At the End Of The Day

       

          Chase looks up from the sawhorse at the sound of his name mopping the beads of perspiration from his forehead across his sleeve.
         "Hey Dad! Over here!" He reaches down inside the cooler for a bottle of water splashing some in his mouth then hands his Dad one. Hank takes it from him twisting off the cap as he talks.
        "I went by the office looking for you and your assistant Dax I think, said you were here. Interesting assistant I have to say." Hank chuckles. Wasn't exactly what I was expecting." Chase laughs as he wipes his forehead across his sleeve.
         "Yeah what did you picture?" He says picking up the sander and rubs it across the wooden doors edge. Hank chuckles.
          " To be honest I'm not sure just not him." They both laugh again.
           "Dax is from our parent company he's my bosses number one go to guy. He's just here working with Preston and Mike checking all the computers making sure all the setup are correct and all the latest security updates are complete and such. But I'm real sure you didn't come all the way here to talk about my assistant." Hank sigh and shakes his head.
             "No, you're right about that son. Did you hear what happened with Stockton this morning?" His tone becoming serious as he watches his son go about his work. Chase shrugs.
              "Yeah. I was it on my newsfeed earlier. Sucks to be him I guess." He shrugs again then squats down and inspects the doors edge as he talks.
               "But, that has nothing to do with me. Maybe it's the universe's way of coming full circle." Hank sighs as he props his foot on top of a log then leans forward crossing his arms on his knee.
               "Doesn't matter he's going to blame you for all of it." Chase looks at his father squinting one eye against the sun then reaches for his sander working as he talks.
             "He can blame me all he wants I honestly don't give a shit what he does, whines or bitches about. I have my own problems." He says lifting the door off the saw horse and leaning it against the fence.
            "Problems at work?" Hank asks knowing full well that was the least of his son's problems. Marjorie had filled him in on Lesley and Wellington which was why he'd walked over. He wished he had known about Wellington and Lesley before they had started all this but as Marjorie said they couldn't plan for every event. Chase shakes his head.
           "  Nah ah, but you already know that." He smirks. Hank chuckles.
           "Yeah your Aunt Marjorie filled us in. So what about you and Erin?" Chase shrugs.
            "We'll be okay, I wouldn't be out here if I didn't. I mean I get it and all."
             "But that doesn't mean it doesn't hurt." Hank says with a sigh. Chase shakes his head then moves back to the door.
              "No it doesn't. Hey you want to give me a hand here grab the other end please?"
               "Sure" Hank moves from his spot by the log and grabs the other end of the door and the two walk it back towards the house.
               "I mean Dad, I understand why she had to keep it all a secret but a part of me still resents the fact she didn't tell me. And, as hard as I try not to let it, it bothers me sometimes it does.I can't help it and I feel bad."
              "You wouldn't be human if it didn't, Why don't you cut yourself a little slack." Hank says placing his end on the ground then helping Chase move the into the door frame.
              "And while you're at it cut her some." He grins mischievously holding it in place while Chase drops in the pins.
               "I'm trying Dad it's just that I always thought Erin and I were always completely honest with each other. It's just hard having that image destroyed." He says placing the last pin in the hinge. He steps back swinging the door into the latch and opens it again checking the edge.
               " I understand why and I know in my heart I would have done the same thing for Well so I should just get over it but you know?" He shrugs. Hank nods his head and sighs.
                " Yeah, I understand  what you're saying maybe you should just keep reminding yourself of that fact and the fact that Erin does love you. She only did what she did to protect her cousin and her baby. I mean after what happened with your cousin and his ex-wife I don't blame her. When your family is threatened sometimes you have to do what you have to, to protect them. At the end of the day son, the love of your family and protecting them that's the most important thing. Sometimes the only thing that matters." He finishes hoping he hadn't said too much. Chase pauses a moment and reflects on his father's tone. It left the impression he was leaving something unsaid. He looks at his father a moment and starts to probe deeper but is interrupted by Clay calling to them both as he walks up the driveway.
               " Hey Mr. Van Dorn! How are you?" He says extending his hand and shaking it then turning to Chase.
                "Chase, nice to have you back. Looks good man!" He says looking around at the renovations that had been done to the barn.
                 " Thanks come on in! Good to see you. What brings you around this side of town?" Chase asks waving them both inside and walks towards the kitchen. Clay walks in behind his father in-law his head whirling about as he talks.
                "I had to drop your sister off at your Mom's house so she could pick some stuff up and they asked me if I could pick up some boxes. Then Felicia said on the way back I should stop by here and invite you and Erin to our place on Saturday. I think they just wanted me out of the way while she and your wife pile up half of your basement by the front door" " He grins turning toward Hank and laughs.
                "You want a beer Dad, Clay?" Chase calls from the kitchen.
                "No, I'm good I still have to go back pick up Flei, load up my truck and drive back home."
                 " Good man! None for me either I better start walking back soon. I'll take another bottle of water if you have it?"  Hank calls back then turns towards Clay,
                 "What's going on Saturday?" He ask as Chase comes back in the room handing his father a bottle of water. Clay smiles happily.
                 "Felicia and I decide to throw a little family barbeque to welcome my new nephew your second cousin and I think your grand nephew?" Looking perplexed for a moment chuckling as he continues.
                  "To the family and Felicia said I can't leave here until you promise to come. So please, don't keep me too long man I have to wake the birds up in the morning." Chase smiles as he sits on the arm of the sofa.
                  "Who's coming?" He asks knowing the answer without asking. Clay clears his throat.
                  " You know family your side my side everyone. With Jamie being born we thought maybe it was time we all learned to at least tolerate each other. Hopefully some day Felicia will have a kid and it would be nice for them to have a family that's at least civil." Hank nods in agreement as Chase's mind flashes to the events of the morning Clay's voice cuts into his thoughts.
                  " Besides you'll never catch my brother in a better mood." Clay smirks making Chase chuckle.
                 After spending a lifetime butting heads with Jake he also had a modicum of respect for him. He was a good brother to his siblings. He was hard working and didn't get all the credit he deserved from his father. So, he couldn't blame him if he wanted to strut a little but he was positive he felt none of that for their father or their mother for that matter. Neither one had ever liked him and the same could be said for him he couldn't stand either of them. He'd always thought Alex Stockton was a manipulative, vindictive bitch. Her husband was arrogant ass and a complete douche bag with a mean streak a mile wide. Jay Stockton had made his family's life hell. He particularly enjoyed focusing on him. Jay had always been quick to drop his name in it. A couple of times he hadn't even been in town. Growing up anything that happened in town was his fault. From throwing rocks through the glass at the abandoned greenhouse to spray painting the water tower to the time his son had thrown food coloring in the town pool. The last one in particular had always angered him. He'd spent the night in jail until it was proven by the surveillance camera it had been Jake and not him.
                  " What about your father?" Hank asked knowing where his son's mind had wandered.
                  " I doubt it. No one's heard from him since Jake took over and my Mom moved out. It's still a couple of days maybe he'll have cooled off by then? As long as he behaves himself he's welcome. Jamie's is his grandson." Clay says honestly watching Chase's emotions flash across his face.
                  "Oh and your sister said if you and Erin don't come she'll get you! Remember Gregor whatever that means?" He finishes cocking his head a curious smirk playing on his lips. Chase laughs and shakes his head then laughs again.
                 "Tell her I'll be there." He laughs again.
                 "Good" He says looking down at his watch.
                 "Listen I'd better get back I want to unpack the truck before it gets too dark and Felicia and I have to meet up with my brother. You want a ride back to your house?"  He says turning towards Hank.
                  "Yeah, yeah that'd be great." He smiles walking toward the door behind Clay happy to avoid the conversation was afraid might come.
                  "The place looks great by the way. If you need any help let me know."  Hank says scurrying through the door and down the walk.
                  "Thanks Dad!" He calls after him.
                  "See you Saturday around one o'clock? You know your sister you have to be there man." Clay says turning back towards him.
                 "We'll see you Saturday!" Chase chuckles and waves back as Clay closes the door behind them. Chase slowly sips his beer and tries to ignore the rock forming in the pit of his stomach.
                 

      "Harbinger Falls" Copyright 2016       
     
             
    
       

She Did It All With A Smile.

         

            Jay looks around the darkening bedroom the drawers sagging sadly open casting long shadows across the carpet. She'd emptied all her closets and hadn't left a single suitcase behind the only trace of her was the smell of her cologne that still hung in the air. In the past he had always come home to find her here. They'd fight some more sometimes viciously but there had always been reconciliation or at the very least a brooding truce but this time was different. She'd finally carried out the threat she'd made for the past thirty years. She'd left and he'd never seen it coming. This time she'd planned her exit and his demise every step of the way. There wouldn't be a truce or reconciliation he had to admit it she was gone and this time she meant it she wasn't coming back.
           He'd known in his heart she wouldn't be here but as soon as he was able to get away from the throng of reporters. Then shocked and teary Abigail clinging and moaning. Alex had also named Abigail in the divorce  and had her served complete with photo's. He'd promised to call her this evening and she had been calling him ever hour on the hour since. There she was again, he thought looking down at his flashing phone and ignoring it. He'd flown home ignoring all traffic laws not that is mattered the idiot sheriff and his inept deputy Dupree wouldn't do anything to him anyway. He still had power even if he wasn't CEO.  He hadn't needed to hurry when he pulled down the drive he could feel it was empty and devoid of life. His feeling was right there wasn't a whisper or a shuffle she'd even dismissed the servants for the evening! Probably for their own protection he half laughs remembering the mess he'd made of the house in his rage He'd walked from room to room leaving the bedroom for last. He'd raged destroying everything that crossed his path as he looked around futilely then sat down on the edge of the bed and had been sitting there ever since. Unable to move frozen in the spot going over and over in his head the events of the last few day's. Analyzing and dissecting every moment and conversation and seeing the clues he'd missed or had chosen to ignore.
             He should have been suspicious when she had done all that talking of downsizing getting Jake and Toni their own place. He should have known then! Less than two weeks ago she'd been mourning Clay's leaving then suddenly she's helping Jake leave? All the sirens and whistles should have gone off but he was so cock sure of himself. So positive he had everything under control and she blindsided him.  She'd effectively lay to waste in one afternoon what it had taken his life time build. The way she avoided any real physical contact with him. How she'd been sure to be up and dressed before he awoke and asleep before he'd get home. The sudden flurry of activity when before she had never left the house before noon. The fact that they had barley spoken and when they did their conversations had been short and rushed. She was beautiful doing it he hadn't seen that look of determination on her face and the gleam of satisfaction in her eyes for years. That alone should have been his warning but he was too blinded by his own conceit to see it.  
             He looks down at the crumpled notice in his hand and reads it again then tosses it across the room. The calculating bitch had planned every move with that pretty cold calculating smile plastered on her pretty little face. He'd taken every word, every gesture, every smile as if it were a precious gem. He'd adorned himself with them and basked in their glory. Never realising the venom and hate behind each one. She'd planned it from beginning to end and he'd never seen it coming. He'd been too busy wheeling , dealing and placating while she'd quietly blew it all to kingdom come and she'd done it all with a smile.
            She'd smiled that pretty little smile as they voted. She'd raised her hand high and proud. It was even more brilliant when they put his son in his place. She had brilliantly and effectively taken away the moment he'd always dreamed of when he handed the company over to his son! Not as when he had taken the reigns from his father amicably, willfully and with dignity. She'd had the reigns taken from him. She'd smiled that dazzling smile when it came to the contract signing and he'd gotten to the part about the tree contracts and it was absolutely brilliant when she'd winked at him and walked out of the conference room. This was Alex and cool clear headed sober revenge and she'd either manipulated or convinced their children to go along with her.
           What a conceited foolish bastard he was! He'd been strutting around with the thought that the lack of bottles in the trash was because of their new found love and understanding again of each other! What a fucking idiot he was! He'd known her to be vindictive and vengeful when enraged but he'd thought that was only reserved for his mistresses but never with such calculated coldness and detachment and never with him. Although, he thought there was a time when she had been forced to wrap herself in that same blanket the night they had gotten rid of Rowdy. That night they had worked as equals and as one. That night when they had finished their task quickly and efficiently without a trace she'd smiled that same smile at the end of that too.              
              He recognized it now and he should have known the deadly consequences behind it, it was only now sitting alone in this room with his memories flowing like a river that he had recalled seeing it before. It was in this very room on an evening much like this one. He'd come home and found Rowdy with her here in their bedroom. As he'd come through the front door he had heard her pleading and Rowdy yelling. He'd flown up the steps and burst through the door. There was Alex lying on the bed Rowdy standing over her. Her face tear stained her dress ripped all he could do for a moment was stand there his mouth agape. Then  he'd hit him and kept hitting him till he was unconscious then the two had worked together to rid themselves of him.
            Ha! That was his trump card! They were in that together! If Alex thought she had him beat she had another think coming! He'd have back what was rightfully his and he knew exactly how to do it. He was down but he wasn't out not by a long shot. The first thing he needed to do was find her and the second thing he needed to do was find out what she'd really been up to in the past two weeks and the rest of his family for that matter. He looks down at his buzzing phone. No, the first thing he needed to do was get a monkey off his back.

"Harbinger Falls" Copyright 2016

"Past Any Feelings"

           

              
            Alex looks around the conference room waiting for the announcement to be made and for the end of the most tortuous weeks she'd had in a long time. She'd made it through without a drink she congratulated herself. At least not since that first night after she'd seen the video. She'd cried the entire way home. She'd watched it over and over till the image was burned in her memory until she was past any feelings of forgiveness or remorse. She'd watched it again for good measure when she found out about her grandson then went into action. She'd gone all the way to Pine Valley to secure the best divorce attorney she could find who'd referred her to one of the top financial attorneys he'd secured her accounts and her children's and had taken great pains to sew up any other monetary or legal issues. She'd done it all without Jay or anyone else knowing all the while maintaining the facade of loving and dutiful wife with Jay none the wiser.
         Jay! He thought he had her stated and placated. The bastard strutted around like the last rooster in the hen house running from the dinner table straight to his slut! He was so busy being ring master at Abigail's three ring circus he hadn't even paid any attention to what she was doing and it suited her just fine! It gave her time to get her act together. She'd found her self a place and had her lawyers agent rent it for her and had managed with Terry's help to get it livable quickly. The last thing she needed when this day was over was Jay finding her and the first place he'd look was the home they had shared together for more than thirty-five years. He would assume she'd just change the locks as she always did and just open the door if he yelled loud enough and pounded the frame hard enough but not this time. This time the only thing he would find were the few wire hangers she'd left behind and a couple of old magazines on the night stand. 
            He'd be alone in that house and he'd assume that Jake and Toni's moving out was all a part of some great plot against him. He'd be right but not on Jake's part she didn't want her son anywhere near Jay after today. Jake had no idea about her land till today she'd had that updated late yesterday so there would be no time for Jake to read them before the meeting and the announcement. She'd done it intentionally so he wouldn't. Besides he had absolutely no reason to think she had made any changes to the standard renewal contracts. He had no idea what she was doing none of her children did. She'd simply given Jake and Toni their own home as an early anniversary gift saying she and Jay were thinking of selling the house now that the children were gone all grown up feigning it was just too much house for them now. The bastard would have known had he bothered to show up to the dinner she'd planned for them all. She'd be sure to remind him of that when the subject came up. Then show him the receipt as well as the photos the private detective had taken of he and his whore all beautifully dated and timed stamped she chuckles to herself. 
            She felt better than she had in years finding her grandson and knowing she was working toward her's and her families future and in the process secured her freedom had renewed her confidence in herself. It had bolstered her faith that she could make it on her own. Now she could sit here happily smiling like the proverbial Cheshire cat perfectly situated with her camera ready so she could capture Abigail's face when Jay came out and made his announcement. Although she would have loved for her to see it when they had voted him out as CEO and voted her son in! She would have loved to have a picture of the look on his face when he realized he wasn't the all power full Jay anymore. She literally had to pinch herself and bite the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing out loud. She had to remain just as shocked and outraged as he was when it was all said and done. After all she was the loyal and dutiful wife. Ha, and she had played it to the hilt with all the "why's" and "what happened" along with the recriminations to her other board members. Now she just had to wait for the contract signing. Where he received blow number two.
      The contract for the land leases of her trees as well as Marjorie's had been agreed on and signed just not the way Jay had expected. Stockton lumber had the rites to harvest the land but both had been contracted under Jake as the land manager unlike before where it had been Jay. Jay would have expected that from Marjorie there was no secret as to how she felt about Jay but her's that would have knocked him right into left field. The best part was he couldn't react he had to maintain that cool calm demeanor and right now she was sure he was ready to explode. He was probably in there now almost tapping dancing itching for this all to be over and he could confront her and figure out what was happening but there wouldn't be time for that either. As soon as he stepped down from that podium her lawyer would have him served with divorce papers. When that happened she planned on just waving to him from the back of the room as she left. Besides she was more than sure Jay would have his hands full with Abigail now that her cash-cow had run dry she'd understandably have some deep concerns.  She smiles to herself then checks her phone one more time to make sure it was ready.
        Gavin steps aside as the door to the large conference room opened allowing the new CEO of Stockton Lumber and his father pass on their way to the podium. Jay was about to make his announcement to the press and trying to wipe the anger and desperation from his face as he spoke to the crowd. It was all he could do to keep from laughing aloud as he struggled through each step of the morning trying to hide the affect each blow had to his ego. He gloried in seeing the slight slump of his shoulders as he walked through the door. It wasn't obvious but to the keen eye it was, as was the tinge of fear in his voice to the sharp ear. He loved watching the kaleidoscope of color that had washed over his face when he realized he was no longer the power monger he once was.       He looks out over the crowd spotting Alex's jubilant face as Jay steps down from the podium and a man hands him an envelope then walks away. Alex looks over at Jay her smile lighting her entire face blows him a kiss then hastily makes her way to the exist. Gavin chuckles as Jay is stopped from his pursuit of her by a frantic looking Abigail whom he pushes to the side then pushes past some reporters as he tries to make his way through the throng trying to catch up to Alex with poor scared Abigail bringing up the rear. Alex made it through the doors and he was sure long gone while Jay had become trapped by the news castor from WRCW. There she was he smiles looking out the window and watching her jog quickly to her car. Enjoy your new found happiness while it lasts my pet. He smiles to himself when the final truth came out she would need those few happy memories living in that little cottage she'd rented for herself. It seemed like a perfectly lovely place to be alone in.

"Harbinger Falls" Copyright 2016



  

"External Wounds Heal The Quickest"

    

   It had been a long time since he'd been here but really nothing had changed much. There had been repairs made and fresh paint applied but everything else remained the same. The shrubs seemed to be the same height he was more than sure Don and Ben still argued about the shape of the one in front of the restaurant but the big shade oak was huge now it's trunk the width of a man. Amazing what can happen in twenty years.
     In twenty years Jay Stockton had been able to amass a fortune move into the big house on the hill, become a pillar and leader in town all achieved by fear mind you but still achieved. Everyone seemed to fear him well, not everyone. There were still a few ready and willing to stand against him but most feared the power he wielded and well they should. He'd been the victim of that power and it had cost him twenty years of his life and everything he'd held dear. Twenty years, eleven spent in that shit hole he put him in the rest hiding in plain sight among his family working, watching, waiting planning for his moment. In the meantime helping to creating an empire more powerful than Jay could imagine. When he took him down tomorrow it would be complete. No more business, no wife no children nothing. Maybe he could crawl to that sad little mistress of his if she would have him with his pockets out or if he hadn't already burned that bridge.  He just hoped his own family would understand why he done things the way he had.
      He sits and watches the people coming in and out of the building recognizing some unsure of others none recognizing him. Why should they? After twenty years and what they'd done to him he was unrecognizable to himself both outside and in. Cracked larynx from screaming and a well placed baton, broken nose and orbital socket. A plastic surgeon had taken care of the outside and his voice, the prison had taken care of the rest. Once he was a happy husband and father content with his wife and children. People used to laugh and tell him they loved the twinkle in his eye and quick smile. Ha! Now they said there was a fire burning in them and smiles were rare. Sometimes he still wasn't sure exactly who he was. He wasn't evil he could still feel compassion for those that deserved it but there was a ruthlessness about him when it came to business. He wasn't cruel in his normal dealings but he was shrewd. He was only a sadist when it came to those that betrayed him. He'd dispatched them quickly quietly and only those who'd directly helped Jay never through their families. He was proud of that fact. That, and so far none of the families had ever come after him most had been happy to have the miserable bastards gone from their lives the few that had families left anyway. Most had lied and manipulated their ways to the top and in the end were left abandoned and alone. He was no monster but he definitely wasn't the man he was not even close. If Jay had, had his way he wouldn't have even been left that, he'd be dead. If Aidan hadn't found him when he did a few more years in that hole and he would have been. 
        It had been by sheer miracle he had been tossed in the same cell. Together with his knowledge of the prison and the help of Aidan's friends they'd escaped. Aidan had taken him first back to his agency to be debriefed and treated. With the help of his new friends and the WSB his external wounds were healed quickly which resulted in a new face. Then again external wounds always heal the quickest. It had taken a while for him to shift his mind out of survival mode, to let go of the fear, for the nightmares to stop and for him to be any semblance of the person he was. Once he'd become human again and was able to get information on his family thanks again to the WSB he'd realized he was presumed dead his children practically grown up without him and his wife had gone on with her life what good would he have been to them anyway back then? There was no way he could have come back here not until now. Not until he knew there was no way he could hurt him or his family again. 
          Consumed by anger and loss he chosen what he knew survival and worked with agency for a while. In doing so he had met a woman that had changed his life and had given him the start he needed to build what he had. Now he was ready for Jay and for Alex. He had the money, influence and the power to match. He could fight whatever Jay had in his arsenal. There would be no getting rid of him in some foreign prison. They had come full circle he had the means and every intent to use any and every means necessary to keep them safe and strip away most of Jay's power. He would love to leave them both completely destitute but that would mean the same fate for their children and they had paid long enough for their parents lies and manipulations. They had all suffered enough especially the children. 
         He looks across the parking lot smiling broadly that when he saw her exist the bar. She stops in front for a moment laughing and chatting with one of the patrons. She was still as beautiful as he remembered. Time had been very good to her better than it had to him. Of course there were the small creases around her eyes and mouth random streaks of silver mixed in with the blond and auburn in her hair. On her they only added to her beauty not detract from it giving her a more genuine feel than her sister. She squints up at the fading sun then fishes in her bag for what he assumed were her sunglasses. Why she never took them out before she got to the door he would never know, he guessed old habits were hard to break. Like sitting in parking lots watching the past walk by he chided himself then chuckles. He watches as she gets in her car starts it then pulls out of the lot passing him on the way by. He turns his head and looks down at the the seat as she passes. Not that she would recognize him but still driving by was one thing sitting around the lot was another he chides himself starting the car and putting it in gear. He watches which way she turned wondering if she still lived in the same small house she had years ago and decides to follow her till she got to the turn. He pulls along the curb on the corner watching her in the rear-view mirror as she enters the house then speeds off as the door closes. He shouldn't have come and he shouldn't have followed her any further that was just begging for trouble. He just couldn't help himself he needed to see all of it, all of them. He needed to remind himself why and for whom he was doing this. To remind himself that it wasn't just a selfish  acts of revenge. He needed confirmation that what he was doing was a reckoning that it was justice for all of them if nothing else he had that. Knowing she still lived in the same house on the same street had given it to him.        


"Harbinger Falls" Copyright 2016