Brian and Christine
Book Three
Saint Jane's
Part 43
“I’m sorry. I sort of had Lojak in mind when I wrote tie script.”
“Those are the breaks, kid. You’re good buddy Wong and I finally settled the dispute over the new SAG contract. The union is plundering us, as usual, but what can you do. You still hold a card?”
“Yes.”
“Well maybe I’ll put you in the film and save a little money. How’s your young friend doing?”
“She’s doing okay. As well as she can under the circumstances.”
“When are you going to bring her around here?"
“As soon as she starts talking to me again.”
“Why doesn’t she talk to you for Chrssake?”
“She’s going through a thing about men, I guess.”
“No wonder. Those bastards. I hear they’re getting themselves put away, one by one. Forever, let’s hope.”
“Let’s hope.”
“So what’s happening with you?”
“She and Wendy, my fiancée, are at my place swimming, so I’m staying away for the day.”
“So hang out. Go over to studio 17. They’re shooting a fight scene with two macho gay stunters. It should be very interesting.”
“Thanks. I think I’ll go to the library.”
“Typical.”
Brian left Bloom’s office, chatted briefly with Beatrice and then went walking around the studio lot feeling as if he didn’t belong there, or anywhere. He was always amazed at how many people there were involved in making a film, a “large paint box” Orson Welles had called it. He hoped he could bring Christy here one day. He knew he would have a lot of explaining to do because she would be so curious about everything. The thought of Christy made him sad.
He wandered into the library which, as usual, was empty of all except the librarian, Janice Swarth, a quiet, friendly woman but one who never smiled. Brian chatted with her a bit and then went back to the shelves. He took down a few books on American History. He was basically killing time until he could return home, but he was also looking for an idea for another film. Something with fierceness, he thought, with an ironic grin. No more miners digging tunnels. A war story perhaps.
Unless the tale is well known, with famous characters people are usually not interested, and if it’s a famous story it’s usually done in an antiseptic manner so as not to insult the heroes of the past.
So maybe he should return to a fictional story. He would like to do one about Buffalo Gap. That would mean going back there to get more information. Now there’s a film Myron could cast Brian in easily.
The time passed while Brian mused on these things. At about 4, Brian called Wendy’s cell phone to find out that they had finished swimming and had gone back to her place. So he put the books back on the shelf, said good day to Janice and went home.
Once there he settled down at his desk and tried to relax. His fingers were itching to write something. What he typed was “I’m angry!”
(To be continued.)
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Friday, March 6, 2009
B&C III - 42
Brain and Christine
Book Three
Saint Jane's
Part 42
“Hello Christy….Oh, I’m okay. How are you?....Good….What?....So I heard. Do you like it there?....Is Wendy treating you good?....When?....Hi Wendy. That was a brief, unexpected pleasure…..Did you tell her to call me?....Did she put up a fuss about it?....Well, that’s good, if it didn’t crack the ice maybe it melted it a little bit…Is she still there by the phone?.....When?....Okay, I’ll go to the studio. What time will you be coming?....All right, I’ll let Mrs. Romero know to expect you….Have you girls been having fun?....She has?....That’s good….Did she have any nightmares?....Oh, well, that’s a good sign….Okay….I love you Wendy. Love you both….Please tell Christy I love her….Bye.”
Brian hung up the phone and was pleased that he got to talk with Christy briefly, but he was still concerned because it didn’t seem that she wanted to talk to him. There’s a difference between real love and obligatory love. Brian didn’t want Christy to talk with him because she had to. When will the day be when she really comes to him because she wants to, when she doesn’t tag along after Wendy? Wait, wait and keep loving, he thought. But his stomach was churning with doubt and frustration.
At breakfast the next morning he told Mrs. Romero that Wendy and Christy would be coming over to swim, then went off to Silverstone Studios.
When he walked into Bloom’s office, Myron was on the phone as usual. He motioned for Brian to sit and after a few moments hung up, looked at Brian and said “I hope you’re ready for some bad news.”
“My whole life these days is bad news. What now?”
“Launce Lojak read your script, doesn’t like it and doesn’t want to do it. I’ve been on the phone with his agent this morning. No go.”
“Why doesn’t he like it?”
He said he doesn’t want to spend a whole film digging a tunnel and he says there isn’t enough fierceness in it.”
“Fierceness. It’s a story about courage, bravery and ingenuity, not about violence.”
“So what? It’s a no go with Launce. It sucks, but we’ve got to find another star. I’ve got phone calls out.”
“Any bites?”
“Not yet. People are busy. We may have to go east, as much as I hate it there.”
“Who’s there?”
“John Clancy. He’s doing a Broadway but maybe he can get away. I’ll call him. Otherwise I’ll drop an order on the New York agents and see what they come up with.”
(To be continued)
Book Three
Saint Jane's
Part 42
“Hello Christy….Oh, I’m okay. How are you?....Good….What?....So I heard. Do you like it there?....Is Wendy treating you good?....When?....Hi Wendy. That was a brief, unexpected pleasure…..Did you tell her to call me?....Did she put up a fuss about it?....Well, that’s good, if it didn’t crack the ice maybe it melted it a little bit…Is she still there by the phone?.....When?....Okay, I’ll go to the studio. What time will you be coming?....All right, I’ll let Mrs. Romero know to expect you….Have you girls been having fun?....She has?....That’s good….Did she have any nightmares?....Oh, well, that’s a good sign….Okay….I love you Wendy. Love you both….Please tell Christy I love her….Bye.”
Brian hung up the phone and was pleased that he got to talk with Christy briefly, but he was still concerned because it didn’t seem that she wanted to talk to him. There’s a difference between real love and obligatory love. Brian didn’t want Christy to talk with him because she had to. When will the day be when she really comes to him because she wants to, when she doesn’t tag along after Wendy? Wait, wait and keep loving, he thought. But his stomach was churning with doubt and frustration.
At breakfast the next morning he told Mrs. Romero that Wendy and Christy would be coming over to swim, then went off to Silverstone Studios.
When he walked into Bloom’s office, Myron was on the phone as usual. He motioned for Brian to sit and after a few moments hung up, looked at Brian and said “I hope you’re ready for some bad news.”
“My whole life these days is bad news. What now?”
“Launce Lojak read your script, doesn’t like it and doesn’t want to do it. I’ve been on the phone with his agent this morning. No go.”
“Why doesn’t he like it?”
He said he doesn’t want to spend a whole film digging a tunnel and he says there isn’t enough fierceness in it.”
“Fierceness. It’s a story about courage, bravery and ingenuity, not about violence.”
“So what? It’s a no go with Launce. It sucks, but we’ve got to find another star. I’ve got phone calls out.”
“Any bites?”
“Not yet. People are busy. We may have to go east, as much as I hate it there.”
“Who’s there?”
“John Clancy. He’s doing a Broadway but maybe he can get away. I’ll call him. Otherwise I’ll drop an order on the New York agents and see what they come up with.”
(To be continued)
Thursday, March 5, 2009
B&C III - 41
Brian and Christine
Book Three
Saint Jane's
Part 41
Then Brian asked “Alice, according to Wendy they took everything away from Christy when she got to that place. Is there any chance of getting any of it back?”
“I can’t be very promising about that. Everything the police collected is being held for evidence, and apparently they collected a lot. But I will look into it for you>”
“Thank you. I’m so glad she didn’t try to bring Flicker along.”
“Flicker?” asked Alice.
“Her kitten. Still safe and sound back in Connecticut. I recently spoke with her Aunt Lydia.”
“Well, that’s good” said Alice. “Well, I think I have enough information to make a favorable evaluation of Christy’s situation. I’ll be in touch with you soon. Thanks for the tea.”
Alice tucked her file back in her bag, gathered it up and stood. Brian and Wendy saw her to the door. Then Wendy said “Brian, I still have a lot of work to do for next week, I’d better go back to my place.”
“Okay.” They kissed. Wendy left.
Early Friday evening Wendy called to tell Brian that Christy had moved in to her apartment and was glad to be there. She also said she felt it was important to stay with her over the weekend so she wouldn’t feel alone and abandoned. Wendy said she brought up the subject of the wedding and told Christy that we want her to be there. She said she got a noncommittal answer out of Christy. Wendy won’t bring up the subject of coming over to Brian’s house until later in the weekend. In the meantime they’re having fun together although Wendy said she misses Brian.
“Same here” he said.
They said their good byes and hung up.
Thee weekend passed. Brian was pleased that Christy was out of that hotel room and with Wendy but he missed both of them so much he was having trouble thinking about anything else. He wanted to rework some of his stories so he turned on the computer. He found some places that needed work, but his writing was so common and uninspired that he was disgusted with himself. He kept wondering what he could do to get Christy to like him again. There was nothing on his plate except patience. After what they had been through together it was impossible for her to be completely gone from his life or he to be gone from hers. He turned off the computer and went for a swim.
Back and forth, slowly, over and over, his heart pounding with impatience and doubts, he swam. One of the only places he really felt at home was in the water. I must be part fish, he thought.
He swam until he wore himself out. Then he pulled himself up out and lay down on the tiles next to the pool staring up at the glass ceiling. Why weren’t things right, why weren’t they settled, why weren’t they harmonized, he asked himself.
Then he rolled over back into the water and paddled slowly back and forth, a few more times.
On Sunday evening, after a nice dinner he tried to relax in his living room. He fixed himself a drink and thought about what to do to pass the time when the telephone rang. He answered it and was surprised to hear the voice of Christy.
(To be continued.)
Book Three
Saint Jane's
Part 41
Then Brian asked “Alice, according to Wendy they took everything away from Christy when she got to that place. Is there any chance of getting any of it back?”
“I can’t be very promising about that. Everything the police collected is being held for evidence, and apparently they collected a lot. But I will look into it for you>”
“Thank you. I’m so glad she didn’t try to bring Flicker along.”
“Flicker?” asked Alice.
“Her kitten. Still safe and sound back in Connecticut. I recently spoke with her Aunt Lydia.”
“Well, that’s good” said Alice. “Well, I think I have enough information to make a favorable evaluation of Christy’s situation. I’ll be in touch with you soon. Thanks for the tea.”
Alice tucked her file back in her bag, gathered it up and stood. Brian and Wendy saw her to the door. Then Wendy said “Brian, I still have a lot of work to do for next week, I’d better go back to my place.”
“Okay.” They kissed. Wendy left.
Early Friday evening Wendy called to tell Brian that Christy had moved in to her apartment and was glad to be there. She also said she felt it was important to stay with her over the weekend so she wouldn’t feel alone and abandoned. Wendy said she brought up the subject of the wedding and told Christy that we want her to be there. She said she got a noncommittal answer out of Christy. Wendy won’t bring up the subject of coming over to Brian’s house until later in the weekend. In the meantime they’re having fun together although Wendy said she misses Brian.
“Same here” he said.
They said their good byes and hung up.
Thee weekend passed. Brian was pleased that Christy was out of that hotel room and with Wendy but he missed both of them so much he was having trouble thinking about anything else. He wanted to rework some of his stories so he turned on the computer. He found some places that needed work, but his writing was so common and uninspired that he was disgusted with himself. He kept wondering what he could do to get Christy to like him again. There was nothing on his plate except patience. After what they had been through together it was impossible for her to be completely gone from his life or he to be gone from hers. He turned off the computer and went for a swim.
Back and forth, slowly, over and over, his heart pounding with impatience and doubts, he swam. One of the only places he really felt at home was in the water. I must be part fish, he thought.
He swam until he wore himself out. Then he pulled himself up out and lay down on the tiles next to the pool staring up at the glass ceiling. Why weren’t things right, why weren’t they settled, why weren’t they harmonized, he asked himself.
Then he rolled over back into the water and paddled slowly back and forth, a few more times.
On Sunday evening, after a nice dinner he tried to relax in his living room. He fixed himself a drink and thought about what to do to pass the time when the telephone rang. He answered it and was surprised to hear the voice of Christy.
(To be continued.)
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
B&C III - 40
Brian and Christine
Book Three
Saint Jane's
Part 40
The next morning Wendy called Alice Foster and set up a time in the late afternoon when she could come and meet Brian and see where he lived. She also called Bloom and was told that since the publication of “People Talk” with the picture of Christy they have been overwhelmed with offers to adopt her. And they are still coming in.
She had to go to her office to do some work but assured Brian that she would be back for Ms. Foster’s visit. Brian went through his house to make sure it was presentable and then sat down at his computer and tried to do some work. It was pointless.
That afternoon Alice Foster arrived, a nicely but casually dressed woman of about 30. She had an open case over her shoulder filled with papers. Wendy arrived at the same time. When they came in Brian greeted Ms. Foster with a smile and asked her if she wished a coffee or anything. She said “I wouldn’t mind a cup of tea if you have any.”
“Wendy?”
“Nothing thanks.”
“Okay” he said and headed for the kitchen. Wendy took Alice into the living room where they sat. Alice took the case off of her shoulder, put it on the floor and fished out a file.
“Do you live here as well Wendy?”
“Sometimes. Since we’re engaged I try to spend as much time as I can with Brian, but my career keeps me busy.”
“When’s the happy day?”
“It’s not settled. We want Christy to be there, so we’re waiting until this whole thing is straightened out.”
“I see.”
“I hope things get settled soon. Do you think they will?”
“Well, a lot of that is up to Christy. I must say I have been very impressed with her. She’s very respectful and cooperative even though she’s under a major strain. Some of the other girls assigned to me, give me nothing but trouble. Christy is amazing.”
“Yes. Many people have said so.”
Brian returned with a tray and set it down next to Alice. It had a cup of tea with milk and sugar on the side.
“Thank you” she said.
Brian sat down at his desk and said “Now Ms, Foster, what can I tell you and what can you tell me?”
Alice smiled and said “Well, first of all it’s Alice, and you can tell me a little bit about yourself and how you know Christy,”
Brian retold the story of the plane crash, the long walk, the time spent in Buffalo Gap, the hearing which cleared him and Christy of the claim that they weren’t on the plane. He told her about why he had enrolled her at Saint Jane’s and how they tried to see her and about the letter he wrote that she never received.
He explained about being a successful script writer for Silverstone Studios and how he met Wendy.
Alice listened carefully, occasionally making a note in her file.
“Do you consider yourself a patient man, Brian?”
“Yes. Not as patient as I would like to be, but I’ working on it. Why do you ask?”
“I think I can tell off hand that you would make a good parent for Christy, but she has been through a hard knocks experience with some men who treated her badly. She has a lot of healing to do. How long is up to her, but for now she needs to be alone and not in the company of men. Do you understand that?”
“Yes, I do. But how long will that condition last, do you think?”
“I don’t know. It’s up to her. But I think I can safely get her released into the custody of Wendy, here. And then we’ll see how she responds.”
“Okay.”
Alice was thoughtful. She looked around at the room. “Mm” she said. “I noticed that you have a pool.”
“Yes. I enjoy swimming. Christy asked me to teach her to swim.”
“I was just thinking of something. I’d like to make a suggestion. Is there ever a time when you’re not here, Brian?”
“Hardly. This is where I work. But I can go to the studio whenever I want. Why?”
“I was just thinking that it might be a good idea, after a few days at Wendy’s place, Wendy could bring her over here when you’re not here, maybe for a splash in the pool, and see how she feels being in the house, with your things around. If she freaks then we’ll try something different but if she seems comfortable being here that will be a good sign. What do you think?”
“I like it” said Brian.
“Me too” said Wendy.
“Then let’s do it. And if that works out, I suggest that you go over to Wendy’s place for a brief visit.”
They all thought that was also a good move.
But it was going to cause some trouble.
(To be continued.)
Book Three
Saint Jane's
Part 40
The next morning Wendy called Alice Foster and set up a time in the late afternoon when she could come and meet Brian and see where he lived. She also called Bloom and was told that since the publication of “People Talk” with the picture of Christy they have been overwhelmed with offers to adopt her. And they are still coming in.
She had to go to her office to do some work but assured Brian that she would be back for Ms. Foster’s visit. Brian went through his house to make sure it was presentable and then sat down at his computer and tried to do some work. It was pointless.
That afternoon Alice Foster arrived, a nicely but casually dressed woman of about 30. She had an open case over her shoulder filled with papers. Wendy arrived at the same time. When they came in Brian greeted Ms. Foster with a smile and asked her if she wished a coffee or anything. She said “I wouldn’t mind a cup of tea if you have any.”
“Wendy?”
“Nothing thanks.”
“Okay” he said and headed for the kitchen. Wendy took Alice into the living room where they sat. Alice took the case off of her shoulder, put it on the floor and fished out a file.
“Do you live here as well Wendy?”
“Sometimes. Since we’re engaged I try to spend as much time as I can with Brian, but my career keeps me busy.”
“When’s the happy day?”
“It’s not settled. We want Christy to be there, so we’re waiting until this whole thing is straightened out.”
“I see.”
“I hope things get settled soon. Do you think they will?”
“Well, a lot of that is up to Christy. I must say I have been very impressed with her. She’s very respectful and cooperative even though she’s under a major strain. Some of the other girls assigned to me, give me nothing but trouble. Christy is amazing.”
“Yes. Many people have said so.”
Brian returned with a tray and set it down next to Alice. It had a cup of tea with milk and sugar on the side.
“Thank you” she said.
Brian sat down at his desk and said “Now Ms, Foster, what can I tell you and what can you tell me?”
Alice smiled and said “Well, first of all it’s Alice, and you can tell me a little bit about yourself and how you know Christy,”
Brian retold the story of the plane crash, the long walk, the time spent in Buffalo Gap, the hearing which cleared him and Christy of the claim that they weren’t on the plane. He told her about why he had enrolled her at Saint Jane’s and how they tried to see her and about the letter he wrote that she never received.
He explained about being a successful script writer for Silverstone Studios and how he met Wendy.
Alice listened carefully, occasionally making a note in her file.
“Do you consider yourself a patient man, Brian?”
“Yes. Not as patient as I would like to be, but I’ working on it. Why do you ask?”
“I think I can tell off hand that you would make a good parent for Christy, but she has been through a hard knocks experience with some men who treated her badly. She has a lot of healing to do. How long is up to her, but for now she needs to be alone and not in the company of men. Do you understand that?”
“Yes, I do. But how long will that condition last, do you think?”
“I don’t know. It’s up to her. But I think I can safely get her released into the custody of Wendy, here. And then we’ll see how she responds.”
“Okay.”
Alice was thoughtful. She looked around at the room. “Mm” she said. “I noticed that you have a pool.”
“Yes. I enjoy swimming. Christy asked me to teach her to swim.”
“I was just thinking of something. I’d like to make a suggestion. Is there ever a time when you’re not here, Brian?”
“Hardly. This is where I work. But I can go to the studio whenever I want. Why?”
“I was just thinking that it might be a good idea, after a few days at Wendy’s place, Wendy could bring her over here when you’re not here, maybe for a splash in the pool, and see how she feels being in the house, with your things around. If she freaks then we’ll try something different but if she seems comfortable being here that will be a good sign. What do you think?”
“I like it” said Brian.
“Me too” said Wendy.
“Then let’s do it. And if that works out, I suggest that you go over to Wendy’s place for a brief visit.”
They all thought that was also a good move.
But it was going to cause some trouble.
(To be continued.)
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
B&C III - 39
Brian and Christine
Book Three
Saint Jane's
Part 39
Brian put his head in his hands and sighed.
“After I left the room” said Wendy, “I spoke with Ms. Foster to find out what we can do. I wanted to know what sort of therapy there was for someone in Christy’s position. She said the first and best thing for her would be to be in home with loving parents who would care for her and be patient with the healing process. I said ‘Well, I can provide that’ but I had to tell her that Christy didn’t want to see you. So she asked me a bunch of questions about you. I answered them as best I could but there were some things about you I don’t know yet.”
“Like what?”
“Well I met your sister and brother-in-law, and they are very nice people, and obviously love you. But I know nothing about your folks, where you came from, where you grew up. I only know that you were married once before and that you are a sweetheart of a man."
“Thank you.”
“She asked if she could come and meet you and get to know what Christy would be getting into. I thought it was a good idea. So I said I would check it out with you and call her back.”
“It is a good idea. Go ahead. What else?”
“I also asked her about counseling. But she said that, although there were professionals who are trained in this sort of problem, Christy would have to get in line as there were many girls to deal with and all of them had been at Saint Jane’s longer than Christy. Some of the older girls have been so brainwashed that they actually believe in what they were doing and are very hostile to the efforts to rehabilitate them. It’s a big, big hornet’s nest, the whole thing.”
“Do you think Christy will ever want to see me again?”
“Yes. Because I know she loves you. She basically hates all men right now. She hates all men but she loves you. As long as you are ‘all men’ she can’t deal with you.”
“How long will that take?”
“Brian, don’t be selfish. You’re the adult, you can deal.”
“You said that the older man was crueler to her than the others. How old is he?”
“I don’t know. But you and he are not the same man so don’t worry about it.”
“When will you call Ms. Foster?”
“Tomorrow. She’s off duty now.”
“I hope she’s as nice and understanding as you say she is.”
“Brian! Stop fretting. Christy is okay, she’s safe. Have another drink. Let’s go for a swim.”
“Right.”
(To be continued.)
Book Three
Saint Jane's
Part 39
Brian put his head in his hands and sighed.
“After I left the room” said Wendy, “I spoke with Ms. Foster to find out what we can do. I wanted to know what sort of therapy there was for someone in Christy’s position. She said the first and best thing for her would be to be in home with loving parents who would care for her and be patient with the healing process. I said ‘Well, I can provide that’ but I had to tell her that Christy didn’t want to see you. So she asked me a bunch of questions about you. I answered them as best I could but there were some things about you I don’t know yet.”
“Like what?”
“Well I met your sister and brother-in-law, and they are very nice people, and obviously love you. But I know nothing about your folks, where you came from, where you grew up. I only know that you were married once before and that you are a sweetheart of a man."
“Thank you.”
“She asked if she could come and meet you and get to know what Christy would be getting into. I thought it was a good idea. So I said I would check it out with you and call her back.”
“It is a good idea. Go ahead. What else?”
“I also asked her about counseling. But she said that, although there were professionals who are trained in this sort of problem, Christy would have to get in line as there were many girls to deal with and all of them had been at Saint Jane’s longer than Christy. Some of the older girls have been so brainwashed that they actually believe in what they were doing and are very hostile to the efforts to rehabilitate them. It’s a big, big hornet’s nest, the whole thing.”
“Do you think Christy will ever want to see me again?”
“Yes. Because I know she loves you. She basically hates all men right now. She hates all men but she loves you. As long as you are ‘all men’ she can’t deal with you.”
“How long will that take?”
“Brian, don’t be selfish. You’re the adult, you can deal.”
“You said that the older man was crueler to her than the others. How old is he?”
“I don’t know. But you and he are not the same man so don’t worry about it.”
“When will you call Ms. Foster?”
“Tomorrow. She’s off duty now.”
“I hope she’s as nice and understanding as you say she is.”
“Brian! Stop fretting. Christy is okay, she’s safe. Have another drink. Let’s go for a swim.”
“Right.”
(To be continued.)
Monday, March 2, 2009
B&C III - 38
Brian and Christine
Book Three
Saint Jane's
Part 38
Brian thought again about the plane crash and how many people lost their lives, and how many loved ones were now mourning their loss, and he remembered that in spite of all the pain and trouble they had, he and Christy were still alive and he felt a rush of gratitude about that. Things will eventually get straightened out and healed. It is still time for patience and hope. He strengthened himself with that thought. It seemed impossible that he would ever get Louise and her friend out of that flooded cave, but he did it. It seemed impossible that he would ever get in touch with Cindy’s brother, but he kept at it until he did. It seemed impossible that he would ever make a decent living in show business, but again he kept going until he made it. It was impossible that he and Christy would ever make it out of that wilderness but they did and they would make it out of this one, somehow.
The next afternoon Wendy showed up. She plunked her briefcase down on a table and flopped, exhausted into a chair.
“You look like you could use a drink” said Brian.
“Would you mind?”
He set right to fixing a couple of drinks. He handed her one with a smile and sat.
She took a sip and then said “So, I suppose you want to know everything.”
“Everything.”
“Well, I saw her. She looks good. When I came in she was sitting on the bed, wearing some of the clothes we bought her, drawing on the pad we got her. When she saw me she jumped off the bed, ran over and gave me a big hug. She’s living in a hotel room. It’s a good hotel, the one they use for putting up juries when they have to be sequestered. I had a feeling that was where she was.
Alice Foster is a very nice, smart woman who quite obviously loves kids. She immediately checked up on Christy to make sure she had what she needed and that everything was going well for her.
We talked about the possib8ility of her coming to live with me and we even broached the subject of adoption. Ms. Foster was inclined to favor the idea of both, but she said there were details that had to be confronted since Christy was now a ward of the state. It was not impossible she said, just complicated.
But here’s the hard part. Christy talked about some of the things that happened to her at Saint Jane’s. First of all they immediately took everything away from her when she got in. They took her suitcase with all of her nice clothes that we bought; they even took the clothes she was wearing. They took her book and art things. They took her cell phone. They left her naked in a room until she was brought in to dinner. At first she thought it was some sort of initiation until she got into the dinning room and saw that all the girls were naked. While they were eating, the men wandered around watching them. After they ate she was taken back to the room and left there.
In the morning they were taken to a chapel where there was some sort of a religious service which she said she didn’t understand, but there were some nuns there and Mother Magda gave a sermon about obedience. After the chapel she was taken back to the room. She never knew that we had come through the front and tried to see her. She never got your letter. She was only told that her first “visitor” would be coming in a few weeks and that she had to rush to get ready.
In the morning, she said, she was told that her instruction would begin. She thought that meant a school but it wasn’t. One of the men came into her room and forced her to do what she called “nasty things” to him and when she wasn’t doing what he wanted he would shock her with a stick that hurt. She said it hurt “bad.” They called it a “wand.”
She said they took pictures of her and the other girls, making them pose naked in strange positions and sometimes wearing strange clothes. They also took videos of them.
She said that some of the older girls were mean to her. She said that the men were mean and very demanding, especially the older man. He was particularly cruel."
(To be continued.)
Book Three
Saint Jane's
Part 38
Brian thought again about the plane crash and how many people lost their lives, and how many loved ones were now mourning their loss, and he remembered that in spite of all the pain and trouble they had, he and Christy were still alive and he felt a rush of gratitude about that. Things will eventually get straightened out and healed. It is still time for patience and hope. He strengthened himself with that thought. It seemed impossible that he would ever get Louise and her friend out of that flooded cave, but he did it. It seemed impossible that he would ever get in touch with Cindy’s brother, but he kept at it until he did. It seemed impossible that he would ever make a decent living in show business, but again he kept going until he made it. It was impossible that he and Christy would ever make it out of that wilderness but they did and they would make it out of this one, somehow.
The next afternoon Wendy showed up. She plunked her briefcase down on a table and flopped, exhausted into a chair.
“You look like you could use a drink” said Brian.
“Would you mind?”
He set right to fixing a couple of drinks. He handed her one with a smile and sat.
She took a sip and then said “So, I suppose you want to know everything.”
“Everything.”
“Well, I saw her. She looks good. When I came in she was sitting on the bed, wearing some of the clothes we bought her, drawing on the pad we got her. When she saw me she jumped off the bed, ran over and gave me a big hug. She’s living in a hotel room. It’s a good hotel, the one they use for putting up juries when they have to be sequestered. I had a feeling that was where she was.
Alice Foster is a very nice, smart woman who quite obviously loves kids. She immediately checked up on Christy to make sure she had what she needed and that everything was going well for her.
We talked about the possib8ility of her coming to live with me and we even broached the subject of adoption. Ms. Foster was inclined to favor the idea of both, but she said there were details that had to be confronted since Christy was now a ward of the state. It was not impossible she said, just complicated.
But here’s the hard part. Christy talked about some of the things that happened to her at Saint Jane’s. First of all they immediately took everything away from her when she got in. They took her suitcase with all of her nice clothes that we bought; they even took the clothes she was wearing. They took her book and art things. They took her cell phone. They left her naked in a room until she was brought in to dinner. At first she thought it was some sort of initiation until she got into the dinning room and saw that all the girls were naked. While they were eating, the men wandered around watching them. After they ate she was taken back to the room and left there.
In the morning they were taken to a chapel where there was some sort of a religious service which she said she didn’t understand, but there were some nuns there and Mother Magda gave a sermon about obedience. After the chapel she was taken back to the room. She never knew that we had come through the front and tried to see her. She never got your letter. She was only told that her first “visitor” would be coming in a few weeks and that she had to rush to get ready.
In the morning, she said, she was told that her instruction would begin. She thought that meant a school but it wasn’t. One of the men came into her room and forced her to do what she called “nasty things” to him and when she wasn’t doing what he wanted he would shock her with a stick that hurt. She said it hurt “bad.” They called it a “wand.”
She said they took pictures of her and the other girls, making them pose naked in strange positions and sometimes wearing strange clothes. They also took videos of them.
She said that some of the older girls were mean to her. She said that the men were mean and very demanding, especially the older man. He was particularly cruel."
(To be continued.)
Sunday, March 1, 2009
B&C III - 37
Brian and Christine
Book Three
Saint Jane's
Part 37
The next day, at lunch time, Wendy called to say that she got a message from Alice Foster. Christy had asked to see Wendy so they set it up for the following day. She explained that the judge was a lazy man, who was happy to adjourn the case on any pretext, so she didn’t think she would have any conflict at getting to Christy tomorrow. She said she would come by afterward and let Brian know how it went.
Brian would have preferred to wait until Wendy could talk to him about Christy and what her future would be, but he felt obligated. So, with a knot in his stomach, he picked up the phone and dialed Connecticut.
“Hello Lydia…..This is Brian Sims….I know….Yes, I know….No, the whole place is closed down and everyone has been arrested….She’s okay, she’s safe….Yes, the court is protecting her….She’s in a safe place, under 24 hour guard….I know….Me too….Well. It’s not your fault. We both thought we were doing the right thing….Yes….Yes, I know….No, I haven’t seen her since that day, but my lawyer, Wendy Klein, who is also my fiancée, has talked to her and is going to see her tomorrow….Yes. Then I’ll know more….Yes it is….Yes, it’s terrible….She was very brave….She could have been sent right back there. But the judge listened to her….Yes she is, everyone says so….Well, Ms. Klein is working on adopting her….I don’t know….Yes, it would….Well, please don’t feel that way, Lydia. We didn’t know….Yes, I will….I certainly will….How is your husband? The last time we talked he was ill….Much better?....Oh, that’s good. And how is Flicker doing?....Good. Christy will be glad to hear that…..I’ll call you as soon as I know anything….I promise….Bye.”
He was glad he made that call. Talking with Christy’s aunt cleared away some of the stress. But the waiting went on. His mind was working so slowly now. Brian felt old, and finished.
He got up and made himself a drink, set it down on the table and let the ice melt. He sat by the pool and stared at the water for a while, but didn’t go in. He went back to his computer and looked at the keyboard: Q W E R T. Nothing made any sense to him. He sat in a corner of the room, on a big comfortable chair, closed his eyes and thought about giving up, And then a silent, soft voice in the back of his mind said “Brian. This is not a good time to die.”
(To be continued.)
Book Three
Saint Jane's
Part 37
The next day, at lunch time, Wendy called to say that she got a message from Alice Foster. Christy had asked to see Wendy so they set it up for the following day. She explained that the judge was a lazy man, who was happy to adjourn the case on any pretext, so she didn’t think she would have any conflict at getting to Christy tomorrow. She said she would come by afterward and let Brian know how it went.
Brian would have preferred to wait until Wendy could talk to him about Christy and what her future would be, but he felt obligated. So, with a knot in his stomach, he picked up the phone and dialed Connecticut.
“Hello Lydia…..This is Brian Sims….I know….Yes, I know….No, the whole place is closed down and everyone has been arrested….She’s okay, she’s safe….Yes, the court is protecting her….She’s in a safe place, under 24 hour guard….I know….Me too….Well. It’s not your fault. We both thought we were doing the right thing….Yes….Yes, I know….No, I haven’t seen her since that day, but my lawyer, Wendy Klein, who is also my fiancée, has talked to her and is going to see her tomorrow….Yes. Then I’ll know more….Yes it is….Yes, it’s terrible….She was very brave….She could have been sent right back there. But the judge listened to her….Yes she is, everyone says so….Well, Ms. Klein is working on adopting her….I don’t know….Yes, it would….Well, please don’t feel that way, Lydia. We didn’t know….Yes, I will….I certainly will….How is your husband? The last time we talked he was ill….Much better?....Oh, that’s good. And how is Flicker doing?....Good. Christy will be glad to hear that…..I’ll call you as soon as I know anything….I promise….Bye.”
He was glad he made that call. Talking with Christy’s aunt cleared away some of the stress. But the waiting went on. His mind was working so slowly now. Brian felt old, and finished.
He got up and made himself a drink, set it down on the table and let the ice melt. He sat by the pool and stared at the water for a while, but didn’t go in. He went back to his computer and looked at the keyboard: Q W E R T. Nothing made any sense to him. He sat in a corner of the room, on a big comfortable chair, closed his eyes and thought about giving up, And then a silent, soft voice in the back of his mind said “Brian. This is not a good time to die.”
(To be continued.)
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