Tragic Love Friday

OMG, I am so glad this week is over. Work is climaxing in regards to story load, but at least the end is near. Luke spent two days this week out of town and will embark on another excursion next Tuesday, a day trip to South Carolina, and works late hours himself in between. Our little four-foot tree was assembled over the weekend but as of today is still naked, its ornamental dressings tucked neatly away in tupperware bins currently camping out under the breakfast bar, and I haven't watched All My Children since the first of the month, which means I've missed all the drama surrounding Simone's death and most of the hype over daytime television's first transgender character, neither of which I'm losing any sleep over, seeing as Simone's been pigeon-holed into a slutty businesswoman stereotype for the last two years and the transgender guy is played by an actor who guest starred on the show a few months back as a mega-bucks recording artist named Zarf who read fortunes from tea leaves and framed his eyes with liner as a throwback to Ricky Vasquez from My So-Called Life. The guy was annoying enough in a temporary role; why couldn't they give this potentially ground-breaking storyline to a character already on the canvas?

Plus, it's barely 10:30 and I've already eaten my lunch.

Sometimes Tragic Love Friday is the only thing keeping me from ripping off my own earlobes.

Along that vein, can I just say your comments on these entries will go down in history as my absolute favorite? I so appreciate you patronizing me as I relive my obsession with these imaginary people, people I know so well I could swear I see them shopping in Super Target for flank steak and margarine tubs. To date this series (yes, series, there's a sequel, aren't you lucky?) is still the most significant writing project I've ever tackled, a writing project I'm extremely proud of, even with all its flaws, even though the plot is no better than the most predictable Harlequin romance novel. You guys rock for making my fourteen-year-old self feel so damn special.

But enough with the emotional sentiments. We have a one-night stand to resolve.

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CHAPTER THREE - KAYLA (CONTINUED)

When I woke up, he was gone. It wasn't even light out yet, and the fire had gone out long ago.

I slowly put on my shirt and robe, and then I ran upstairs to my room. I crawled into bed and then the tears began to fall. I pressed my face into my pillow and sobbed, my whole body shaking. I remembered the sincerity in his voice when David told me he loved me.

"I love you, too," I whispered.

Eventually I cried myself into a dreamless sleep.

[Don't feel bad, Kayla. My first time sucked, too. It was the summer before I left for college, with Nick, The Boyfriend Who Went Three Weeks Without Calling, the guy I couldn't seem to keep away from. Afterwards he walked me home and hung out for exactly ten minutes before he made some lame excuse about having to get up early the next morning even though he was unemployed. I remember sitting on our deck outside, holding my stomach and sobbing, praying to God Nick would come back and just sit with me a while, not to talk, but to remind me I wasn't alone, reassure me I hadn't made a mistake. That night I felt so alone.]

[Way to bring down Tragic Love Friday, Frema. Could I BE any more cheerful? Jeez.]

* * *

"Kayla? Kayla, honey, get up."

I opened my eyes. My mother was shaking me. "What time is it?"

"Almost 1:00." She put a hand on my forehead. "Are you feelin' OK? You're so pale."

I sat up. "I'm fine."

"Cassie just called. That's why I came up. She said she'd be stopping over in a while. If you're hungry, your dad just bought ham. We're going out for a while now. Will you be OK?" I nodded, and she left me alone. I heard the front door slam a few minutes later.

I climbed out of bed and stared into the mirror. Mom was right. My normal peaches-and-cream complexion was now pale, and my eyes were bloodshot from crying. [And her mother thought she was fine? What the hell was she smoking? Also, since when does sexual intercourse result in cause for dermatological concern?] "I look like a ghost," I said to myself.

After taking a shower and putting on some make up, I looked a little better. Maybe when Cassie came over, she wouldn't notice that something was wrong.

Fat chance. When she came over an hour later, she took one look at my face and asked, "What happened?"

"Nothing."

"You're lying to me. If you don't want to talk about it, then say so."

"Cassie, I don't want to talk about it."

"Fine. Wanna go see a movie? We can go see 'ACE VENTURA, PET DETECTIVE' at the dollar cinema."

[How sad is it that the only film I could think to advertise in my story was one that highlighted Jim Carrey talking with his ass cheeks?]

I smiled. [See, even Kayla's laughing at me now.] "Sure." I knew she wouldn't push me to say what's wrong. She knew I'd tell her when I was ready.

At the theater, I couldn't focus on the movie. I kept having flashbacks of the night before. By the time the movie was over, I was crying. People were giving me strange looks. Cassie took me outside. "What's going on? Why were you crying?"

"The - the movie was just so sad," I lied. She gave me a 'Kayla-you're-looney look. "Kayla, 'ACE VENTURA' is a comedy." [I'm thinking the ass-cheek bit tipped her off.] She folded her arms. "Now what is wrong?"

"Oh Cassie!" I started to cry and hiccup at the same time. My friend crushed me in a hug. "Talk to me, girl!"

I shook my head. "I can't. Not yet. I'll tell you when it doesn't hurt so much."

She nodded. "Just tell me: does it have anything to do with my brother?"

"Yes." She nodded again. "It figures. I bet that he'll come around soon, Kay. He can't be too serious about Jenna." [They're only ENGAGED TO BE MARRIED.]

"You're right," I answered sarcastically. "He got her pregnant because he had nothing better to do."

"It was probably a one-time thing." [I think Cassie's in a deeper state of denial than Kayla is.]

"No," I stated firmly. "David wouldn't use anyone." Last night came to mind. I blushed.

Cassie laughed and ran her fingers through her short dark brown hair. [I always pictured Cassie as a Jo look-alike from Melrose Place, and now you can, too!] "My brother's not a saint, Kayla. Believe me!"

"I know, but he's a good person." She hugged me again. "Yeah, but he makes mistakes. His biggest one was leaving you. Jenna will ruin him."

Silently, I vowed to save David from the clutches of Jenna.

He loved me better anyway.

[Yes, Kayla. He love you long time. For about eight minutes.]

* * *

David called me later that night. I knew what he would say to me before he said it. [More psychic abilities! That's the third character so far.] "Kayla, about last night--"

"Please don't say you're sorry," I interrupted. "I'm not."

"I'm not either. But...Jenna has my child, and I do love her. I can't leave her. Not now."

"I wont hold you to anything you did or said last night. I know you were drunk," I said softly.

"I wasn't that drunk. [Except for when you were so very, very drunk.] When I said I loved you, I meant every word. But I can't leave Jenna. She needs me too much."

[Because every woman dreams of a man who makes five bucks an hour handing out Big Macs and can't keep his mouse in the house.]

All my plans of taking David away from Jenna went down the drain. It would hurt David, and his daughter, too.

"Good luck with your daughter and...everything else," I said, tears in my eyes. "Do you have a name for her?"

"Mary Katherine." I smiled through my tears. "That's pretty."

"Good-bye, Kayla," he said. "Take care of yourself."

"I will. Good-bye," I said quickly and hung up the phone.

I cried all night because I knew it was really over.

END OF PART ONE

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Well, now that everyone's good and depressed, have a nice weekend!

Just kidding. Before you go, tell me your thoughts on the characters so far. What do you think of them? Who do you feel for more, Jenna or Kayla? Whose death would upset you the most?

Not that a major character dies in part two or anything.

I mean. Um. Yeah.

Comments

[Dawn]

I just haven't watched AMC at all this week, so I'm not as behind as you are. I missed Zarf the first time around (I wasn't watching the show regularly then), but OH MY GOD is he annoying. Seriously. SEEEERIOUSLY.

However, I am now strangely fascinated to see how this whole transgender/he's in love with a lesbian situation is going to play out. (Of course, it's probably already been resolved, but whatever.) Also, I am so not broken up over Simone's death. She was bitchy every time she was on screen, and her voice annoyed the shit out of me. Rest in peace, yo.

[MLE]

I kind of think they're both idiots, and I also think that David is a tool. But it's great reading! I haven't jumped out the window yet!

[David McNelis]

I think I'd be most upset at Kayla's death. Of course that would, generally speaking, end the series, and I don't see that happening.

But I'm gonna call it now, Kayla get's pregnant too and miscarries and thats the death to be upset about.

It is ironic though (if my hypothesis is the case) that David (not me of course) seems to be on the low side of the evolutionary chain flipping burgers and unable to keep his pants zipped, has remarkably successful swimmers. And here I was thinking evolution suggested survival of the fittest!

[Silly Hily]

Death! Death? There's death? Oh my. I'm not ready for death.
I will say that I DON'T feel bad for Kayla. David is a baby daddy. He should totally be off limits. She did this to herself. (I know, tough love.) I mean think about it. What if David (a-hole) did leave his baby mama to be with Kayla? Is Kayla ready to be a step-girlfriend?

I love you Frema! It's all so dramariffic.
That mouse in the house line was snortworthy.

[CPA Mom]

Kill David. He sucks.

[David McNelis]

Ya know....I feel like I need to separate myself from your character David. That, or a cease and desist is in order to keep you from using my name which may or may not be trademarked. :)

[kelley]

Omg, Frema, that was awesome. (Okay, I'll come clean: this is the first time I've ever read your Tragic Love Friday. I just didn't think a 14-yr-old's writing could be that entertaining. Boy howdy was I ever wrong!)

And I wouldn't be too sad to see Kayla bite it. She clearly has enough misery to be put out of...

[Art Nerd]

I think Jenna will die in childbirth. That way, Kayla can swoop in to help David, he of the mouse-outta-the-house (classic line, btw!) and the minimum wage job. And then they can live happily ever after, the end.

When do we hear the results?

[Molly]

Dude. The mouse comes outta the house for an eight minute romp and that's it? Poor, poor Kayla. Poor stupid Kayla.

I can't tell who I want to win the prize that David is more. I like both girls for different reasons, and feel bad for each of them for different reasons.

I can't wait to find out what happens. (Death?!)

[TasterSpoon]

David has to die. And then Jenna and Kayla will come together in sorrow, and compare notes, and discover that they're both just two links in a chain, chain, chain of fools.

[Jessi]

I'm with Art Nerd - Jenna's going to die in childbirth, leaving Kayla and David to raise the brat...I mean, erm, baby. :)

Love it, love it, love it!!

[Bethiclaus]

Dude! My favorite part is when she says, "Talk to me, girl."

And I have no idea why.

But everytime I go back and read it I start cracking up at that part. I love it!

[Luke]

Did you even see Ace Ventura: Pet Detective? It's a emotional roller coaster, like when he reunites Snowflake with Dan Marino and the rest of the Dolphins.

Boy howdy, that is one moving film.

[Um Ibrahim]

Thanks for the Card, and Merry Christmas to you and Luke. From Grandpa, Nicole, and uncle Abe

[samantha]

I love this story. When can I get my own hard copy? Christmas=xeroxing copy for younger sister... ;)

[Isabel]

I'm with Beth, the "talk to me girl" line cracked my shiz up and and I couldn't believe you didn't make a comment on that.

At this point in the story I think both girls are idiots. IDIOTS. But I don't think Kayla is a slut like Jenna and Cassie are making her out to be. And I think David is also a TOOL. (At first I typed "TOLL" and that is even better.) And also, I think the parents are all mental.

Oh, and I think maybe Cassie will die and that will really mess David up. Or maybe...holy crap, is Mary Kathrine going to die??????!!!!!

[Pink Herring]

(Just catching up on this saga now)... I think Jenna is going to die in childbirth (that seems to be a highly prevalent occurence in soaps), and then Kayla and David will raise the baby as their own after Kayla miscarries her own child. They will keep Mary Catherine's true mother a deep dark secret, until she is diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder, and discovers that not only is Kayla not her real mother -- but David is also not her real father! Michael is!

[Candace]

I'm a little late to this blog, but I'm loving this!! I also really like the brackets. I think that I'm right around your age so the cultural references from when you were 14 are great (Babysitters Club, Sweet Valley High).