(Trudy)
After getting forced out of my son's apartment I went to get some air. A lot had happened so I need a breather. I was pretty sure I just killed my business. Calming down a bit I walked back up to my son's apartment and on my way I spotted Carl standing in front of the railing looking down at the multiple-story drop
"Carl?" I went over to him worried about what he might be thinking
"Oh, Trudy," he said turning to me. His eyes were red and puffy from all his crying
"Carl are you-"
"Am I what?" He asked before looking down then back at me
"No, I'm not wasn't thinking about that. Now that I think about it. I'm deadly afraid of heights" he said stepping away from the railing
"It's good that you aren't thinking about that"
"Trudy, did you really mean it?" he suddenly asked
"What?"
"About wishing that night never happened"
"Carlton we were both hurt and I might've gotten a little too excited when you called me beautiful. To be honest I needed to hear that because I was beginning to think I was unattractive. I mean why else would my husband leave me for my best friend"
"That can never be it. You are the most attractive person in town"
"Thank you, Carlton," I said
"But if you needed that why would you wish it never happened"
"Because I took advantage of you. I don't know if it was because of your change of physique but I couldn't see you as that little kid that ran around my yard. It was my mistake and it cost you your first time"
"So what's the big deal?" He questioned
"Carl, the first time in anyone's life is supposed to be a special moment you can look back fondly at. I regret that you won't be able to do that because of my self-indulgence"
"What could be more special than having an affair with your best friend's mom" he chuckled
"That's nice of you" I laughed
"Hey Trudy, do you think I really projected my feelings for Brittney unto you?"
"Yeah, but it's totally normal. She was your first girlfriend and she broke your heart. A wound like that takes a while to heal. So don't jump in another relationship because somewhere along the line you might turn into a sad man still pining over his ex and you might hurt a really good woman"
"Thanks, I'll keep that in mind," he said
"No problem"
"I should probably head home," he said
"Good night Carl," I said
"Good night, Mrs. Taylor" he respectfully said as he walked away leaving me with a smile as I continued to James's apartment to speak with him.
"Sophie, do you know where James is?"
"Probably in his room. Up the stairs last door down the hall to your right" she told me
"Thank you," I said following her instructions to his room
I walked in to see him laying down face first on his bed
"So this is your room. It's tidier than I expected"
"Why are you still here?" He asked not even bothering to look up
"I'm here to apologize"
"Well you did so you can leave now"
"I have something to say"
"I don't want to hear it" he sighed
"I know I'm partially responsible for what happened to the family but I want to fix Hugh's and my mistake. I'm hoping you would come to Thanksgiving"
"What?"
"I want to hold a huge Thanksgiving party. You could invite Betty-Ann and her mom. We use to go to the same college you know"
"I don't care so get out"
"James, would you at least think about it?" I pleaded
"Fine, I'll think about it," he said getting up and facing me
"Thank you" I smiled too early
"If you explain to me what you and Hugh were talking about in the alley"
"James" I frowned
"What? Can't do it then get out of my apartment"
"Fine" I sighed
"Well get on with it" he urged me to continue
"Fours years ago. Just before your dad-" I said before he glared at me
"...before Hugh went on his business trip he found out that I was...that I was...."
"Was what"
"I'm not proud of it. It was a mistake that definitely shouldn't have happened-"
"Spit it out already" he hurried
"The night before he was supposed to leave I wasn't home"
I had thought he wouldn't know since he had already left town for his camp
"Yeah, Hugh told me when I called. So where were you?"
"I was out with someone."
"Out?"
"Yes we went for dinner then we went back to the bakery"
"And?"
"We kissed," I said noticing his grip tighten on the bed
"Nothing else happened I swear. Hugh walked in and found us out" I said remembering the horribly made pie he had dropped when he saw us
"Who?"
"What?"
"Who were you kissing?" He gritted his teeth shaking with anger
"Ebenezer" I admitted after a moment of silence
"You've got to be freaking kidding me! Another one!" He furiously yelled
"James"
"Get out. Get out right now!"
"What about Thanksgiving?"
"You seriously want me to go? Fine get Dad to come and I'll be there" he said
"You can't be serious"
"Deadly. Now get the hell out I'm tired" he said before I sighed and walked out
"At least he agreed to come" I consoled myself as I went out to Jacob's apartment
I knocked on the door waiting for it to open
"What is it now Trudy," an angry Jake said opening the door
"Hey Jake I wanted to"
"Listen, Trudy, I'm not really in the mood to be talking to you right now"
"Are you saying you don't want to be friends with me because of what I did"
"No Trudy everyone makes mistakes."
"So what is it?"
"I was just thinking. I'm living with six kids right now. And to be honest I don't need another one in my life. Especially when I can't even find one of the six I already have"
"What's that suppose to mean?"
"I mean I can't be friends with someone who keys cars of people they don't like or pretend to have relationships just to get someone jealous. I don't have a problem with you sleeping with a teenager Trudy; I have a problem with you behaving like one"
"Jacob," I said stunned
"Good night Trudy," he said closing the door
I had nothing more to say. I could only stand there looking at the golden door. Looking to my right I surprisingly saw Rebecca standing there
"Rebecca," I said
"Hello there Mrs. Taylor" she smiled nervously at me
"Did you hear all of that?" I asked before she nodded
"You must think I'm really pathetic then?" I asked
"No, I think you were hurt," She said
"When I found out my sister and my boyfriend were sleeping with each other. I wanted to kill them and to be honest, I'd probably still feel that way if I saw them now. The feeling of being betrayed by the one you love most sucks. It's probably the worst feeling in the world" Rebecca said
"You know you're really wise for your age"
"Thank you but I can't take the credit. I learned that from you" she said with a smile
My mind flashed back to the night she told me about her relationship. I had indeed told her those words. Ironic that she would tell me the same words back to me
"I'm sorry," I said
"Huh?"
"I'm sorry I fired you. I shouldn't have done that"
"I shouldn't have interfered with your private life. You were my boss and that was inappropriate of me"
"No, you did the right thing. Who knows what might have happened had we continued"
"Still I shouldn't have told your son without speaking to you first"
"He would have found out. James's a pretty smart boy"
"Not smart enough to figure out about his dad. Or to figure out that prolonging this relationship with Betty-Ann will only hurt her" she said before I laughed
"It's all in good time. Sometimes it's best to leave people to their own choices and the consequences they might have" I said
"I guess," she said before Jason walked up to us
"Hey Rebecca I can't find Rose"
"Jason? What are you doing here?" I asked stopping beside Rebecca
"Oh," I said
"Hey Trudy" he smiled awkwardly
"Well, I'll leave you two alone."
"Okay"
"I'll see you two on Monday," I said
"You two?" they said looking at each other before looking at me
"Does that mean?" She asked before I nodded
"You're rehired and I'm increasing your pay...take it as my apologies"
"Trudy that's not necessary"
"I insist. Now don't let me interrupt your date" I said leaving
After leaving the Midnight Hotel I called a cab and headed back to the house.
But instead of coming off at my house, I stopped at Tasha's.
"Come on Trudy you can do this," I said attempting to knock on the door
"I don't know what you're so mad about" I heard Hugh's voice coming from down the street
"I'm mad because my boyfriend told me that he was jealous of his ex-wife who he's still yet to divorce," Tasha said angrily
"I wasn't jealous of him because of Trudy," he said before they noticed me
"What are you doing here?" Tasha gave me a dirty look
"I'm here to talk to Hugh" I ignored the dirty look
"About what?" Tasha glared
"I think you should go inside," Hugh said
"You think so?" She said glaring at him
"No, it's fine. She can hear this"
"What is it?"
"I'm inviting you to Thanksgiving"
"What?" He said
"This doesn't mean that I've forgiven you but it does mean I'll stop ruining myself for you. You don't deserve it. Anyways you can both come if you want" I said leaving not giving them a chance to say anything.
I crossed the dinner and when I went out my porch I saw a bouquet of roses on my bench
Taking them up I read the card attached to it
"To Trudy. There is no greater gift than a single perfect rose and you are more perfect than any rose. From Carl" I read smiling as I smelled the roses.
I then walked to the basement to get my gardening tools before planting those roses in front of the house