Previously, On Concrete Shelves
- Marina continued to ignore Ian.
- Adrian and Gail planned to start over.
- Helen went to visit James.
- A visit from Abigail started rough...
[.....]
[.....]
Scene One:
2634 W. Parker St., Stone Creek. Callahan Condos #15
Marina, Cassie & Lucian’s Home.
Peering over her best friend’s shoulder Cassie Lakhani could see what her dilemma was. She sat back down in her chair and fed the bottle to her baby boy, Lucian Lakhani. Although she had only been back home for a few days it seemed like nothing had changed.
“You should call him back.” Cassie spoke, finally after watching a fussy Lucian simmer down. Her attention now focused on her friend who looked up. “Come on Marina, when is the last time that you talked to Ian?”
Marina shrugged. “It has been awhile.”
“Exactly!” Cassie responded, she watched her friend linger over her phone. “How many times has Ian called you and you’ve ignored his phone calls?” Before Marina could get an estimate amount tracked in her mind Cassie spoke. “Call him.”
“What do I tell him, sorry that I left and ignored you after we had sex?” Marian found it kind of comical now that she was in this situation. No matter what she did, she always felt so guilty being around Ian.
“Well, first you should invite him out.” Cassie looked down at Lucian who in-turn looked straight at her. His lips glued to the nipple, but his eyes glued to his mother. “What is the worst that could happen?”
Marina couldn’t come up with a plausible problem. She had wanted Ian Kiefer for so long that she just didn’t know why she couldn’t have him. Now that Ryan was gone there was nothing stopping her.
Biting her lip she remembered the pain she caused Ryan. How was he holding up now that he found out about the kiss? Marina took a deep breath and looked at her phone, dialing Ian’s number she looked back up. “You’re right, I’ll call him.”
“Good.”
[.....]
Scene Two:
505 Auburn Rd., Stone Creek “Thurlow Cottage”
James & Caitlyn’s Home.
“I was raised in Winter Springs.” Abigail Jenkins responded, it was more of a statement a declaration of where she was from. Although she knew that Caitlyn was from Chicago Abigail never felt like she was from there herself.
“When I was younger my parents made me take ballet classes, I was never any good at it. I think they thought I had liked it.” A small smile replaced her nervous grin. “But I really only continued because it made them happy.”
Caitlyn took everything in, she hated that she hadn’t been apart of Abigail’s life until now. Silently she was cursing Damien for the situation. “What else did you do? Any sports?”
Abigail shook her head. “Not really, I did a little bit of writing my senior year of High School, but not too much.” She took a sip of her tea and then remembered something that she found on Caitlyn. “I heard you were a cheerleader in High School.”
“That was a very long time ago.” Caitlyn blushed. “I don’t think I’ve been doing much cheering these days. So you were on the School Newspaper? Marina, your step-sister writes for the Stone Creek Ledger.”
“I know.” Abigail admitted. “I talked to Kirsten earlier, she’s my boss. She was telling me everything about the Thurlow clan. It was a bit overwhelming to tell the truth. But it was a fresh breath of air.”
“I wish I would have found you sooner.” Caitlyn prompted. “If it wasn’t for that bastard Damien Crenshaw I would have never lost you in the first place.” She caught the look on Abigail’s face a grew flustered. “What?”
“He’s not that bad.” Caitlyn’s face dropped. “I went to see him the other day, I know the both of you have your own issues to work out. But quite frankly I want to get to know the both of you.”Caitlyn tried to keep her cool, but she felt like the breath in her lungs was being evoked. “He told me that you were dead Abby, I understand your want to get to know both your mother and your father. But that man,”
“Maybe I should go.” Abigail broke in, placing her cup of tea down and grabbing her things. But Caitlyn stopped Abigail from leaving, pleading with the younger woman to stay awhile longer. To discuss something else.
She wanted to get to know her daughter. “Isn’t your husband coming home soon?”
Although it wasn’t the conversation she had in mind, Caitlyn knew she should take whatever rope Abigail was giving her. “James has a couple of things to do at the office. He doesn’t usually come home until very late on the week days.”
“He must be a very busy man.”
When Abigail sat back down. Caitlyn pulled on a wry smile. “The busiest.”
[.....]
Scene Three:
Thurlow Lumber Mill Building
James Thurlow’s Office.
His office wasn’t like she had last seen it. But then again, the last time that Helen Schmidt stepped foot inside James Thurlow’s office had been years ago. She had no reason to talk to her ex. husband.
He on the other hand seemed to let his people mess with her life. “I don’t understand why you can’t keep your grimy little wife away from my children.” Helen snapped. “Why the hell didn’t you inform me of the mishap with Megan?”
“Would you have even cared Helen?” James snapped back. He didn’t have the time to listen to her rant about things. He paced around the office, continuing his work. “After what happened with Kirsten I didn’t think you would want to know.”
“Things between Kirsten and I have simmered down since the rise of HEAT Magazine. Unlike you, Kirsten is mature and motherly.” She could feel James rolling his eyes. “Don’t do that with me!”
“Spend some time with your granddaughter.” James replied.
Helen slumped her shoulders. “Kirsten won’t let me.” She admitted, slumping onto James’ desk, pushing his paperwork around to fit her body. “I don’t understand what is going on with Kirsten. It’s been years since I took her trust fund and she is doing quite fine without it.”
“That doesn’t matter Helen.” Watching his ex. wife look around the room, he sighed. “We can’t keep having this conversation. You either get it or you don’t Helen. Either way our children are living their lives.”
He then added. “With or without you.”
“Mr. Thurlow, you have a couple papers to sign.” Emily Roscoe spoke, opening the door she clearly had forgotten that Helen was in the room a headset connected to her ear. But she was stunned when Helen shut the door on her and locked it.
“What the hell are you doing Helen?” James demanded.
She turned to her ex. husband. “We are not done yet.”
---
Our love. Our fights. Our friendships.
On Concrete Shelves.
Forever, they shall be remembered.
---
Scene Four:
Stone Creek Memorial Hospital
West Corridor-Hallway
“Hey, do you happen to know where Gail Schmidt is?” Adrian Stone asked a nurse as the younger man scurried through the hospital. He shook his head and went on his way, leaving Adrian alone.
He hadn’t called Gail to make plans for lunch. But for some reason today he just wanted to do something special. Something to see if they could actually have a second shot. Once the snow started to fall, he knew exactly what to do.Flashing back to their old days of snow fights, Adrian didn’t see Gail sneak up behind him and cover his eyes. “Guess who.” She spoke so elegantly that it took him a second to get it right.
“This was supposed to be a surprise for you.” He spoke, tickling her side and causing Gail to yelp out in laughter. Uncovering his eyes, she jumped around to face Adrian. “This was supposed to be your surprise.”
Gail rolled her eyes. “It’s still a surprise, what are you doing here?”
Adrian smiled brightly as he stood in front of her. There was a time when they were completely in love. He remembered how they first met, during one of the winter snow storms. Gail was on her way home from school and Adrian was ditching.
He asked if he could join her in her walk home, but Gail denied him the luxury.
She never gave him the time of day. He was intrigued by her compassion for everyone around her. A snowball fight occurred after they were assigned to be lab partners and Adrian wasn’t participating in the brain storm.
“What are you doing here?” Gail asked again, waving him out of his trance. “I have a couple minutes to get these prescriptions to the kids in ICU. You can walk with me, if you’d like?”
“Sure.” Adrian nodded. “Could we have lunch today?”
Thinking it over, Gail shook her head. “Since I haven’t taken mine yet, then I’m sure I can squeeze you in for a bit.”
“I’d like that.”
[.....]
Scene Five:
Stone Creek
Jimmy’s Bar
Greta Wilkinson took off her coat and placed it on her arm, looking around she couldn’t believe how many people crowded the small bar. But then again it was storming outside and most of these people were looking for a warm place with cheap beer.
She could feel Miles Fowler’s hand on her lower back. His presence behind her made Greta feel more at ease. The two searched for her brother, Bentley in the group of people, but were not finding him anywhere.“How about I get us some beers?” Miles asked, pointing towards the bar. “I have a feeling that is where we will find your brother anyways.”
It was an observation she knew was correct, nodding her head, Greta Wilkinson grasped her boyfriend’s hand as he led them through the thick crowd of people. Had it been this long since she went out and enjoyed herself?
She didn’t know.
Everything just seemed so foreign to her. Greta had spent most of her teenage years working towards getting her real estate license that she never really took in the party scene.
Her brother was the wild child, Greta was the hard worker. Spotting a familiar face, she tugged at Miles’ hand and pointed towards the end of the bar. There he was, Bentley Wilkinson, a beer in his hand and a couple friends surrounding him.
“There you are!” Greta yelled over the crowd. She pulled her brother into a hug and then looked around. “There are so many people here, is it some kind of special night you didn’t tell us about?”
Bentley looked from his sister to her boyfriend, Miles. “You really do live under a rock, don’t you? This is an annual tradition. This is the end of January blues and with that the last storm of the season.”
Greta looked confused.
“Fifty cent beers.” Bentley spoke, this caught their attention and Greta realized why all these people were braving the snow storm outside. It almost humored her that they would risk their lives for beer.
But then again, she was here too so she turned to Miles. “Well, I guess tonight is a good night after all?”
“It’ll be the best night.” Miles spoke, he then turned to Bentley. “Where’s Emily? I thought she would be here with you by now?”
[.....]
Scene Six:
Thurlow Lumber Mill Building
James Thurlow’s Office.
Emily Roscoe rubbed her head in complete shock. Did that really just happen? Did Helen Schmidt slam the door on her face without any warning? She remembered stories about how crazy the woman was, but this took the cake.Although she knew she shouldn’t be listening, Emily stepped closer to the door. The voices inside were far from through with whatever discussion they were having. Rubbing her head once again, she tried paying attention to what they were saying.
“I need your help.” Helen Schmidt spoke, her body relaxing after slamming the door on Emily. She appeared more calculated than before, this caused James to sit up straight. “I need you to do something for me.”
James chuckled in disbelief. “Why would Helen Schmidt need my help? You’ve done a great job at ruining your life on your own. What would you need from me of all people? Shouldn’t you ask your husband, David?”
“Because if David knew the truth then he would hate me forever.” This was the moment she had been dreading, wandering back to her seat she looked at her ex. husband, James. “If he knew that I was the one that brought Adrian back to town then David will divorce me.”
“What the hell did you think you’d accomplish by doing that Helen?” It was all making sense to James now. The animosity between Gail and Helen. The fact that Adrian Stone had returned to Stone Creek.
She turned away from James. “I was hoping to get that brat out of David’s life once again, alright? Call me a bad person but I didn’t want Gail to hurt David again like she did ten years ago.”
“That makes sense. But why would you go and start digging into things that you have no right digging into Helen? My god do you ever get tired of playing god.” James tried to wrap his mind around it. “What do you plan on doing now?”
“Gail already knows the truth, she has been holding it over my head for weeks. David told me that if he found out that I had anything to do with Adrian being back in town that he would make my life a living hell.”
There was a time when Helen was the only person that James really cared for. She had this strong and courageous demeanor about her. But the woman sitting in front of him just seemed weak and confused. “You really got yourself into a rut this time.”
“Are you going to help me?”
“Help you?” James asked. “How the hell would I help you Helen? There is nothing else that you could do besides tell the truth to David before Gail tells him. The only way he’d forgive you is if you told him yourself.”
Helen rolled her eyes. “I was hoping you’d help me kill Gail.” Although he knew she was joking, deep down he knew Helen toyed with the idea. “There has to be something we could do.”
“Tell David the truth.”
“That’s the worst advice I’ve ever been given.” Helen spit, she got from her seat. “You do know that your little step-daughter Abigail Jenkins is running around town right? I saw her talking to Damien a couple days ago.”
James immediately thought of Caitlyn, his face dropped. “I’d rather you stay out of my personal life.”
[.....]
Scene Seven:
2121 Mason St., Stone Creek. Hoffman Village Apartment #34
Ian’s Home.
Shuffling through the apartment, Ian Kiefer was contemplating whether or not that he should meet his half-sister Natalie Marlowe for drinks. Although fifty cent beers sounded appetizing, the last encounter with Natalie wasn’t his favorite.
Grumbling, Ian ignored the phone call. Not caring who it was he made his way into the kitchen and pulled out a handle of vodka. If anything, this would calm his nerves. But did he need to go to this extreme to deal with Natalie?
He shrugged, placing the bottle back into the freezer and grabbed his jacket from the couch.
If only there was a way that he could talk to Marina, he would have felt a little better. Hell he would feel a whole lot better to just talk to Marina. Ian looked back at the freezer, the handle of vodka looking so much more appetizing.
Then a knock at the door signaled the arrival of Natalie. The vodka was officially off limits as Natalie would for sure smell it on his breath. Slumping to the door, Ian opened it to see her standing in the door way.
“Marina?” His breath caught in his throat.The woman sighed, holding her phone in her hands. “I called you a little while ago, but you didn’t answer.” Ian now remembers the call and wished he would have taken the time to answer it. “I think we need to talk.”
Opening the door wider to let her in, Ian shuffled through the house. “Come in.”
“I’m so sorry with the way that I had left things.” She spoke up, remembering how much of a rush she was in the last time she was in Ian’s apartment. The emotions flying right back at her. She never noticed how well furnished his home was.
Cautiously entering the living room, hoping not to give notice to how nervous she was. There sat a picture of Ian and Marina in a glass frame. Smiling, so elegantly happy.
Ian joined her by the picture. “You were saying?”
“Oh, right,” Marina turned away, trying to keep her thoughts away from the fact that Ian was related to her arch-enemy, Natalie. “I have been thinking about us and how I have treated you in the last couple weeks.”
When Ian opened his mouth to say something, Marina stopped him. “You are so stable. Ian you know exactly what you want and then you make plans to go for it. I’m more of a train wreck plowing through town.”
“You’re beautiful.” Ian spoke.
A smiled evaded Marina’s pouty grin. “You’re amazing.”
“And you’re seriously doing this right now?” Natalie Marlowe’s voice rang from the entrance to the living room. A hand on her hip, the other had her phone clutched in it. “Ian, tell me she isn’t here right now!”
[.....]
Scene Eight:
Thurlow Lumber Mill Building
Parking Garage.
“Fuck!” She exclaimed, re-dialing his number once again. But once again, Emily Roscoe got her boyfriend’s voicemail. She knew this would happen, it wasn’t Bentley Wilkinson’s fault.
Looking out at the nearly deserted parking garage, she tried to keep her cool. If she would have let Bentley teach her how to drive, she wouldn’t be having to wait for him to pick her up. The cold bitting at her arms as she brought her jacket closer to her body. Emily closed her eyes in frustration.
“Is everything alright?” Came the familiar voice of her boss and underneath her breath, Emily cursed. She then turned to face him with a weary smile. “Is someone coming to pick you up.”
Emily raised her phone. “He should have been her by now.”
“Bentley?” Emily had forgotten that the Thurlow’s and Wilkinson’s were close, she nodded her head indicating that he was correct. “Well in his defense the weather is getting worse tonight.”
Looking out around, she could see the snow starting to pile inside. “Does it always get so cold around this time of year?”
James Thurlow joined Emily. “It’s the end of the season snow storm. Quite amusing if I say so myself. It’s one of the perks of living in Cuttlebone County. Actually, Stone Creek usually gets the worst of the storm.”
His secretary smirked. “I’ve had my share of storms, but nothing like this.”
“You’re from Chicago, right?” Emily looked at her boss with a knowing smile, then looked back out at the parking structure. There was no sign of Bentley’s car anywhere and this worried her. “How about I give you a ride?”
“That’s not necessary.”
Insisting Emily follow him to his car, James fished out his keys from his pocket. “It isn’t a problem. Let me guess? You’re supposed to be at Jimmy’s Bar?” After confirmation James insisted she let him take her.
“Alright. I just hope that Bentley isn’t on his way.”
“I’m sure he just lost track of time.”
[.....]
Scene Nine:
Jimmy’s Bar
Outside in the parking lot.
Their lips locked, pelts of sweat falling of their bodies as he gently thrust into her. Had this really been her plan to begin with, she wouldn’t have known. Leaning her head back against the door, a small breath escape her lips.A moan soon followed.
She could feel his hands roaming her body, a thumb at her lips. Isobel Cortez let it slip into her mouth and she sucked on it effortlessly. Then let it slip out of her mouth and moaned again.
Isobel caressed his toned body as his rhythm picked up. It had been months since she had any kind of sex and tonight was much needed. He pulled her body closer to his, their sweat mixing together and what started off as a cold night quickly grew hot.
Another moan, he slammed his body into her’s harder. Isobel clutched his shoulders with each thrust. Their bodies soaked in sweat, she could feel he was getting closer with his uneven thrusts.
If her sister only knew what she was doing. Catalina Cortez wouldn’t let Isobel out of the house ever again. But she needed this. After she was forced to move out of California and into Stone Creek, Isobel felt trapped.
Lost in this picturesque small town.
His body slammed into her’s once more, but this time he brought his lips to Isobel’s and thrust one last time. Collapsing on top of her and breath out in ecstasy. “How was that?” He asked.
Isobel could only moan a reply, trying to find her bearings. For a moment they lay together in silence. “That was exactly what I needed.” She concluded. Running a hand through her hair she turned to him.
“What was your name again?”
The guy chuckled. “Mac.”
She made a mental note to remember that as it seemed like he was the only person in Stone Creek fond of casual sex. “Well Mac, thank you for that.” She then began to collect her clothes. “Before I leave this sleepy town, I’ll pay you another visit.”
“Leave?” He spurt.
Isobel nodded. “Don’t think I can stay here any longer. I come from Los Angeles where I was born and raised. This place is too small for me. Everyone here wants to get to know you and be your friend.”
“What’s wrong with that?” He asked, she slipped her dress back on. “Doesn’t it make you feel a little safer knowing everyone around you?”
“I don’t like to live on the safe side.” Isobel exclaimed. “You don’t look like the type of guy who wants to settle down in a place like this. Come on. If there was one place you would like to travel, where would it be?”
Mac sat there, deep in thought. “You come from California?”
A smile erupted from Isobel’s face. “You’d love it there.”
[.....]
Scene Ten:
2121 Mason St., Stone Creek. Hoffman Village Apartment #34
Ian’s Home.
Ian couldn’t explain why he had done it. But as his body moved closer to the door and his hand jolted out to open the door he faced his half-sister in rage. “I think you should leave right now Nat.”
The younger woman growled in anger. “That’s okay, I should be getting home anyways.” Marina Thurlow spoke, immediately moving past Natalie and closer to the door. But Ian stopped her. “Really Ian, I don’t mind leaving.”“No.” He spoke, pulling her closer to him and turning to Natalie. “I have spent way too much time apart from you. Natalie can handle herself alone tonight, I’m sure she doesn’t need me around.”
“Ian.” Natalie spoke, her glare never leaving Marina’s sight. “Are you being serious right now?” Her attention snapped to her half-brother. “This is really what you want? To be around her right now?”
“Yeah, it is.”
Natalie scoffed. “She’s going to break your heart again.”
But there was something else in the air tonight, Ian looked at Marina. “I think this time we are coming to an understanding. Have fun tonight Natalie, Marina is staying with me wether you like it or not.”
She had it. Natalie stormed towards the open door and left. How the hell did she become second fiddle to Marina Thurlow? There would be hell to pay, this time alone only gave her time to figure it all out.
Marina looked at Ian. “Do you really want me to stay?”
Ian nodded his head. “Yeah, I think I do.”
[.....]
Scene Eleven:
2634 W. Parker St., Stone Creek. Callahan Condos #15
Marina, Cassie & Lucian’s Home.
Cassie Lakhani stepped into the living room and took a deep sigh, Lucian was finally asleep and it seemed like she had the rest of the night to herself. Quickly she located the remote and snuggled up on the couch.
Although she had so much to deal with she didn’t want to even think about it. Mostly she just wanted to relax and forget about all the trouble she felt she had caused. Especially for Clifton and Audrey Briggs.
Closing her eyes she took a deep breath.
The snow was falling softly outside, Cassie remembered how last year around this time she was at Jimmy’s Bar with Marina Thurlow and Ryan Bauer. How things had changed so quickly.
How just a few short months later she would get blacked-out drunk and sleep with a random--married--stranger. If only she could remember how things had started to take a turn for the worse. But she couldn’t.
Spotting an episode of Brothers & Sisters she smiled at the thought of spending the rest of the night just catching up on the show. But before she could start, the doorbell rang. Her attention immediately distracted.
Within seconds she made it to the door hoping the visitor had enough sense not to ring the bell again and wake up her sleeping son. “What are you doing here? Is there something wrong?”
Clifton Briggs looked past her. “I just couldn’t stay home.” Realizing how late it was and that Cassie was already prepared for sleep, he added. “I shouldn’t have come over so late. I’ll leave.”
“No.” Cassie spoke, inviting him in. “You’re already here and I’m sure you’d like to see Lucian. Why don’t you just stay awhile?”
He smiled. “I’d like that.”
[.....]
Scene Twelve:
Jimmy’s Bar
Gillian Sutton rushes at her newest friend, a glass of beer in her hand. Although it isn’t one of her preferences the fact that a total nobody hit on her earlier was reason enough to forget this night.Slipping her hand in Abigail’s, Gillian pulled her away from the bar. “We cannot stay her long, these guys have shitty pick-up lines and empty wallets. Why did I let you talk me into this?”
Abigail sighed. “I just finished talking to my mother for the first time. I needed something to distract me from it all.”
Gillian rolled her eyes and the two made a run for the bathrooms, passing by the Wilkinson siblings.
“Do you think she is the one?” Greta Wilkinson asked her brother after Miles excused himself to use the bathroom.
The question caught Bentley off-guard. Pondering for a moment, he replied, “I honestly don’t know right now Greta. When I’m around Emily, she makes me feel so much better like I’m not some kind of low-life failure.”
“You’re not.” Greta responded.
Bentley’s facial expressions begged to differ. “Emily makes me want to be a better person. Right now do I think she is the one? I don’t have a clue. But she is someone who will leave a lasting impression on my life, that’s for sure.”
Greta smiled. “I’m proud of you brother, for making it this far in your life. Don’t worry about dad and what he thinks. He doesn’t understand that you need to do things your way and not his.”
“Thanks. How are you and Miles doing?”
Her face beamed with excitement. “We’re doing great, he is proving to be an amazing guy and I’m glad that I decided to move in with him. Probably one of the best decisions I’ve made.”
Across the room from the siblings Natalie Marlowe entered the bar with nobody at her side. She knew a few people who were making the trip down, so she didn’t feel out of place. Spotting one of her friends she smiled, waved and walked over towards them.
Passing by Isobel Cortez on the way over.
“Why don’t you stay?” Mac Kern asked as he sat across from Isobel. The two had started to get to know each other after they used each other for sex. “This whole wanting to leave thing. What if there was something here that you wanted?”
Isobel smirked. “Like what?”
Mac shrugged. “What if you found someone to keep you company, like me?” He knew she wouldn’t go for it. He wasn’t the type of guy that she really dated, although she seemed to like him earlier.
“Like you?”
Before he could reply one of his favorite songs came on and he looked around to the small, but noticeable dance floor. “How about we just share a dance? Maybe that would help change your mind?”
Rolling her eyes, Isobel agreed. There was something about this guy that made her want more. She was intrigued by him and it was something she just couldn’t explain. He wasn’t her type at all.
But she complied and agreed to dance the slow song with him. Sifting through the crowd they found a place that was right for them. She faced him and he faced the window. The soft snow falling behind the glass made the night look majestic to him.
If there was anything he could do right, this would be it.
Then the bright headlights caught his attention, he didn’t have time to react to the intrusion as it all happened too quickly. He looked down at Isobel who noticed his look of terror, confused.
Screams echoed throughout the bar as the sound of metal crushing the glass evaded his eardrums and then a mess of blackness covered his sight and everything went black. Everything went dark.
Even his favorite song.
Next Time, On Concrete Shelves
- Kirsten and Patrick come up with a plan.
- The aftermath sends a couple residents to the hospital.
- Adrian feels distant from Gail.
- Diem starts putting pieces of the puzzle together...
