EPISODE 32
Written by : Bre L. Drew
Last Time On Town and Country
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Louise is surprised when the twins tell her that Sean isn't coming home for Thanksgiving opting to stay at his brother's for the holiday making her decision of going to file for divorce more evident.
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Lynn continues to skip school.
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Antoine was envious about Shauna going on a date with Max Covington.
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Courtney is angry at her father interfering in her life.
COVINGTON GROUP
Courtney Covington is in her office on the seventeenth floor in the Covington Tower, behind her desk concluding a telephone conversation with a digital media executive who hadn't yet upload any of the images nor videos, were taken in Puerto Rico of all the work that is being done by the company to assist with all of the efforts due to Hurricane Maria last year hasn't been posted on the company's website.
She then puts the phone back into the cradle. She is about to check her work email when someone knocks on her door. Praying that it isn't her father whom she is still upset with him over his involvement of being overly-involved in her own life. She has managed to avoid him for nearly a week or so now.
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A familiar voice calls out "It's me."
" Come in "
Max Covington strides into his only sister's office then close the door behind him. He goes over to hug her from behind her desk and is told by her to sit down in front of her.
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" What are you doing here? " Courtney asks happily.
" You don't call, you don't write," Max says with a sense humor.
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Courtney puts her hand on her forehead. " I know I haven't been in touch. I'm sorry between everything that is going on I completely forgot to tell you where I've been. "
Max knows that his sister temporarily moved out due to their father which he strongly applauds her for doing that since he knows firsthand how domineering that man can be.
" Do you want to hear about my date? " he asks
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Courtney nods wanting to hear anything else that doesn't include her right now.
Max informs his sister on how Shauna was awestruck of having their first date together aboard his yacht on Lake Hudson.
" Max, you like her, don't you? "
" I do."
" All I'm going to say is be careful, I know deep down you're a romantic. I don't want to see you get hurt that's all. " Courtney advises him
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" Why would I get hurt, Courtney? "
Courtney shuffles her look off her brother to the screen of her desktop computer then back to him.
"Shauna seems like a nice girl, but I don't know something about her makes me think that she is an opportunist. "
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Courtney thinks back to where she first met her at the bar when she mistook her flirting with Steven not knowing they're familial friends instead. Although, it was her who suggested to her father that she can do the interior decorating of the estate maybe she is with her big brother as a way to get more out of their family.
Max voluntary smirks. " I don't make assumptions about your relationship so please don't make any about mine. " He rises out of his chair.
Max takes off out of her office slamming the door behind her signifying him being pissed at her.
Courtney's focus is hardly on her work anymore realizing she has never said anything so harsh to her big brother.
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RADCLIFFE HIGH SCHOOL
The hubbub of students, faculty members, and recruiters from several universities, were all being contained in the school's gymnasium. Tanner Lockhart is walking towards the door since she already collected enough information from various colleges and had a few minutes to spare before having to get ready for lunch. She happens to see her fraternal clone standing outside of the hallway outside of the door looking rather conspicuous wearing an open blue sweater showing off her red and white New York Graphic tee with black and white striped pants with trademark wavy blonde hair.
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" Were you in there? " Tanner asks meaningfully.
She knows that her twin sister has no plans to go to college after graduating from here in a year and a half. So finding her standing outside the door of the school's annual college fair is something she is trying to make sense for her.
" Only for a few minutes, just looked around and got outta there, it's better than being stuck in physics listening to Mr. Hollis going on and on about momentum, " she replies dramatically.
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"I see you had fun in there." Lynn changes the subject,
Her sister is carrying a handful of information in her right hand.
" Oh yeah, these are just other places, but you know Berklee is still my number one school. " Tanner informs her.
Ever since she can remember Berklee College Of Music in Boston is where her heart has been to study music when she leaves high school.
The two of them see their mutual best friend Elijah Barker coming over to them wearing a dark gray long-sleeve thermal and blue jeans holding onto his information packets albeit fewer than Tanner.
" Lenny, what are you doing here? you do know that this is a college fair? " Elijah says sardonically.
" Very funny Barker." Lynn says
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" Are you still serious about going to the University of Hawaii Elijah? " Tanner asks
For a while now, Elijah had this secretive plan to go all the way to Hawaii to go to college. Knowing that neither of his parents would want their only son to go four-thousand miles away. They want him to attend his father's alma matter Sampson University which is only thirty-five minutes from home and also where he happens to teach at as well.
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" Sand, surf, and girls hell yeah I'm definitely considering all of those options. " Elijah fantasizes.
" You don't even know how to surf." Lynn retorts comically.
The three of them are joined by Tommy Covington who comes out of a classroom with his backpack on his back.
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"Hey" he greets all of three of them.
They all exchange friendly pleasantries. The three of them haven't gotten used to him in their circle yet.
" Hey Teach, did you go to every booth in there? " Tommy asks with a smile on his face.
" Not everyone" she corrects him.
Tanner excuses herself stating she needs to get to her locker in which Elijah follows her since he has a meeting with student council in an hour.
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Lynn sizes him up she hadn't realized how cute Tommy is for a Covington.
" So let me guess you're not down with the whole "university" thing either?
Tommy shakes his head. " No, it's just that I'm going to tour my top three Pepperdine, Stanford, and Harvard in a few weeks anyway. so it does not make any sense to get out of class for what's in there. "
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" I must say I thought you weren't interested in college because ---."
"Because? Because I'm rich, no I want to go to school, prove everyone that I can one day work for my family's company cause I earned it not because of my last name besides I see that place enough with me working there maybe I learn enough to one day get a business of my own and compete with my father, " he says like he has been thinking all of what he told her for some time now.
" I must say I am impressed. " Lynn says
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The two of them stand in silence as students begin piling into the hallway heading to their designated areas of the building unaware of their personal conversation.
"So are you heading to lunch? " Tommy says incidentally
Lynn puts her hand on her hips. " I'm not going to be here," she whispers.
Tommy knew exactly what she is talking about and gives her a cautious look. " Be careful."
More recently she has been skipping classes and most of her lunch period. She needs to get away from this place right now.
He then takes off into the crowd of his fellow peers.
Lynn grips the strap of her backpack she goes down the hall towards the end of the hallway into another corridor where the door that leads out to the student parking lot. She sees a swarm of students coming so she quickly pushes the door open but the door is locked and try as she might she cannot open it.
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"Damn" she mutters to herself.
She turns around to find Brynn Barker with her arms crossed wearing an enlighten scowl on her face.
" I think we should go to my office to get a few things straight don't you Lynn."
THE WATERFALL BAR
In between serving customers, she has known most if not all of her life. Martha Saunders sees her best friend Shauna Jackson sitting down at the end of the bar. She then waddles over to her noticing she is moving slower in her last trimester in her pregnancy.
The two casually address one another over Beyoncé's Upgrade You playing above them.
"How did your date go?" Martha asks excitedly.
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The look on Shauna's face brightens with a mix of embarrassment and glee.
"That good huh? "
"That great, Max took me out to Lake Hudson." Shauna begins
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"Lake Hudson, in this weather? " Martha says shivering even thinking about the coldness all the way out there.
"Anyway, we had dinner on his yacht."
" His yacht? " Martha gasps
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" Yeah, three floors, crystal chandeliers, hot tub, Screens as big as the ones in the movie theatres, everything we used to see on MTV Cribs back in the day but even better. " Shauna says
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" He even asked permission to kiss me, and that kiss was something I never felt before. " Shauna remarks
" That good or that bad? " Martha asks not sure where she is getting at.
Shauna runs her tongue slowly on her bottom lip remembering how exhilarating was that kiss between Max and herself on the deck.
" Oh, that good " Martha rightfully assumes.
Antoine Hall stands next to Martha on the side of the bar he happens to see them as he was coming from the apartment upstairs happy that he has his one day off which is today. The two young women see him and acknowledge him.
"Is she still talking bout that damn yacht? " Antoine says partly sarcastically and envious.
" Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. " Martha jokes.
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Antoine had enough of Shauna going on and on about that damn Max Covington and his boat. He then starts to feel sorta guilty since he promised Mae after their talk that he will move on with his life in spite of having strong feelings for her.
Shauna's iPhone rings a few times before she accepts it.
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" Hello, --- How are you? I'm on my way. " She ends the call with her finger on the screen. She gets off the bar stool.
" See ya later." Shauna says abruptly she then takes off out of the door.
" I'm out too." Antoine says.
Martha reaches out her hand to touch her other friend's forearm " Twon, I know it's not easy for you but can you try to lay off Shauna do it for me, please. "
"All right, I will do it -- for you, " he says like all of the energy have been drained from his body. He grabs his gym bag off the floor when he vacates the premises.
Martha puts her hand on her round stomach. " Never fall for someone who doesn't love you in the way you want them to," she informs her unborn son.
FRANKLIN FARM
FRANKLIN FARM
Louise Saunders Lockhart carries herself from the house out to the late autumn day when the overcast is not going to budge. She had just gotten to the farm when she was told by her father that Sean is outside which was news to her.
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She discovers him working in the chicken coupe picking up eggs and putting them in baskets. Sean had on a red long sleeve plaid shirt with worn-in jeans and work boots.
He stares up seeing his wife he puts down the eggs onto the ground as if he is caught off guard by her appearance.
" When did you get back?" she questions her husband.
Sean positions himself trying to find the right words to say to his wife without coming off like a villain.
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"I stopped at a motel to shut my eyes I didn't want to wake up either you or the girls by coming in late last night," Sean answers her back.
Sean was supposed to come back to Radcliffe the day after Thanksgiving from his brother's in Frankfort. However, he called on Friday morning to her that he decided to stay until the weekend. Louise already was angry with him for having his mistress calling their house which led to him leaving.
" I can't do this now anymore. "
" Do what? What are you talking about Louise?"
Ploddingly, Louise unzips her purse she grabs forms she holds onto them for about thirty seconds until she passes them to him.
Sean is about to ask what is she giving him though when his eyes glance on the papers he reads out loud.
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" Petition for dissolution of marriage, You filed for divorce? " he says in disbelief.
Louise tucks some of her blonde hair off her face in a result of the wind then tears come out of her eyes. " I can't do this anymore, I can't go on with the rest of my life believing that somehow someway, we can get back to the years of happiness and joy we had when I met you on this farm, when we got married, the times we made love, I never forget telling you I was pregnant I can remember you were ready to tackle what life had for us."
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She snaps her fingers for effect.
"Who knew our children and myself will find ourselves coming in last in your lives. I can't change you, and it's time for us get that happiness we used to have together but this time on our own. " Louise says heartfelt.
Sean sniffs partly due to the low temperature and the sadness he feels. Despite him wanting to confront her for bringing him divorce papers , whilst they are at work he can't be upset since he has proposed divorce for about two and a half years now.
" I'll move out," Sean says somewhat assuredly.
Soon as Louise is about to respond she can feel her phone vibrating in her purse. She obtains the device in which the identity of the person on the other makes her jolt back into reality. Then she ends the call.
" What's wrong?" Sean asks cautiously.
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Louise inhales then exhales. " That was Brynn Barker, apparently Lynn was caught trying to leave off school property. She wants us to come down to have a meeting with her."
Without any further discussion, the spouses depart the farm putting their marital problems aside for the welfare of one of their daughters.
COVINGTON GROUP
Shauna arrives onto the twentieth floor of the Covington Tower. She is amazed at how large this building is. She remembers driving downtown last year when they were working on it. Shauna finds herself staring at the large door where she sees the name of the person who called her down on it. At first, she contemplates walking in the office then she turns around and no sight of a secretary. The crack between the door gives her the leeway to.
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When she gets inside the office, she is taken back about how massive it is. She does not see anyone here, so she takes a seat in one of the leather club chairs in front of the desk. Deciding to wait until someone comes in.
Of the corner of her eye, she sees the chair behind the desk swivel around with Daniel Covington staring at her.
" I'm so sorry Mr. Covington, your secretary wasn't out there, then no one was in here. " Shauna defends herself.
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Daniel chuckles dryly, " That's all right Shauna, Evelyn my secretary is still in Staten Island visiting family." He stands up to fix himself a glass of club soda at his bar.
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" I don't mean to be disrespectful, Mr. Covington but I want to know why did you call me here? "Did something go wrong with the renovations at Home Farm? " Shauna queries him.
Daniel puts both of his hands up to defer her questions. " No, No, that is the reason why I contacted you, I want you to come work here at Covington as an Interior Designer. "
Shauna smiles at the thought of her working here she hadn't even started applying for any design jobs yet.
" Sir, I will be honored, but this isn't because I'm dating your son? "
Shauna doesn't want any preferential treatment because she is dating Max. And if that is so she wouldn't take the job.
Daniel its on the end of his desk. "Believe it or not it is your talent, it's fresh we need that here at this company Shauna."
" When do I start ? " she says excitingly.
"Tomorrow morning," Daniel replies like he isn't pulling any punches.
Shauna stands up in which Daniel tells her he will walk her out into the hallway.
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As the two shake hands respectively, Max walks down the hallway wanting to say hello to his father before leaving. He is even more elated to see the woman he can't stop thinking about.
" Hey Dad, Hi Shauna. " Max greets the two of them.
" Son, what are you doing here? " Daniel asks gladly.
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He knows that his son isn't keen on anything to do with the family business, but he is glad that he is stopping by.
Max informs them that he came to visit Courtney then he tells Shauna that he will leave out with her onto the elevator. The pair of them says goodbye to Daniel when they finish their conversation.
The two of them get into the elevator which closes in mere seconds.
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" I'm excited to come work here, I know that you have no use for this place, but for a girl like me this is a chance of a lifetime Max," Shauna explains herself.
" You literally renovated a country estate in weeks this company is in good hands." Max compliments her.
The two get closer to one another and before they can comprehend it both of their lips our vigorously on one another's. Shauna confidently puts her arms around his lean figure. The thoughts of his sister's put down and the annoyance of Antoine our trivial to them making out what they're doing right now until they get to the lobby of the tower.
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******
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Courtney is pecking away on her computer writing an email to that pesky digital media executive who hadn't put one thing on the damn website yet.
A loud knock on the door makes her lift up her head she gives verbal permission to let the person come in silently wanting it to be Max so she can explain herself about the comment she told him about Shauna being an opportunist which he did not take well.
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She clicks send on the email she is expectant to see her older brother though it is her father whom she hadn't prepared herself to see today at all.
"Oh Courtney, I'm so glad to see you, where have you been? " Daniel says all at once.
Courtney shakes her head at her father not even apologizing for his behavior.
" I'm still upset if that is what you want to know. "
Daniel remains standing anticipating that his daughter would get over what he had done by now since she is with Doctor Dolittle now.
" Dad, I'm willing to work together, however, it is going to take a while for me to forgive you for interfering in my personal life," Courtney says stressing her disappointment in him.
" Sweetheart, I love you, I do not like seeing you hurt," Daniel says emotionally.
He wanders to the door giving one glance at his daughter before taking a stroll back to the elevator bank.
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MAIN STREET
Antoine is proud of himself of accomplishing an intense workout at the gym, and then he was in and out of line at JOJO's, getting an iced coffee and a blueberry muffin. He gets in his car which is parked in front of the café on Main Street. The area is lined with small businesses, some have been open for generations. The trees are decorated with clear lights for the holidays giving the neighborhood even more of a festive outlook.
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Antoine couldn't stop thinking about how trying to let go of getting with Shauna. He turns on the engine on still in his mind about the girl who is getting away from him. He quickly backs up into the front of the car parked behind him hearing a thud. He takes his key out of the ignition to estimate the damage he mistakenly made.
"Shit!" he exclaims
Examining the minor cracks on the front bumper of the navy 2011 Honda Civic.
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" What the hell did you do ? " cries out a light-skin African-American woman in a longline color block cardigan with jeans and her short dark hair was in tight curls. She steps off the sidewalk onto the street to get a closer look at her vehicle.
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" Sorry bout this, "
She narrows his eyes on him then her car. "What you just didn't see this car behind you with four doors and wheels.?"
Antoine hesitates to tell her to calm down.
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" If you want my insurance information then I'll give it to you, " Antoine says
The girl huffs. " You know what, screw it, I know someone who can fix this that won't be expensive, besides I don't think you want your insurance company to know what happened here, " she says factually
The girl opens the door to her car.
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" If you ever want a drink stop by The Waterfall, it 's on East Anderson Road, ask for Antoine, I gotcha you." he offers.
She quickly bows her head non-verbally accepting his offer. "And next time look before you leap." she gets in the driver's seat she maneuvers her car from the spot with ease down the street.
Antoine realized he had forgotten to ask what is her name, as he gets in his Ford Focus. The last thing that girl said to him is taken seriously as he steers the car onto the street himself.
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END OF EPISODE
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ON THE NEXT EPISODE OF TOWN AND COUNTRY
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Lynn faces the consequences of her actions.
Martha and Shauna celebrate.
And Much More!
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