Choices..................part 3
Flying back to Llanview
Nora: You didn't tell me we were going
in this!
Bo: What did you expect? The jet?
Nora: Yes. This 2 seater is horrible. I'm getting nauseous.
Bo: It won't be so bumpy soon. Hang in.
Nora mumbles to herself
Bo: I can't hear you. You'll have to talk louder
Nora: HOW MUCH LONGER?
Bo: We just started. About 2 hours
Nora: OMG
Bo looks at Nora and smiles as he puts his hand on her knee
Bo: Has anyone ever told you that motion sickness becomes you?
Nora glares at Bo
Nora: Does Melanie like to fly?
Bo: Nora!
Nora: Well, she does have that flight attendie thing going on.
Coffee, tea or me! (Nora smirks)
Bo: Nora!
Nora: You do like her don't you?
Bo: She's very nice. She really helped me when I thought you were
gone forever.
Nora: Yea, I bet she helped. So, where do you two go from here?
Bo: What do you mean?
Nora: What do you mean what do I mean? She's living with you.
Bo: I know that.
Nora: You do want to break it off with her don't you? Oh yea,
I forgot, she's nice
Bo: Don't push me, I'll take care of it.
Nora: I'll take care of it? Don't push me?
Bo: Would you stop repeating everything I say?
Nora: You're not sure what you want to do, are you? What the hell
was last night all about?
Bo: Last night was incredible
Nora: And now?
Bo was a little too slow on the uptake. He loved Nora, he really
did but...
Nora: You bastard. How dare you use me like that. I'm sick of
the games Bo....I'm sick of this plane.... just get me home
Bo: You're reading this all wrong. To be honest, I just don't
know how to handle this thing with Melanie
Nora: You would know exactly what to do if you were as serious
about us as I thought you were.
Bo: It's just that...
Nora: Listen Ken, go back to Barbie, it's ok, really. As far as
I'm concerned last night didn't happen. You're free, she's free,
nothing and I mean nothing is standing in your way - that is until
you come to your senses, and when you do, don't expect me to be
waiting for you, because guess what Bo, I just might have moved
on too.
Bo: You're not being fair Nora. I
got involved with Melanie when I thought you were dead.
Nora: And was I "dead" when you almost married Lindsay?
Bo: You were with Sam!
Nora: And why was I with Sam, eh Bo? Because you left me when
I was pregnant with a child meant for you. Yes that was the stupidest
thing I've ever done but I did it because I loved you and you
threw me away like yesterday's newspaper.
Bo: I meant what I said last night. I still love you Red.
Nora: You don't deserve me!
They were silent for the rest of the trip. Nora refused a ride
home from the airport and waited for a cab
Bo: I'm sorry Nora
Nora: What for? Last night? Go home Bo, Melanie must be waiting
for you
Bo turned away as Nora got into her cab.
Nora put the past 24 hours out of her mind and enjoyed her homecoming to the best of her ability. Matthew was particularly clingy and became cranky when Nora unintentionally ignored him. He made her stay with him for over an hour when he went upstairs to bed and cried when she tried to get up to leave. After all he had gone through with her missing and then her long days at court during her trial and now this case, she realized she wasn't being fair to him. She decided to wrap up the case as fast as she could and come home to him for good. Saying good bye on Tuesday morning was heartbreaking. She promised him a trip to Disney World when she came back which helped but the sadness in his eyes stayed with her during her whole trip back to Ralston.
Nora and Josh worked day and night
trying to sway the board members to veto the vote to stop the
school funding. A few seemed to be interested, and a few not.
Nora went to see Ronald McDonald once again asking him to settle
this ridiculous case out of court. It was his big chance to be
the hero and it wouldn't hurt when the next election came around.
He seemed to take in what she had said, but would not budge.
McD: The board is with me on this. It's a done deal.
Nora: We'll see about that!
When Nora returned to her hotel, a
man was waiting for her in the lobby. He was one of the board
members she had spoken to earlier. It turned out his son, who
had many run-ins with the law, was finally getting a break. The
manager at the rig had just signed his son on and he was in the
process of moving his wife and child to Ralston. The last thing
he wanted was for his son to have to give up this job in order
for their child to get an education.
Nora: So you've decided to vote against the closing?
Man: Better than that. I can ensure it doesn't close
Nora: Well, what have you got for me?
Man: I'm in construction. The company I work for has just been
given the contract to build on to 2 schools in Dover.
Nora: But the money hasn't been reallocated yet
Man: I know but I just found out something very interesting. I
always thought the manager of my company owned it. I overheard
a conversation in the office yesterday. It seems our illustrious
Mr McDonald owns the company. He wants the money from your school
to stay in Dover so that his construction company can do the work
needed to upgrade the schools.
Nora: Well My Oh My. That dirty little dog.
Man: Please don't tell any one that it was me who told you. I
need this job with the construction company.
Nora: Don't worry, I won't reveal my source. Thank you very much
for coming to see me. Thank you
Nora hightailed it over to the school
and flew into Josh's office.
Nora: We've got him! We've got McDonald
Josh: Whoa! What are you talking about?
Nora told Josh the whole story and the grin on his face widened
as her story went on.
Josh: Nora, you did it. You saved our jobs, you saved our school!
He took her in his arms and kissed her and this time she did not
pull away. He then stood back and realized she
wasn't running away so he took her in his arms again and kissed
her again.
Josh: Come home with me. Please?
Nora: Josh we have to work out how we're gonna handle this information
Josh: It can wait, but I'm not sure if I can. Come on, let's go
Nora: Josh, I can't.
Josh: What? What's your problem? I thought you like me
Nora: I do like you. I'm just not ready for that
Josh: I don't understand you. You were sure ready enough to jump
into bed with your ex. Or should I say have him jump into bed
with you.
Nora: What are you talking about? How do you know about...
Josh: I saw you. I was walking home that night and I looked up
at your room as I passed the hotel. You really should close the
curtains you know. It was quite a show.
Nora recoiled as if she had been slapped in the face. She was
so disappointed in him and in herself for believing that maybe
this was the man who could help her wash away her memories of
Bo. They quickly ended the meeting and Nora left, taking a long
walk before returning to her hotel.
Two days later she was notified of a board meeting which was about to take place that evening. She reluctantly called Josh and they set their plan in action. They arrived shortly after the meeting started and took seats in the back of the room. One of the board members brought up the Ralston school closing and Mr McD quickly dismissed the discussion saying that there was really nothing to talk about. Nora slowly walked up to the front of the room and started talking. Mr McD tried to stop her but to no avail. She told the whole story of why Mr McD was so gung ho on keeping the funds in Dover and then waited and watched as Mr McD stood up and quickly left the room. No fight, no argument. The board took a vote and then a spokesman ensured Nora that the school funding would not be touched. She thanked them and she and Josh left the building.
Arrangements were made for a school
meeting the next evening. Word had gotten around about some of
what had happened at the board meeting and the teachers and parents
were anxious to hear what this really meant. They were overjoyed
when they heard the whole story from Josh. He made it be known
that without Nora's help this would never have happened. They
cheered as she stood up to talk. She thanked them for all their
help and wished them many rewarding years to come at the school.
The meeting ended and Nora made her way to the door.
Josh: You leaving?
Nora: Yes. I want to pack up and then I can make an early start
tomorrow
Josh: I'm having a party at my house - I'm sure everyone would
like you to come.
Nora: I don't think so
Josh: Do it for them, please
Nora: Yea, ok but just for a few minutes
The party was going strong when Nora
arrived. She talked to many of the people before wandering outside
onto the deck. Once again the sight of the hot tub flooded her
with memories. Memories she just didn't know what to do with.
She was cold and was about to return inside when Josh joined her.
He obviously had too much to drink.
Josh: I really blew it didn't I?
Nora: You watched us - how disgusting is that?
Josh: You lead me on. You made me believe
Nora: I did nothing to lead you on
Josh pinned Nora against the wall and tried to kiss her. She tried
to fight him off but the harder she struggled the harder he held
her. She tried to call out but he covered her mouth with one hand
and the other ripped at her blouse. Her knee came up with all
the strength she could muster and he jumped back in agony. Nora
pulled her blouse together, ran back into the house for her coat
and as silence fell over the party she fled to her car.
She ran up to her room, locked the
door and the tears started to flow. She sat on her bed crying
- about what had just happened, and about Bo. It was all too much.
Later on, as she got up to take a shower her cell phone rang.
No one but her family and close friends had this number.
Nora: Hello
Bo: Hi Nora
Nora: Bo! What's happened? Is Matthew ok?
Bo: Matthew's fine. I needed to hear your voice. Tomorrow's the
anniversary of Drew's death.
To Be Continued
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