Viki handed Renee a cup of tea as they sat in the kitchen at Llanfair. “Viki, darlin’, you are going to be the hit of that conference wearing that dress you bought. Are you sure that there isn’t someone who might be at that conference that you aren’t trying to impress? Maybe someone with the first name of Clint perhaps?” asked Renee, with a knowing smile on her face.
Viki started to blush. “I don’t really think that Clint is going to be there and, if he is, he will have Lindsay with him. I just felt I should have a new dress for the conference. Why is that so hard for you to believe?” replied, Viki hoping to cover how flustered she felt.
“It won’t wash with me, Viki,” said Renee. “You can pretend all you want, but I know that you still love Clint. And I am willing to bet that, in your heart, you are hoping he will be at the conference without Lindsay. That is the real reason for that dazzling new dress, isn’t it?”
Viki’s face was bright red. “Yes, Renee, I am hoping that Clint will be at the conference. But one dress, no matter how dazzling. isn’t going to change anything between Clint and me. He is married to Lindsay, and that is that. I won’t be the ‘other woman.’ Can we please just drop the subject?” said Viki, trying to regain her composure.
“Anything you say, darlin’,” replied Renee. “Just remember: If you need to talk, I’m here. I have had the feeling all afternoon long that there is something you have wanted to talk to me about. Lets quit beating around the bush and get it out, whatever it is.”
Viki took a deep breath and told Renee all about Brent. “Do you really believe this man, Viki?” asked Renee, very shocked and skeptical about what Viki had told her.
“Yes, as a matter of fact I do,” said Viki, trying to be reassuring. “Brent looks enough like Clint to be his twin. I won’t just ask you to take my word for it. I asked Brent to meet us here. He should be along shortly. Once you see him, I think you will believe him, too. Bo is having a complete investigation done on Brent so that should take care of any unanswered questions we have. Renee, what we have to figure out is the best way to tell Asa about this. And we felt that you would be the best one to do that.”
“Oh, Viki, darlin’, that’s going to be a rough one,” said Renee, shaking her head. “As stubborn as Asa is, he is not going to just accept this. We are going to have to be very careful both because of his heart and because this is something he will not want to even consider as a possibility. He was hurt so badly when he thought that Max was his son and then found out that he wasn’t. Asa acts big and tough, but when it comes to family, he’s a big marshmallow inside.”
Viki and Renee were continuing their discussion about different ways of approaching Asa, when the phone rang. It was Bo calling to tell her about his conversation with Clint. Bo informed Viki that, if it is all right with her and Renee, there will be a family meeting at the lodge on Sunday night with Clint and Brent both there, to try to break the news to Asa about his new-found son. Both Viki and Renee thought that it sounded like a good idea, so Bo said that he would have Larry there just in case. Then he told Viki that Clint would be meeting her at the conference — withou Lindsay. Viki thanked Bo and said goodbye.
“Well, that answers my question,” said Viki, as she took a deep breath. “Clint will be at the conference — without Lindsay. After the conference, I guess we will come back here to Llanview together, for the meeting. The next few days are going to be interesting.”
Just then there was a knock on the kitchen door. Viki opened the door and let Brent in. Renee, sitting at the kitchen table, simply stared in disbelief. If they had cloned Clint, they couldn’t have done a better job.
Viki introduced them and then filled Brent in on the plans for Sunday night. “That sounds fine to me,” said Brent. “Viki, Renee, I’m going to be going back to New Orleans tonight. I have a minor crisis at my shipping company and I want to oversee it myself. I will be back on Sunday.”
“Actually, I am glad that you will be leaving town until Sunday,” said Renee. “The one thing we don’t want to have happen is to have someone who knows Clint see you. If you’re seen around town, and people think that you are Clint, it will get back to Asa. And we don’t want that.”
“I guess my being out of Llanview for a few days will be for the best,” replied Brent, nodding his head in agreement. “Viki,” Brent continued, “You said you will be meeting with Clint at the newspaper conference. If it is possible, I would like to meet you and Clint there on Saturday evening sometime. I think that it is important Clint and I see each other and have a chance to talk before this all comes to a head on Sunday evening.”
“I think you’re right, Brent,” Viki agreed. “I will talk to Clint when I get to the conference.” Viki handed Brent a piece of paper. “Here is where I am staying. When you get to New York, leave a message. Clint and I will get back to you. You have a safe trip and I will see you Saturday night.” Viki walked Brent to the door and gave him a hug and kiss on the cheek as he left.
“Is something going on here I don’t know about?” asked Renee, looking questioningly at Viki.
“You mean between me and Brent?” said Viki, looking outraged. “Of course not! I just met the man yesterday.”
“Well, that looked like a pretty friendly goodbye to me,” countered Renee. “Viki, you still love Clint. It would be very easy for you to fall for Brent just because he does look so much like Clint. Darlin’, you’re going to have to be real careful not to let your feelings for Clint influence how you feel and act toward Brent.”
“I know that, Renee,” stated Viki, “but I really like Brent for himself and not just because he looks like Clint. I promise you I am not f alling in love with him. I just like him — as a friend.”
“Just be careful, Viki. This could get very complicated and you know it,” Renee warned. Renee gave Viki a big hug, saying, “I’d better go check in on Asa. I want to make sure someone hasn’t seen Brent in town and said something to him about it. You have a good trip to New York City and I will see you Sunday.”
“Bye, Renee. See you at the lodge,” Viki called to Renee as she got in her car.
~~~~~~~~~~
At 4:00 p.m. Friday afternoon, Clint was in his room at the Avery Hotel in New York City. As he unpacked, he wondered if Viki had arrived yet from Llanview. The hotel was so full of memories, Clint couldn’t help but think of all the times he and Viki had come to the hotel together. Even in recent years, when they no longer man and wife, they were at least able to relax and enjoy each other as very good friends during newspaper conferences. “I have to stop thinking like this. “My marriage has changed everything,” Clint thought to himself. “I want Viki and I to be friends again, but I just don’t know whether that is possible or not anymore. I thought that maybe we could talk things out between us. I miss Viki’s friendship so much. I hope this whole deal with this supposed new brother of mind doesn’t interfere with Viki and I being able to at least renew our friendship.”
~~~~~~~~~~
At 5:00 p.m., Viki was sitting on the sofa in her room at the Avery Hotel, reading a book and listening to classical music on the radio. When the phone rang, she jumped. “Hello,” she said, sounding a bit startled.
“Viki, it’s Clint. I thought that we might get together for cocktails. I would very much like to talk to you.”
Viki’s heart leapt to her throat as she realized that it was Clint. “Yes, Clint, I would love to go out for a drink with you. You’re right. We need to have a talk — especially about Brent.”
“I’ll pick you up at your room in 10 minutes if that’s all right,” replied Clint.
“I’ll see you then, Clint,” said Viki, rushing to get herself together so she would be ready when Clint arrived.
~~~~~~~~~~
Clint and Viki were sitting at a secluded back table in the hotel bar. Clint was wearing, a grey suit and light blue shirt, with dark blue tie. Viki kept thinking how handsome he looked, but he appeared tired and his eyes had dark circles under them, as if he was not getting the rest he needed. “He looks so tired. I hope that he is taking care of himself. I know I have no right to worry about him anymore, but I can’t help it. I do worry,” Viki thought to herself.
Clint was looking at Viki in her soft pink chiffon dress. It reminded him of the dress she wore so many years ago on their first trip to New York City together. “Oh, God, she is so beautiful. She still takes my breath away. But there is a haunting sadness in her eyes. I don’t remember that being there before I left. Is there something wrong that I don’t know about?” Clint wondered.
As Clint and Viki continued to gaze at each other and engage in mainly small talk, Clint realized that they weren’t getting anywhere.
“Viki,” said Clint, trying to get the important part of the conversation started. “I miss our friendship. I know that am married to another woman, but I want and need for us to still be friends. I know that I am the one who quit The Banner, but the strain of us working together was too much for me to handle. I need you to still be in my life, Viki, as a friend. Do you think that we can do that?” asked Clint, an almost pleading look in his eyes.
“Of course. I want us to always be friends, Clint. You are the one who cut the ties of our friendship, not me. You have a new wife, a new job, and new responsibilities on the other side of the country. These are decisions you made Clint, not me. How does Lindsay feel about you wanting to renew your friendship with me?” said Viki, sounding a bit defensive.
“Lindsay knows that I want us to be friends again. I believe that she understands. After all, she and Sam are trying to become friends again. Viki, if you are willing, I would very much like to take you out to dinner tonight somewhere really special. You and I going out to dinner and spending an evening together is not going to hurt my marriage. Besides, that way you can fill me in on this new look alike brother of mine. He must be a real handsome fellow,” said Clint with a twinkle in his eye and a big grin on his face.
“Well, Clint, I guess one night on the town as friends couldn’t hurt,” said Viki, smiling at Clint. “I bought a new dress that I want to show off. And you are a very handsome escort. What time do you want me to be ready?”
“I’ll pick you up at your room at 7:30 p.m. I guess we’d better both get back to our rooms, so that we can be ready in time,” replied Clint, trying not to sound as anxious as he felts.
~~~~~~~~~~
As Clint knocked on Viki’s hotel room door, he felt as nervous as a teenager on a first date. Viki opened the door and Clint stared at the vision before him. Viki was wearing a red, off one shoulder silk evening dress. It was very flowing, and the way Viki looked in it made him feel weak in the knees.
Viki was staring at Clint, in his black tuxedo, too. “I can’t think of when I have seen him look more handsome. And I can tell the way he is looking at me that I bought the right dress,” thought Viki. “I know it isn’t right but, despite Lindsay, I believe that part of Clint still belongs to me. And it is that part of him that I want to be with tonight. The hard part is going to be not letting him see how much I still love him.”
~~~~~~~~~~
Viki and Clint had finished their dinner and were discussing Brent when the waiter arrived with their after dinner drinks. “So you believe that he really is a long lost son of Pa’s?” asked Clint. “I hope this private investigator of Bo’s does a thorough job. Everything about this seems a little too neat for me.” Clint looked skeptical.
“I think that when you meet Brent tomorrow night, you will see for yourself why I believe that he is your brother,” Viki replied. “Let’s face it — when both Bo and I both mistake him for you, the resemblance has to be very striking.”
The band started to play “Memories.” Clint looked at Viki and asked if she would dance with him. Viki’s first instinct was to say “no,” but everything in her wanted to feel Clint’s arms around her again.
“Yes, I would love to dance with you,” said Viki, not trusting herself to look into Clint’s eyes.
Clint led her to the dance floor and took her in his arms. “It feels so wonderful to hold her again. I wish I could just stay here and dance with Viki forever,” thought Clint. “If I didn’t know before, I know now that my marriage to Lindsay is a sham. There is only one woman in the world for me and that is Viki. I still love her as much as ever and I always will.”
“I’m so happy,” is all that Viki can think. “I’m in Clint’s arms and I can feel him kissing my cheek and ear. Oh, lord, is it possible that he still loves me a little? It may be wrong, but tonight I don’t care. I want to dance with him and hold hands with him and make believe for a little while that he is still mine.”
As they return to the table, Clint ordered another round of drinks. He and Viki continued to talk, dance, just enjoy being together.
~~~~~~~~~~
It was 2:00 a.m. when Clint and Viki got back to her hotel room. “Would you like to come in for a moment?” asked Viki, not wanting the evening to end.
“I would love to, dear lady” Clint responded, smiling as he walked a bit unsteadily into the room. Both Viki and Clint had much more to drink than usual. Because of that, they were letting all the feelings they had been hiding from each other for so long finally come out. Clint walked over to Viki, took her in his arms and pressed his body tightly against her. He kissed her tenderly at first. Then, as the passion built between them, their lips parted and they explored, remembering each other’s lips and mouths. Viki loosened and, as she took’s Clint’s tie and jacket off, Clint continued kissing her neck and shoulders. Clint then took the one strap holding Viki’s dress off her shoulder and allowed the dress to fall. She was so beautiful standing there in just her red strapless bra, panties, and garter belt with black thigh high stockings that she took his breath away. As Clint reached behind Viki to unsnap her bra, Viki said, “Clint this isn’t right. You’re married to someone else. As much as I love you, we can’t do this.”
“Viki, I still love you so. Please, darling, let me make love to you. Sweetheart, I don’t love Lindsay. I love you,” said Clint as he ran his hands over Viki’s body. She pressed her body even closer to his as she unbuttoned his shirt and reached up underneath it to feel his naked chest.
The ringing phone startled both of them. “Don’t answer it, Viki,” said Clint, holding her Viki tightly and kissing her mouth so that she couldn’t speak.
“I have to answer it, Clint,” said Viki, concerned. “This late, it might be an emergency.”
“Hello,” said Viki, slightly out of breath. “Yes, Lindsay, he’s here. It’s your wife, Clint.”
“What in the hell is wrong, Lindsay, for you to call me at this time of night?” said Clint, clearly irritated and embarrassed. “Are you all right? How bad was the earthquake? Have you heard if anyone in the Bay Area was hurt? Well, if you don’t feel safe, go to a hotel or something. No, I am not coming home until at least Monday or Tuesday. Call one of your friends if you need to and I will check back with you later.” Clint hung up the phone.
“I’m sorry, Viki. There was an earthquake in San Francisco. Not a bad one, thank goodness. Lindsay is okay, but there are some cracks in the house we are renting and she was worried about the house being safe,” said Clint, still very embarrassed.
“I think it was a good thing that you got that call,” said Viki, starting to realize what was about to happen between them. “Something almost happened that shouldn’t have. Clint, you are married to Lindsay. We both had too much to drink tonight or this would never have happened.” Viki was very flustered and embarrassed. “Clint, if you want us to be friends, that is fine, but what happened between us tonight can never be allowed to happen again. Clint, be honest with yourself. If Lindsay suspects that we are having an affair, she will make you pay for it — big time. And you know it. We have made our mistakes and our decisions and for now at least we have to live with them whether we want to or not.”
“You’re right, Viki, but I know now that somehow I must get out of this so-called ‘marriage’ I got myself into,” stated Clint, with determination. “Viki, I will behave myself, I promise. But as soon as I can get free of Lindsay, you and I are going to have a long talk. I love you and I want you back in my life again.”
“I love you too, Clint, and I know that this is my fault, too. We will just have to be very careful not to let our feelings overpower us. Goodnight, my love. I will dream about you,” said Viki, trying very hard not to cry. Clint came over to Viki. “Just one kiss goodnight and, I promise, I will leave,” said Clint tenderly. He took Viki in his arms and held her gently, kissing her lips and stroking her hair. “Goodnight, my darling. Always remember that I love you,” Clint said, as he turned and walked out the door, leaving Viki with empty arms and tears in her eyes.
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