"September 2017"
Create space will publish......
Richard Bellerose
LE PHYSIO THERAPEUTE
(The Physical Therapist)
Below you will find an excerpt from the novel's opening pages...
My
name is Elizabeth Marie Daniels. My days are spent going on interviews; you see
I would love to become an actress, to follow in the footsteps of one of my
favorite actresses, Betty Davis. My nights are spent helping a friend by
working at his bar. I work from 8 pm to 2 am bartending. You ask how is it that
I can afford to work part-time? My parents left me a substantial amount of
money, not that I have used any of it. Simply knowing that it’s there if I need
it is a beautiful thing.
One day, I was leaving my
agent’s office in New York City. I was on my way to the subway to catch the 1
o’clock train to Long Island. I was excited—I had just received my first movie
script.
*
* *
His name was Peter Issoni, a
rich kid with a trust fund. You know, the kind that gets a new BMW every year,
but rides around in a limo. His days are spent sleeping and his nights are
spent partying. Today, Peter’s on his way to meet his dad Nick in New York
City.
Peter stepped out of the
limo and ran right into Elizabeth. Her script fell to the ground. He bent down
to help her pick it up. They both reached for the same sheet. When they
touched, it was like fire. They both immediately jumped back. Peter and
Elizabeth looked into each other’s eyes. She took my script from him and said,
“Thank you,” before walking away.
Peter turned to look at the
girl as she ran to the subway. He took off behind her into the subway. The
doors closed, and she was gone. How could
I have let her get away? He sighed in frustration. Let me get out of here. My dad’s waiting for me.
*
* *
On my way to my dad’s
office, I kept seeing her face. The girl that ran into the subway. We will meet
again.
“Hi, Peter, your dad’s
waiting for you.”
“Come in son, have a seat.
Can I get you anything? Do you know why I asked you here today, son? What do
you want to do with your life? You’re 24 years old, it’s time you joined the
family business! Peter…” his dad was talking to him, but he didn’t hear a word
his dad was saying. Peter’s mind was on the girl, the one who he ran into
earlier. The girl he’s going to marry one day…
*
* *
“Elizabeth,
you’re the only person I know that has millions in the bank and is still
working.”
“Lisa,
that money was given to me by my parents. They’re gone, so the money means a
lot to me. Because I’m working, I don’t have to use any of it. Plus, I’m only
working part-time, and helping out my friend. Lisa, it’s not like I’m working
every day. In my free time, I can go on an audition.”
“How’s
that working out for you?”
“I
have an audition next week.”
“Elizabeth,
you have the best life. I anticipate you being a big movie star one day.”
“Yeah,
definitely. It was drilled into my head, by my dad, ‘you have to be you, and
you must be the best version of yourself.’”
“Indeed.
Do you have to work Friday night?”
“Yes.”
“We
never get the chance to go out anymore.”
“We
can go out next weekend—I’m off next Friday.
“If
I was rich, I would be on an island somewhere with a margarita in my hand,
laying back and having someone waiting on me. Or I would be living in a palace.
No, a mini mansion. Or going on a shopping spree.”
“Lisa,
just because I have a couple million in the bank, doesn’t mean I’m rich. You
could buy a house and the money could almost be gone. Or an expensive car.”
“Elizabeth,
you keep telling yourself that.”
“Lisa,
I need to get some sleep. I’m working
tonight.”
“What
else is new?”
“I’m
sorry, I love you.”
“I’ll talk to you soon.”
*
* *
It’s
Friday night, I should get ready for Richard’s bachelor party. What should I
wear? Something that will stand out from the rest of the guys. Once they start
drinking, things will get crazy. I don’t want to end up wearing someone’s
drinks or vomit. My mom came out to the pool house.
“Mom,
what’s going on?”
“Why
does something have to be going on? Can’t I visit my favorite son?”
“I’m
your only son.” You never come out here to visit.”
“That’s
not true.”
“What’s
going on? Mom, what’s this about?”
“Your
dad really wants you to work with him. Peter, one day your dad would like to
retire. He would love for you to take over the family business. He told me that
he spoke to you about it the other day. To tell you the truth, he said you were
in some type of trance. I know sometimes that when your dad starts talking, you
can’t get a word in edge wise. But for me, you’re 24-years-old now. Peter, it’s
time you began thinking about your future.
“I’ll
think about it, Mom. Right now, I need to get ready for Richard’s bachelor
party.”
“I
love you, sweetheart. Have fun tonight.”
The
phone rang.
“Hey,
Richard, what’s up?
“I’m
on my way.”
“My
mom was just here; she was trying to lay a guilt trip on me.”
“About
working for your dad?”
“What
else.”
“Peter,
maybe you should work for your dad.”
“I
was thinking once I turn 30, then I’d work for my dad.”
“I’m
sitting in front of your house.”
“I’m
on my way out.”
“Peter,
when are you going to settle down with Miss Right?”
“I
don’t know. Richard, you’re my best friend, but just because you’re getting
married, don’t try to marry the rest of us off. Stop! Before you go any
further—I thought I found Mrs. Right the other day. I bumped into her.”
“I’m
intrigued.”
“We
literally bumped into each other…”
“Still
intrigued.”
“I
was on my way to see my dad at his office. I was stepping out of the limo; she
was running out of a building. I think she had a script in her hand, maybe a
movie script. I’ve never seen her before, so I don‘t know if she’s a movie
star. But when we touched, there was fire. Feeling compelled, I ran after her,
but she ran into the subway. The door closed and she was gone. I’m determined
to find her. I’ve been visiting my dad a little more often.”
“Peter,
are you telling me you’re in love?”
“Something
like that.”
We
walked into the bar. Matt, Steven, Paul, Mike, and even Richard’s two brothers
were at the table.
“What’s
up, guys? The bachelor’s here, let’s party.”
“Okay,
we’re ready.”
“Hi,
I’m your waitress, Kristy. What can I get for you?”
“Beer,
tequila and rum.”
“Kristy,
have you ever heard of a drink called birth control? “
“Yes!”
“I’ll
have one of those.”
“I’ll
be back with your drinks.”
I looked up and noticed the
girl at the bar. “Guys, I’ll be right back,” I called over my shoulder. I
walked over to the bartender and asked for a dirty martini.
* * *
“Coming
right up!” Elizabeth was fixing the drink without looking up. “Here you go.”
She looked up and spilled the drink. This
is bizarre, how does he know where I work? Why is he smiling at me? She
thought. “I’m sorry; let me fix you another drink. Sorry about that, here you
go.” When they touched, there was fire. “Wow.” What is it about this guy?
She definitely felt that,
she looked confounded.
He
paid for the drink with a hundred-dollar bill. Predictable, look at the smirk on his face; he must be one of those
rich kids. “Let me get your change.”
“Beautiful,
you can keep the change.”
“Thank
you.”
