A back Mercedes winds its way up a New Orleans street as Jeremy Wilson looks out the window from where he sat. Lighting what had to been his sixth cigarette since leaving the airport as he finally speaks.
Jeremy Wilson-" So why are we are going again?".
Tara Thompson- "Because Maria thinks its a nice idea."
Jeremy Wilson-"There are many MANY things nice about Maria, but her ideas are not one of them, love".
Tara Thompson- " I shall forget I just heard that Jeremy. Besides she is engaged to your brother and they seem very happy together."
Jeremy Wilson-" I'm happy for them Tara. What I'm not happy about is being dragged off in the middle of the night to come spend time as some New Orleans mansion."
She makes a right turn, then replies.
Tara Thompson- "First of all, I didn’t drag you away you came on your own. Second, I think we all owe Samantha some support. God knows she didn’t get any from certain people when she at the CMF before."
Jeremy Wilson-"I'm sure you mean that in the nicest terms possible."
Tara Thompson- " Take it as you will. I know my part in it. I know what was done to her when she was around, now we are all going to try and fix things."
Jeremy Wilson-"… And I'm here because…"
As they drive from the city, leaving the lights and noise behind them Tara answers.
Tara Thompson- " To save Brandon from a gaggle of girls, as well as being my date.Since we are in fact, dating."
Jeremy Wilson-" Somehow knowing my brother, he wouldn’t have any trouble at all being stuck inside a room with the CMF divas."
Tara Thompson- "Oh I am sure he would make the most of it."
Jeremy Wilson-"Well I need a pick me up before we arrive."
Reaching into his jacket, Jeremy pulls out his cigarette pack. Tapping it against his hand as a neatly rolled joint slides out. Putting it into his mouth, he lights up happily. Inhaling the smoke deep into his lungs.
Tara Thompson- " Now I know why you asked me to drive."
Jeremy Wilson-" If you had the month I had, you would understand".
Tara Thompson- " Your talking about Tank?".
Jeremy Wilson-" Do NOT mention that name to me."
Tara Thompson- " Jeremy, from all you have told me I think the man really just wants to be your friend."
Exhaling, he looks over at her. A skeptical smile showing.
Jeremy Wilson-" Really, you think that?. Well I don’t. He wants to see me bloody mad".
Tara Thompson- " I admit that Tank is a little off but-"
Jeremy Wilson-" A little off? He is utterly bizarre."
Tara Thompson- " Maybe if you tried getting along with him".
He stares at her, and then takes one long hit from the joint he held. Holding in the smoke as he shakes his head.
Tara Thompson- " I think he really feels he is saving you from yourself."
He finally replies, as smoke fills the car.
Jeremy Wilson-"The only thing that needs saving is my sanity. Of which Tank is determined to take."
Tara Thompson- "He did replace your car that Hogan demolished as well as you give that cute little puppy. "
Jeremy Wilson-"Neither did I ask for. I could have replaced the car, as well as buy myself a dog."
Tara Thompson- " Uh huh, and I noticed you didn’t mind keeping either gift he gave you."
Jeremy Wilson-" That’s beside the point, thanks".
Putting out his joint in the ashtray, Jeremy glances up at the house just coming into view. Tara makes a right turn, the car now heading down a winding driveway.
Jeremy Wilson-" How many people are showing up?".
Tara Thompson- " I think Maria is keeping the guest list small."
Jeremy Wilson-"So if this is Sam's house, why is Maria throwing the party?".
Tara Thompson- " This is Maria, none of us know."
As they come to a stop in the drive, Jeremy scans the few cars that were there. Noting one in particular as he smiles to himself.
Tara Thompson- " Well here we are."
Jeremy Wilson-" Yes, here we are".
Stepping from the car, Tara and Jeremy then begin to walk toward the house. Just as they round the corner, they spot a ladder and on it, Brandon as he struggled to hang lights. Dropping half the string as he explodes with a burst of cussing.
Brandon Wilson-"Damn Christmas lights, who fucking needs them anyway?!?".
Jeremy Wilson-" Obviously you don’t".
Brandon looks down, his face breaking into a smile.
Brandon Wilson-" Jeremy, I wondered if you would be dragged here too".
Tara Thompson- "I resent that, I didn’t drag him anywhere".
Brandon Wilson-" Okay let me rephrase that. You forcefully asked him?".
Jeremy Wilson-"Unless you want a short drop with a sudden stop, I'd quit while your ahead. How did you get conned into putting up lights in the first place?".
Brandon Wilson-"Have you ever tried telling Maria no?".
Jeremy Wilson-"You really want me to answer th-".
Tara elbows Jeremy sharply as she smiles up at his younger brother.
Tara Thompson- "Everyone in the house?".
Brandon Wilson-"Oh yeah, its just a small gathering. Mostly to help Samantha I think".
Tara Thompson- "Then I shall go in".
Brandon Wilson-"I was hoping to get Jeremy to help me with the lights."
Tara Thompson- "I'm sure he would love to."
Jeremy Wilson-"I'm sure I'd rather pass".
Brandon Wilson-"Come on, the two of us together, we could get this done in no time flat.'
Jeremy Wilson-"Alright… you talked to me into it, besides, your going to kill yourself doing it yourself."
Brandon Wilson-"I happen to be doing just fine".
Jeremy Wilson-"..And those lights should be up on the second floor."
Brandon Wilson-"I like them where they are.."
Laughing, and hoping for the best, Tara then steps on up to the door, leaving the two men to argue over what lights, to hang where..
