Deep in the Heart of Texas - The Sequel - Final Chapter
Nora came home late one night after meeting with a decorator at her new office. Bo was on the couch reading when she came home. The kids were asleep.
N: Hi, Bo. I'm exhausted.
She plopped down next to him on the couch and kicked off her shoes.
B: So how'd it go with the decorator?
N: Oh, don't you worry. I've made arrangements for a beautiful new couch and a tucked away futon.
He kissed her.
B: I can't wait. Um, honey, there's something I need to tell you.
N: Okay, sounds serious.
B: I'm going to visit Melanie tomorrow.
N: What?!? (She practically jumped off the couch) Why?
B: Well, her letter has been bugging me ever since she sent it. She said it was important. I have to know.
N: Bo, what more is there to know? Why do you still have the need to see her? It's been over a year! A year we've been back together!
B: Nora, I don't have a need to see her. You've got to believe me. I certainly do not have feelings for her, if that's what you're worried about. It's the cop in me that's got my curiosity going I guess.
Nora paced around the room glaring at him. Her mind could not wrap around why he wanted to see her.
N: You guess? We are about to leave for our vacation in two days! Have you forgotten that?
B: Of course not! And there's nothing she can do or say to change our plans. Don't worry.
N: Fine! Do what you want. I'm going to bed.
B: Nora, don't be mad.
But, she was halfway up the stairs when he said it. He slumped back on the couch and eventually fell asleep there. He woke up the next morning to an empty house. Nora left him a note - "I've taken Matthew to school and Rebecca is spending the day with me."
B: Short and sweet and she's still mad. How nice.
Bo went upstairs to shower and dress. In a half-hour he was out the door for the drive up to Statesville.
After a brief meeting with the warden, he was led to the visitor's area to wait for Melanie's arrival.
He sat in one of the cold, black chairs and stared at the heavy Plexiglas when she appeared before him.
He was shocked. She had a blunt crew cut, the sleeves were torn off her orange T-shirt, and "Mel" was written across her chest in black magic marker. The only thing the same about her was her sleeveless shirt.
As she exhaled on a cigarette, she sat down and picked up the phone. It took Bo a few minutes to snap back to the present and he picked up his extension.
M: Bo, I'm glad you came. Do you like what you see?
B: You look, uh, different. Why did you want to see me? What's this all about?
M: I hear you've remarried Nora and you even had a child together. Isn't that wonderful.
B: How do you know that?
M: Lindsay writes me letters. Somehow she found out. But, that's beside the point. Do you see what you've done to me?
B: I didn't do anything to you, Melanie. You're the one who pulled the trigger and killed Colin.
M: You got what you always wanted, didn't you? You got Nora back and two kids to boot!
B: Yes, I've got Nora back and I've got a family. I couldn't be happier. She saved my life. It isn't the first time.
M: You know what I have?
B: I don't really care. Why did you want to see me? You said it was important.
M: Oh, it is important. You ruined my life.
B: Okay, how did I ruin your life?
M: Prison….it changes people.
B: I can see that. Nobody said it was going to be a picnic. I never made you kill Colin.
M: I wanted you to see what's become of me. What you did to me.
B: I didn't ruin your life and I didn't "change" you. You did all those things yourself. I'm leaving. Don't contact me anymore, I don't want to waste my time. I'll be letting the warden know to check your mail for any letters to me.
M: I'm a leader of a gang, you know….the Sleeveless Wonders. Everyone has to wear sleeveless shirts.
B: Yeah, okay, whatever.
He hung up the phone and left the room. Melanie just sat there and watched him leave.
Bo was kicking himself on the way home for wasting his time.
When he returned, Nora was still not home. He was making himself something to eat when she came into the house singing to Rebecca who was toddling in front of her.
N: Bo? Where are you? I've got great news!!
He came out of the kitchen and picked up his daughter and hugged her tight.
B: Oh good, you're speaking to me. What's up?
N: Oh my god, did you go see her?
B: Yes.
N: What happened?
Bo started to laugh.
N: What's so funny?
B: Basically, she claims I ruined her life because she's….um…different now.
N: Different? What do you mean?
B: Let's put it this way - crew cut, smokes cigarettes, leader of the Sleeveless Wonders.
Nora laughed.
N: Sleeveless Wonders? What is that?
B: She's "turned" gay. And she blames me. That's her big news. I left after about 10 minutes. It was too ridiculous. You were right. I shouldn't have gone. I'm sorry.
N: What's a Sleeveless Wonder?
B: All the members of the gang have to wear sleeveless shirts. She's whacked!
N: Come to think of it, she always wore sleeveless shirts! That was really annoying now that I think about it!
Bo laughed.
B: So, what's your news?
N: You are not going to believe this. I was driving around town and I decided to show Becca our old house and I saw Mrs. Randolph cleaning out the garage. I stopped to say hello and she told me they are selling the house. Mr. Randolph got transferred to Minnesota. Bo, I told her we'd buy the house back. I want my children to grow up in that house; the house that had so much love in it when we were together.
B: Red! That's wonderful! I can't believe it……We've got our house back!
N: Do you mean it? Are you really happy about it?
B: Of course! God, I love that house. My day sure turned around. This is just the best news. So when do we move in?
N: Well, they hope to be all packed up in about a month. I told her I would contact her when we returned from Texas to sign the contracts and stuff. We do have to give them a deposit. I don't want to take any chances of losing our house again.
The three of them went to pick up Matthew at school and told him the good news. He was very excited.
A few days later they were in Texas. Bo and Nora relived many wonderful memories and Matthew and Rebecca had a great time too. Nora loved being there but now she felt even more wonderful because she had something great to go home to - home, back in Llanview, Pennsylvania. And she couldn't wait.
The month seemed to drag on as they waited for the Randolph's to hand them the keys back to the old barn.
Fortunately, they didn't change much in the house and they settled in almost like they had never left.
As they were unpacking their things, Nora came across the repaired slate plaque. She handed it to Bo. He looked around the familiar living room and decided they would hang it outside to the right of their front doors for the entire world to see.
He fetched some nails and a hammer and secured it to the house and there it was……
"AN OLD FISHERMAN AND THE CATCH OF HIS LIFE LIVE HERE"…The Buchanan's
N: It's good to be home.
B: It sure is.
THE END!
|
|
|