Diversion

Catching Up

Rita pulls up to the stables above the Deception spa. Time had passed here too. Back when Carly first started teaching her to ride on Mr. Roberts it had been a small four horse stable on a corral and down below the stable was the Deception Spa. It had been convenient for Carly to be able to split her time between the two of them. Over the years the stables had been expanded to accommodate ten horses, a second ring had been built... a covered one. And Carly's latest addition was a ranch house style B&B. The B&B was normally taken up with kids taking riding clinics. Carly only gave lessons to a few kids. Money wasn't the thing. In fact 'cause Carly remembered being too broke to ride she actively sought out kids who were broke but talented. Competition riding is expensive and it isn't like you get a Nike contract from being good at it. But Miz Lila had, had her flowers and Carly had her horses and her kids.

Rita comes around to the office and knocks on the door. Carly looks up from the computer and waves her in. Rita looks around. "Well some things don't change. I saw all the improvements as I was driving up but this is still the same."

"Only the size of the brag wall." Carly nods in the direction of the wall behind the oohh so comfortable couch. The wall is covered with ribbons and pictures of students on horses. "You're still up there though."

Rita walks up to the wall and checks out all the pictures. She groans. "Oh I was so young in this one."

"That was your first show." Carly recalls. "You and Em..."

"Yeah, I remember." Rita nods. "It was a turning point for Johnny and Em. They should really make that their anniversary date. He stopped fighting the attraction after Em and me got kidnapped. Life is too short, you know?"

"Johnny should have been moving on Em from the day Cookie and your Dad got married. He always was slow."

"But sweet and he has his moments." Rita defends.

Carly gets serious. "He has been a total rock for Emily, for the whole family. Johnny and Edward still go round and round don't get me wrong. That is good thing. Emily couldn't do the things she does if she didn't have Johnny guarding her back. And the mansion is actually... sane. Which it wasn't when I first moved to Port Charles and for years afterward."

"Heck it wasn't even after Ally was born. How is my goddaughter?"

Carly points to a picture on the wall. "This is from junior nationals. Her first time there so she had the same problem you did at your first show."

"They didn't know her name yet and she didn't get the scores because of it."

"They couldn't totally lock her out but she didn't ribbon as high as she should have." Carly agrees. "She's been building a rep since then. I don't think she'll go to the 2012 but maybe the 2016-- if she stays interested."

"Yeah, boys should hit about then." Rita agrees.

Carly plops down on the couch and pulls Rita down next to her. "But enough on that. Tell me what you are up to! I know you'll be working with Alexis and Dara." Carly makes a face. Neither were her favorite people.

"It was a weight off of my mind to have that already set up before I even took the bar." Rita's tone has a warning in it. "They are both excellent attorneys and there isn't a better set up for someone coming straight out of school."

"Oh I know they are great attorneys. No argument from me there." Carly holds up both hands in surrender. "I just get into it with them because Alexis is married to Ned. And Dara, well... there is a lot of history there before Maddy ever got to be a member of the family and we kind of got Dara by default." Carly changes the subject. "Are you going to get your own place?"

"I haven't thought that far ahead." Rita shakes her head. "It's too great being home right now." She sighs. "I suppose I'll have to think about it. Any suggestions?"

"Well the cool place to be in Port Charles now is down off the theater district down by Lucky and Maddy. Ricky lives down there too. It's a really tight community down there but never boring. Or there are the condos on the Promenade which would be handy to Porters. Or, or, or... Does Johnny still have that apartment over Porter's? What has he been doing with that?"

Rita perks up. "Oh I like. It's close to the office, the courthouse and everything."

"And you can get all of your meals catered."

"I can cook." Rita protests. "Better than you!"

"Yeah, but if I know you at all. And I do. You won't have time to cook."

"I make time to cook." Rita says seriously. "It helps clear my head. I'm not into it the way Johnny and Cookie are but it's part of my thinking process. And down in New Orleans I cooked at least every Sunday. I mean really cooked. Poppi would open up his house and his kitchen to me."

"That was sweet of him."

Rita laughs. "After awhile he started inviting people over otherwise he'd have leftovers all week long."

"Uh oh." Carly's face gets serious. "How many of these were associates?"

Rita nods. "A few. But Poppi has a lot of irons in the fire not just The Business. He was always very careful about whom I was around. It wasn't like he was taking a baseball bat to someone around me." Rita refers to a scene from the movie The Untouchables. "Normally it was like his bodyguards, or Miz Sophia or somebody from his legit businesses or the neighborhood watch. And of course a few times it was Jerry, Bobbie and Lucas. Sonny and Jason even came down once."

"I should have come down more often." Carly shakes her head.

"You were busy with shows on the weekends by the time I went off to school. Hell I don't think I went a morning without an email from you."

"Morning for you maybe. They'd already set in your box for hours!"

"I tried to not get in your habit of all nighters. Don't hate me but I actually like mornings."

"You're just unnatural!" Carly teases. "Come on. Come meet my babies." Carly rises from the couch. "Now that you're done with school and the bar we're going to have to get you back riding again."

"I thought you'd never offer." Rita says with some greed.

The Quartermaine Mansion

Rita walks around the back coming up on the patio. Emily is there soaking up some rays and having an afternoon tea with Johnny and Edward. Edward sees her first. "Little Rita Porter!"

"Hey Mr. Q." Rita gives him a quick hug and then pulls up a chair.

"I thought you were going to stop by earlier?" Em asks as she pours some ice tea and adds a sprig of mint to it before handing it to Rita.

"I went out to the stables to see Carly. Michael and Ally showed up and we all went riding."

"Oh that sounds fun." Em nods.

"It was. But I'm going to be feeling it in the morning. I haven't been riding since last term break. It's been months."

"So you didn't say last night... what are you going to specialize in over at Davis, Jensen &Porter?" Johnny asks.

Rita grins and laughs. "I've already been told to not push. I think the hint was to ask in about five years."

"You should come to work for me at ELQ!" Edward demands.

"No!" Johnny and Em agree at once.

Rita reaches out and takes Edward's hand. "Ask me again in five years after I've learned all I can from swimming with the sharks of Port Charles." She looks over at her brother. "After accessing the strengths and weaknesses of the firm..."

"Oh enough BS. What are you going to specialize in?" Emily demands.

"Family law. Working with kids. That kind of thing." Rita sighs. "But I'll probably have to go down to the public defenders office on Monday and let them know I'm in town and available for overflow stuff. I want to start bringing money in... you know hit the ground running. Start building a rep."

"Shouldn't be hard around here." Johnny teases. "All the Judges already know you."

"Yeah, to give lollypops to. That's not exactly the rep I want to be building."

"Family law eh?" Johnny considers his sister's answer. "You should go down to the Ward House Shelter with Ma. There are plenty of women down there that need some advice. No money, but I'm sure it would be satisfying."

Edward gets a little glint in his eye. "I'll be right back." He pops up from his chair and heads indoors.

"I wonder what he is up to?" Emily watches her Grandfather suspiciously.

"No good I'm sure." Johnny grins. "He's probably going to check on Lila. Let her know you're here."

"Great." Rita agrees. "I brought her presents from Miz Sophia. And the Neville brothers came into the restaurant I was working at. I got her a signed CD of their greatest hits."

"I'm sure she'll love them." Em agrees. "But don't tire her out, Rita."

"It's a good tired, Em." Johnny counters. "The music is a really thoughtful idea, Rita."

"Sorry. I'm being a bitch." Em apologizes. "I just..."

"It's okay, Em." Rita lets her off the hook. "I won't tire her out. But change of subject. Johnny, what are you doing with the apartment over the restaurant?"

A slow grin overtakes his face. "Storage. All the furniture is still there. Em and I didn't need it when we moved in here. You already looking for a place?"

"Not particularly. But I will be eventually. Keep me in mind?"

"It's yours when you want it. Hell, I'll give it to you free as long as you hostess on Sunday brunches."

Rita shakes her head. "I am planning on making a living as a lawyer, you know."

"Okay, so you can look over my business contracts too." Johnny agrees. "Come on, I'll take you up to see, Miz Lila." They pass Edward as he is coming back out onto the terrace.

"What are you up to, Grandfather?" Emily asks with some resignation.

"I just put a little call into Alexis." Edward says defiantly. "The little girl wants to help those people down at the Ward House."

"What did you do?"

"Funded a grant to pay for legal counsel for the residents." Edward says proudly. "Now before you get all in a tizzy about my meddling... it's just for a year. Just until she gets her feet under her."

Em leans over and gives him a smacking kiss on the cheek. "Have I told you today that I adore you?" Edward preens basking in her attention.

Ricky looks in his fridge and swears. Having just got back from LA it's bare bones. The lonely carton of milk isn't something he wants to risk. He'd been in LA for a couple of weeks. He shuts the fridge door. It's also something he doesn't want to put in his garbage can until trash day. Walking out the door of his refurbished Victorian he starts toward the corner store. Once he decided to stay in Port Charles, he bought the house he'd been living in and converted it back from apartments to a single family dwelling. It was too big for him but he didn't have to worry about waking the neighbors when he put his music on at 1am.

It's a short walk to the corner store. A bell rings as he enters. The items of the store are hyper organized and neat. Everything dusted and in it's place. The family who run it take a lot of pride in their business and it shows. "Hey Mrs. Chow. Howzit going?"

"Ricky, you back!" The Chinese lady comes out from behind the counter. "I got your postcard! Did you really meet Chow Yung-Fat?"

"Yeah, he was at one of the premieres. Great guy."

Mrs. Chow sighs and puts a hand to her chest. "So handsome."

Ricky laughs. "Not quite my type." He starts heading to the cooler with the milk in it.

"You should have called me." Mrs. Chow follows him up the aisle. "I would have made sure you had food. When did you eat?"

"I went over to the Porter's last night. Their daughter is home from school."

"Mei's friend?"

"Yeah, not the other one." Ricky reaches into the cooler and pulls out a quart of milk.

Mrs. Chow snags it from him and puts it in a small carry style basket. Taking his milk hostage she heads back to the meat counter. Unlike the big grocery stores, Harry actually does his own cuts of meats even if they'd built their reputation on fresh fish. After getting to know the neighborhood, Mrs. Chow had started making fresh entrees that just needed to be reheated. It worked well for the college students and busy men like Ricky Robideau. "You should be getting married." She tells him. "It's time. You have good job, own home. I keep eye out for perfect girl."

"I'm doing okay. I got you looking out for me, don't I?"

Mrs. Chow looks up at him and then shakes her head. She reaches back into the case to grab some more meals ready to eat and puts them in the basket. Then she heads over to the fruits and vegetables and starts picking them out for him. After a few years of Ricky coming in she knows well enough to not put in the eggplant or the brussel sprouts even if they were fresh and a good deal. "You need a good girl. Not those toys you pick up and put down. Someone who will cook for you. Give you sons."

"Anyone tell you you're a very old fashioned gal, Mrs. Chow?"

"The animals went into the Ark two by two, Ricky. Not one by one." Mrs. Chow reminds him. Stopping in front of the beer case she looks at him and grabs a six pack of Heineken, handing it to him. Then she finds a nice bottle of wine. "Here. I picked you out a nice lasagna. This will go with it. You call a nice girl. Have her over for dinner."

"Nice girl coming over to my place." Ricky lifts a brow. "You do have an interesting definition of nice. I think I could get behind it." Mrs. Chow gives him a swat on the arm and then gives him back the basket. She goes behind the counter and takes the basket from him again and starts ringing it up. Ricky forks over the money automatically. Mrs. Chow bags the groceries automatically.

Ricky takes them and holds them at the end of two fingers. "I'll see you, later, Mrs. Chow."

"You do like I say." Mrs. Chow waves. Ricky runs into Mei on his way out. He glances back over his shoulder and quirks a brow in Mrs. Chow's direction. "Right idea. Wrong time-- still in college."

Ricky laughs and keeps walking.

"What was that all about, Auntie?" Mei asks.

"Ricky needs to settle down with a good girl. But he is not for you. You go to school."

"Definitely not for me." Mei shakes her head. "Auntie, I think he already has someone in mind. He just doesn't know it. I'm here now. You and Uncle Harry can head off to mass. I'll close up."
 

Rita drives the classic muscle car through the theater district. The theater window has a large sign in front of it. SOLD OUT. Things were going great there. Around the theater the shops were open late to take advantage of the crowd heading to the evenings performance and the lingering light of the late summer Saturday. Crossing the main intersection into the more residential part of the neighborhood she sees the changes there too. There are still apartments-- but they aren't high rises but converted Victorians. And each yard is carefully manicured, all the shrubs trimmed and awash with color. Nik Cassadine's place is on the right. Next door to it is the place Lucky and Liz Spencer had refurbished. Across the way is Ricky's apartment. Whoops. Ricky's house. Poppi said that Ricky had bought the place and fixed it up once he started working for Em at EBQ. Rita keeps driving until she gets to the corner store and pulls into the parking lot. Rita pulls in and parks. Going through the front door she sees the person she still hasn't caught up with. "Hey Mei!"

"Rita!" Mei comes out from behind the counter and gives her a hug. "You haven't changed a bit. I thought now you were a big time lawyer..."

"But it's Saturday!" Rita protests. "I'll be the big time lawyer on Monday when I go to work. Until then..." She looks down at her close fitting denims and sleeveless mock turtleneck. "...I'm going to be comfortable."

"Shorts would be comfortable." Mei makes a fanning motion with her hand. "I've been contemplating moving the cash register back into the walk in. It's so hot out."

"I went riding this morning." Rita explains. "So tell me. Fill me in. What's going on with you." Rita goes over to the fountain drink dispenser and pours herself a coke. Going back to the counter she puts the money down for it.

Mei rings her up absently. "Well I'm in my final year for textile design over at the polytechnic."

"Textile design? Wait-- I thought you were going to be a clothing designer."

"Oh I am." Mei agrees leaning on the counter. "The textile design is kind of a nuts and bolts thing. I don't want anyone messing with my vision."

"Oh my-- vision. Who would have thought that staying with your grandmother all those years would have influenced you this way." Rita teases.

"Grandmother could make anything but she never used a pattern." Mei remembers. And if Maddy hadn't been looking out for us business wise..." Mei shakes her head. "Grandmother never charged enough for her stuff. Not what it was worth. She worked like a dog to cover costs and still send money to my parents out in Seattle to help them get the restaurant off the ground."

"I remember." Rita agrees. Things had been really tight for Mei growing up. All the necessities had been covered but very few extras. The only reason she'd gone to Queen of Angels was because of scholarships. Things had gotten easier by the time college had rolled around but years of frugal living had made an impression on her friend.

"And now, it's my turn." Mei says with a glint in her eye.

"What are you planning?" Rita worries.

"Gary Winslow is going to be in town. He and Emily Quartermaine are like this." Mei holds two fingers up held together. "He is the most innovative designer... has been for the last decade. And I want to work for him in New York."

"And where do I come in?" Rita asks.

"You know that there will be a big dinner for Winslow. And you'll be invited. Everyone will probably be wearing Winslow's duds. But I want you to go and I want you to wear something I made. I designed."

"Mei, come on. It will never work. I'm short. I'm trying to be taken seriously here. I might have had my head in the books for the last three years that doesn't mean that I didn't look at what was strolling down the runways a few different times. How am I suppose to be taken seriously if you have me made up in sequins and lace?" Rita protests.

"Trust me. I can do it." Mei tells her. Rita steps back as a quick flood of customers come in. Mei rings them up and ushers them on their way efficiently making a few suggestions for other purchases as she does so.

As soon as the last customer leaves, Rita sighs. "Fine. I'm in. But you had better make me look good."

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