Alienatus A Se
MICHAEL:
Miranda just can't stop crying after her mom and Langly leave.
I mean, Miranda can be such a bitch, but a crybaby? No way. You almost never see Miranda cry.
But she's making up for it now.
I feel kind of sorry for her...she feels real bad, I know she does. But maybe she should. Sometimes, with her mom and Langly, she is so fucking cold.
Kelly asks her if she'd like something to drink, and she says yeah. A beer.
"Miranda, your mom'll kill you."
"Yeah, she would. But she won't know 'cause you won't say anything."
"The hell we won't," I remind her. "We'll rat you out so fast, you won't know what slammed you in the ass."
She looks at me at first like, you wouldn't have the balls, dude, but then she's like, yeah, okay, my mom would shoot me.
I'm not into protecting public morals. I just know how Ally feels about underage drinkers. You're of age, she doesn't care if you get totally shitfaced-God knows she's done it. But underage? She'll fucking kill you. And the person who gave it to you.
Between Ally, the prof, and Dr. Scully, I have learned never to fuck with redheads. Redheads seem to have this unique capacity to fuck you back double.
Kelly gets her and Miranda Clearly Canadians, and she gives me a beer-hey, I'm old enough. I'm sort of surprised, Kelly's kind of down on liquor, but maybe if I keep it light...and I do around her.
We sort of get her calmed down. Kelly asks does she feel like watching a Marilyn Monroe movie (her favorites, except for the slashem and gashems she loves so much).
She shakes her head. "Can you guys...can you take me to see my folks?" Her voice is real small, not like the usual bossy, confident Miranda voice she usually has.
Kelly looks at her. "You sure you want to do that?"
Miranda starts to snuffle again. "Yeah. I think so."
Kelly glances over my way. "Well, let's take her.
LANGLY:
I'm like in this fog, and I can never get out of it. Once again, it's like everything's so unreal.
I kind of wish it would stay like this. 'Cause when it blows out, I'm gonna hit the ground so hard all my bones might break.
I know my heart already did that.
We're not gonna have this kid. It's dying.
Everything around me is fucking dying. I must be like bad luck to everyone that comes near me.
Christ, it's been hard enough...but at least you thought it was gonna happen...and this time we did everything right...
So what the hell went wrong?
Dr. Shalad, who's been called, says she'll do a genetic analysis of the fetal tissue, as she labels it.
Fetal tissue, my ass. That was my kid. Mine and Ally's.
She was crying when they took her to surgery. I never seen Ally cry so much since her first husband died.
I wish I was with her right now. About all I can do is wait, and I'm alone, and...
I'm on the sofa, watching ESPN Tonight, I think, and somebody walks in.
It's the kiddies. Michael and Kelly and Miranda.
I could use some company, but I don't think the kiddies are what I need right now. Maybe if it was just Junior, that might be okay.
But right now, I can't deal with the girls. Especially not Miranda.
I like Miranda a lot. I even love her. But she's been not real nice to us through all this all the time...and I think it hurt her mom's feelings a lot.
And mine. Not that mine matter, but hurting her mom, I can't stand it when she does that. And Miranda's got the most wicked mouth I ever heard on a 15-year-old, and believe me, I know from wicked mouths.
She says anything that hurts her mom's feelings, she better be ready to be grounded until she goes to college.
No, wait, I can't do that...because I'll go insane.
If I haven't already.
That sure as hell was my voice on those tapes. But I know I didn't put it there. Or did I?
I'm kind of surprised to see Miranda crying.
Good. Maybe she ought to cry a little bit. She's so used to being this dominant force in the world, do her good to have a little comedown.
I haven't seen her look this bad since her dad died.
"Where's Mommy?" she asks, and she doesn't sound like Miranda at all.
Just like some lost little kid who doesn't know where her mommy is.
"Surgery," I tell her. "D&C. The usual drill."
"Poor Mommy," she whimpers. "She wanted this baby...she wanted it real bad...she had to."
"I did, too, kiddo."
"Yeah, I think part of the reason she wanted it so bad was that you wanted it so bad! Mommy's like that!" Now she sounds kind of pissed.
"Yeah, you ever noticed, your mom actually considers other people's feelings important? Do you?" I shouldn't be so tough on her right now, but hell, far as I'm concerned, it's payback time, and paybacks are a bitch. I mean, I know I was a thoughtless asshole at 15...doesn't mean she's gotta be one.
"Yeah...Mommy always takes care of everybody else first. Like me."
"Yeah, she does. Glad you noticed." I hate the sarcasm in my voice, but I gotta run with it right now.
I don't feel like breaking down in front of my kid. Particularly not one that's usually so damn tough.
And unlike me, she really is tough. I just made a good show of it at her age.
But she doesn't look so tough right now. I'd give her a hug if I thought she wouldn't tell me to fuck off.
"Hey, Langly? You mind if we go?" It's Junior.
"Yeah, go on. No point in hanging here."
"Call us later," Kelly tells me.
"Okay." They're gone.
Now it's just me and the kid.
She's trying to say something, but Miss Articulate is suddenly at a loss for words.
I'll let her stew in her own juice for a while.
She says she's gonna get some Kleenex.
"Uh...Langly...can I talk to you?"
She's not snuffling so hard now.
"Sure. Talk."
I probably don't want to hear what she has to say, but I should let her say something.
I can pretend to listen.
"Um...you know, I just...when you guys said you wanted another kid...I was kind of mad...it's like I wasn't good enough or something...I didn't want this to happen...I'm real sorry, Langly." And she starts crying again.
"Miranda, what the fuck do you mean, you weren't good enough?"
"Why'd you want another one so bad?"
Hmm. Why the hell did I?
"I dunno. I think there's something...you know, two people, we feel a certain way about each other, we'd like to see what happens when we mix it up...I mean, your mom and dad, they did it, they got you...and they did good, really...I wanted the same chance. Thought it'd be fun. I mean, look, 'Randa, I do have fun with you. Well, we used to, lots more. Now, you just want to be away from us and do your own stuff, and that's cool, but you know, when you're around, why do you gotta be so rough on your mom?"
"I'm not trying to be!"
"Well, you are. And you're hard on me, Miranda. I love you, girl...but you make it so damn hard sometimes."
This makes her cry, hard. "I love you guys...I just figured, you didn't love me anymore."
"That's total bullshit and you know it, Miranda. Had nothing to do with it. Except I was never much around kids, and you were like the first one I was really around, and mostly it was cool...and I wanted to try it from scratch."
"Oh." Do I detect a note of penitence in there?
In my stepdaughter?
Will wonders never cease.
"Look, Miranda, we love you, we care about you, just try to treat us decent, okay? I know it's not the ideal situation...but we do the best we can, okay?"
"I'm sorry. I don't mean...I'm just real sorry about everything...it was sort of weird...it was like, I knew this was gonna happen...and all my friends were so excited, and you know what? I was just starting to get kind of used to the idea, and thinking maybe it could be okay...and then this happened...and I feel so bad. I'm real sorry. I really am. I don't want to hurt Mommy...and I did..."
"C'mere." I sit up, and motion her to sit by me.
And to my surprise, she does.
I put my arm over her shoulder, and she kind of leans up against me-I mean, not like her mom does, no, I don't think I could handle that, but just friendly like.
"And I know if I hurt you, I'll hurt Mommy...and I don't want to hurt her ever again..." Tears start up.
"Hey, it's okay. When your mom is back, we'll both go see her. 'Kay?"
"'Kay."
MICHAEL:
Blonde Boy sure as hell looked like shit.
Christ, I thought he was hard to live with before. Now...I don't even wanna think about it.
Kelly takes my hand and we unlock Chateau Langly and turn off the alarms.
"You should probably go. Your sister's probably here by now," Kelly says.
"Hey, she'll be there tomorrow. Uh...Kel? I know this probably sounds kind of weird, but I could use a little love right now..."
She wraps herself around me, and we head into the living room.
Kelly's on top of me, and we're both starting to breathe pretty hard, but then she stops.
"Michael, I know there's nobody here but us...but I don't think I'm comfortable in the living room. What if Langly and Miranda walk in?"
"Probably won't."
"Why don't we go down to my room, anyway?"
"Hmm...you know, it's a reasonably comfy bed...but there's another bed in this house which hasn't seen much action lately...let's give it a chance."
She looks surprised. "Michael...Langly and Ally's bed? Are you serious?"
"Sure, why not?"
"Won't they notice?"
"We'll change the sheets," I grin evilly at her.
God, this is the greatest bed...I could even give up my waterbed for this. It's large, and it's comfy. Plenty of room to move around in.
Lots of candles and stuff, too. An oil lamp. Mood lighting.
No mirrors on the ceiling, but I figured they wouldn't go in for that stuff.
It's bliss being naked on this bed with Kelly...and things are getting pretty intense...
"Michael? Did you bring the condoms with you?"
OH SHIT. I am gonna have to get used to this.
"I don't think Langly's got any...I don't think they've ever used anything."
"No, they haven't," I know this from Dad.
Nothing like little things to spoil your fun...
"Michael...close your eyes...I have a surprise for you...
And oh baby, what a great surprise...her mouth sinks down on me like warm liquid, and I am just going manic with this...too bad I'm gonna have to withdraw in time...
"Michael...I want to know what you taste like. Don't pull out, okay?"
Did she just say that?
I think she did. Anyway, she's back on me, oh god this is incredible...
And when it finally gets to be so intense I can't hold back, she doesn't pull away. I explode in her mouth, and she takes me all in...
Oh god that was so amazing...I can feel a little bit coming again...wow...
She is incredible.
"I love you so much," I tell her, as I nuzzle into her tits and prepare to get her to the same place she got me.
And tonight, I get to hear her scream.
People gotta get out more often at this house.
We're like totally happy when we're done...just lying in this really cool bed, just snuggling each other. We're all damp and sweaty and thinking about a shower when the phone fucking rings.
I answer it.
"Chateau Langly."
"Michael?"
"Hey, prof."
"Michael, has anyone there seen Juliet? It's nearly eleven o'clock...and she said she would be here by eight."
"Don't think she's been here...we had to leave for a little while...by the way, Ally lost the baby."
"Oh, God, no," he moans. "Anyway, if Juliet comes by that way, or you hear anything, please call me...I'm getting terribly worried..."
"It's Friday night...you can hit some real bad stuff on the Garden State Parkway then...can take a long time."
"I know...just, if you hear anything, please call me. I'll be here."
"Let us know she makes it okay," I tell him.
"Is Langly alone? Does your dad know?"
"No, and yes. Miranda's with him."
"I really can't leave right now...call me and update me. Please."
"We'll do that. See ya, prof." I hang up.
"What was that all about?" Kelly asks me, she's like half asleep, her eyes are these slits.
"Prof's all bent, Juliet's real late."
"Juliet's never late for anything."
"Juliet usually doesn't drive from Jersey on Friday night. I've done it. It sucks."
We lie in each other's arms. I've got her smell all over me, and I love it.
"Michael?"
"Uh-huh."
"Do you...want me to do it again?"
That little minx is gonna kill me.
But what a way to go.
Actually, I think I'd better go home. Sister Dearest is on her way.
"You gonna be okay alone here?" I ask her.
"Michael, this place is better guarded than most banks...or embassies...no, I'm not worried. I do miss Tiny, though."
"Yeah, I miss her too. She was the coolest dog. I wish we had a dog. Or a cat. I think a cat would work better in our apartment."
"We should go to the SPCA and pick one out."
"We should. That'd be so cool. I want a pet so bad."
"What'll your dad say?"
"He's more or less agreed to it."
"Less or more?" She's such a tease.
"I don't care. I want a pet. Let's get one."
We share a long, wet kiss goodnight...without an audience, for a change.
FROHIKE:
"How's Langly?" I ask my son as he walks through the door.
"Not so great. Miranda's with him."
"I hope she's being nice. Honestly, that girl needs some discipline...she's got such a lip on her."
"She was pretty bummed tonight. Not being too cocky."
"Did you see Allison?"
"Only before she left. She was crying real hard."
"I need to stop by tomorrow, and I need to get her some flowers, too."
"Yeah, I'll get her some, too."
This is my son?
Maybe there's hope for him after all.
"Leslie should be here soon." I've just finished cleaning the apartment-he timed it perfectly so that he didn't have to do any cleaning-
I need to be a bit charitable here. He was helping a friend out...trying to.
And he looks tired.
With the distinct odor of sex on him.
Maybe he needed a little cheering up, too.
BYERS:
I am really worried about Juliet. She is usually punctual, and if she is going to be late, she'll call on her cellular.
This is so unlike her.
I pray she's not having second thoughts about marrying me.
Oh God, where is she?
It's close to midnight. Four hours after her ETA. And regardless of what Michael says about travel through New Jersey, which can be an ugly experience (have you ever BEEN to Hoboken?), four hours is a very long time in which to be delayed.
I pray nothing has happened to her.
I'd call her parents in Ohio, but it's nearly two a.m. there, and they probably haven't heard from her...they would have called if they knew anything.
In the meantime, dinner has long since been disbursed to Tivvy and the trash compactor. And I'm on my third Tanqueray and tonic.
I'm disinclined to drink alone, but right now, it's about the only thing keeping me level.
Tivvy comes over, rubs against me, and meows loudly.
"I know, I want your mommy home, too," I tell her.
I think about taking a shower, but in case she calls, I don't want to miss her call...
I empty my gin and tonic, and proceed to pour another one when the phone chimes out.
I jump on it before the first ring completes.
"Juliet?"
"No, this is the Maryland Highway Patrol, Officer Skarnowski speaking."
I feel my heart stop, my breath clutch.
"Are you Mr. John Byers?"
"I am." It's Dr., but I'm not about to stand on ceremony right now.
"You're listed as the emergency contact for a Miss Juliet Parker."
"Where is she?"
"She's been in a collision...hit and run. She's been taken to Bay View Hospital, but they're not a Level 3 trauma center, so she's been airlifted to Our Lady of Mercy in Baltimore-"
"Is she all right?"
"She's got multiple fractures, possible head injuries, she's in rough shape. Not half as rough as her car, though. You could barely identify it as a '99 Saturn now. We had to retrieve her with the jaws of life."
"She's alive."
"Yes. How quickly can you be in Baltimore? Her ETA is 20 minutes."
"An hour."
Except that tonight, speed limits don't matter...
Oh my God. What am I going to do with Tivvy?
I can't take her.
It's too late to have her boarded.
Maybe Michael will take care of her.
I dial Chez Frohike and pray he's there.
FROHIKE:
"Leslie?"
"No. It's Byers. Frohike, Juliet's been hurt, I have to get to Baltimore right away, can Michael watch-"
"Whoa, slow down there, Byers. Start over. What happened to Juliet?"
"Auto accident. She's badly injured. I have to go. Can Michael take care of Tivvy?"
"Let me put him on. Michael! It's Byers."
My son picks up, tells Byers of course he'll watch the cat.
Michael always was a soft touch for animals.
And to his credit, Michael offers to get the cat himself, relieving Byers of the responsibility.
Sometimes I think that boy has half a chance of growing up.
At least until his sister gets here.
Instant regression. Add water and stir.
Somehow, this is comforting tonight...when all the world is falling to hell...
I just pray my daughter is here soon.
Thank God she drinks, because right now, that's what I plan to start doing.
END OF PART 30