Sunset Rock
by Tina
Chapter 1
"Introduction"
At the same time as Mr and Mrs Cummings, Hank and Joan to friends, welcomed their daughter-Meg- little sister of Sam, the Evans' twins Ben and Derek 10 years of age came to visit their mother and one day old sister-Annie- in the private wing of the hospital in Ludgrey, Kanstone.
Who knew that day that these two girls would be the best of friends and even more one day.
Three months ago had the neighbourgs of Hank and Joan's-the Truman's-had gotten a son-Tim. His and Meg's lifes should also be mixed up, quite natural since they were to be neighbours for the next 22 years.
The Evans' where the family that owned the quarry outside Ludgrey, where Mr Truman worked. Hank on the other hand were a farmer, with fields full of corn this year, so the gave the nickname "Corngirl" to their lovely daughter.
Now back to the Evans'. They also had several stores in town and as in any ages the talk about the rich was the same, especially this time since thier little daughter wasn't darked haired and blueeyed as her brothers. The talk of the town were that the marriage between Jonathan and Hannah Evans weren't as good as they "showed". "She must have had an affair" peolpe said. Bette Douglas(by her third and latest marriage.... unfortunelly not to be the last) sister of Jonathan Evans worked as a gossipcoloumnist at the local paper in Sunset Rock (where she was living) became very hurt when she came to meet her newborn niece and heard the talk on town.
But little Annie's genes came from here aunt Bette. She was redheaded and had green eyes and were the sunshine of the Evans' life(they had tried for many years to have another child). Bette had already the first day she meet Annie named her "poopsie". She had nicknames for all the people she new, the twins were Prince of Darkness(Ben) and Stud(Derek) because of their personalities. Ben was the quite one, he keept to himself and did good in school. Derek on the other hand had had more than a handful girlfriends already, he shifted around a lot, he was not as good a student as Ben, but almost.
"5 years later"
Meg: Mom! Mom!!!! Where are you???
Joan: Here sweetie, in your sister's room.
Meg almost ran Joan down as they met in the door to Sara's room.
Joan: What's up Meg? You know I don't really like you running in the house, but I haven't seen you so excited for a long time.
Meg: Annie's invited me to a sleepover, can I go? Pretty please!!
Joan: Hold you horses!
Meg: Why? I don't have horses, just one!
Joan: I meant for you too calm down. When is this sleepover?
Meg: This Friday and Saturday if I may for you and daddy of course. It will only be me and Annie.(and her brothers will hopefully be home, but that she didn't say)
Joan: I have to call Hannah(they had became on firstnamebases since the girls went to the same school and had become such good friends.) and talk to your father too but I don't see why not. But...
Meg: Oh, no, is there a but too mom, not this time, please....
Joan: I was just going to say that you have to see to it that you do your chores all week, otherwise you won't go.
Meg: Was it only that, I always to them, you know that mom!
Joan: Yes I do, and you and your brother are always so helpful. I hope your little sister will be as good.
Meg: I bet she will, just look at her, she's having her afternoon-nap just as quiet as always, but mom don't be too hard on her, she's only two!
Joan couldn't help but feel very proud of her 5-year old. How could such a young girl be so understanding and thoughtful.
Chapter2
"The Sleepover"
~~~
Meg was all week good as gold, did everything she was told.
~~~
[At the Evan's mansion]
Although Meg's been here many times she can't get enough of the brick house and how it looks when you come up the driveway. It is the only house with bricks in all of Ludgrey, but Meg had heard(from Annie that heard it from her funny aunt Bette) that there are a lot of those in Calistonia. "Wow!" Meg remembered she said to Annie the first time she heard about it " I really wanna go there one day" -and little did she know/tina
And now she was here again. She and Annie had gotten picked up by the Evans' chauffeur and had planned to go bathing in the pond in Annie's garden.
Hannah: Hi girls! How was school?
Annie: Hi mom! It was great!
Meg: Hi mrs Evans! Yes it was great, miss Beatty read us a story in the end of the day.
Hannah: Meg, feel free to call me Hannah, I've told you before.
Meg: Of course mrs.... Hannah. I keep forgetting when I come here.
Annie: She's always "blinded" by the bricks.(both girls laughed)
Hannah: Do you want an afternoon-snack?
Annie: No, not yet mom. We like to take a swim in "the pond" first.
Hannah: Then go get changed and I'll meet you out there and I'll bring the snack too so you can eat when you get hungry.
Meg: Thanks mrs... Hannah. Oh! I'll never learn. She sighed and Annie laughed.
Hannah: And Annie darling....
Annie: Yes mom?!
Hannah: Don't call the pool "the pond" so your father hears it. You know how hard he worked for those marblestonewalls and how proud he is of it.
Annie: Don't worry mom! I won't and if I do I know exactly how to smile and make it good again.
And the two girls ran upstairs to Annie's room to get changed.
Hannah(to herself): You certainly do little one, you really are the sunshine of his life and know how to twist and turn things around to get your way. I won't even dare to think how you're going to be as a teenager-it's hard enough to handle Derek. She smiled as she thought of her twins, they were coming home late this evening. They looked the same but yet they were so different.
The girls played all afternoon in and out of both the pool and the garden and when the clock turned 9 they fell asleep and slept all night(what we know-they could as easily been awake most of the time giggling) until:
-Is this where the two most beautiful girls in Ludgrey, Kanstone sleeps?
It was Ben and Derek.
Annie: Give it a rest Derek, we want to sleep!
Meg had too woken up and looked sleepy on the boys in the door. It had been long since she last saw them, they went to school out of state, to be exact in Calistonia and they were both living at their aunt Bette's.
Meg(who now was awake, the farmgirl she is used to wake up quickly) Are we really? she looked at Ben.
Ben nodded at her and said out loud: At least the most beautiful 5-years old girls.
He and Derek both laughed and Annie threw a pillow at them.
Derek: Mom said to come wake you up, it's a great day outside and breakfast will be by the pool, or maybe I should say by "the pond" so that the two of you find your way!?
Annie sighed.
Ben: And she also told us that you can come in your pj's.
A relived sigh came from Annie.
Meg: We'll be there in a minute! She couldn't wait, the breakfast at the Evans' was always great. A lot of fresh fruit and freshly baked bread from the stone-slab outside.
She had been right, it was GREAT! And then mr... Jonathan Meg kept having this problem and again little did she know/tina teased and played with the girls all morning. Then after lunch he went to the quarry and at 1PM he stood at the gate whising his employees "great weekend-hope to see you Monday" this he did every Saturday.
In the afternoon the boys stepped in to look after the girls. The played some "stoner"(soccer) and as Annie choosen Ben as partner there Meg got him as partner when they played Scrabbles in the evening. She really liked that, sitting close to Ben(and sometimes in the lap too) whispering and conspiring with him to get the most out of their letters. It wasn't so easy for the girls to play Scrabble themselves, they haven't really learned that much words in school yet.
Chapter 3
" A few years passes"
The girls remain friends and are both doing good in school and so are Ben and Derek far away in Calistionia. They always comes home when they're on a leave for more than 5 days. They both found girlfriends and are going steady with two Calistonia girls, Cassandra(Ben) and Maria(Derek)
"Thanksgiving"
The Cummings' are invited to celebrate Thanksgiving with the Evans'. But as usal Joan feels the need to cook, so she and Hannah have been at it all day. There will be a lot of people this year, the Evans' twins are brining their girlfriends and then Tim Truman is coming too. His familylife is kind of messy and he's working with Hank on the farm so that's why he's there. He's in the time he's been working there become more and more like a second son to Hank and then there's started to be something between him and Meg as well, but no rush-they're only 18.
As they sat down for dinner it was time to say the prayers. Hank and Jonathan had decided earlier in the afternoon that they'll do it together and Jonathan started: "Thank God! for the food on our table, for keeping us all healty. Thanks also for keeping an eye on my emploees and their families." Hank continued: "Thank God! for all this and for keeping us healty. Thanks also for this year's great harvest." then all said "Amen"
Jonathan: Let's eat. As Tim's with us this year, maybe he want to do the honours of cutting the turkey?
Tim: If you think I can manage.
Hank: Of course you can.(Tim needed to hear that he could do stuff, he never heard that from his own family)
Dinner went well and for the coffee they moved into the livingroom(it's almost as big as thee diningroom, but more comfortable). Meg and Annie had been baking a cake in the afternoon and had had a blast in the kitchen as always/author's note and Meg's just picked it up in the kitchen and were heading for the livingroom to join the others when she heard Ben and Derek talk in the hallway. As they had almost the same voice and it's been rather long since Meg heard them talk last she couldn't really decide who said what.
- So you're going thru with it?
- Yes, we've known eachother for 8 years and going steady the last 5 so I think it's time.
- I wish I felt the same way.
- Are the two of you breaking up?
- Let me say it like this, I'm spending both Christmas and New Years here alone.
- You'll find true love too, brother dear, I'm certain of that.
Meg almost dropped the tray, was Ben proposing to Cassandra tonight? She felt like she lost something, there had always been a specialbond between her and Ben. As she heard them walk away she pulled herself together and went too.
Chapter 4
"Thanksgiving"
As Meg came into the livingroom with the cake everyone went wow!!!!
Ben: This little girls you've done good, it looks delicious.
Annie: Thanks brother dear.... but we aren't hardly little girls any longer.
Ben: The two of you will always be our little girls.
Everyone laughed.( You can only imagine how Meg felt hearing that she and Annie too of course always were their little girls)
They started the coffee and suddenly someone clanged the spoon against the cup and Derek was the one that stood up.
Derek: Firstly I'd like to thank the women here both young and younger (the Evans' charm authors note) for a lovely meal and a special thank I want to give to Maria(everyone seemed confused because all she and Cassandra had done was set the table) for all the joy you've brought into my life(he had now wandered over to her seat). Thanks also for letting me love you and you loving me back(now he was down on one knee). Maria-my love- would you do me the honour of becoming my wife and letting me love you for eternity? He pulled out the most beautiful ring (Meg's ever seen) and everyone held their breath. Maria just stared at him then she nodded with tears streaming down her face. She managed to squeeze out a yes.
Maria: YES! I'll marry you Derek. I love you.
He put the ring on her finger and then they kissed. Everyone said their congrats and...
Jonathan: This calls for champange, I have a bottle resting on a rock in the cellar for such a special occation.
Meg felt relived, it was Derek and not Ben that was getting married, but still was Ben only keeping a good face for the weekend because he smiled and had his arm around Cassandra Meg thought back on what she heard standing in the kitchen. She went over to the window just to look outside. She had done that a lot lately, dreaming of getting out of Ludgrey, at least hopefully.
- It's started to snow. Ben had come up behind her.
Meg: Oh!? I haven't even noticed.
Ben: Here you go, he handed her a glass of champange, let's go celebrating Derek and Maria.
Meg: Yes, let's do that.
Ben: Meg(it was almost a whisper) You're dreams will come true one day, I promise you. He smiled at her and she smiled back.
Chapter 5
"Four years later"
The wedding stood in Sunset Rock the next summer but the Cummings couldn't attend, Annie had told Meg all about it though. And she had seen the rockpainting of the families. Derek and Maria in the middle and on Dereks side were his parents, sister and brother. On Maria's side were her mother Carmen, her brothers Ricardo and Antonio and their wifes Paula and Gabriella.
Tim had moved into a cottage on the Cummings' farm, since he couldn't stand living with his parents. He and Meg had been dating for the last three years and now it soon was time for them to marry. Meg had been given some money from her parents (she needs them later on/tina) so that they could start looking for a place of their own to live in. Tim on the other had loved the tworoom-cottage and had said more than once that they could live there instead. Meg didn't want to stay on the farm, she had lived there all her life, and she didn't want her parents THAT close.
Now Meg was on her way over to the cottage to discuss some weddingplans. She heard giggles from inside but thought that it was one of her friends that had come to look for her. But when she came inside she found Tim....in bed....NAKED!...with CONNIE FLINTSTONE!!!!
She turned and started to run, but she managed to hear:
Tim: Damn it!
Connie: What?
Tim: I'd forgotten she was on her way over....I'm sorry....I have to run.
Meg ran, ran and ran without knowing where and soon she found herself outside Annie's house and just thought: "not that too..." it was today Annie was leaving for Sunset Rock...she had had a party last night and to avoid a tearful parting the girls had said their goodbyes this morning after laying awake all night talking and giggling. Hannah came out the door and found Meg sitting on their frontstairs.
Hannah: My dear child, what's up? Is it because Annie's leaving?
Meg(in between sobbs): No! Not only!
Hannah: Let's get you inside and we can talk.
Meg's always been able to talk to her parents about things first, but this time it felt good to talk to Hannah. About half an hour later Annie and Jonathan came.
Annie: Hey girlfriend! So you decided to come see me off anyway! Are you done planning for today?
Meg started to cry again.
Jonathan: What's up dear?
Hannah(as she saw that Meg couldn't tell it one more time): She found out that Tim's been cheating on her....and in the worst possible way.
Annie ran over and hugged Meg.
Annie: I'm so sorry, I wish I had known and could have told you.
Meg: It's my own fault, I never let him.....
Jonathan: No it's not! He should keep his hands to himself.
Meg: But I could have.....oh! what shall I do?
Annie: You could run away, come with me, can't she dad?
Jonathan: Of course, I meant it when I said I'm paying for the trip for both of you if you like to go.
Meg:...I don't know. I haven't really packed anything, and aren't you leaving about now?
Annie: I'm going on the company jet, so I can wait a few hours.
Jonathan: Then we better get over to your place Meg. We're coming with you, I think someone needs to hold Hank down when you tell.
[The Cummings' Farm]
Hank: HE DID WHAT??????
Jonathan: Calm down...
Hank: CALM DOWN??!! Where is he?
Meg: I don't know, I just ran out of there. She was still crying from telling her parents.
Hank: I'll kill him.....
Jonathan: Now Hank, calm down, killing him isn't the solution.... although I guess I'd feel the same if it was about Annie. And don't tell me you never felt tempeted yourself when you were young.
Hank: Tempted yes, but I've been faithful to Joan from our first date.
Jonathan: May I suggest that you take me up on my offer and let me pay for a trip for Meg, she can leave for Sunset Rock along with Annie today.
Joan: That depends...where is Annie staying?
Hannah: At Ben's place until Bette gets back, then she's moving in there, it's closer to university. And Derek and Maria is living there too, so a lot of people that Meg knows is there.
Hank: Meg sweetheart, do you wanna go?
Meg: I don't know....I guess I need to talk to....no, I don't need that! Yes, I love to go to Sunset Rock! But dad and mom, please don't tell Tim where I am.
Hank: I promise, but I need to talk to him about this....
Meg and Annie went upstairs and started to pack. Meg couldn't really decide what to bring, so she just took the most necessary stuff. And she didn't know for how long she was staying either(but we know...at least I think you can guess/tina) so the rest could be sent along later. She did pack a few photos she had in frames. It was one of her family, one of she and Annie at age 5, one of the Evans' family and then her favorit the one of her and Annie sitting in Ben and Derek's laps when they were 11.(Meg in Ben's lap of course/tina)
Both girls had graduated collage and the reason for Annie's stay in Sunset Rock was that she was studying law at the university there. "Maybe I could study too after all" Meg thought to herself.
Chapter 6
The trip took most of the evening/night but it was all worth it. Ben was surprised when he saw Meg as well as his sister, but he was glad. He smiled at her, even his eyes smiled. Already the trip felt good Meg thought.
[Ben's house]
It was in the middle of night when they got there, Meg was so tired, it had been an exhausting day. She fell asleep as soon as she laid her head on the pillow. She had gotten Ben's bed as he just had prepared the one guestroom for Annie. He said that he wouldn't get home again until 4AM or so, so he could take the couch then.
Annie stayed up until Ben had to go to his nightclub and close it up. Then she too fell asleep as she laid her head on the pillow. Annie had told Ben about Meg's situation in the simpliest way, she knew that when Meg felt ready, she'll tell Ben herself. They had always had a specialbond. She had for some years in the early teens even been jealous of her. She could confy in three guys, her own brother Sam and both Ben and Derek.... but that went by and never affected their friendship.
Ben and Derek both were succesful businessmen. Together they had the company "Liberty Corporation" that the shared with a third man, Gregory Richards. He was this "high-shoot" lawyer and the best in his business. Then Ben had as well as the night club a daytime café. Both places very popular among people in all ages.
As Ben was leaving the house he heard a cry coming from upstairs. He went up and found that it came from his bedroom. "How could anyone hurt this beautiful woman" he thought to himself.... a bit surprised, she was a dear friend, never before had he thought of her as a woman...
He went downstairs again, because the cry had stopped, but as he put his hand on the handle to open the door it started again. He opened the door and yelled for a messageboy (MB)(the stonephone-lines weren't to be taken in use for yet another month, so these messageboys(and girls) were going around town all day and night.
Ben: Could you please go over to "the Deep" and give this message to my headbartender Mark?
MB: Of course, mr Evans. Right at it!
Ben handed him a note.
MB: That's too much, mr Evans, half is the going rate.
Ben: Take it, you'll maybe be out of work within the month.
MB: Thank you, mr Evans, you're too kind, may I ask you to contact me if you get an opening for work.
Ben: I'll remember you....Steve(the nametag said so..)
MB: Now, I have to run! Thanks again!
Ben: Anytime.... he had relied on Steve before, all messages he went with always came thru.
On the note he'd asked Mark to close the place, and as he knew the combination to the safe he didn't have to take any money with him. Mark had been with him for the last 4 years, all since he started the business.
Ben then went upstairs where Meg had started to cry even more. She was crying in her sleep but anyway, Ben still couldn't believe that anyone could do such a thing to her. He went over to the bed and gently woke her up. He couldn't stand to hear her cry anylonger and felt he needed to comfort her.
Meg stirred and opened her eyes. She sat up and went straight into Ben's arms. She had always felt safe in his arms. But this time it felt different in some way.
Ben: It's ok, no one's ever gonna hurt you again, I promise you.
Meg's cry had become sobbs now.
Ben: Do you feel like talking about it?
Meg: Not now, I just wanna go back to sleep, weren't you going to your nightclub?
Ben: I was, but I sent a messageboy over to tell Mark to close up. I couldn't leave you like this.
Meg: Like how?
Ben: You've been crying in your sleep for half an hour or so when I woke you up. Now, I'll let you get some sleep, I'll be downstairs. He started go towards the door.
Meg: Ben!(he turned around) Please don't go!
Ben: I can sit here until you fall asleep if you like.
Meg: No, I want to feel your arms, they are so secure.
Ben: But....I can't...
Meg: Please, you can lay on top.
Ben(blushed): Meg?!
Meg: I meant on top of the bed, I'm here under the sheets.
Ben: OK, if you need me, I'll be here, I've promised you that a long time ago.
He went over to the bed and laid down on top of the cover. Meg snuggeld herself close to him. She really felt safe in his arms.
Meg: Ben?
Ben: Mmmm.
Meg: Thanks!
Ben: Anytime.
Finally they both fell asleep and when Annie the next morning woke up around 7AM feeling happy for finally being in Sunset Rock, and being there to stay. She loved her parents, but Ludgrey wasn't very big, and she was full of adventure. "I better go see to Meg, I think I heard her cry tonight" she said to herself.
Guess if she was surprised as she went into her brother's bedroom. Ben was still on top of the bed, fully dressed, but he had his arm in a very protecting way around Meg, and the both look peaceful. "I guess it was inevitable, they've always had such a close connection" she said half high. But it was high enough to wake Ben up. When she saw it she closed the door and went downstairs. It didn't take Ben long to smoothly get out of bed without waking Meg and go downstaris to his sister.
Annie: So....
Ben: It's not what you think, she was crying her eyes out in her sleep, I couldn't stand hearing it. I still can't believe how Tim treated her, I almost feel like getting back there and kill him, or at least beat him up.
Annie: Get in line brother dear, Hank and daddy are ahead of you. She smiled, Ben had always been protective of Meg and herself. But Ben...
Ben( a bit lost in thoughts): Yes?
Annie: You have to admit to that she didn't need to persuade you for very long.
Ben(blushed): No, but.....
Annie: But what?? she was curious.
Ben: Nothing, let's start breakfast and then we can arrange the second guestroom for Meg.
Chapter 7
"The first day in Sunset Rock"
After breakfast Annie and Ben went upstairs and started to clear out one of the many rooms he had. He had bought this house for almost nothing and most of it was now renovated, there were a few rooms needing decorating, but he had left them on purpose, just looking after them so that nothing happend that could bring the whole house bad.
Meg woke up around 10AM feeling a bit better, but a bit lost at the same time, but then she remembered all about yesterday and that she was in Sunset Rock with Annie. She got up and found her robe in one of her suitecases, she hadn't brought it up last night as she went straight to bed, but now she might run into Ben....but wait! "Oh, he was on the top all night" she said to herself. As she went out the bedroomdoor she heard laughter from the room across the hall. She went over and found Ben and Annie both sitting on the floor with a box infront of them.(Full of stuff from their childhood/tina) Ben(both had their backs towards the door) suddenly felt someone was watching them. He turned around.
Ben: Good morning sleepy head! he smiled at her.
Meg: Yes isn't it, I saw that the sun was shining.
Annie: Good morning girlfriend.(she stood up and hugged Meg) Did you have a good night's sleep?
Meg(blushed): Yes...I....
Annie: Don't bother! I know the whole story, Ben told me over breakfast.
Meg looked at Ben.
Ben: Well she came to see you earlier and happend to wake me up.
Meg: So you did stay all night?
Ben: I promised you, didn't I? And tell me, both of you, have I ever broken a promise to the two of you?
Annie: Well, the time when......no, you were just late! I guess not.
Ben had gotten up aswell now turned and started to walk towards Meg.
Ben: Do you like some breakfast?
Meg: I really don't feel that hungry, but some juice if it's no problem.
Ben: No problem at all, come downstairs with me and I'll show you around the kitchen. Annie, why don't you put that box in the next room?
Annie: Of course.
[Downstairs]
Ben: I hope you feel better today?
Meg: Yes I do, thank you for staying with me last night. I hope I didn't bring you any trouble.
Ben: What do you mean?
Meg: With the nightclub and stuff....
Ben: No, not at all. When Annie and I had breakfast Mark came over and all had went well.
Meg: So....are you going there today?
Ben: Yes, I have to. Maybe you and Annie can come too.
Meg: I don't know....I really don't feel like partying.
Ben: You do as you like.
He showed her around the kitchen and started some coffee for himself(Annie wasn't very found of it, and if Meg was, he didn't know...."but I will find out" he promised himself.)
"Later on the same day"
Meg had after packing her things up in her "new" room gotten out the doors to go for a stroll on the beach. As she came back to the house there was a bench and a few palmtress just outside the house. "Why didn't I see them before?" She went over and sat down.
"It's cosy here, isn't it?" it was Ben.
Meg: Yes.
Ben: So what have you been up to all day?
Meg: All day? What time is it?
Ben: It's 6.30 and Annie said that I should go looking for you. She's made dinner.
Meg: Annie's made dinner, this I won't miss! she laughed.
Ben: It's good to hear you laugh. I guess you've had a good day.
Meg: Yes I had...I went for a long walk on the beach and then I've been sitting here for quite some time I guess.
Ben: You should really see the sunset one night. Not tonight though.
Meg: Why?
Ben: It looks a bit too cloudy, strange though because it's been great weather all day.
Meg: So what did you say about dinner, I'm hungry.
Ben: Sounds like you have gotten your appatite back as well. This morning you didn't want anything.
Meg: Well I went to this place "the Waffleshop" I guess it was called and had a cup of coffee and a sandwich. I wanted to try the waffles, but I got warned of.
Ben(laughing): Well as much as a friend and a collegue Elaine is, her waffles are really awful. Let's get inside, I think dinner's ready.
It was, they were greeted with it already on the terrace(facing the ocean of course). Annie had just made some pasta, but it tasted wonerful and after having finished all Meg offered to do the dishes.
Annie: No, I can do them.
Meg: No, I'll do them, I haven't done a thing since I came here. I need to pull in.
Annie: OK, then I'll go up and change, I thought I'd go to the Deep tonight, wanna come?
Meg: I don't know, can I think about it when I do the dishes.
Annie: Only if you think of coming! she laughed.
Ben: I'll help you get all this inside. He started to clear the table.
Meg: It's not necessary.
Ben: Well it saves you one run.
Meg: Ok then.
[In the kitchen]
Ben: Would you please come with us tonight. I really would like to see you there.
Meg: Why's that(a bit teasingly), is it anything special happening?
Ben: I know that a few friends are coming for sure tonight, and if you and Annie really are staying here you need to get to know people. And...
Meg: And what?
Ben: Well....it's kind of poetrynight.
Meg: I love poetry!
Ben: Still?
Meg: Always has always will.
Chapter 8
"The same day, back home"
[Cummings' farm]
Joan: Hank, darling you have to calm down.
Hank: But I still can't believe what he did to her.
Joan: Me either, but we need to talk to him or something. After all he still works for you.
Hank: I don't know about that....but he's a good worker, and I hate to loose him, I mean if Meggie's OK with it.
Joan: What if she doesn't come back(she fell in tears). She has not that much money and I guess it's expensive to live in Calistonia.
Hank: Now it's your turn to calm down(he went over to embrace his wife). As far as we know she can stay at Bette's when Annie moves there, otherwise she maybe can stay at Derek and Maria's.
Joan: What about Ben's place?
Hank: Is that wise...he's not married...he might get ideas....
Joan: Oh, not Ben, no he's not like that.
Hank: That's what we said about Tim too.
Joan: But Ben's not like that I know, and I think she's like a sister to him.
Hank: It's getting late, I guess we'll turn in and I'll have to talk to Tim tomorrow at milking.
Joan: Sounds good, want me to be there?
Hank: No, I think I can handle it.
[Sunset Rock, the Deep]
The place was crowed already when Ben and Meg came. Annie had went before them, she wanted to dance before the poetry reading as well as afterwards. Meg wore her nicest dress, it was really a plain dress but in the most wonderful red colour that went well to her black hair and blue eyes. In her hair she had two smorl stonecombs that she'd gotten for her 15th birthday from....BEN! She and Annie had had a big party for all the people they knew. It had been great, she smiled at the memory.
Ben: What are you smiling for?
Meg: Oh, nothing...just some old happy memories.
Ben: I hope you'll get more happy memories tonight.
Meg: I think I will, this place looks great, and here's a lot of people. Do you see Annie anywhere?
Ben: I think she's over at the bar, let's go join her and then I have to go upstairs to the office before the poetryreading starts.
They found Annie talking to Derek and Maria. Maria was pregnant with their second child. They already had a daughter named Eliza. She was about 2 years old and were staying at grandma Carmen's tonight Meg got to know. As Ben's left her with Annie a few people came up. It was Maria's brothers and their wives. Ricardo and Paula(both working at the local police station) and Antonio and Gabriella. Antonio was working at a center helping kids that had ran away or gotten into trouble some other way, and Gabriella was working with Elaine in the waffleshop. When Meg said that she'd been there earlier that day she got to know that Elaine's Paula's mother.
Annie: So now you know some more people here. Wasn't it a good thing to come after all?
Meg: Yes it was. It's great to meet so many friendly people too.
Annie: Would you like something to drink?
Meg: Orangejuice would be fine.
Annie: Don't you ever drink anything else(she laughed) Mark! An orangejuice for my best friend in the world, and do put that on my brother.
Mark: Just a second...an orangejuice coming up.
So this was the headbartender Meg thought. Well he was young but seemed to be good at his work. And he was handsome too, I have to ask Annie about him when we get home, or tomorrow morning, whichever comes first.
It didn't take long before the poetryreading started and after a few hours Ben entered the scene.
Ben: Before we end this evening with more dancing I'd like to take the opportunity to read a poem that a friend from collage wrote.
She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudess climes and starry skies;
And all that's best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes:
Thus mellow'd to that tender light
Which heaven to gaudy day denies.
One shade the more, one ray the less,
Had half impair'd the nameless grace
Which waves in every raven trees,
Or softly lightens o'er her face;
Where thoughts serenely sweet express
How pure, how dear their dwelling-place.
And on that cheek, and o'er that brow
So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glowe,
But tell of days in goodness spent,
A mind at peace with all below,
A heart whose love is innocent!
(I know Byron wasn't alive in the stone ages, but bare with me!/tina)
He had all the time had eyecontact with Meg, and felt comfortable with it. He never had done this before, usally he was sitting in his office enjoying other people reading or quoting other poets.
Ben: That's it! Please enjoy yourself and remember the carnaval in two weeks, we'll all week long have "best dress of the day" with the big finale here on the Saturday!
Ben went of the stage and came over to the table where the others taken place as they all gotten their drinks.
Derek: So brother dear.....what drove you to this?
Ben: Nothing, I was just looking thru some boxes with old stuff this morning and found a piece of paper with this poem on.(that was a big fat lie, but they all seemed to swallow it) Mark came over and asked to talk to Ben in the office. They went upstairs. As they've closed the door.
Mark: What was all that about?
Ben: The announcement about the contest? I have told you about that.
Mark: No, not that, the poetryreading, or you reading a poem.
Ben: Nothing much to it.
Mark: I don't know who you're trying to fool, but I saw where your eyes were. I got the impression that she was a dear friend of you sister.
Ben: Who? Do you mean Meg?
Mark: Yes, that darkhaird in a red dress.
Ben(lost in thoughts as he remembered Meg's dress for the might): Yes... she is. A dear friend.
Mark: How dear if I may ask?
Ben: Oh, not that way.
Mark: Hey! you're not only my boss, you're my greatest friend too, don't play games with me. You've liked her more than as a friend of your sister for a long time.
Ben: I can't hide anything for you, can I? Please don't tell anyone about it though. She came here with Annie just because of that she found her fiancé in bed with another girl.
Mark: I won't tell anyone, but be careful with her, she looks a bit fragile.
Ben: She is, and it was a really though day for her yesterday, so if you don't mind locking up tonight again, I think I'll see to it that she gets home safely.
Mark: No problem, I guess that the only ones still here(he looked out the window) is your "family"
Ben(went over to join him): Oh, there are a few more, could you please go down and play some more music. "The lady in red" maybe?
Mark: You're the boss.
Chapter 9
As Annie stayed on partying with those who were left at the nightclub Ben walked Meg home. The evening had turned around again and it was a lovely weather, the rain had been haning in the air when they went over there.
Meg: That was a lovely poem you read. Who wrote it?
Ben: A friend of mine from the collage days, Lord Byron.
Meg: He's become quite famous hasn't he. I remember reading some of his work in collage too.
Ben: Yes he has, but unfortunelly I haven't met him in a long time.
Meg: Maybe you should look him up one day.
Ben: Maybe I should.
Ben noticed that Meg's started to shiver.
Ben: Are you cold?
Meg: A little.
Ben: Here, take my jacket.
Meg: But what about you?
Ben: I'm a bit hot really.
They came home and Meg went straight to bed. It had been a very exciting day. Luckily she had unpacked her robe this morning, because she woke up after just two hours feeling thirsty and when she came down the stairs Ben was still up.
Meg: Oh, are you still up?
Ben: Yes, Annie's not home yet and the club closed half an hour ago. I'm starting to get worried. Besides I had some work that needed to be done for tomorrow's meeting.
Meg: At the company you have with Derek?
Ben: Yes, at Liberty Corporation.
Meg went out to the kitchen for a glass of water and when she came back.
Meg: This might not be a good time, but maybe you have some work for me, I mean like an opening in the café, or as a secretary-assistant in the office.
Ben: Aren't you in a hurry? You just got here.
Meg: I know, but I'm used to pull my weight and besides I need something to get my mind of Ludgrey, or at least Tim.
Ben: Let me see tomorrow....
They got interrupted by Annie coming thru the door, not alone though.
Annie: Oh! Sorry! I didn't think anyone would be up.
Ben: Well I had some work to do before tomorrow's meeting. And you are late?
Annie: Now, don't start talking like your my father(she had had a few drinks) because your not.
Ben: Certainly not! But father and mother trust me to look after you until aunt Bette arrives from her trip. But I see you've been in good company. Thank you Mark for following my sister home.
Mark: Oh, that's nothing, it was a pleasure.
He looked at Annie. She started to blush so she turned to go upstaris, but Meg had seen her so she followed her to her bedroom.
Meg: You didn't even say good night to Ben. What's up with you and Mark?
Annie: I don't know. Everyone left the Deep and then I helped Mark to close up. We kissed and it felt good. I felt a kind of connection I never felt before. I guess you know the feeling.
Meg: What?
Annie: That special feeling when you're in love and the two of you just connect. Isn't that what's up with you and my brother?
Meg(blushed): No! Yes! Well I don't know. There's something special, has always been, but now it feels different.
Annie: I think it's because you're both grown ups now. I hope you'll both find happiness, and if it's in eachother it's so much better. She laughed dearly.
Meg: Well I have to see where it takes me, I might start working at his café, he should look into if he needed more staff. But back to you and Mark. That was quick.
Annie: Not really, we first met at Derek and Maria's wedding. They had their reception at the Deep as Ben just had opened it. Mark was already back then working with him and I've met him a few more times when I've been here visiting.
Meg: But you've never told me about him before.
Annie: No, I wasn't sure on my feelings and then we lived so far apart.
Meg: So....do you want anything to happen?
Annie: I don't know that either, lawschool is going to take so much of my time now.
Meg: Well, let me know, don't be a stranger if you like to talk, you know I always keep secrets, just like you.
Annie: Yes, and thank God for that, so much stuff we know about eachother that would not be "healty" if it came out. They both laughed.
Meg: Now I really have to get to bed, what about a tour on the town tomorrow, I need to buy some new clothes. I still got the money I got from my parents that I was about to use to start a home with Tim.
Annie: Sounds good, I need to go shopping for my books anyway. And then I need to go talk to Ben and Derek's partner, Gregory Richards.
Meg: Why?
Annie: I need to have someone to turn to when I meet an obstacle in the studying and Ben said to me to ask Gregory.
Meg: Ok, so then we've planned what to do tomorrow, at least for a few hours.
[Downstairs]
Ben: Mark, sorry if I snapped at you, but I was starting to get worried for Annie.
Mark: It's ok, I think I've reacted the same if I had had a sister, or a brother too for that matter.
Ben: I know you miss your family, I can't imagine what it would be like to loose them all at once.
Mark: It wasn't easy, but you helped me a lot. I'm happy to have you as a friend and boss. And talking about that, are you planning to open up yourself tomorrow?
Ben: Yes, but I need to be out before 11.30, I have a lunchmeeting with Derek and Gregory at noon.
Mark: Good, I'll be in by 11. Good night! He started to go towards the door.
Ben: Good night! Mark!
Mark: Yes?!
Ben: Thanks again for walking Annie home.
Mark: My pleasure.
Chapter 10
"School starts"
Being named Tim wasn't fun, he almost turned around and from Hank started to run. But they finally talked and then Tim of to his work still walked.
[Sunset Rock, carnaval week]
The life in town had turn crazy, fun crazy that is. Meg had had the best of luck, a girl that worked both in the café and at the Deep had to quite to move back to her parents in New Stone. On top of learning her new job, she had volunteered to help Ben filing a lot of papers at his homeoffice. But she loved it, it made her being close to Ben a lot.
Annie and Mark had started to see more of eachother, often at Bette's place as she now was home from her trip. It had been yet another "after-marriage" trip. Her 7th, so now she had promised herself that no more! This was it, but Bette had always been a bit wild so don't be surprised if she finds another man. As Bette's house wasn't that big Meg had decided to stay on at Ben's, with her parents permission of course, after all Ben was a single man.
Meg knew all about Annie and Mark's relationship but she had told Annie that she had to tell Ben soon, she had heard people talk at the nightclub when she was working and Mark not being there. As Annie was starting school the next Monday and it was carnaval all week(not Sunday) Meg had told Ben that she wanted to throw Annie a good luck dinner on the Sunday.
[The Deep Friday afternoon]
Ben: Oh, what a great idea! You just go to the shop and buy what you need, tell them to put it on my tab.
Meg: You don't have to pay, I earn my own money.
Ben: Well it's my sister, and you're inviting my brother and his family and my aunt and her daughter Emily.
Meg: And I thought of telling Mark to come too. Is that a good idea?
Ben: It's ok, after all he's almost like family and he seems to get along with Annie just fine.(if you only knew how good/authors note)
Meg: So, is it ok if I tell them to come at 4PM?
Ben: I think that will be good, I have to attend the cleaning up in the morning, but then I too have the day off.
Meg: Oh, do you need any help there?
Ben: No, you do what you like here, you don't need to offer yourself everytime. I've hired some cleaningup people for this. It usally gets a bit more "dirty" with all that ballons and stuff we put up for the finale.
Meg: Yes it do look great. We did a great job. So todays partfinale will be outside?
Ben: Yes I've "moved" the bar upstairs to the caf\é just so that we could finish up down here today. Now I want you do go enjoy yourself tonight. You have you night off just like it's scheduled.
Meg: OK, but please call me if you need any help. I think I'll call it an early night after today's parade.(Ben was one of those who had gotten his stonephone istalled already/authors note)
Ben: Don't expect me to, I need someone in my staff to be refreshed tomorrow.
Meg: Ok, bye then! she started to walk up the stairs.
Ben: Meg?!
Meg: Yes?
Ben: May I ask what you will be dressed like tomorrow?
Meg: As you might not approve otherwise, I mean I have to be able to work, I can tell you.
Ben: You could come in a bag if you liked and still gotten approved to work, you'll look great in anything.
Meg(blushed): Well I have decided not to have the bag. I thought I'd go as that new actress "Olivia Newton-Stone".
Ben: Oh well, then I might go as "Stone Travolta"....we could pair up and compete in the paircontest.
Meg: Well, let's see tomorrow. I'll leave now, but remember if you need me..
Ben: Do you mean that? he teased her, as he'd started to do more and more.
Meg: I was about to say if you need me to work tonight call me.
Ben: I'll keep that in mind.
Meg left and Ben couldn't help to feel a bit sadness. He really liked her company. "Maybe I should do something about it" he thougt to himself. "But I'll wait until Annie started school, they seem to spend every free minute together"