Chapters - Episode 9 (The One Where Denise Pays a Little Visit)

Meg learned that Albie had also apologized to Emma and Tom as well.  Emma let him sweat it out a bit, acting more offended than she actually was, just so she could listen to Albie grovel a little.  Tom, being a typical guy, quickly said 'no big deal' and the situation was all but forgotten. 

In an effort to make things up to everyone, Albie offered to take the three of them along with him to a casual corporate gathering at a local museum that Saturday night.  Meg was more than willing to go - she loved Albie's work-related functions.  There was always great food, endless wine and champagne and usually a lot of interesting people to talk to.

Emma was the only one holding out.  "I'm not sure I can make it," she later told Meg on the phone.  "I've got a birthday party to go to."

"Whose birthday?" Meg asked, curious.

"You know Carol, the lady I work with?"

"I guess," Meg said.

"It's for her boyfriend," Emma said.  "I don't want to go.  I don't even know the guy, I just know that Carol's inviting all of her personal and work-related friends and she wants it to be some big deal for him.  I'm not even sure I know his name...I think it might be Maurice or something..."

"That's ridiculous.  You're going to miss out on a fun night out with us to hang out at some guy's birthday party whose name you don't even know?"

Emma laughed.  "Yeah, I guess it does sounds kind of ridiculous.  Alright, I'm in.  I'll make up some kind of excuse for Carol.  I didn't want to go anyway."

Meg was convinced that her weekend was going to turn out better than the last one.

She spent the rest of the day waiting on customers and helping the occasional person find a specific book and also filled online orders.  She checked her daily sales total quite often over the course of the day, pleased to watch the number rise beyond the amount she had originally forecast.  Only having been open for a couple of weeks, Meg was pleased with the way the store was being received and the amount of sales that were racking up.  She knew a lot of her success had to do with the prime location of the store's plaza.  The very thought brought on a twinge of nervousness when she thought about Dan Keagan's admission to Albie that he'd wanted her spot and was going to pursue taking it from her. 

Not wanting to ruin her day, she pushed Dan Keagan out of her mind.  He wasn't worth the worry.

It was a little after five o'clock when Denise walked into the store.  Meg barely looked up and had to do a double-take when she saw the familiar face.  At first she had a difficult time placing her but she quickly realized it was Albie's new girlfriend.  She looked much different in the light of day, wearing far less makeup and dressed in casual chinos and sweater.

"Hi," Denise said, wasting no time approaching the counter.  "Meg, isn't it?"

Meg nodded.  She knew they'd only met briefly the other night but Meg was pretty sure the woman remembered her name without having to ask.  "How are you, Denise?"

Denise looked around, seemingly surveying the store and then Meg as well.  "Albie mentioned that you just opened this place," Denise said.  "Very nice.  I just left work and had some time to kill so here I am."

"Of course," Meg said, with a forced smile.  "I'm glad you stopped by.  You're welcome anytime."

The truth was, Meg was uncomfortable in Denise's presence.  The scene at Albie's birthday did not go well inside the restaurant and Meg had been the first one to announce that she'd had enough and left.  The fact that Emma and Tom followed was no surprise...they were loyal to both Meg and Albie but everyone could agree that they'd had their fill of Albie's drama that evening. 

"I'm not really sure what happened the other night," Denise began, somewhat unexpectedly, "but I think you and I got off on the wrong foot."

Meg was taken aback by Denise's straightforward approach to an uncomfortable situation.  She didn't know whether to admire it or be put off by it.  Either way, she was cornered so there was no getting out of the confrontation at hand.

"It was a crazy night," Meg said, generically.  "Things just got a little confusing and to be completely honest, I just needed to remove myself from the situation before anyone else got upset."

Denise's stare was piercing.  Meg wondered if she would ever blink.

"I don't understand," Denise said, flatly.  "Who was upset?"

Obviously, this isn't going to be easy, Meg thought.

"Well," she began, "Alice was upset.  You couldn't tell?"

"And who's Alice?" Denise asked.

"Alice, the one you met at the table, remember?  Our friend," Meg said, now confused more than before.

"Your friend or Albie's ex-girlfriend?" Denise asked, pointedly.

Meg wasn't sure what Denise was getting at and didn't answer right away.  Before she could even think of what to say, Denise continued.

"Albie's your friend, Meg.  Of course you already know that but you need to remember that Alice was simply someone he dated for a while.  She's not someone you take sides with."

Meg shook her head, bewildered at how Alice could walk into her store blatantly looking for confrontation.

"I wasn't choosing sides," was all Meg could get out.

"You were and you did," Denise insisted.  "But if you want to stay friends with Albie then you need to choose your loyalties and that means siding with his new girlfriend."

"What are you talking about?" Meg demanded.

Denise looked up at the ceiling and sighed.  "I'm with Albie now.  You and Emma and whoever else is part of your little group - you all need to understand that."

"The only thing I understand is that it sounds very much like you're threatening me."

Denise smiled.  "I'm a nice person," she said.  "And I can be a very good friend.  But if someone crosses me, I'm very good at defending myself as well."

"Defending yourself?" Meg echoed.  "Defending yourself from what?"

"Look, we can all go out, get along and have fun.  Just don't let me catch you putting thoughts or doubts into Albie's head again.  It took me all of last night to convince him that he needs to think for himself and do what he wants.  Not what his friends want.  So just watch it."

"Watch it?" Meg echoed again.  She couldn't help repeating herself - the whole scenario was just too much.  "Or what?"

"Or you can kiss your friendship with Albie goodbye," Denise replied.

"Tell me you're joking," Meg smirked.  "In fact, don't bother.  I think it's time you left now."

Denise nodded as she replaced her sunglasses on her face.  "Think hard about what I've said because I don't like repeating myself."

Meg watched in utter disbelief as Denise walked out the door.  She didn't know whether to laugh or scream. 

What a bitch, she thought.

One thing was certain, she had a few phone calls to make and the first one was going to be to Albie.