"We'll Deal With That Too"

                   

                     Sharron places the last of her pies on the cooling rack and hangs her ovenmits back on the hook next to the oven. She walks to her pad checking off the last one on her list. She'd made eight pies including a special strawberry-rhubarb one for Ben Davidson.
                     "Smells good in here" Hank calls entering the kitchen and sniffing at the air making his wife laugh. He encircles her waist giving her cheek a quick kiss then inspects the pies on the counter.
                      "Yeah I just finished the last one. I ahh put your favorite in the cake dish over there." She points with her pencil toward the glass dish on the counter.
                       "Ahh I knew there was a reason I loved you!" He walks to the cabinet pulls down a plate chatting as he serves himself.
                     " From the look of things I guess you've been baking all morning?" Sharron reaches for the box gingerly placing a pie inside.
                     "I promised Felicia and Clay I'd bake them for today. Did you finish up the rest of your work with Chase and his company?"
                      "Yes ma'am he's all on his own from this day forward."  Hank places a glass next his plate then sits at the table.
                      "So we're really going to this thing?" He sighs no longer ignoring the the unspoken subject hanging between them. He still wished he could be anywhere else today. The thought of spending any amount of time with Jay or his wife gnawed in the pit of his stomach. He wasn't sure if he could be cordial with either one no matter what his daughter and Clay wanted. Especially if he was up to his usual antics in which case he couldn't guarantee what he would do. He had to keep reminding himself this was supposed to be a peaceful family event. He had to stop looking for demons behind every corner. There wasn't anything that Jay or Alex could do to them now. Especially not without incriminating themselves.  Maybe Felicia and Clay were right they all deserved a moment to unwind.
                     " I know what you're thinking Hank and it's going to be fine. Jay's off somewhere licking his wounds. And, aren't you the one that's been telling me Jay Stockton couldn't hurt us anymore?" She smirkes  shifting the box to the dining room table.  
                     "Old habits die hard" He mumbles around a mouthful of pie making her smile.
                     "I know what you mean. You keep waiting for the encore. Look honey we did what we had to do. We have a right to live our lives. All we did was make sure our family is protected. We had nothing to do with what happened with Jay. That's all Marjorie's business and that's all it was business." She shrugs finishing boxing the last of the cooled pies and sits down at the table across from him. Hank nods in agreement. Whatever, and however Marjorie finally took down Jay was her business. He knew she was working with someone but he wasn't sure whom and he didn't want to know. He'd stayed out of that part of it and his sons business had nothing to do with Jay's problems.                        He also knew Jay and he could feel the danger the stench of him was palatable. For now he was off licking his wounds like a feral dog. He knew he'd be back more cautious and deadlier than ever. Sharron watches the worry cross his face she reaches out holding his hand in hers.
                     "Stop worrying Hank. We can't live our lives in fear and we can't worry every single moment of the day anymore. Whatever happens will happen no matter what we do. I can't sit around worrying about Jay or Alex Stockton anymore. And maybe just maybe today will be the start of something new and maybe we can all just build on that. I for one plan to enjoy my life and I'm going to try and enjoy today and you should at least try too."
                       "What if in all this love festival Alex decides to unburden herself?" Sharron looks at him and shrugs.
                     "Then we'll deal with that too. Come on we both knew eventually it would and like we've always said we'd deal with it when it happens. Just let it go for one day?" She asked giving his hand a squeeze then moves back to the counter.   Leaving Hank deep in thought for a moment as she went about her chore.        
                     "I didn't see Michael's car in the driveway when I came in." Hank says rising from the table and walking to the sink.
                      "You know Micheal these days. When he's not at work he over at "Rowdy's" She smiles to herself leaving out Desiree Davidson being his main focal point knowing the intrigue would push thoughts of Jay from his mind. Hank finishes washing the plate placing it in the rack looking confused.
                       "What is it about "Rowdy's" all of a sudden?" Sharron giggles.
                       "Felicia needed him to pick some stuff up from Peggy and run it over to her. But I don't think it's so much as a what as it is a whom."
                       Stephanie stops to adjust the crate of canisters leaning them against the step for a moment. She looks up when she hears an engine immediately tucking herself behind the hygendra where she could have a good view as she hears Michael's car come to a stop along the curb in front of Desi's house.
                       " Here you are Madame." He laughs putting the car in park and turning towards her. Desi smiles shyly not sure what to do next. Trying not to feel his closeness as she rifles through her bag checking her books and trying to ignore the devilish grin on his face and her growing attraction.
                       "Thanks for helping out I really appreciate it." Michael grins devilishly knowing exactly what she was doing.
                        " No problem besides when my sister asks you to do something you really don't have a choice." He winks and laughs.
                        "So I guess you're going to run in and study now "Nerd Girl"? He teases making her blush. Her eyes wide.
                        "Hey! I'm not a nerd I'm just responsible and conscientious!" She says shoving his arm playfully making him laugh.
                         " Nerd girl can't you give me just five minutes before you run off to nerdome. " He teases again.
                        "Five minutes to do what?" Her voice tentative not sure if what was on her mind was the same as his.
                       "I don't know maybe talk? I just spent the morning playing caterer and then drove you home. The least you could do is talk to me for five minutes. Five minutes that's all I want. Then I let you go get your word fix." He asks.
                       "Okay what do you want to talk about?"
                       " Nothing really just a couple of minutes to chat a little get to know you when you aren't barking orders at me." He smirks making her laugh.
                        " You mean like what's my favorite color. Purple or my favorite animal?" She mocks and rolls her eyes.
                        "Wolves, yeah I already know that stuff." He chuckles enjoying her look of surprise. He leans his head back against the headrest.                      
                        "Okay if you could go back to high school what would you change?" Desi thinks a minute focusing on her semi nerd existence. They'd all hung out with the same people back then. Mainly because of Steph and Vicky otherwise she probably would have spent the entire time studying. When she did go out she never drank or smoked with them but she was cool if they did Everyone seemed to accept that. She wasn't a rat or anything but with her parents it was never a consideration they always seemed to know. Especially with Steph doing enough damage for the both of them. Maybe she should have been less uptight maybe she wouldn't feel sometimes like she'd missed out. Lord knew there were enough times when everything was going on she had been tempted.
                        "I wouldn't have been such a nerd. Maybe I would have been more dangerous maybe drank at a couple of parties, tagged that spot under the bridge that night with you guys, broke into the town pool after graduation with everyone you know, that kind of thing. Michael smiles shaking his head chuckling deeply.
                         " No, I'm glad you were the way you were still are basically straight edge focused. You knew exactly what you wanted and you went for it. You never let anyone pressure you into doing anything you didn't want to. I always admired that about you. You kept me from doing lots of damage a few times you just don't know. Don't ever change." His tone surprisingly earnest making her heart flutter and her cheeks flush leaving her with an odd feeling of vulnerability.
                         "Do you mean that?" She asks unsure she wanted an answer.
                         " I don't say things I don't mean." Desi chuckles crossing her arms across her chest.
                         " Yeah, like nerd girl." She accuses with a laugh making him blush and chuckle.
                          "Yep, oh and you just admitted you're a nerd" He laughs again
                         " I like you Desi. I've liked you just the way you are for a while now." Taking her hand in his and moving closer. Sending a shiver through her.
                           " Even though you won't admit it you've always liked me too." He says leaning in and kissing her gently. Then again his body responding instantly when her lips become more demanding taking him off guard tempting him almost beyond his willingness to control himself.
                            Desi felt wanton and desperate for more which both excited her and made her afraid. She pushes gently against his chest then reaches quickly for her bag.
                            "I have to go. I'll umm see you later." She reaches for the door handle opening it quickly and climbing out the car. Michael smiles knowingly rolling down the car window.
                            " I'll definitely see you later." She smiles and nods her head then waves before closing the door behind her. Michael waits a moment making sure she was safely inside then pulls away.
                             Stephanie waits till Desi is in the house then walks down the lawn to her car. She needed to get the iced tea canisters back to "Rowdy's" for her Grandmother and she definitely didn't feel like listening to Desi go back and forth about Michael. Least of all hear her details of the kiss they just shared. Watching it had been hard enough and she still wasn't sure why. Something was definitely happening between the two of them and the closer they got the angrier it made her. Forcing the same question she'd had for as long as she remembered why was it always Desi?  



"Harbinger Falls" Copyright 2016

"Roommates"

                   

                    Lesley sits on the bed checking everything she needed for the last time before putting in Jaime's diaper bag. She looks around the room for the bag then remembering it was probably in the room Wellington was using. She gets up from the bed and walks down the hall to his room knocking on the door then opening it not waiting for him to answer.
                    "Hey, do you have Jaime's diaper bag in here?"  Wellington sits up on the bed cuddling his son in his arms.
                     " Yeah, look next to my desk. " He says placing Jamie on his knee . "I meant to put it back in his room sorry.
                      " No problem I was just sorting through his stuff so we could get ready to go. Right Mr. Man." She teases her son making him giggle.
                      "We're going to see all the Grandma and Grandpa's Aunts and Uncle's and great Aunt's and Uncles and cousins." Her voice high pitched and sing song making her son laugh harder and his father roll his eyes.
                      "What time are you planning to leave?" He grumbles making Lesley roll her eyes. She wasn't all revved up for the day but Clay was right it was time for it all to just end they had their son's future and the future of the entire next generation. She didn't want her son or any of the kids coming behind him to have to deal with ultimate Family Feud. The best part was everyone else felt the same including her mother! That revelation came as a shock to her and everyone else. Maybe being away from her father was the best thing for everyone.
                      They all seemed so much happier especially Jake. Leaving their father's house had freed him. Clay had been right about that too. He was like the Jake she remembered when Dad would go away on a trip for a few weeks and it would feel normal and relaxed like everyone elses home. Then he'd come back and that pressure, like right before a storm. That anticipation of  bad things to come weighing down on them suffocating all the joy. Only for now no one knew the exact day he'd come thundering back into their lives so they were just enjoying whatever time was left.
                      "As soon as He wakes up from his nap so he won't be cranky all afternoon." She kisses the tip of her son's nose making him scrunch his face and laugh. Wellington smiles and hands the baby to her. Their hands brush each other sending that familiar spark that always happened between them. He clears his throat and pull them away as soon as humanly possible looking only at their son.
                      "I'll see you when you get up" He brushes back his hair kissing him on the forehead then walks to his desk barely looking at her. Lesley sighs walking out of the room and into her son's kissing him goodnight and places him in his crib. She walks back to her room and place the pile of things into the diaper bag her thoughts weaving in and out.
                    Wellington had been living with them for weeks. Ever since Jamie had gotten out of the hospital and they were still really no further than they had been when he first moved in. He still barely spoke to her unless it concerned their son and basic household things any roommate would. It described their living arrangement perfectly roommates! She didn't need a roommate she wanted her life mate! She wanted him! Whether he would admit it or not he wanted her. She could see it and she could feel it and so could he. He'd felt when he handed her the baby and their hands had touched. Then suddenly he had important business on his desk and couldn't look at her.  She was tired of the distance between them she was tired of the silence. Today it was going to stop. She wasn't going to some reconciliation picnic if things weren't settled for them. She takes a deep breath and walks from her room down the hall to his and leans against the open door frame wording her sentence carefully.
                      "How much longer are you going to punish me Wellington?" He turns towards her startled by her candor but he knew it was coming. He was punishing her but it wasn't for the reasons she thought. He was more punishing himself for still wanting her. That's why he'd been keeping his distance. At first it had been easy he had all his anger at what she'd done to keep her at bey. But, over time watching her and his son going about their daily routine had only made him love her more. He understood exactly why she done everything she'd done to protect their son. She'd done what he would have done he couldn't love her more for it. What he really was, he was still leery of trusting her and trusting her with his heart.
                     "I'm not not punishing you I'm just trying to keep our focus on what's important." He's says turning back towards his lap top. Lesley ignores his dismissal and steps into the room closing the door behind her. She walks behind him leaving just enough room for him to stand but no where to run.
                     "We both know what's important our son. You have made that more than abundantly clear and, as you know that has been my only focus for a long time now. I'm not talking about that. I'm talking about you and me. When are going to stop punishing us Well?" Wellington stands and looks at her then averts her eyes quickly searching the room for somewhere to move something to retrieve and finding none anything to avoided this moment.
                      " There's no place to run you're going to have to face me and we are going to have to talk about this." Wellington leans back against the chair pushing it into the desk as he speaks.
                       " Why can't you just leave things the way they are Lesley?" He looks up at her not sure how he felt and not ready to talk about it.
                        " Come on Well you and I both know you want to. Or, is it just more fun to keep punishing me then to admit you would have done the exact same thing!"
                        " It's not that!" He shouts then lowers his voice. Lesley looks back at him a satisfied smile twisting her lips.
                         " Then what is it Well? What is it that makes you leave a room or search for a book? Run out to your car or your room? What is it that makes you pull away from me every time we touch?" She blurts out unable to hold back any longer.
                          " I don't know" He lies. Lesley moves closer laying her hand on his chest.
                         " I know exactly what it is Wellington and it's not that you can't get passed what I did. You can't get passed the fact that you still want me and you still love me despite everything." Wellington glares at her his heart skipping a beat as she drives her point straight to the center of his heart. She knew his darkest secret and it was out in the open and exposed for examination.  He felt panicked and vulnerable not sure what to do as she came closer.
                         " I love you Well. I've always loved you I've never stopped loving you. I did everything I did to protect our son not just because I love him but also because I love you." She says reaching up and kissing him. He tries not to kiss her but is unable to stop himself as he pulls her into his arms letting loose the yearning he felt for her in every kiss as he moves her towards the bed. His instinct and longing taking him over as he strips her of her blouse running his hand down the length of her as she pulls at the waist of his jeans.
                        This was finally happening she thought finally freeing him of his pants and shedding her own she pushes him back against the bed falling with him afraid to let him go and break the spell as she kisses him.
                       "Oh God." He moans as she mounts him feeling at home for the first time in years. He pulls her to him rolling her with him as pulls her to the mattress incapable of holding himself back any longer as she matched his passion leaving them both euphoric and in exhausted heap.



Copyright "Harbinger Falls" 2016










             
               
                    

"Lame Duck"

         

              Gavin sits in front seat of his car rolling through the countryside enjoying the late indian summer day, contemplating the last few day's events and formulating his next move. He'd had his men watching both Jay and his soon to be ex-wife and Mr.Stockton senior had been a very busy man. He'd clocked more miles on his car in the last three days than he'd done all year. He'd been from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh and every place in between looking for support and finding none. He'd seen lawyers and private investigators back to more lawyers he'd barely had time to sleep. All of it was beginning to show. It showed in the bags under his eyes and the looseness of his suits. He was finding out slowly his was what one would call in politics a "Lame Duck" corporate chair. He was finding that a good many of  his so called friends the people that he once held in his pocket were all suddenly free to live without his boot on their necks. He was also finding that even some of his most powerful allies were keeping him at arm's length. Yes, Jay was beginning to feel like all of his victims had felt alone and isolated. It was too bad Jay and Alex couldn't feel every moment of the pain they had forced him to endure.
              He'd thought about doing to Jay, Alex too for that matter, exactly what they'd done to him. Oddly this was better. To be honest more enjoyable from his point of view. He got to watch the meltdown. He'd taken away the material things that he loved the power he yearned for and now he was going to take away the last thread holding his universe together the love of his family. When he told them the truth about their father it would shatter any illusions they had left about who he really was. Any love or respect his family especially his children had for him would be shattered. Oh and lest he forget the self centered vindictive bitch that started it all their mother.  
              Alexandra Graves-Stockton the belle of Harbinger Falls the all american girl. The Girl everyone wanted to be. He wondered if they would want to be her if they knew her demons? Would they want to be her once her family learned what she'd done to him. Knowing Donovan, Alex wouldn't want to be Alex when he was done. Donovan was old school and all about family. He'd claimed his black cousin long before it was cool or socially acceptable. He'd done it in a time when something like that could get you killed but, that was Donovan. He was a loyal and forthright friend no one could ask for better. He'd gotten through many a lonely night thinking about the fun they'd had around the bar and restaurant. He guessed that's what kept pulling him back time and time again even though he kept chastising himself not too. He couldn't help himself he kept being drawn back. He needed to see it for himself he needed to see them hear their voices see their smiles. Especially her's.
                He'd slipped in after the place filled up and sat in a quiet corner for awhile watching them all going about their business completely oblivious to him. Not that he'd expected them to notice him or know who he was. He'd only wanted to be around them. He wasn't ready for any real interaction with them that day not yet.  He still had some unfinished business to attend to first. He needed them all to know the truth every piece of it and he needed it to be irrefutable and he had that with him now. Stored safely on the flash drive in his pocket and the hard copies in the briefcase behind his seat. What he needed more was for all of them to know his being gone was not by choice that his life was stolen from him, their lives were stolen from them. By a selfish egotistical woman who couldn't stand to face reality or share the spotlight and her lackey. He'd been thinking along the same bien after a while and had decided it had been long time past the time to go when he'd run into Jake in the parking lot looking happier than he'd seen him since he'd met him. He'd introduced him to his wife and the two had invited him to their family celebration. At first he'd declined but now he was glad. It gave him reason to be there and would finally satisfy the nagging desire he'd had. It also gave him an opportunity to talk with Marjorie without suspicion. He'd thought all morning about springing his news on them but had decided it wasn't the time or place. From what Marjorie had told him this was more of a healing event for both sides and they would need every ounce of that when he dropped his bomb. Besides from what Toni said more than likely Jay wouldn't be in attendance and he wanted them both together when they imploded. No, today was about family and friends and that was something he'd been longing for and he had no intention of spoiling that. He pulls his car along the curb and parks it then reaches in the back seat for the bottle of wine and the gift he'd bought. He exits the vehicle and walks toward the crowd of tables searching for Jake.
           Jay lift a bleary eye and pushes his chair back from the desk. He reaches for the decanter of bourbon he had stored in his bottom desk drawer and fills his tumbler rolling the contents against the stream of sunlight shining through the blinds a moment then gulps down half the contents before setting back down on the desk. He looks down at the papers on the desks before shoving them all to floor.  He'd been all over the state trying to rally support and finding none. Even his old ally in Pine Valley had turned his back on him without even rumpling a hair. The only useful information he had gained was how closely tied the Van Dorn bastard was to Slater-Cortlandt.
            Now, it all made sense! He and Palmer Cortlandt had been bitter rivals for years and for years he'd vow to someday destroy him. He'd finally had found a way to do it through the Van Dorn brat but he still couldn't figure out the how of it? How had Courtland and the little shit done it? There was no paper trail or phone records connecting the two other than his company was a subsidiary of  Slater-Cortlandt. His people couldn't find any intelligence linking the two for the exception of their business dealings concerning their company but nothing connecting them to him. Could he be wrong about them? Could what had happened have nothing to do with either one? The coo was extremely well plotted and executed but it didn't feel like Palmer's style. Cortlandt had always been direct with his hatred he would have never been satisfied with leaving his company in tack and his ouster. Cortlandt was a winner takes all type of man.  No, this attack was personal. They had wanted him humbled and broken and looking in from the outside. They wanted him alone and alienated without friends or family that left only the Van Dorn's. Sure, there maybe other men who felt the exact same way about him but none of them had the set that the Van Dorn kid did. An attribute that at times was almost admirable, almost.  He'd taken away his seat of power yet he wasn't satisfied.No that hadn't sedated his need for vengeance. No, a man like him wouldn't be appeased with that. He had to go a step further. He'd been instrumental in severing him from the lives of his wife and children he and his cousin had stolen his family from him! While he sat alone in his empty house they sat nestled among his family receiving the love and respect that belonged to him! His anger mounted into rage reaching its apex as the glass shattered against the wall.
              Jay reaches into his desk drawer and pulls out his revolver then the polishing cloth and begins to wipe it down smiling maniacally. Van Dorn and his equally insufferable cousin were going to pay and pay dearly for what they'd done to him and he knew exactly where to find them both. He wobbles slightly as he stands and tucks the gun into his waistband before heading for his car.  






Copyright "Harbinger Falls" 2016