A Pleasant Story

Chapter Five

Cassandra's Heart




Cassandra began telling Mary-Sue about her former fiance, Don Lothario.

"Oh yeah! You said you gave him back his ring?"




"Yes, I just did that--but first let me tell you about last night!

I called him up and asked him to come over so we could talk. He said he'd be happy to come over, but asked if 'my friend' could come over, too. I really wanted a private talk, but I didn't want to sound rude, so I said okay.

"When he arrives, guess who he brought with him?"

"Dina Caliente! I couldn't believe it! She was following along behind him, and I could tell she was thinking about him!"








"I'd been planning to let him down gently and give him a chance to explain, but when he showed up with Dina it was obvious there was something between them. I still can't figure out why he brought her over--either he's just that stupid or he wanted to flaunt her in front of me. Either way, I'm sure I made the right decision to dump him. Dealing with him has become so tedious and boring."







"I told him that it just wasn't going to work out, and that it was time to push away from each other.





"And then the idiot tried to talk me out of it and flirted with me in front of Dina! She stomped up and smacked him silly and said 'How dare you try to seduce me when you were already engaged!'”



“Don got all simpering and begged her to forgive him! He told her she was the only woman for him. It was really embarrassing.”



“I have to say, I was pretty impressed with Dina–she told him he had no idea what love was and that she regretted ever letting him try to charm her.”





"I told him it was time to go. After he left, Dina apologized, then she left too.”






Mary-Sue was stunned at Cassandra's story. "How could he DO that! I knew he was maybe seeing Nina, but her sister, too? The nerve of that guy! So then he left?"

Cassandra continued, "Yes, I threw him out, but in the excitement I forgot to give him back his ring. That's what I did today. That's ANOTHER story! After I left you this morning I went to his house and GUESS who was there with him this time?"

Mary-Sue dropped her jaw. "Another one?"

"Yup. Chili girl! He was hanging out in the yard with her flirting and hugging her. I about died. Not that I was surprised, but his blatant flaunting just threw me for a loop."






"So what did you do?" Mary-Sue asked.

"I almost laughed in his face, but then I just decided to give him back his ring and get out of there. And then he started yelling, 'I don't like airplanes!'"






Mary-Sue blinked. "Airplanes?"

Cassandra laughed. "Don't ask me, I have no idea WHAT that was about!

She continued, "But anyway, it just got me thinking that I never really loved him. I liked his attention, and his smooth talk, and I think I just got swept away.

"I just smiled at him, mostly out of pity, I think. He's going to be an awfully lonely old man someday if he can't quit running around with flings everywhere. I'm sure he only proposed to me because of Daddy's simoleons. I don't care about it, but Don does."






Mary-Sue shook her head. "You're well rid of him. How many women does that make that he's hooked up with?"

Cassandra said, "Including me, just three that I know of--but I seriously can't believe it about the sisters! I wonder if they know about each other with Don?"

"I don't think I'd want to be in the room when one of them finds out!" Mary-Sue exclaimed. “So, you ready to go home now?"

Cassandra jumped, "Oh wait! I forgot to tell you the best part! Darren came over last night!"





Mary-Sue clarified, "Darren Dreamer? Your friend? The one whose wife died?"

"Yes, that's him, his son is named Dirk. Sweet kid. I think he's got a girlfriend, but I don't know who it is.

"But anyway, Darren just showed up last night, right after Don and Dina left!"





"I was so glad to see him! He's been such a friend since my Mom disappeared. Really supportive. Even though he's been so down since his wife died, he's still made an effort to be a good friend."

"He was so sweet--just said he'd been thinking about me and wanted to see if I was okay, and then he took my hands and told me if I ever needed anything that he'd be there."




"And Mares, suddenly I realized he's in love with me! I guess I just hadn't ever looked at him that way because I'd been busy with Don, and I thought he was just a sweet friend, but it's more than that.

"And I think I feel the same way! With him I feel such a warm and comfortable feeling. Not like with Don, always lusty and wild, but no caring, really--this felt so right."





Mary-Sue gasped. "Really? That's amazing? I only know him a little, but he seems awfully sweet. And such a good Dad to his son since his wife died. Are you sure you love him?"

Cassandra smiled. "Pretty sure."






"So now I need to figure out what to do about it," Cassandra continued. "Ever since last night I have a feeling of a very strong want to become engaged to him. It's so compelling! But I don't want to move too fast like I did with Don."




Cassandra glanced to her right and then nudged Mary-Sue. "Isn't that the guy that was talking to you before? He's cute! You should go talk to him."




Mary-Sue got up hesitantly and wandered casually over to where Cyd was sitting, trying to look like she was just interested in checking out the railing.

But Cyd popped up immediately when he noticed her and seemed glad to see her and began talking animatedly about his hobbies. Mary-Sue responded by telling him how much music meant to her.




She was a little flustered by his beautiful green eyes, and hoped she wasn't boring him, but he seemed sincerely interested in what she was saying.

Well, she thought. You never know.



When Mary-Sue brought Cassandra back to her house, she showed her into the bedroom.

"Okay, this is the next step in the new me--I'm getting rid of THIS! This is where Daniel and that maid were–ugh.”




Mary-Sue chose a new bed that reflected her tastes.

"Ta Da! I hated Daniel's style. So clunky."




"That's a start," said Mary-Sue, "And then I am going to redo the whole downstairs. If I sell all of Daniel's ugly heavy furniture I should have enough simoleons to get some new things. And redo the carpet and stuff. Daniel liked it dark.

"Oh, but didn't you say before that you had something you wanted to give me?"





Cassandra handed over her gift and explained, "You've got the new look--now THIS will change you on the inside, too, and LITERALLY make you younger. I've used it several times when I've felt time rushing by too fast."

She winked. "And this will make you closer in age to Cyd, too."

"Aha!" said Mary-Sue. "So THAT'S why you are so much younger even though we grew up together!"

Cassandra left after making plans to meet again soon, and Mary-Sue regarded the odd liquid cooler she'd been given.




"What have I got to lose?" she thought, and started drinking the viscous green sludge.


It was amazing! She could feel her years rolling backwards.





"I was going to wait to redo the house, but this gives me the energy to start right now!"




“I'm going to start in the bedroom–this is going to be MY space now!”


Mary-Sue got rid of all the dark and ponderous things that Daniel had preferred for the house and chose items that were light and cheerful.













The bedroom was done, now on to the bathroom! Mary-Sue especially wanted to get rid of the weird tub Daniel had bought. It had always made her feel like she was bathing in a horse trough. Not to mention that the clashing blue tiles made her feel like she was drowning.




She was pleased with the result.












Next she tackled the living room.









Finally tired after her long and busy day, she sat and thought about everything that had happened. The pain of divorcing Daniel was still sharp, but she felt like new opportunities were presenting themselves and that she had the strength to carry on.

And she smiled as she looked at the one thing that would never let her down.