Listen To Your Heart ~ Book One.

Farewell my Friend/Valerie's Opinion

(Billie climbs into my lap and begins kissing my neck and grinding her hips against mine. I couldn't concentrate worth a damn.)

"Oh shit! I just remembered. We got a birth class today at three."

(Grins.)"You grinding against me reminded you that we had a birth class today? Horny aren't you?"

(Blushes)"So you're coming with me?"

"Of course. Why wouldn't I?"

(Billie gives me a long kiss.)"Thank you. I've heard stories...Some guys...they don't like being involved in birth classes. They consider it too feminine."

"Their loss...but I get the feeling that's not quite what you meant?"

"Well...it did cross my mind that you might not want to go. Since the baby's not yours?"

"And how would it look if you went with your brother?"

(Billie makes a face.)"That would lead to unwanted questions."

(Valerie comes running down the steps to the studio.)

"David...come quick...it's your dog."

(I get up so quickly that I accidentally dump Billie on her ass, onto the floor. As I run up the stairs two at a time. Billie sits and rubs her ass for a moment...then runs up the steps after me. I rush out the door and into the dog area, to find the dog laying on its side, breathing heavily.)

"Dusty!"(I look at Valerie.)"What happened?"

"He just suddenly fell. David...I think it's time."

"No."

"Let's get the dog to the vet, see what they say."

(Three hours later, the vet tells me that the dog has chronic arthritis and age-related nerve damage. There was nothing they could do to help him. I talk to the veterinarian privately for awhile, then I say goodbye to the dog and walk out the door with Valerie and Billie following. We go back to Valerie's house. The three of us sit outside, not knowing what to say, as I sit staring at the dog's collar in my hand.)

"He's in a better place now, David. He's not in any pain anymore." Valerie says.

"I know." I mumble.

"David...umm...if you're not up to it I mean. I can always cancel the birthing class thing."

"No. that's okay. We'll go."

"You sure? I don't mind if we cancel."

"I can't sit around moping about something I can't change...you know? Just to damn quiet around here without his barking."

(I walk back into the main house.)

"Is he going to be, okay?" Billie asks Valerie.

"Yea...he needs time to grieve is all."

"Guess he told you about the baby not being his?"

"Yes...but he hasn't said who the father was. Is it your brother's?"

(Whispers)"Yes."

"Damn it, Billie."

"Claudia...wants David to give her a baby...in exchange for her silence about the baby's paternity."

"Seriously? What's David's reaction to her demands?"

"He told me he wasn't fucking her."

"Well...I see his point. I mean let's say he gives Claudia what she wants, but what then? Suppose she doesn't want to let go of David. Suppose she doesn't get pregnant on the first try...or the tenth? Can you live with that?"

"No... but if the truth comes out...it would crush my career. You're his agent...what would you do in our situation?"

"That depends. What are you fighting for? David or your career? Seems like Claudia is asking you to choose."

"David...has told me in the past. He'd want me to choose my career over him."

"Hmmm...money or your heart. That's a hell of a choice to make, Billie."

"What would you do if it were you and Eddie?"