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Introducing our exclusive online daily soap opera for Insider members. Like current soaps on air, Best For Last features daily written episodes focused on the drama surrounding Laurie, Seth, and a host of other players.
Get immersed in stories and characters you’ve never seen before and let them become family, like the players we see every day on Days of our Lives, General Hospital, The Young and the Restless, and The Bold and the Beautiful.
Continue from Episode 8
With Polly’s large suitcase in one hand and Laurie’s considerably smaller one in the other, Junior strode out the door and down the stairs. His car was parked at the curb.
“1978 Continental Mark V Diamond Jubilee Edition,” he announced proudly as he opened the trunk to toss their things in. “460 V8 engine, dual exhausts, power moonroof, and 40-channel CB radio. Best money can buy!” He asked Laurie, “You like it?”
She looked over her shoulder, back at their apartment building. “I have to say goodbye to Seth.”
“She loves it. She’s never seen anything so nice in her entire life.” Polly leaned over until her face was inches from Laurie’s and hissed, “We don’t have time.”
“It’ll only take a minute.” Laurie pointed at Seth’s window. “I think he’s right there. Just let me say goodbye. Please, Mama.”
“Get in the car.” Polly grabbed Laurie by the arm and all but threw her into the back seat. Before closing the door, she reached over and yanked at the key around Laurie’s neck, then tossed it aside and into the gutter. “Won’t be needing that anymore.”
Laurie tried to hide the tears she felt threatening to fall down her cheeks. She peeked up at the window for a second time. With the sun rising, it was hard to see. She couldn’t be sure that what she spied was actually Seth and not just a loose curtain or a shadow. But, just in case, she raised one hand and waved with all her might.
Junior told the truth. His daddy’s house really was big and it really was surrounded by a lot of land and trees and a lake and Laurie really did see a few horses grazing in a field as they drove by.
He ushered them inside, talking about how much this pool cost to dig and that carpet cost to lay and how many rooms the house had and the names and prices of all the cars parked outside. Polly couldn’t stop gaping and asking questions and giggling and grabbing onto Junior’s arm as if she’d suddenly lost the ability to walk in the same size high-heels she’d been walking in since middle school. Laurie followed behind, wondering what the point was of having so many rooms if no one was in them and hardly any of the drapes were open.
The only time Junior stopped talking and Polly stopped giggling was when they approached a closed door at the end of the hall. One minute they were practically giddy, and the next they looked terrified. Neither appeared eager to knock on the door, yet both seemed desperate to get whatever was supposed to come next over with. Figuring she could help, Laurie did it for them.
Polly glared, and Laurie drew back, wondering if Mama was going to yell at her. But then, much to Laurie’s surprise, Polly smiled, as if she were grateful, and shrugged at Junior. He seemed somewhat relieved, too. But also scared.
The door was flung open before anyone could decide precisely how they felt about what Laurie had so spontaneously done.
A man stood on the other side. Older and taller and thinner than Junior, with teeth much less straight and white. But the main difference seemed to be that while Junior’s tan was so exactly even it could only have come from thick creams and laying still on the beach, rotating every half-hour to ensure aesthetic perfection, the older man’s leathery brown face and neck offered enough variety to prove it had been earned honestly. He looked like he worked outside, not just lounged there.
He glanced from Junior to Polly, eyes stopping briefly on Laurie. She attempted a smile, but he lost interest before the corners of her mouth had finished their tentative curl.
“Well, don’t just stand there like morons, come in!” The older man hurried Junior and Polly through the door, looking as if he had a million more important matters to deal with and was equally eager to get their meeting over with. He closed the door and left Laurie to wait outside.
Continue to Episode 10
About the Author
Alina Adams wrote the “As the World Turns” tie-ins, “Oakdale Confidential” and “The Man From Oakdale,” and co-wrote “Guiding Light’s” “Jonathan’s Story.” She was the Creative Content Producer for “Another World Today,” and worked on the 2013 relaunches of “All My Children” and “One Life To Live.” Her books include romance novels, figure skating murder mysteries, and the historical family saga, “The Nesting Dolls,” from HarperCollins. Read more at: AlinaAdams.com
