That's How Much I Need

 Wellington walks into his new office places the box down on the desktop and looks around feeling exhilarated. They'd finally done it! All the time, sweat and long nights had finally payed off. He walks around his desk sits down in his chair and flips his computer on then walks back to the box unloading it while the hard drive starts up. He pulls out the knickknacks and awards putting them into the places he'd chosen for them. Then stands back and admires his handy work. He reaches for the empty box and tosses it into the hall whistling to his self as he walks to the closet and pulls out the blotter he'd bought. Tossing it on the desk chuckling as it spins perfectly into place. He reaches for the other box he'd stashed there and lifts it on to the desk pulling items from it deciding which memento's to keep and where to place them tossing the others into the trash. He moves briskly about the office till he comes to the bottom and the picture of Lesley stopping him dead in his tracks. He stares down at it the whistle gone from his lips as the lightness of his mood slips away. He moves to his chair and slumps into it he'd meant to get rid of it before he'd moved what was the point in keeping it? He was sure his assistant had packed it she was a big fan of theirs and truly believed in happy endings even if that wasn't a reality. He should get rid of it and be done with it all but after seeing her he couldn't bring himself to do it. He props it up on his desk sits back and stares at her.
As hard as he'd tried to keep Lesley out of his thoughts she was there. The pain in her eyes and hurt in her voice echoed in his head every time he closed his eyes. He'd picked up the phone at least a half a dozen times and dialed her number. Then hung up like a coward before the first ring even started. He had no idea what to say he'd gone over and over the other night in his mind and he still had nothing. Nothing more than he'd already said to her that he loved her always had and always would. Time and distance would never change that fact but she wanted, no she needed more and he sure as hell didn't know what it was. If the hundreds of messages he'd left her hadn't said it he didn't know what else could.
 The one time she did pick up she hadn't given him an opportunity to explain! She'd shut him down at every turn! He'd called her from the airport the next morning. As soon as he'd gotten off the plane he'd driven to their apartment but when he got there she was gone. Without a word, a note or a forwarding address just gone. Something he was more than sure Jay had had a hand in. Still he couldn't blame Jay for his own stupidity. He shouldn't have wasted two months of his life trying to help a woman that wouldn't help herself. That had only destroyed her as well as his relationship with a woman he'd spent a life time loving. He leans forward in his chair resting his chin on his stacked wrists his thoughts going back again to the events that had caused the chasm between them. Back to that last night he'd spent with Lola after his daughters death. He'd been furious after waiting two hours at the cemetery the day her headstone had been placed when Lola hadn't shown up as promised. He'd come back to the house and found her yet again and for the last time a drunken mess.
"You can't keep doing this Lola!" Wellington shouts shaking the empty Vodka bottle in front of her his face red with fury. Lola glances up at him her eyes glazed her words slightly slurred.

"Please stop shouting." She stares down at the floor her fingers pressing in on her temples. Wellington stares down at her barely in control of his anger. 

"What do you want me to do Lola? I've tried talking to you! I've been nothing but supportive and understanding where's that gotten us?" He shouts his nostrils flared his his anger at tipping point. Lola turns her tear stained face up at him her voice a whimper.

"It’s just so hard!" She says before bursting into tears. Wellington tosses the bottle across the room shouting in frustration as glass rains across the floor.

"Don’t you think this has been hard for me? God!" He shouts in frustration 

"You're not the only one who lost a child Lola! She was my daughter too!" Pounding his hand against his chest fighting the tears stinging the back of his eyes.   

"I was her Mother!" She screams back tears flooding down her cheeks. 

"And I was her father!" He shouts back her complete and deliberate ignorance of his pain filled his voice with venom.

"You don’t understand!" She shakes her head wiping the tears from her cheeks with her palms.

"Then explain it to me! Make me understand!" He pleads his expression pained and confused. Lola stands and walks towards the mantel picking up the photo of the three of them the last picture they'd taken before the divorce running her finger lovingly over her daughter's face as fresh tears fall onto the glass. 

"There’s just this emptiness inside of me." She whispers placing the photo back in its place. Wellington shakes his head annoyed by her selfishness his face construed in disgust.

"So you think alcohol can fill it?" 

"It’s just.." She whimpers. 

"Just I… I miss her so much!" She says flopping down on the sofa and begins to cry again. 

"And you don’t think I don’t?" His voice softening. He sits beside her wrapping his arm around her shoulders. 

"I loved her too!" He says calmly holding her other hand in his. 

"Oh God! Stop trying to placate me!"  She shrieks shrugging off his touch as if it burned her.
"You will never understand! I have to get out of here!" She rises abruptly and runs towards the hall reaching for her coat and purse lying on the chair.

"Where are you going?" He bellows trailing behind her.

"Out!" She shouts back shrugging into her coat.

"If you ever loved our daughter you won't walk out that door!" His voice filled with anger. 

"I have to go!" She says pulling it open as Wellington grabs her arm.

"You mean you have to go find a drink!" She stares at him a moment then pulls her arm from his grasp and storms toward the door Wellington shouting behind her.

"I'm not doing this anymore! I can’t! If you walk out that door tonight I won't be here when you get back!" He reaches for the phone on the hall table and dials the police station. He couldn't let her drive around drunk and possibly kill someone. She glares at him a moment then pulls the door open slamming it behind her and that was the last he'd seen of her. He'd packed his bag and had left a few minutes after her ignoring the phone ringing when he'd locked the front door for the last time. Even with what happened between them he couldn't blame Lola either everything that happened was because of the choices he'd made. He'd chosen to stay with Lola not because he loved her. Any love he had felt for Lola had died years before if there had been any to start with. Nor was it pity. His choice to stay with her after their child had died was to honor a promise he'd made to his daughter. Despite the fact that Lola hadn't wanted it, he'd stayed. He'd heard it in her voice and had been even more apparent as soon as he'd seen her. She had been on a the path of self destruction long before their daughter died. After, she'd kept sliding till she'd hit rock bottom and there was nothing he could have done to stop her.
 Through it all he'd shut Lesley out he knew that but her telling him last night had just bought it all home. What truly scared him was that maybe there was nothing he could do to have Lesley back in his life. He couldn't let that happen some how he was going to find a way back into her heart. He stares at her picture another moment then sighs picking it up and places it in his desk drawer. He'd gone around and around with it for days and still wound up in the same place. Right now he needed to concentrate on business. Perhaps the distraction would help him come to a solution or at the very least he'd get some work done. He reaches for the computer mouse clicking on on his email immediately opening the one from Joseph Jordan at the state office reading it quickly his anger mounting by the word.
"Shit!" He groans aloud then reaches for his cell phone and dials.
"Dax" comes the voice from the other end.
"Hello, this is Wellington Swift a mutual friend of ours told me if I ran into a problem to give you a call." He hoarse whispers looks down the hall seeing no one he closes the door.
"Mr. Swift how are you?" Comes the voice from the other end. Wellington hesitates a moment reading the email again then continues.
"I ahh just received what I believe to be an injunction from the state from a one Joseph Jordan." He says scanning it again quickly.
"Hmmm" comes the voice from the other end as keys click in the background.
"I see." He says sounding a little distracted as Wellington scans through the rest of the pages listening as Dax clicks away making "ahha" and  "mhmm" noises as he works. The sound stops and Dax's smooth voice comes through the phone.
"I'm going to send you an invitation I want you to click yes and let go of the mouse." Wellington waits a moment clicks on the the box then lifts his hand from the keyboard. Watching in fascination as the mouse zooms around the screen opening and closing windows and programs.
"She's all yours, and I'll get back to you in twenty-four hours. Until then just hang tight unless there's something else?" Wellington yanks at his tie loosens his collar button then clears his throat.
"What do you have in mind?" His voice edged with concern making Dax chuckle.
"Don't worry there nothing illegal in what I do Mr. Swift that's not how we operate. That's not to say that your friend Mr. Stockton doesn't, and from my brief Internet search he and Mr. Jordan seem quite chummy. Is this a copy of the original email?"
"I don't know that's the only thing I received."
"Interesting." Wellington hears more typing from the other end making him more curious by the moment.
"What's interesting about it?" Dax types for a couple more seconds talking as he works.
"It doesn't look like this was sent it looks more like a draft of what's going to be sent."
"How do you know. I mean how can you tell?"

"Mr. Swift you'll be pleasantly surprised when you see exactly how amazing your new associates are. Huh!" He says aloud sounding surprised by something. Wellington listens intently unable to gage what he was hearing from the other end. He waits again for the typing to stop so he could ask a question but is cut off by Dax's clear firm voice before he can utter it.  

"Just give me till morning and I'll get you something you can work with." Wellington breathes a small sigh of relief.

"Thank you Mr. Dax." Dax chuckles on the other end.
"Just Dax Mr. Swift happy to help. I'll be talking to you. Have a good morning."
" You too and thanks again, bye" He says clicking the phone off feeling better than he had a few moments ago. He hated the thought of intruding on Chase and Erin with business if he didn't have to. He reaches in the drawer and picks up the photo of Lesley. Wellington looks at her image a moment and smiles remembering what it was like between them before the world came crashing down on them. He reaches for his phone and dials her number saying a little prayer as the phone rings hoping beyond hope that this time she'd pick up.


"Harbinger Falls" copyright 2014

Hazy Shade of Winter

 Sharron pulls up the hill parking her car on the back side of the old grist mill hidden from the street. She shuts off the engine and waits. Being here had an odd and unpleasant familiarity taking her back to the last time she met her here so many years ago. She'd hoped never to have to meet or speak to her again but, with Chase being home things were changing and changing fast she needed to get a rein on it before it all got out of control. That meant she would need some kind of strategy if her family were to survive. It was all she'd thought about all night waiting for this morning. She knew that Alex was going to try and get her to get Chase to leave town that seemed to be her resolution to everything get rid of it, throw money at it or both. But, this time there would be no leaving on her family's part.  Chase was not going to give up his dream and she wasn't going to let anyone force him to.
"Not this time!" She says aloud cementing her resolve. This time it was going to be different. She wasn't some scared kid anymore. Everything she and her family had been through had made her stronger and this time she was holding most of the cards. Only Alex didn't know it but she'd soon find out. She'd saved them just incase she ever needed to secure her childrens futures and had been tempted to play them many times. Now, she was glad she'd saved them because now was the time to play them. If Alex thought she was going to be the one to dance to her tune she had another think coming. This time Alex was going to play this her way. Granted, she didn't want their little secret to come out either but Alex had a lot more to lose than she did if and when it did and she was going to realize that fact today.
 Sharron gets out the car and walks around the side of the building then into it's cooling shadow catching a whiff of tobacco as she does and slows her pace.
"Right on time. One thing I have to say about you, you are punctual." Alex says coming out of the shadows and crushing the cigarette under her foot. Sharron jumps startled by her sudden appearance.
"I ...I didn't see your car." She says walking towards her turning her head toward the parking lot then back waving the cloud of smoke away as she draws closer.
"I walked in from the other side I didn't want to take a chance of anyone spotting us together." She says walking towards the window and looking out not that anyone came here anymore especially not in the middle of the week that's why she chose it.
"What do you want Alex?" She says a little more sharply than she had intended. Alex smiles slyly.
"Well looks like the kitten has grown some claws!" Sharron's jaw tightens her voice becoming terse.
"Yeah, I'm not that scared little girl you blackmailed all those years ago." Alex chuckles.
"Blackmail is such an ugly word that was nothing more than a simple business transaction. We made a deal back then we've both stuck by it for the most part. I don't see the point in rehashing old history. Besides that's not why I called you." Sharron glares back at her arms folded over the chest.
"Then why did you call me?" Alex sighs then sits down on the small bench patting the spot next to her.
"Sit down, " Sharron hesitates a moment then sits.
"That's better. We've had a tentative truce over the past few years since Chase has been gone. So, how much is it going to take to get your son and nephew to stop this foolhardy venture?" Sharron chuckles and shakes her head. The woman was nothing if not predictable.
"Honey, there isn't enough money in the world that would make me steal their dream from them." Alex stares at her eyes wide with shock.
"Don't tell me you're going to go along with this little foley?" Sharron smiles knowingly.
"Please, if you thought his venture was "foley" as you say we wouldn't be here. From where I'm sitting you're scared. In fact you are absolutely petrified!" She says leaning in and taking a closer look at Alex's face. A smug smile playing on her lips as Alex draws back. Her arrogance making it more and more difficult for Alex to contain her anger.
"Of course I'm scared! And you should be too! Do you really think Jay is going to let your son waltz in here willy-nilly and just take over?"  She scoffs. Sharron laughs again.
"My, you people are so paranoid! My son isn't trying to take over all he's doing is trying to build a life for himself and his family. Bring some much needed jobs to the people of this town!" Alex mouth twist into a mocking smile.
"Do you really think Jay see's it that way?" Sharron stands quickly her eyes like ice as she stares down at her.
"I don't give a dam what Jay thinks!" Alex rises meeting her cold stare with one of her own.
"Well you'd better care. With Jay he doesn't see him trying to build a life as you say he sees him as a threat to not just his business but to his family! Especially now that Clay's moved! And, you know what happens when Jay feels threatened"
"Yes I do, you come running to play interference!" A mocking smile playing on Sharron's lips.
"As far as Clay's moving out that had nothing to do with me or Chase. Besides he's a grown man and a way better man than his father ever was or will be." She scoffs making Alex's patients wear thin.
"It has everything to do with it!" She screams then moves back toward the window and looks out. Sharron follows behind her talking as she walks.
"Again your son moving out has nothing to do with my family and what the hell do you expect me to do about it?" Alex turns back to face her eyes pleading.
"Couldn't you convince Chase to build his company someplace else anyplace but here? If it's money..." Sharron spine stiffens her offer leaving her frozen for a moment. She stares at her in incredulous.
"You're actually serious? Unbelievable!" She throws her hands up letting them slap down at her sides. She walks a few steps away from her shaking her head then spins back to face her.
"You expect me to convince my son to leave town just to appease Jay Stockton? You want us to run again or Big Bad Jay Stockton is going to blow our house down? NO! Not again! I'm not sacrificing my son or our happiness for your family ever again!" She shouts back then laughs bitterly. Alex stares at her a moment then reaches in her purse for a cigarette and lights it.
"You all didn't do so badly for yourselves the last time. From what I see you've gotten along quite nicely" She says coolly blowing a ferrule of smoke up at her.
"That job I arranged for him in Scotland worked out very well for you and your family for quite sometime until your husband got it in his head to come back here." She says taking another draw from her cigarette.
"You're a real piece of work lady! We came back here to help his father! But Jay couldn't even let him have that! When he couldn't get Hank he had to destroy his father!" Alex takes another drag from her cigarette letting out a long cloud of smoke.
"There you go you go! What makes you think it will be any different this time around?" Her smile placating as if she were scolding some petulant child then crushes out the cigarette beneath her foot. Sharron's eyes narrow to slits her lips drawn tight.  
"Because this time around you're going to play the game my way!" A satisfied grin playing on her lips. Alex looks at her her own heart pounding. She was too smug too confident she was up to something her instinct told her.
"What do mean?" She says tentatively watching Sharron closely looking for the chink in the armor she wore. Sharron watches a quick look of panic pass over Alex's face reassuring her and boosting her confidence.
"This time you're going to get control of your husband!" Sharron demands.
"Or what?" Alex laugh sounding more fearful than amused to Sharron. Telling her she was definitely on the right path making her feel more bold by the moment.
"Lets just put it this way, this time around you have a lot more to lose than I do. What do you think Jay will do when he finds out you've kept this secret all theses years? Through everything you never opened your mouth once, not once. How do you think he'll react to that one? My instincts tell me none too kindly! So we are going to play this my way you understand?" Sharron finishes Alex looks at her her stare unwavering.
"I really don't think You grasp the severity of this situation!" Sharron flashes a sardonic smile enjoying her moment.
"Oh, I understand exactly what's at stake and I'm telling you I'm not sacrificing my family and especially not my son or his happiness ever again! So, if that's what you had in mind you can forget it." She laughs bitterly. Alex looks on calmly trying not to betray the racing of her heart as Sharron continues to speak.
"You are going to give me the information I need so that my son and nephew can keep one step ahead of Jay." Alex squares her shoulders and calms her racing heart keeping her voice even.
"And if I don't? What are you going to do? You're just as guilty as I am! If this comes out it will destroy your family too!" Sharron laugh's then hardens her voice as she plays her trump card. She walks a few paces away then turns back to face her smiling sweetly.
"You know what the difference between you and me is?"
"No, but I'm sure you're going to tell me." She says with a roll of her eyes Sharron smiles knowingly ignoring her sarcasm.
"I don't have any secrets from my husband. Never have, he has always known the truth and chose to walk the path with me. So, if and when this all comes out I will have my husband standing right there by my side every step of the way. Are you sure you can say that about Jay?" She states flately enjoying the look of utter shock.
"So you are going to do whatever you have to do but, you will get me any information that I need to protect my son from Jay. You are going to tell me exactly what Jay is up to." Alex stands her face filled with rage.
"Or you'll what you arrogant bitch?" Sharron sighs then smiles knowing she had her exactly where she wanted her.
 "If you don't I'll take every bit of evidence I have against you. Including the tape I have of our first meeting. You remember that conversation?" Sharron smiles at the quick intake of air from Alex as her face goes white visibly shaken.
"Then give it all to Jay wrapped up in a pretty pink ribbon with all my love." Alex stares at her shocked and bewildered. Sharron watches the emotion run the gambit across her face till the look of complete surrender etches its mask upon it.


"Harbinger Falls" Copyright 2014

I'm On Your Side

 Clay flips the pages of the clipboard then glares back at the driver slapping the board against his chest.
"You were supposed to be gone twenty minutes ago!""
"I had to change one of my straps."
It's always something with you Jonson!"
"What do you want me to do? Spiral down the mountain and lose my load?"
"I want you you to get your loads to the mill on time! in fact I want you to start getting here on time!"
"You saw the construction on the road up here this morning!"
"Yeah? What about yesterday?"
"You know Clay I don't know what your problem is today but I really don't need you jumping all over me for petty stuff!"
"Maybe I wouldn't be jumping on you if you'd do the job you're paid for" Bill head pops up at the sound of raised voices and jogs over stepping between the two.
"Hey, hey hey! What's going on here?"
"I'm reminding Jonson here that this is a business and if he can't handle the job well..." Bill frowns knowing instantly that Jonson wasn't Clay's real problem just the focus of his anger.
"Clay I need to see you about something in the office it won't take long."
"Can't it wait I'm in the middle of something!" He says glowering at his employee.
"Yeah so I see!" His frown deepening.
"Dave you're already late you better get going." He says taking the clipboard from Jonson signing it and handing back to him.
Okay Bill.!" He glances at Clay then climbs into his rig shifts it into gear and heads towards the gate. Bill watches him a minute then turns to Clay.
"You mind telling me what that was all about?" Clay shrugs his jaw tight staring down at the ground then back to Bill as they walk.
"I'm just tired of Jonson and his slacker ways is all." Walking through the door Bill held open for him.
"Jonson comes from a long line of slackers but this time it's not his fault I told him to change that belt. Now what's really up?" He says closing the door behind him.
"Ah everything! All I want to do is live my life you know? But everyone else has other ideas." He says slamming his hard hat down on the desk. Bill grimaces taking off his hard hat and laying it down beside his as he comes towards him.
"Who's everybody wait, let me guess Jake?" His mouth twisted in disapproval.
"He came over last night!" His voice filled with annoyance.
" Oh man." Bill says shaking his head and leaning back against the desk.
"You should have heard him!"  Clay's mind goes back to last night as he tells Bill the conversation.
"What the hell are you doing Clay?" Jake seths turning to face him as Caly slams the door shut behind him then walks to him his chin tilted defiantly.
"Living my life what the hell are you doing?" Jake sighs he looks up at his brother his eyes pleading.
"Trying to save my brother from making a decision in the heat of the moment and regretting it.
"I don't regret anything I'm happy with what did." Clay smiles as he crosses his arms over his chest his brow furrowed. Jake stares at his his expression shocked and confused.
"Your happy you broke your mother's heart?" Clay grins enjoying his brother manipulative mention of their mother. He walks to the Kitchen and opens the oven door Jake trailing behind him.
"She's a big girl she'll be fine!" He chuckles closing the oven door then turning towards him.
"Look I have to live my life I'm not going to live in that house and be another one of Jay's puppets." Wishing he'd chosen different words from the look on Jake's face and anger in his voice.
"Are you saying I'm Dad's puppet?"
"No, Jake," He sighs making a concerted effort to keep the sting from his tone.
"I'm saying I'm tired of Dad trying to run my life, I'm tired of the constant tension and fighting. I'm tired of feeling like I have to steal my own happiness!" Jake's expression relaxes he understood that feeling the tone of his voice becoming more empathetic.
"Look Clay I get it, and you know I like Felicia and I don't have anything against her but, this definitely not the time for you to do this!" He pleads to a deaf ear as Clays expression becomes closed mimicking his crossed arm body language.
"Whatever date you had in mind its too late I already picked today!" Jake runs his hand through his hair frustrated trying to contain his anger.
"And it couldn't be the worst time! With everything the company is facing we need to show a united front." He pleads his voice raising despite his best efforts.
"It's the perfect time and the challenges you have were created by you! And like I told Dad I don't want any part of it I just want to do my job and live my life."
"So you're abandoning your family when they need you most?" He shouts unable to contain his anger anymore and triggering Clay's.
"I'm not abandoning my family no matter what happens nothing will change the facts of who my family is! And I haven't abandoned the business I'm still on the job!" He shouts over his brother taking the later aback and silencing him as Clay continues.
"I'm just not living in Jay's house. I can't do it anymore and I'm not!" He states with vehement finality.
"This isn't about business or the family! This is about me wanting my freedom and taking it! This is between me and Jay I don't even understand why you're here? Nothing's changed between you and me." Clay glares at him his eyes challenging. Jake stares back at him then laughs bitterly.
"You still don't get it," He shakes his head in disbelief.
"This stunt of yours has him on the war path!" He bellows back as Clay looks on still defiant and unmoved.
"Don't blame me for that! He was on that path long before I moved out!" He shakes his head laughing at the ridiculousness of his brothers accusation.
"Don't try to use that to guilt me into moving back it's not going to happen!" Jake lips become a thin line his eyebrows forming a "V" as he points an accusatory finger at his brother.
"Just remember little brother when the gas hits the fire it will be on your head." Clay shakes his head in the negative refusing to allow his brother to lay that weight on his shoulders.
"No, Jake that fire is all on him and if any gas gets poured on it that will be you and him!" He accuses back watching as the look of confusion flows across his face.
"So you've chosen them over us now?" Clay sighs heavily.
"The only thing I'm choosing is Felicia over everything else and if you don't understand that, then that's your problem!" He walks to the door and opens it.
"Have a good night Jake" Jake storms toward the portal stopping in front of Clay and growls.
"This isn't over Clay and when it all hits the fan it's going to be on you!" Clay smiles grimly and shakes his head.
"As far as I'm concerned and my involvement in anything you have planned it is. Just go Jake." Clay finishes retelling the story to Bill and sighs leaning back against the desk.
"Holy crap!" HE says expelling a low whistle.
"Yeah, I feel like I'm damned if I do and if I don't."
"Whatever happens none of it is on you and you have a right to live your life and pursue happiness. Hell, the constitution grants you that." He says venom edging his voice.
"Then why do I feel so guilty?" Bill's mouth becomes a grim thin line he walks to Clay and places his hand on his shoulder.
"Because you're a good man with a good heart who loves your family. If you didn't feel bad I'd be worried. I think you made the right decision. This fight has been going on since before you were born all you would be doing is keeping this stupid thing going."  Clay nods his head in agreement.
"Thanks Bill" He says still sounding as depressed as before.
"Look why don't you.." Bill starts but then is cut of by the voice of the guard calling to him over the radio.
"Hey Bill you may want to look alive up there Jay Stockton just rolled through the gate." Bill looks at Clay and rolls his eyes as he presses the button.
"Thanks for the Four-one-one George." Clay grabs his hard hat shouting to Bill as he leaves out the back door.
"I'll see you up top!" He says running to his truck and speeding up the back road just as Jay pulls up in front.
"Yeah thanks a lot!" Bill mumbles to his self as he watches Jay exit his car and come into the office.
"Hey Bill! How are you?" He says with the fake friendliness Bill had come to loath.
"Jay." He says flatly walking around to his desk and picking up one of the files on it flipping through it as he talks.
"What brings you here?" Jay looks around the the office noting it was just he and Bill.
"I was hoping to speak with Clay, is he around?" Bill walks to the file cabinet opening the draw and shoving the file in as he talks.
"No, you just missed him he's just went up the mountain. I can have one of the boys take you up if you want."
"No. I'll try and catch up with him later." He says rubbing the back of his neck.
"Okay I'll let him know you stopped by." He says closing the drawer and walking back to his desk.
"That boy is going to be the death of me one of these days" He a laugh Bill smiles then reaches for the computer mouse.
"Clay a good man I wouldn't worry too much he'll be fine." He says wishing Jay would just leave.
" I suppose you're right I just don't want to leave things the way they are. Maybe you could do me a favor?" Bill looks up at him already knowing what his next words would be.
"You and Clay are close maybe you could talk to him? Maybe convince him to move back to the house become more involved with the business?" Bill sighs looks up from the computer his patients gone
"You don't know your son at all do you? Clay's a grown man he knows what he wants and nothing I say is going to change his mind. Maybe you should try listening to the man instead of constantly talking at him!" Jay eyes narrow his lips thin.
"Don't you ever tell me how to deal with my family!" He bellows his voice vibrating against the walls. Bill rises from his desk his voice low.
"Clay is my family, or did you forget? Besides that he's my friend and I'm not going to convince him to do anything he doesn't want to to do just to make the great Jay Stockton happy! You got me?"
"Who the hell do you think you are?" Jay growls Bill stares back at him unmoved by his display.
"I know exactly who I am! I'm the only man in this town who isn't afraid to stand up to you, wait that's wrong I'm one of only two men in this town that isn't afraid of you! Now if you'll excuse me I have work to do" He says snatching up his helmet and heading out the door. Leaving Jay more angry and determined to get his son back than before.
"When I'm done with you Davidson you'll be having nightmares about me!" He mumbles as he slams out the office door.


"Harbinger Falls" Copyright 2014

I Missed You

 Chase flies down the road radio blaring enjoying the the warmth of the early spring morning and the sights of home. It had been years since he'd driven through the center of town not much had changed. The Inn in the town square wasn't new but the new owners had done a wonderful job renovating it. They had spared no expense restoring it to it's former elegance. He'd stopped in earlier and made reservation for he and Erin for tonight and he couldn't wait to spring it on her.
 He'd missed her the past two months more so the closer it came to finally seeing her. He thought when she was doing her residency it was bad this was worse. It was as if he'd lost a part of himself. He  missed waking up to her cuddled up next to him her cold feet pressed against his calf, the smell of her ponytail flipped across his face. The smile she always had when she awoke. Even the annoying things like squeezing the toothpaste in the middle or putting the empty container of creamer back in the refrigerator. He just plain missed her.
 He glances over at the huge bouquet of gladiolas he'd bought for her and smiles. He remembered when they'd first asked her to move in with him he'd had them made into a centerpiece for their table and had hung his loft key on them. It had taken her all of fifteen seconds to see it. She'd practically leaped into his arms then snatched up the center piece and head for the exist they hadn't even stayed for dinner.
 He swings into the hospital parking lot following the signs to visitors lot, finds a space not to far from the door and pulls in throwing the car in park. He jumps out of the car jogs toward the entrance tripping the car alarm as he goes. He enters the the elevator pushing the button twice rocking back and forth on his heels watching as the floors click by till it jerks to a stop, waits impatiently for the doors to separate then squeezes out before they can fully open.
 He looks up and down the hall spotting her as she comes from behind the desk and walks towards her at the same moment she spots him and walks quickly to meet him. He opens his arms hugging her tight spinning her in a circle then sets her down kissing her hungerly resisting the overwhelming urge to make love to her right then and there.
"God I missed you!" He smiles down at her then kisses her again.
"I can tell," She giggles. "and I really missed you too." She beams up at him then kisses him this time slower enjoying the taste and feel of him and the completeness she always found in his arms.
"Am I going to have to get you two a room?" Vicky smirks looking from one to the other. Chase pulls away from Erin blushes slightly then gives his cousin a hug.
"Hey Vicky good to see you!" He lets go steps back and gives her a quick look up and down.
"My God! Look at you! You are absolutely beautiful!" Smiling in approval making her blush and smile shyly.
"Good to see you too." Vicky smiles placing the clipboard down on the counter.
"What are you guys up to tonight? If you're not busy why don't you stop by "Rowdy's" later and we can catch up!" She grins looking from one to the other. Chase smiles back shaking his head.
"Maybe tomorrow night tonight we have plans!" He says wrapping his arm around her and nuzzling her neck. Erin looks at him and smiles her eyes twinkling with devilment.
"You made plans? What are these plans?" Chase grins and kisses the top of her head.
"You'll see, come on let's get out of here?" Vicky smiles enjoying watching the two of them happy to have her cousin home again.
"It was really good to see you Chase! And I mean it I want to get together tomorrow night with you guys!" Chase looks at Erin who shrugs and nods her head in agreement.
"I'm off from the hospital for the next couple of days and I don't have office hours so sure." Chase nods in agreement.
"We'll see you there" The two turn and walk towards the elevator
"Bye guys have a good time!" She waves after them as the door of the elevator close. Erin waits for the doors to close fully before turning and kissing him again.
"So what are these plans you have for tonight." She says pulling away arms still wrapped around his neck. Chase smiles down at her.
"I made reservations for us at the Inn." Erin's face lights up with excitement.
"Ooo! It's so beautiful I love that place!" Chase pulls away looking and sounding a little disappointed.
"You've been there already?" Erin smiles running her hand through his hair.
"Not really," She laughs. "Are you kidding? My grandparents would kill me!" They both laugh.
"Then how?" He looks at her confused taking her hand as the elevator doors open and leading her through the lobby.
"The owners little girl is a patient of mine I went over to check on her one afternoon. They are such nice people. She runs the Inn and he is a deputy slash artist and their little girl is absolutely adorable! She reminds me of Lesley when she was little." She laughs immediately regretting mentioning Lesley's name as a pal falls on the mood.
"How is Lesley?" He asks reaching for her car door and opening for her.
"She's okay I saw her last night at the bar. How's Wellington?" She asks as he slides in the car beside her and starts the engine.
"He's doing great, work wise." He says looking over at Erin who stares out the window seemingly lost in thought. He stops the car at the entrance of the parking lot reaching behind the seat and handing her the bouquet grinning from ear to ear.
"These are for you." He say smiling impishly hoping it would lift the mood he'd wrought by asking about Lesley.
"Lets you and I make a deal For the rest of the night I won't mention Wellington and you don't mention Lesley deal?" Erin looks down at the flowers in her lap then back up at him.
"Deal." She leans over kissing his cheek.
"And thank you." Chase smiles back at her then glances down at his ringing phone.
"And no more business after this call." He smiles back clicking his head piece.
"Van Dorn?" Erin smiles to herself for "a" or "b" reason she always laughed when he sounded all official it reminded her when they were kids and played "Star Trek Landing Party". Chase would try to sound all official like Lt. Riker she chuckles turning her head toward the side window. Reminiscing as she watched the countryside flip by. They had all had fun together back in those days Van Dorn, Stockton it didn't matter back then there no grown up stuff to get in the way. Sometimes she missed those days, before they all grew up and learned their parents secrets and some of their own.
 She'd be happy when she no longer had to keep hers and could stop playing cat and mouse with Chase. The lying and sneaking around town to help Lesley through it all took it's toll thank goodness a lot of her absences she could blame on her residency and at least now with Wellington home she had a reason to be jumpy and nervous. Thank God she and Chase would be avoiding that topic for the rest of the night. Maybe she could relax for a change instead of guarding every word she said. She wished she had never made that promise but Lesley hadn't given her a choice and of course she wouldn't let her take it back. She was exhausted that day. She was a first year resident and had only started doing it three days prior to Lesley giving birth she was scared out of her mind.
She'd just come off a ten hours shift in the ER and was hoping to get at least six hours of sleep before she had to go back when Lesley had called her. She'd jumped back in the car driven across town and picked her up then driven her to the hospital. The entire ride there Lesley had been screaming during contractions and alternately yelling at her.
"Promise me whatever happens you won't tell Wellington or anyone else! OH GOD!" She said rubbing her stomach and trying to breath through the contraction. Erin glances at the clock noting the time then flips off the driver honk at her because she hadn't moved as soon as the light changed.
"You have to tell him Lesley he has a right to know!" She says slamming on the break when the the car in front of her makes a sudden stop then turns.
"NO!" Lesley grinds out then rest her head against the headrest and takes a deep breath.
"Promise me you won't tell anyone Erin!" Her head snapping forward her expression etched with fear, determination and pain. Erin steps on the gas as soon as the light changes her mind whirling as she desperately tries to weave her way through traffic and keep track of the time between contraction on the clock.
"Lesley please don't!" Lesley takes a swift intake of breath reaching out and taking a vice like grip hold on Erin's wrist.
"Promise me Lesley you have to promise me!" She groans starting her breathing again as the contraction begins to crescendo. Pain shoots up her wrist as Lesly tightens her grip making Erin wince.
"Okay I promise I won't tell Wellington." Erin moans trying to free her arm as Lesley squeezes harder.
"Or anyone else! Promise me!" She grinds out her nails digging into her flesh making her yelp in pain.
"Okay! Okay or anyone else!" She whines trying to pull her wrist from her iron grasp.
"You swear?" Lesley screams then growls in pain forgetting her breathing completely as she rides out her contraction.
"I Swear! Now let go!" She says pulling her wrist from her grasp as they pull up to the entrance of the hospital.
"Earth to Erin? Come in Erin!" Chase's voice pulls from her ponderings she smiles pushing the past to the back of her mind replacing them with thoughts of an evening of just the two of them at last and her smile broadens.
 "I'm sorry what?"
"Where'd you slip off to?" He says slowing the car to a stop at the light.
" I was just watching the scenery pass and got lost in thought you done?"
"I'm all yours!" He leans in quickly and steals a kiss before shifting the car into gear and turning left into the crowded Inn's parking lot and searches for a spot. Erin glances down at her phone and at the text coming from Lesley who wanted her to stop by her place to talk. Erin quickly types back then shuts off her phone. She loved her to pieces but she'd spent enough time in the past two years at Lesley's beck and call. Not tonight, tonight belonged to her and Chase.

"Harbinger Falls" Copyright 2014

        

Echoes In The Well

 Jay walks into the dinning room looking around at the empty setting then spots Alex sitting in her usual place sipping on her usual glass of whine.
"Is it just you and me?" He says taking his place at the opposite end. Alex looks over the brim of her glass takes a sip then sets it methodically down on the table and smiles at him.
"You act as if your were expecting someone else besides me to be here." Jay scowls at her as he reaches for his napkin.
"Don't start please, it's been a very long day and for a change I'd like a quiet dinner." He gripes reaching for his fork and stabbing at his steak. Alex looks around the table and chuckles.
"Well you got your wish!" Jay glares at her a moment the look of consternation on his face causing her to smothers another laugh.
"Where's Lesley? She left work earlier without a word to anyone.You heard from her?" Alex reaches for her glass then leans back in her chair.
"She went to New York. She said she needed a couple of days to clear her head" Jay's head snaps up stopping in mid chew.
"What happened?" Alex shrugs.
"Oh I don't know, Wellington Swift moved back to town, her brother moved out. She needed some time to herself."
"Good maybe it will help get her mind back in the game. We have a meeting coming up and I need her on her "A" game."  He grumbles continuing to shovel food in his mouth.
"Of course we wouldn't want anything to get in the way of that." She smirks saluting him with her glass sips it then continues.
"Jake and Toni are working late. At least that's what they said. Personally I think just like Clay they don't want to be here either" Jay scowls at her tossing his fork down on the plate his eyes narrowed.
"Clay left out of here cause he thinks with his cock!"  Alex snorts placing her glass back on the table.
"Maybe if you tell yourself that often enough even you might believe it." She reaches for the bottle of wine talking as she fills her glass.
"Do you ever hear a thing anyone says to you or do you only hear yourself?" She picks up her glass and sips it then sits back in her chair.
"Your son told you again for the last time that he can't stand your meddling and he's been saying it since he was twelve years old!" Jay curls his lip into a disgusted grin then snorts.
"About the same time he took up with that VanDorn witch!" Alex looks at him and laughs.
"That's when you first noticed her! If you had been paying attention you'd know your son has been in love with that girl since his first day of the forth grade. Maybe if you treated us like people instead of show pieces you'd know that."
Jay just glares at her biting back his response deciding it was better to let her just go on her drunken tirade and get it over with.
"What the hell happened to you Jay? I mean you were always a shark when it came to business and I always accepted that about you.Funny, it used to be one of the things I admired about you." A reminiscent smile on her lips as she leans her head against the back of the chair.
"But, when you came home you were about your family. You'd come through the door one of the kids would scream "Daddies home!" and they'd coming running from wherever they were. Jumping all over you. It used to be my favorite time of the day. She swirls the glass her voice sounding distant as she spoke as she recalled the moments over the past.
"It was slow at first a ball game here a recital there then you stopped caring altogether." She looks over at Jay his lips taunt his face red with suppressed fury.
"I cared! I still do!  Everything I do Is for all of you!" He snaps his voice full of venom his eyes boring into hers. She glares back at him he eyes unflinching.
"Oh, excuse me," She holds up her glass and bows her head.
"You do care, you just care more about how we all look to outsiders and what that outward appearance can get you but then that's all you really ever cared about isn't it? How you look to other people and having Henry back in town with his family, happy successful people taking a walk down memory lane again made you feel like a real fool. It just ate at you didn't it?"
"I think the wine is blurring your memory" Jay growls pushing his chair back and walking to the server.
"You may have a point I forgot to mention it was about the same time the Van Dorns came back to town" Alex watches as Jay's back stiffens knowing she had him right where she wanted him.
"Yeah, Henry had some big contract with some company in Japan with dreams of saving his father's mill and you went on a mission to crush it. What was that really about Jay? Were you still angry that you ran back to your whore the night before our wedding and she rejected you! I would have loved to see the look on your face when you found out you and your best friend were fucking the same slut and she chose him?" She laughs uproariously. Jay wields back towards her his eyes wide with shock.
"Jay," She sighs clucking her tongue and shaking her head.
"Don't look so shocked darling. I've known about you and her since the day you picked her up in front of the high school you remember? You drove her home then spent the summer chasing her. Then the night before we our wedding you told your father you weren't going through with the wedding you ran off to I assume profess your undying love run off into the sunset? Well I was outside the study. I heard you so I followed you. Surprisingly it wasn't hard at all to hear you all shouting through the open window."
"You knew all of that and you still..."  His voice trails off as he stares at her his expression incredulous his eyes wide.
"Of course I knew! The entire town knew!" She shrieks.
"You sure as hell didn't care how you looked then did you?" Her voice a low growl as she pushes out of the chair sending it clattering to the floor.
"And you still went through with it? Why?" His voice a hoarse whisper he stares at her confused.
"It should be obvious but you have never been good with the obvious." Jay's phone rings breaking the moment between them. He reaches in his pocket pulls it out quickly checking the number Joe Jordan from the capital hopefully with good news.
"I have to take this" He throws his hand up his eyes pleading.
"It will only take me a second."
"Of course you do." She chokes out holding back her unshed tears. She drains the remaining wine from her glass and storms from the room. Jay watches her a moment vacillating between taking the call as the phone rings again, then once more or going after her. Alex leans against the post at the bottom of the staircase her emotions raw, hoping. Her heart breaking as his voice bellows into the phone tears stream down her cheeks as she runs up the steps to their room slamming the door behind her.

"Harbinger Falls" Copyright 2014