Dad's Day Out part 16
Nora has been gone a little over a week. Bo has missed her terribly. She's only called once and she talked to Rachel and Matthew. When Bo wasn't busy being a full time dad, he was worried sick over where Nora was and what she was doing. He was sad and lonely at night, but his days were full beyond belief. He and Matthew had gone to baseball games, a car rally, roller blading, picnics with Aunt Vicki and Matthew's favorite, horse back riding at Grandpa Asa's. Asa bought him his own yearling and hired the best trainer on the circuit to train the animal, while Bo taught Matthew the tips and tricks of becoming a cowboy par excellence. But his mind would always drift back to Nora. How he missed her.
Matthew: (trying to hang his saddle in the tac barn) When's mommy coming home?
Bo: (lifting the heavy gear and tossing it effortlessly on the pegs) soon champ...soon...
Matthew: Daddy?
Bo: (letting out a small groan as he hoisted more gear into
the shoulder high storage box) Yeah
buddy....what's up?
Matthew: I'm tired of eating out...can we just eat at home tonight?
Bo: (hearing the melancholy in his son voice) sure...sure...what should we have?
Matthew: I dunno...
Bo: Well, when you know, you tell me...
Father and son continue to clean the tac barn together when Bo's cell phone rings.
Bo: Buchanan....
Nora: Hey handsome...how are my boys?
Bo: Oh Red! Oh! (Bo sits back on a hay bail, sincerely shocked
at her call) Oh honey...I miss
you so much...oh Red...(he smiles off into the distance)
Nora: How's everything going?
Bo: We're great! (mouthing to Matthew "it's Mommy")
Matthew: MOMMY!!!! Lemme talk!! Lemme talk to her!!
Bo: Our son wants to speak to you...
Nora: I want to talk to him too! Don't let him hang up!
Bo hands Matthew the phone
Nora: Hey Matthew!
Matthew: Mommy!!! Mommy! Grandpa bought me a yearling! I named him Lotor but Grandpa said that wasn't a good yearling name so we roostered it for Matthew's Bold Stride and Grandma Renee said I could call him Lotor...when are you coming home mommy? I miss you and Daddy is teaching me to be a cowboy! I can ride Chestnut all by myself!!
Nora: Oh Matthew! I am so proud of you!! Are you being careful baby?
Matthew: (nodding as he answers) Yes Mommy..real careful...
Nora: Ok...I love you, I'll be home soon...
Matthew: k mommy, love you too...bye...(click. hands the phone back to Bo)
Bo: Red? Red? Oh!...damn it!
Matthew: Daddy's screwed!
Bo: Matthew!
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Nora hangs up the phone as Suzannah walks in.
Suzannah: Nora...you didn't call did you?
Nora: Yes, I did...there is no reason in the world why I cannot call my son!
Suzannah: Well, the fact that you break out into a cold sweat every time you hang up...
Nora: No cold sweat here...(showing Suzannah her arms) Alejandro
was right...all I have to do
is refocus my priorities and dealing with Matthew and his father
is a snap! (she snaps her finger
in Suzannah's face)
Suzannah: His father? Nor...what is going on here?
Nora: (getting ready to obviously go out somewhere) what? going on where?
Suzannah: Here (motioning to Nora's halter top and sarong wrap skirt) here...you...are you "dating" this Alejandro?
Nora: No...I am not "dating" him...I have Bo at home...how can I date some one when I have Bo?
Suzannah: I'm not going to pass judgment on you, but it looks like dating to me! You spend all your time with him...
Nora: Jealous?
Suzannah: That is way out of line for some one who was just a week ago crying her eyes out over how she couldn't bare to be away from her son or the love of her life...
Nora: Now who's out of line? Here you preach to me...
Suzannah: I do not preach!
Nora: (darting her sister a foul look as she puts on her jewelry) you PREACH to me about how I need to be away from them to recapture myself. So I can be comfortable with sharing myself with Bo, (making sure she emphasizes) as far as Matthew is concerned...and now you are going to scold me for having fun?
Suzannah: It just seems...
Nora: It just seems that unless you are in total control of me, you are not happy! I am meeting my friend... we are going to have dinner and then go dancing...if that meets your approval!
She opens the door to the suite and slams it shut. Suzannah calls their mother.
Suzannah: Momma? (her voice is very upset)
Selma: Suzannah! How is my favorite doctor patient combo holding up? Is your sister doing better?
Suzannah: Momma...I've done something horrible...Bo is going
to be furious with me Momma...
(she begins to weep)
Selma: Calm down chicken...tell me what happened...or let me talk to your sister...
Suzannah: Nora is out of control...she has met a man...
Selma: Met a man?? Good Lord Suzannah! (pausing) what about Bo?
Suzannah: She actually referred to him as "Matthew's father"
Selma: I told you...I said she should have worked this out with Bo...oy Suzannah...ok...let me talk to Len...I'll call you back...
Suzannah: Should I call Bo?
Selma: Not yet. Let me talk to Len...
Suzannah: Momma...I wanted her to become independent of her fears...I have created a monster...
Selma: Calm down...keep an eye on your sister.
Suzannah: ok Momma...I love you. I'm sorry.
Selma: I'll call you soon.
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Four days later found Bo at his wits end. He was out of his mind with worry over his precious Nora. No contact at all with her had driven him to the edge. He was trying dilligently to maintain a stable home for Matthew.
Rachel: (yelling to Bo as she entered the house) BO!!! Bo!!!
(Roy runs to her and jumps in her
arms) No Roy! I didn't call you!!! (looking around the house and
noticing the kitchen patio door
open) Bo!!
Bo: There she is!! The princess of the castle!!
Rachel: Bo...the house is disgusting! Are you going to let Matty destroy every room?
Bo: (looking around the room) Well, tomorrow will be cleaning day...what's got you so frazzled?
Rachel: I...I...This.....
Bo: Ok, I see your mom's frantic nature coming through...sit
down and take a deep breath...now..
what's wrong?
Rachel: Just...nothing. (breathing deeply and exhaling) I had a bad day and I need to talk and I drove up the drive and there are toys everywhere and I walk in and same thing. Bo, its like with out mom here...you and Matthew...(exasperated, plopping down on the couch and sitting on a small toy solider) never mind, it doesn't matter.(she throws the soldier across the room)
Bo: (sitting down next to her and putting his arm around
her shoulder) you know, a very smart
lady once told me that men are nothing more than bears with furniture...
Rachel: She was right...
Bo: And I love her for it...(kissing Rachel on the forehead) I'll fix it. (pausing) hear from your mom or your aunt lately?
Rachel: No...actually, I had a message from Grams...I'm gonna go up and give her a call.
Bo: You do that, and I will finish dinner, then Matt and
I will clean up this house. (he puts
his hand over his heart) scouts honor...tell Selma I said hi..
Rachel: Got it...(she heads upstairs)
Bo: (calling as she steps past the boxes for packing) Makin' burgers for dinner...
Rachel: Sounds good!
As Bo turns the phone rings...
Bo: (answering the phone) Hello...
Selma:(very droll and bland) Bo, its your mother-in-law Selma...
Bo: I love that voice! (overly sugary) What can I do for you today my dear?
Selma: Bo, its Nora...
Bo: (getting serious right away) Oh God. What happened?
Selma: Nothing happened, yet.
Bo: Selma, I love you, but I cant play games on this...not when Nora is involved...
Selma: That's good to hear. You have to go on a trip to
the Grand Bahamas Resort, and
as soon as possible.
Bo: Selma, what is going on with Nora?
Selma: Bo...she seems to be living la vida loca....
Bo: Wha??
Selma: Bo...Suzannah says she is living quite the single life...
Bo is speechless for a while.
Selma: Bo...Suzannah says that nothing has happened, its
just she seems to be keeping company
with a guest on the island and...
Bo: She...she left me? She went away with her sister so
Suzannah can help her through her hangs
ups and she finds her a man?? (he begins to raise his voice) What
the hell was Suzannah thinking??
Selma: Bo, she did not leave you. When she and Suzannah took off, the last thing, the only thing Nora worried and spoke of was you. How she wanted you to be going to that island with her. Now, I can speak for my daughter, and I will tell you that she is heart broken. I am sure she has no intentions of seeing other men, nor does she consider herself dating this man. She is trying to fill a void of being alone out there. Len and I want you to go there not to catch her, but to protect her from anyone who may want to take advantage of her weakened state. Your wife needs you Bo. I know technically you are not married, but no one sees any difference. We all consider you two married.
Bo: She's an adult. You mean to tell me she cannot control he inhbitions?
Selma: You see, I told Len...(pausing) Bo...she is very vulnerable. She is lonely, she wants to be with you and Suzannah, as much as she was trying to help, has ultimately placed her sister in a position of not figuring out her deep seated difficulties, but one of desperation to blank out loneliness...Bo, she needs you.
Bo: I her you Sel. (quiet for a few moments) where do I find them...
Selma gives Bo the information and he proceeds to have make plans for Asa's plane to fly him to the island. He fills Rachel in on what is going on and makes arrangements for her and Matthew to visit with Selma and Len in Chicago.
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Back at the island resort
Alejandro: So...(pouring Nora another glass of Sangria)
are we going to the island ball tonight?
(handing her the glass, he kisses her hand as she takes it from
him) I've only asked you every hour for the last two days...
Nora: Alejandro...
Alejandro: Now, now...I have told you...my closest friends call me Ro...
Nora: (sipping the drink) Ro...I don't think it would be
such a good idea...(drinking again)
my sister...she's upset with me as it is and I...I have a little
boy at home and I am supposed to
be down here...
Alejandro: I know, I know...to get used to your son's father
being in his and your life on a
permanent basis...(drinking his sangria and pouring himself another)
Nora...he is not here...you are, and you are much too beautiful
to sit alone in a room while all the others are down on the sand
dancing...you will miss everything...
Nora: Ro...
Alejandro: Would you feel better if you invited your sister with us?
Nora: Well...
Alejandro: Then it is settled... I will have two lovely island dresses sent up...masks and all
Nora: Really now... Ro... you don't
Alejandro: I insist...besides, I want a the advantage of knowing you at the ball before you know me!
Nora: A masquerade?
Alejandro: But of course! (taking her hand and kissing it
softly) Ah! lunch is here!
*************************************************
Suzannah is sitting her and Nora's suite working at her laptop. She finishes inputting some data when the darn thing shuts off...
Suzannah: Damn it! (she slams the cover down and goes to get a water out of the small refrigerator) I really should invest in a better model!
As she sits don again, the is an intense pounding on the door. It startles her and she runs over and opens it. Bo is standing outside, leaning against the door frame.
Bo: Where is she...(he walks in to the suite)
Suzannah: Glad you made it...
Bo: In case, my dear doctor, I wasn't clear enough...(speaking slowly) where...is...my...wife?
Suzannah: (just as slow) she...is...not...your...wife...
Bo: I think you are in no position to determine the relationship status of your sister and myself...(raising his voice) where is she!
Suzannah: She is having lunch...
Bo: No doubt with my replacement...(plopping down in the sofa) what the hell is going on Suzannah? Why is Nora...who a few weeks ago was planning another child with me, who has been putting the finishing touches on OUR new home...why is the love of my life DATING OTHER MEN???
Suzannah: I don't know Bo...I thought she was merely mingling
with other guests...but it seems the that they have become (she
winces her face and says quietly) an item...oh Bo...I an so sorry!
I really didn't mean...
They hear the door being unlocked and Suzannah hurries Bo into her room so Nora doesn't see him. She enters the room and appears very happy.
Suzannah looks up from her laptop that she has been pretending to type on...
Suzannah: Aren't you the picture of happiness...
Nora: We, my dear sister, have a date tonight!
Suzannah: What?
Nora: A date!
Suzannah: Nora, what have you done?
Nora: My friend Ro has invited us both to the costume island party tonight! I told him I wouldn't go alone with him...(she gives Suzannah a look like "take that!") so he has ordered us both costumes and he is taking us both! (she unties the strings of her sundress) I am going to take a shower.
Suzannah: Well, I ah....I ah...I have a date.
Nora: (holding her dress up and very surprised) Well...when did you have time to meet anyone? I mean you never leave the room!
Suzannah: Well, maybe if you paid me some attention and not spend every minute with "Ro" you'd know that I DID meet someone!
Nora: Well...good for you!
She heads to her room and then the shower. Meanwhile Suzannah goes to her room and finds Bo pacing.
Bo: You have a date? (extremely irritated) You have a date? What the hell is that supposed to mean? How are you going to watch her if you don't go with her?
Suzannah: I'm not going to watch her...you are...
Bo: Come again?
Suzannah: You are my date...its a costume ball, she'll never know its you...
Bo: I'll one better it... Find out what he's wearing...
Suzannah: Why?
Bo: Just do it!
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Nora readies herself for the ball. Ro sent up a beautiful island sarong in jade with white tropical lilies accenting it. It tied across her chest at her shoulder with a fresh lily corsage at the point were the fabric met. It also had a fresh tropical lily lei and matching hair pin. The mask with it was matching jade colored ostrich feathers and silver sequins around it. Nora stepped out of her bedroom and looked at herself in the mirrored panel door across the living room. Bo stood inside Suzannah's room, peering out through the tiny crack he had made opening the door. He got warm feeling in the pit of his stomach and smiled broadly as he stared at her admiring herself.
Nora: (looking towards Suzannah's room) are you ready slow poke?
Bo backed away from the door as she took a step towards it.
Nora: Suzannah!
Suzannah: (pushing Bo further into her room and opening the door a bit more) Hey...
Nora: We are going to be late...
Suzannah: My ah...date...(she looks back at Bo who's frowning)
is picking me up here...you go
ahead...I'll be there in a bit...
Nora: (seemingly happy) Oh...I wanted to see the dress Ro sent up for you...
Suzannah: It's ah...(looks at Bo who's holding up a yellow two piece island number. Suzannah opens her eyes wide at the provocative number Bo is holding up) yellow...and I think its meant for you!
Bo opens his eyes in protest at what Suzannah said. He mouths "no way!"
Nora: What do you mean?
Suzannah: Nothing...go, I'll meet up with you there in a while...
Nora: OK...but don't be too long...I may run off with Ro...(she lifts her eyebrow then breaks out laughing)
Suzannah: Not funny!
Nora: Just hurry!
Nora leaves for the ball and Suzannah throws Bo out so she can get ready. She emerges from the bedroom some time later in a yellow sarong style skirt with a matching bathing suit-type halter-top. It has large blaze orange tropical flowers all over it. There is a matching fresh flower lei and hair piece. The mask is also made up of blaze orange feathers, with black feathers and black sequins highlighting the outer edge of the mask. Build wise, she is almost the same size and shape as Nora. The bright orange flower in her dark brown hair is a lovely contrast, but Suzannah feels quite embarrassed.
Bo: (standing up from the couch) WOW!! Please believe me Suz...if you weren't Nora's sister and I didn't know what you were really like...hell, I take a chance with you tonight!
Suzannah: Well... I guess that could be a compliment...
She double-checks her outfit, stopping to fill Bo in on her intentions for the next few hours.
Suzannah: Ok...I will go down...find them at the ball, check out Alejandro's attire, rent you the same thing and be back in a flash so you can get ready. We’ll head down to the ball and then your part of the plan goes into effect.
Bo: I’ll be here…(knowing how to push her buttons) waiting, you hot babe.
Suzannah glares at him as he laughs hysterically at her reaction.
To be continued
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