- Steele a Long Way to Go(part
3)
Date: Thursday, May 04, 2000
sue hantak <hantaks@mtco.com>
(Part 3)
Mildred arrived at the office the next day horrified by the mess.
Her desk was covered with pink slip messages and opened mail.
Laura's office was buried in stacks of file folders. She ventured
into Mr. Steele's office to find Laura asleep on the couch. Laura
woke when the phone rang. Mildred reached for the phone on Mr.
Steele's desk. "Remington Steele Investigations could you
hold please?". She pressed the button and turned in Laura's
direction. She gave her a disapproving look and went back to
her desk to take care of business. While Mildred was still on
the phone, Laura breezed by and indicated she was going to change
and would be back soon.
Mildred and Laura worked together like a fine tuned machine.
In no time they had the office whipped back into shape. Laura
treated Mildred to a well deserved dinner that evening. Laura
attempted some harmless conversation, "You know I really
appreciate how hard you worked today" she barely ate her
food. Preoccupied, her fork resumed pushing pasta from one side
of the plate to the other. "I don't think I could get through
this all by myself" She took a sip of ice tea. Mildred noticed
the sadness in her eyes and her melancholy tone.
Mildred thought to herself *she's not referring to work, what
exactly does she need to "get through"*
Laura gave up trying to eat, "I guess I'm not very hungry".
She pushed the plate away and lay her napkin on the table next
to it.
"Miss Holt, sometimes it helps to talk about it" Mildred
extended (much like the way Laura herself offered just a few
days before.)
Laura laughed at the irony of what Mildred just said. *I guess
I would be a hypocrite if I shut her out* She bit her lip and
confessed, "Mildred, I don't think Mr. Steele is coming
back "
Mildred mouth dropped open, "That can't be...... he loves
you"
"He told me to butt out of his life."
"Surely he didn't say THAT," Mildred whispered incredulously.
"That was the gist of it...it certainly wasn't 'I love you'...'m
sorry, I shouldn't be involving you in this...I thought you should
know...If you want to look for another job, I understand."
"Miss Holt, I love my job...besides someone needs to talk
some sense into him"
"Mildred, please don't..."
"What are we going to tell clients?"
"For the time being, just tell anyone who asks, that he
is out of the country on personal business," Laura rubbed
her brow in a pained gesture, "I'll figure something out"
Laura paid the bill and the two women left the restaurant. Fred
dropped Mildred at her apartment before returning Laura to her
loft.
A few weeks later Laura was house hunting. When she had him execute
a power of attorney years ago, she never dreamed she would be
using it under these circumstances. She masterfully played the
role of newlywed wife "looking for a bigger space".
The agent would show her listing after listing pointing out amenities
that 'her husband' might appreciate. Laura even found herself
at times thinking Remington would like a certain house or neighborhood.
The house she purchased in fact, had a gourmet kitchen for which
she personally had no use. She cancelled leases and hired a moving
company to pack up both apartments. The master bedroom was became
a glorified changing room for Laura. She used the walk-in closet
for both of their wardrobes It gave the impression that Remington
lived there too. She couldn't bring herself to sleep in there,
though. Her bed occupied a smaller bedroom. She used the third
bedroom as a home office. With a beach nearby, and work always
at her fingertips, she managed to occupy her time and keep him
out of her mind. Almost. His covered Auburn in the garage, his
suits hanging next to hers and those damned movie posters were
constant reminders. It had been almost two months. He did leave
that one message. The one that said he would call again. She
refused to call him. It still hurt that she came to him on three
different occasions only to be harshly rejected. She also feared
she made things worse with the contents of the letter.
Daniel knew he was dying and had all his affairs in order. There
really was nothing for Remington to handle. His estate was all
liquidated and held in a trust naming 'Remington Steele and Laura
Holt' as trustees. Daniel had acknowledged him as Remington Steele
and even recognized Laura's significant presence in his life.
He really was Remington Steele now. The catch was that he wasn't
Remington Steele without Laura. He pulled out the letter again.
By now it was quite worn and tattered. He kept it with him at
all times. Even though he knew it by heart, he read it again.
He folded it neatly and returned it to his pocket.
It was time to go home. He reached for the phone.
"Ah Miss Krebs, so good to hear your voice."
"Mr. Steele, or should I call you Mr. Chalmers?" Mildred
responded with not-so-subtle contempt.
"Mildred would you kindly connect me with Laura?"
"Do you have any idea how much you hurt her?"
She didn't give him a chance to respond, "Plenty, buster
and that Tony character keeps coming around. I'm beginning to
think he might not be so bad after all. At least he is here for
her."
"Roselli?"
"Oh, that got your attention, didn't it?"
"Mildred, is Laura there or not?"
"I hope you're planning on fixing all of this"
"Why do you think I called?"
Mildred buzzed Laura's extension, "Mr. Steele is holding
for you"
"What?"
"Line two, hon"
Laura took a deep breath, smoothed her dress even though he couldn't
see her, closed her eyes in a here-goes-nothing manner and pressed
the blinking button.
"I was beginning to think you forgot the number," Laura
stated with her familiar sarcasm.
"Laura I've been trying you at home but the number had been
disconnected."
"I had to move"
"Why?"
"Is there something you want?" she ignored his question.
"I'm booked on a flight tonight, I was wondering if you
would pick me up from the airport?"
"A ride...you called me for a ride?" Laura asked disbelieving
he would have the gall to ask for a favor.
"Please, Laura...I know that I have behaved badly and...and
you have every right to be angry with me" his voice softened
considerably, "...just meet me...please"
"What time?" Laura acquiesced.
End of Part 3
- To Finale
- BACK