Are you frosted? Warm up with the latest episode of A Tale from Eve's Garden.
Nan
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A Tale from Eve’s Garden
By Nan D. Arnold
Part 4
After that dizzying collapse at her door, Sue awoke on her bed, supported by her familiar plush pillow farm. Jake bent over her applying a cold compress against her head, Art by his side. “What happened,” she whispered.
“You fell and bumped your beautiful noggin.” I called Art and he came right over. I think a trip to the ER is in order. He’s not as certain.”
“No. I’m fine.” Sue stumbled off the bed, and Art and Jake each grabbed one of her arms. “Whoa, my legs feel like Jell-o.”
Art smirked, “Bet your skull feels like Marley’s inside, playing a xylophone.”.
“Clever. Please, I’m sick, don’t mention the woman. Call Dr. Zeus.”
“Who?”
Art interjected, “a physician we know.”
“Yes. He could take a look. I don’t want to end up in the morgue…hey, I suddenly remember everything, meeting Jake, the cab ride. Oh, the singing cab driver, aspirin, quick!”
“Not sure about analgesics, but I’ll give the good doc a call. Probably busy after last night. For now, let’s walk, shall we? All together, and one, two, three.”
“Shut up, Art.” She looked at Jake Will. “Quite the gentleman. Thanks for sticking around.”
“Art’s right, walk.”
“Seems I’m out numbered.”
Fortunately,” Art sneered, “that Vera Wang dress is short and I suppose comfortable, so apropos a forced march.” After a long while, and eschewing coffee, Jake coaxed her to drink a Coke.
Slowly, the color returned to her face. “See, I’m walking and talking normally. All fixed. No need for Dr. Zeus.”
Art kissed her cheek, “Good night, I’ll call later. Coming Jake?”
“Nope. I’m sleeping on that lounge across the room.”
“Noble gesture. Sure you don’t play both sides of the street? No? Well, ta ta, I’ll let myself out.”
“Jake Will. Will you what? Be my hero?” Back on the bed, Sue snuggled into the pillows and in no time fell into a deep, dreamless sleep. .
Hours later, Sue squinted at a rude blast of sunlight and heard the deliciously gravelly sound of a male voice engaged in an intense phone conversation. Oh yes. She smiled ruefully. Jake Will, would-be superhero. She lay quietly and listened.
In the other room Jake defended his actions to a female fury. “Marley! How many times can I apologize? How was I supposed to know you know Sue Blu? Personally? She’s what? Oh, God. I didn’t know. Look, all I did was help her home. She hit her head and I ended up sleeping on a not so comfortable lounge to make sure she didn’t cop a concussion after. Okay, she was a tad high. But harmless to my virtue, believe me
“I’m well aware of that audition you set up for me. I’m leaving—now. First, a brief stop at home for a quick shower and change. I’ll meet you there at 1:00PM. I promise. Thank you, Marley. You know how much I appreciate your help.” He hung up and shook his head. “The price we actors pay for success,” He looked up and saw Sue was awake. “Hey, how’s your head?”
Sue smiled weakly, head still pounding. “Okay. So you and Marley Winthrop are an item, huh? What awful things did she tell you about me?”
Flustered, Jake gazed out at the view of Central Park. “Nothing worth repeating.” He rose from the damask clad sofa. “She’s angry because I left her last night and she couldn’t reach my cell phone. I’d turned it off so as not to disturb you. Marley’s convinced I’m in bed with you.”
“Oh, this is scrumptious.” Sue laughed, feeling stronger. “I couldn’t have planned it better myself.”
“Hard feelings between you two?” He cocked his head. “As I’m in the middle, I’d like to know.”
“Marley’s family has been a pillar of New York society for decades. But, she is not dependable and has alienated many of the do-gooders,” Sue explained.
“And, you’re reliable ?”
“Depends. Anyway, through my Gran’s connections, I wound up replacing her on a couple of prestigious boards. Seems she’s determined to undermine me.”
“So, it’s not some squabble over men?”
“No,” Sue smiled coyly. “But it could be now that I’ve met you.”
They stared at one another for a long moment. Then Jake edged for the door. He shrugged. “I’m not a toy to be fought over.”
“Call me sometime,” Sue called after him. “You’ll like me even better when I’m sober.”
“Yeah?” he shouted. Jake closed the apartment door and bolted for the elevator.
Sue’s words, ‘Marley’s not dependable’, worried Jake as he race walked toward his place a few blocks away. Well, Marley, am I just another diversion for you?, What about all the evenings he’d “played” her charming escort to this soirée or that. And all the nights we’ve slept together. “Hardly the best lay I’ve ever had,” he sputtered , startling an older couple walking nearby.
Showered and dressed, Jake grabbed a cab for the theatre district. Having made a name for himself years ago in Rent off Broadway, he had risen through big time roles. But since the recession, good parts and successes were much harder to come by. His agent quit taking his calls, leaving him to his own devices.
This audition was vital – an opportunity to play lead in a new Andrew Lloyd Weber production. Jake couldn’t screw it up. But he couldn’t stop thinking about Sue and the heat of her attraction. I’m skating on razor thin ice between a couple of flighty trust funders at play. Jake’s last thought before smoothing his suede jacket and walking confidently into the audition.
Marley met him in the lobby. “I’ve been watching the others. You have an excellent chance,” she winked. She was right. He landed the part and fell more deeply into her trap.
Lying in bed with Marley that night, all Jake could think about was Sue. What harm could a phone call do? To see if she was still all right.
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz…………………
Watch for More Next Week:
Morning brings a reality check for Jake. Will he sell out to Marley?
