Twenty Four Weeks - Episode 10 - "Twenty One" (PG)
Page 1
Twenty Four Weeks – Episode 10 – “Twenty One”
Written by J.D.Denisson.
A sequel to the movie “This is Where I Leave You”.
Characters and back story based on the novel “This is Where I Leave You” by Jonathan Tropper.
Copyright 2016 J.D.Denisson.
Previously…
“Do you feel that you’re in the wrong place?”
I look up quickly. There is the man that’s on the sign, looking down at me. He doesn’t seem offended from before.
He holds out his hand. “Grant,” he says. “Grant Upton.”
I take it. “Judd Altman,” I say.
Grant Upton is tall, early fifties, slightly greying. He stands easily like he was once athletic but time has given him the gift of weight like it does to most. He’s wearing a checked shirt and comfortable pants like they’re a uniform. The picture on the sign has him in almost the same outfit.
He puts a finger on the book on my table. “A divorce book at a marriage seminar.” He laughs. “That’s brave.”
“Yeah,” I say. “Maybe I could have used you a couple of years ago.”
“It’s never too late,” he says back.
“Yes,” I tell him. “It is.”
…
I shift uncomfortably. “Yes... There was something I left out last week and well, I told her and she wasn’t too pleased. I think that it just drove home the point that she needs this as much as I do.”
“You held something back?”
“I didn’t mean to. I guess I didn’t think it was relevant, but apparently it was.”
“What was it?”
“Well...” I hesitate.
“This will be a whole lot easier if you don’t hold things back, Judd.”
“I know. Alright... When I was sitting Shiva with my family, and just after she told me about the baby, I... well, I was with a woman. We... we had sex.”
“I see.”
“I guess that I’m not so good at the vows either…”
…
“I just wanted to let you know I’ll be away for a couple of days,” I tell him. “I’ve checked in with Kenny and he’s good to cover me.”
“Don’t worry man. Take the week off if you like. I’m in Mexico. We’re replaying some old stuff this week. Kenny’s all over it.”
“What are you doing in Mexico?” I ask him.
“Honeymoon, man. Got married.”
…
“Chloe has got it into her head that the two of us and the two of you should have dinner together. So, I’m asking.”
“What?”
“Dinner,” he says, like the idea is not a total disaster waiting to happen. “You, me, Quinn, Chloe. When are you two free?”
“I heard you,” I say back sharply. “I just can’t believe you actually asking this.”
“What’s the deal?”
“Words come out of your mouth, but I think sometime you have no idea how they sound. What’s the deal? Do you think that I’m going to sit there between you and Quinn and not lose it completely?”
…
“Well, it doesn’t matter if he deserves it, it doesn’t matter if he doesn’t need it, it doesn’t matter if he doesn’t appreciate it. I want you to do it all the same.”
“I am going to his stupid dinner. Surely that’s enough.”
“This is different. This is just for him. If you like you can think of it as a wedding present. You mentioned he got married.”
“I wouldn’t get used to the idea. It won’t last.”
“Well, maybe that’s your present. I want you to speak life into his marriage like you’re speaking life into yours. That can be your gift.”
Twenty one
Tuesday
My cell rings after lunch.
“Hello?” I say. The number is unknown to me.
“Judd Altman?”
“Speaking.”
“Doctor Porter. I have some results for you.”
It turns out that Wade gave my no nasty surprises, which I grateful for. I immediately think that I haven’t said Quinn in the earlier thought when I was assigning blame. I still blame Wade, but now I’m in the clear, maybe I can let that go. I’m not completely sure I can, but it seems a little easier to consider the possibility now.
Wednesday
I’m full of dread. Quinn said yes to Chloe and now we’re heading over to Wade’s apartment with million dollar views to have dinner with him and his new wife.
I try not to think of how many times Quinn came here in secret. She’s not telling me and I don’t feel I have the right to ask, or that I find the question particularly loving or respectful.
I’ve picked up a bottle of wine on the way. Quinn won’t be drinking any of it but she doesn’t care. The wine is a present, not the one that Grant has me thinking about, but one that people give the hosts for such an event.
I ring the bell downstairs and he buzzes us up. He’s near the top of his building, facing the river, and I’ve often found myself in the grip of envy. Wade would have showered Quinn with gifts that I could never dream of affording, but I have given her something that he could never provide. The evidence was now becoming quite obvious.
The door opens and Chloe greets us. Quinn has not met Wade’s new bride and so they introduce each other and kiss each other’s cheeks like sisters. I let Quinn go in first and peck Chloe where Quinn has been. And she takes the wine.
Wade is in the kitchen. I can hear the rattle of pans and the occasional unsavoury word.
“I’d better check on my husband,” Chloe says. “He’s hopeless in there. Make yourselves at home.”
Quinn has, several times, but I keep that to myself. We stand at the open floor to ceiling window and stare out at the city and the lights and the river. It is a beautiful sight.
“The other half,” Quinn says into my ear.
“Yeah,” I say.
I wonder if it was Wade’s money that attracted her. I wonder if, while she was with him behind my back and then in my face, that she didn’t love all this lifestyle. This was something I could never give her. This was another kick in the crotch.
“You haven’t mentioned my dress,” she points out. She’s not saying that really. She’s saying that I haven’t said how lovely she is tonight. She is. She’s beautiful and wonderful as always, but I’ve been distracted and I missed an opportunity. For a moment I’ve fallen into my old ways and I see just how cold they were.
I turn to her and smile, put my arm around her.
“How could I forget?”
“You’ve got things on your mind.”
“Don’t let me off the hook. There’s nothing more important than you and if I let something get in front of you then let me know.” I look down at her, take her in. I’m breathless, speechless, I say nothing.
“Thank you,” she says with a smile.
“What? I didn’t say anything.”
“You don’t have to,” she says and kisses me full on the lips.
“Hey, you love birds,” Wade says from the door to the kitchen.
I take a deep breath, steel myself. “Wade,” I say evenly. “Thanks for inviting us.”
“No problem,” he says back. He’s not chewing gum and I’m taken aback because he always has a wad in there, even when he’s on air.
“Chloe’s a whiz in the kitchen,” he says. “Looks after me like nobody else.”
“We all need that,” I tell him.
“Looking good, Quinn. How many months are you?”
She looks down at her expanding middle. “Five.”
“Well, it agrees with you.”
He’s being all sensitive and caring and well, normal, and I don’t trust him and I’m proud of the changes in him all at once.
We sit at the table, the four of us. Wade pours the wine and gives Quinn a glass of mineral water. He winks at her as he pours it out and I raise my brows at her half smile in response.
Chloe has prepared a rack of lamb. Wade’s favourite. Quinn takes in the smell of it and starts in. Her hunger has increased of late. She was always watching what she ate before, but now she is pregnant. Eating for two, she says now.
“So,” Chloe says to me casually, “I hear we have you to thank for Wade’s meteoric improvement in the ratings.”
“Well, I think he’s got a lot to do about it. I just keep the show running.”
“You do a lot more than that,” Wade adds.
I shrug.
“You’ve been a good friend,” Chloe tells me, and places a hand on my arm. “You’re really looking out for him. Really, the change in him is because of you.”
“I’m not sure that’s true.”
“It is. He tells me what you’re doing for him. I’m so grateful he’s got a friend at work looking after him as hard as I am at home.”
“Maybe not as hard,” Wade says slyly, meaning the sex, I suppose.
She slaps him. “Shut up,” she says playfully.
I glance at Quinn. She’s got both brows up but she’s quiet. She’s hardly said anything.
“And Quinn,” Chloe says, turning to my wife. “Wonderful Quinn. Wade says you’re five months pregnant.”
“More or less,” Quinn tells her.
“That’s terrific. You’re going to be the best mother in the world.”
“Yes mam,” Wade adds and lifts his glass. “To Quinn and her baby,” he says and we follow suit. Quinn sips her bubbly water in silence.
“You two,” Chloe keeps going, “you’re so brave after everything,