B&C III - 1
Brian and Christine
Book Three
Saint Jane's
Part 1

The flight from Flagstaff to Los Angeles went quickly and well in the Silverstone private jet. They immediately got a cab and took it to Brain’s home. On the way Brian called his home. Mrs. Romero answered the phone and was delighted to hear the he was on the way. He told her that there were three of them and would appreciate some lunch. “Are my sister and brother-in-law still there?....Good, Please tell them we’re on our way….Thanks, Mrs. Romero.”

On the way Christy was staring out the window at the city. When they stopped for a traffic light she pointed at a tree and asked “What’s that?”

“That’s a palm tree” said Wendy. “They grow all over Southern California.”

“Oh. And that one?”

“A eucalyptus tree.”

Christy obviously thought about trying to say “eucalyptus” but evidently decided to try it later.

”When they reached Brian’s home the door opened wide and standing there were Louise and Jason Moran with big grins on their faces. The Romeros were standing behind them.
Brian just stood and looked at his house for a moment. A great sense of relief settled over him. After all that he had been through for the past couple of weeks it seemed like he was having a new start, as if he had been in some sort of purgatory, washed clean of a pyramid of wrong choices and missed opportunities, of a manufactured life. He had lost more than toes. He had also let go of some regrets, some fears and, thanks to Christy, a lurking cynicism. He hoped he hadn’t lost his sense of humor.

As they walked up to the door, Louise stepped out and gave her brother a big hug. Then she looked up at him and said “You don’t look any worse for the wear. You probably made the whole thing up, right?”

“Well, that’s what they tried to tell me. But I’ve got a witness, This is Christy.”

Christy put out her hand and they shook it, graciously.“ And this is Wendy Klein, the lawyer who proved them all wrong.” “Welcome Ms. Klein.” “It’s Wendy, please.” They entered the house. Brian introduced Wendy and Christy to the Romeros. Christy shook hands with them also. Jason put his arm around Brian’s shoulder and said “Well, you’ve been through hell. How do you feel?”

“As I told the priest, I thought hell was supposed to be hot.”

“What priest?” asked Louise.“

"Let’s go sit down and I’ll try to tell you all about it. If I leave anything out, Christy will remind me.”

The Romeros were heading back into the kitchen when Brian said “Juan could you bring us some drinks please?”

“I will, sir.” He left. Brian lit a cigarette.

In the midst of recounting all that they had been through, Mrs. Romero came in to tell them there was lunch in the dining room. So they all moved in there to eat and finish hearing the tale. The Romeros stood aside to listen also.

That night the Romeos fitted up Christy in a guest room while Brian was very grateful to fall completely asleep in his own bed.The next morning he planned to go for a swim in his pool, to contact Bloom at Silverstone to tell him he was back and to start work on his script. Then in the afternoon Wendy promised to come over and help him and Christy buy her some new clothes.

That was going to turn out to be a total and painful exercise in futility although Brian wouldn’t know that for quite a while.


(To be continued.)
Posted by DB at 6:00 PM

3 comments:
Leigh said...
I thnk Brian's got a new perspective. And obviously he's never shopped with women!:) Leigh
January 24, 2009 6:39 PM
Bucko (a.k.a., Ken) said...
The new life in sunny CA starts.
January 24, 2009 6:58 PM
Beth said...
I'M breathing a sigh of relief at Brian being home again...I can imagine how HE feels!
January 25, 2009 1:17 PM
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