+1+
Okay. . . here we go Clara’s POV from the night Martin died.
After Thanksgiving dinner I took a cab back to Clarice’s house. Clarice and Colin have this beautiful colonial-style refurbished cobblestone house, beautiful kids, beautiful family. For some reason I just couldn't be around that.
You know, because she is probably jealous
Clara : Am not
DENIAL
So I had the driver take me to this bar in Manhattan. A kind of non-nondescript simple bar that would certainly be full on a holiday. I was way over dressed, but I guess I just wanted to be alone and noticed at the same time.
Time to get drunk and find men to hit on.
Anyway, everything was fine until Claudia called me. I don’t even know why I picked up but when I did she was hysterical..
“Clara ! Where are you are you ? Are you at home ? Is father still there?", she screamed into my phone.
“No, I went out. I’m in Manhattan”, I told her.
“Damn it. Have you seen Derek ? He sneaked out. Did he go back to the house ?”
“Claudia what’s wrong. Derek leaves all the time--”
“He might be-- I have to find him. I. . . I . ..”, her voice was breaking.
“Claudia ? What's wrong ?”
“I think Derek might be dead.”
“What ? Where are you ?”
“I’m getting off the the interstate, meet me at Father’s office building. DO NOT go inside.”
When I finally arrived at Father’s office I found Claudia pacing on the sidewalk, her blue Jaguar was illegally parked around the corner.
“What ?”, I shouted, “Why are we here ? And what’s this about Derek being. . . dead”, I whispered.
With a shaky hand Claudia reached into her pocket and produced the vial of poison. Which I now realize she had stolen from your hotel room.
“What is that ?”, I asked her.
“It’s poison.”, she struggled with the words yet had a causal tone about it.
“What ? what is going on ?”
“Clara, how does father usually end his business transactions ?”
“With a drink”, I said matter of factly. Then realized what Claudia had done., “Oh.My.God. Claudia is this about all the will talk tonight? Where did you even find poiso--”
“Please, Clara you can buy anything on the Internet. It was only supposed to be for father, but what if Derek is with him. What if they both drank it what am I going to do--”
“That’s double homicide Claudia, what is wrong with you ? All this over money ? He's our father, Claudia. Our father.”
Derek: Hey, know one cares about me ?
“Shut up”, she said changing her tone, “I need you to go up and see if . . . you know... it's too late”
“Why me ?”
“Please. I just can’t be involved”, she took off her gloves and shoved them on my hands, “Put these on”
“Fine, but give me that”, I said indicating the poison. I didn't trust her with a fatal substance.
And that’s how Clara got the poision
Claudia seemed more than happy to get rid of it. I slipped the vial into my pocket and reached for the door of the building when someone called from behind
“Girls ?”, We both turned to see Derek strolling down the street. His suit jacket slung over his arm his eyes on his watch
“Derek”, Claudia nearly knocked him over, “Where were you ? Why didn’t you pick up when I called ?”
“I was in traffic, it’s New York on a holiday”, he said confused by Claudia’s affection
“We are going home”, she said dragging him to her car.
“Claud--”, he started
“Shut up and trust me Derek. This is what you want . . .get in the car.”
" Martin's going to be looking for me”, he started, "And what about my car--"
“I don’t care. I'll explain later.”, she pushed him into her Jaguar and shut the door. Derek’s car was later impounded.
Which is why he is driving Claudia’s car in the 2 previous chapters. I think I originally had Derek hit Rainer with the Jaguar and that’s why it’s mentioned so many times.
“Clara, you know this is right. You should just leave and forget about all of this. It will just look like a heart attack. This is what you want too, trust me.”
“Okay”, I said trying relax, “I think I’ll go for a walk and get my own ride home”
“Just don’t stay out to long”, Claudia warned as I walked off.
"I won't", I sad disappearing around the block.
I waited till she drove past me and I doubled around. I spied the light to father’s office and when I had the strength I went inside.
So, now Clara is making the choice to help her father.
Father's office was on the 7th floor and he was surprised to see me. My eyes locked on the unopened bottle of Remy Martin on his desk, it was still dressed in a amber colored ribbon tied around the neck.
Father was still dressed in his pinstripe gray suit, his gray and brown hair perfectly kept.
Mr. F : I think I have that suit
Clara : NO
LiLe : Okay, you guys can’t talk to and react to each other it breaks the fourth wall to much.
Technically : mentioning the fourth wall breaks the fourth wall.
“Can we talk ?”, I asked.
He was carefully studying me, I peered at his desk he had just begun the forms for his new will.
Mr. Fierro later burns this
“Why what have you been up to now”, he said not looking up
“Just work”, I said relaxing into a chair
I reached over and ran my fingers along the bottle of Remy-Martin and picked it up. I looked to my Father and he gave me an approving nod to open it. I wrapped my fingers around the fleur de lis stopper.
Setting two glasses on the table I took some ice from father’s caddy. Holding the bottle at an angle I poured my glass first then his.
I
carefully anticipated my next move as I let the bottle slip from my hands. The
bottle landed on the plush carpet spilling the rich liquid onto the desk and
carpet. I picked up the bottle. It was still intact.
So,
if Clara spilled the bottle of scotch how did Martin ingest the poision ? Is what you should have been asking. Also the bottle not breaking was such a cop-out.
“Damn it Clara”, he said watching the liquor seep into the floor, “Haven’t you made enough mistakes.”
“Please, Father”, I said. I hated how he scolded me when I was saving his life., “I’m here to make amends”
“Clara if you wanted to make amends you wouldn’t have made the mistake you did.”
“For godsakes Father I had a baby , I didn’t kill anyone. I’ve done plenty with my life and maybe if you were home more you would know that.”
I mean Clara did kill someone but he doesn’t need to know about that.
“Clara, it’s everything else. When are you going to get your life back on track ? Like it used to be.”
When you were marrying the Italian prince and were going to be worth a boat load of money.
“Father, a few years agao I realized something. I wasn’t happy being a school teacher, I wasn’t happy marrying a prince, I wasn’t happy being the pretty youngest daughter you called on to play parties and be a pretty little accessory. I wasn't happy then but now I--”
Clara : I’m also not happy. . . but . . . wait.
“Well, maybe that wouldn't have happened if you had been the boy I wanted.”, he said to the side.
I laughed.
“Really Father ? Now you’re blaming me for being a girl?”
“Listen to me Clara. Every man wants a son.”, there was something behind his words.
Oh, hmm kind of like what Mr. F said when he ran into Martin in the park.
“Even Grandpa ? Believe me he never wanted you or Grandma. That’s probaly why he drank almost everyday of his life. He couldn't stand you. Let's face it my daughter is as much of a mistake as you are.”
So harsh, Clara
I regretted the moment I said it.
“Oh, no. Father I’m sorry-”
My lack of control seemed to be genetic. He got up from his desk moving so much quicker than I thought possible.I tried to push him away. I’d never seen him so angry.
My hands were pressing against his chest and tried to get away but he grabbed me and . . . he hit me, and suddenly my eye was throbbing. Father was breathing hard not quite apologizing but he was sorry.
“You’re fine”, Father said sitting back down
at his desk, “It’s nothing. You’re fine. Clara ?"
"I'm fine", I said but I was really just repeating him, my hand
clutched over my eye.
I wanted to believe him, I could just smell the stench of alcohol and that curious sweetness.
“Now listen to me Clara. You know I’ll help you. No matter how deep you’re in.”, he said and I couldn't really connect my caring father to the man who had just given me a black eye.
I didn't know what he meant by that comment, I suppose your sudden reappearance had something to do with it.
Martin thinks Mr. F is somehow blackmailing Clara or something.
"Clara ? You know I will help you, no matter how deep you’re in.”, he repeated.
"Yes, Father. I do"
I manged my last words to him.
Okay, this is SUPER interesting. In chapter 8 (chapter 9 of T-DOLL) Clara says
He grabbed my arm and turned me towards him, his grasp getting a litle to tight. His eyes were glassy and he pushed me to the side then forced me off the step. I landed hard in the snow and turned over to face him
"Do. You. Understand", he asked again.
"Yes, Father. I do", I humored him. Those were also my last words to him
So you think that is the last time she sees her Dad. But this isn’t the moment she is talking about she is talking about this moment.
*pats self on back for being clever*
I almost left. Then I remembered the glasses I had poured. The two 6-ounce glasses sitting undisturbed on the edge of father's desk.
So quickly it didn’t even register to me I downed one glass and then the other. I pretended like the scotch didn’t burn and kissed my father on the cheek and left.
I took the stairs back down. I could taste something sweet and vile behind the bitterness of the scotch. I knew what ever Claudia had poisoned father with. . . that it would at least make me sick..
Wouldn’t kill me is what she is thinking through the “. . .”
As soon as I was outside I ripped off Claudia’s gloves and tried to stick my fingers down my throat but I couldn’t do it and all I could taste was acrylic and nail polish remover.
That might have been oddly TMI, because she is telling this to Mr. F and he could probably care a less. It just goes to show that Clara wants to look so put together that she wears fake nails.
I
barely made it a few blocks before I started to feel the symptoms. I was
starting to sweat but I felt cold as ice.
It was just getting so cold and I thought about Clarice and her perfect family and I could never impose on her to come for me. Claudia might figure out that I had taken the poison so I didn’t dare call her.
Then I’d have to explain to her why I’m not all dead.
Instead I called my mother.
I told her I had gotten drunk. She had picked me up from various hotels and bars when my drinking got out of hand and would think nothing of it.
Clara : You know LiLE you’re my best friend *is drunk*
LiLe : Okay honey we need to get you sober in one chapter
Tomas : Said no one ever
Okay, so my excuse for Clara not being around when Mr. F comes barging in looking for Rose ? That Clara was passed out. I know I know easy plot device.
An hour later my mother pulls up to where I’m huddled. She jumps out the car and helps me up, as she leads me to the car I see Clarence is sleeping in the back seat.
In the car she turns on the overhead lights, her hands go to my chin and she surveys my eye. She holds my chin inspecting the swelling. Her green eyes going wide.
“Clara, who did this”, she asks in Italian.
“ I got into a bar fight”, I joked
“Clara”, she was stern her accent thickening, “I’m not stupid. There aren’t any bars or apartments in this neighborhood. Just offices like your father's--”
She stops and clicks the light off staring straight ahead, both hands on the wheel but the engine is dead silent.
“Mother it’s not what you think”
“Clara what is it now ?”
“What ?”
“What have you done now to make your father mad ? Are you on drugs ?", Her voice picks up in range. Her hands are groping and searching my pockets. I’m surprised the noise doesn’t wake Clarence. Or maybe it did I don’t know for sure.
LiLe : Hmmm, that’s a very “Tomas” thing for her to say. So is the next line.
Suddenly she has that tiny stupid vial in her hands and looking at me for an explanation. I start and stop a million different lies, but I can feel the poison tearing me apart inside and I just want to go home.
“It’s poison”, I say trying and failing to grab it out of her hands, “Someone tried to poison father it was supposed to look like a heart attac-”
“Who”, she demands closing her painted fingers around it.
“I-I don’t know”
“Clara”
“Claudia”, I admit, “It was Claudia but I stopped her. I protected her from her own greed. Are you happy ? I took care of my big sister. Can we please go home now ? I want to be in my own bed.”
She is just sitting there watching me. Minutes literally begin ticking by.
Then she opens her door and starts down the block towards Father's office building. I take one quick look at my brother sleeping in the back seat and I’m chasing after her.
“Mother”, I call trying to keep up with her on the stairs but she begins jogging up the steps in her sharp heeled boots and is out of sight.
OMG,
I just realized they left 5 year old Clarence in the car by himself. That poor
kid is going to be SO scarred for life. Don't anyone start about a Clarence story.
When I finally reach his office door I see Father’s office is a complete mess from when I left him an hour ago. Even Father looks a little more roughed up.
Cause you know Mr. F stopped by and roughed him up
At some point I noticed the new will father had been working on was gone.
Cause you know Mr. F burned ituiet.
I watched. Willing myself not to pass out from the poison. I saw the way Mother stepped over the paperwork and made her way to Father’s desk. He was still red-faced and angry.
“Why do you have to be this way ?”, she said sweetly--flirtatiously really. “Why can’t you be the good man I know you are. The man I met alone and pensive in my family’s restaurant. Remember ? Martin ? ”
“Please, Clair”, he said, “Don’t make this harder than it has to be. The divorce is for your own good.”
I saw the gun on the floor by the door. I was afraid of what Mother was going to do, so I kicked it into the hallway, out of her sight.
Mother was standing now, one hand on Father's shoulder her thumb near his lips
Oh that’s where --- wait.
“Clair”, father warned but he was enamored with her. Everyone was.
She kissed him and I really wanted to look away, I couldn't look away because she had her fingers wrapped around the vial, the top skidded to the floor.
I don’t think he even realized what was happening as she shoved the vial into his open mouth. He chocked and spit out the vial, but the damage had been done.
“You can’t walk all over me”, she said as he began to choke again, “It’s not fair. I did eveyrthing I did . I even gave you a son. Why can’t we be happy again ? Why ? ”
She never got an answer. He started chocking and there was this. … gurgling noise. I just stood in the doorway paralyzed. I knew what he was going through, except I knew he wouldn’t make it. I felt so helpless as he struggled on the floor.
While he is still flailing on the floor my mother continues to straigtned up the office, and even though I’m beside myself I put my gloves back on and help her. She hums a little as she works as if it’s a Sunday afternoon and my Father isn’t dying on the floor.
I didn't even see it happen. Him die, that is. I just knew when the noises stopped
I
polish the Remy-Martin bottle and removed the ribbon, placing the bottle back
on his desk.
That’s when the tears start. My tears. They sting as they run down my face and I can’t stop sobbing like child.
“It’s okay, Cara”, she runs a comforting hand in my hair., “He can’t hurt any of us any more.”
Cara means pretty or something. Not a typo.
That's not why I'm crying though. I'm crying because I watched my father die and I can't bring myself to feel anything. I'm crying because my beautiful mother just murdered my father and I let her.
I like this line. This sums up the whole story.
When we reach the car I’ve calmed down but I still haven’t said a word.
“Clara do me favor”
“Yes”, I mumble, wiping away my tears
“Don’t marry a man like your father. handsome, intellegint, broken. You just can’t fix him.”
Oops.
Also now we know why Clara isn’t living with her mother, she saw her kill Martin and can’t do it.
I just nodded, but I know she is moments from falling apart herself.
“I’m proud of you Clara, of everything you’ve done. . . even being a mother.”, she continues.
Her eyes brightened though her expression was sad, and for a moment we are both so scared.
Be brave, that’s what the look meant.
Oh hey, that was in the prologue CONTINUTIY HIGH FIVE
When I woke up in my childhood bedroom the next morning I wished it was all a dream, but one look in the mirror at my eye confirmed that it wasn’t. I hid the empty vial in a tube of lipstick and wanted this all behind me the moment the casket was closed.
Maintenance found my father on Monday morning. I think Mother’s shock was real, the way she fell into Detective Rainer’s arms felt real at the least. Then again my Mother was an actress.
The funeral was 3 days later, by then my eye had healed and I really thought she had gotten away with it. We had gotten away with it. I thought it was all behind us.
I was a terrible daughter to my father, but I wanted to do better for my mother. I would have done anything to keep her safe, anything so I didn't have to lose her too.
+2+
My arms were around Rosalie who was now curled in my lap, her head was pressed to my chest. She was like a little doll trying to comfort me. Okay I literally say this in a T-DOLL.
“The worst part is”, I continued, " Is I know I could never love Rose as much as my mother loves me. What Mother did. . . she did because of me. I could never be the mother she is. ”
He stopped the car abruptly, I had to quickly steady myself. I kept crying though thinking of being buried in that crate.
“Everything you did”, he questioned, “Was all to protect your mother”
+++
I had pieced my story together over the phone to Detective Rainer. Leaving out the parts about Claudia and where I had gotten the poison from.
Mr. Fierro took me to my family's home, as I requested. Three police cars were in the lawn, their sirens still blaring. My sister’s cars were also outside, they were probably inside having brunch. Wondering where I was.
When the front door opened I jumped out the car placing a now awake Rosalie on her feet.
Rainer
limped out the front door resting on her crutches. She had
two sizable stitches and a cast on her wrist.
Yeah, Rainer gets to make the arrest, just like Juliet promised.
Behind Rainer two officers with my mother handcuffed followed. When my Mother looked up she seemed disappointed to see me.
My sisters filed out behind them. I ran up the stairs, Mother's green eyes were so bright as she smiled at me. They didn’t let her speak and pulled her roughly down the steps
“I’m sorry”, I called to her.
“No, no don’t be sorry”, she called back in Italian
I
felt my sisters arms around me, holding me back.I could feel Clarice’s warm
tears on the collar of my dress, her arms around my shoulder.
I watched from the steps as Juliet stepped out of one of the police car. She kept her eyes down and approached Mr. Fierro who had been standing by his car holding Rosalie.
I’m pretty sure Juliet tells him his future as she promised.
He leaned down as Juliet whispered something to him. He looked over at me then shared a look with Claudia, who quickly looked away.
“Are you at least sorry ?”, Rainer questioned Mother as she opened her car door.
Mother let her hair fall into her face, she looked up thinking about it then looked right at me.
“Non, Je ne regrette rien.”
Muse :Um, Question LiLe –
LiLe : No—
Muse : but –
LiLE : NO
Muse : but—
LiLe : fine. So the question is why does Ms. DeLune do a name drop in French ? I mean she is first generation Italian. She speaks Italian why is she speaking in French ? I don’t know. It just happened.
+3+
In 3 months Clair Romano DeLune was convicted of Voluntary Manslaughter, in defense of her youngest daughter. She was sentenced to serve 5 years before being released on parole
Juliet usually never stuck around for the aftermath, the courts hardley ever wanted to hear from a crazy psychic but she couldn't just shake this particular case off.
Clair DeLune was beautiful, poised, and exotic. She was enchanting and charming with an equally enchanting story. She had been a promising young actress who had given it all up and married young. For a while Clair and Martin had been in love, a whirlwind romance others envied. One where their every luxury and whim was met. In essence they had everything.
That was years ago though.
No one denied Martin’s harshness, his deceit, his benevolence. The light sentence came as no surprise to Juliet.
Juliet had spied the DeLune daughters alone in the courtroom. They were seated as far apart from each other as possible. Each one them remained expressionless as the sentence was passed. Clarice let out a whimper that caught only her sister’s attention. Claudia simply closed her eyes.
As the sentenced passed Clara DeLune makes her way to each of her sisters giving each of them a hug neither of them really took to. Still she lingered kissing her sisters good-bye.
+1+
So, when I wrote this chapter I think I had no idea who Adele was.
I didn't bother knocking as I entered the quiet house in Monroe County, the screen door squeaked open to the dusty hallway. The stained glass windows were murky and blocked out the warm spring weather.
Pulling of my shades I observed the quite house it hadn't changed much in the three months since I last stepped foot in it.
So, this takes place three months after Clair is arrested and one week after the court case. They haven’t talked since.
“Rose”, I called up the stairs, “Rosalie !”
I looked down at the red stained wood beneath my heels and stepped back, unconsciously touching the back of my head. I once again remembered why I hadn't been back. I'd found my hotel more comforting than this house.
Cause you know they buried her in the front yard.
Rosalie came down the stairs, her arms were folded and her lips pursed into a thin line. I noticed she was still wearing my music-note necklace.
Clara is to afraid to ask for it back.
“Go outside and wait for me”, I instructed her, "I'll be out in a minute"
She glared back at me as she slipped out the screen door. I went to the window and watched her sitting outside, pulling up the spring flowers in the flowerbed.
“Clara”
“Don’t” , I said gritting my teeth, “Don’t think calling me Clara is going to make me change my mind about leaving.”
“Fine then, Ms. DeLune. I thought you should know this is very much like you”
I turned away from the screen door to where he was standing against the stairs.
“And this is very much like you. Big house, beautiful garden in the spring, all alone and . . . really overdressed”, I gestured half-heartdly at him.”
Clara : God, I’ve been wanting to say that for chapters.
He picked up the plane tickets I had dropped when I fell.
“Genoa”, he read the tickets, “What a lovely place to runaway too.”
Mr. F : Hmm, I should probably tell her Peter is dead. . .
“Don’t be this way”, I said taking back the tickets, “You said it yourself. The longer I stay the harder it will be to leave. When they realize I’m different. There really is no better time and besides I like traveling and I think it will be exciting for a little girl. She'll tell you all about it when she visits.”
“This isn’t what I meant”, he said sternly
“This is what you meant, when you plotted to marry me to protect yourself.”
“I had good reason didn't I ? After all our union has very little to no legal standing"
Cool. I made it in cannon
"Good", I said
"While my intentions were not honorable, my feelings were”
“Did you forget that I just sent my mother to prison for murdering her husband. Do you think I believe in your feelings ? Let alone honorable ones ?"
LiLe : Come on guys I have a series to wrap up. I need to get these to idiots together.
I reached into my purse and placed the engagement ring on the counter, I pushed it away from me with the tips of my fingernails.
Mr.Fierro picked it up, watching the large diamond catch the light.
“You know Ms. DeLune this is the second time I’ve had a woman return a ring to me. I’m beginning to take it personally.”
LiLe : Well . . . they never marry him the
first time around. Wait 50 years and ask again.
"I'm tired of saying I'm sorry to people, so I"m just going to go”,
I ran my hand through my hair and looked into Mr. Fierro's cloudy eyes, they were unmoving I felt as if I were being scrutinized
“Are you sorry ?”, he asked
I bit my lip and let a few tears fall. I thought I had been done with crying, with disappointing people.
“ Mr. Fierro I never thought I would say this. . . but you are such a romantic. You’ll fall in love a million times over again.”
Which BTW I think is very true. There is something about quiet, introspective, serious and polite characters that you can give them any love interest. ANY.
"Don't insult me, Ms. DeLune"
“You and Lucie, Lucie and my grandpa, my parents; hell even Claudia and Derek. What's the point anymore ?”
“We must move on”, He said. I tried to stop crying as he leaned in to me, my eyes closed as he kissed me. “There are better things ahead than any we leave behind. Believe me, I know”
I pulled back slightly, never thinking I'd be the one to break a kiss with him.
I think this is the only time they kiss in this serial.
I took a step back and went to pick up Rosalie's luggage by the stairs, my steps were unsteady as I headed towards the front door, pushing it open with my elbow.
“Play for me”, he asked. His voice carrying down the hallway, ". . . One last time"
I leaned against the door and set the luggage down.
"I don't know"
"Please, Ms. DeLune"
“Alright", I breathed.
I shook out my hands and followed him to the parlor, nervously twisting the ends of my dress in my hands. It had been so long since I'd played, too long really. I wondered if I still could.
Because Clara hasn’t played this whole installment.
The piano was an antique upright made of deep oak with deep floral engraving. It looked as if it has seen better days.
I sat down awkwardly behind the piano and slid to the edge of the bench.
"Sit", I said gesturing to the space beside me.
He declined and I began to tune the piano quickly. It took a while for the keys to come to me. I kept my eyes down studying the keys.
"Request ?", I asked watching him from the corner of my eye.
Mr. F : Well yes but it wouldn’t be appropriate with a child in the house
LiLe : What ?
Mr. F : Well I mean it’s been four years. . .
"Debussy."
"Moonlight Sonata ?"
"Please"
Look Look, it’s Clair De Lune ? That’s book endish ?
My fingers tentatively found the keys, once I found them the rhythm of the music it was so calming, so familiar.
In the mirror I could see Rose sitting by the screen door pulling petals off buttercups. Without thinking or even realizing it I was smiling. I didn't want the song to end, I felt as if I could play forever and I never wanted to stop.
Awww, look at the seemingly happy family
I realized Mr. Fierro was now sitting next to me. I jumped as he reached for my hand but quickly picked up playing with one.
“What are you doing”, I asked.
“Ms. DeLune, I want to ask you something-"
I hit a sour note and held both hands very close to me.
"Save yourself the time. I won't marry you"
"I have something much simpler to ask from you."
"What ?"
"Your music."
"My music ?"
"Ms. DeLune, since the moment I first heard your music, I have wanted nothing more than to ask you to play for me every night of my life. And if I am ever to tire of your music, or you are ever to tire of playing then you can leave having made me a happy man, for however short a time."
With one hand he placed the ring in the palm of my hand, my fingers closed around its smooth surface. His other hand began tracing my scars, his mouth following the same path. I pressed my lips to his. It wasn't an answer just an odd instinct.
“Did you forget flattery does not work on me”, I led him to stand up with me.
"Not flattery. Simply a proposal of another type."
"I can't- ", I took a deep breath and started over, "Whenever I hear my music you fill my every thought. So I stopped playing for a long time, I couldn't bare such thoughts. I just can't do it again. I can't be without my music anymore. I can't. Without it I think I would truly die."
This feels kind of B.S – ish for me as a writer. It’s just a bit to much to late. . .
"I--"
"The first time we met if you would have asked me I would have said... yes."
So here Clara really wants to say no, and Mr. F realizes this.
"Ms. DeLune--"
"Yes", I repeated, he still missed my intent, "Yes. Mr.Fierro I'm afraid against my better judgment I am in love with you. I want to fill your life with music, our lives. If you will give me that chance."
"I will. I love you, Ms. DeLune"
"I love you, Mr. Fierro."
I don’t hate this chapter as much as I originally did. Yes there probably could have been some more to it. I think the deleted scene had a flair of chemistry but it didn’t work well with the flow.
This last scene is actually inspired by the *spoiler* engagement in Downton Abbey.
Now, I’m back to hating it.
So, they do not get married. I did not want to reinforce the idea that Clara should have been ashamed of raising a child out of wedlock and should be married. All the male characters (Martin, Victor even Mr. F who proposes to her for this reason) seems to say at one point or another that Clara is a harlot just because she isn’t married
I didn’t want to reinforce that.
Also I have been wanting to right those lines since Litany Lane. So yeah. . .
+2+
Rainer leaned on her crutches and watched as Juliet collected her suspect sketches from the small office.
“This case wasn’t what I was hoping”, Rainer said
“Nothing is ever cut and dry”, Juliet responded.
“You said something, to Clara's fiancee”
Logic : Um, didn’t Rainer recognize Mr. F from that case file
LiLe : He was wearing a hat scarf and shades.
“What ?”
“During the arrest. Did you think I didn't notice ?”,
“Oh, well”, Juliet said , “I told him his future”
Rainer stopped short, happy that in a few days she could say good-bye to the crutches
“I thought you couldn’t read the living”, Rainer remembered
“Right”, Juliet seettled back on her heels, “ It’. . .uh, complicated.”
“Are you going to spill ?”
“No, but I don't see any murders in the future”
"Good for her.”, Rainer quibbed sarcastically, "What did you see."
"Let's just say life doesn't really have a happily ever after, no matter how hard you try"
"No surprise here, kid"
“What’s next ?”, Juliet asked looking at the blank board.
Rainer waved a white envelope that had just been released from escrow. She pulled out the check freshly signed from the solicitor's office.
“I deliver the windfall to Martin DeLune's heir”, she said.
She gave a low whistle at the amount of money the check was worth 65 million dollars, made out to Rosalie E. DeLune.
“Mind if I tag along ?”, Juliet asked.
“Why not ?”
They pair drove in silence to the outskirts of town and into the quiet country.
When they reached the house in Monroe County, Detective Rainer leaned against her cruiser slamming the door and supporting herself on one crutch. Her other hand firmly clutching the envelope.
The spring wind blew and Rainer tigtned her grasp on the envelope.
In the back seat Juliet sat with her hands folded. She rolled down her window and watched as the Detective balanced herself.
Rainer made her way up the slopping driveway towards the house. Her crutches creaked on the stairs and she hit a tea cup on the front steps. With a sigh she knocked and waited. The check felt heavy in her hands.
She leaned on the door, nearly toppling over as the screen door squeaked opened.
“Clara”, she called, “Clara”
With clunky movements Rainer stepped inside the house, the faint smell of dust and wood overwhelmed her. The large stained glass windows were bare and sunlight streamed in touching ever surface.
The rich wood floors clicked beneath her, the elegant crown molding and open floor plan was highlighted by the sunlight.
She stepped into a few of the main rooms, the kitchen and backyard.
It was useless.
The house was empty. It was just bare walls and floor.
“The hell”, she whispered noticing two tickets to Genoa on the floor.
She hobbled upstairs from room to room, finding nothing except for the floors and walls.
Exasperated she went back out to the car, Juliet was now standing on the driveway.
“She’s--”
“Gone”, Juliet finished
“How ? Why ? What about the money---”
Juliet kicked the dirt.
“I guess. . .maybe they wanted something more important.”
So, because Mr. F burned the will Rose gets the money, but they decide to leave without it.
LiLe : Okay, I know I’ve put up a fight but I’m not ready for the Epilouge I mean that’s it. I mean I’m not sad or anything this has just been fun.
Muse
: Well. . .
LiLe : Oh, what ?
Muse : Umm. . . hmmm. I don’t have anything
LiLe : Okay, well let’s keep going. There will always be more fun to have along the way.
Funnny story, when I finished this section I didn’t think Nightmare was going to be a thing and I had NO idea what the heck a Lux Aeterna was. So I was originally kind of sad over this ending. Now I’m not.
I can’t for the LIFE of me remember what song this was. I think it was Mad World but I don’t think it was… okay I figured out that 42 by Coldplay, is during the first part.
+1+
Harper’s Hollow is more than a neighborhood, more than a community. It is without a doubt a lifestyle.
The American dream
Each cookie cutter
single family home sits on a perfectly green manicured lawn, boxed in by an
immaculate white picket fence. Modern sedans are always parked in driveways,
sidewalks are always kept clean and outside lights always turn on at 5.
In Harper's Hollow neighbors say hello in the
morning, children play together in the afternoon and families eat together in
the evening. Families start small and grow in the same houses year after year.
Very rarely did a house go up for sale. It was after all the type of
neighborhood no one moved out of and no one moved in.
Ever.
That is until 42
Harper’s Hollow was sold by its aging owners.
Soon the prefect beautiful rhythm of Harper’s Hollow
was changed by the most peculiar family.
Almost overnight the lawn of 42 Harper's Hollow
seemed to bloom, Splashes of reds, white and purple took over the perfect green
lawn; unruly vines grew and clutched to the house and fence. Soon the usually
quiet house hummed with life.. . . and music
Summer days at Harper’s Hollow allowed for a change
to the usual Saturday rhythm. Neighboors watered plants, washed cars and walked
pets as they enjoyed the warm weather.
Those out and about that particular summer afternoon
glimpsed at the girl perched on a checkered blanket that was strewn on the
front lawn of 42 Harper’s Hollow.
The girl was beautiful, a young teenager just shy of
fourteen. She had soft clear porcelain skin with curious cream colored
eyes and inky black hair. She sat with her sneakers digging into the
dirt, ocasionally glancing at her perfect neighbors, whom she instantly
despised. She didn't offer a wave or smile and neither did they.
Soon a woman who appeared to be a slighly older
version of the girl appeared at the front door. The woman had a large flower in
her hair, In her arms she held an umbrella and a small basket over her arm.
From a distance she quickly caught the eye of fathers and husbands of Harper's
Hollow.
The woman set up the large patterned umbrella
shading girl’s light complexion and arranged a tea pot and teacups on the
checkered blanket
Together the nearly identical pair watched in silence as the neighbors
went about their business in thier usual tick-tock perfect fashion.
Marlene Granby, daughter of the owners of 40 Harper's Hollow, left her manicured lawn and the watchful eye her apple-pie award winning mother and leaned over the fence seperating the houses.
Marlene Granby offered a kind smile and wave to the new neighbors. The girl waved shyly back, then smiled as Mrs. Granby called Marlene back over.
The girl settled back against the woman's shoulder and watched Marlene and Mrs. Granby. The girl smiled deciding a part of her might like her new home after all.
"Please Rose, try to stay out of trouble this time", The older woman warned
Rose picked up her cold tea cup and tapped it against the cup clasped in the woman's hand.
"I will if you will, Mother"
The two shared a quick smile neither of them making any promises.
I originally ended the epilogue here. It was so perfet and I liked the idea of Rose and Clara maybe getting along a little in the future. In retrospect I kind of wanted Rose to call “Clara” Clara but it might have been confusing
Anyway ! I had to add the extra bit just so Mr. F could get some epilogue time.
+2+
In the evening she closed the curtains. Enveloping 42 Harper's Hollow in darkness, save for her faint silhouette that could be seen through the downstairs window.
She ran her fingers over the piano keys and shut the intricately carved lid deciding there would be no music tonight. Stepping on the bench she sat on top of the piano, watching as the neighborhood lights clicked off in perfect succession. She lets out a sigh and toys with the ornate hourglass sitting next to her.
She turns it over a few times and set down the hourglass and extends her hand. From his chair a man takes her hand and kisses it. Quickly lifting her from the piano and placing her on her feet. Her arms now rest around his neck.
For a while there is
nothing but silence and quiet whispers between the two, as if they are the only
ones alive in the quiet suburb of Harper's Hollow.
After a moment she frowns at the hourglass on the
piano that has now run empty. She reaches over to the the hourglass and turns
it over, deciding they would always need more time.
The End.
Oh, look I made a reference to Litany Lane with the hourglass. See what I did there ? Okay so maybe I was trying a little too hard but seeing as this veered off from a romance Was this an epilogue ? or was this Juliet’s vision of the future
I didn’t realize until just now that Juliet does tell him the future but I have no idea what she said or any idea what I would want it to be.
Ugh.
So
did I learn anything ?
Yes, first I should never be allowed to play with
fictional characters again. I do some pretty awful things to them.
Characters From Bellum : *Glares*
While parts of each installments needed some work I have to say it was a fun journey.
Thanks