Mélange

Part 1

Rollie and Angie were sitting side-by-side in a rocking patio chair, staring up into the dark, night sky. There was a full moon but very few stars. They had arrived at the secluded little resort in Missette an hour ago, after a long trip by train. When Taryn proposed sending them there, all expenses paid, they were a little apprehensive initially about going to someplace so isolated. In addition, the resort was almost at full capacity so they would have to share accommodations. After a minute, Rollie was enthusiastic at the idea thought it was a good idea, but Angie wasn’t convinced. She would have preferred to go straight home.

It was hard to believe they had only been gone from New York a little over a week. It seemed like a lifetime since they were last there, so much had happened since they left. However, Angie hadn’t seen Rollie look forward to anything in so long, she didn’t have the heart to say no. Besides, it they returned to New York immediately, they would be tempted to work when they both needed some overdue rest. Angie knew she would have been suspicious of anything recommended by Taryn. Working on his film was why they needed a break. She was concerned he had an ulterior motive. He had mentioned getting Tyler F/X to work on his next production before he made this generous offer. Was this some sort of trick to ensure they’d do his next project? Finally, after some debate with Rollie, she conceded. After all, the place was highly recommended as a place that’s peaceful and relaxing. In other words, it was an ideal place to escape the troubles of the real world. That was what the f/x duo needed most at the moment.

Rollie had a different motivation for wanting the two of them to spend time at the resort. He figured in a place like that he should be able get Angie alone for enough time to really talk. He knew it would be difficult to say what he wanted to, he wasn’t very good at expressing his emotions. If he got distracted, it would be too easy to delay the conversation. An added benefit was that he wouldn’t have to worry about anyone overhearing and spreading it around. If Angie rejected him, his humiliation would remain private. He knew Angie wouldn’t spread it around. If she still was in love with him, well, they should be comfortable with situation before others know about it. In any event, they had waited long enough. So many months ago, they agreed to talk later. Later was now.

******

The couple wasn’t staying in the lodge proper, but in one of three converted railway cabooses, perched on the hillside. The view from their caboose it was spectacular. One could spend hours, lazing around, watching the landscape.

The caboose had a very traditional paint scheme, red with white trim. It had a small porch built onto one end. A spacious patio surrounded the entire caboose. Large, clay pots containing some of the most perfect flowers they had ever seen lined the patio’s perimeter. The flowerbeds were well manicured and weed-free making it obvious someone devoted a lot of loving time to these. The air was filled with the scent of these blooms, primarily jasmine and lavender, it was as if the garden’s designer was using nature to provide some relaxing aromatherapy for the caboose’s occupants. Everything about the place seemed to suit the environment perfectly.

The interior of the building was just as beautiful as the exterior. It had a bedroom, with one double bed and a small dresser, at one end, and a combined kitchen/eating area at the other. In the walkway that connected the two rooms, there was a small washroom on one side, and a storage closet on the other. Each side also contained a bunk bed, located a scant 45 centimeters from the ceiling. It was very tastefully decorated. All the furnishings and décor was hand-made from white pine accented with shades of green. The caboose reflected hundred of hours of painstaking work. The effort was definitely worth it as it felt like home, not a cold, strange, impersonal hotel room. Both Rollie and Angie were instantly taken with it.

The caboose was fairly secluded as tall, evergreen trees acted as a barrier between the units. It wasn’t entirely isolated though. While the caboose didn’t have many conveniences such as a cable television hook-up or a stereo system, it was equipped with a satellite phone so guests could stay in contact with the real world if they wished. In addition, there was a small satellite dish mounted on the roof though which guests could use to connect their computer to the Internet.

******

The first thing Rollie and Angie did was unpack the few belonging they brought with them. All of their equipment had been shipped home, so they only had their clothes and a laptop. Having done that, the couple went outside to unwind before retiring for the evening. They sat outside on the patio to enjoy the crisp night air, which didn’t smell of car exhaust and ethnic cooking for a change.

"It was nice of Taryn to send us here for a few days," said Angie. "I was a little suspicious at first, but this place is really nice."

"I know. He’s a good guy. Too bad he had some much trouble on that picture. I can’t believe only 1 was killed in that avalanche. "

"Yeah, who was they guy anyway?"

"He hasn’t been identified yet. They don’t know anything yet. The police promised to keep Taryn informed, and he said he’d let me know when he heard anything."

"The police are trying to determine if he is associated with this Escarchado guy and that whole cocaine empire. They suspect so. They just need to find some more hard evidence.

"That’s what Alex told me as well."

"You talked to him?"

"Yeah, Rol. I called him before we left. Do you have a problem with that?"

"Ah, no. No problem at all."

They lapsed back into a comfortable silence. They were still in tune enough not to feel a need to keep up a forced conversation.

****

Rollie thought about starting the meaningful discussion he wanted to have with the woman sitting beside him. He turned slightly so he could see her better. Angie had her feet tucked under her, and was curled into the corner of the chair. You could tell from the look in her eyes, and the angle of her head that she was lost in her own private thoughts. Angie was enjoying the moonlight on her face. She was also feeling very relaxed and mellow, more from the pain pills Rollie had convinced her to take than from her state of mind. She would have preferred a natural, holistic solution such as medicinal plaster, but would have to wait until she returned to New York to get some.

Sitting there, Angie looked so peaceful, he couldn’t bring himself to disturb her. Maybe tomorrow they would talk. He examined her face closer. She looked so young and innocent at that moment. Quite a difference from a few weeks ago, when her face constantly looked strained, haunted and world-weary. She still had dark circles under her eyes. Those too would vanish with time; at least he hoped so. All Rollie knew is that he would do anything in his power to keep that haunted look from returning.

A disturbing though ran through his mind. Previously, he could read her face and get a good idea about what she was thinking about, but not tonight. Tonight, it was as if she wore a mask, shielding her feelings and emotions from the world. He wondered if the events of the previous few months had changed her forever; had made her more cynical and less trusting. He hoped it wasn’t so. What was going on in that brilliant mind of hers? Was she thinking about, and pining for, Alex? What did they talk about that upset her so much? Rollie thought. He couldn’t articulate those questions to her just yet. He’d just have to wait to learn the answers.

A short time later, Rollie noticed Angie yawning and convinced her it was time to go to bed. He forced her to take more of the pain medication prescribed by the doctor. Angie didn’t put up much of protest so he knew she was hurting more than she was let on. What a brave little fighter she was. He just wished she wouldn’t try to look after everything herself. He wished she knew how to share her feelings more, and how to ask for help. She rarely did, and never did without trying to do it herself first. She needs to learn it’s OK to lean on someone. She never really had anyone to lean on growing up. There was her dad but Rollie knew Angie always tried to keep a brave face for her father. She knew Manny felt guilty about his wife’s death. Angie just wanted to protect him from more pain and guilt. Plus, Manny was always so busy, Angie had to deal with a lot of things on her own. Rollie knew Manny would have made time to spend with his only daughter but Angie didn’t want to take him away from his work. She knew how much it meant to him. Manny and Angie weren’t a typical family unit, nor did they have a typical parent-child relationship. He supposed the same could be said for him and Dingo. That’s how he knew that people carried things from their childhood with them for the rest of their life. He just wanted to help her so much but it was hard when she wasn’t willing to accept it. He couldn’t force it on her or else, he would just injure their relationship. Relationships, especially important ones, are never easy but are worth the effort. Angie was worth the effort.

Rollie insisted Angie take the bed because, with her injuries, there was no way she could climb the ladder to get into the bunk, let alone get a good night sleep. She refused, saying she could fit into the bunk bed much better than he could. The bunk bed was just over five feet long, more suitable to a child then the Australian’s lanky frame. Rollie held his ground, and finally Angie let him have his way. It was obvious to her that nothing could change his mind about this.

Rollie could be stubborn if he wanted to be. It was a tight fit, but Rollie managed to fold himself into the confined space. He just hoped he could extract himself in the morning. Angie waited until Rollie had gotten in bed, then turned off the light. She climbed into bed, pulled the soft duvet up to her chin, and was asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow. Rollie lay in his bunk for several minutes, just listening to her breathe. Satisfied she was resting comfortable, Rollie settled in to get a few hours rest. It was torture to sleep so close to Angie but not be with her.

He was realistic and knew that they had too many unresolved issues between them for that to be possible. His dreams would have to be enough for now.

*****

Several hours later, the area was calm and quiet, except for the chattering of a few small animals. Unexpectedly, a scream pierced the darkness.