The Errol Flynn Family Ch. 4 Lalique’s Back Pt 2

A few days later Melanie came over see her sister’s place. She thought it was charming and though she’d always pictured herself living in an upscale apartment or condo as a single woman (once she was through with college), Lalique’s house was something to consider. She was directly across from the park with the small lake and kitty-corner from the small shopping area.

Melanie decided to come right out and ask Lalique if she knew anything about Brian Ottomas. She did remember him it seemed,

“He was nice enough guy if I recall correctly. Had coal black hair, and, oh yeah, he dressed kind of tough but was never in any trouble so I guess it was all for effect. He was in the marching band AND in the orchestra so he didn't have a lot of extra time to date anyway. His twin sister was kind of a pill, but she never got into any trouble either. I didn’t have a crush on him myself because, “she grinned ruefully here, “As you know, I already had my eye on someone else. Really, hon, if Lori wants to know more she should ask her sister,"

“Ask Grace?” Melanie almost stuttered.

“Well, Grace went steady with him for a short while, I'm pretty sure. Right before she got hooked up with Alex Goth.”

 Melanie was so surprised she didn’t know what to say. She would have to ask Lori if she was aware of this. But I know she’s not, Melanie thought, she would have told me; I know she would have told me.

When they were in the “music room” as Lalique showed her around the rest of the house, Melanie noticed some photos up on the wall, and didn’t recognize some of the people so she asked Lalique who they were. Some were fellow faculty members at the college, a couple of them were of students, but one drew Melanie’s attention.

“Who’s that dude?”

Lalique played coy for a moment, but then she blushed and said his name was Bob Blackford.

“I knew he looked familiar. That’s Mr. Blackford who runs the Arcade,” Melanie frowned and peered up at the photo, “Why is he on your wall?”

“He doesn’t run the arcade, he owns it,” Lalique pointed out, “And he’s on my wall because we’ve been seeing each other.”

 “Huh?” Melanie said sounding a bit stupid.

“You heard me,” Lalique said.

“What about Devon?” Melanie blurted.

“Well, what about him?”

“But you and Devon have always, well, you know,” Melanie couldn’t think what to say.

“Did you think I never dated anyone else?” Lalique laughed a little, “I’ve dated various guys while I’ve been away, just none that I really cared about. I like Bob very much, of course it’s way too early to know if anything will come of it,” she smiled to herself as she thought of the last time she’d seen him.

 “Sure,” Melanie nodded, “Um, I want to go see your yard.”

“He’s really very nice,” Lalique told her as they headed outside.

“Actually Devon came by the other night,” she admitted as they sat down under the weeping willow, “But I don’t know what to do about him. I’m not sure I can quite forgive him for the way he acted.”

“Did he say what the heck was wrong with him?” Melanie asked in her frank way and Lalique laughed.

“Not really, just hinted that he was going through a “selfish period” at the time,” Lalique grimaced and then muttered, “Seems as though most males go through a period like that and it lasts from puberty to retirement.”

Melanie nodded again, “Bummer for you.”

“I hate to tell you, but bummer for you, too, girl. If you like men, there’s just no getting away from it.”

“Are you going to go over to Yvette’s and see the baby?” Melanie changed the subject.

“Of course, I’m going tomorrow night in fact, after work.”

They went on talking as Melanie bragged about their mutual niece and how smart, talented and cute she was.

“Not prejudiced, are we?” Lalique grinned.

“Nope; just convinced. You just wait until she puts her sticky, chubby fingers on your heart and squeezes. It makes you just want to eat her up! Dad acts like an idiot about her; it’s really funny.”

  
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Indeed it was just getting dark before Lalique could finish her work at school the next day and get over to Yvette and Mark’s farm.

She got to hold and talk with Simone who looked just like Yvette to Lalique, even though Simone had light brown hair like Mark, her brown eyes and all her features resembled Yvette so much. The little girl was not shy with Lalique at all in spite of never having seen her before, and seemed as smart as Melanie claimed she was.

Yvette cooked a later supper for them all; delicious as always, but Lalique felt she should leave fairly soon after. The baby was ready for bed, but frankly, Yvette and Mark seemed to be dragging by that time as well.

“Up early with the chickens, er, the toddler,” Yvette joked. Mark walked Lalique out to her car and waved goodbye; Yvette was putting Simone down for the night in her crib.

As Lalique drove home she tried to picture herself in the same life as Yvette's with a small, beautiful but energy-draining toddler under her care, or even two! It was hard to imagine it without a clear idea of who the husband/father would be in such a scenario, so she gave it up for the moment.

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Lalique still was in a dilemma over whether she should go ahead with the romance with Bob or go back to Devon. Bob seemed the most hopeful, but she now knew she really did want kids, if possible, and his 3 boys were already grown. Would he want more children? Could he give her more children? Would he be an old man before any children they might have were grown?

As for Devon he still seemed as undecided and wishy-washy about where he wanted his life to go as he’d ever been; best-selling novel notwithstanding. He was still living with his parents, too, and Lalique thought he should have progressed by now to at least having his own apartment. Unless he changed drastically, which was unlikely, she was going to write him off. The things you adored in a boy when you were high school were frequently of no consideration at all once you were an adult, apparently.

When she ran into Jacob Black in town—she hadn’t seen him in years---she invited him over for dinner. They had a good talk about the old days and then about what their respective plans for the future were at this time. Jacob had built his own house way up the road almost out of town. He, too, hoped to meet the right girl and get married. The right girl had to like the rugged outdoor life, he said, even though his place was well-built and sheltering. Jake worked as a mechanic so he didn’t make a lot of money, but in Lalique’s opinion it was certainly good enough to raise a family on. Of course she, herself, was not the rugged outdoor type, detesting all snakes, bees, spiders and the like. When she had gone camping with a friend's family in high school, the first thing she was wondering about was where could she plug in her blower? Come to think of it; the most outdoors she ever got was either at the beach or in her Adirondack chair outside next to the little fountain. I might as well face it, she thought grimly, I’m an indoor, night-time type of person. It's neon lights and air conditioning for me.

Outdoor girl or not, she and Jacob ended the evening on the love-seat, but after a few kisses he seemed to run out of steam and backed away. Lalique wondered if she should have used a stronger mouthwash after dinner. However Jacob admitted the problem was that, in reality, he still cared for Renesmee Cullen. Lalique knew that Renesmee still lived with her parents in that big glass and brick house way up past Jake’s house. She told him she definitely understood how old loves could haunt you, so, even though she thought he was a really nice guy and she was attracted to him, she hoped all would go well and he would get back with Renesmee. Lalique had to respect him for not taking advantage of her “neediness” and staying true to his feelings. So Jacob was on his way shortly thereafter, thanking her for dinner. So much for that, thought Lalique as she picked up the house and prepared to go to sleep.

She had a brief thought of calling Devon to come over and just have his way with her, but that didn’t last long. It wasn’t really what she wanted anyway. If only someone new would move to Pleasantview, or even someone who had been gone a long time would move back. She couldn’t think of any likely candidates from her high school years that she would want to come back, so it would have to be someone who’d moved away in her childhood, practically. Bob still called her nearly every day, she thought she ought to give him a little more time. But she hoped something would happen soon, because her trysts on the love-seat were starting to make her feel like she was “Looking For Mr. Goodbar”...

Next update: Bobbi Jo Broke Cooke - Ch. 2 Her New Life

Next installment of the Flynn Family HERE

To follow Melanie through her time at University go HERE 

The Errol Flynn Family Ch. 4 Lalique’s Back Pt 1

Errol and Olivia Flynn were thrilled; Lalique had returned to Pleasantview and was renting a small house across from the park.  She really loved it and since she was renting with an option to buy, she had gone ahead and done a little decorating before she moved in. Actually, the very first day she was in town, she went shopping and then decided to check out the Galaxy Arcades, under new management. 

She ran right into her father, Errol, who had stopped by to talk to his friend and the owner, Bob Blackford. Errol hugged her and asked when they would get to see her new home. She said “As soon as I get unpacked and know where my dishes are, you and Mom and Melanie can come for dinner!” Errol was on his way out but took time to introduce her to Bob before he left.

Lalique struck up a lengthy conversation with Bob. He seemed to her to be knowledgeable on diverse subjects. He’d been an architect until he retired recently when he bought the arcade. His two older sons, Jeremy and Jesse, were grown and married with children, his younger son Chandler, was about 21 and still lived at home. About a week later he called Lalique and asked her if she’d like to go out for dinner and a movie. She decided to accept and Lalique had a wonderful time with Bob who treated her like a lady and had a love for dance like she did. After phoning each other all the following week, Lalique invited him over for a home-cooked dinner. She was attracted to him physically and by the end of the evening they indulged in some kissy-face on the love seat. When she thought about it, Lalique realized she had only cared about one other man in her life, despite dating frequently, and that was Devon. She wondered if this romantic interest in Bob meant she was finally getting over Devon.

She didn’t have long to wait for a comparison because three nights later, Devon showed up on her doorstep, smiling and apologetic. He obviously hoped to renew their relationship.

As if nothing had ever happened; just as though he had not left town for a year. Left without letting me know why or where he was.

Ten months after Devon took off, Lalique had left town, too. Only now, 18 months later, was she able to come back without breaking down every night.  So it was nearly three years since they had seen each other.

And he just waltzes in like I’m going to take him back gratefully. He’s got a lot of nerve.

The thing was; Lalique still felt an enormous pull toward Devon; both emotional and physical. So many memories going back to her early teens were connected to him. And they were mostly good memories until the last part which had been painful; filled with sadness and anger over the careless way he had treated her. Briefly she considered just slamming the door in his face, but she was curious as to what he would say, what he COULD possibly say to justify his actions.

In fact, Devon did not try to justify himself. He knew he could not and he really couldn’t say for sure why he had run off like that. He’d been so preoccupied with the publishing of his book and the notoriety, he told her; that he guessed he’d became totally selfish at the time. Then, after a while, when he moved back home, he’d been too embarrassed to call her. When he finally got up the nerve by then Lalique had left town and he had no idea where she was. When he’d tried to find out from her parents, they’d declined to give him her whereabouts. He couldn’t really blame them. Lalique was surprised her parents had not told her this. She would have to find out about that later.

In the meantime, Devon devoted himself to persuading her once more they were meant to be together. He looked so much older and perhaps even a little more sophisticated to Lalique with his hair cut differently and the beard. She still found him nearly irresistible, but she let him charm her to the love seat and no farther. He didn’t press his advantage at first, trying to convince her he was an absolute gentleman now.

When she found herself in danger of being seduced further, however; Lalique gently, but implacably, maneuvered him to the door, making no promises about when, or if, she would see him again. She had a lot to think about.

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She was unpacked and as settled as she hoped to be at this time, so Lalique invited her parents over for dinner a few days later.

“This is so lovely right across from the park here, dear,” Olivia exclaimed.

“I know I was lucky to get this place. No pool table, Dad, but you can attack the Atari if you want.”

Olivia and Lalique sat at the dining table and talk a bit, about what was the latest in Pleasantview, about their family, and so on. Errol was on the other side of the room shouting at the T.V.; but there was a white silk screen between that end of the room and theirs that helped keep them from getting distracted.

Lalique got up once to start making dinner for her parents. She no sooner set the blackened catfish down on the dining room table, than her father dove into it. He had a very healthy appetite for everything in life, including food.

At one during dinner point Olivia started talking about how Nicky Ferguson has just moved back to town, too and bought a house. Lalique recognized her mother was trying to be offhand, but had an agenda behind this.

“Mom, I knew Nicky in school, remember? But there was never any romance. I was with Devon and Nicky was one year younger.”

“One year, that's nothing,” sniffed Olivia and then smiled to take the sting out of it, “People change, Lalique.”

“Not that much, unfortunately,” Lalique said, remembering Devon.

“Nicky is a very good looking man now—“ Olivia turned wide brown eyes on her daughter and Lalique had to laugh,

“Who says, Madeleine Ferguson?”

“I saw him myself for just a moment. His mother and I ran into each other two days ago at Goth Apparel.  He was there and then he left and she and I went for coffee…”

“Ugh, no,” Lalique could picture the two beautiful and hopelessly romantic women planning some sort of “reunion” for her and Nicky. Probably he didn’t even know about it.

“Mom, look, Nicky was sarcastic and funny, and yes, he was nice-looking in an odd way, but I always thought he was kind of cocky.”

“How does she mean that?” Errol finally emerged from his eating frenzy and looked at Olivia.

“Ha ha. Go back to your food, dear, or did you just need to take a breather?”

"Dad, I only mean he had a rather rakish sense of humor and that, well, even though you knew he was basically a good guy, you just felt he was a little devilish, a little dangerous in some way."

“Sounds like I’d like him,” Errol remarked. He rose from the table and ever so slightly bowed to both ladies, saying, “I shall retire to the game room if I’m not needed.”

Lalique giggled while Olivia said with a wry smile, “Do that, darling.”

Lalique and Olivia cleared the table and washed the dishes and then Lalique showed her mother through the very small remaining rooms, the (one) large very modern bathroom, her “music room” with a battered upright piano, a synthesizer, a ballet barre and exercise equipment and then her tee-tiny bedroom.

“But, dear, how do you do your ballet exercises with this nautilus thingy here?”

“Well, mostly, I don’t. But I don’t have time to run, I need the exerciser. I could put the ballet barre in my bedroom but every time I stretched my leg out I’d smack into the bed.” She looked at Olivia and they both laughed.

“Maybe “option to buy” won’t work for me, but I really love this place otherwise.”

“It’s  a lovely bedroom even if it is small. Remember your father and I ended up with the smallest bedroom in the house until you moved out!”

“Yes, and he said a bad word every single time that he stubbed his toe, which seemed to be a couple times a week.”

Olivia and Lalique laughed again.

She and her mother went out to the side yard to talk some more and enjoy the sunlight and the view of the park. They discussed so many things; it was really quite wonderful for Lalique to have time alone with her mother. Errol was still inside yelling and cussing at the TV screen. Without a pond to fish in, lake or ocean to sail in, or a pool to swim in, he really did not know what to do with himself. At home when it rained he worked on his latest book.

“Well, I’d better take your father home before he loses his voice completely,” Olivia smiled, “Thank you so much for having us over, Lalique, we enjoyed it.”

“If I ever get a pool Dad can actually come out of the house! So you’ll have to come again often, maybe the landlord would let me get an above-ground pool or something”

“We don’t need a pool, we’ll be happy to come.”


It was only just before she went to bed that Lalique realized she forgot to ask her parents about their refusal to give Devon her address or phone number while she was gone. 

Next update: The Errol Flynn Family Ch. 4 Lalique's Back Pt. 2