The Maureen Persona

Chapter 10

Chapter 10

“In the flesh,” Megan wrapped her arms around Gerald and gave him a heartwarming embrace.

"You should have seen the look on your face," Lenore burst out laughing. "It was priceless."

“I can’t believe it.” Gerald shook his head in disbelief. “I can usually tell if someone is trying to pull one over on me.”

"Well in your defense," Jonathon stood inside the doorway holding a glass of lemonade. “Megan has had several years to perfect her Maureen persona.”

“Maureen?” Gerald gave Megan a questioning look.

"Yes, to the public eye I am a recluse," Megan put her sunglasses back on. "Eccentric," she placed the hat back on her head and spoke in an English accent. "British artist that has taken the New York art community by storm."

"Maureen is an identity we came up with so that Megan wouldn't have to deal with some of the undesirables in New York," Jonathon sat beside Megan handing her a glass of orange soda.

“Well she’s definitely got it down,” Gerald smiled as he shook his head. “I’m guessing you’ll be sticking around for the wedding?”

“I wouldn’t miss it,” Megan gave Gerald’s hand a friendly squeeze. “But enough about me. Who is this delicate flower that has won your heart?”

“This is Renee,” Gerald beamed as he placed his hand on the small of his fiancé’s back.

“Pleased to meet you,” Renee nodded as she extended her hand.

“If you’re going to marry Gerald a handshake won't do," Megan stood up and leaned over Gerald giving Renee a warm embrace. "Gerald has and will forever be my friend, so if he's marrying you that makes you my friend as well."

“Thank you,” Renee blushed. “I must say I was a bit nervous to meet you.”

“You were?” Gerald turned to look at her. “Nervous about what?”

"Well," Renee looked at her lap and fidgeted with a loose string hanging from her sleeve. "The way you and Lenore talked about Megan I thought you and Megan might have romantic feelings for one another."

"Me and Gerald?" Megan looked at Gerald and they both busted out laughing. Megan laughed so hard she would have fallen off the sofa if Jonathon had not been by her side and caught her. Megan had contained her laughter when she looked at Gerald again and started laughing again.

"I do love Gerald," Megan wiped the tears from her eyes. "But I promise you I've never had romantic feelings for him. And I think I can safely say he's never had them for me."

“I love Megan like a sister, or maybe a cousin,” Gerald clarified.

"Well, I see that now," Renee rolled her eyes and smiled at Gerald.

“I think we should have a girl’s day out tomorrow,” Lenore suggested. “The wedding is right around the corner there has to be some last minute shopping that has to be done?”

“I think we’ve taken care of pretty much everything,” Renee looked at Gerald who nodded in agreement.

“There is one thing you haven’t thought of,” Lenore raised her eyebrows.

“No way,” Renee shook her head and covered her face. “There is no way I am going to Victoria’s Secret to get something sensual and alluring.”

“You won’t be going alone,” Lenore urged. “Megan and I will be going with you. Besides you need something special for your wedding night.”

“I don’t know,” Renee shook her head.

“You should go,” Gerald prompted.

“Are you sure?” Renee looked at him unsure.

"We will only have one wedding night," Gerald kissed her cheek. "Besides it'll give you a chance to get to know Lenore and Megan better."

“It’s settled then,” Lenore stood rubbing her hands together. “Get your charge cards ready girls because tomorrow morning we’re gonna buy the stores out.”

*

Lenore and Megan pulled up to Renee's apartment and within minutes they were off. Megan was pleasantly surprised that Renee was now much more relaxed around her than when they first met. It was still funny to her that Renee thought she and Gerald had a romantic history, which could not be further from the truth. When Renee realized that Megan and Gerald's relationship was one of mutual respect and honesty she started to open up. Megan knew that she and Renee would develop a friendship that was just as strong as her friendship with Gerald.

By the time they were finished in Victoria’s Secret, it was lunchtime. Megan insisted on paying as it was her idea to eat at The Establishment. It was a bit more expensive than your typical restaurant but well worth the price as far as Megan was concerned.

“I don’t know,” Renee looked over the menu. “Everything looks so good.”

"Well I know what I'm having," Megan closed the menu and laid it on the table.

“What?” Lenore asked.

“I’m always partial to Caesar salad,” Megan said.

"That sounds good," Lenore closed her menu. "I think I'll have the same."

“I want something different,” Renee perused the menu for the third time. “I think I’ll have,” she bit her bottom lip before choosing. "The house salad."

“Sounds good,” Megan motioned to the waiter and gave him their order.

"Oh great," Lenore covered her face when she noticed who was sitting at the table on the other side of the room.

“What?” Megan started to look around when Lenore stopped her.

“You don’t want to know,” Lenore shook her head. “I just hope he doesn’t come over here,” Lenore turned toward Renee.

“Who?” Renee whispered as she tried to spot the person in question.

“Raymond,” Lenore hissed. “He’s sitting over there with several of his buddies.”

“Raymond Fairchild still lives around here? Megan asked as she tried to appear inconspicuous and spot him.

“He’s a used car salesman,” Lenore shook her head. “And I can tell you from experience he sells nothing but junk.”

“I’ve heard that,” Renee agreed. “Gerald told me what happened.”

“Do tell,” Megan leaned closer to Renee.

"Well," Renee looked around before continuing. "Gerald told me he has connections with a shady company in New Jersey.”

“I wouldn’t doubt it,” Lenore injected. “Raymond always was,” Lenore looked at Megan.

“A person of questionable ethics,” Megan shook her head. “Some things never chance.”

"Gerald told me about what Raymond did to you," Renee placed her hand on Megan's. "I can't imagine what that was like," Renee's eyes showed compassion and understanding. "Unfortunately, Raymond's wife is the caterer."

“So more than likely he’ll be at the wedding,” Lenore closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose. “I wish there was another caterer in the area that had prices as low as Ivy Fairchild's. Her prices were less than half of what the other caterers charged."

“That’s because her husband uses her business as a front for other activities,” Lenore whispered. “If you know what I mean.”

“I know,” Renee lowered her head. “But we’re over budget as it is. We had to find some way to make the money stretch.”

“Where are you and Gerald going on your honeymoon?” Megan asked changing the subject.

“Nowhere special,” Renee shrugged. “We both have the week off. We're planning on staying home."

“No, no, no,” Megan waved her hands. “It’s your honeymoon. You and Gerald deserve to go someplace special,” Megan cupped her chin and tapped her cheek. “I know,” her face lit up. “I can call in a favor and have Jonathon reserve you a suite at The Plaza.”

"I don't know," Renee hesitated. "I'd hate to trouble you."

"It's no trouble," Megan assured her. "It's just a phone call away," Megan reached into her bag grabbed her phone, and started tapping a text. "Do you need airfare?" Megan looked up, and when Renee didn't answer right away Megan shrugged. "I'll have Jonathon ask Gerald. The last thing I want you to worry about is getting there.”

“Do my eyes deceive me?” a man of average height approached the table. “This can’t be Megan Witherspoon.”

“Hello Raymond,” Lenore spoke rolling her eyes. “Don’t you have other things to do and other people to bother?”

“You don’t mind if I join you,” Raymond grabbed a chair from a neighboring table and sat beside Megan.

“Actually we do,” Megan glared at Raymond moving the arm he draped over her shoulder and dropping it in his lap.

“Come on now ladies,” Raymond tilted his head to the side and gave Megan a smirk. “No one can resist the Fairchild charm?”

“I can,” Lenore raised her hand. “I’ve got a wonderful husband waiting for me at home.”

“I’ve got a wonderful fiancé who’s just a phone call away,” Renee held up her phone.

“What about you Megan?” Raymond leaned so close she could feel his breath on her cheek. “Do you have someone waiting for you?”

“Yes I do,” Megan elbowed Raymond in his side catching him by surprise. “Like it’s any of your business.”

“What the hell was that for?” Raymond rubbed his side sliding away from Megan. “I was only joking.”

“Well I'm not," Megan narrowed her eyes. "I'd hate to give you a taste of what I gave you when we graduated, or have you forgotten?"

“I haven’t forgotten,” Raymond immediately stood. "You ladies have a nice lunch," Raymond gave Renee and Lenore a fake smile and retreated to his table.

“What did you do?” Renee asked eyeing Megan suspiciously.

“Nothing much,” Megan smirked. “I just kicked him in the groin.”

"No, you didn't," Lenore looked at her best friend in shock.

“Ask Gerald if you don’t believe me,” Megan grinned. “He saw the whole thing.”

“I remember, Gerald told me about that,” Renee giggled. “He also told me Raymond had it coming.”

"I probably would have done more than just kick him while he was down if it hadn't been for Gerald," Megan looked at Renee. "Gerald pulled me off before I caused permanent damage."

“You know Raymond and his wife have been trying for years to have kids,” Lenore picked up her water glass. “Maybe you did cause permanent damage.”

“We’ll never know,” Megan shrugged. “Even if I did Raymond has too much pride to admit it.”

"You're right about that," Lenore smiled. "But wouldn't it be something if you did?"