Model Behavior

by Mj Williamz

“You ready?” Ronnie said.

  “Yep.”

  “Let’s do this.”

  Ronnie’s day went very well. Her models were on time and listened to her instructions. She was through just after five.

  “You going to have a beer tonight?” Devon said.

  “No. As soon as everyone clears out, I’m heading to Lana’s.”

  “Okay. I’m out of here. Good luck.”

  “Thanks.”

  Ronnie didn’t have to wait long for everyone to leave. She locked the door and drove to Lana’s.

  Lana answered the doorbell when she rang it. She looked beautiful in plaid shorts and a pink golf shirt. Ronnie wanted to sweep her into a hug and kiss her. She slid her hands in her pockets to prevent herself from doing just that.

  “May I come in?” Ronnie said.

  “Sure. Why not?”

  “Am I interrupting something?”

  “Not a thing.”

  “Great. Do you want a glass of wine or something? I’ll get it.”

  “Yes. That actually would be nice. The wine is in the kitchen.”

  “Okay. I’ll be right back.”

  Ronnie took a minute to collect herself as she walked to the kitchen. She poured them each a glass of Malbec and walked to the living room where Lana was on the couch. She handed Lana her glass and sat at the other end of the couch, lest she be tempted to touch her.

  “How was your day?” Ronnie said.

  “It was okay. Actually, it was rough. I was in a lot of pain and didn’t get out of bed until not too long ago.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that.”

  “How was your day?”

  “My day was great. I started scheduling four shoots a day. Mostly to keep my mind off of you in the hospital. It’s nice, though. It keeps me busy.”

  “Wow. That’s a lot of models to shoot. Is the demand that great?”

  “It sure is. So, can I ask you something?”

  “Sure.”

  “Do you know if they got Whitney?”

  “I haven’t heard anything. I wish they would lock her up for life.”

  “Yeah. Me, too.”

  “She came by the studio after she attacked you, you know?”

  “No, I didn’t know.”

  Lana exhaled loudly.

  “By the way, you look beautiful today.”

  “How can you say that?” Lana’s eyes filled with tears.

  “Oh, no. Don’t cry.”

  “I’m sorry.” She blinked back the tears. “It’s just that I know I’m hideous.”

  “But you’re not.”

  “I’m a deformed freak.”

  “No. You’re a beautiful woman with some burns.”

  “Thank you, but I know that’s not true. I see myself every time I change my dressing.”

  “I don’t know what to say to change your mind.”

  “There’s nothing you can say.”

  “Okay then,” Ronnie said. “Are you hungry? You want me to order a pizza?”

  “You sure you want to hang around that long?”

  “I’d love to. Unless, I mean, if you’re not up to it.”

  Lana smiled, and Ronnie’s heart melted.

  “Actually, pizza sounds really good.”

  “Great.”

  Ronnie called in the pizza order.

  “It should be here in about forty-five minutes. You want me to top off your wine?”

  “Yes, please,” Lana said.

  Ronnie went and got the bottle of wine and brought it to the living room. She filled their glasses, then set the bottle on the table. Everything seemed so right. But it wasn’t. Lana still wasn’t letting her in. She wished she could figure out how to get her to do that.

  “So, what kind of pain pills are you on?” Ronnie said.

  “Vicodin. Why?”

  “Just curious. They don’t mess with your head, do they?”

  “No. I don’t even know what you mean.”

  “I had a model once on Vicodin. It caused mood swings in her. It was scary.”

  “No. Nothing like that. It just makes me sleepy. I probably shouldn’t be drinking wine in case I need some Vicodin tonight.”

  “I’m sorry. I wouldn’t even have suggested it if I’d thought about it.”

  “Don’t worry. I wanted some wine. I’m a big girl. I’ll deal with the consequences.”

  “How are you feeling right now? I mean pain wise.”

  “Not bad. Which is hard to believe based on how I felt earlier.”

  “It really hurts, huh?”

  “Yes,” Lana said.

  “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry you went through any of this. I blame myself.”

  “So you’ve said. Like a hundred times. Let it go, Ronnie. Let the guilt go.”

  “If I’d never slept with her, none of this would have happened.”

  “No. Don’t do that. This is all Whitney. No one else.”

  “But still…”

  “No. But nothing. Whitney is not stable. We knew that. We just didn’t know how unstable she really was.’

  “God, I hope she’s locked up.”

  “That would be great,” Lana said.

  “Yeah, it would.”

  There was a knock on the door, and Ronnie said she’d get it.

  “I’m sure it’s the pizza,” she said.

  She opened the door to see Officer Winthrop and her partner standing there.

  “Officers. What can I do for you?”

  “We’re actually here to see Ms. Ferguson.”

  Ronnie remembered she wasn’t at her house. She stepped aside and let them in.

  Lana got up off the couch.

  “Officers, what’s up? Did you catch Whitney?”

  “We have a suspect in custody,” Officer Winthrop said. “We need you to come down to the precinct and identify her.”

  “When? Like right now?”

  “No. Tomorrow. Say two o’clock?”

  “I’ll be there.”

  “Great. Thank you.”

  Ronnie walked the officers to the door and said good-bye. She went back to check on Lana.

  “You okay?” she said.

  “I’m great. They caught Whitney.”

  “And you’re going to be okay seeing her?”

  “I have to be,” Lana said. “I have to make sure she’s put away and doesn’t get out.”

  “You’ll probably have to testify at trial.”

  “Then I’ll testify. I need to know she won’t hurt me again.”

  “You’re a very strong woman.”

  “I don’t feel strong. I just feel determined.”

  The doorbell rang again, and Ronnie went to get the pizza. She tipped the driver and took the pizza to the dining room. Lana joined her there.

  They ate their dinner, and Lana found herself relaxing in Ronnie’s company. She seemed to really want to spend time with Lana, which surprised her. She didn’t seem disgusted by Lana’s face, but Lana was sure she must be deep down. She knew she looked horrific. Ronnie was just being nice.

  When dinner was over, they went back to the couch with another glass of wine.

  “That was good,” Ronnie said.

  “It was. Do you mind if I keep the leftovers or do you want to take them home?”

  “You can keep them. I don’t mind at all.”

  “Thanks.”

  “So, you want to watch a movie or something?” Ronnie said.

  “Actually, I’m getting tired. And my face is starting to hurt, so I think I’ll have to take a Vicodin. I’m sure I’ll be out like a light once I do. Sorry.”

  “It’s okay.” Ronnie got up. “I’ll leave you alone now. But I’ll be back tomorrow. Oh, do you want me to go with you to the precinct tomorrow?”

  “Don’t you have to work?”

  “I can rearrange my schedule.”

  “Then sure. I’d love it if you went with me.”

  “Great. I’ll be here around one thirty.”

  “Okay. See
you then.”

  Lana closed the door after Ronnie left and collapsed against it. She wished she could take Ronnie back. She still loved her so much. It killed her inside. But she wouldn’t trade the time she was spending with her for anything in the world.

  She put the leftover pizza away and took a Vicodin. Then she changed into her pajamas and fell into a sound sleep. She awoke the next day feeling rested. It was the first time since she’d been home that she’d gotten a really good night’s sleep. She showered, ate some pizza, and drank some coffee. She took a Vicodin and settled herself on the couch to wait for Ronnie to get there. She still had a couple of hours.

  Lana dozed and woke to the ringing of her doorbell. Slightly disoriented, she answered the door to see Ronnie standing there.

  “Is it one thirty already?” she said.

  “Yep. You look like you just woke up.”

  “I must have fallen asleep on the couch.”

  “Well, are you ready to go?”

  “Sure. Just let me grab my purse.”

  The closer they got to the station, the more nervous Lana got. She was grateful to have Ronnie there with her. She needed Ronnie’s strength now more than ever.

  They pulled into the parking lot.

  “You doing okay?” Ronnie said.

  “Not really.”

  “Do you need a minute?”

  “No. I can do this. I have to, right?”

  “Yep. You kinda do.”

  Lana took a deep breath.

  “Okay. Let’s do this.”

  They walked into the station and told the person at the desk what they were there for. She called Officer Winthrop to come get Lana.

  “Can she go with me?” Lana said.

  “No. I’m afraid not. She has to stay here.”

  Lana looked fearfully at Ronnie.

  “You’ll be fine, baby. Just identify her and we’re out of here.”

  Lana nodded and followed Winthrop through a maze of corridors. They finally came to a dark room with a window in it.

  “Now, remember, you can see them, but they can’t see you. You’re to identify your assailant by number. If you need a closer look, let me know and I can have them step forward. Do you understand?”

  Lana merely nodded. She didn’t want to see Whitney. She didn’t know if she’d be able to hold it together. But she had to. This was important.

  The light went on in the other room and several women walked in. She recognized Whitney immediately.

  “It was number four,” she said.

  “Are you sure? Take your time.”

  “I know who it was. It was number four.”

  “Okay. Thank you for doing this. I’ll walk you back out to the front.”

  Lana was on shaky legs as she followed Winthrop back to where Ronnie waited.

  “Thank you again for your time,” Winthrop said, then turned on her heel and left the area.

  “How was it?” Ronnie asked.

  “Pretty simple. I knew Whitney as soon as I saw her.”

  “That’s great. What was it like seeing her?”

  “I wanted to scream at her, to attack her, but I was cool. I just told them her number and that was that.”

  “Great. Let’s get you back home. Unless you want to grab something to eat?”

  “I don’t go out in public, Ronnie. This was an exception.”

  “Oh, okay. Well then, we can order something for lunch, if that sounds okay.”

  “Yeah. That sounds good. Now that my nerves are settling, I think I’m getting hungry.”

  “How are you feeling, pain wise?”

  “I’m starting to hurt. I’ll take a Vicodin after lunch.”

  Lana was astonished, once again, how attentive Ronnie was being. She wasn’t her girlfriend anymore. She didn’t need to pretend to care. But Ronnie seemed sincere in her caring. It didn’t feel like an act. Lana knew she didn’t deserve Ronnie. She wondered if she should tell her to go away. But she so enjoyed her company. Selfishly, she chose not to push her away.

  “Don’t you have to go back to work?” Lana said.

  “No. I took the whole afternoon off. Devon wasn’t amused, but she got everyone rescheduled.”

  “Oh, good.”

  “Yep. So I’m free and clear.”

  They pulled into Lana’s driveway. Lana was acutely aware of Ronnie’s closeness behind her as she unlocked her door. She opened it and walked in, grateful to have Ronnie walking in after her.

  “What do you want for lunch?” Ronnie said.

  “Chinese.”

  Ronnie laughed.

  “That’s all you eat anymore.”

  “I love it.”

  “Okay. I’ll order it.”

  “Will you please order lo mein and chicken fried rice?”

  “Sure.”

  She called in the order while Lana got them sodas and sat on the couch. Ronnie soon joined her.

  “I should bring some beer over just to have,” Ronnie said. “I mean, if that’s okay.”

  “That’s fine.” Lana smiled. “Though I doubt I’ll be drinking any more wine while I’m on Vicodin. That wasn’t smart.”

  “I understand. I’ll pick up some beer before I come over tomorrow.”

  The food arrived, and they ate in quiet conversation.

  “You seem to be loading up on carbs,” Ronnie said. “That’s good to see. I remember the nurse saying they would help you.”

  “Carbohydrates help burns heal faster.”

  “Right. I remember.”

  “Yep. And I should eat lots, too. I mean just in general. It’s not easy sometimes because I’m in pain or weakened, but I try.”

  “Good. And now I’ll be here to help you.”

  “You know, you don’t have to come over every day, Ronnie.”

  “But I want to. I mean, unless it’s too much.”

  “No. It’s not too much. I enjoy the company. I won’t leave the house, so it’s nice having someone here to chat with. I get tired of talking to myself.” She laughed.

  “Good. Because I enjoy being here.”

  “Really? But surely you get disgusted by my face?”

  “Not at all. I still think you’re beautiful. You know that.”

  “You’re so sweet, Ronnie.”

  “I’m only telling the truth.”

  After they’d eaten, Lana took a pain pill, and they settled in on the couch to watch a movie. Lana fell asleep soon into it and woke up disoriented. Ronnie was still there, though.

  “What time is it?” Lana said.

  “It’s about seven. You’ve been asleep for a while. If you’re okay, I’ll take off now and let you get to bed. I didn’t want to leave while you were sleeping.”

  “Seven o’clock is awfully early to go to bed.”

  “True. But you’ve had a big day.”

  “True. For me at least.”

  “I boxed up the leftover Chinese food so you can have it tomorrow, okay?”

  “Thank you.”

  “No problem. I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?”

  “Sounds good.”

  She locked the door behind Ronnie, put on her pajamas, and climbed into bed.

  Chapter Twenty-two

  Ronnie was in good spirits the next day at work.

  “How’d everything go yesterday?” Devon said.

  “It went great. She identified Whitney, and then we went back to her place.”

  “Are you any closer to getting her to take you back?”

  “I don’t know,” Ronnie said. “I’m not pushing it, you know?”

  “I guess that’s a good thing?”

  “It is. She has to get used to someone seeing her like that before she’ll accept affection.”

  “Well, I hope you’re not wasting your time.”

  “I’m not. She’ll take me back. It’s just a matter of when.”

  “Okay, Boss. I hope you’re not setting yourself up for heartache.”

  “Thanks for all the support, Devon
.”

  “I’m sorry. I just worry about you.”

  “Well, don’t. I’ll be fine.”

  The first model of the day was there, and Ronnie had to set up the shoot. She got it ready just as the model came out of the dressing room. Ronnie went to work shooting first one model, then another. She worked all day and managed four successful shoots. She got the last set packed up just as everyone was leaving for the day. She said good-bye to them all, locked the door, and got in her truck.

  She called Lana.

  “Hello?” Lana said.

  “Hey. It’s Ronnie. Do you need anything from the store?”

  “No, thanks. Maybe some other time.”

  “Okay. I’ll be over in a few.”

  She stopped by the store and bought a twelve-pack of beer. It took no time, so she arrived shortly at Lana’s house.

  Once inside, she put the beer in the fridge and grabbed one for herself then went into the living room to sit on the couch with her.

  “How was your day?” Ronnie said.

  “Not bad. My pain level was manageable.”

  “That’s great.”

  “How was yours?” Lana said.

  “It was great. Did four shoots and they all went well.”

  “That’s great.”

  “Yep. I was happy with them.” She took a sip from her beer. “What would you like for dinner tonight?”

  “I don’t know. I want something different.”

  “How about Mexican?”

  “That sounds good.”

  Ronnie pulled up the menu and sat close to Lana on the couch so she could see it, too. The closeness made her dizzy with need, but she played it cool. She had to. She had to wait until Lana was ready, however long that took.

  They decided on what they wanted to eat, and Ronnie placed the order. They settled back on the couch, and Lana suggested they watch a movie.

  “Are you going to stay awake for it?” Ronnie teased her.

  “Yes. I should be able to. I haven’t taken a Vicodin for a while.”

  “Good. What shall we watch?”

  They decided on a romantic comedy and Ronnie put the DVD in the player. They laughed together, and Ronnie melted every time she heard Lana’s low laugh. They paused the movie halfway through when their dinner got there. They ate at the dining room table. Ronnie watched in amazement as Lana ate a burrito the size of her head, along with her rice and beans.

  “You’re doing a great job keeping up those carbs,” Ronnie said.

  “Are you making fun of me?” Lana smiled.