Innocent Agendas...(S10-E7)

Remember!
 We are still currently in the month of February just to keep you on track on the timeline. I hope to keep moving the 
story along so I can catch up to real time
 eventually, well hopefully...haha!

The following week Laura has her hands full trying to get the boys out the door early on a chilly Monday morning. Phoenix lately has really been testing his mother's patience.  Most likely he is picking up on the tension between her and Luke and acting out because of it. It's 

hard to be in sync with parenting when you struggle to

 keep the peace with each other. 

*Laura* "Phoenix come over here and get your backpack it is time to go..."

 Instead of listening to his mother, Phoenix continues 

to play with his toys. Laura is not having it today

 she is tired of the stubbornness being played out lately.

 *Laura* "Phoenix Elis Cooper! It is time to go!...If you are not up on your 

feet and over here by the count of three, then I'm gonna give all your 

toys away to kids who actually listen to their mothers!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Earlier that morning, about thirty minutes ago to be exact, Laura wrestles with a 2 year old trying to get his shoes on so they can go downstairs and get ready to leave. Phoenix is not helping by continuing 
to tease his brother who in a battle between 
resisting mom and going after big brother.

*Phoenix* "NO! you can't have snoopy..."
*Phineas* "I want shoopy!..."
*Laura* "Finn stop wiggling...kiddo!"
*Phoenix* "Snoopy don't like you...he's mine."
*Phineas* "Gimme!...."
*Laura* "Phoenix! Please leave him alone
so I can get his shoe on."
As Laura is finally sliding the shoe on, Luke steps into
 the room. His mind is so preoccupied he doesn't 
even acknowledge the struggle going on.

*Luke* "Hey, I'm heading out...See you and the boys later tonight.
Don't wait up for me."
*Laura looks up* "Luke, wait a minute!..."
He was about to step back and walk away when he 
notices finally, Laura looks upset and frustrated.

 *Luke* "What is it? I need to get going, beat the traffic..."
Laura continues to wrestle with Phineas
 while she talks to Luke.

 *Laura* "Finn has his 2 year check up today..."
*Phoenix* "I go wiff Daddy!!! yay!..."
Phoenix turns and begins to run in Luke's direction. 
He remembers. Mom said Dad is picking
 him up today from pre-K. 

 *Luke* "I can't pick him up today I've got a shit load of
stuff to go through at the shop!"
 Phoenix rams into Dad's leg and latches on, not 
listening at all to what the adults are saying. Luke gently
 runs his fingers through his hair as Phoenix 
squeezes tightly around his leg.

*Laura* "I told you all this last week and you said it was fine...Phoenix has been
 looking forward to it, since you rarely pick him up from school..."
*Phineas mumbles* "I go wiff Daddy?..."
*Luke* "That was before I got this large shipment in and I need to double
 down on it since Jacob leaves in a couple weeks. Just reschedule it..."

 *Laura* "No, I don't want to have to do that. I will be busy next week with some
 catering work. Just pick him up and take him back to the shop with you.
I'll come get him as soon as I'm done with Finn."
Phoenix continues to hang onto dad, babbling on and
 wiggling around like a little monkey. So much energy. He 
loves spending time with Dad. Luke does too, it's just 
work sometimes takes up a lot of his time.

*Luke* "Just this one time, babe. Reschedule it to a morning appointment..."
*Phoenix* "Daddy, can we get ice crwean?! I want some..."
Laura lets Phineas down to go play. Then gets up 
off of the bed to step in closer to Luke and Phoenix.

*Laura* "No...I need you pick him up today...I know you're busy
but it's only an hour out of your day, that's it."
*Luke* "Okay, okay...I'll pick him up, just make
 sure you come get him so I can finish up in the evening."
 Laura scoops up Phoenix who protests 
being separated from Dad.

*Laura* "I will..."
*Luke* "He gets out at 3 right?..."
Laura nods in agreement.

 *Phoenix* "No, no! I go wiff Daddy!..."
Laura turns and sets Phoenix down so she can 
continue talking with Luke more privately.
  
*Phoenix* "No, no...I go wiff, Daddy."
*Luke* "Later today little man, I'll pick you up from school..."
*Laura* "Go see what Finn is doing pumpkin..."
 Laura then turns back to Luke.

*Luke* "Is that it?..."
*Laura* "What is your deal?..."
Laura dreads trying to talk to Luke lately. She knows he is under 
a lot of pressure being the one who mainly supports 
the family right now, but she does her part as well.

 *Luke* "You know I'm not trying to be a fucking dick about this. I just got a lot
 of shit piling up and no one to help me with it, once Jacob is gone."
*Laura* "I know you do, and I get all that. But ever since you found out
about your Mom and Peter you've just let this anger build again...
And now with the recent Rufus situation as well...I'm just worried about you."

*Laura* "You know maybe you should talk to someone,
 deal with all this."
*Luke* "You mean like a fucking shrink?..."
*Laura* "Yes, you won't talk to me. You're
putting up walls again Luke. Please..."
*Luke* "I don't need to talk to anyone. I'm fucking fine!..."

*Luke* "I've got to go...We'll talk later."
Laura tries to respond, but Luke quickly backs out of the
 doorway closing the door behind him. Only his big, 
heavy boots are heard as he heads down the stairs.

Laura leans against the doorway and holds back her 
emotions. She needs to stay strong 
and get her day going.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Later on that day sometime around midmorning, Jacob sits quietly working on some paperwork for his big plans to leave for Europe with Colton. Luke took the news as well as could be expected. He will definitely miss having Jacob around but understands that

 this is important to him. Besides, Jacob's job 

will always be here when he gets back...

 The door chimes alerting him to a customer who is coming in through the door. Mondays are typically slow, especially right now 

after the holiday rush.  Things will kick back up again once 

spring and summer hit. Jacob looks up and smiles....

 *Jacob* "Hello! Welcome to Vintage Vinyl..."

*Woman* "Hi..."

*Jacob* "Just let me know if there is 

anything I can help you with...."

The woman steps in closer to the counter removing 

her sunglasses as she walks and talks.

 *Woman* "Yes....Actually I'm looking for someone..."

*Jacob* "Ummm...."

*Woman* "Is there a Luke Cooper here?..."

*Jacob eyes her suspiciously* "Depends on who's asking..."

 *Woman* "I'm a friend. This is his business is it not?"

*Jacob* "Uh...yes...but he's very busy right now."

Jacob is not sure who this woman is or what it is that she wants. She is obviously not from around here. Her accent is not southern and she looks so glam and chic. Like she stepped right out of a fashion magazine. Jacob wonders if she is really here on Rufus' behalf....

*Woman* "I assure you I am not here to cause trouble or anything. Please can you

 just notify him, leave him a message or something?..."

*Jacob* "Listen honey, usually when a gorgeous woman comes looking for Luke she 

almost always means trouble, so forgive me for being so blunt..."

 *Jacob continues* "But are you here regarding business with Rufus? Because if you are 

then you can turn around and walk right out that door...Luke wants nothing to
 do with that on going baby drama..."

*Woman* "What? Baby drama? No, no definitely not!...Please I'm an old friend that's it."

*Jacob stares again* "Say that again..."
*Woman* "I swear to you. I am not here for trouble. Just an old friend."
 *Jacob sighs* "Fine, fine...He's in the back room let

 me just call him."

*Woman smiles* "Thank you..."

Jacobs turns his attention to the phone on the counter

 and presses a button. The woman turns around and walks away letting her eyes take in the shop as her nervousness builds.

 *Jacob holding down the button* "Hey Luke, you busy?..."

*Luke over speakerphone* "Yeah...why, you need me?..."

*Jacob holds the button down to speak* "No, but there is a gorgeous 

woman here asking for you by name."

The woman begins to get even more nervous after 
hearing Luke's deep, familiar voice over the speakerphone.
 After a long pause of silence Jacob hits the button again to speak.

*Jacob* "She swore to me she is not affiliated with Rufus...

Said she's a friend."

 *Luke sighs* "Ok fine...Hang on I'll be there in minute..."

Jacob then turns back to the woman

 in the shop. Who looks very nervous now. Jacob just 
hopes she is not lying. 

*Jacob* "Well you heard the man said he'll be here in a minute."

*Woman* "Yes, thank you.."

 *Jacob* "All I know is you better be whoever

 you say you are, honey..."

 *Woman* "Guess you'll have to wait and see..."

Then she turns around and begins to look through some of the merchandise. Jacob is not liking this one bit. He is a little over protective of Luke but also he is always irritated at how 

women so easily throw themselves at him. Jacob's attention is then diverted over to Luke who is now coming out of the back room.

 *Luke* "Is there something I can help you with?...."

The woman takes a deep breath then turns to

 face Luke smiling nervously. She is not sure how Luke will react to seeing her here in New Orleans. It has been a very, very long

 time since they have seen each other.

 *Woman* "Hey Luke Cooper...Long time no see."

Luke stares for a moment, his eys blinking several times 
as he takes in the sound of a familiar voice, but the girl he 

once knew is now a woman. Then in an instant he blurts out

 her name knowing it has to be her.

*Luke* "Naomi?!...Naomi Johnson?"

Jacob meanwhile sits and watches all of it while 

texting Colton about the latest gossip at Vintage Vinyl and the paperwork he is working on. 

It's obvious now that Luke seems

 to know the woman...Naomi runs her hand down the 

length of her body is a showcase style manner posing 

with her other hand on her hip.

 *Naomi smiling* "In the flesh, baby!..."

*Luke with surprised enthusiasm* "Holy shit!...What the fuck are
 you doing all the way down here?!"

The two quickly embrace into a heartfelt hug,

 squeezing each other tightly. Both of them

 utterly shocked, amazed, and overjoyed to be in the 

same room with each other, especially Luke.

They pull back and their eyes lock on each other. Naomi is 

beaming with a smile and so is Luke. They're both a bit nervous 

words kinda escaping them for the moment. The shock of
 the moment to having it's affect on both of them.

 *Naomi* "It's been a long time,  huh Coop?!..."

*Luke* "Fuckin' A...Shit Naomi, you...you look fucking amazing!...

I almost didn't recognize you."

Naomi smiles and squeezes her hands around Luke's biceps. 

He did not look like this the last time she saw 

him. He was a boy, just a lanky teenager, now he's a man. 

A damn fine looking one too.

 *Naomi* "Same here...Oh may gawd! Look at you...

you're..."

*Jacob* "Ahem!...anyone gonna fill me in on what 

the hell is going on?!"

 *Luke* "Sorry, man...Jacob this is Naomi Johnson...We lived

 next door to each other growing up."

*Jacob* "Ah that Naomi...Sorry, Luke has known a lot

 of women over the years. It honestly gets a little confusing at times."

Luke laughs a little nervously and turns back to 

Naomi. Jacob is obviously teasing but

 speaks some truth as well.

*Luke* "Don't fucking listen to him...So what brings you down here?" 

*Naomi* "I'm in town on business...Then remembered your mom had

 mentioned you moved down here last time I saw her..."

*Jacob* "How long ago was that?..."

 *Naomi* "Oh my gosh that was probably about 8 years ago, I guess?  I was living

 for a short while with my parents again after college and few dead end jobs..."

*Luke* "Your parents still living there in that house?"

 *Naomi* "Yes, of course...you know it."

*Luke* "I guess you heard then that my mom packed up and moved down 

here a couple years after I did."

*Naomi* "Yeah my mom did mention it, but..."

Naomi's eyes then dart to the ring on Luke's left hand. She 

steps up over to the counter to get a better look at it. 

As kids Luke was always very adamant he never 

wanted to get married. After growing up with his dysfunctional 
mother he wanted nothing to do with relationships.

*Naomi* "Oh my gawd, you're married?!..."

*Jacob* "Yes he is girlfriend! Happily married and with 2 kids."

*Naomi* "Get the fuck out?! Are you serious?!...I remember you swore up 

and down you never wanted to get married or have kids."

Luke cracks a small smile and shrugs his shoulders. He
 did say those things but people change. He has changed. Luke
 is not the same boy she used to know.

*Luke* "Yep...So what about you? Married? Kids?..."

*Naomi* "Nope, neither...been busy with my career. No time for a husband and kids. 

 Plus I enjoy the traveling I get to do with it."

Luke nods. He can relate it's fun to be able to just 

travel where ever and when ever. He did it as well for many

 years before he met Laura.

 *Naomi* "I remember hearing about you dating Rufus Blue

 but you never married her?"

*Luke* "No, we never got married...We broke up almost 10 years ago. 

That's when I moved down here."

*Naomi* "Ah okay..."

*Luke* "Where are you living now?..."

*Naomi* "In New York. I got a job working for a major cosmetics company. So 

I'm in town right now on corporate business."

Luke can sense Jacob burning a hole in Naomi's head as he continues to stare suspiciously at her. Can't really blame the guy, too many women are always looking to get lucky with Luke. They could care less if he's married or not. Naomi though is not like that, these two 

were friends first, knowing each other since grade school.

 *Luke* "If you have time, you want to go grab an early lunch and

 catch up some more?..."

*Naomi* "Sure! I'd love that..."

Luke smiles. He needs to vent to someone he can trust. Naomi may be just that person. Things have been hard on him not having Peter to shoot the shit with and now that Shaun is going back on tour that is another close friend who is gone for a while. Naomi was such a tomboy back in the day. She was always just one of the boys. Riding skateboards and dirt bikes...Then puberty hit and feelings got a bit awkward, but

 through it all they still managed to stay friends up until Naomi

 left for college and Luke left working the music industry.

 *Luke* "Cool, I know a good place we can get some good 

beer and a burger...Sound good?"

*Naomi* "Yeah totally..."

Instantly the two begin to walk towards the

 door. Luke pauses and looks back at Jacob.

 *Luke* "C'mon..I'll drive. 

Hey, Jacob...I'll be at Bull Tavern if you need me..."
*Jacob looks up* "Okay, just don't do anything I wouldn't do...Oh and remember,
Laura needs you to pick up Phoenix this afternoon! Don't forget!"

*Luke* "Yeah, I know...Call me if you need me, man...."

Then Luke turns and heads out the
 door with Naomi....

To Be Continued!

Thanks so much as always for tuning in! I truly do appreciate all of your support and interest in what I do. I hope to be able to continue to post

 episodes on a regular basis! From now on 

Wednesdays

will be the day for new episodes to drop!

Also I have decided to leave my PayPal address up at the end of every episode for those who feel they would like to give back. As an artist it is always a struggle to make ends meet. Most of you know I don't do this for the money but at the same time whatever does trickle in helps a lot!

And since I recently had to deactivate the Adsense account, well that money is no longer available to me. I explained why in a previous post which can be read here...

Trying To Find Some Downtime

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~ milooorr@gmail.com ~

Again Thank you all so very much!