The Truth Binds You To Me

The Truth Binds You To Me
by Ceil

[AUTHOR'S NOTE: For storyline purposes, the Reade family consists of Fletcher, Holly and Ben].

Setting: Holly's newly rented condominium apartment.

It has been two days since Judge Huffman's decision. The drapery is drawn in the sparsely-furnished living room of Holly's apartment. Holly is sitting in an easy chair; a compact disc jewel box clutched in her hand. From the music playing in her portable CD player, she doesn't hear the lock turn on her front door. Holly squints as Blake puts the floor lamp on and enters the room....

Blake: Mom, are you just going to sit in here and listen to that song forever? This is exactly where I left you last night!

Holly: (softly) No, I went to get more of my clothes last night...

Blake: (curious) What didn't he say this time?

Blake's moves over to the stereo and turns the volume down. Holly gives her an annoyed look.

Holly: The same thing. He didn't say anything again.

Blake: I can't believe Fletcher said nothing when you told him you were moving out!

Holly: He never said anything. He just walked out of the room. (under her breath) He's so weak... He's never fought for anything in his life.

Holly stares at the stereo as the next verse begins to play from the song she has been repeatedly listening to all morning. Having listened to the same song for hours on end, she knows this verse by heart.

Speakers: There were hours that just went on for days...When alone at last we'd count up all the chances that were lost of us forever...

Blake looks at the stereo; sighing, she looks back Holly.

Blake: Daddy is staying at the country club.

Holly: (suddenly restless) I know that.

Holly gets up and turns the volume up to the stereo.

Blake: (looking from the stereo to Holly's face) You know that?! Oh, well he's at the studio today...

Speakers: But if I touch you like this...and you kiss me like that...It was so long ago...But it's all coming back to me.

Holly: (very interested) He is?

Holly turns the volume down on the stereo.

Holly: (moving past Blake) Okay, well, get out of here.

Blake: (jolted) What?

Holly: (calm) You heard me. Get out. Scram. Hit the road. I have to get dressed.

Holly retreats into the bathroom.

Holly: (stressed) Ugh! This hair!

Holly slams the bathroom door.

Blake rolls her eyes, picks up her purse from the bookcase and moves to the front door to leave. In the doorway, she hesitates briefly to hear the coming verse of the song.

Speakers: If you forgive me all this...If I forgive you all that...We forgive and forget...And it's all coming back to me...

Blake looks down the hallway again, then turns and walks out the door.

In another part of Springfield, at the same time...

Roger is at his office at WSPR. He and his secretary Bonnie have been discussing the state of the television station in his absence.

Bonnie: Really! Alex has been...well, barking orders left and right. I don't think she enjoys running the station at all; just likes ordering people around!

Roger: (smirking) That's Alex!

Bonnie: (curious) Roger, you never did mention on the phone yesterday what happened at the Judge's office when he decided to release you from your commitment to Midland Hills.

Roger looks up at her, surprised.

Bonnie: (uncertain) I hope I haven't brought up a painful subject.

Bonnie stares at Roger as if she knows his mind is somewhere else and that he hasn't heard her.

Roger's mind is on Holly. He hasn't spoken to her since that morning in the judge's office. He has been struggling for days with whether or not to approach Holly.

Bonnie: Roger?

Roger: (calmly) Judge Huffman left everything as it stands now. I'm free of my confinement. (suddenly, disgusted) And my wife is free and clear of any charges that could have possibly be brought against her, due to lack of hard evidence to the contrary. (smiles) But, hey, I'm not bitter. I only want to be free of her.

Bonnie: (curious) And your son?

Roger sits down at his desk.

Roger: Yes, my son isn't implicated either. Thank goodness. (pauses) I understand from my daughter, that her brother has taken off for a while. I just hope not for too long.

Bonnie: I'm sure he won't be gone for too long either. When I've seen Hart and Peter together at Company... Well, he really loves that little boy!

Roger: (smiles) Yes, as do I.

Roger: (abrupt) Now, shall we figure out what we can make out of this mess Alex has made with these reports before my flight this afternoon...

At that moment, Holly enters the office. Roger looks up from his desk as Holly enters.

Holly: (smiling) Hello Bonnie.

Bonnie: Holly! It's so great to see you! We've missed you so much here! This place has never been the same without you!

Roger stands up from his desk. Roger and Holly stare into each other's eyes.

Holly: (with nervous laughter, before glancing at Bonnie) Yes.

Roger is speechless. Roger and Holly continue to stare into each other's eyes.

Bonnie looks from Holly to Roger and back again.

Bonnie: (uncomfortable) Well, I have work to do on these reports, so I'll just...

Bonnie moves quickly out of the room staring at the couple all the while, before she closes the door behind her.

Roger: (moving from behind his desk and sitting on its corner) How are you doing? Chrissy told me that you've moved...

Holly: (interrupting) I should be asking you that question.

Roger: (relieved) I'm doing well. (pausing for a moment, he speaks softly) Thanks to you.

Roger stares into Holly's eyes again. Holly smiles widely at him.

Holly: (looking back at the door) I heard you say to Bonnie that you were flying out this afternoon?

Roger: Yes, I'm going to Mexico... (pauses) I'm off to get myself divorced, against Leo's better judgment, that is. Plus, I thought I could use the time away to... (pausing) think.

Holly: That's a very good idea for you. I've been trying to do the same thing for myself.

Roger: Have you?

Holly turns away and moves over to the bookshelves. She proceeds to touch the various pieces of sculpture.

Holly: Yes, I've been trying to get my thoughts in perspective.

Roger's apt attention is on Holly's every syllable and every movement. He is still stunned with her visit and is unable to reply to her comment.

Holly: (turns back to look at Roger) Mexico? Where are you going to be staying?

Roger: (uncomfortable) Ah... The El Reale (pausing) but, this hotel is in Cuidad.

Holly: (uncomfortable) Ah, Cuidad, that's not to far from the US border is it?

Roger: No, I just want to do what I have to do and come back... (softly) home.

Holly turns away from Roger again.

Holly: Maybe I should do that too.

Roger: (stunned) What?

Holly: Get away from Springfield for a while... (turns to look at Roger) I think I'd like to go to Cuidad as well... Do
you mind the company? I mean on the flight there and all?

Roger: (clearing his throat) No. I don't mind at...

The intercom interrupts him. Roger reluctantly presses the intercom button.

Roger: (to Holly) Excuse me.

Bonnie: (her voice over the intercom) Roger, I'm very sorry to interrupt you but I need to speak to you. Malcolm Devers from the FCC is on the phone out here; it should only take a few moments.

Roger releases the button. His face reflects his agitation with the turn of events.

Holly can tell that Roger is disturbed by the interruption. She makes an effort to ease his mind.

Holly: (reassuring) Go ahead. I'm going to call my travel agent and make a reservation. What time is your flight?

Roger reluctantly moves over to the office door.

Roger: Two thirty. Flight one-seventeen.

Holly: (smiling) Great! I'll just make the call and I'll meet you at the airport this afternoon.

Roger: (nodding) Okay.

Roger looks back at Holly in confusion as he closes the door.

Holly sits on the corner of Roger's desk and picks up the phone.

Later that afternoon, Roger and Holly have arrived at the Hotel El Reale in Ciudad. They go up to their adjoining rooms.

The bellman has opened Holly's room up for her. As he places her suitcase down on the bed, Holly opens the adjoining door to the other room. Roger has told the bellman that he will use his keys to enter his room himself. At that very moment, he has opened his adjoining door as well.

Holly: (grinning) Oh... Howdy, neighbor.

Roger (overcome with nervous laughter) Ah...Hi!

Bellman: Is there anything I can do for you, Seigniora?

Holly: (turns away from Roger) No, thank you...um, gracias.

Bellman: Enjoy your stay.

Bellman: Seignior?

Roger: I'm fine, thank you...gracias.

Holly smiles at Roger as she closes her front door. Roger is still standing in the threshold as he begins to speak.

Roger: (uncomfortable) Holly, I have to go into town for a short while...I'm meeting with an attorney for the...

Holly: (interrupting) Go ahead. Do what you have to do. I'll be fine. That's what we came here for after all, some time alone to think.

Roger: Yes.

Roger closes his door, but doesn't lock it. He is still puzzled that Holly has come to Mexico with him.

As Holly closes her own door and quickly moves to the phone...

Later, that evening, Holly and Roger spoke again after Roger's return from town. Holly made arrangements for them to have dinner on the veranda of the hotel's dining room. She is wearing a lovely dark gray tulle gown. Roger is dressed in his tux with the silver and black vest.

Roger pulls the chair out for Holly as they are seated at the secluded table. The maitre'd bows and then leaves them.

Over dinner, Roger and Holly discuss her sight-seeing of the day, she tells Roger about walking up to a fountain in the plaza and throwing coins into it.

Roger: (his head down) I wish I could have been there as well. I could use a little bit of luck.

Holly realizes that Roger is contemplating the fact that he is getting this divorce and all of his funds and holdings may be lost to Dinah in the process.

Holly: (moving her head so that Roger will look up at her) Well, I think I threw enough in there for both of us.

Roger smiles. His eyes glisten as he looks into Holly's.

A guitar begins to play in the main dining room. Holly gets up from the table and takes out her hand for Roger.
Roger gets up as well and takes her hand as they move away from the table onto the veranda. They begin to dance. Roger holds Holly as they go from looking into each other's eyes to Holly placing her head on Roger's shoulder.

[AUTHOR'S NOTE: The accompanying music would be the lyrics to Celine Dion's "Seduces Me" sung in Spanish]

As the song concludes, Holly looks into Roger's eyes, their lips meet for a passionate kiss. Roger reluctantly breaks free when he hears someone approach them.

Maitre'd: Senor, a telephone call for you.

Holly: (puzzled) Who could that be?

Roger: (annoyed by the interruption) I don't know.

Holly: Well, you should get it. I'll come too.

They all walk over to the bar. The bartender hands Roger a phone. Holly sits at a stool on the opposite end of the bar. Holly orders some wine from the bartender and slowly sips the wine as she listens to the phone conversation Roger is having. She can tell that Roger is speaking to Leo. It is apparent that Leo wants to see if Roger has had second thoughts about making the divorce arrangement in haste. Roger concludes the call by telling Leo that his decision is one of the better ones he's made in his life. He smiles as he looks over at Holly.

Roger: Goodbye, Leo.

Roger hangs up the phone and proceeds to walk over to Holly.

Holly: Watch out!

An unsuspecting Roger is hit with a platter of guacamole from a passing waiter.

Holly begins to giggle. Roger reaches behind his head to wipe off the green goo from his neck. The waiter conveys numerous apologizes, all in Spanish. The maitre'd rushes over with a towel.

Roger: (to the waiter and maitre'd) It's all right. It's all right. Gracias.

Holly smiles as she walks over to Roger. Roger can't help but smile back at her.

Roger: He could pour the whole platter over me, if only to get another smile like that from you.

Holly giggles and takes another sip of her wine.

Roger: (moving closer to Holly) I'll just go and change really quick. Okay?

Holly: (smiling) That's fine.

Holly looks at Roger's lips as if to move closer to kiss them. She looks up into Roger's eyes and smiles vibrantly at him.

Roger: (anxious) I won't be very long. Just...just... I'll be right down.

Holly watches as Roger enters the elevator. She waits until the doors close, then she walks over to the elevator as well.

A few minutes later.

Roger walks out of the shower and over to the closet in the darkened hotel room. He puts on his trousers and takes one of his silk shirts from a hanger and puts a black shirt on. He looks over and notices that the door to Holly's adjoining room is partly open. He can see a glimmer of light peeking though the doorway. Roger walks over to see where the light is coming from. As he approaches the doorway, he sees that Holly's door is wide open. Roger walks through the doorway to see a single candle lit on the dresser. A mild breeze comes into the room from the open window.

Roger turns as he hears movement coming from the bed in Holly's room. Roger turns to see Holly light a hurricane lamp on the nightstand. Holly is wrapped in a single sheet atop the bed. She turns to look at him.

Roger moves closer and sits on the side of the bed. Holly does nothing but smile and look into Roger's eyes; the sheet lightly draping her bare skin.

Roger: (whispering) Holly.

Holly: (putting her finger to his lips) Shhhhh.

Holly presses her lips to Roger's cheek. The dampness of his hair on her skin. Holly reaches her arms around Roger's neck and pulls him to her. She kisses him passionately.

Gently, Holly removes Roger's shirt. Her lips touch his neck and then to his chest. She tastes the beads of moisture on his skin. Holly takes his lips and pulls Roger down onto the bed. Very slowly, she tears the bed sheet away...

In the morning, Holly awakens to hear a songbird. She takes her head from the pillow. She feels Roger skin beside her in the bed. Holly turns onto her back. Roger is lying on his side, his hand cradling his head against a pillow. For a moment, they stare at each other and smile.

Roger: (his eyes glistening) Good morning.

Holly: (softly) Good morning.

Roger turns onto his back and sweeps Holly into his arms. Holly lays her head on Roger's chest.

Holly: (listening to the songbird) Listen.

They are silent for a moment. Roger looks over to the open window and smiles as he hears the trill.

Roger: He's calling to his mate.

Holly looks up at Roger.

Holly: Eternally bound to each other, for as long as they live.

Roger gently reaches to take Holly's face in his hands and kisses her passionately...

Later that morning, they have breakfast on the balcony in Holly's room. They decide to take in all the sights of Ciudad. Roger reminds himself that a messenger will be at the hotel soon to bring him the divorce papers. Roger needs to wait for his man to arrive.

Roger: (looking at his watch) He should be here any minute.

Roger runs his fingers through his hair. Holly takes a shawl from the dresser drawer.

Roger: (anxious) You know what. We don't even have to wait. I'll tell the desk to keep the envelope there and we...

Holly: (calm) You're right. The messenger should be here any minute, we might as well wait for him to get here. It's almost eleven o'clock. I'm sure they will be here for the time they said...

Holly stops herself from saying another word. Roger looks puzzled. He didn't remember telling Holly the time he was expecting the attorney's courier. Roger is about to question Holly, when someone knocks at the door in Roger's room.

Holly and Roger enter the room so that Roger can answer the door.

Courier: Senor, for you.

The stern man hands Roger a document and then turns to Holly. Roger looks over the document that he has received. He doesn't notice the man is still in the room.

Courier: (discreetly handing Holly a similar document) Senorita.

The man bows and walks out of Roger's room. Roger thinks nothing of it as he closes the door, then realizing the man's error Roger comments about it.

Roger: Senorita? Hmm. I wonder why he didn't call you 'Senora'?

Roger turns back to Holly to see her reading the document in her hands. For the first time, Roger realizes that she has a document similar to his own.

Roger: (puzzled) What's that?

Holly: (a smile comes over her lips) Same thing you got!

Roger: Huh?

Holly tosses the paper in the air, takes Roger's from him and does the same, all the while she is smiling widely.

Roger: (stunned) Is that what I think it is?

Holly nods, the enormous smile still evident on her face.

Roger: (wide-eyed) You're free!

Holly: (about to wrap her arms around him) We're free!

In his excitement, Roger takes her in his arms and lifts Holly up into the air. Breathlessly, they spin around the room in incredible joy.