"Time Will Tell"

 Hank walks down the steps of town hall stopping at the bottom for a moment to enjoy the warm fall sunshine smiling to his self as he continues his walk. He wasn't sure exactly whom all his sons friends were but they were efficient. They had already delivered the revisions to the state, the report to the EPA and he'd made the appointment for the inspection for the certificate occupancy. It felt good to be one step ahead of Jay Stockton for a change. He'd been looking forward to this day for years. The day when Jay's strangle hold on him, his family and this town would come to an end.
He glances up at a passing "Stockton Lumber" truck reminding him of his childhood. When he Ed and Jay would hitch a ride on the back of Jay's Dad's truck on their way up to the lake. Hard to believe at one point they had all been best friends, then everything had changed the morning Sharron Swift had walked into his office.
 He'd been working in his father's Mill's legal department for a few years longer than he had planned and he was starting to get that closed in restless feeling. He wasn't sure whether to stay or pursue his own dreams. His father needed him but he wasn't sure this was what he wanted for the rest of his life.
She'd walked in that spring morning and it was like a burst of sunshine in his life. It had taken him a moment to remember she was the same pretty little girl that used to chase after them when they were kids. Sometimes he'd look back and see her tau head down her shoulders slumped standing on the edge of the lawn looking forlorn and convince the other to take her with them. Now there she was standing on the threshold of his office door. She was young, vibrant, funny cheerful and she had grown into a beautiful young woman. Nothing left of the child he used to know not the the way his breath caught in his throat at the sight of her.
"Sharron?" He says turning towards her smiling broadly.
"Hank!" She squeals running to him and throwing her arms around his neck and hugging him.
"I was hoping I'd see you!" She lets go standing back smiling from ear to ear.
"I'm so happy I caught up with you!" Hank grins fighting back a blush.
"Wow you are absolutely stunning." He mutters his thoughts spilling out before he could filter the words. She blushes slightly smiling happily.
"You don't look so bad yourself." She says admiring what she was seeing tall lean, muscular frame sun bleached hair sun kissed skin still gorgeous. Hank always was a handsome devil even as a kid but he'd never acted or treated people with that arrogant conceit some kids get. Out of all her brother's friends he'd always had been thoughtful of her feelings and had even stuck up for her and forced them to take her along on more than a few occasions. Which also made him the object of her childhood crush for years.
"So this is where you've been hiding yourself." She says walking around his office looking at his niknaks and plaques. Hank chuckles leaning back against his desk.
"Me? I haven't seen you since you were in braces and pigtails." Making them both laugh.
 "How was your first year at school?" He says watching her pace around the room enjoying how much she'd grown in all the right places.
"Great, a lot of work but great. What about you what have you been up to?" She asks stopping her pacing and coming to stand in front of him. Hank smiles waving his arm around the room like a presenter.
"Keeping my Dad's business afloat. What brings you here?"
"I applied for the temporary secretarial job for the summer."
"Did you get it?" He says trying not to sound too hopeful not sure why he did.
"I start tomorrow" She smiles enjoying the tell tale grin on his face.
"Congratulations!"
"Thank you, and I was able to find a place to do my volunteer PT hours." She smiles proudly. Hank lets out a small whistle then nods in approval.
"Wow! You're going to be a very busy girl." Sharron nods in agreement.
"It's not so bad" She shrugs.
"I only have the PT a couple of  nights a week. I'll still have some free time thankfully. What about you? What do you do for fun or are you still all nose to the grindstone?" She teases making Hank blush again.
"I get out! I still play on the baseball league on Sunday's. Why don't come down and watch us play sometime. I'm sure the guys won't mind anymore." He says with a wink making her blush this time.
"Maybe I will!" She laughs nervously feeling suddenly shy.
"I'd like that." He smiles back feeling suddenly awkward as silence falls between them. Hanks stares at her a moment longer then pushes off the desk and walks around it stalling for something to say. Sharron's mind races quickly searching for something to say afraid to say what was on the tip of her tongue.
"Well I'd better get going. She says instead chiding herself mentally for taking the coward's way out.
"What if I picked you up on Sunday around ten we could go to the game maybe stop at Mr.Gerber's hot dog stand?" He says nervously not even sure what had possessed him to do so or what he was saying. The expression on her face making him even more unsure as he rambles on. .
"You know for old time sake?" He chuckles nervously trying to hide the odd sensation of hope he had mixed with the dread he felt at the prospect of her saying "No". Sharron smothers a giggle and stomps down the giddy feeling that was about to overwhelm her.
"I'll see you Sunday." She says coolly then sauntered out the door.
Hank stops at the intersection smiling broader as he hears the familiar sound of a car horn and Sharron rolls to a stop.
"Hi ya handsome you need a ride?" She teases from the open car window.
"Anywhere you're going hot stuff!" He laughs walking around the car and climbing into the passenger seat.
Marjorie spots Hank standing at the corner calls his name and waves just as Sharron's car pulls up alongside him. She shakes her head at her luck then proceeds into the town hall building and up to Ed's office. She opens the door closing it behind her noting that Georgia's desk was empty then stopping when she hears the sound of Jay's voice coming from Ed's office.
"I just saw him leaving the Zoning office! Now what the Hell are you doing about it?" He snarls stepping closer. Ed glares back at him his temper barely in control.
"You keep forgetting the people you're talking about are my family! My son and my nephew! What makes you think I'm going to betray them? Secondly, he's been given the go ahead by the state and the EPA by this town and might I add by YOU! There is nothing standing in their way! Just face facts its over!" Jay's eyes narrow his voice animalistic.
"You had better find something and find it fast! You're up for re-election aren't you Ed? It would be ashame if someone found out about you and an evening... " His voice trails off as he smiles slyly Ed's head snaps up his eyes bulging at his words his anger turns to rage.
"Now get this through your thick head I'm not helping you!" He grinds out.
"You had better be careful Stockton I wasn't the only one there that night and if I go down I'm taking you with me you can bank on that!"  Jay glares at him a moment then smirks.
"True but I'm not up for re-election." Ed grins back  knowing he had his checkmate move.
"I'm not the one trying to fulfil your obligation to that Japanese outfit. What do you think they'd do if they found out? Weren't they a little twitchy to begin with?" Jay's anger tweaks he was right he couldn't afford that kind of a scandal right now not if he was going to seal that next order.
"You know this deal with the Japanese affects you too!" Ed stares at him him his look cold and determined.
"Not as much as it will hurt you. Now unless you have some town business to discuss you'll have to excuse me I have work to do."  He say sitting down in his chair and pulling out his computer keyboard. Jay's jaw clenches tight his lips a thin white line his eyes ice cold.
"Don't get too comfortable in that chair Ed. This election year you're going to have some competition, some very tough, very winnable competition." Ed looks up at him his expression unmoved.
"Do whatever you want Jay. I don't give a dam!" Jay stares back at him his smile menacing.
"You will Ed, believe me you will!" Jay snatches up his briefcase as he turns to leave slamming out of the office door then storming to the exist never noticing Marjorie tucked away in the corner of the sofa behind it. He slams the outer door then stops in the hall to answer his phone.
"Yes, I'm on my way I'll meet you at the club!" He says before moving further down the hall. Marjorie sits another moment as a plan formulates in her head then stands and walks into her husbands office smiling pleasantly as she walks to his desk.
" Hi honey! Are you ready for our lunch?" Ed smiles happy for the distraction after the last ten minutes. He stands walks to his wife and kisses her cheek.
"Been looking forward to it all morning!" He says walking to the coat rack pulling off his jacket and shrugging into it.
"Where would you like to go?" He says opening the door for her.
"Thank you, I thought maybe we could go to the club?" She smiles pleasantly passing through and stopping as Ed locks his office door.
"That's fine! The chef there makes the best steak in town!" He says walking to the outer door and holding it open.
"Perfect!" She smiles to herself as she walks ahead and presses the elevator button.
"You're sure looking chipper this morning." Ed says coming to stand beside her as the elevator doors open. Marjorie smiles back laying her hand in the crux of his arm.
"I was just thinking that Abigail Colgate and the Ladies Auxiliary have their luncheon today I may be able to kill two birds with one stone." She smiles to herself.



"Harbinger Falls" Copyright 2014

Hoping Beyond Hope

 Chase walks back from the cafeteria into the waiting room carrying two cups of coffee hands Lesley one then takes the seat beside her.
"Thanks" She mutters taking the cup from him and sipping it. Chase looks at her worried expression as Lesley head swivels towards the entrance to the ER when the doors open for the hundredth time without Erin between them. She places the cup down on the table stands pacing worriedly around it.
"I wish Erin would tell us something!' She says wiping the tears from her cheek. Chase stand wrapping his arm around her shoulders.
"Come on Les he's going to be okay" Lesley takes a deep breath stifling back her tears.
"He's just so little you know?" She snuffs as Chase leads her back towards the couch.
"She'll be out soon hon it's only been about fifteen minutes." Lesley turns her wain face towards him smiling weakly.
"Thanks Chase and thanks for everything" Chase smiles back at her then reaches for their cups handing her one.
"For what I didn't do anything really" Lesley holds the cup in her hand staring down into it's contents blindly.
 "Yeah you did. You should be furious with me. If it were me I'd be ripping me up one side and down the other." Chase mouth twists in a half smile.
"So Wellington is his father?" Asking the question that had been burning his lips since they'd walked in.
"Boy, you don't waste any punches do you?" Lesley turns to towards him with a smirk then sips her coffee. Chase looks back at her trying to sort through his confusion, keeping his temper in check and showing compassion. He also had to wonder exactly how Erin fit into all of this. It was obvious she knew from the start but since they had driven in silence all the way to the hospital he really didn't understand how she could keep this all to herself but it wasn't the time to argue with her she didn't need that distraction right now but maybe Lesley did. Besides Lesley knew him well enough to know that now that he knew the truth he wasn't joining the reindeer games.
"Never did." He smiles nudging her side playfully making her smile in earnest.
"I guess Erin told you huh?" She sighs sipping her coffee and looking toward the ER doors.
"Can I ask you a question?" Lesley puts down her cup and braces herself for the inevitable question she had been dreading since Erin took Jamie in the back.
"Why didn't you just tell him?"  He looks over at her his eyes searching hers.
"I was angry, I was hurt.You remember what happened when Juliet was sick and everything that happened after she...." She stops unable to say the words.
"I was grieving too! He left me to grieve alone! He had to take care of "Lola"! She mocks
"I loved that little girl too! And I was scared!" She stops looking up at the ER doors as they open and close without Erin coming through again and sighs heavily.
"I don't know Chase I had all these reasons that just seem so ridiculous now. " Her voice trails off her throat tight as she fights back the tears praying to God that the same fate didn't await her son. She sighs slumping back against the cushions sounding defeated.
"I thought I was protecting my son." Chase shakes his head his gaze burrowing into hers.
"But he's not just your son." He says trying hard to keep the disgust from his voice his mind still unable to to digest it all. He sighs loudly as he stands and paces around the row of chairs in front of him stopping when he comes full turn.
"What are you going to do now? Are you going to tell him?" Lesley looks at him and then back to her cup tipping it to her lips and taking a sip stalling for time. Chase waits not sure what his response would be if she didn't tell him. Wellington wasn't just his cousin he was his best friend and he wasn't going to become a part of this secret society. This needed to end now especially now. Lesley looks up at him knowing by the expression on his face he wasn't going to accept any other answer than telling Wellington the truth. In her heart she knew this was the end of the line for the lie she knew it this afternoon even before Jaime got sick even though she tried to convince herself otherwise.
"As soon as..." Her voice trails off a moment as her phone rings she quickly reaches for her purse clicking the receiver before the first ring stops.
"Hello?" Wellington's heart stops for a moment not expecting her to answer his throat suddenly goes dry momentarily constricting his voice then suddenly booms through the receiver.
"Lesley please don't hang up! Please! I just want to to talk to you for one..." Lesley interrupts him before he can continue.
"It's okay Wellington." She says looking up at Chase who stares back at her eyes wide. Then says a silent prayer thanking God for his cousins timing. He walks back to the table picking up his cup then walks a few steps further away. Lesley watches him a moment only half listening to Wellington's prattle then breaks in.
"Listen Wellington there is something really important I need to talk to you about and I don't want to do it over the phone. Do you think you could meet me here?" Wellington swallows hard not believing his ears. She actually wanted to meet! He didn't care about what as long as he got his shot face to face.
"Sure just tell me where and when?" Lesley looks up at the nurse station as the door opens and she hears the sound of her son crying echo through then chokes back her tears.
"Ahh could you meet me now...?" Her voice fading off as another cry slips through the crack in the door. Chase walks back towards her the expression on her face showing she was ready to crack. He sit next to her wrapping his arm around her shoulder and holding her close.
"I'm at the hospital" she croaks out. Welling stops in his steps her words filtering down through his excitement.
"At the hospital? Are you okay?" Lesley looks at Chase who smiles back at her reassuringly.
"I'm fine just get here as soon as you can okay...It's important?" Wellington grabs his jacket off the chair as he talks slamming his office door behind him.
"I'll be right there!"
"Thanks bye." She says clicking the phone off not waiting for a response and slides it back in her purse.
"Well there's your answer." She smiles weakly glancing at the ER doors opening and closing then back to Chase.
"Now you have to do me a favor?" She says taking his hand in hers.
"You can't be angry or blame Erin for any of this. Believe me she wanted to tell you she wanted to tell everyone I forced her to keep Jamie a secret. So please don't be mad at her?" She pleads watching the anger float across his face and his jaw tighten. He pulls his hand from hers walks towards the window and looks out.
"I can promises I'll listen to whatever she has to say that's the best I can do right now." He says turning back towards her his eyes dark with anger his eyebrows creased into a "v".
"That's good enough for now. Could you do one more thing for me? Could you stick around till Wellington gets here? Once he hears what I have to tell him he's going to need you." She says stuffing up again as her sons wails can be heard through the opening door.
"Yeah sure not a problem" Chase looks over Lesley's shoulder and spots Erin coming through the ER doors.
"Hey Les," She says reaching out and hugging her which starts Lesley's tears anew.
"How is he?... What's wrong with him?" She stammers her eyes pleading.
"He's doing okay, Why don't we sit down." Erin says motioning towards the couch. Lesley stands motionless starring at her in disbelief.
"I don't want to sit down I want to know what's wrong with my son!" She shrieks burgeoning on hysteria.
"He's stable honey were giving him fluids and a general antibiotic we'll know more once we run some more test." She says calmly.
"Tests? What kind of test what do you think is wrong with him?" Lesley looks from Erin to Chase fear etching her face.  Erin looks to Chase for strength the later averting his gaze. Finding none she takes a deep breath and continues.
"We think he has Bacterial Meningitis." Lesley's falls against Chase her strength seemingly to drain from her limbs.
"Oh no! Oh my God no!" She wails letting loose the torrent of tears that she'd been holding back for so long making Chase's heart ache for her. As angry as he was with her a few moments ago he could find none of it now. Whatever was going on between all of them Lesley didn't deserve this kind of torment, no mother did. Erin fights her instinct to drop her professional facade and go to her cousin. She reminded herself again that the best way to help Jamie was to cure him. She couldn't fall apart now when he needed her to be strong. She musters all the professional strength she has and continues.
"We have Jamie on a broad spectrum antibiotic for now we'll know more once we get his test's back"
"Lesley?" Wellington calls as he comes in to the room. Lesley head snaps towards the sound of Wellington's voice as he comes in to the room looking from one dire expression to the next.
"What's going on? Lesley looks at Erin's confused and startled expression and nods her head.
"Wellington I'm really glad you're here?" Wellington looks at Lesley confused then to Chase who head snaps to some imaginary goings on out the window.
"Give me a second and I'll explain everything okay?" She rests her hand on Wellington's sleeve holding back her tears as she turns to Erin.
"Can we see him?" She asks looking to Erin hopefully. Erin smiles nodding her head in agreement. Hoping secretly that Wellington's being here signaled that at last she'd be free of the shackles of Lesley's secret.
"Sure I'll take you." Lesley turns back to Chase.
"Can you do me a favor and stick around?" Chase nods in agreement then looks to Erin for the first time since they'd gotten here. She looked tired, awkward and behind it all worried and scarred.
"Yeah definitely I'll be right here." He says pulling his gaze from Erin and back to Lesley and Well still unable to meet his eyes.
"Thanks, Wellington I need you to come with me okay?" She asks her voice scarred and pleading yet demanding. Whatever it was he knew better than to speak and just nodded his head and follow along.
"Come on guys" Erin says from the entrances of the waiting room nodding towards the entrance to the ER. Lesley holds Wellington's arm leading him towards the hall not ready to speak just yet.
Wellington looks from one to the other a million thoughts running through his head not sure what to expect or what the hell was going on. He looks back at Chase whose expression was blank and pained all at the same time. What the hell was going on who was "Him"? He walks through the hub of whispering curtained off vestibules their occupants in different states of distress or relief. He looks at Lesley who averts her eyes as soon as they meet then tugs on his arm forcing him to move faster till they come to the end of the vestibules to a glassed off room with the curtains partially closed.
"Lesley stop!" He says coming to an immediate halt forcing him to catch her before she fell to the floor.
"What the hell is going on, who are you talking about?" Lesley looks at him a moment then turns her gaze to Erin who hastily reaches in the cabinet and pulls two gowns out and hands one to each.
"I need you both to put these on."
"Why?" He looks from one to the other the gown crushed in his fist waiting. Lesley looks up at him her eyes pleading her voice trembling.
"I need you to come in with me and I'll explain everything I promise."
"Look, I'm not going any further till one of you tells me what were doing here?"  Lesley looks up at him a stubborn twist to her mouth.
"Just put it on and I'll tell you!" She says sternly trying desperately to hold on to what was left of her composure as she hastily slips on the gown grimacing at him and nodding her head at him to do the same. Wellington hesitates a moment then un-crumples his fist and slides the gown on. Erin watches the the two of them then quickly opens the door signaling them to follow she points to the crib then walks directly to the monitors trying to ignore what was going on behind her.
"Can I hold him?" Lesley asks the nurse who nods her head then walks over to the small computer and types in her notes. Lesley takes Wellington's hand leading him over to the small crib ignoring Wellington's stunned expression. She looks down at her drowsy son holding back the tears that burned her eyes. She reaches down in the crib and picks up her son cradling him in her arms. She takes a deep breath and turns to a shocked and confused Wellington. He looks from her to the pale sleepy child in her arms and back unable to speak.
"This is James Stockton Swift he's your son."





"Harbinger Falls" Copyright 2014

"All You Could See"

 Jay paces his office he picks up the email he'd received from Joe Jordan and half smiles
"Bastard!" He grumbles. What the hell was he going to have to do to this kid to get him the hell off his back? He was there at every turn no matter what he did he was one, two steps ahead of him! What the hell was going on? And where the hell was Jake? He should have been here an hour ago!
He looks at the email again. Van Dorn had submitted his revisions to the to the state and the report to the EPA! Joe Jordan was furious! He looked like a complete fool in front of the committee when he'd read his objection to issues that correction had already been submitted for! The entire thing passed with nary a ruffle! Van dorn was going to open and he was running out of options!
 How? How the hell did he do it? How did Chase Van Dorn know the exact objections Jordan was going to make? The only ones that knew anything about it was him. The only other person that even had an inkling  was Jake and he knew he could trust him. Hell, he hated Van Dorn more than he did. But, he could have inadvertently blabbed to his wife and then she to her brother. It was possible but not probable. He and Toni had been married a long time and they had worked on things a lot more sensitive than this and there was never a debacle like this one. From beginning to now he just seemed to have an inside track. Either this kid was a business genius which he doubted. He was smart he'd give him credit for that but not this smart. Besides he was too young to have this kind of knowledge or that many connection for that matter. Perhaps the life he and his family had lead had taught him well, great parenting? Ha! Not with those two! All you had to do was take a look at their other son to see that and that girl! A better answer would be he had some very powerful friends working behind the scenes, as powerful as his own. How else would he have been able to sneak the entire thing in right under his nose.
"What's up Dad?" Jake huffs practically coming to a running halt as he comes into his office. He lays his brief case on the edge of the desk.
"What the hell took you so long?" Jay snaps tossing the email down on the desk again.
"I was getting all the stuff you asked me for together!" He snaps back crossing his arms over his chest a surly smile playing on his lips.
"You know the very least you could do is let me know which thing you're yelling at me for at the beginning of the conversation." He glares back at his father. Jay snatches up the email from the desk and shoves it at him.
"I got that from Joe Jordan today! Go ahead and read!" He growls shaking the paper at him. Jake snatches it from his hand reading it quickly. His eyes opening wide he stares at Jay a moment mouth agape then snap shut his brow drawn into a scowl and hands it back to him the later shoves it in the shredder.
"Every day this son of a bitch gets a stronger foothold in my town!' He turns back towards Jake his voice exploding through the room.
"If you had just done what I had told you to from the beginning this wouldn't be happening! Now we're just running around like chickens with our heads cut off and that son is on you!" Jay finishes his tirade glaring at his son daring him to say one word to the contrary. Jake bellows back at him tired of playing Jay's whipping boy. Maybe it was about time he ripped a page out of Clay's playbook.
"I remember not so long ago you wanted to sell the mill property because you were tired of paying taxes on that rust pile. Your words not mine, is it coming back to you now? All you could see were dollar signs you didn't care who or how you unloaded it, as long as you unloaded it and made a profit! What was it you told me? "Selling that property would be the final nail in Hank Van Dorn's coffin." or did you conveniently forget that part again?" He finishes enjoying the look of shock on Jay's face and continues before he can speak pacing the room as he talks.
"You didn't give a rats as about who bought that place or what they did with it! Some lawyer gave you a big fat check and you couldn't have been happier. You strutted around here like you were king of the world till you got wind it Chase Van Dorn was opening a business! Then it was all. "Jake you didn't vet them! Jake you should have dug deeper! You should have seen it was Chase Van Dorn!" He stops his pacing coming to stand in front of him his back ramrod straight his eyes and tone mocking.
"I was with you every step of the way when you sold that property remember? We both read and saw the exact same things. All your high paid private investigators didn't see it and neither did you! Some how I'm supposed to see what you didn't?" Jay's face turns white with rage his nostrils flared he steps closer to his son his hands itching to knock that sarcastic grin right off his smug little face.
"You sure as hell are! That's exactly what I fucking pay you to do! You're supposed to have my back! You screwed up!" Jake steps closer their face just inches from each other his jaw taunt.
 " You want to blame somebody? Blame yourself! Stop blaming me because one of your machinations finally blew up in your face! I'm not going to shoulder it all anymore you understand me?" Jake finishes his tone defiant his stance firm. Jay glares at him his voice a low growl.
"I sure as hell didn't hear any protest from you about accepting it or see you turning your nose up at the money. Infact if I remember correctly you and that wife of yours spent a month in Italy! So you listen and you listen good! You'll take whatever I give you, and do whatever it is I tell!" He snarls taking a step forward forcing Jake to take a step backwards his back pressed against the desk his fist flexing his jaw tight as he fights the almost overwhelming urge to knock his father on his condescending ass. Jay leans in his eyes glittering with rage his words succinct.
 "You still don't get it! We are in a fight for our lives! We can't afford any more slip ups! You understand? I want you to dig and dig deep until you you find something we can use to stop him! I want to know everything about Chase VanDorn and Wellington Swift from the moment they left this town. I want to know where they went who they talked to who they worked for who their friends are. I want to know who his enemies are. I want every moment from the day he left this town and came back chronicalized. You understand? This time around I want you to be thorough take your time go through everything with a fine tooth comb." Jay steps back then turns and walks behind his desk and sits. Jake swallows hard takes a deep breath fighting the urge to punch him squarely in his pompous face then turns to face him keeping the same stoic resolve he leans his fists on the desk and leans forward. His voice clear his words sharp and mocking.
"Then you find them! If you want to keep on with this witch hunt you go right ahead. Not me, not this time old man I'm done with this. You want to keep chasing VanDorn you chase him! I'm not playing lackey to your paranoid delusions! I have actual work to do for our company! You know the one we own? Our business! Or have you forgotten the Japanese?" Jay eyes open wide and then narrow. He hadn't forgotten but he had to admit to his self it was the furthest thing from his mind. Jake glares down at him knowing exactly what had gone through his mind.
"Yeah, what I thought! I'm going to concentrate on Stockton Lumber! You worry about your ridiculous revenge." He' turns opening his briefcase and pulling out a thick file.
"Here you can start with this!" He says plopping it down on the desk in front of him.
"I have actual work to do!" He says snapping his briefcase closed and storming from the office missing the flash of his mother as she darts behind the pillar as he passes.
Alex waits for Jake to go up the stairs before letting out the breath she'd been holding. He had no clue she'd stolen his email and there was no way for him to find out it was her. Perhaps just to be on the safe side she should plan a little dinner just the two of them sort of a reconciliation after the brawl they'd had. She walks to his office stopping at the door just as his phone rings.
"Hellooo" He drawls out relaxing back in his chair loosening the tie around his neck his voice lowering taking on a seductive quality she hadn't heard in sometime.
"I was just thinking about you...Yeah I was going to call you later right now I'm a little busy...Sure! Sure! I promise...no really I will...Looking forward to it too...Bye!" Alex pauses a moment watching him sitting there with that whimsical smile on his face she pushes down her anger as she comes into the room.
"Hey" She calls smiling pleasantly as she walks to his desk as if she hadn't heard what she'd heard.
"Hi honey what's up?" He says erasing the call before snapping the phone shut and slipping it in his pocket.
"Who was that? I hope it's not more business?" She smiles knowing by the low husky tone in his voice during the call and the look of guilt on his face it wasn't. Jay shrugs relieved she hadn't heard much maybe suspected possibly.
"Yeah Joe Jordan we need to get together go over some business why what did have in mind?" Smiling as he walks around the desk to meet her. Alex wraps her arm around his waist leading him toward the hall.
"I was thinking maybe there was some way we could talk. We haven't said much to each other since.." Her voice trails off. Jay's mouth curves into a little half smile. He reaches over and holds her hand in his.
"Yeah I umm don't..." His voice trails off Alex looks up at him and gives his hand a gentle squeeze.
"I thought maybe you and I could get out of this stuffy house have dinner at the Inn see where it goes from there." She says seductively. She was going to get to the bottom of what was going on if it was what she thought there would be hell to pay and he knew it. Who ever it was as going have to wait. Tonight he was hers who ever she was would have to find another playmate tonight. She holds tighter to his arm laying her head on his shoulder.
"How does that sound?" She looks up at him smiling sweetly waiting for his response. Jay smiles down at her satisfied that she hadn't heard his conversation or not enough to piece anything together other than what he'd already told her or she wouldn't be offering this olive branch.
"I think it would be a wonderful idea. Give me a chance to shower and change I'll be right down." He leans in kissing her cheek then turns and jogs up the steps.
 Alex smiles watching him go up the steps. God! He was so transparent! Why else would he be willing to spend the evening with her? Right now she couldn't prove it but it felt all too familiar and time didn't heal those instincts or wounds. If anything it had only helped to hone them. If he was cheating this would be the last time! He'd humiliated her once she wasn't about to let it happen again.




"Harbinger Falls" Copyright 2014

Rainy Days and Monday's

 Lesley stands in front of the window of her sons room watching the squirrels playing among the tree branches outside and smiles. She loved being here in the quiet away from her family, away from everyone just the two of them. In their little house safe and warm fire burning in the fireplace the smell of bread filling the house. It reminded her of her Grandmother's house where her happiest childhood memories lied. A small pang of sorrow shoot through her at not being able to share James with his Great Grandmother. She'd adore him and he her.
That was the hardest part about all of this. By keeping him away from Jay, her mother, Wellington, his mother she was keeping him away from his uncles, aunts, great grandparents, cousins and everyone else. The only one in his family he knew was Erin and the time was coming when he'd want to know more. Who he was where he came from and especially who his father was. She'd be lying if she pretended the facts didn't hurt but she needed to protect them from the devastation Wellington and Jay would reap.
 Jay worried her most not because he would intentionally hurt her son but all her son would be to him was tool and a way to hurt Well. All the while he'd try to mold Jamie into something he wasn't. Just like he tried with everyone in his life. She wasn't going to let that happen he wasn't going to do to him what she watched him try to do to her brothers.
 Wellington was a different story his baggage was the problem. She wasn't going to put her son through what she went through with Lola. She didn't want that woman anywhere near her son and where there was Wellington there was Lola. She wasn't putting her son or her heart through that again. Although protecting them both meant keeping Wellington from his son and she still wrestled with the fairness in that and if she was really protecting them or punishing Well. She'd asked herself that question many times and still didn't have an answer. All she knew she was happier without the complication she kept reminding herself even though her heart lurched every time she saw him.
"Miss I'm leaving now. Your lunch is in the refrigerator." Milly says coming into the bedroom searching through her purse as she talks. Lesley turns from the window smiling back at her.
"Thanks Milly." Milly stuffs her keys in her jacket pocket then closes her purse smiling back at her.
"You are welcome." She says reaching down into the crib and and pulling James' blanket up around him as he sleeps.
"Bye sweetheart I'll see you tomorrow. Listen, " She whispers
"He was a little fussy when we came back from Preschool this morning. You may want to keep an eye on him."
"Okay, thanks Milly I will." She smiles walking with her to the front door and opening it for her.
"I'll see you tomorrow."
"See you tomorrow. Bye!" Milly says turning and walking down the sidewalk. Lesley waves then closes and locks the door behind her. Lunch could wait maybe she could get a little work done while Jamie slept. She walks back to his room reaching down and pulling the blanket up he'd kicked down and pulls it up over him stroking his hair from his forehead her hand stopping mid stroke his skin hot to the touch his little body trembling. She picks him up quickly wrapping the blanket around him and runs with him into the living room for her phone.
 Chase rolls over propping his head on his palm looking down on a sleeping Erin. He'd missed these moment while they'd been apart. He hadn't realized how much till now. His hand itched to move the strand of hair across her nose that puffed out every time she breathed but he knew if he did he'd wake her.
"What are you doing?" She murmured sleepily her one eye open. Chase smiles down at her his face covered in a blush.
"Watching you sleep." She props her head on her palm smiling back at him.
"You know that just a little creepy" She teases squeezing her fingers together and pursing her lips laughing when he blushes crimson.
" I was just thinking how I missed you forgetting how much I didn't miss this!" She laughs harder pulling him to her.
"Come here." She says holding him close enjoying the feel and smell of him.
"I missed you too! And I'm really glad you got us this room." she says pulling him to her and kissing him.
"I love you Chase VanDorn don't ever forget that." She smiles kissing him again.
"So what are we doing today?" She pulls away and stands walking to the mirror and picking up her hairbrush. Chase sits up pushing the pillow behind him enjoying the view of Erin standing naked in front of the mirror. She was beautiful her alabaster skin glistening in the sunlight streaming through the curtained window. There was power and grace in her movement which always fascinated him. He smiles to himself debating whether to pull her back into the bed or take a shower and get going. They could do both put he wanted to catch the plumber before he left the barn he was renovating for them.
They had been walking around the property peeking around and opening doors when they had come across the old barn they all used to play in when they were kids. Erin started talking about when she was little she'd pretend it was her house and mapped where she'd have put all the rooms so he had and surprised her with it last night. He'd hoped it would have been finished by the time he got to town so they could spend the night there but the plumber wasn't done.
"I wanted to get over to the house and meet the plumber but after that we can do whatever you want."  Erin smiles and heads toward the bathroom.
"Cool! I wanted to see it again in the daylight! I'm going to take a shower!" She leans over the bed kisses the top of his head then flounces into the bathroom. Chase smiles after her then reaches for the hotel phone and orders breakfast for them. He climbed out of bed and searched around it for the remote control. Finding it beside the nightstand next to Erin's ringing phone. He reaches for it and see's Lesley's number flashing on the screen and answers it.
"Hey Les it's..."
"Chase!" Lesley's squeals sounding scared and panicked to his ears.
"Lesley what's wrong?" He says instinctively putting on his underwear as she talks then his pants.
"I need Erin there's something wrong with Jamie!"
"What? Who's Jamie?" He stops mid step stares back at the phone sounding as confused as he looked at the sound of a baby crying in the background.
"I don't know what's wrong with him he feels really hot he seems lethargic and he's trembling! I need Erin to come to my place now!"
"Okay! Okay hold on! Your place?" He mutters running into the bathroom.
"Erin! Lesley's on the phone she says Jamie's sick and she needs you to come to her place?" Erin looks at him eyes wide. He stares back at her his expression a mixture of shock and confusion.
"Oh my God!" she says shutting off the water with one hand and reaching for the towel on the hook with the other then grabs her phone from Chase.
"Lesley?" She says wrapping the towel around her.
"What's his temperature?" Lesley takes the thermometer from his ear and reads it trying to stamp down her rising fear.
"He's at One hundred and one point seven, he was shivering and holding his neck." She cries into the phone as Erin runs from the bathroom Chase behind her. She tosses the towel on the bed and dresses hurriedly as she speaks.
"Lesley I want you to meet me at the hospital. We have to go!" She says turning towards Chase who is already dressed his keys in his hand. Lesley holds her son wrapping the afghan from the back of the sofa around him  her face etched with worry her voice filled with fear.
"What's wrong with him Erin?" Erin Looks at Chase who looks back at her confused but silent as she rushes past him out the door.
"I don't know honey but to be on the safe side I want him in the hospital where I can treat him properly. Besides coming to you would take up too much time if there is."
"Okay." Her voice sounding less panicked.
"Try not to worry it could be just a virus okay?" Erin tries to keep the concern from her voice and sound reassuring.
"Okay I'll meet you there!" Lesley picks up her son swiping the keys from the hook as she walks out the door.
"Okay I'll be waiting. Bye." Erin hangs up looking over at Chase as they exit the Inn and head for the car unable to gauge his thoughts from his expression. Chase reaches in his pocket pops the door locks and starts the car just as they reach it both climbing in simultaneously.
"Are you going to tell me who Jamie is?" He asks his voice devoid of emotion as he throws the car in gear and races from the parking lot stopping at the entrance to the street.
"Or do I already know?" His eyes probe hers then he nods already knowing the truth that had been hidden there all along. She couldn't turn away and she couldn't hide This was the moment she'd been dreading. The moment when she couldn't lie any longer.
"Jamie is Lesley's son"  


"Harbinger Falls" Copyright 2014






  

Indian Summer

 Vicki comes out of the water and reaches for the towel on the chair wiping it across her skin. Then looks down at Desiree sitting on the blanket reading a textbook and rolls her eyes.
"Oh my God come on Desi! It's beautiful Indian Summer Day everyones here! We finally get a day off from School and the hospital and you spend it studying?"
"We have a test in three days!" She scowls back at her. Vicky sighs and rolls her eyes again.
"Yeah in THREE days!" Stephanie looks up at Vickie and winks. She stand grabbing the book from  Desiree hand and walks towards the lake.
"Come and get it!" She laugh Desiree jumps to her feet and chase her towards the edge.
"Stephanie you wouldn't! Please!" Stephanie dangles the book over the edge. Acting as if she would drop it grinning devilishly.
"We came all the way out here to have fun! Not so you could study!" She say acting as if she was throwing the book into the lake. Desiree runs towards her falling off the edge into the water. She looks up at Stephanie and Vickie leaning over the edge laughing and waving the book at her.
"Well at least it's still dry!" She laughs then swims towards the shore. The two laugh harder as they walk toward the blanket glancing up as a car pulls into the parking lot.
"Who's that?" Stephanie asks shading her eyes from the sun the expense of the car model getting her immediate interest. Vicky looks at the car and shrugs tossing the book into Desiree's bag then sits on the blanket to wait for her. Stephanie watches and waits for the driver to exit the vehicle her eyes wide with surprise when she see it's Michael Van Dorn stepping out of it.
 Michael climbs out of his new car locking it as he walks smiling like a cheshire cat as he walks down the slope toward the lake definitely a step up from his old car. If you had told him a week ago that he'd have a new job a new car. He'd have said you were lying. Of course he had to sell his old car get an advance from his brother and borrow a little money from his parents. Which they were very happy do just to have what his father referred to as the "rolling oil slick" out of their driveway. Look at him now! The expression on Stephanie's face when he'd driven in said it all. It was perfect! He loved seeing her standing there her mouth agape practically drooling. Yep things were looking up for Mike yes they were.
"Hey Vick," He says hugging his cousin then grinning impishly at Stephanie.
"Are you trying to catch flies Steph?" Stephanie's mouth snaps shut then she laughs.
"Nice ride VanDorn!" She says nodding in approval as she walks towards him.
"Thanks got it yesterday." He smiles proudly looking towards his car shimmering in the sunlight.
"So what did you do rob a bank?" She teases giving him the once over nodding in approval. Seemed he'd treated himself to more than just a new car. Looked as if he'd given himself the royal treatment his hair was neatly clipped and styled his beard and mustache neatly trimmed. All and all he was a cleaner sharper image of his former self and she was liking it.
"Nope, got a job working with my brother." He smiles proudly.
"That's great Mike!" Vicky throws her arms around him and hugs him.
"I'm so happy for you!" Stephanie grins needing a little bit more so she had the entire picture without being obvious.
"So what are you chief building maintenance?" She smirks Michael smiles back knowing exactly what she wanted. Nothing had changed since high school probably never would. Stephanie was looking for easy street. Even back then  she only dated the guys with the fancy cars or money or popularity all three if possible. Looked like she was getting bored with Liam or at least she should be since those two had been together on and off since Junior year. She was going to learn fast he wasn't that guy. She could be a lot of fun but she didn't really do it for him.
"I'm the Lan Administrator. If you don't know what that is. I'm responsible for all the companies computer networks and communications." Stephanie frowns at him her mouth twisted to the side annoyed by his obnoxious arrogance.
"I know what a Lan Administrator is!" She snaps making him laugh.
"That's great Mike! I'm so proud of you!" Vicky say hugging him again.
"Thanks Vick." He laugh picking her up and twirling her in a circle.
"What's great?" Desiree asks coming up behind him. Michael turns at the sound of her voice and grins broadly his eyes wandering her curves loving the blush staining her cheeks. Desiree looks back at him his look making her feel strangely warm all over and suddenly shy her mind flashing back to the kiss they'd shared. She noticed too a sudden change about him not that he needed confidence if anything he was overconfident but there was something.
"Michaels the new, what's it called again?" Vicky looks up at him.
"Lan Administrator not bad for a what did you call me?" He pauses crossing his arms over his chest tapping his temple pretending to think.
"Bar brawling, rowdy slacker?" He smiles that teasing little half grin she was beginning to hate so much yet found irresistible.
"I never said "Slacker"." She huffs walking away from him to the blanket she leans down and pulls out her towel from her bag wrapping it around her shielding herself from his hungry stare.
"Preston told us last night. Good for you has to be way better than temp work" She unwraps her towel and sits down on the blanket and pats the beads of water off her skin.
"It has it's perks." He says stretching out next to her. His closeness making her feel more uncomfortable than his stare. She looks around her for her bag spotting it behind him.
"Do you mind?" She huffs Michael reaches back and hands her, her beach bag plopping it down in front of her.
"Not at all." He grins back at her she rolls her eyes and half smiles finding it hard not too. She reaches into her bag and pulls out her sun dress and slips it over her head. As Michael chatters on to his cousin and Desiree,
 Stephanie watches the interaction of the three not sure if she liked the chemistry brewing between the two or not. Mike was never really her type but after all it seemed like Mike Van Dorn was moving up in the world and maybe she could find away to move up with him and if not with, maybe in his new circle. There would be a lot of new people in town as soon as they officially opened and Mikey could be her ticket to getting her foot in the door.
"So I guess I won't be seeing you around the bar. I'm going to miss not having you around." Michael laughs then looks at Desiree.
"Oh, I'll be around." Stephanie looks at the two again this was obviously going to get her no where a least not now time for plan b.
"Do you think maybe you can get me a job?" Desiree looks from Michael to Stephanie then to Vicky. Vicky looks back at her and shrugs.
"Since when have you been looking for a job?" Desiree blurts out trying not to sound jealous or suspicious and sounding both. Stephanie gives Desiree a cold stare and snaps back .
"Since my mother told me this morning if I don't she's cutting me off!" Michael looks at her and laughs.
" Work by fire!" He laughs harder rolling back on the blanket. Stephanie stares at him itching to slap the grin right off his face as Vicky and Desiree smother a smirk.
"What is it that you do?" He sits up staring at her smothering another laugh annoying her further.
"For your information I have an associates degree in Business and I can carry twelve beer steins!" She laughs flexing her muscles while Vicky and Desiree smile and nod in agreement.
"She can, we've seen her!" Before they all burst out laughing, .
"I don't think we can use your beer stein talents but come down tomorrow bring your resume and talk to Chase. I'm sure he can find something for you." Stephanie squeals in delight she runs over and jumps on top of him knocking him back on the blanket and kisses him lingering a bit too long for Desiree liking. Desiree glares at her, her anger flaring quickly. She'd seen Stephanie do this move a million times before to get a guy. Why was she surprised and why did it completely tick her off.
"We'll have to hangout next time you stop by the bar or maybe around the water cooler." She says with a wink then rolls away and stands. Michael smiles back at her thoroughly enjoying the look of murder on Desiree's face as she looks at Stephanie.
"Maybe" His voice noncommittal.
"Yo Steph!" Liam bellows across the clearing then beckons here with his hand.
"I'm taking out the boat! You guys coming?"
"Yeah! How about you guys? Ya coming?" She looks from Vicky to Desiree. Vicky stands then looks down at Mike and Desiree.
"Yeah I'm coming!" Vicky stands dusting the sand from her clothes.
"Okay." She waves then runs down the path jumping on Liam's back as he walks.
"Tell Mark I'll be right there." Vicky calls after her. Desiree frowns and stuffs her towel in her bag then stands. Michael stands beside her dusting the sand from his pants.
"I have to get back home and change I still have a shift at the restaurant." She says tossing her bag over her shoulder. Vicky's mouths twist in disappointment.
"Okay let me tell Mark and I'll drive you back." She walks back towards the blanket snatching it up then her purse and keys.
"I'll be right back I just want to tell Mark." She said sounding as disappointed as she looked. Desiree looks at Vicky and sighs.
"Don't worry about it I can walk." Michael looks from Vicky to Desiree smiles slyly.
"I can drive you back to town I have to be getting home anyway." Desiree looks at him and laughs.
"I think it would be faster if I walked" Vicky smiles as she backs away.
"That would be great Mike thanks! I owe you one! See you later Des!" She giggles as she runs down the path after the crowd. Desiree sighs and walks towards the parking lot Michael beside her.
"Seriously, I can walk back it's okay" She turns towards him trying to shut out the image of Stephanie rolling all over him. She begins to walk quickly trying to outpace him and failing miserably. Michael looks at her and laughs at the determined expression on her face and the spark of jealousy in her eyes.
"I'm not going to let you walk all the way back to town." He smiles stopping as they reaches the parking lot
"I'm perfectly capable of walking home by myself." She retorts sounding more insulted than she looked. They continue to walk and he guides her towards his car.
"You'll never get home and get to work on time."
"I can walk pretty fast." Michael twist his lips into a thin line and shakes his head.
"Come on you can be the first one on your block to get a ride in my fancy new car." He smirks enjoying the shocked expression on her face.
"You got a new car?" She looks up at him eyes wide with surprise.
"Yep, all part of the new me" He twirls in a circle arms stretched out.
"Come on." He says grasping her elbow gently and leading her to the passenger side thoroughly enjoying her wide eyed stare as she inspects the vehicle.
"This is..." She says still in awe her voice trailing off.
"Nice? Yeah I know." He smirks reaching over and opening the door for her.
"Come on get in. I promise I won't bite." He says holding the door. Desiree hesitates a moment looking around and spots Stephanie on the boat pulling away from the dock and her mind flashes back to she and Mike rolling in the sand and she gets in. Michael closes the door then runs around the other side mentally congratulating himself as he climbs behind the wheel, snaps on his seatbelt and starts the car.
"You ready?" He asks turning towards her and reaching for the gear shift. Desiree nods her head.
"So you were going home right?" He says backing out of the space and and heading out of the parking lot.
"So what time do you have to be at work?" He asks zipping down the back roads to her house.
"In about an hour." Michael smiles turning to face her when he stops for the stop sign.
"I could wait and drop you at work I don't mind at all" He looks back at the road sliding into the flow of traffic.
"No that's okay I can manage." She chides half laughing. Michael laughs slowing down to turn on to her street.
"I guess you're working the dinner shift?" He asks slowing down at the stop sign.
"You'd guess right." She shoots back looking out the window trying to ignore his nearness.
"What time do you finish tonight I mean?" He asks rolling the car to a stop in front of her house.
"Around nine thirty then I have to come home and study." Michael looks at her and scowls.
"When do you have fun? Even when you're supposed to be having fun you're working." He smiles looking down at the book in the bag and back. Desiree looks away feeling a little guilty he was right even when she was supposed to be having fun she was doing something completely unfun.
"What if I meet you in the bar after work we hang out for a little while have some fun?" Desiree half smiles shaking her head I don't know I have a test in three days and..." Michael breaks in before she can finish the sentence.
"Have to study yeah I get that but knowing you, you studied all day. So why not give your brain a rest hang out with me. I promise I'll get you home before you turn into pumpkin." He laughs making her chuckle.
"Okay, okay one drink and then I have to go." Michael smiles triumphant I'll be at your Uncle Rowdy's bar at nine thirty sharp." Desiree smiles and opens the door stepping out of the car then turning back.
"Thanks for the ride" She smiles.
"You're welcome. Way faster than walking." He laughs making her laugh.
"I'll see you later." She laughs slamming the door and walking up the walk. Michael watches her till she gets to the door then waves pulls it open and walks in. Mike honks the horn twice then pulls off smiling to his self. Yes things were looking up for Mike Van Dorn! Yes they were!





"Harbinger Falls" Copyright 2014


                                              

Smiling Face

 Marjorie pulls in the parking lot peering around as she talks on the phone.
"I just wanted to thank you for looking out for my boy" She says looking for then finding the one reserved for her and pulls in.
"That's what family's for. Listen I'd better get going. I'll talk to you soon." Her cousin says from the other end.
"Thanks again Ope." Marjorie says shutting off the engine and collecting up her purse and keys.
"Anytime Margie. Bye!"
"Bye!" She ends the call at the same moment she spots Sharron's car pull into the parking space next to hers.
"Hey Sharron!" She calls to her sister in law as she exits the car.
"Hey Margie! You're right on time!" Slamming the car door and locking it behind her. Marjorie stands by the the front of her car as Sharron comes towards her giving her a quick hug as they walk toward the entrance.
"Well you look happy this morning!" Marjorie smiles holding the door while Sharon walks through the two looking around at all the vendors tables set up outside the auditorium for the charity Fashion Show that Toni had coordinated. She stops at one of the tables on the way through admiring the evening bags then moves to the next one.
"Never better! I had a very productive morning!" She smiles knowingly. Marjorie walks to one of the mannequins and admires the outfit adorning it nodding in agreement.
"Me too I got all my correspondences done before I got here. How's my nephew?" She asks coming to stand by Sharron's side as she holds up a blouse.
"Fine I guess. He's off with Erin for a few days." She looks at Marjorie both shaking their heads at the blouse and move into the auditorium towards their table smiling and nodding at the smattering of woman seated as they walk.
"Good for them! Where'd they go that new Inn? Well not new but you know what I mean." She says looking down at the "reserved" tag on the table and takes her seat Sharron taking the one beside her and looks around at the other tables slowly filling around them.
"Yeah, I think so." Sharron nods then giggles.
"I hope no one told Mary!" She says making them both chuckle.
"Seems like we're one of the first here." Marjorie looks around spotting Alex and Terry coming through the door heading towards their table then stop to talk to Beth Thicket and Abigail Colgate. Marjorie watch all the smiles and air kisses between the four forcing down the bile rising up in her throat.
 Abbey Colgate was the biggest hypocrite to come down the pike. Abbey loved to pretend she was a moral and ethical pillar of the community when, in actuality she was lying, manipulative slut. As much as she disliked Alex Stockton it was absolutely galling how Abbey could be all smiles with a woman whose husband she was sleeping with. She couldn't stand her and her daughter was her spitting image. Sometimes she couldn't decided which she despised more. When she really thought about it, it was Lola.
 Lola had gone after her son like a starving man to a plate of food. When he'd realized the mistake he'd made and tried to walk away she'd trapped him with a baby. Not that she didn't love her granddaughter she loved her with all of her heart but Lola had used her at every opportunity to hurt and manipulate her son and her family. She was a manipulative user just like her mother and twice as arrogant. It was her overbearing arrogance that had killed her granddaughter and that made her far worse than her mother.
"Here come Alex and Terry." She says turning back towards Sharron.
"I hope they don't drag that Abigail Colgate this way." Sharron turns catching Terry's eye the later meets it evenly and nods.
"No, I think Abbey knows better than that even if Alex tried" She laughs.
"Terry's alright but Alex, she's a real piece of work." Sharron continues turning back towards Marjorie.
"Well, I wouldn't worry about her too much anymore." She nods her head in finality. She had a few cards up her sleeve just incase Alex tried tried to back out.
"You always have to worry about Alex she's a lush not stupid." Sharron warns knowing from past experience.
"True, but this time around were both in this. Finally!" She says reaching over and taking Sharron's hand in hers. Sharron lays her hand on Marjorie's and gives it a loving squeeze.
"Margie I can't tell you how much your love and friendship has meant to me over the years."
"You're my sister and I love you. I just wish you had let me help sooner!" She scolds.
 "This time Margie they're not just after my son they're after your's too. I couldn't say no if I wanted to." Marjorie looks around lowering her voice sharing with her in a few sentences the depth of the feelings she'd kept buried for all theses years. She'd waited patiently playing the part of dutiful and gracious wife for the sake of her husband's career. Waiting patiently for the right time to crush that pompous, egotistical bastard. All the smiles and platitudes she paid him, all the dinners and barbecues she'd sat through over the years with a smile plastered on her face were finally going to pay off! She was finally going to break his hold on her family and Sharron was going to help her do it. She had to admit it felt good to have an ally and someone to share her loathing with. All she had to do was keep smiling and be the ever pleasant good christian woman her public image showed her to be.
"Jay Stockton going to find out the hard way he's definitely barked up the wrong tree this time! I have been waiting years to teach him that lesson. I'm going to make damm sure this will be the last time he will ever mess with my family." The coldness in her voice sending a small chill through Sharron. She'd known for years she didn't like Jay but she hadn't realized till that moment depth of her hatred. Marjorie takes a deep breath and then expels it letting the past go for the moment.  
"I hope I won't need a hospital stay from maintaining all this decorum." She laughs.
"Well I made a really nice dinner for us when we get back to make up for it."
"As long as I get a slice of your cobbler all will be right with the world." Sharron smiles.
"I made an extra one for you to take home." Marjorie grins from ear to ear her mouth watering at the thought.
" See that's why you are my favorite sister in law." They both laugh. Sharron looks up spotting Toni coming towards them looking lovely as always and rises to hug her.
"Toni!" She says kissing her cheek and hugging her again.
"You look beautiful as always!" She holds her niece at arms length admiring the bright flora pattern of her skirt.
"So do you! Wow! Thank you both for wearing the outfits I designed for you!" She looks from one to the other then hugs her mother tight.
"Of course!" She says hugging her daughter back smiling proudly.
"Thank you!" She steps away adjusting her mother's collar and smiles.
"I can wait for the show to start! You must be so nervous!" Sharron says looking around as the room fills to capacity. Toni grins nervously rubbing her hands together.
"Just a little but I always am right before these things. You guys are going to play nice right? I could only reserve one table for all of you." Marjorie winks showing her daughter her most polite plastic smile.
"Anything for my babies you know that! Even an afternoon with Alex Stockton." She whispers with a chuckle then turns towards Alex and Terry as they arrive at the table.
"Terry! Alex! So nice to see you both!" Terry smirks greeting her back with the same grandiose overtures.
"Margie always a pleasure.Toni you look great!" She says air kissing her cheek then turning to Sharron.
"Sharron you're looking well." She says taking the seat on the opposite side of Marjorie.
"Thank you Terry you look great! Alex good to see you. " She says politely Alex glares at her a moment smiling through tight lips.
"Sharron nice to see you. Toni darling you look Fabulous!" She says turning to Toni and kissing her cheek.
"Thank you! You look stunning! Toni looks from one to the other nervously praying silently that it all went well before they all killed each.
"Thank you! Okay, now that you're all here I'd better get this started." She says then turns and walks toward the stage stopping and sending the waiter over to take their drink order before they could have a chance to start talking. She grabs the microphone off the table as she walks up the steps and switches it on.
"Ladies thank you all for coming today! If you could all find your seats we are going to get started in five minutes." She says snapping off the microphone and walking off the stage. She breathes a sigh of relief as the waiter takes their order. That should only give them three minutes to possibly talk then prays it's not too long and rushes back stage.  
 Alex finishes giving her order to the waiter she needed something to get through the afternoon. Especially if she had to stare at Marjorie's smug butter wouldn't melt in her mouth face.
"I had asked Abbey and Mary to join us but they're already sitting with Rose and Janice." Marjorie looks at her and shrugs her smile clenched.
"Well if they can't they can't." She shrugs clinging desperately to her polite smile. Alex smile deepens knowing she had gotten to her and deciding to dig the knife a little deeper.
"She was telling me Lola is doing very well she's the new head of oncologist at the hospital she's working for." Marjorie's eyes turn ice cold her grin tight desperate to keep the promise she'd made her daughter.
"I'm glad to hear she's doing well and being productive." She says sounding pleased and pleasant then adds.
"Spending your days just this side of falling down drunk and sleeping it off half the day is no way to go through life. Wouldn't you agree?" Marjorie say with a smile as Alex's face turns white her jaw slack then her face fills with rage. Sharron looks from one to the other waiting for the two to jump across the table.
"Your drinks ladies!" Comes the waiters chipper voice as he stands between them placing their drinks down in front of them cutting off their confrontation.
"Terry I thought Mary and Emma would be here." She says immediately changing the topic hoping to avert catastrophe for her nieces sake. Terry immediately takes up her que.
"They had the lunch crowd to deal with they couldn't make it. Besides fashion is not really my mother's thing. She not happy unless she got a ladle in one hand and a spatula in the other." Marjorie and Sharron laugh as Alex sighs her annoyance loudly then turns and continues to be occupied with her phone. Terry looks over at her rolls her eyes then winks.
"I saw both your boys the other night and Michael tells me he's going to be working with Chase and Wellington." Sharron drops back in her chair miming exhaustion.
"We are so glad! I don't know if Hank could have taken it another month." Terry laughs.
"Trust me I get it! I have one at my house. Stephanie's been floating around for the past six months! I'm just hoping Erin and Chase are enjoying themselves. Those two could use some time away from work and everything else that's been going on." Sharron smiles and nods her head. In the years that she has battled Alex she always had a respect for Terry she had never judged her and had always treated her with a modicum of respect and she in kind. Over the years they had developed a friendship of sorts especially after Chase and Erin started dating and fell in love.
"Yeah me too." She replies. Terry looks at her sister who seemed to be still involved with her phone but who knew how long that would last. Hopefully until this show started.
Alex looks up from her phone hoping Toni would start already so she wouldn't have to listen to Terry making chit-chat with theses bitches! God! This entire situation was getting beyond tolerable. Putting up with Margie's pursed face and snide remarks! Having to sit here looking at Sharron's smug face as she chattered inanely about that son of hers. What her niece saw in him she would never understand. She was so frustrated with it she could almost scream! Where the hell was that idiot waiter and her other drink? If she had to sit through this crap she may as well enjoy it. Maybe it would help her get over the anger she felt. She'd allowed that sow to blackmail her into betraying and spying on her husband. She was scared half to death! If Jay ever found out she'd stolen that email it would kill him and he might literally kill her. It was almost more than she could stand. Hopefully she'd found a way to get out of it and pay her back for the humiliation she'd heaped on her. If her next move went her way Sharron was going to pay and pay dearly!

"Harbinger Falls" copyright 2014
  

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