Fan Fiction |
by Sensitivegal
Still clutching his forehead, Edison blindly stepped forward. One foot landed in the copper bowl. It must be a dog dish, Charlene realized at that very moment. He slipped. It clattered off the step. He stumbled down. Knocking his elbow on the stoop. Banging his into the stone path. Twisting his wrist at an odd angle as he went to break the fall.
Charlene cried out as if feeling his pain. But Edison didn’t as much as yelp. She rushed to his side. ‘Are you all right?’ She got down on all fours.
What a stupid question to ask, Edison thought. Of course he wasn’t all right.
He winced. He swallowed deeply, lifting his arm off the ground. He opened and closed his fist tentatively. ‘You know, you were the one who was supposed to be the fall guy, not me,’ he complained under his breath.
Charlene was mortified. ‘I just did the first thing that came to me. I completely forgot about the low door.’ She reached out and feebly turned the bowl upright and patted Edison’s wet pant leg.
Sandra came and stood there, looking down critically. She held another business card in her hand. ‘Here’s the name of a local orthopaedist. The way you two are going, you’re going to need it a lot more than an architect.’
Charlene looked up and opened her mouth to speak.
Sandra cut her off. ‘Yes, yes, I know,’ she said impatiently. ‘You’re just the receptionist.’
*****
‘I’m happy to call the number of the doctor that Sandra gave us.’
‘Don’t be ridiculous.’ Despite Charlene’s protests, he had insisted on driving the car to Grantham where they parked on a side street and went into a three- story office building. On the second floor, Edison opened the door with the sign Chow and Reis, Attorneys-At-Law. Charlene had this sinking feeling she was being hit with a lawsuit. Maybe that accounted for his silence on the drive here – he was figuring out how to build up a case.
‘Is Jay or Selina here?’ he asked the middle aged woman sitting at the desk in the small reception area.
‘Hello, Mr. Chen. Jay’s out with a client, but Selina is in her office. I’ll just ring you through.’
The door to an inner office opened within seconds, and a no-nonsense – looking woman in a black pant suit and broad shoulders walked out. She looked at the bump blossoming on Edison’s forehead. ‘Gee, Edison, did you get that on or off the ice?’ She stood to the side and let them pass through into her office.
‘Good to see you too, Selina. Selina Reis, Charlene Choi.’ Edison limped into the office and made the introductions with a wave of a hand – the one not clutching his forehead. He heaved one foot over the leather cushions, letting the other rest to the floor.
‘Hi,’ Charlene nodded. ‘Actually, I did it,’ she confessed.
Selina blinked. ‘I’m impressed. I’m not sure that I would have taken on Edison. You’re obviously special. Have a seat.’ She motioned to one of the arm chairs. She sat in the other, so they were all on the same side of the desk.
‘I’m just the receptionist.’ Charlene sat and rested the purse on her lap.
‘That what she tells everyone.’ Edison shrugged his shoulders knowingly.
‘Is that what they call it now?’ Selina turned sideways to look at him.
‘But I am the receptionist,’ Charlene protested.
Edison directed his attention to Charlene. ‘Selina and I go back a long way,’ he explained.
Charlene wondered how long and in what capacity.
‘So, to what do I owe the pleasure of your company?’
‘I was house hunting.’
‘Anything promising?’
‘Actually, I found a great old place along the canal.’
‘Fantastic. ‘I’ll be able to pester you on regular basis.’
Charlene found herself studying the two of them, looking for a little signs of sexual awareness – a knowledge wink, little causal touches here and there. Subtle things, like brands on their forehead that said, ‘we slept together X number of times.’
Edison sighed. ‘She thinks because she’s my best friend’s wife, she has the license to give me advice.’
Charlene relaxed her jaws. Se hadn’t realized that she had been clutching it.
‘I don’t? Jay assured me it went with the engagement ring.’ She looked back at Charlene. ‘Jay is my husband and law partner. And it is a nice engagement ring, don’t you think?’ She held her hand out.
Charlene leaned over and looked at the tasteful antique setting of tiny pearls and diamonds. ‘That’s nice. Very fine but understated. It doesn’t scream, ‘I’m high maintenance gal.’’ It was much nicer than Sandra’s trophy ring. ‘Is it an heirloom?’ She looked up.
‘Yes, it was my husband’s grandmother’s, as a matter of fact.’ She studied it herself. Smiling, she placed her hand on her lap. ‘I’m impressed. She has good taste, too. Not your usual type at all,’ she said to Edison.
‘He has a usual type?’ Charlene asked.
‘You know, arm candy. Definitely high maintenance.’
‘That’s right, talk about me as if I weren’t here,’ Edison said from the couch.
Charlene did just that. She leaned conspiratorially to Selina. ‘That’s very interesting. I figured that was the case. You see, Edison had told me that I have already fulfilled five of the requirements that he has for a perfect wife, and denies that it’s all a farce.’
Selina looked dubiously at Edison. ‘Five, huh? And I thought you only had three. Thirty-six, twenty-four, thirty-six.’
Charlene leaned back. ‘Well, that let’s me out. Thank God I’m only the receptionist, or I’ll be concerned.’ She laughed.
No one else did.
‘She says that a lot, doesn’t she?’ Selina said to Edison.
‘Says what?’ Charlene asked.
‘You noticed?’ Edison responded. He looked at Charlene and shook his head.
‘Hmm,’ Selina studied Charlene, then Edison. Then Charlene again.
‘What?’ Charlene asked, confused.
Selina pressed her palms to her thighs and stood up. ‘You know, I think it’s time for me to get some ice for that bump on your head and leave you two together.’ She left the room, the door shutting behind her,
Charlene looked at Edison. ‘Was it something I said?’
Edison thought for a moment. ‘In a way.’
‘Care to elaborate?’
‘Not really.’ He rubbed the back of his neck with his hand.
Charlene pondered the elliptical response. Maybe she had misjudged the relationship between Edison and Selina. They had the definite conversation shorthand of long-time acquaintances, nut everything – their mannerisms, the fact that she was married to his best friend – suggested they were and had always been strictly platonic friends. ‘You know, I was wandering at first if you and Selina had ever had been an item, but then I decided that wasn’t the case,’ she said out loud for confirmation.
Edison raised an eyebrow. ‘Fishing for an answer? Perhaps jealous?’
Charlene gasped. ‘Me jealous?’ she repeated. But it didn’t come as an exclamation as it should have. It came out as a question to herself.
‘Charlene,’ Edison whispered. He sat up.
Charlene quickly stood up and looked away. She walked to the photos hung up on the wall.
‘Charlene,’ Edison repeated.
She turned at his command but he couldn’t tell how she was feeling. He knew she was bottling up her emotion. ‘What?’
He opened his mouth to say that he couldn’t take her denying her feelings. Only to stop himself. He saw the glint of desperation in her eyes. He saw the sadness.
He shook his head. ‘Nothing.’