved that the brunette
saw no need to wear a bra under her shirt.
Will waved over
a waiter. "Y'all order something first," he offered.
Anne went for coffee, while Lydia ordered a Coke, and both ordered
beignets.
After the waiter
left, Lydia glanced at Anne. "Mr. Darcy, I want you to pass
over Lizzy's picture right now," she demanded.
Will was surprised
but he did as he was bid, and extracted the photograph from his
wallet. The two women examined the picture closely, turning it
over to read the sentiment inscribed: To William. All my love,
Elizabeth.
Lydia handed the
photo back. "Sorry about that, but I know my sister. There
was no way you could've been her boyfriend and not have her picture."
Will chuckled, impressed
with Lydia's survival skills. Upon his return from his New York
trip in April, the first thing Lizzy did, after kissing him senseless,
was hand him that photograph along with a key to her apartment.
He looked at it, experiencing the same warmth enveloping his
heart he felt back when his girl gave it to him.
Anne gave him a
look. "Just to let you know, I looked you up on the Internet.
You own some big shipping company, huh?"
Will looked up from
his musings. "That's right." He put the photo back
in his wallet.
"So, what's
this all about?" demanded Anne. "You promised us three
hundred dollars."
Will glanced again
at Anne as he removed an envelope from his sport coat pocket.
As he slid it towards them, he said, "Don't bother opening
that here - there's only a hundred in it." At their looks
of outrage, he continued, "You get the rest when our conversation
is done."
Anne huffed. "Well,
let's get it over with. What do you wanna talk about?"
Will sat back and
was silent for a moment. "I'm gonna let you two in on a
little secret. I'm going to marry your sister, Lydia, though
it's not official yet. We're just waiting for the right time.
Be that as it may, I look to you as my future sister-in-law,
and what I've got to say is family business." He turned
to Anne. "Private family business. You're not welcome
right now. Get lost."
Anne scowled at
the insult. "If you think I'm leavin', you're cracked! You
got something to say to Lyddie, you can say it in front of me,
asshole."
Will placed his
cell phone on the table. "Ms. Betancourt, I want to have
a private conversation with my future sister-in-law. You will
please move to that table next to the front window and give us
some privacy. When what I have to say concerns you, I will call
you over." He glanced at the phone. "If you do not
leave, not only will you forfeit two hundred dollars, I will
immediately call Captain Richard Fitzwilliam, my cousin on the
NOPD, and inform him Lydia Boudreaux has been found. I'm sure
he would be happy to have the JPSO pick her up for questioning
as a material witness. They're looking very hard for her former
friend, Greg Wickham. They might think she knows where he is."
He stared right into her eyes. "How would your place of
employment feel about that?"
Anne cursed, but
Lydia restrained her with a touch of her arm. "It's okay,
Annie, I'll be all right."
"But baby…"
Anne complained.
"You're gonna
be right there. If I need ya, I'll call."
Anne didn't want
to leave, but she saw she had no choice. She defiantly kissed
Lydia hard on the lips, after giving Darcy an insolent look,
and stormed over to the table indicated. Will relaxed. He had
chosen a table for Betancourt that was directly behind Lydia's
back. He was assured of her undivided attention.
"Sorry - she
gets protective sometimes. So, are you really gonna marry Lizzy?"
Will almost shook
his head over Lydia's change of topics. "Umm…yes, I
am, someday."
"Wow. I never
thought Lizzy would ever get hitched. You must love her, huh?"
"Yes, I do.
How about you, Lydia? What are your plans?"
"I don't know…I
mean, I thought about gettin' married an' all that stuff, but…hell,
the only guys I meet are first class assholes." She shrugged.
"Most of the guys that visit the club are cool, but as Annie
says, ya don't date the customers. Breaks the illusion, she says.
She's right. There was this one gal. She met a guy while she
was dancing and fell in love and all that shit. Moved in with
him. She kept dancing, though. He was cool with it at first,
but after a while, it got too much for 'em. Got jealous, ya know?
Last I heard, he put her in the hospital, an' he's in jail. Just
sad."
They were interrupted
by the waiter with their order. Darcy pointed out where Anne
was sitting and instructed him to get her anything she wanted.
Will turned his attention back to Lydia. She was powdering her
beignets. The Morning Call served theirs plain, allowing the
patrons to decide how much sugar they wanted on their beignet.
It was no surprise to Will that Lydia was heavy with the sugar.
"How long have
you been with Anne?" he asked as she carefully bit into
the hot doughnut.
"Since I got
away from Greg." She looked down. "You were right about
that. He's a real bad dude. Crazy, ya know? Annie took me in.
She's the nicest person I've ever met and so smart! If it wasn't
for her…I don't know what would've happened."
"Aren't you
afraid of Wickham finding you?"
"Not really,
living in St. Rose…aw, shit! You tricked me!"
Will gave her a
small grin. "Maybe a little."
"It's okay
- I can trust you. You got a good face. That's how you got Lizzy,
huh? Those dimples?"
Will flushed a little.
"I don't know. You'll have to ask her." He reached
for her hand. "I can take you to her apartment right now."
Lydia's face fell,
and she pulled her hand away. "No. I can't do that. I can't
see any of 'em. Not now."
"Why not? They
love you."
Lydia barked a humorless
laugh. "Yeah, I can just see that homecoming. Lydia,
the stripper, with her 'friend,' Annie. You wanna kill my momma?
Shit, my daddy'll kill me!"
"Lydia, I met
your family. I don't think you're being fair to them. They love
you - all of them."
Lydia sniffed back
the tears that had just formed. "You think that makes it
easier? They might love me, but they would never understand.
They would be ashamed of me. Better for them to think I'm dead."
Will changed tactics.
"Do you like what you're doing?"
"Yeah, I do.
I'm good at it, and the money's good. Better than workin' at
the Wal-Mart, that's for sure. The other girls are cool, and
I get to work with Annie. You know, she's going to school, part-time,
workin' on her degree. Like I said, she's real smart."
"Lydia, you
know you can't keep working here or anywhere near New Orleans.
One day or another, Wickham will find you."
Lydia stared at
the floor. "Maybe he's not lookin' for me."
"You willing
to take that chance?" Will glanced over her shoulder. "Willing
to bet Annie's safety on that?"
Lydia looked up
at him.
Will lowered his
voice. "You know what he'd do to her, don't you? To his
competition?"
Her face flushed
in fear and anger. "Damn you."
"Look, Lydia,
if I'm scaring you, it's for a good reason. Wickham's a dangerous,
vindictive bastard. I know it, and you know it. You've got to
get out of town, whether or not you stay in this business."
He let Lydia stew on that.
"I still won't
go back to Chackbay. I won't give up Annie."
Will sighed. He
was afraid of that. Time for Plan B. "If you could go somewhere
else - anywhere - where would that be?"
"Vegas,"
she said immediately.
"Why Las Vegas?"
"I've always
wanted to be a showgirl. You know, one of those beautiful women
in those fancy costumes, walking and dancing on stage? I'd love
to do that!" At Will's incredulous look, she added, "Oh,
I saw that terrible movie about it. That was all make-believe
- some director's wet-dream of a story. Not the way it really
is. Annie's done some research on it."
If she has, then
you ought to know you're too short to be a Las Vegas showgirl. "How does Annie feel about that?"
"She thinks
Vegas is cool, but we don't have enough money to make the move."
Will thought for
a minute. "You want another Coke?"
"Sure."
He waved at the
waiter as he spoke to the girl. "I'll order you another
one. Why don't you invite Anne to join us?"
By the time Lydia
returned with the other dancer, Will had formulated a plan. He
stood to meet the other woman. "Thank you for your patience,
Ms. Betancourt. Please sit down."
Anne was still scowling.
"So, we finished yet?"
"No. Let me
be blunt with you," he said as he returned to his seat.
"I share Lydia's family's concern over her well-being. I
tried to talk her into returning home, but she insists that she
won't do that. Now, I could force the matter by calling my cousin
on the NOPD, but I'd rather not. It is not my intention to hurt
Lydia or you. I only want her to be safe."
Anne grasped Lydia's
hand. "Don't worry about that. I'll keep her safe. We're
fine by ourselves."
"Doubtful,"
Will said dryly.
"I've been
takin' care of myself since I was fifteen, mister!"
"I'm sure you
have, but this situation's a different matter entirely. I've
had dealings with Wickham, so believe me when I say that if he
ever gets the idea in his head that he wants Lydia back, he'll
come for her, and nothing will stop him. You get in his way,
he'll just kill you."
"You tryin'
to scare me?" Anne spat as Lydia blanched.
"Yes."
The waiter arrived just at that moment. "Oh, here's your
Coke, Lydia. Care for anything, Ms. Betancourt? No?" Will
turned to the waiter. "That'll be all for now."
Anne's face was
red, angry that her judgment had been called into question, but
she saw Darcy's point. "So, we'll leave."
Will nodded. "I'm
glad you brought that up. I assume you plan to remain in your
current career?"
"Yeah, the
money's good. I'm goin' to college in my spare time, ya know."
"So Lydia tells
me. Good for you. Lydia expressed a desire to go to Las Vegas.
How do you feel about that?"
"It'd be great.
There are good clubs there, and the money's real good. Trouble
is, we can't afford to get there, an' housing is out of our reach."
"But you're
confident you could get work there if you were established?"
"Oh, yeah.
Guys love girl-on-girl acts, an' it ain't bragging if I say we're
one of the best. Lots better than those fakey porn stars."
"All right,
I have a proposition for you. I'll help you move to Las Vegas
and arrange an apartment for you. First year paid up, utilities
too. Lease will be in my name, and you'll sub-lease for free.
That will give you the chance to get established in the Vegas
clubs." He turned to Lydia, "You said you want to be
a showgirl. I'm sure there are classes to teach you the right
way to do that. I'll cover the tuition. And, I'll see you get
an audition or two. How's that?"
Lydia was almost
speechless in her surprise, but Anne was wary. "Yeah, this
sounds nice, but what do you get outta it?"
"Lydia safe
from Wickham."
"Yeah, sure.
I guess you otherwise wouldn't mind having a local stripper in
the family, huh?"
"Believe what
you like."
"What's the
catch?" shot back Anne.
Will grinned. "Lydia
calls her family before she leaves."
The two started
at that.
"I'd prefer
Lydia actually visiting her family, but I'm willing to settle
for a long phone call to her parents and each of her sisters
- that, and not telling anybody about our arrangement."
Neither girl questioned
the second requirement. "But, what do I tell them?"
cried Lydia. "I can't tell my family about what I do or
about…" Her eyes flew to Anne for an instant.
"Anything you
want," Will replied. "Why not the truth? You've been
hiding from Wickham, and now you're going to Las Vegas to be
a dancer. Ms. Betancourt here is your roommate. Who would question
that?" Will winced at his small lie, knowing damn well Lizzy
would.
"What about
my college credits?" asked Anne.
"Where are
you going?"
"University
of Phoenix."
"Oh, please.
They have a campus there, I'm fairly sure. Any other objections?"
The girls looked
at each other in wonder. "That's it?" asked Anne, her
voice for the first time hopeful. "We get back in touch
with Lydia's family and you'll bankroll our move to Vegas?"
"Basically,
yes. There will be a few other requirements. Both of you will
take a drug test before you leave at a lab of my choice. There'll
be a background check on you, Ms. Betancourt. I have the right
to evict you if there is any illegal activity in the apartment.
And I would expect you will remain in contact with the Boudreaux
family for the year of our agreement. There might be a few more
specifications spelled out in the agreement I'll have my lawyer
draw up, but nothing onerous. Do we have a deal?"
Anne and Lydia shared
a quick whispered conversation. "You've got a deal, Mr.
Will!" cried Lydia. Both women shook hands with Darcy.
"All right.
I'll need your contact information, including your Social Security
numbers." He looked at Anne. "It's for the background
check."
Anne shook her head.
"No problem, Mr. Darcy. I'm as clean as they come. No drugs,
no whoring. You knock yourself out." The girls wrote down
the requested info on the back of Darcy's business card. After
they handed back the card, Will gave them a second envelope with
two hundred dollars in it.
"Your family's
current phone numbers are in that envelope, along with my contact
information and the rest of the cash. We'll stay in touch as
to the timing and logistics. I think we can get this done in
less than a month, don't you?"
They nodded and
Lydia gazed at Will wistfully. "You're doing this for Lizzy,
aren't you?" she declared with surprising insight. "You
must really love her."
Will felt funny
about admitting his deepest feelings to a couple of exotic dancers,
but he replied, "Yes, I do, Lydia."
She stuck out her
hand. "Well, welcome to the family, Mr. Will!"
He took it, and
took the hand extended by Anne. "Please call me Anne, Mr.
Darcy."
"All right,
Annie," he said with a small smile.
~*~*~
A subdued Will knocked
on Lizzy's door. For the first time since Jazz Fest, they hadn't
talked to each other on the phone last night before falling asleep
- Lizzy had been too emotionally torn up.
She greeted him
with a kiss on the cheek. As he made his way into the den, she
asked, "Did you see Lydia yet?"
"Yes, I just
left her."
She turned to him.
"And…?"
"And, you should
be receiving a phone call very soon." He sat on the couch.
"Good! Is she
coning home?"
He sighed. "I'm
sorry, but no. At least she'll be safe."
Lizzy turned to
him, confused. She had unlimited faith in his abilities. "What
do you mean? I thought you were going to get her to come home."
"Lizzy, I'm
sorry…she's not going home."
"Why not?"
"Lizzy, let
me explain…" In the next fifteen minutes, Will told
her of the agreement he made with Lydia on Friday night to meet
on Sunday, reinforced by a threat of exposure. He explained how
he tried to convince Lydia that afternoon to change her mind.
He told her of Lydia's reasons, including her relationship with
Anne Betancourt. And he told her of his Plan B - his bankrolling
of Lydia and Anne's relocation to Las Vegas.
Will stared at his
hands. "Lizzy, I know it's not perfect, it's not what you
wanted, but honey…she's at least safe from Wickham."
He looked up. "That's got to count for something, right?"
He found Lizzy's face white with astonishment.
"Are you saying
that instead of getting her to go back to Chackbay, you're sending
her to Las Vegas?"
"Honey, I know
it's a shock…"
"Shock is an
understatement! How is Las Vegas better than what we have now?"
Before she could
say anything else, the phone rang. The two glanced at each other
as Lizzy reached for the receiver.
"Hello?"
"Lizzy?
Lizzy, it's Lydia."
Lizzy's eyes popped
open. She stared at Will as she managed, "Lydia! Oh, Lyddie,
I'm so glad to hear from you! Where are you?"
"Callin'
from home - uh, my home. I live in St. Rose. Is Mr. Will there?"
She looked at Will
again, who wore a serious expression. "You mean Will Darcy?
Yes, he is."
There was a laugh
on the other end. "Thought so. Tell him 'thanks' for
me?"
She put her hand
over the receiver. "Lydia says thanks."
Will nodded. "She's
welcome."
Lizzy returned to
the phone. "He says you're welcome. Oh my god, Lyddie! We've
all been worried sick. Where have you been?"
"Oh, wow.
I guess I better tell you everything, seeing as you're dating
Mr. Will. He's nice. Don't tell Mom or Dad about me, though,
please?"
Lizzy promised as
she retreated to her bedroom for the remainder of the call, leaving
Will on the couch.
~*~*~
It was a half-hour
later before Lizzy emerged from her bedroom, the cordless phone
still in her hand. Darcy had lain down on the couch, and he sat
up in expectation of her response. He was concerned to see she
intended to say nothing; she only returned the receiver to the
cradle, all the while avoiding his eyes.
"Lizzy?"
his voice was filled with concern. "How did it go? What
did she say?"
Wordlessly she sat
on far end of the couch. "Lydia's…fine. She's going
to call Jane next, then Mom and Dad. She's…" Her voice
trailed off.
Will waited patiently
It was as if Lizzy
was talking to herself. "She's the same. She hasn't changed
a bit. She's still the thoughtless, self-centered, immature girl
she was back home. It took everything I had not to scream at
her for her stupidity. For the hell she put Mom and Dad and all
of us through in the last year..." She looked over at Will.
"Did she tell you what she wants to do in Vegas?"
He nodded.
"A showgirl.
She wants to be a showgirl! Short, curvy little Lydia wants to
be a six-foot tall Vegas showgirl!" She paused. "I
have no words."
Will thought desperately
of something to say to comfort her, but nothing came to mind.
Lizzy held her face
in her hands. "What must you think of me?"
"Think of you?
What are you talking about? I love you, sweetheart."
"I don't know
why. I really don't." She turned to him. "My stupid,
stupid little sister runs off with a drug-dealer, and
then leaves him to shack up with a stripping lesbian. Doesn't
call her family and lets them live in this terrible limbo because
she's embarrassed. The police have been looking for her
for a year, with no results, and it's up to my boyfriend, a guy
who runs a boat company, to find her and get her to call home!"
She paused. "She told me what you're doing for her. How
much is this going to cost?"
"Honey, that
doesn't matter…"
"Yes - it -
does. Tell me, William, how much you're shelling out."
Will had already
done the numbers in his head. "The apartment - nothing fancy
- will run at least $1,000 a month, before utilities. With moving
expenses, deposits, and dancing lessons - something like thirty
to thirty-five thousand, tops." At her horrified expression
he added, "Sweetheart, I spend more than that on a car.
I can handle it."
She shook her head.
"You're going to spend almost half my yearly salary so that
my slutty little sister and her lover can move to Sin City, and
you say it's no big deal."
"It's worth
it if it keeps her out of Wickham's hands."
"I know, I
know." She covered her face again. "But I'm nothing
but trouble for you. After Tulane, after five years, after everything
we've been through…as sweet and loving as you've been to
me… After you've taken me back after all those awful things
I said and wrote. Now this comes up, and you have to go out and
assume all the cost and mortification of cleaning up my family's
mess…" She broke down. "You should just leave.
I'm no good for you."
Will reached out
and took the sobbing Lizzy by the arms. "No, goddammit!
I'm NEVER leaving! Don't you understand by now? I'm NOTHING without
you! I'd spend every last nickel I have, send every crazy woman
in town on a world-wide cruse, if it meant we could be together!
I LOVE YOU, ELIZBETH, AND YOU'RE NEVER GETTING RID OF ME!"
The lovers found
themselves in a violent clutch - Elizabeth crying in his shoulder
while William gasped for air, so great was his anger and fear.
He began to kiss her tears away, the salt on his lips reaffirming
the love he had for this woman. With a shudder, Lizzy surrendered
to her feelings and began returning his soothing kisses with
her desperate ones. Each kiss was a healing balm on their wounded
souls, murmured apologies met with whispered endearments.
Finally they broke
apart. Lizzy looked into his eyes. "Will, God help me, but
I do love you so."
Will grasped her
face in his two hands. "You're my life, Lizzy. Never forget
that."
"I won't, I
won't. I never will again."
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