Dreams Of Fame
1.20 - Drunk Texting
A few years had passed since the court case, and everything had more or less returned to normal. Zoe was back to her post-hypnotism self, Liberty would spend days with Beatrice, but most of her time with Travis, and Summer, of course, was back to not even attempting to contain her bitter feelings towards Liberty and Travis. Giovanna, on the other hand, starting going over to Jo’s house a lot more frequently. Not that anyone in the house really noticed.
Summer had gone to visit Melody Roach’s Therapy Office shortly after witnessing Zoe’s regression to her old self during the court case. After all, Summer had payed for the hypnotherapy session with her own money.
“So, Melody,” Summer said, crossing her arms. “The old bitch Zoe I wanted to get rid of shows up way to frequently for my liking, and I payed you good money! And I get the feeling part of the reason you wanted to do the whole thing was because you wanted to meet the author of A Day in the Life of Granny.”
“I… I’ll be the first to admit it wasn’t the perfect session…” Melody said quietly.
“And why’s that?”
“I’d just learned the technique a few weeks before, well, if technique is even the proper term for what’s basically low level magic, but I… I needed the money, okay? I sold my yoga studio in Newcrest to come here, to Willow Creek, and follow my dream, but… nothing I did cut it.”
“Oh, spare me the sob story!” Summer said loudly, cutting Melody off. “I only came to you because the Kayla Brooks referenced your studio and dreams of being a therapist, and now I find that you couldn’t do the job?”
“Ms. Holiday, please-“
Summer shook her head. “Just tell me how me- and my whole family- can avoid old Zoe’s wrath. She becomes the nastiest woman.”
Eager to get Summer to leave her office, Melody spoke quickly. “From what I understand, Zoe’s… relapses are triggered by stressful events, like, that court case that was all over the news, for instance. If you keep Zoe away from anything stressful, you and your whole family will live a much more relaxed and peaceful life.”
Summer frowned, and stood up. “Well, alright. We’ll try. Thanks for nothing.”
She left the room.
“Bitch,” Melody said under her breath once Summer was gone.
Ever since then, everyone in the house worked hard to make sure Zoe stayed far away from anything that could be remotely stressful. They succeeded by making sure Zoe almost never left the house, spent most of her time writing with Giovanna, and that she always had enough coffee in the coffee pot. Zoe was finally tame. Tame enough that Giovanna started to spend a lot more time away, especially with Jo, without Zoe even batting an eyelash. It’s where she was the day Summer’s world came crashing down around her.
“Tell me, Giovanna,” Jo said, preparing the two of them some tea. “Are you ever going to try to marry again?”
“No,” Giovanna said simply.
“You’re husband must have been an incredible man,” Jo sighed, sitting down across from Giovanna at her dining room table, leaving the tea to brew in the kitchen. “You’re still young and have the time, but I can see you’re completely committed to honoring his memory.”
“He was… my husband,” Giovanna muttered.
“That he was,” Jo sighed, looking across the room to the mirror that sat over her side table, where she could see her now grey hair.
Jo had definitely been feeling old for, well, years, even before she’d made the move to Willow Creek. But now that she was grey, time seemed so much more limited. She wasn’t unsatisfied with her life and achievements, but there were times where she’d spend days wondering about how her life would have been different if she’d bothered to marry or even started seeking love to begin with.
“Have you met Amelia Brown, the woman who moved in with her kids a couple years back?” Jo asked, breaking the silence.
“Amelia! She brought cookies once! But Summer was drunk…” Giovanna said.
“She’s a kind woman,” Jo smiled. “But I’m not surprised she wanted to keep her family away from the likes of yours. No offense meant at all.”
“None taken!” Giovanna said cheerily.
Back at home, Summer looked on bitterly as Liberty and Travis flirted without restraint on the second floor balcony. If they’d seen her, she’d look like a crazy person, face practically glued to the cold glass of the window that looked out onto the balcony.
Summer wasn’t fond of the jealous, bitter person she’d become as of late. It was the primary reason she drank so much, despite the fact that everyone thought it was just because Travis had chosen Liberty over her.
She knew that if she was still on good terms with her mom, she would have told her that there was plenty of fish in the sea and she deserved much better than a geek like Travis. Her mom has been telling her that since she first developed her crush back in her high school days. But, sadly, her days as the popular high school cheerleader and the relationship with her mom were both gone now. Putting it simply, Summer knew she’d fucked up somewhere down the line. Luckily, that fact was easily forgotten with a few glasses of wine.
Summer was definitely aware that she’d developed a pretty serious drinking problem, but she wasn’t going to put any effort into stopping. Life was just a hell of a lot easier when she didn’t have to focus on it.
Outside on the balcony, Travis and Liberty talked, completely unaware that Summer was watching them.
“Are you going to be returning to space anytime soon?” Travis asked.
Liberty shook her head. “Rescuing Beatrice from whatever it was she was running from is more than enough of an adventure for me. Sure, it was a long time ago, but who knows what'd happen the second time? And plus, when I’m up in space, I’m not with you, Travis.”
“Oh, come on Liberty, shut up, you know I can’t deal with the mushy stuff!” Travis said, blushing furiously.
“And that’s just whats so sweet about it,” Liberty laughed. “You have got to be the only guy I’ve ever dated who gets embarrassed by me saying something that isn’t even remotely sexual!”
“And… that’s a good thing?”
“Yes, of course it is, Travis! You’re a sweet guy, and that is exactly what I’ve wanted! Guys like you would get eaten up and ruined by the likes of Summer, and the guys who usually come for me? Well, let’s just say they’re less than pleasant. You and me, Travis? We’re both geeky, I mean, we’re practically meant for each other. I just don’t know why it took us both so long to see it.”
“You know what?” Travis said, a slight smile on his face. “You’re right. Completely right.”
He got down on one knee.
“Travis…”
Summer’s eyes widened.
“I’ve, uh… I got this a while ago, I’ve… I’ve been carrying it in my pocket for the last couple months now, and now I’m rambling this isn’t what I’m supposed to be saying! Uh… Liberty Lee… Will you marry me?” Travis stammered.
Liberty smiled, tears in her eyes. “Of course I will, Travis! I’d be stupid not to!”
Travis climbed back up to his feet, and the two kissed.
Back inside, Summer turned slowly away from the window. She walked slowly towards the plush couch that sat near that window, and sank into it, defeated. She guessed… she guessed she’d been holding onto hope that eventually, Travis would come to his senses and see that she was the prettier one, she was the one he was meant to marry. But… every sign pointed towards Liberty being a better match for him. Summer wasn’t sure why she’d ignored the basic facts for such a long time, it was stupid of her to ever think she’d be better for Travis than Liberty.
Her own mother had seen the signs as early on as high school, and still, Summer had worked hard to make sure the woman would disown her and in the process give her the freedom to go off with Travis, the boy of her dreams. Liberty had it right. He was a sweet boy. A sweet boy she would have devoured, chewed up, and eventually left worse for wear. The geeky ones always had been Summer’s weakness, and if anything, her recent behavior only worked to prove that.
Summer sighed deeply and dragged herself off the couch and down the two flights of stairs to her bedroom. Once inside, the closed and locked the door, and allowed a brief sob to escape her throat.
She walked further into the room and reached for the beer she had on her bedside table. Sure, Summer was already pretty wasted, but in her opinion, another bottle would only help her. It was only once Summer had grabbed a bottle that she realized she needed a bottle opener. Looking around the room, she remembered having shoved one into the pocket of the jacket she was wearing at the moment. After rummaging through the pocket, she pulled out the opener. As she did so, a piece of paper fluttered to the floor from her pocket.
Summer opened the bottle, and after a long swig, reached down to the floor for the mysterious piece of paper. She started to read.
José Yépez
A Guitarist For Every Occasion
“Huh,” Summer muttered.
She remembered the guy. He was the one who’d come up to her at the Club Lounge and said he was always willing to talk. Summer had been pretty wasted at the time, so it made sense she’s forgotten about the business card until now. Sure was lucky she'd decided to put on the same jacket that day of all days.
Desperate for someone to talk to, Summer shakily punched José’s number into her phone.
I know it’s been awhile but I need someone to talk to more than ever. She typed, just with a high number of drunk typos.
The reply came quickly. I am sooo sorry, but who’s this?”
The girl from the club from almost a long time ago, might have been years, might have been months, but I haven’t been paying attention. Also, I’m so drunk right now. If you don’t remember me I’ll send a selfie just please talk to me I’m begging you.
Please send that selfie!
Summer did as he asked.
I feel awful for forgetting about you! José responded quickly. Go ahead, speak your mind. Don’t let me change the subject on you, man!
Okay, so, long story…