by M. E. Gordon
“Can I help you with something?” I asked with a frown, making sure to keep my voice quiet so I didn’t draw attention. She paused while looking over at me. She’s got five seconds before I lay in to her.
“I’m sorry. You just really look like Elizabeth Monroe. Ya know, the girl that has been linked to Spencer Salvatore,” she said, studying my face.
My vision became blurry and the room began to spin. I closed my eyes, hoping that my body would right itself. When I opened them back up, I prayed that I hadn’t given myself away. Goddamn Fame!
“I guess you’re not though,” she said, a little disappointed.
The teacher started calling out people’s names for attendance. I looked up toward the front, ready to make a run for it, but I couldn’t move fast enough, because the next name she called was mine.
“Elizabeth Monroe? Is there an Elizabeth Monroe in attendance?”
Fuck! I’ve been had. When I raised my hand, about fifteen women turned around in their seats to get a good look at the “vixen” who had Spencer Salvatore smitten.
“I knew it!” the skipper doll next to me said.
“Do you think you could just--umm--keep it to yourself? There’s nothing going on between us.”
My nonchalant statement was more than overlooked as she stared at me in awe.
“Well, yeah, I saw the pictures from last night,” she said. “I can’t believe you left him for whoever that guy is. I mean he’s cute too, but Spencer, come on, you must be crazy.”
Just then the skipper doll turned her computer screen around and there I was on the pages of Fame again.
A picture of Simon and me dancing was the first one up, and you could clearly see Spencer looking on in the background. The next few pictures read like a movie in stills, as Spencer watched while I held on to Simon and rested my head on his shoulder. In the last picture, he had turned and was out of the frame. I stared at the pictures and couldn’t get over how angry he looked in the photos.
The flowers and note finally made sense. Wait a minute, why do I feel bad? Like I betrayed him? I don’t owe him an explanation. I don’t even know him. Well--No! I don’t know him! If he was really as mad as he looked, why didn’t he do anything about it? I was alone most of the night and he knew I was there. Oh, right, I know why. Hot, attractive, sexy men like that don’t like girls like me, that’s why! This must be his idea of a sick joke.
“Well, if you’re not interested, would you mind giving him my number?”
Who the hell does this Mattel doll think she is, handing me her number? Goddamn skinny bitches always feel they are entitled to men like Spencer.
“Ooo, sorry I can’t. He specifically told me he doesn’t like the ‘Barbie doll look.’” I held a straight face as I watched skipper melt into a puddle of plastic.
After her rejection, she didn’t say a word to me for the rest of class.
I closed my books and packed up, grabbing the bouquet from the chair next to me. I approached the door, noticing that there were a number of people standing around in the hallway. I ducked my head and pushed through the waiting bodies. The sun was so strong when I opened the door, I was momentarily blinded. Blinking, I raised my hand with the flowers to help shield my eyes. As I found my sight again, I heard the familiar click of a camera or two or three. What the hell? Who is taking pictures? Wait a minute, are they taking pictures of me?
My nightmare was confirmed when I saw three men with cameras. “Who are the flowers from?” one yelled.
“Are you dating the new guy?” another asked.
“Why did you leave Spencer?”
I didn’t know what else to do, so I just covered my face with the flowers and kept walking, giving them nothing but the middle finger. Take that, Fame!
“Ahh, come on, Elizabeth,” one man said as I walked past.
Shit, they really know who I am now, no more hiding for me. They followed me for a while, still asking questions, before the campus police stopped them, but they couldn’t stop my fellow students from snapping pictures with their cell phones. Great, now my face is going to be plastered over every gossip site known to man.
I reached my building and ducked inside. Thankfully no one followed me home. Heading into the condo, I placed my bag on the table and got a vase for the flowers. Why did they have to smell so good? What is your deal Salvatore? Pulling my laptop out, I expected to see my face but so far nothing had been posted yet. I jumped when my phone started buzzing from within my bag. Dumping it out frantically on the table I found it and a new message from Simon.
I had a great time last night. For some reason I can’t get you off my mind.
How cute was that? Not creepy, but thoughtful. So, why was I still getting the feeling that this was all too good to be true? These love-story scenes never happened to me, yet there I was, getting secret notes and thoughtful texts.
I couldn’t tell if Spencer was for real or not. It seemed a bit out of character for a multi-millionaire bachelor, and all that. The number of women that must throw themselves at him had to be through the roof. Maybe he’s watching out for me like my brothers do. On second thought, I don’t want or need another over-protective brother telling me what to do and who to date.
Now I had to deal with the freaking paparazzi following me, too. I was finally at a point in my life where I was happy with myself, my body image, which now I was more than paranoid about. My career choices were...well, I could only imagine what the media was going to say when they found out I was going to school to become a librarian--double embarrassment. I couldn’t go back to the way I was, a yearlong depression, anger management, and countless hours of therapy sessions. That was something I wouldn’t wish on anyone.
I think I’ll take the lesser of the two evils.
I texted back, It’s because I’m awesome.
That’s not too weird, right? Too late, I already sent it. The scent of the flowers drifted past my nose and, with that, Spencer was back at the forefront of my mind. I didn’t want to cast him out just yet. I wanted to believe that someone like Spencer Salvatore could really like me, even love me maybe?
R u free tomorrow?
At least I didn’t have to lie about that. I was leaving early to go visit Gran with my brothers and we usually ended up staying all day if not overnight. Since the boys had taken over all of our father’s companies we did these weekends at Grans less and less.
I’m out of town for the weekend. Rain check for Monday?
He responded. Okay, is it sad that I wish it was Monday already? Have a great weekend.
Even with all the crazy emotions, I couldn’t help but smile at the fact that this man seemed to like me. His warm brown-eyed smile came to mind and I soon found myself wishing it was Monday, too.
***
The ride to Grans started off quiet. Teddy drove, Charles sat in the passenger’s seat looking at his phone, and I was banished to the back as usual. We endured the three-and- half hour ride to the eastern shore where Gran spent her springs, summers, and falls. I had stayed with her all summer at the beach house, lapping up the sun and enjoying the quiet that was Fenwick Island.
Not able to stand the quiet any longer, I decided to get answers from Charles about Gia. “So what are your intentions for my friend?” I asked.
Turning in his seat, he looked back at me with a frown. “Gia?” he asked, as if it was a stupid question.
“Yes, Gia. Why do you keep asking her to go out with you?” Turning back to look out the front window, I heard him chuckle. “Charles, I’m not messing around. Don’t lead her on,” I barked at him.
“I’m not leading her anywhere. I didn’t sleep with her--wait, did I?” he said as a smirk appeared on his face.
I had been friends with Gia ever since I went to college. We were roommates our first year. A bit of an odd couple at first, we had become fast friends. She didn’t put up with my stubbornness, and I didn’t treat her like she was a super model. So it was not like Gia just came into my l
ife. She’d been to plenty of Christmases and vacations with my family. Of course, I had always known she thought Charles was attractive, but she never did anything about it. Not until lately. Now, she had been sure to put herself in places where he was going to be.
“Charles, this is not funny!” I yelled, smacking his shoulder.
“Geez, Beth, I get it. You don’t want me to mess with her. That’s fine, but I can’t help it if she can’t resist all of this,” he said, gesturing to his body with his hand from his head to his toes.
“You are so full of yourself!” I huffed, sitting back in my seat. “You’re going to get an STD if you don’t knock it off with all the women.”
“What the hell, Beth? Why are you giving me such a hard time? Teddy does the same shit. I don’t see you yelling at him.”
He pointed over at Teddy, who adjusted himself in the driver’s seat at the sound of his name.
Looking away from the road and over at Charles, Teddy defended himself. “I might take out different girls, but I’m not bringing them home with me, and Beth is right. You should cool it. Maybe focus on one girl, instead of leaving a trail of carnage behind you.”
“God, you both are out-of-your-minds cryptic today. You think I’m going to get some deadly case of syphilis and you think I’m leaving a trail of dead bodies behind me.”
“Chuck, we just care about you. I know you are so much more than a stupid one night stand,” I said from the back seat.
“She’s got a point. We just want the best for you,” Teddy added, placing a hand on our brother’s shoulder.
“You guys are talking like I’m dying, but if it will give you both peace of mind, I will cool it with the women, and I promise to stay away from Gia.” He turned while he talked to me His face softened and my loving brother smiled back at me.
We arrived at Gran’s in the afternoon. Even though I had just left the beach house, I was so happy to be back. There were so many good memories made here, it was hard not to look around and think of one. Gran had decorated in classic beach fashion--blues, whites, and lots of nautical-themed ...well everything.
As usual, we found Gran on the back deck in her rocking chair, reading. Hearing the footsteps from behind her, she turned to greet us. Her bobbed white hair was blowing in the warm sea breeze. A smile appeared on her face as she saw us. She looked timeless, like an old Hollywood actress. Her eyes were a brilliant blue like Teddy’s and her hair had once been dark brown like Charles.
“Gran!” Charles yelled. Running to greet her, he picked her up, spinning her around.
“Oh, Chuck my dear, I’m getting a bit old to me tossed around like this,” she said through a laugh.
“Never,” he replied as he placed her firmly back on the ground.
Teddy walked over next giving her a hug and kiss on the cheek.
“Where’s my little muffin?” she asked, looking between my brothers.
I had stayed inside, looking out the window from the kitchen.
“You two broods didn’t forget her, did you?”
“Nah, we tried but she just kept following us,” Charles said, shrugging his shoulders.
“That’s because she looks up to you boys. How many times do I have to tell you that? It’s like you’re ten years old again, the way you complain about her following you.”
Thank you, Gran. She was always getting on Charles’s case about being nice to me.
“She’s coming,” Teddy said. “I think she stopped off in the bathroom.”
“Come on, Teddy,” Charles said. “Let’s get our suits on and check out the water.”
It was an exceptionally warm September day, and my brothers never let a beach day go to waste. They ran back into the house, sounding like a herd of cattle going up the stairs. I made my way outside and sat down next to Gran in Pop’s rocking chair.
“Oh, there you are, muffin. I was starting to worry,” she said, picking her book back up from the table.
“Hey, Gran,” I groaned.
“Oh, I don’t like the sound of that hello,” she said, looking over at me.
Just when I was ready to tell Gran everything about Spencer and Simon, the herd of cattle came back down the stairs and out on the deck.
“Come on, sis, let’s go,” Charles demanded, standing in front of me.
“Umm, I don’t know. I think I’m just going to sit up here with Gran.”
“Well, you have no choice in the matter. Teddy and I couldn’t make it down all summer so we are getting it all in now!”
A wicked grin appeared on Charles’s face and I knew I was in for it. I stood to run away, but he grabbed my hand tightly and held me under my arms. Teddy came over and grabbed my feet, lifting me completely off the deck. It was no use. I was no match for their strong, overpowering bodies. They started to carry me down the back stairs, as I screamed for them to put me down.
“You boys be careful with her,” Gran scolded, like they were teenagers taunting me just like they did years ago.
“Don’t worry. We will take good care of your little muffin,” Charles said as he rubbed his knuckles into my scalp.
“Will you stop that? And put me down, you creep!” I yelled, trying to flail my body, hoping that they would either drop me or put me down. But, of course, it only made them hold on tighter. Lucky me, there were only a few people to witness the pathetic excuse of an escape.
“Come on, guys, put me down.” Maybe if I’m nice, they’ll let me go, since sheer physical flailing is not working.
“Hold still, will you? It will be over soon,” Charles said, cackling so hard he almost dropped me in the sand.
“Hold her, Chuck, we’re almost there. If you drop her, she’s going to run.” Teddy’s upper body was shaking from laughter, too, but he recovered by scooting up my legs to hold me tighter around my thighs. I made sure to shoot him a death glare.
They finally made it down to the water. “Ooo, that’s a little chilly,” Charles said, sucking in air.
“Please don’t throw me in. These are my favorite jeans. I promise I will get in. Just let me change into my suit,” I begged.
“Too late,” Charles said, nodding up at Teddy.
“One...two...”
I didn’t hear three because I was under the water. Jumping to my feet, I pushed the hair from my face, just in time to see the next wave coming straight for me. We all dove under, and it wasn’t as cold as I thought it was going to be. The rays of the sun helped make it feel warmer.
Coming up from the wave, I screamed at my brothers and swam over to them, jumping on their heads and pushing them under the water. Looking back at the house, I saw Gran standing at the railing, laughing at us. Seeing her happy made my brothers and me very pleased. We were all that was left of our shrinking family, and I’d do anything for them, even Charles.
Dinner was delicious--like I expected anything less with Gran’s cooking. The boys were telling Gran about all their business deals. Charles got extra excited when he started talking about the club. “I think we have decided to call it 21, what do you think, Gran?”
She smiled at her eager grandson.
I couldn’t help myself. “Why are you calling it 21? So you know how old you have to be to get in?”
“No, Beth, that’s not why. Well, it’s not final but we like it because it has sentimental value, you know, Mom and Dad. Teddy and I want it to have a meaning, and what better meaning then the love shared by two people. Makes for a romantic setting. We plan on running it by Spencer, our business partner this week.”
Oh, God. My fork stilled in my mouth and I almost choked on a piece of meat. Coughing, I placed my hand around my throat, trying to catch my breath. Again, the mere sound of Spencer’s name took me by surprise.
“Geez, Beth, I only said his name. I know you women are all crazy about him, but damn.”
I do not need this right now. “It’s not like that, Charles,” I snapped, a little too fast, and felt the redness in my cheeks.
“B
eth, we have all seen the pictures of you guys on Fame,” Charles said, taking another bite of food.
“I--I--”There goes my college vocabulary again.
“I think it would be best if you stayed away from Spencer,” Teddy said, placing his fork down on his plate.
“Thanks for the warning, but there is nothing going on between us and, even if there was, I think I could handle it on my own, thank you.”
“I’m sure that you could, but I would just feel a lot better if you kept your distance.”
Why does he do this? He’s not my father. “You’re not my father, Teddy. I can talk to whoever I want.” I narrowed my eyes at him, ready for the next warning.
“Now, children, let’s please have a pleasant dinner. No more of this talk. Do you understand?” Gran always had a way of pulling us back from an imploding argument.
“Sorry, Gran,” a chorus of voices said.
That evening, I grabbed a blanket and joined Gran outside on one of the couches.
“Ahh, my little muffin, come sit with your Gran tell me what’s going on in there?”
I sat next to her, laying my head on her shoulder while she played with my hair. I took the quiet time, while my brothers were out, to spill my heart. I told her everything, from the first night at Mood to all the crazy notes, the run-ins with Spencer, my date with Simon. “Do you see why I’m so confused now? It’s not like I have ever had one, let alone two, guys knocking down my door. What am I going to do?” I sat up to look at Gran, praying that she’d have the magic answer.
“Well, muffin, I think that you need to just have fun. Don’t worry about anyone but yourself. Do what makes you happy, not what will make others happy. If you want to go out with both of these guys, then I think you should. We don’t live in the stone ages anymore. Get to know them both, see what happens, and who you find you can’t be without,” she said matter-of-factly.