Jessica Mullaney accepted that after her release from jail, she would not experience freedom. Instead, she would simply transfer from a jail with bars to a jail without. She accepted that the neighbors would gather at the street corner and whisper about her. She accepted that the press would harangue her day in and day out for interviews. She accepted that people she once called friends would cruelly snub her in public. Jessica referred to it as her ‘new thing.’ And, although it was a sad and lonely existence, Jessica simply didn’t care enough to make the effort to change it.
While Jessica’s friends worried about her acceptance of her identity as a pariah in their small southern hometown of Rock Hill, South Carolina, Jessica expressed no worries at all except over the state of her old home. In the year and a half since she had been in jail, her gardens had become overrun with weeds, she claimed. Plus, the local juvenile delinquents had vandalized nearly every room in her house.
So, the first week Jessica returned to her home, she spent copious amounts of money and endless hours outside in her yard, overhauling the once lush gardens. Come Friday evening, Gail Lawrence found Jessica sitting on her backyard terrace wall amidst a now beautiful garden that was barely visible in the fading twilight.
“Jess, we were expecting you for cocktails. I’ve been calling you for hours with no answer and I started to get worried.” Gail joined Jessica on the terrace wall facing Jessica’s home and admired the fall flowers that now graced the refurbished garden. Finally, she said, “I see that someone trampled your pansies out front.”
“Yep. It’s the third time this week. The stupid press keeps hounding me. Each reporter seems to think that only they can convince me to grant an exclusive interview. I had to call the cops twice today to remove them from my property.”
“Why don’t you come and stay at my house again, at least for a while.”
“Nah, I’ve got too many projects I need to do here.”
“Oh, honey, the last thing you need to do is stay here. You need a change of scenery … and I don’t just mean new plants. In fact, I think that the both of us could do with a serious change of scenery. This town is tough on formidable women, particularly unrepentant ones like us. Sometimes, I think we should give up the fight and leave.”
Jessica smiled sadly. While she shouldered the identity as the supposed murderess who dismembered the bodies of her husband and child and then disposed of their remains in a marsh, Gail had been branded as the mother of a murderer – her younger teenage son, while driving drunk, had killed his older brother plus their two good friends, and ended up as a paraplegic.
The backlash in the town had been vicious. Gail had been demonized as a parent more interested in her cocktails than her kids, thereby establishing the fate of her children through her own example. And, in the aftermath, Gail’s husband had walked away from their 25-year marriage and his responsibilities as a father, leaving Gail to pick up the pieces. Gail had simply turned her back on the talk and the town, and instead had proudly advocated for her son. She had remained his steadfast and loving caregiver until his recent death.
Jessica looked at Gail in sadness. “You’re probably right … this town has a lot of sad memories for both of us.”
“Which is exactly why we’re heading out tonight to listen to a blues band. Now, I demand that you get dressed and come out with me.”
And so began the cycle. Gail would drag a reluctant Jessica out to see a blues band every Friday night, and then Jessica would work the remainder of the week on some home improvement project that she would show off to Gail on the Friday prior to their night out. As the weeks passed and Jessica’s available home renovation projects dwindled, Gail began to worry about how Jessica would cope when the projects ran out and there were no more distractions to keep Jessica from facing her ‘new thing’ – a lonely life in a big house that held lots of bitter memories and surrounded by a community that seemingly hated her.
Gail arrived one Friday evening to find the house silent and no sign of Jessica. Gail searched every room in the house, marveling at Jessica’s coordinated renovation efforts now complete in every room. Finally, Gail headed outside where she found Jessica sitting on the first row of her garden terrace. She took a seat beside Jessica and followed Jessica’s line of vision aimed at the house. Every light was on and every blind was drawn. It unsettled Gail to realize that Jessica had been a voyeur of Gail’s every movement within the house only minutes before.
They sat in silence for a while and then Jessica said, “When I first saw you in there, I thought it was Ryan.” Gail reached over and grabbed Jessica’s hand to comfort her. Jessica then added, “I sometimes think that he’s never coming back.”
“Oh, Jess, don’t give up hope. Not now that you’re conviction has been overturned and you’re finally out of jail. Remember, DNA testing confirms that the child’s remains found in the marsh behind your old Seabrook Island condo don’t belong to Ryan.”
“You’re right. But, every time I walk through that now soulless house, I’m reminded of all my successes as a renovation queen and all my failings as a wife and mother.”
“Then sell it. You can move in with me. I’ll even let you renovate my house if it will make you happy.”
“I have a better idea. Let’s move to LA.”
“What? Are you crazy?”
“Nope. I got a job offer in LA … to write dialogue for screenplays. Plus, I got another offer to write a book … a home renovation book. I’ve found internet listings for several homes in Santa Monica, California, that would be the perfect basis for my book. And, you can live with me while you write your own life story. After all, where else could you write a blockbuster like the Life and Times of Gail Lawrence than in LA. Plus, you were the one who suggested we should leave this town.”
“Jess, LA is a pretty radical change from Rock Hill, South Carolina. Besides, Wild Bill lives in LA.”
“It’s a big town, Gail. And, I doubt we’ll be running in the same circles. You know, LA is so big, we’ll be anonymous. No one will ever know us and even if they did, they wouldn’t care, because there are so many more bizarre and memorable characters.”
Gail laughed at Jessica’s attempt at humor, and then said, “So, you’re serious about this.”
“I can’t stay here. It’s not a home anymore without Ryan in it.”
Gail patted Jessica’s hand. “I know what you mean.”
Jessica then looked at her friend and smiled sadly. They sat in silence for quite some time until Gail released Jessica’s hand and said, “You know, I think it’s time for the Gail Lawrence story to finally be written, and LA is the perfect place to write such an epic drama.”
**********
In the end, when the ‘for sale’ sign was planted deep in the yard, the neighbors came with their copies of A Hollywood Legend. Would you sign your book, they asked. But Jessica Mullaney said no, it was not her book anymore. But the neighbors did not understand and Jessica Mullaney refused to explain. She simply didn’t care enough to make the effort.
**********
As the self-admitted least famous of the Wilde boys, Rico Wilde had no misgivings over what life had handed him. While his youngest brother, Will, had the successful acting career as well as the title of Wild Bill, A Hollywood Legend, and his oldest brother, Warren, had the well earned reputation as a successful writer/director, Rico had his love of music, and that was good enough for him. Further, Rico continued to assert that through their 40 plus years of sibling rivalry, that he maintained the best physique of the Wilde boys; and, after all these years, his brothers no longer challenged Rico’s abilities to run, lift, or otherwise outdo them.
Granted, he didn’t have Will’s offers for starring roles or Warren’s offers to direct. Still, he worked steadily and had managed his money well so that he owned, in full, a home overlooking the Pacific Ocean. He had the freedom to pick and choose his roles, and to use his free time as he saw fit; and, unlike most 40 something men, he felt that he knew very well how to use it.
Thus, the Friday night prior to the big Wilde family gathering for July 4th, Rico Wilde organized a small covey of friends to listen to some musician friends who had just formed a blues playing quartet. He arrived at Harvelle’s Blues Club, a blues hot spot on 4th Street in Santa Monica, a little after 10:30 pm, and descended upon the only remaining table, unfortunately in the far back. He took a seat and ordered a beer while he waited for his friends and his recent love interest, a hand model with hands that were not only lovely, but that were soft and gentle, and, well…
As he lamented the fact that he was stuck in the back of the club, where the back speaker mounted in the corner would make conversation difficult, he began to check out his surroundings. The adjacent corner table was occupied by two women who shouted at one another to be heard. He never meant to eavesdrop. But with the speaker blaring in the corner and their yelling to converse, he really couldn’t help but hear.
“He is so hot.”
“He’s a good looking man, I’ll give you that. And, he can play the bass.”
“Ooh, I hope that he can play me that well.”
“Maybe I should let him borrow my pick.”
The women then laughed and he glanced back to get a better view of the speakers. The woman with the ‘hots’ was a compact black-haired beauty, probably in her mid-fifties, with a feisty Greek tetchy way to her. She spoke like a woman who knew her mind. And, although older than him by 10 or more years, he couldn’t help but find her immensely attractive. As for the other woman, she was seated almost directly behind him and he had caught only a glimpse of her face in the shadows of silky black hair that he recognized immediately as a wig. In his mind, they became the Greek Goddess and the Shadow Woman.
“I’m going over when the set is over,” said the Greek Goddess.
“You go girl,” Shadow Woman urged.
And, as the set ended, the Greek Goddess sidled over to the band, and struck up a conversation with the bass player, who was unfamiliar to Rico. Meanwhile, the Shadow Woman pulled her friend’s chair around and stretched her legs out across the unused seat. His second glance back made him snort with derision – Shadow Woman was actually wearing beat up Birkenstocks with socks, no less. He rolled his eyes as he wondered what type of woman would come out to a bar on a Friday night dressed in sandals with socks.
He waved for the waitress to order another beer and hoped his friends would soon arrive. Meanwhile, his imagination worked overtime about the Shadow Woman and her ridiculous socks and sandals until finally he was compelled to glance back again. This time, the socks and sandals were secondary as he absorbed the full picture of her sinewy legs, extended almost endlessly to the chair beyond.
“God damn,” he gaped.
“Excuse me,” the waitress asked as she placed another beer before him. Then, Rico’s friends entered the bar and he waved at them, now distracted from his thoughts of the Shadow Woman with the divine legs.
Rico had to admit that he chose his women well. Albeit a bleach blonde, the hand model was a perfect size four and her lips were made for passionate encounters. He kissed her cheek in greeting, and then pulled her body close to his. His entire countenance was jazzed for her embrace, but she simply leaned in, patted his back, and then separated from him to sit in a nearby chair. His tensed body collapsed and he dejectedly took a seat while he tried to decipher his date’s seemingly unenthusiastic greeting.
Still in his disappointed state, Rico leaned in to hear his group’s chatter. However, quickly finding it inconsequential he reclined back in his chair, now almost back to back with the Shadow Woman. He sat for a moment and thought about saying something to her. But, before he could make his decision, the waitress approached her table.
“Miss, the gentleman at that table sends this drink along with his compliments.” The waitress then placed a Sierra Nevada Pale Ale on the table in front of the woman.
The woman made a funny noise, somewhere between a snort and a laugh, and then said, “Tell the gentleman I appreciate his gesture, but I’ll buy my own drinks.” She then placed the beer back on the waitress’ tray and the waitress walked away. Shadow Woman then extended her left hand out and twirled her wedding ring at the proposed drink-buyer.
‘One point for Shadow Woman,’ he thought in his head as he almost laughed out loud.
It was then that the Greek Goddess returned. “I’m … going … to get … lucky,” the woman said, as she approached, snapping her fingers in between each phrase.
“He’s going to get lucky,” Shadow Woman replied. “You’re going to get laid.”
“Amen to that.”
“Thank you, Jesus.”
They then raised their respective beers in toast, and the Greek Goddess came over and hugged her friend. She also jostled Rico. Frankly, he didn’t care. He had already decided that the pair of them were far more interesting, at the moment, than his date, his friends or the band.
“Now, Gail, I respect your needs, so do what you must. But, remember, this is LA. So, call me regularly and make sure you take your medication. It would be a sorry thing to die just when you’re at your best.”
“Yeah, but what a way to go.”
“Oh, yeah, baby. All the sudden you’d be in orgasmic euphoria. YES, YES, and then phftt. Dead. I’ll tell you, if I could choose the manner in which I go…”
“Amen to that.
“Thank you, Jesus.”
They clinked their beers again and drank deeply. The Greek Goddess, who he now knew as Gail, continued to stand alongside the Shadow Woman, with her arm draped along her friend’s shoulders.
“You know, Gail, if you buy it tonight, your little bass player will never be the same.”
“I don’t know,” Gail said. “He’d probably make the best of it. Maybe he’d tell the next groupie – yo, the last woman I was with … I fucked her to death.”
“Ugh, Gail. He should be able to come up with something better than that. How about, ‘the last woman I was with had a life changing experience.’”
“I like that one. How about, ‘I take women into the next dimension.’”
“Oh, I like that one. In fact, I’d like to be taken to the next dimension.”
“Amen to that.”
“Thank you, Jesus.”
Finally, Gail said, “We’re heading out to another bar after this. Come with us Jessica. It should be fun.”
“No thanks. It’s already well after my bed time. Besides, you need some alone time with Sting over there to ‘bring on the night’ and I’ll only get in the way.”
“Oh, you won’t be in the way. You see the drummer over there. His name is Ben. He says if I can convince you to go, he’ll go too.”
Rico heard the Shadow Woman, who he now knew was named Jessica, laugh and then Gail continued, “Jessica, come on. Look at him. He’s a fine physical specimen. He probably could go all night and all day… and then all night again.”
Jessica laughed again and said, “Now that’s tempting … to go all night and all day and all night again; in fact, I’d be willing to give that a try if ONLY, when you went to the store today, you had remembered to pick up the AAA batteries for my dildo.”
Unfortunately, as Jessica let go with her dildo comment, Rico had taken a deep drink. The next moment, he found himself choking as he erupted into laughter and then coughed to regain control.
“Busted,” pronounced Gail, as she patted him on the back while he tried to stop hacking. But, before he could recover enough to apologize for eavesdropping, Gail continued, “See Jessica, even this man is gagging over the thought of you wasting away without a good fucking.”
“Oh my God, Gail, you are indecent. Stop harassing this poor man. He’s blushing up a storm.” He felt Jessica remove Gail’s hands from his back and he felt her hand on his shoulder as she whispered, “I wish I could apologize for my friend, but she is simply amazing so I really can’t. Besides, you really shouldn’t be eavesdropping.”
Luckily, the music started and Gail, the Greek Goddess, took her chair opposite Jessica, the Shadow Woman.
In retrospect, Rico realized that he had never thought twice about the fact that the Shadow Woman was named Jessica or that she drank Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. As the band began to play, his hand model girlfriend began to gently stroke his thigh, and he was distracted from any further thoughts of Gail or Jessica.
Twenty minutes later, however, his girlfriend had changed places, as she claimed that the music in the corner was too loud. Rico found himself again reclining in the corner, eavesdropping amidst an argument amongst the girls.
“Oh for God’s sake, Jessica. You never go out unless I drag you. Home Depot and the supermarket don’t count. And, Sunday’s at the Church of the Nazarene in Santa Monica and the old folk’s retirement home in Santa Barbara don’t count either.”
“What’s your point?”
“How long has it been? Three years? Four? What the hell are you waiting for? You are a beautiful woman with needs. Needs that can’t be fulfilled with AAA batteries.”
“Gail, I love you. I truly do. But, I have no interest whatsoever in going out tonight for the sole purpose of having ‘my pipes cleaned,’ as you put it. I mean what’s the point?”
“Jessica, you’re killing me here. Don’t you think I saw that man trying to buy you that drink? And, what did you do – you twirled that wedding ring at him. I mean … my God, Jess … every time you leave the house – EVERY TIME – you put on that stupid wedding ring. You’re not married anymore, Jess. Don’t you get it?”
“Well … technically, Gail, I am still married. Although my husband has been missing for three and a half years, the law says that my husband has to be missing for 7 years before I can declare him legally dead.”
Rico then heard several loud bangs, which caused him to turn in alarm as he witnessed Gail banging her head repeatedly on the table. Finally, she stopped to say, “Jessica, you’ve got to stop this.”
He saw that the older woman sat with tears in her eyes and waited for the younger woman to reply. Finally, he heard Jessica saying, “I can’t Gail. I can’t. I don’t wear this ring for Patrick. I wear it … I wear it so I don’t give up hope. If Patrick is alive out there, then my son is alive too. I have to believe that, someday, Ryan will come home. I have to believe, Gail, because I don’t want to go on if Ryan’s not coming back.”
Prior to that exact moment, as he eavesdropped on the conversation of supposed strangers sitting in a random bar, Rico Wilde thought that he had seen and heard just about everything. Rico had lived a privileged life, he knew. His life’s experiences had afforded him the opportunity to do just about everything once – and the good things at least twice – and he had been in some really wild situations. But, he had never, NEVER come unhinged. That was his role in the Wilde clan … he was the cool-headed one.
Yet, here he sat in a random bar on a random Friday night. And, as he eavesdropped on a random conversation, of all people that it would happen to be, he realized it was Jessica Mullaney, supposed obsessed stalker of his brother, supposed murderess of her husband and child and well publicized enemy of the Wilde clan. And, while he felt a wild panic after realizing that the Shadow Woman was actually Jessica Mullaney, the words she had spoken stirred his very soul.
He heard the movement behind him as Gail stepped out of her chair and walked around the table. Again she bumped him as she hugged Jessica. She then whispered loudly enough for him to hear, “I am so sorry.”
He glanced back to see that they both clung to one another while their tears fell, unnoticed, on the black floor below.
Rico Wilde sat quietly in a state near to shock. He felt that he should have been filled with feelings of panic and anger and rage; but, he couldn’t help but suck in his breath as tears also started to fill his eyes. It must have been his sudden intake in breath that made his friends take notice, because the next moment, one of his friends exclaimed, “What’s the matter?”
So, Rico collected himself and whispered, “Nothing. I’m OK,” as he leaned in toward his friends.
Meanwhile, oblivious to Rico Wilde’s reaction, the friends clung to one another for quite some time until Gail finally said, “Let’s head over to Caffe Bellagio and grab a coffee. Maybe it’s best if we just head home tonight and I save myself for another night.”
Jessica didn’t argue. She left sufficient cash to cover their bill and then followed her friend out onto 4th Street.
Rico Wilde watched as Jessica Mullaney exited the establishment, and then rose to his feet and exclaimed, “Jesus Christ.”
The hand model rose also, “What’s wrong, Rico?”
“That was Jessica Mullaney.”
A member of his group exclaimed, “You’re kidding!”
Still another said, “Are you sure?”
But he ignored them and walked halfway to the exit before he felt the hand model clinging to him. “Let’s follow her,” she said excitedly.
So, the girls in the group enthusiastically came with him and the guys remained behind to pay the bill. He literally fell out on the street with the giggling girls and the beautiful hand model grasping his arm. Ahead, he watched as Jessica Mullaney and her friend turned onto Santa Monica Boulevard, which they then followed towards the Third Street Promenade. He couldn’t be sure whether the girls hastened him along or he them, but they arrived at 3rd Street just in time to see Jessica and her friend duck into the Caffe Bellagio.
He then watched from a nearby window, amidst the girls’ giggling, as Jessica and her friend ordered and then took their seats inside. Then, he stepped to the side, caught up in the moment of following Jessica but believing that they should have some strategy before proceeding. His seriousness was lost on the giggling girls. Ultimately, one suggested that he buy drinks while they go sit behind Jessica to listen in on her conversation. He then found himself being pulled into the restaurant by the group of girls that he was having an ever serious time communicating to.
Rico headed for the counter and the girls headed for the table immediately behind Jessica. However, as he started to order, he realized that he had no idea what each of them wanted. So, he turned toward their table and tried desperately not to look directly at Jessica Mullaney. He couldn’t help but notice that her legs were again propped up on a chair. And, for just a moment, he wondered just how far up those legs went, which brought a smile to his face.
**********
It was funny. Amidst the hustle and bustle of the Third Street Promenade’s outdoor mall and its lively street performers, things no longer seemed so dismal to Jessica. So, she ordered a non-caffeinated drink and then sat down inside the Caffe Bellagio with her friend Gail while they both regained their composure.
As Jessica Mullaney sat watching the crowds pass, she wondered what in the hell life planned to throw at her next. She had once been a mom and a wife and had led a quiet life in the suburbs of Rock Hill, South Carolina. She had convinced herself that her life was good, despite the fact that it wasn’t and despite the fact that her life had become more and more difficult to cope with the longer she stayed without a job. Then, she had made the mistake of writing about it and had incorporated this incredible fantasy involving Will Wilde, A Hollywood Legend, which would somehow make her life right.
Unfortunately, it hadn’t turned out that way. Her husband and son had disappeared and she had been convicted of murdering them both until DNA evidence had exonerated her. As for Will Wilde, he went on record stating that he still considered her a murderess, regardless of her overturned convictions.
Meanwhile, fueled by her controversial trial and imprisonment, her book’s sales had soared. After being released from prison on what the police referred to as a technicality, Jessica had returned to Rock Hill, South Carolina, a multi-millionaire, with no husband, no son and lots of bitter memories.
It was her friend Gail, who had her own bad memories from Rock Hill, who first suggested to Jessica that a change would do them both good. So, when a job offer materialized in LA, Jessica suggested that they both pick up and go. And, so they did.
As far as Jessica Mullaney was concerned, Gail Lawrence was the shit. Gail was beautiful, adventurous and unafraid of her sexuality – all of the things that Jessica wished she could be, but wasn’t. It was Gail that dragged Jessica out week after week to see the sights of Los Angeles. It was Gail that harangued Jessica endlessly to move on. It was Gail that breathed life into Jessica’s flat existence. Jessica, meanwhile, felt that she had nothing to offer Gail besides warnings to live life more safely and reminders to take her medication.
As Jessica Mullaney pondered the evolution of her life that led to this disappointing night, she couldn’t help but apologize over and over for messing up Gail’s chances with the good looking bass player. Gail, however, wasn’t worried.
“Oh, forget that fish, Jess. Honestly, that man is on Viagra 24-7. The next time I see him, he’ll be just as horny as he is now. As long as he throws in an expensive dinner, he can have me. After all, I’m no cheap date.”
Jessica laughed along with Gail over Gail’s comment. Then, she stopped as she recognized the group of girls that traipsed into the café. Gail followed Jessica’s eyes and saw the girls and the man that followed. Gail smiled a tart little smile, and commented, “Well if it isn’t the tall, dark and handsome eavesdropper. Maybe he’s come to sniff around you a little more, mamacita.”
Jessica ignored the comment as she sipped her drink and focused her eyes on her napkin. The group of girls came over and loudly plopped themselves down at a table behind Jessica. Irritated, Jessica looked up at the same moment that Rico Wilde smiled. In that instant, Jessica recognized the wickedly handsome grin from Mr. Tall, Dark and Handsome, and panicked.
“Gail, we need to go. NOW!”
“Jess?”
However, Jessica rose and Gail knew better than to ask questions. Jessica gripped Gail by the shoulder and, without a backward glance, guided her quickly out the door. They hastened down the Third Street Promenade and were nearly to the passageway leading to the 4th Street parking garage before Gail finally asked, “Jess, what’s wrong.”
“It was him.” Jessica said, and Gail turned back to see Mr. Tall, Dark and Handsome as he stood alone in the middle of the Third Street Promenade and watched them make their escape.
“Him who?”
“Rico Wilde, from the book – Will Wilde’s brother,” Jessica replied, and she then pressed her friend to move even faster.
**********
Rico Wilde was confused. He watched as Jessica Mullaney hurried away and dragged her beloved friend with her. He felt safe in concluding that Jessica had recognized him finally. But, as he stood unmoving amongst the masses passing along the Third Street Promenade, he couldn’t understand why Jessica Mullaney, stalker/murderess/ex-prison inmate, seemed to be more afraid of him than he was of her. Puzzled, Rico returned to join his group of friends to discuss Jessica Mullaney until the wee hours of the night.