- To Have and To Holt
Date: Sunday, August 06, 2000
- sue hantak <hantaks@mtco.com>
I swore I wasn't going to write 2 challenges this time, but
when the idea struck, I couldn't resist...
TO HAVE AND TO HOLT
by Suejue
"Oh damn," Laura mutter as she rooted through her purse.
She closed her eyes, mentally retracing her steps from the morning.
"What is it?" Remington peeked over her shoulder adjusting
his bowtie.
"The tickets...I think I left them at home. I promised Keyes
I'd drop the photos off on our way. It's in the opposite direction
and with traffic, we'll never make it in time."
"You go home and get the tickets, I'll give Keyes the photos."
Laura shot him a skeptical look, "I don't think so. You
and Keyes almost came to blows the last time. We wouldn't want
to ruin your new tux now would we, Mr. Steele?"
"Okay, I'LL run by your loft, YOU go to Keyes and we meet
up at the Gala."
Laura thought for a moment , trying to come up with an alternate
plan, but unable to, she caved, "I have a wooden hinged
box on my dresser, I think I put them in there."
He quickly kissed her on the cheek, "Got it, meet you there."
Remington hopped up the steps, catching his breath as he slipped
the key in the padlock of her door. Always hopeful, he put a
bottle of champagne in the fridge anticipating returning with
her later after the Gala. The wooden box was open on her dresser.
As he removed the tickets, a sparkle caught his attention. Looking
closer, he pushed a watch aside to reveal a diamond solitaire
ring. He picked it up and lifted it to the light coming in from
the window. A three quarter carat, oval cut, good quality, he
assessed. His attention then turned to the inside of the ring
to check the gold weight. There, engraved in small script, "Laura
& Mark, Forever." "My God" he murmured as
he realized that Laura had an engagement ring.
Laura was waiting at the curb of the Embassy Regent Hotel. A
valet rushed to the driver's side. Remington slipped him a bill
in exchange for the claim ticket. She fiddled with her earrings
as he approached, "Donald and Frances just went in."
Her words seemed to fall on deaf ears as he was still distracted
by the ring and the fact he had no clue who the devil Mark is...or
hopefully WAS. Remington didn't respond. He had a vacant expression
and cool attitude. He placed his hand in the small of her back
and lightly escorted her into the ballroom. "I'm going to
the bar," he announced. "White wine?" He asked
and she nodded. Laura was a confused by his distant behavior.
Usually this was his element; getting all dressed up, rubbing
elbows with the doers and shakers, charming the cameras and tonight
he just couldn't be bothered. Frances stood and waved from the
table. Laura saw Mr. Steele disappear amid the sea of tuxes and
made her way to the table.
"Where's Mr. Steele?" Frances asked excitedly.
Laura replied monotone, "Went to the bar."
Donald returned to the table talking in a rush, "I can't
believe who is all here, and we're sharing a table with Spielberg!
Stephen Spielberg. This is incredible, I need a drink."
He turned to Frances, "What would you like lambchop?"
"Champagne sounds appropriate, doesn't it?"
"Laura can I get something for you?"
"I think Mr. Steele is getting something for me."
Donald approached Remington who was waiting at the bar. "Mr.
Steele!"
"Donald, how are you?"
"Thanks for sending us these tickets. Frances has been so
thrilled that she..."
He stopped when he realized that Mr. Steele appeared to be in
no party mood. He put up two fingers motioning to the bartender.
"Something wrong?"
"Do you know anything about Laura and a man named Mark?"
"Mark?...Mark Campbell?...I haven't heard that name in years."
"Who is he?"
"I think she dated him while she was at Stanford."
Donald knew that "dated" was a complete understatement.
Afterall, he was supposed to walk Laura down the aisle.
"They were serious?"
Donald figured the cat must be out of the bag. He picked up the
champagne glasses and nodded for Remington to follow him to a
more private spot. "They were supposed to be married. I
don't know the details. I don't think Laura even told Frances
what really happened. Laura said she was the one who called it
off, but we didn't buy it. "
The emcee asked everyone to return to their seats. Remington
and Donald returned to the table. Hardly any conversation passed
over dinner. Remington needed to know more about this engagement
but given his own shielded past, he was hardly in any position
to ask. They danced, but he was just going through the motions.
As the evening past, Laura was growing impatient with Mr. Steele's
inattentive behavior. In the middle of the song, she tried to
start a conversation. When she once again realized he was a million
miles away, she pulled out his arms, and broadcast rather loudly,
"I'm going home." Embarrassed that other couples were
watching he smiled and excused himself jokingly, "Must have
stepped on her toes again."
She was waiting for Fred to bring the limo around. Just as she
was about to climb in, Remington grabbed her by the elbow. He
peered into the car, "Fred, you may go, I'll take Miss Holt
home."
He shut the door and Fred pulled away from the curb. Laura turned
to him highly agitated, "I got the impression in there that
you had no desire to be with me this evening."
"Laura, I've just had my mind on other things tonight."
"I should have known...I guess I rate behind Stephen Spielberg."
"It's not that at all. Let me take you home, I can explain."
Remington reached for his valet stub. Laura cautiously climbed
into the passenger side of the Auburn.
Laura walked in the direction of the bathroom removing her heels
enroute, "I'm going to change, take off your coat, make
yourself at home."
"If it's all the same to you, I think I leave my coat on.
I have a feeling you're going to throw me out when I bring this
up."
"What are you talking about? What is with you tonight?"
She disappeared behind the door
By the time she exited the bathroom, he was standing by her dresser
holding the ring. She froze.
"What are you doing?"
"I found this." He held up the ring. "Why didn't
you ever tell me about him?"
"Why? Why should I bore you with another humiliating story
of another man, who suddenly and inexplicably left me? Isn't
knowing about my father and Wilson pathetic enough for you?"
"Laura...I didn't...." he stammered seeing the hurt
in her eyes.
"You're right, I'm throwing you out." Laura grabbed
the ring from his hand and threw it on the dresser. "GET
OUT," she demanded on the brink of tears.
He stood his ground, "Are you mad at me or at him?"
She wiped away a tear gathering some courage, she softly pleaded,
"Please just leave, I don't want you to see me like this."
"Is that what your ambivalence is all about? Your afraid
of being consumed, then you're afraid of me seeing a carefree
wild side of you. Then you're afraid of being reckless and indulgent.
You're always trying to pick and choose what parts of you I get
to see."
"No I'm afraid if you knew me...really knew me...everything.
It would drive you away."
"The only thing driving me away is you. Dammit , Laura don't
you see, you're the one always pushing me out the door?"
"You never take the hint, though, do you?" Her eyes
met his and with a apologetic smile she added, "Thank God."
He gathered her in his arms and held her close. He whispered
near her ear, "I keep coming back, hoping you'll let me
stay."
Laura snaked her arms around his neck, "Take off your coat,
you can stay tonight."
The End
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