He was gone, Shelly would tell her, you need to accept it and move on. Lena wanted to do just that, the problem was, she didn't know how. Brushing past Brandy, who was already at her desk this morning, Lena noticed she’d gone back to wincing whenever she looked at her. For awhile there Brandy had smiled back, that was during the period of time she now referred to as, The Mason Period. Slouching down in her chair she opened her email and read one from McKinney about cocktail hour for Thanksgiving, groaning Lena clicked it open and winced when she saw the location, of course, 8pm at Exquisite.
Mason was drunk. He’d been surviving on frozen dinners and expensive alcohol and right now he was around half way through one expensive bottle of scotch. He was sitting in the kitchen of Exquisite with the bottle in his hand watching his employees work around him. This had become a new habit for him. He'd given up his spot at the pass, claiming he'd prefer to give someone else the experience, however that had just been a way to sit down every night, which was helpful since he could almost guarantee he would more than likely fall down. He watched as Rachel walked over to him with her apron around her waist and a frown on her face.
She stopped bent down and hissed at him. "You're drunk! Again."
Shrugging he replied, "So? Get off my ass Rachel."
Shaking her head at him she reached out and snagged the bottle.
"Hey! That's mine."
"So is this restaurant but you don't seem to give a shit about it." she paused and let out a deep sigh. "You look like shit Mase."
"Thanks for the helpful advice there."
"Do you really think this is what she’d want?"
Feeling his head swirl a little he swayed and looked up at his sister, trying to focus but seeing two of her.
"It doesn't matter does it? She's not here." then he mumbled, "And never will be again."
Rachel placed the bottle on the stainless steel bench beside her. "Are we still talking about mom?"
He lifted his eyes to hers and stood on shaky feet, "Of course we are. And now we're done. Give me back the bottle."
"No." she replied stubbornly.
"Fine. I'll just go out to my bar and get another one."
Rachel rolled her eyes, "What are you doing to yourself Mason? This wont help."
He pushed past her and mumbled, "Nothing does."
Lena sat in the car beside Shelly and took a deep breath. Looking over at her friend she shook her head. "I can't do this."
She reached over and took Lena's hand. "Yes you can. I'll be right there. He knows the hospital comes here and I'm sure he’s seen the booking and will stay well out of your way."
Swallowing, Lena couldn't decide if that was a good or bad thing. It hurt her physically to think of being here and not being able to go back and talk to him, kiss him or touch him. This place held a lot of memories both good and bad and she couldn't help but think tonight's would be in the latter category.
"Come on." Shelly said as she opened her door and climbed out. Lena closed her eyes took a deep breath and got out of the car. When they walked in the door she noticed the place was at full capacity. People were lined up along the bar standing behind those sitting on stools. The tables were all jam packed and the waiters and waitresses were maneuvering their way through them carefully. The hostess asked if they had reservations and luckily Shelly spoke up because it was quite clear Lena had lost all ability to function. It was amazing she was actually still standing on her own. They followed a young blond woman through some tables to the long set up in the back where most of the doctors had already taken their seats.
Lena's eyes darted around the dimly lit dining room, trying to see anyone familiar like Wendy, Rachel or even Mason just so she could slink low into her chair and avoid them. Luck was not on her side though because just as the waiter arrived at their table she saw the frosted double doors push open and Mason come out from behind them.
The first thing she noticed was he looked terrible. This was not the same man she’d met nearly eight months ago. The man storming through the restaurant with a scowl etched deep into his face, and a dark shadow of a beard, looked nothing like the easy going Mason she’d come to know and love. This man looked tired. His eyes had dark circles around them and his hair was longer than usual and falling into his face. He didn't greet anyone and didn't smile as he pushed his way behind the bar, and reached up to grab a bottle from the top shelf.
The bartender watched him closely, Lena noticed, but didn't say anything as Mason grabbed a glass then turned to make his way back out from behind the bar. Suddenly he stopped and his eyes focused on someone walking through the front door. Lena followed his gaze and froze when she saw the tall red head, Trisha, standing at the front door. Almost in slow motion, like watching a car wreck, Lena saw Trisha spot Mason turn on tall black heels and strut her way over to him.
Feeling the bile rise in her throat Lena turned to Shelly. "I need to leave."
Shelly looked at her and arched a brow, "What? Why? Did something happen?"
Lena shook her head and clamped her mouth shut, not trusting herself to say anything. Shelly looked behind her and Lena knew the minute she saw what was unfolding. It must have been worse then when she was looking because a look of pity slid onto Shelly's face.
"Oh honey. I'm sorry I made you come. I didn't realize he was with,"
Lena held her hand up and swallowed not wanting to hear the words. Her heart felt like it was being squeezed by a tight fist and she couldn't seem to take a breath.
"Can we just go?" she managed to get out.
Shelly nodded and pushed back from the table to stand. Lena also stood then turned to find Wendy behind her chair. Swallowing and keeping her eyes away from the bar Lena looked at the woman she had started to consider a good friend.
"Lena." Wendy said reaching out and taking her hand. Lena looked down at the fingers squeezing hers gently. "How are you?" she seemed to think better of that and shook her head. "I'm sorry that was a stupid question. Please don't leave. I know Rachel would love to see you."
Lena stiffened. She hadn't been sure if Rachel would ever want to talk to her again after what had happened and they way things had ended with Mason.
"I'm not so sure," Lena started.
"Well I am. Just because Mason is falling off the deep end doesn't mean we all have to stop talking."
Lena nodded once and couldn't help but raise her eyes to the bar. Big mistake. Mason had come around from behind it and had seated himself in the end corner, where she’d once sat and flirted with him. However, this time he had Trisha sitting on his lap stroking his hair. Lena must of made some kind of strangled sob because Wendy turned and looked in the direction she was. Wendy quickly turned back to her. "It's not what you think."
Lena looked at the woman in front of her and nodded, "Yes it is."
Shaking her head Wendy answered, "No it's not. He's drunk and Trisha has wanted him for months. Even after they broke up and you two hadn’t met, it was definitely over. She doesn't understand no and she’s looking for an opportunity to slip in, she found it."
Lena swallowed and turned to Shelly who was looking over at the two at the end of the bar with a look that may have been, Lena thought, murderous.
"I need to go." Lena said moving to push past Wendy. She felt the manager's hand on her arm and looked back at her.
"Please don't. If you ever cared about Mason, or Catherine, please don't leave him alone with her. He'll hate himself for it."