Kansas Story
by Grace
Chapter 61 - 70
*******************
Chapter 61 – The Comeback
January 29, Sunset Beach, California, the beach
Maria is walking on the beach thinking about her life with Ben. It was kind of love of the first sight. Ben was supposed to go on a date with Annie and when he came to pick her up, he meet Maria. That’s how it all started. Soon, they discovered that they had feelings for each other and after some time they decided to get married. It seemed that they were the happiest people in the world and that’s what everybody thought. But they were not. Even though their marriage was going well, there was always something missing between them. But Maria didn’t care about that. What mattered that she was Ben’s wife, that’s the only thing she wanted…
Maria (to herself): Damn it, where is this going to end?
The voice: Soon…
Maria: Who’s that?
She turns around frightened and soon sees the owner of the voice.
Maria (shocked): Oh my God… Derek…
Derek: In a flesh…
Maria: Oh my God, what are you doing here? I thought you were in Europe…
Derek: I was, but I missed you…
He walks over and gives her a passionate kiss. She pulls away.
Maria: Not here. Someone might see us.
Derek: So what? I’m Ben… remember?
Maria: Right… I forgot that…
She smiles and gives Derek a passionate kiss.
Maria: So, what have you been up to?
Derek: Nothing special… just hanging around… But I heard that Ben is sick of you (laughs).
Maria: That bastard asked me for a divorce? Can you believe that?
Derek: Actually I can. He has a new girl now, doesn’t he?
Maria: You know about her? How?
Derek (laughing): Oh, I have my ways.
Maria: Have you seen her?
Derek: Yeah, a few times… but that’s not the point… What are you gonna do about this whole divorce?
Maria: And what do you think? I’m not gonna sign the papers. Not for anything! We’ve worked too hard Derek to just let it go now.
Derek: And who says we have to let go. When you and Ben get divorced we will get the money we need anyway, without killing him…
Maria: What about your revenge on him?
Derek (smiling ominously): Oh, I came up with a great idea to get my revenge on Ben… But it will be better if you and Ben are divorced by that time.
Maria: What do you have in mind, Derek?
Derek: You’ll find out very soon. Just trust me, this is going to be a great fun.
Maria: Oh, I don’t doubt that.
Maria smiles and one more time they share a passionate kiss.
Annie (coming from nowhere): Hi you two!
Derek (not very happy): Hi Annie.
Annie: It’s great that you have solved your problems and you are… well… you know…
Maria: Yeah…
Annie: I’m on my way over to the Deep to meet my aunt, so I’ll see you guys later. Bye.
Annie walks away.
Derek: Well, at least someone is happy for us.
Maria: Don’t be ironical.
Derek: Look, I have something very important to do so you just better go home and tell Ben the news.
Maria: Sure.
She gives him a kiss on the cheek and heads towards home. So, her and Derek’s plan isn’t exactly going the way the have planned, but if Derek has something in mind, this must be something big…
Maria enters the house and sees Ben in the living room reading a newspaper.
Ben: Hi Maria.
Maria: Hi… Look, I’d better tell you before I change my mind.
Ben: Tell me what?
Maria: If you still want that divorce, then I agree.
Ben: You’ll sign the papers.
Maria: Yes I will.
A weak smile appears on Ben’s face and only for Maria’s sake he doesn’t start jumping out of joy. (If only he knew, LOL... - G.)
Chapter 62 – Life Before The Wedding
February 2, Ludlow, Kansas, Cummings’ house
Meg: I can’t believe that it’s tomorrow. Time passes so quickly.
Ashley: Yeah, tomorrow you’re gonna become Mrs. Truman.
Meg: Yeah… Mrs. Truman… Mrs. Truman…
Jessica (looking at her meaningfully): You still wish that it was Mrs. Evans, don’t you?
Meg: No… I can’t think that way…
Jessica: But you do.
Meg: Jess, please…
Jessica: OK, OK, I’m sorry… But have you talked to Ben?
Meg: Yes, he was here a few days ago…
Ashley: What?
Meg: Yeah, he came here and you know what? (she laughs) He claimed that he had seen Tim and Connie about to make love.
Ashley and Jessica: What????
Meg: Yeah… Can you believe that he would actually do something like this?
Ashley: Oh my God, that’s sick!!!
Meg: I know…
Jessica: So, what did you do?
Meg: I told Ben to leave me alone.
Jessica: And did he?
Meg: Yes… He left… (Meg looks disappointed) Just left…
Ashley (looking at Meg surprised): But that’s what you wanted, isn’t it?
Meg (after a while): Yes…
Ashley: Oh my God, you still love him, don’t you?
Meg: Ashley, don’t… It doesn’t matter what I feel… I need to think about what’s best for the baby.
Jessica: And you think that marrying Tim is? (Exactly... – G.)
Meg: Yes. That way I will have a father for my baby and I will be able to move on with my life…
Ashley: Which doesn’t exactly mean forgetting about Ben, does it?
Meg: Look Ash, I have to forget about Ben… I have to… It’s not meant for us to be together and I have to let him go, no matter how much it hurts…
***
February 3, Ludlow, Kansas, Cummings’ house
Meg wakes up and looks at her wedding dress hanging in her wardrobe. She can’t believe that today she’s gonna become Tim’s wife. She looks with affection at her computer.
Meg (rebukes herself): Don’t… Don’t do this to yourself… It’s over… You have to move on…
Meg slowly gets out of bed and takes the towels from the wardrobe and heads towards the bathroom. The telephone rings. Meg answers. She hears Ben’s voice.
Ben: Meg, it’s me.
Meg (angry, hurt and confused at the same time): What does it take to make you understand that I want you to leave me alone!
Ben: Meg, please, let’s just talk.
Meg: No, we have nothing to talk about. God, how many times do I have to tell you this? I don’t even know why I’m talking to you.
Ben: Meg, please don’t hang up…
Meg: OK, before I hang up I, want you to know something – I’m marrying Tim Truman today…
Ben: Today?
Meg: Yes. And there is nothing that you can do about it. You won’t stop me.
Meg angry puts the earphone down.
Ben (to himself): We’ll see.
He rushes out of the house.
Chapter 63 – Goodbye
February 3, Ludlow, Kansas, The church
Joan: Oh honey, you look absolutely amazing!
Ashley: Yes, you are such a beautiful bride!
Meg: Guys, you look great yourselves. And you Connie are the most beautiful maid of honor ever!
Connie (smiles): Thank you.
Joan (with concern): Honey, are you OK?
Meg: I’m fine, I’m fine… It’s just that…
Joan: I know, I know. But come on, Meg. This is your wedding day, you should be happy.
Meg: I am… I’m just a little bit overwhelmed by all this…
Joan: I can imagine. This is a big day. Soon you’re gonna become Mrs. Truman.
Jessica (looking at the clock): Gosh, it’s just a few minutes before we start this show.
Meg (sighs): Yeah, a few minutes…
Ashley: I think we should go now.
Connie: Yeah, it’s high time…
Joan: Dad is gonna be here any minute to give you away.
Jessica: Good luck, Meg.
Meg: Thanks.
Meg shares hugs with Ashley, Jessica and Connie and the bridesmaids leave. At the same time Hank enters the room and is stunned when he sees his daughter.
Hank: Oh my God, is this my little girl?
Meg (smiling): I guess so…
Hank: Sweetheart, you look absolutely beautiful!
Meg: Thank you daddy.
Joan: Well, I think that I’d better be going. I’ll leave you alone.
Joan smiles, shares hug with Meg, kisses Hank and leaves.
Hank: OK, let’s get you married.
Meg smiles and they head towards the main chapel. When they enter the music starts playing. Meg looks ahead and sees Tim’s smiling face. For a moment she imagines that it’s Ben’s face she’s seeing.
Meg (thinks): Stop it, damn it! Just stop it!
Hank and Meg start slowly walking along the aisle. Everyone keeps turning around and admiring Meg in her wedding dress. Tim can’t believe that in a few minutes he is actually going to marry this beautiful woman. He looks at Connie and winks his eye. Connie smiles.
Meg and Hank reaches the altar and Hank gives Meg away to Tim. Tim smiles and takes Meg’s hand. Hank walks away to Joan. Father Thomson starts the ceremony.
Father Thomson: We have gathered here today to join these two people in a holy sacrament of marriage…
The crowd gathered enlivens. The whole Ludlow is waiting for the most popular couple to get married. Meg looks at Tim, still a little bit scared. Suddenly she hears a familiar voice.
Ben (desperately): Meg, no!!! Please, don’t do this!!! I love you!!!
Meg looks at Ben with her heart broken into a thousand of pieces. His sight makes the decision to marry Tim even more difficult. She damns him for coming here.
Tim: Get out of here you bastard!
Tim runs at Ben, but Meg stops him.
Meg: Tim, don’t! (she turns to Ben) Please, don’t make me throw you out of here and leave!
Ben: Meg, I told you I wouldn’t let you marry him. I love you and we can be together. My wife has just signed the divorce papers.
Meg: That doesn’t matter… Too much has happened between us…
Ben: Meg, I love you!
Meg: It’s too late for us, Ben.
Ben: Meg, don’t do this.
Meg: Ben, please just leave!
Hank (coming closer): You heard what she said. Get out of here!!!
Ben looks at Meg imploringly.
Ben: Meg, please, just give me another chance…
Meg: No more chances, Ben… It’s too late…
Ben: Meg…
Meg: Go! This is my wedding and you have no right to ruin it! Get out!
Ben looks at Meg despair. She doesn’t answer. He hopes that she will change her mind… The connection should work… It doesn’t… Meg looks at Ben telling him ‘Go away’. He finally gives up and heads towards the exit. Meg looks at him with her heart broken.
Meg (thinks with a single tear rolling on her cheek): Goodbye SB…
Ben leaves the church and one more time looks inside at Meg in her wedding dress. He finally realizes that she looks more beautiful than ever. The sight of her turning to Tim with a smile on her face breaks his heart.
Ben (to himself): Goodbye Dorothy, I will always love you…
Chapter 64 – I Do… I Don’t…
February 3, Ludlow, Kansas, The church
Father Thomson: Do you Tim Truman take Megan Cummings to be your lovefully wedded wife?
Tim (smiling): Yes, I do.
Father Thomson (turning to Meg): Do you Megan Cummings take Tim Truman to be your lovefully wedded husband?
Meg looks at Tim frightened. Everyone in the church looks at her agog. She looks around and after a second her sight is back at Tim. Tim starts getting impatient.
Tim: Meg…
Father Thomson: Megan Cummings, do you…
Meg (fighting with herself as strong as she can): I do.
Tim sighs with relief and smiles. He looks at Meg. She is still pretty nervous.
Meg (suddenly finding all her strength and exploding): No, I don’t… I don’t… I can’t… I can’t do this…I can’t marry you Tim, I’m sorry… I just can’t…
She bursts into tears and heads towards the door. Everyone looks at her shocked.
Tim (running after her): But Meg…
Meg: Tim, I can’t…
She speeds up and after a second she is outside the church. She sees Ben staring at her, with a weak smile on his face. He knows what she has just done and wants to talk to her, but she can’t face him right now… She just can’t… She turns around and runs away. His first thought is to run after her but after a while he feels her strong need to be alone so he decides to give her some space. He looks at her running figure and smiles. He knows that everything will be fine… As soon as he gets everything straight with Tim…
Tim angry runs out of the church, but there is no sign of Meg. But there is Ben instead. Tim runs to him furious.
Tim (hitting Ben as hard as he can): You son of a bitch!!!
The rest of the people leave the church and are now watching what’s going on between Ben and Tim.
Ben: What the hell is your problem?!
Tim: My problem??!!! You bastard!!! It’s because of you Meg didn’t marry me!
Ben: If she wanted marry you, she would have and nothing would have stopped her. If she hadn’t married you, that means that she doesn’t want to!
Tim: I’m gonna kill you!
Tim runs at Ben and they both fell on the ground. Ben quickly stands up and pushes Tim away.
Ben: Don’t start with me, Truman!
Tim: YOU started with me when you lied to Meg!
Ben: I lied to her about my wife and I admit it, but how would you call sleeping with her maid of honor a few days before the wedding?!
The guests look at Tim shocked.
Tim: How dare you!!!
Tim tries to hit Ben again, but Ben is faster and hits Tim instead. Tim collapses on the ground. Hank runs to Ben.
Hank: You keep your hands of him, understood?!!
Ben: With pleasure.
Ben glances at Tim with disdain and walks away.
Tim (shouts): I’ll get you for that Evans!
Ben: Doubt that.
***
February 3, Ludlow, Kansas, Cummings’ farm
Meg keeps running as fast as she can until she reaches the farm. She is exhausted, but she doesn’t seem to feel it. She just wants to be away from everything – from Tim, from her parents, from the guests’ sights… From Ben…
She enters the old barn and collapses on the hay. She realizes that her wedding dress is torn.
Meg (thinks): I’m not gonna need it after all…
She looks around the barn and remembers how she used to come here as a child when she wanted to be alone. But everything seemed to be a lot simpler back then. She just used to come here, spend a few hours alone, ask the good ghosts for some advice… After that everything was usually back to normal… But not this time… She realizes that the barn won’t help her the way it used to when she was a little girl. This time she has to find a lot more strength inside her to face everything what’s going on around her and most of all Ben…
Chapter 65 – Afterwards
February 3, Ludlow, Kansas, Cummings’ house
Meg gets inside the house. As she has expected almost all the guests are there, staring at her.
Joan: Meg…
Meg: Not now... I can’t do this right now…
Meg heads towards the stairs.
Joan: Meg, Ben is…
Meg: I don’t wanna talk about Ben.
Joan: … upstairs…
Joan sighs but Meg doesn’t listen to her anymore. She rushes to her room. When she opens the door, she is shocked to see Ben sitting on her bed. He heart starts beating faster.
Meg: What are you doing here?
Ben: I’m waiting for you.
Meg: That’s what I can see… But why?
Ben: I think we need to talk.
Meg: No, Ben, we don’t… I need to be alone right now.
Ben: Meg, you didn’t marry Tim. That means that…
Meg: That means that I didn’t want to marry him.
Ben: No, that means that you love me.
Meg: It DOES NOT mean that I love you. (Now who are you kidding??? - G.) This only means that I didn’t want to marry Tim!
Ben: But we both know why.
Meg: Ben, please… not now…
Ben: No, Meg, we need to settle everything now.
Meg: Ben, I can’t… I have just left my fiancé at the altar… I’m not thinking straight right now.
Ben: You don’t need to THINK. You just need to listen to your heart.
Meg: Ben, my heart is going crazy right now and I can’t listen to it either.
Ben: Meg, you know that I love you.
Meg: Ben…
Ben: I do… With my whole heart… I’ve loved you since the first minute I met you over the Internet. And I know that you feel the same way.
Meg: Ben, I told you, I don’t wanna talk about it right now.
Ben: Meg, my divorce is to be finalized soon… in a few moths… Me and Maria are officially over. We can be together.
Meg: I told you – I can’t talk about it right now, OK? Would you just please go?
Ben: Meg…
Meg: Ben, please…
Ben: OK, I’ll go, but I will be back.
Ben heads towards the door.
Meg: And can you please tell my mother to come here. I need to talk to her.
Ben: Sure.
Ben leaves and soon Joan appears in the room. Meg nearly bursts into tears.
Meg: Mom, I’m sorry… I didn’t mean for this to be that way… I didn’t want to… But I just couldn’t get through this… I couldn’t, mom… I’m sorry
Joan (giving Meg the biggest hug ever): It’s OK, honey, don’t worry.
Meg: But the guests… And the reception…
Joan: We’ll take care of it.
Meg (laughing weakly): Dad’s gonna kill me. And Ben.
Joan: He’s not.
Meg: He will think that it’s Ben’s fault I didn’t marry Tim.
Joan (looking at Meg meaningfully): And isn’t it?
Meg (confused): Yes… No… I don’t know… Maybe seeing Ben just made the decision to leave Tim easier… I didn’t want Ben to come… But maybe if he hadn’t come, I would have married Tim… or maybe not… God, I don’t know… I feel so confused… Everything is so complicated… I don’t love Tim… I love Ben… And he says everything is over between him and his wife… And I want to be with Ben, but I just don’t know if I should… He hurt me very much, but being with him was so wonderful… God, mom, I have no idea what to do…
Joan: Sweetheart, you don’t have to decide yet… Just take your time…
Meg: You know, life was so simple before I met Ben… But it was also so empty… And only Ben could fill the void… He made my life complete, mom… He did…
Joan: Well, you’re the only one who can know that.
Meg: I do know that, mom. I do.
Joan: Do you think Ben feels the same way about you?
Meg: I don’t know. And that’s what scares me. I just don’t wanna get hurt again.
Joan: Do you think Ben will hurt you again?
Meg: I don’t know… But when I talked to him a few minutes ago, he seemed so determined to be with me… Maybe… maybe he really loves me… (MAYBE??? - G.)
Joan: I think he does. He just met you too late… (I always knew that Joan was a very wise woman, LOL.. - G.)
Chapter 66 – A Look Into The Future
February 4, Ludlow, Kansas, Cummings’ house
Meg looks at her wedding dress. She walks closer to the wardrobe and takes the dress out looking at it with affection. Suddenly she hears a knock on the door.
Meg: Who’s that?
Ben: Meg, it’s me. We need to talk.
Meg: Ben, I told you…
Ben: Please…
Meg opens the door. Ben comes in and notices the dress.
Ben: Have you been thinking about the wedding?
Meg: I have been thinking about many things…
Ben: What about me?
Meg (pretending not to know what he means): About you?
Ben: Have you been thinking about me? About US?
Meg: Ben, I had a lot on my mind…
Ben: Meg, you didn’t marry Tim. You couldn’t… (Ben looks into her eyes) You still feel something for me, don’t you?
Meg (shivering): Ben, please….
Ben: Meg, you know I love you. You know it… You feel it.
Meg: Ben, I don’t know what I feel right now.
Ben: I do. I love you. I love you like I’ve never loved anyone before.
Meg: I…
Ben: Meg, please tell me that you’re gonna go to Sunset Beach and we’re gonna start our life together.
Meg: Ben, here is my home.
Ben: Then let me make Sunset Beach home for you too.
Meg: I can’t build my happiness on someone else’s misery.
Ben: What do you mean?
Meg: Ben, you have a wife…
Ben: HAD. I told you it was over between us.
Meg: That doesn’t really matter. You may be getting divorced, but she may still love you.
Ben: Maria doesn’t love me.
Meg: She did. And I can’t be with you wondering if she still does… I wouldn’t be able to look her in the eye.
Ben: I’m telling you, Maria and I weren’t happy. We would have gotten divorced anyway.
Meg: But it happened because of me. And as much as I don’t want to admit it, I feel guilty about it. Because I didn’t mean for that to happen. And you know it. If I had known that you were married, I would never have started this.
Ben: But we DID start this. And there is no turning back now.
Meg: I’m not so sure, Ben…
Ben: I am. Just let me prove it.
He comes closer and kisses her. She sees the stars around her when he feels Ben’s lips on hers, but she pulls away.
Meg: No Ben, we can’t… I can’t… I can’t be with you…. Please just come back to your wife and try to work things out with her… Let me live my life here.
Ben: Meg, I thought that you wanted to be with me…
Meg (confused, not knowing what to say): I did… I do… But not now… Not like this…
Ben: Like what?
Meg: Ben, you’re not even divorced yet…
Ben: I will be soon.
Meg: Then we’ll talk when you are… Just give me some time…
Ben: How much time?
Meg: Until… until you and your wife are officially over… Until I stop feeling guilty about Maria and Tim… I don’t know… Just please go back to California and leave me alone for now.
Ben: Do you really want that?
Meg (after a while of hesitation): Yes. Go home.
Ben: Meg…
Meg: No, there is nothing that you can do to change my mind. Please.
Ben: OK, if you want me to go, then I’ll go. But if you change your mind…
Meg: I won’t.
Ben: ... if you change your mind, call my cell phone.
He places his visiting card on her table. One more time he looks at her and leaves. Meg takes the visiting card and throws it into the trash bin.
Meg (through tears): I won’t need it right now…
Chapter 67 – The Truth
February 5, Ludlow, Kansas, Tim’s house
Meg is standing at the door to Tim's room wondering if she should come in. She has decided to come clean with Tim and she is looking for the easiest way to say everything to him. Finally she knocks.
Meg: Tim, it’s me, can we talk?
Tim jumps out of bed and looks at half-naked Connie.
Tim: Damn it…
Connie: What are we going to do?
Tim: I don’t know…
Connie: Oh my God…
Tim: The closet… Get into the closet…
Connie (shocked): What?
Tim: Get in.
Meg: Tim, are you there? Your parents told me that you were upstairs…
Tim: I’m here… Just wait a minute.
Tim nearly pushes Connie into the closet and shuts the door. He opens the door to his room.
Meg: Finally. What took you so long?
Tim: I was… I was just taking a shower…
Meg (looking at him surprised): A shower?
Tim: Yeah… a shower…
Meg: Tim, your hair is dry… How could you possibly take a shower with your hair dry?
Tim (more and more confused): Well, I was going to take a shower….
Meg (looking at Tim confused): Tim, is everything OK?
Tim: Yeah, why?
Meg: I don’t know… You seem so nervous…
Tim: Nervous? No…
Meg: That’s good, because I need to talk to you… I need to explain something to you, but first…
She opens the closet before Tim stops her, apparently wanting to get something out of it. But it’s definitely not Connie.
Meg (shocked as she sees her half-naked maid of honor in her fiance’s closet): Oh my God…
Connie: Meg, it’s not how it looks like…
Meg (smiling through tears): Right… You were just talking about the surprise party for Matt… God, how could I be so blind…
Connie: Meg…
Meg: And you of all people… my best friend… my maid of honor… (Meg gets angry) God, how could I be so wrong about you?! (looks at Tim) Both of you!
Tim: Just let me explain…
Meg: Explain what? Why Connie is half-naked in your closet? I think I get it. I’m not THAT stupid.
Tim: Meg…
Meg (giving Tim exactly what he deserved – a slap across the face that is): You damn bastard!!!
Meg heads towards the door and one more time looks scornfully at Tim and Connie. She turns to Tim.
Meg: Looks like you have gotten over me really fast… But you saved me a lot of trouble because in that case - I don’t owe you any explanation!
Meg storms out of Tim’s house.
Tim: Damn it! Now I’ve lost her for good!
Connie: You’ve lost her a long time ago…
Tim: What?
Connie: You lost her the second she met SB.
Tim: Damn you, Connie.
Connie: Come on, Tim, just admit it… Meg never was really yours after she met SB. (Gee, for the first time I’m starting to like Connie – G.)
Tim: I hate that guy!
Connie: I guess that something Meg wouldn’t agree with you on.
Tim: Just don’t start with me, Connie.
Connie: All right, I’m shutting up. (That’s a pity, LOL… Maybe she would have told him a few more things he needed to hear… - G.)
***
February 5, Ludlow, Kansas, Local motel
Ben looks impatiently at his cell phone.
Ben: Come on, Meg… Please call…
She doesn’t.
Ben dials Cummings’ number.
Joan: Hello.
Ben: It’s Ben Evans speaking. Can I talk to Meg?
Joan: I’m sorry, Ben, but she is not here.
Ben: Did she tell you to tell it to me?
Joan: No, she really is gone. She went over to Tim’s.
Ben: All right, all right… Please tell her that the plane leaves tomorrow at eleven thirty.
Joan: She doesn’t want to go with you.
Ben: Please.
Joan: All right, I’ll tell her
Chapter 68 – The Doubts
February 6, Ludlow, Kansas, Cummings’ house
Ashley: God, I can’t believe that Tim and Connie… Gosh…
Meg: Sounds unbelievably, huh?
Jessica: VERY unbelievably.
Meg: Well, that’s what I thought when Ben first told me… I thought that he was making this up to make me hate Tim… God, how could he?
Ashley: Don’t worry about it.
Meg: And Connie… She was my friend… one of the best. Damn it.
Ashley: Looks like Connie wasn’t exactly who she appeared to be…
Meg: Guys, what did I do to make them treat me like this?
Jessica: Who?
Meg: Ben and Tim. First Ben hides the fact that he had a wife and then Tim cheats on me with my best friend… with my maid of honor… What’s wrong with me that I let that happen?
Ashley: Nothing is wrong with YOU. They are the ones who have a problem….
Meg: You know, on some level I’m glad that Tim cheated on me with Connie (Ashley and Jessica look at her shocked) That way I won’t have to explain anything to Tim. I don’t owe him any explanations… Not anymore…
Ashley: So what are you going to do with your life now?
Meg: What do you mean?
Ashley: Well, do you love Ben?
Meg: You know I do.
Ashley: And he loves you too. He does. Everyone could see it in his eyes when he came to the wedding… The way he asked you not to marry Tim… He is crazy about you.
Meg: And I am crazy about him, you guys know that… But it’s not so simple.
Jessica: It is. You love him, he loves you. End of story. (Now I wouldn't put it better myself.... LOL... - G.)
Meg: No, it’s not like that. I wish it was so simple, but it’s not. He had a wife and he left her… I can’t just simply go with him and pretend that everything is OK.
Ashley: Meg, you shouldn't worry about this wife of his so much. If she really loved him, she wouldn’t have signed the divorce papers… If she did, then Ben is telling the truth that they have never been happy.
Meg: You think so?
Ashley: I know it. Meg, you love him very much, don’t you?
Meg: With everything that I am.
Ashley: Then don’t give up on him… Don’t keep him waiting… If you push him away right now, it may never be the same between the two of you. Do you want to risk loosing the connection you have?
Meg: No, of course not.
Ashley: Then don’t le him go.
Meg: But it’s too late now… He is probably on his way to Sunset Beach right now.
Jessica: Not necessarily… Look at the watch…. (Meg does) He is probably on his way to the airport… But if you do your best, you might…
Meg (smiling): Oh, I get it, I get it. (Meg takes Ben’s visiting card and dials his number) Damn it, his cell phone is dead… (she looks helplessly at her friends) And now what?
Jessica (smiling and looking at Meg meaningfully): Think!!!
Meg (enlightened): I’m supposed to follow him??!!!
Jessica: As soon as possible.
Meg looks confused at the watch. Hour and a half left. It usually takes about two hours to get to the airport, but if she hurries up….
Meg without a word runs downstairs and takes the keys to the car.
Hank (surprised): Meg, what are you doing? We were supposed to eat a family dinner, remember?
Meg: I’m sorry daddy, but my happiness is on its way to California and I have to hurry…
She rushes out of the house and gets into the car.
Chapter 69 – Chasing The Happiness
February 6, Kansas, A way to the airport in Kansas City
Meg presses the accelerator angry that the car is going so slow.
Meg (nearly screams): Come on, come on!!! Can’t you go a little bit faster?! Damn it!
She speeds up looking impatiently at her watch.
Meg: Come on! I have to be there on time. I have to.
She speeds up again and suddenly she hears the hooter. She looks into the mirror and notices a police car following her.
Meg (angry): Great!
The police officer (shouting from the car): Please drive to the shoulder!
Meg sees that there is no point in trying to escape, so she slows down and does what she was asked to. The police officer gets out of the car and comes to Meg.
The police officer: Your driving license please.
Meg takes her driving license and hands it to the officer.
The police officer (looking at it): Looks like everything is fine here… So since you’ve passed the exam for driving license you must know that it’s not allowed to drive 160 km per hour on such roads.
Meg: I know that, but I’m in a hurry.
The police officer: That’s usually the reason we drive so fast, but that’s not an excuse.
Meg: Look, I really have to get somewhere before it’s too late.
The police officer: And I REALLY don’t care about that. I’m afraid you will be fined.
The police officer hands Meg the fine.
Meg (shocked as she looks at the mandate): What? I don’t have that kind of money with me.
The police officer: Then I’m afraid you will have to go down to the station with me.
Meg (frightened): What? I can’t… Look, I need to get to someone.
The police officer: No. YOU need to pay.
Meg: Look, this is a matter of life and death! I need to go!
The police officer: I can’t just let you go.
Meg: My whole life depends on it, can’t you understand that? I need to go there! I can give you all the money I have, but please just let me go!
Meg counts the money in her wallet.
Meg (hading the money to the officer): Please take it… Or you can send the fine to me later, you’ve got my address… Please, be a human for a while and not a cop.
The police officer looks at Meg and sees her determination. And deep in his heart he admires it. Finally he gives up.
The police officer: All right… I guess you can pay later… But you won’t get away with that.
Meg: OK, OK. I can pay even ten times more... (I doubt that - G.) But later…
The police officer: All right, just go.
Meg: Thank you, thank you.
She smiles and kisses the police officer.
Meg (blushing): I’m sorry.
The police officer only smiles and Meg gets into the car. She sets off praying to God that it’s not too late.
When half an hour passes she is already near the airport. She looks at her watch. It’s twenty past eleven. She slows down a little. She doesn’t want to risk getting caught again.
When she finally reaches the airport, it’s nearly half past eleven. She runs to the first flight attendant she sees.
Meg: Excuse me, I need to get to the plane to California.
Flight attendant: Gate seven, but I’m afraid the plane is already taking off.
Meg: Thanks.
She rushes to the gate seven and heads towards the entrance to plane.
The guard: I’m sorry lady, but you can’t come in here. The plane is taking off!
Meg (desperate): You don’t understand! I need to go on the board!
The guard: You can’t, I’m sorry. You have to leave now.
Meg: Please…
The guard: I’m sorry, but you will have to wait for the next plane.
Meg: It’s not about the plane, damn it! I need to see someone!
The guard: I’m sorry, but I can’t let you in.
Meg: Look, you will save my life if you do.
The guard: I’m sorry lady.
Meg: Damn you. I’ll sue you for that! You’ll spend the next couple of years in jail.
The guard: I doubt that.
Meg (angry): You will pay for this.
Suddenly she realizes that the plane has really already taken off. Her eyes fill with tears.
Meg: I blew it… I really blew it… I let you go, Ben… (Don't give up just yet, Meg... There are other flights... - G.)
Chapter 70 – Listening To The Heart
February 6, Kansas City, Kansas, The Airport
Meg slowly leans against the wall and wipes the tears from her eyes.
Meg (sighs): How could I let this happen? But don’t worry, Ben. I will not let you go. Not for anything.
She closes her eyes and imagines Ben’s face as he used to whisper that he loved her.
Suddenly she feels someone touching her shoulder.
Meg (angry and not realizing who is there): All right, I’m going.
Ben: There’s no need…
Meg (shocked as she hears familiar voice and sees Ben’s face): Oh my God, Ben!!! What are you doing here?!
Ben: I couldn’t just leave without saying goodbye, now could I?
Meg: But how did you know?
Ben (smiling): The connection… Remember?
Meg: Yes, yes I do.
Ben: So, since you are here, does that mean that you have something to tell me?
Meg: Well, I have many things to tell you. But first of all – I LOVE YOU! I always have and I couldn’t just let you slip away from me like that.
Ben: Does that mean that you wanna…
Meg: Yes, yes! I do want to go to Sunset Beach with you! I do! I love you!!!
Ben: God, I love you too! I love you so much!!!
He smiles and embraces her, holding her as close as he possibly can. For a moment they just stay in this sweet embrace, not caring about anything what’s going on around them. Ben can’t believe that she actually is there and she can’t believe that she didn’t blow it after all.
Meg: I was so scared that I would loose you if I let you go…
Ben: You would never loose me, cause I would wait for you forever.
Meg: Maybe… But I didn’t want to wait that long.
Ben (smiling): Thank God you didn’t…
Ben takes her face in his hands and looks deep into her eyes. She shivers. He used to do that many times, but now it seems different… it feels different…
Ben: I know that I have probably said that before a few times, but I love you.
Meg: I love you too. I’ve never stopped loving you.
Meg smiles and Ben kisses her. First very gently, but then the kiss becomes more and more passionate. People at the airport start staring at them, but they don’t give a damn about it.
Ben: Oh, and I forgot to tell – I love our baby too. More than anything.
Meg: Do you really want this baby?
Ben: Do I want it? I can’t wait to see this little one… the child we created out of our love.
Meg has tears in her eyes. She doesn’t know what to say. She just wraps her arms around Ben’s neck again and lets him embrace her.
***
February 6, Ludlow, Kansas, Cummings’ house
Joan (entering Meg’s room and seeing the biggest mess ever): What’s that? (she notices Ben) And what’s that???!!!
Ben and Meg start to laugh.
Meg: It’s a long story, mom. I’ll limit it to telling you that I’m leaving Ludlow.
Joan: Excuse me?
Meg: I decided to go to California with Ben.
Joan (looking at Meg shocked): To California? A few weeks ago you didn’t want to have anything to do with Ben and now you’re going to California with him?
Meg: I know, I know… But things have changed mom. Now I know that Ben loves me (she looks meaningfully at him) And I want to be with him.
Joan (turning to Ben): But what about your wife?
Ben: We’re getting divorced now. Everything should be finalized soon.
Joan: I still don’t like that idea, Meg.
Meg: I know. And it scares me too, but I would never forgive myself if I didn’t try… I just don’t wanna spend the rest of my life in Ludlow wondering what if. I… I want to see what life will be like outside Ludlow Kansas.
Joan: Well, if that’s what you really want…
Meg: You know it is, mom.
Joan: I guess there is no point in trying to make you stay.
Meg: Don’t even try, mom. It would only make things harder.
Joan: I know, I don’t intent to… I just wanna make sure that you are absolutely sure about what you’re doing.
Meg: I am sure. Like I’ve never been sure of anything in my entire life.
Joan: In that case all I have left to do is accept that.
Meg (looking at Joan meaningfully): Actually, there is one more thing you could do…
Joan: Don’t worry. I’ll talk to dad.
Meg: Thanks, mom.