CHAPTER 17

You're in flannel again?" Maggie scrutinized Julie who was the first to dress up.

"It's music fest." Julie sat on the coach.

"Can you puh-lease, for once, wear something else?" Maggie begged as she rolled her eyes.

In the previous music festivals they have attended, Julie always had flannel in her. It didn't matter if it's hip-hop, rnb, or pop music festival. Julie loved flannel so much that she had always viewed it as synonymous to music fest. It's a must for her. Whether she wears a flannel shirt, a flannel bracelet, a flannel pants or a flannel hat, it's a must for her to have one whenever there's a music fest. Color didn't matter as long as its flannel and she's in a music fest.

"No can't do. You know I love flannel." Julie made a face.

"Let it go. You know whatever you say, she wouldn't," Shira intervened after grabbing a bottle of water at the fridge.

Julie said nothing, preferring to examine her fingernails as she tried to avoid the evil eye that Maggie was sending her way. In sudden silence, Maggie and Shira glanced at each other.

For a moment, Maggie thought of what Shira said and knew that she was right. Julie wouldn't change her mind whatever they would say. Instead, she just asked them about the boys. "Aren't the boys done yet?"

"Speaking about the boys, Sam has sent me a message. He said that they would just wait for us at the lobby." Julie glanced at the direction of Lea's room. "Isn't she done yet?"

"Of all people, you should know not to rush her. She wasn't feeling well this morning. Maybe the heat got her," Maggie reminded.

Since it was their last day in Myrtle, they have toured around and visited other attractions. Among them were Hollywood Wax Museum, Aquarium, and Brookgreens Garden. They even dropped by House of Flowers as they have promised Enrico that they would. And they weren't disappointed on what they saw at his shop.

"I know. That's why I'm asking. I'm also concerned about her," Julie said, her mind moving quickly, trying to recover.

Julie then stood up and was about to check on Lea when they heard someone knocking on the door. They looked at each other wondering who it could be since the boys are already at the lobby waiting for them.

"Don't look at me. I didn't call for a room service. I swear!" Julie said, looking sheepish.

Julie had been voicing out her hunger since they returned to the Palace. However, the other ladies immediately reprimanded her since they already had something to chew before going back to the Palace. Unfortunately for her, they went to a coffee shop.

Instead of checking on Lea, Julie opened the door to see who it was.

"Hey there little one!" She smiled the moment she saw Mavis. "It's Mavis." She glanced back at Shira and Maggie.

"Lea would be out in a minute," Shira chimed in.

"Hi, I'm Deanna." She held out her hand and smiled. "Landon asked me to drop Mavis to you."

"She's my gradma." Mavis motioned at Deanna.

Julie held her hand out. "Hello. Please come in. I'm Julie," Julie greeted. "That's Shira and Maggie. We're just waiting for Lea."

As Deanna and Mavis entered the suite room, simultaneously, Lea came out of her room. She was in sleeveless floral dress with front button opening and with basic shirt collar which maximized her features of long curly blonde hair and milky white skin. Most of all, the dress highlighted her perfect pair of legs which many of her friends wanted her to show of.

"That's how you should dress," Maggie told Julie as all eyes were on Lea.

"Hey now, I was the one who selected that dress for her," Julie complained.

"Wow! You look amazing," Mavis complimented.

"Thank you!" Lea noticed Deanna standing near Mavis.

"Hello, I'm Mavis' grandmother," Deanna introduced herself. "You look great."

"Mrs. McGuigan?" What Lea said upon seeing Deanna surprised everyone. They looked at each other wondering what she was talking about. "It's me, Lea Schwimer," Lea added.

Deanna stared at her while digging in her memory where she met the beautiful young lady currently standing in front of them. Her name, Lea Schwimer, was familiar though, Deanna admitted to herself. However, she couldn't remember where she met her. Inspecting Lea closely, Deanna thought she looked almost like her daughter Theresa but certainly not her. It would have been impossible or a miracle. "Lea Schwimer?"

"Yeah. First grade? Beverly Hills Elementary School? How's Theresa?" Lea gave her some clues to remember her.

It suddenly struck Deanna. "You're that little Lea?" Deanna recalled. "Look at you." She motioned at Lea. "You're a lady now."

"Thanks!" Lea smiled.

Mavis pulled Deanna's pants. "Grandma, do you know her? She's my new friend," Mavis interrupted.

Deanna also knew about Mavis' interaction with some of the guests of MTL Palace, which most of the time ending up being friends with them. It came no surprise with Deanna that he would befriend Lea and her friends. At the start though, she was concerned that Landon would allow Mavis to be with some guests of the hotel. But that feeling changed to joy when she

saw an old friend of her daughter.

Deanna glanced at Mavis. "She's an old friend of your mom," Deanna tried to explain.

Lea couldn't believe what she just heard. Good Lord, it wasn't the most ideal situation to find out about someone she had once looked up to. She couldn't hide the surprise in her expression. She covered her mouth with her right hand after realizing that Mavis' deceased mother is an old friend of hers. "Oh!" Lea shockingly expressed and immediately walked toward Deanna and gave her a comforting hug. She felt something was piercing her heart and was pumping some pain that made her shed a tear.

Lea started to understand why she felt at peace with Mavis from the beginning. Although she has her ways with kids, there was something in Mavis that made her feel connected. It didn't jibe then. More so, she never thought that it would be his mother and her friend, Theresa. What were the odds on that? Pretty damn small, that's for sure.

Afterwards, she also squeezed Mavis who was still trying to comprehend what was going on.

After a moment of silence, Julie asked, "What's going on here? Do you know other or what?"

Setting aside her mixed feelings, Lea explained to her friends what was going on as they all sat on the coaches in the living room. She and Mavis' mother, Theresa were former schoolmates at Beverly Hills Elementary School. She was on the first grade while Theresa was on the fifth grade. It all started when Lea was crying alone on a corner of the school playground. Her mother was late on fetching her after her class due to busy schedule at the radio station. Luckily, Theresa saw her and comforted her until Lea's mother arrived. Since then, they became best of friends.

Despite the age difference, Theresa and Lea became like sisters. On weekends, Lea would hang out at Theresa's house while her parents were busy at the radio station. Theresa would usually guide Lea in her assignments and lecture her for some advance discussions, which Lea would soon encounter for the following school week. It was a better atmosphere for Lea's parents. Rather than calling up a babysitter for Lea and stay with her at their house, she would be with at friend's house enhancing her intellect. However, their close relationship came to an end when Deanna and her family moved to a different town and Theresa and Lea were unable to be in contact with each other since the day they moved out, Lea was hospitalized for an illness.

Though she was still young at that time, Lea had kept the wonderful memories of Theresa and her family in her heart. They served as role models for her on many things. Theresa, for one, was more her sister than a friend. She looked up to her as someone she admired the most.

Deanna also narrated what happened to them when they left Beverly Hills. She told them the emergency of going back to Myrtle where Deanna's father died and her mom was with no one to accompany her. All of Deanna's children agreed, even Theresa, to permanently stay in Myrtle. Theresa was sadden of not saying her goodbye to Lea but was old enough to understand her family's situation.

Deanna also mentioned about Theresa's joy when she met Landon and raising Mavis even just for short years before her passing away.

Lea still couldn't believe what happened to Theresa even though she heard a detailed narration from Deanna. She couldn't imagine how someone like Theresa, full of energy and life, could suddenly pass away.

"Theresa could have been happy to see her little sister again," Deanna smiled. "It's nice to see you again."

"Me too. I would never forget someone like her," Lea remarked. "The entire school then thought we're sisters since we look alike. Some even though we're twins."

Julie, Shira and Maggie were silently shocked by the narrations they heard. They seemed at a loss for words. It was a lot to take in. They're expecting that Lea and Deanna met each other in an event or party. It took them a few seconds to process the narrations they heard. Who could have guessed that Mavis and Lea were connected through Mavis' deceased mother? Moreover, the three ladies were now troubled on what to do next. They were actually planning of lighting a spark on the brewing atmosphere between Lea and Landon. It would be awkward now after knowing such reality. Should they continue with their plan or not? Just thinking about it, they're already feeling bad. Part of them wanted to continue but there's also something that's pulling them back.

"So you're a friend of my mom?" Mavis wondered as he stared at Lea for more enlightenment.

Lea simply nodded.

"That's why you look like my mom."

Lea just smiled at him. She didn't want to correct Mavis since she didn't want to give more confusion to the young boy. How could she give a better explanation to a kid about it? She didn't want to, all the more, rock his boat. Furthermore, she realized there's a sense of truth behind what he just said. Theresa and Lea treated each other more than friends. They were like sisters. She had always looked up to Theresa as her older sister.

Lea just turned her attention back to Deanna. "You would be coming with us at the music fest, right?" She politely asked.

"Oh no!" Deanna shook her head. "I was just asked to give Mavis to you since I need to return home. Brent, Theresa's older brother, needed me to watch his kid as well. Besides, I'm too old for such festival." Deanna gently grabbed Mavis on his shoulder to get his attention. "Now Mavis, you have to behave and don't give them any trouble."

"Are you sure you don't want to tag along?" Julie asked. "It would be more fun if you're with us."

"Nah! Just take care of this little boy here for me."

"We would certainly watch over him," Maggie guaranteed.

"Be assured that Lea would be by his side all the time," Julie added.

"Thank you!" Deanna showed a little beam. "Oh, I almost forget to tell you something. Landon said that Abby would be waiting for you at the entrance gate."

"Oh, Ms. Pace. That would be great then." Shira stood up. "So should we get going then? The boys are already waiting at the lobby."

"I should get going as well," Deanna said. "Your ride is also ready at the lobby. Mr. Connolly would drive you there."

Part of Lea wanted to talk more with Deanna. Yet, they're people waiting for them. If she could only stop the movement of time, she already did. She was glad on the chance of seeing Deanna again but at the same time, devastated that Theresa wasn't around anymore.

Lea was suddenly pulled back to reality as Mavis held her hand and pulled her up to walk out of the room. She glanced at him and forced to show a smile.