- Patrick Sutton decided that to make his next move he needed to ‘fire’ Ryan Bauer, hoping that Damien Crenshaw would greedily take Ryan under his wing. Which in turn, Ryan would feed Patrick all of Damien’s secrets.
- After a series of threats, Cassie Lakhani, had become protective and paranoid over her son Lucian Lakhani. She moved into Clifton Briggs mansion of a home to feel safe. But they were held hostage by her father, Stavros Lakhani soon after.
- Penelope Wilkinson learned that her cancer had returned after fighting so hard to fall into remission. Before hearing of the relapse she had finally opened up to Dr. Jeremy Joplin about the possibility of them starting a brand new relationship together.
- With the current economic changes, Thurlow Lumber Mill Enterprises, had received some serious hits; not only did Thurlow-Jurado Overseas have to be reconstructed, but James Thurlow also hired Reichen Calbourne to help sort out the finances of T.E...
[.....]
[.....]
Scene One:
2634 W. Parker St., Stone Creek. [Callahan Condos #15]
Marina Thurlow’s Apartment
Ryan Bauer knew that telling his girlfriend that he had been fired from his job, the one that he impressed Marina Thurlow with and made her change her mind about him not being so aimless -- the one he no longer had. So yes, he knew that telling her the truth was going to be hard. But standing in front of Marina in her kitchen as she had her back to the vibrant blue refrigerator behind her he felt as if his heart just might fall out of his body.
“You got... excuse me?” Marina remarked, questioned and as he felt -- silently judged him. He knew it wasn’t his only secret that he had been keeping from her, but it definitely one that Ryan knew she would find out sooner rather than later. “That monster! What did he do? I can’t believe he fired you... you were the one who ran his entire campaign -- albeit he didn’t win, but he could have been a lot worse if it wasn’t for you!”
“Could you slow down?” Ryan questioned.
“I’m sorry, you just gave me such a freight!” She replied, hastily taking his side. “You can’t just wake up and tell me that you were recently fired Ryan. Since when did you think that was something to keep from me? Please, tell me what happened.”
Ryan turned away from her, in hopes that she wouldn’t see the change in his expression. For a second he flashed back to when Patrick Sutton fired him and the preceded to explain that he wanted the younger man to spy on Damien Crenshaw. “It doesn’t really matter, why,” Ryan turned back to Marina and smiled, complacently.
“Okay,” She tried to think, taking a moment to look at their surroundings. “So then what do we do? I don’t even know where we should start... I can ask my father if he has an opening somewhere... Has Patrick even given you your last check yet?”
“I’m fine, financially,” He admitted, although he kept the fact that he was still on Patrick’s payroll a secret, “I love that you want to help, Marina but I don’t think I want to be working for your father. Not that there's anything wrong with that. I just want to do this on my own.”
He noted her confusion. “Are you fine with that?”
“I just... you’re so calm about this. Don’t call me a pessimist but shouldn’t you be like... not this calm? If Seth fired me from the Ledger I don’t think I would be this calm.” Marina insisted.
Ryan smiled. “I’m just figuring everything out, that’s all.”
“Do you know what you’re going to do?” She asked.
He knew exactly what he needed to do, and he needed to do it today. Right now, however, the first thing Ryan needed to do was calm his girlfriend down and make her feel comfortable with his current situation. Ryan stepped closer to her and rubbed her shoulders, bending his legs slightly so he could lock eyes with her in reassurance. “Everything’s going to be just fine. I didn’t want to tell you that Patrick fired me until I had everything figured out.”
“So you have everything figured out now?”
“Not exactly,” He could see Marina’s panic reappear, so Ryan added quickly, “but I have a plan and I really do hope that you can trust me. I know that we’ve not exactly been trustworthy in the past... but please let me reassure you that everything is going to be fine.”
He noticed how she relaxed and leaned against the kitchen counter. So Ryan made his way around into the dining room and then turned back to her. “I don’t want you to be worrying about me. Although I would have thought you would be happy that I wasn’t working for that man anymore.”
“I am!” Marina looked at Ryan, humored. “But I never told you to get fired by him! That’s a little extreme, don’t you think?”
“I didn’t do it on purpose.” Ryan held-up his hands in defeat.
She stepped away from the counter and hugged her boyfriend. “I should get to the Ledger, Olivia has been acting really weird lately, I mean I know that we agreed to start being nice to one another... but she’s been buying me coffee.”
“Maybe she’s a lesbian now?”
Marina chuckled, shook her head and then walked back over to her boyfriend’s side. “She is not a lesbian! I mean, after everything she had been through I could see that -- by the way,” Marina pointed a finger at him, “If you ever laid a hand on me... I wouldn’t divorce you and move halfway around the world, I would kill you!”
“Well, I will never plan on doing that.” Ryan moved closer to her and kissed her on the forehead. “I like this side of you... it kind of turns me on.”
“You’re sick!” Marina chuckled.
Ryan kissed her lips. “You’re my future baby momma.”
She pulled away. “Don’t ever say baby momma, again.”
[.....]
Scene Two:
1509 Mango Ln., Stone Creek. [Briggs Home]
Clifton, Cassie & Lucian’s Home
Upon hearing Lucian cry, Cassie Lakhani was down the stairs and in the kitchen in record time. She caught sight of her baby boy in a highchair and standing above him was his father, in a very casual business outfit, feeding the toddler.
“Are you alright?” He asked, he put the oatmeal down and walked closer to her.
For a second, Cassie feared his touch and consequently flinched at his approach. It seemed that every time she felt like something was wrong Cassie would fly into panic and rush to Lucian’s side. The first time she had did so, Clifton had been understanding. But now, watching his facial features, she could tell he was worried about her.
Cassie forced a smile and looked around the kitchen. “I’m fine. I just thought I heard him crying, that’s all Clifton.” She ran a hand through her long raven like hair and took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down. “Are... are you going somewhere?”
“We’re getting a shipment today,” Clifton explained, then it dawned on Cassie that it was Monday and that he would be away from the house much earlier than usual. “I was just going to feed him and then wake you up... but it seems that you’ve already done that part for me. Are you sure that you’re fine Cassie?”
“Positive.” She lied, making her way around the kitchen and getting her breakfast ready, the oversized shirt she wore fell off her shoulder, so she tugged at it and looked away from Clifton. “There’s just too much space and silence in the house... now that Callum is gone.”
“Do you want me to hire a nanny or maybe even someone to stand guard?” He asked.
Cassie shook her head forcedly and knew she called attention to herself so easily. “I just don’t want a random person hanging around the house. I couldn’t even tell that my father or Callum were harmful, how could I know the threat of a possible stranger?”
“You can’t just do this on your own.” He advised, he lingered in the kitchen as she moved around. “We both agreed to take care of Lucian here in my house and I know that we have decided to stay friends through-out his upbringing, but we also have to work together here,”
“I know.” She replied dryly, “I’m really sorry Clifton, oh my god I am. There has just been a lot going on and I really do miss having my brother here... Maybe you don’t understand that -- I know that you don’t understand that, but I miss him.”
Clifton sighed. “I meant what I said about visiting Callum when he finds somewhere to settle down... but honestly, I’m worried about you Cassie. You’ve been acting out of sorts lately and whenever something falls or god forbid you hear the creaking of a door -- I don’t know what could happen if something happened to you.”
“I’m worrying you, aren’t I?” She asked, trying to hold back the tears. “We can get a guard if it makes you feel any better Clifton. At least you will know that I’m safe and maybe I can warm up to the idea of strangers being in the house. But right now... right now I just need to start feeling normal again. Which is why I have been thinking of going back to school.”
“School?” He asked.
Cassie nodded her head. “I’ve been thinking about it. I was actually going to stop by the counselors office at Stone Creek Community and see if I’d be able to attend some classes during the Spring semester. You can’t take care of us forever Clifton.”
“I could.” He replied.
She shook her head. “You shouldn’t.”
[.....]
Scene Three:
507 Auburn Rd., Stone Creek. [Wilkinson Cottage]
Gideon, Daphne & Penelope’s Home.
Pictures of her family lined the mirror of the vintage cream vanity in her room. Penelope Wilkinson would come in here and just look at them whenever she felt alone, today wouldn’t be any different. She looked at them -- one after another -- and smiled. If only this was all it took for her to feel a hundred percent better.
She tugged at a picture of her daughter, Isabelle Wilkinson Rhodes and smiled warmly at how lovely she looked. The blonde smiled, her light blue eyes dazzled as she was held from behind by her husband, Ivan. It hadn’t been too long since she had last spoken to her only daughter, but in that moment Penelope was missing her fiercely. Her hands lingered over a picture of her son, Cory Wilkinson, and his family and how he nearly didn’t have the beautiful family that he did. A tear falls as she thinks back to his boating accident that landed him in a coma for years.
The doorbell wrung and Penelope figured it was her taxi cab taking her to the courthouse to meet up with Damien Crenshaw so she rushed down the stairs and bumped into her grandson, Bentley. “I think that’s for me I’ll answer the door.”
“I can take you.” Bentley spoke up, he grumbled.
But she shoed him away and turned towards the door. “I don’t need anybody playing taxi with me and taking me to all my doctor appointments or even to the store to get T.P., Bentley Frances Wilkinson.” She muttered.
“You sure need the taxi driver to do that for you.” He pointed out from the hallway.
Penelope turned to the younger man and cracked a smile, she knew he was only trying to help her. But going to see Damien Crenshaw was Penelope’s own battle and she didn’t want to involve her family in her mess. “Please... go make a sandwich, you can use my wheat bread.”
“I don’t like yo’ bread.” He snipped, teasingly.
“Well then don’t eat it.” She huffed and turned back towards the door. Penelope had been preparing to face Damien Crenshaw ever since the new year had started and getting back her spot on the city council was the first thing she needed to do.
“Mom,” Isabelle Wilkinson Rhodes exhaled as she opened the front door. Although her blue eyes were worried she tried desperately to hide it and Penelope could tell. “I came as quick as I could, can I come in?”
Penelope shook her head, still in shocked that Isabelle had shown up so quickly. “I was just on my way out Isabelle, I would have wished that you actually had called ahead of time so that we could spend some time together. You know I cannot push back an appointment.”
“I tried calling... your phone was shut off.” Isabelle held her blackberry in her hand and shook it lightly, following her mother into the kitchen. “Why would you shut your phone off?”
“I didn’t want anyone to call me.” Penelope admitted, she found Bentley in the kitchen using her wheat bread for a sandwich. “Caught in the act, young man. I thought you didn’t like my wheat bread.” She snickered and then turned to Isabelle, welcoming her into the kitchen.
“If you didn’t want anyone to call you... then why would you ask me to call you, mother?!” Upon seeing Bentley in the room Isabelle’s tone softened. “Oh, Bentley, come here! I haven’t seen you in quite sometime and I’m terribly sorry about Emily.”
She opened her arms to embrace her adopted nephew.
This gave Penelope enough time to collect her purse and head towards the door. It was true, she did call Isabelle to come back to Stone Creek but she didn’t think her daughter would come so quickly. Right now, she had to go see...
“Where do you think you’re going?” Isabelle questioned, her hands rested on her hips.
Penelope turned back around to face the two in the kitchen. “She has been extremely secretive.” Bentley relied, insistently. “Maybe you can get it out of her aunt Isabelle? God knows I can’t get a peep even if I tried my hardest.”
“I’ll give you a ride,” Isabelle instructed, challenging her mother’s gaze and then turning her neck to Bentley, “Can I borrow your car? I just got in from the train station... I wasn’t able to grab a rental yet.” Hesitantly, he handed them over.
“Thank you!” Isabelle kissed his cheek and grabbed her mother’s arm. “You are all mine, which is a good thing because I feel like we haven’t really spent enough time together. So where are we going, exactly?”
Penelope sighed. “The courthouse.”
[.....]
Scene Four:
Stone Creek; Now Town
Thurlow Lumber Mill Offices; James Thurlow’s Office
“It’s so nice to see you, sweetheart,” James Thurlow spoke, he greeted his youngest child with a long hug and a kiss on the cheek and then invited her to have a seat at his desk -- of course she took his big comfy office chair while he was stuck with the less comfortable ‘visitor’ one. It was something he had become accustomed to with Marina, “Is there anything that I could get you while you’re here?”
“Not that I can think of, but I will absolutely let you know if I do,” Marina smirked, she twirled around once in her father’s office chair and then steadied herself, “I came over to ask you a few questions though and I don’t know if you’re going to be happy with me.”
After seeing his daughter in the back of a police car during the hostage situation at the Wilkinson home, James Thurlow knew how eccentric his daughter could get. But he would never call her innocent, by any means, so it didn’t surprise him that Marina was coming to him with information he might not like. He folded his hands in front of him and offered his attention.
He could feel her body shaking from across the table.
“First off, I wanted to ask your advice about a certain co-worker of mine at the Ledger,” She began, he had known Marina for being very dedicated to her job -- in which a couple of times she had nearly betrayed the family -- but they had forgiven her for it. James had only hoped they wouldn’t have to be struggling with forgiving her again. “I thought that I was doing the right thing -- no, that’s not right. I was being selfish and I really wanted to get rid of her. So I went to Helen for advice,”
“I take it she didn’t give you very good advice?” He raised an eyebrow.
“I don’t even know what I was thinking... I guess I really wanted the Editorial Editor position all to myself, I was being really selfish and I hurt someone’s feelings really bad. I know I hurt her feelings really bad. I found out that Olivia’s --”
Marina nodded her head. “I found out that her ex .husband had been abusive towards her and Helen insisted that I use that information to my advantage.” James couldn’t believe what he was hearing and as Marina recalled the full story about the battered women’s shelter, he found his faith in his daughter dwindling. “I don’t know how to make it up to her... I tried to step down so that she could have the position in full capacity but Mr. Keeler wouldn’t allow me to.”
“You have to make this right.” James instructed, he leaned back in his chair. He had never knew Marina and Olivia to be so distant from each other, when they were growing up -- being so close in age -- they had been friends, especially since he was really close friends with Diem. “If you can’t step down and give Olivia the position, then you need to go out of your way and show her some sympathy. What she went through -- between her ex. husband and yourself -- I hope you never go through that, Marina.”
“How do I do this?” She teared up.
James gulped, he knew that telling Marina what to do wouldn’t make her learn her lesson. “You need to put yourself in her shoes and work from there Marina. How would you feel if someone found out a secret from your past and used it against you?”
“Not too great.” She admitted, sheepishly.
“Then find a way to make it up to her,” The silence between the two became thick with pondering as he let everything sink in. “Now, was there something else you wanted to talk to me about?”
“It involves Ryan,” Marina said, “Now that we are back together, we’ve been working on being upfront with one another and he recently told me that Patrick had fired him... I think I was more freaked out than Ryan was. He keeps telling me that he has a plan, but I don’t know how I feel about it.”
James squished his face together in thought, his hand scratched the thin blond stubble of his face, “If the two of you already established the reconstruction of your trust towards one another than I think you should do just that. Trust him. Be thankful that he isn’t working under Patrick Sutton anymore and just hope that he knows what he is doing.”
“I know that you don’t really work well with not knowing everything,” He added, with a chuckle, “but sometimes the only thing that we can do is trust the person we let into our lives. I assume that everything is better now that Ian is gone? I do have to admit, I really did like Ian -- hear me out before you say anything,” James issued.
He took one of his daughter’s hands and rubbed it lightly. “I love you, sweetheart and because I love you so much I only want what is best for you. Ever since Ryan came back to Stone Creek and started working for Patrick... well, he became a little more unpredictable.”
“He’s changed that much is true!” She let a chuckle out, “He’s a good man though, daddy, and I do want you to see that eventually --”
“I have,” He recalled the hostage situation once again, “when you tried to go into the Wilkinson home and tried to rescue Cassie. Ryan proved that he had your best interest by helping Gideon haul you into that police car. If you really love him Marina, I am willing to jump on the Ryan train as well. Just do me a favor and keep an eye on him while he’s unemployed though... I don’t want any man to take my daughter for a fool.”
She smiled, strained but hopeful, “I won’t. I know that he is going to land on his feet, I know that. Although I didn’t agree with him working for Patrick, I knew that he was doing it to prove to me that he had changed for the better... I just don’t want us to back-track.”
“You’re going to have to take that as it comes, loving somebody... that doesn’t come easily. Keeping that love going is even harder to do. But if the two of you have already set-up a plan for your relationship then I would stick with it and hope that he is in it for the long-haul as well.”
Marina locked eyes with her father, her lip curled up, “Thank you, daddy.”
[.....]
[.....]
Scene Five:
507 Auburn Rd., Stone Creek. [Wilkinson Cottage]
Gideon, Daphne & Penelope’s Home.
“I thought our grandmother would be here,” Greta Fowler explained, she handed her brother the cup of coffee that was meant for the older woman and followed him into the kitchen, “but since you’re here then I guess the timing couldn’t be anymore perfect... well, maybe not for the conversation. How -- how are you doing, mom told me that you’ve been spending a lot of time here?”He nodded in agreement. “I was thinking of moving back in here with our parents, honestly. I don’t feel like I’m in a position to be on my own right now... James Thurlow was kind enough to give me time off from work when he did, I know I have to get back --”
“Nobody is rushing you, Benny.”
“I am.” He replied, taking a seat at the kitchen island he moved the coffee cup around and looked back up at his sister. “I could stay there in that apartment and just keep thinking about everything that Emily had touched or I can get my life back on track and take each day one at a time.”
“I’m really proud of you.”
Bentley smirked. “Thanks. Now what was it that you wanted to ask me?”
She looked down at her coffee nervously, then back up at her brother, “You already know that Miles and I decided to go through with our wedding while I was in the hospital,” Greta reminded him, she waited for him to acknowledge her, “We also decided that when the time was right we would go back and re-new our vows in front of our entire family.”
“That’s good,” her brother spoke, “mother would really like that, I’m sure.”
“I want you to be a part of it -- if you’re up for that.” Greta said, at one point there was supposed to be a double wedding. At one point she was supposed to be sharing the happiest day of her life not only with Miles Fowler -- but with her brother, Bentley and his fiancée Emily Roscoe.
“Thank you for asking me Greta but I’m not exactly certain if I’m up for that quite yet.” He replied, they lingered in silence as each tried to find a justification for their decisions, “I am so happy for you... I really am but I don’t know where I stand with myself right now and I don’t want to cause you any stress while you prepare for your vow renewal.”
She frowned. “I love you little brother, I wish that I could take away all of your pain. I know that it’s not exactly my place to say this... but have you thought about going to see a therapist? Maybe Mrs. Nelson or even anybody else that you feel comfortable with?”
“I’ve been talking to our grandma.” He admitted.
“Where is she by the way?” Greta asked, not meaning to change the subject.
There was an immediate pressure release for the two of them at the mention of Penelope Wilkinson and Bentley wasn’t one to let that opportunity slip by. “Actually, there’s someone in town that you might be really excited -- and maybe a little worried to see.”
“Who?” Greta asked, scrunching her nose.
“Aunt Isabelle arrived not too long ago. Apparently our grandmother asked her to come to Stone Creek as soon as possible which means one of two things; either something is wrong with grandpa Grady or she has another huge announcement to make.” He looked grim.
Greta sighed. “Has she said anything about him to you?”
“She goes to see him mostly on the weekends and sometimes Dr. Joplin goes with her,” He admitted, he seemed more surprised than Greta, “I guess they are working things out between the two of them. I really don’t know and I tried to stay out of her business as much as possible. Have you heard anything about him if his condition worsened at all?”
She shook her head.
“Then it has to have something to do with someone else.”
“But who?” Greta asked, immediately she began going through everyone in their family and trying to find out if there were any clues. She knew that her uncle Cory had once spent numerous years in a coma... but he had been fine for nearly two decades now. “Aunt Isabelle doesn’t really make appearances around here unless something big is up.”
“Do you think that the cancer is back?” Bentley asked, frowning.
“No! Grandma Nell would have told us by now... wouldn’t she?”
[.....]
Scene Six:
Stone Creek; Now Town
Stone Creek Community College; East Wing
“Oh, no!” His voice snapped Cassie out of her thoughts and for a moment she felt a tad bit of deja vu as she nearly knocked the man in front of her out. “We are not doing this again.” He chuckled and she shied away when she realized that it was Mac Kern that she nearly knocked over... again.
“We need to stop meeting like this,” she teased, pushed her hair back and looked around. “I’m sorry, I really need to learn how to look where I’m going... I just got out of a meeting with the guidance counselor about attending Spring semester.”
“So you’re coming back.” He said and for a second she thought she had read too much into it. “I’m glad Cassie, I knew that you could do it. Just wait until you get back into everything I know you’re going to be a little behind but you’ll catch-up just fine.”
“Thank you,” Cassie smiled at how genuine Mac seemed and remembered a time when they were really close, how it felt so far away now; how she felt jealous of everyone who got to spend more time with him than she currently did.
Mac smirked, initiated the end of the conversation but then turned back towards Cassie, “I don’t know which classes you are taking... but if they are courses I’ve already taken I could help you? Maybe if you want to take a class with me this spring we can set that up as well.”
“Is that a good idea?” She asked, mainly to herself.
He stood there and shrugged, there was a new found passiveness to the man that she found intriguing and she thought to herself if this were a scene out of a movie where two ex. flames started a new. Then she chided herself for it and sighed, “Would Dr. Roberts mind us spending more time together... given our past?”
“I thought we talked about this? My relationship with Dizzy is my own business, and besides I think we’re both grown-up enough to know how to be friends... don’t you think?” He asked, Cassie found herself trying to come up with an answer which caused Mac to chuckle. “I think we are. So much time has already past and there’s a lot of stuff that some teachers don’t really touch-up on during the class but grade you hard on during tests.”
“I really don’t want to flunk out, at least for Lucian’s sake.”
Mac agreed, he held out a hand, “Then it is settled, study buddies like old times... shake on it?”
“Okay.” She gleamed, hiding her inner fears of getting involved with Mac Kern again. Not that he ever hurt her like her father or brother had, or had any of his ex. girlfriends caused her any bodily harm like Clifton’s have... but because he was the most genuine person she had ever met and she was so eager to set him free at one point because of it.
“I have to go pick-up Lucian,” Cassie spoke, cutting off the conversation and shying away from the man. She waved goodbye and turned away from him, rushing away as fast as her nimble legs could take her. This year was definitely going to be a change for her... it had to be.
[.....]
Scene Seven:
Stone Creek; Now Town
Stone Creek Courthouse; Damien Crenshaw’s Office
“Let’s make this quick I have a meeting in a couple of minutes,” Damien Crenshaw made his way back to his desk after greeting Ryan Bauer, he turned to face the man and placed his hands in his pockets, “so cut to the chase and tell me why exactly someone from Patrick Sutton’s camp is here in my office.”
“I need a job.” Ryan replied. “It’s no secret that I’ve been working for Patrick Sutton, but he has recently fired me and I need a job. So I thought I would come here... I figure if I worked my ass off to be working under a mayor, I might as well come seek out the actual one.”
“Do you know who I am?” Damien scoffed.
It took Ryan a minute to reply, but he do so earnestly, “Of course I do.”
Damien let the reply linger before he stepped closer to the younger man, a mere inches away from him, “Do you know who you are? I might be a new power to Stone Creek but I wasn’t born yesterday Mr. Bauer, don’t insult me by insinuating this. Patrick Sutton has always been one of the most influential powers in this city... but he has never met anyone like myself.”
“I can help you stay ahead of his plans.” Ryan blurted.
By this time Damien was already half way around the room, so he turned -- caught in the intrigue of the statement. “How so?”
“Who do you think he confided in the most during the campaign? Even if I’m not able to help you get dirt on Patrick, I call still help you find his sources and maybe they can tell you a thing or two about the Sutton heir? They all trust me.” Ryan tried not to let his fear be evident, but his entire salary rested upon being accepted into Damien’s trust.
“You’re a slime ball, aren’t you?”
“I like to consider myself an opportunist.” He said, Ryan took a deep breath and looked around Damien’s office. “I know that you don’t necessarily trust me... I get that. Just knowing your background with the people in Stone Creek though... is aligning yourself with only Clifton Briggs a good thing? These people here, they trust me.”
“But for how long?” Penelope Wilkinson spoke from the doorway, “From one lion’s den to the next, I see Mr. Bauer? If you keep going at this pace not only will you be in danger of losing the trust of these people you will be in danger of losing your mind. By the way Damien, I had a meeting with you starting five minutes ago so I would like us to get started as soon as possible.”
“Right.” Damien nodded, he looked between the two and then shook Ryan’s hand. “I will call you as soon as I have a position open. You’ve stated your case as excellent as anyone in your shoes could. I can assure you that I have a job for you, yet.”
Ryan tried to keep himself from smiling at his success, he turned around and nearly ran into Penelope who looked at him with anger. “You better run boy, as far as you can.” She warned and although he knew she was probably right... there was no running today, or next week.
As soon as Ryan was out the door, Penelope stepped closer to Damien and narrowed her eyes. “Now tell me why you’ve called me here today.”
“As you know Penelope, I am the mayor of Stone Creek and my main duty is to give this community everything that they want. After much consideration, and I do say much, I have to tell you that the general consensus is that most people want you to step down from the city council.”
“That’s absurd!” She snapped, “I don’t know where you get off trying to weasel your way into the opinions of everyone in Stone Creek... but you do not push me out of the city council. Nobody would ever go along with that, anyways.”
He scoffed. “We all know about your cancer --”
“I’m fine.” Penelope jittered.
A draft in the room caused a chill to run down her spine and at the mere mention of her cancer caused tears to linger in her eyes. Penelope stood her ground, however, she had been dealing with self-righteous men like the one in front of her for many years and she wouldn’t let Damien get the best of her.
“We all fear that you are only saying that so we can all feel better, but please Penelope, for your health -- which is the only thing I’m looking after -- I think you better take this step down before I do something else that’ll make you look like a pathetic little old woman.”
Penelope stepped closer to him, heated by the conversation. “I dare you, dear ole’ mayor. I’ve been outwitting mean like you before you were even sperm in your father’s ball-sack, don’t you even think for a second that I’m scared of you!”
“Is everything alright in here mother?” Isabelle Rhodes spoke, she rushed into the room and lingered by the door. “I heard yelling in here and I had to wrestle the secretary out of the way just to get inside. What the hell are you doing to my mother?”
“It’s nothing.” Penelope replied, she cut eye contact with Damien and turned towards her daughter. “This conversation is over, so please, let’s just go home and let Mr. Crenshaw think about what we had just discussed, shall we?”
[.....]
Scene Eight:
Stone Creek; Sage Gardens
Gladys’ Bistro; Inside
After his run-in with his now ex. wife, Helen Tyree, David found himself on the other end of a phone call from his lawyer, Melinda Lombardi. She had invited him to dinner to celebrate his divorce from the ‘wicked witch’ as she had put it -- which after the fact that Helen went to David and boasted about her new found relationship with Patrick -- David found the name fitting.
He looked at his lawyer as she talked about another case she had in the past about a man who was in David’s position and how he was consumed with greed and anger towards his ex. wife. “It’s refreshing to see a man not want to strip his ex. wife of everything she had.”
“It’s not that I wasn’t angry at Helen, because god knows I was,” He admitted, taking a drink of his brown ale, he placed it back down with a thud and humored himself, “I was just so tired of always fighting with her over everything! You know? We had a lot of good times... we were together for so, so very long that sometimes it felt like she wasn’t even there anymore.”
“There’s a lot of people that envy the longevity of your marriage.” He sensed that there was a story there that Melinda wasn’t telling him, but of course, David didn’t know her well enough to pry. So he let a few seconds pass while she sipped on her glass of Merlot.
“If only it lasted longer?” He sighed and felt a slight head-change as he noted that he was already on his third beer and the small dinner had turned into a little more with the addition of drinks and desert. “Things only last as long as you’re willing to pretend they’re not harmful... but when Helen demanded the house, I didn’t know what to think. I didn’t want to harm her.. but I almost did.”
“You had every right to fight her for the house.” Melinda replied, she placed her hand over the doctor’s wrist. “That house had belonged to you for years -- far longer than Helen had wore your wedding ring on her finger. I know that I wanted to go to extremes to get the house --”
“I wanted to thank you for that,” David replied with haste.
She placed her glass down and they locked eyes for a minute, as if the sound of the diner had begun to settle so the doctor could read the lawyers mind. But he moved his hand and lost eye contact and the voices around them picked back up and for a second he shivered at the thought of his attraction to Melinda that wasn’t evident until now.
“I wanted to thank you for not giving up on the house, as much as I wanted to stay true to my word and not harm Helen.. I didn’t want to lose that house. I’m glad that there was someone who understood me and I’m glad that it was you.” He said, earnestly.
Melinda’s lips curved. “I’m your lawyer David, of course I understand. But if you wouldn’t mind me asking... why exactly did you marry Helen in the first place? Don’t tell me that you ‘fell in love with the woman that she once was’ because we both know she was never any other woman than the one she is today.”
The statement caused a chuckle from the grown man and it took him a moment to reply, “I fell in love with her because I thought I could escape my reality and enter the extensive reality that she lives in, especially the one today.”
“What made you so scared to face your own reality?”
“My first ex. wife.” David spoke, he watched as she grew nervous in her little way and he noted how it was similar to how most people grew nervous whenever he mentioned his first wife, Monica. “You never understand how much you can care for one person until they completely lose their mind.”
“That must have been hard.” Melinda replied.
He shook his head. “People don’t look at you the same way again... their whole perceptions change and you have to adjust to a whole new way of living. I think though,” David looked down at his beer, “I think that it was hardest on Gail... but she’ll never admit it.”
“You’re a good man, David.”
“Thank you.” He smirked, taking a moment to think about his daughter and everything she had to go through with Monica, and then Helen and then the miscarriage with Adrian. He sighed and hoped -- if only to himself -- that she could come to terms with her own fears for Violet’s sake.
Then he looked up at Melinda. “I think this should be my last beer of the night.”
Both chuckled at the thought and clanked glasses, the wine in her glass swished to the rim before meeting with her lips and ending the night.
[.....]
Scene Nine:
Stone Creek; Now Town
The Stone Creek Ledger; Editorial Room
“Hey,” Marina called out, she entered the room to see both her boyfriend, Ryan Bauer, and her co-editor talking at the front of the room. Although she knew that Olivia would be here, since the dark skinned woman seemed to always be at the Ledger, she was surprised to see Ryan here. “Could I help you with something, Olivia?” Marina asked, the tone held a silent threat as she joined the two. 
Olivia Joplin looked between Ryan and Marina and then shook her head. “Ryan was just looking for you and I told him that you had already left for the day... which I thought that you had.”
“I came to visit you.” Ryan joined, his calm and collected demeanor helped ease Marina’s fear and then he wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her. “I thought that after our talk this morning I should swing by and tell you the great news.”
She recalled the conversation they had, but didn’t want to have anything out in front of Olivia, it didn’t matter how much the two women had bonded. There was something about having a secure relationship that gave Marina a lot more confidence. So she focused her attention to the darker woman and once she caught her light eyes she asked, “we’d like a moment alone, if you don’t mind Olivia?”
“Sure.” Olivia forced, knowing too well it wasn’t up for discussion. She said her goodbyes and left the editorial room.
“Nothing was going on.” Ryan assured her, he brushed up against his girlfriends body, which caused Marina to momentarily move away. “You know more than anything that you’re the only girl for me Marina Annette Thurlow. I only came to see if you were here and Olivia was the only one here, I figured she would know where you were.”
“I went to go see my dad.”
“About?” He asked.
The way he spoke, Marina knew Ryan was beginning to put together the pieces as to why she wasn’t at the Ledger and just like before when she had went to get advice from one of her parents -- Marina knew Ryan would assume something was wrong, so she stepped up to him and kissed his lips.
“When you told me that you had lost your job, Ryan,” Marina inched away, “I was scared that maybe you had reverted back to your old careless ways -- and I know that is wrong of me to assume, but you can’t hold that against me. This came out of nowhere... so I went to ask my dad for some advice.”
“You told him that I had lost my job? Oh, god Marina, if he didn’t hate me before he sure hates me now,” He dragged the words and she knew where Ryan was coming from, “What did he say?”
“That I should trust you.”
Ryan relaxed. “Really?”
“He understands that we are grown-ups now, Ryan, and that we are going to make our own decisions. I told my father that we had already come to an agreement about telling each other the entire truth. So he told me that I should trust that you are telling me everything.” Marina took his hands in hers. “So now we can try and figure this out for ourselves.”
“I didn’t expect that.” He admitted.
She smirked. “What were you going to tell me earlier?”
“Maybe you should sit down for this.” He chuckled uneasily. “Because what I’m about to tell you is going to take a lot to digest.” Ryan motioned for them to sit at an editing desk and then proceeded to tell his girlfriend that not only had he found himself a new job, but it was with Damien Crenshaw of all people.
Marina jumped up from her seat. “Are you insane?” She exclaimed, not letting Ryan touch her as he tried to get her to sit back down. “Do you understand what you are telling me Ryan? Because I really don’t think you get it!”
“I did this for us.”
“Bullshit!” Marina snipped, she lowered her voice, “I don’t know why you went and got a job with Damien Crenshaw, Ryan, but you better damned well go and un-get that job. I know that I told you I didn’t agree with you working for Patrick... but Damien? That man is a monster and we both know that! Think about everything he did to Caitlyn and my father!”
“Hear me out?” Ryan asked, he begged Marina to sit back down.
So she did, if only to keep herself from fainting. “Should I really trust you to give me a good damned explanation?”
“Patrick is paying me extra to work for Damien, I know that it sounds like a bad idea --”
“I’m glad you think that it sounds like a bad idea!” Marina exclaimed, “Because I think it sounds like an even worse one! I don’t care what Patrick is paying you... you understand that, don’t you? You have to quit that job.”
“I won’t.” He said, taking a stand. “I’m really sorry that you feel like it’s a terrible idea Marina but I really do want to keep this job. At first, I thought it was bad... but then I thought about it and realized that this could be the best thing that ever happened to me. If I can get into Damien’s good graces and get Patrick the information he needs...”
“Then what?” Marina huffed. “Then you get to pass go and collect two hundred dollars?”
“Then Patrick Sutton can have the proof that Damien rigged the election and we can get that bastard behind bars! Don’t you see Marina? This is more about doing what is right than about sticking it to Damien Crenshaw.” He gulped.
She eye’d him, cautiously. “You really think that he rigged the election?”
“Did you vote for him?” Ryan challenged, Marina shrugged. “Didn’t think so. I bet you more than anything that enough people in Stone Creek didn’t vote for Damien either and if I can get the proof that we need... Marina, this could be big for everyone involved.”
Marina’s mind began to race as she caught the hint that busting Damien could mean a good beefy story for herself, she wearily smirked. “I still think getting between those two men is a bad thing... but if you can get the information needed to expose Damien --”
“When I get it.” He declared.
Which got a chuckle out of Marina. “When you get it... I want the story.”
Ryan grabbed his girlfriend and pulled her into his arms, tickling her sides to make her giggle in excitement. Neither had thought their day would be ending this way by the argument they had this morning. Marina slapped him away playfully and turned back around.
“I need you to promise me though,” she said with exposition, “if anything goes wrong, Ryan, you have to quit that job... because if Damien rigged that election you know he had help from someone with a lot of power in the city. I cannot lose you.”
“I promise.” Ryan broadcasted, he kissed the finger that was pointed at him and then pulled Marina into a deep and long hug. Solidifying their arrangement. The girl closed her eyes and hoped that everything would work out in their favor.
[.....]
Scene Ten:
Stone Creek; Now Town
Thurlow Lumber Mill Enterprises; Board Room
“Right now, the way I see it,” Reichen Calbourne stated as he held a couple charts in his hands and began to pass them out to the three other men in the room. He let them take in the new information before he continued, “Thurlow Lumber Mill Enterprises is in a great spot with the economy. Especially where local consumption is concerned.”
“Of course it is!” Frank interjected. “T.E. was built with the city of Stone Creek in mind... we have local workers to provide for local business. Nothing is new there. It’s only our distributors like Thurlow-Jurado Overseas and our other head quarters that account for the rest of the revenue.”
Reichen couldn’t agree more with Frank, but that wasn’t what he was trying to bring attention to. “Right now if we keep things the way we are going... we could get by for another couple of years. Even still, there’s no way in knowing when the economy is going to take another nose-dive.”
“That’s a pretty big gamble.” Emmet Thurlow spoke, re-adjusting his stance as he leaned against the huge wooden table in the meeting room. “The economy has proven it’s repetition far too well. We’ve had our drop and now it’s time for it to rise again.”
“The boy’s right.” Frank replied, which got a chuckle out of James Thurlow as he sat and listened to the three men converse. Emmet however wasn’t having the comment as he moved around uneasily. “Why would we do anything to damage our company at the slight fear the economy might drop back down? What happens if we fall behind because you’re too cocky about our revenue?”
“Can I at least make my point?”
Neither man interjected this time. “Good,” Reichen smirked, “Look, I understand that you are both comfortable with sitting back and floating this economy out. There’s a lot of positive in that... but don’t you think we owe it to James’ great-grandfather and prepare this company for a dive in the economy? We can sit here and wait for the economy to tank or we can move full speed ahead.”
“So what are you saying?” James Thurlow asked. The newest addition to the T.E. interface turned to his boss who hadn’t said a word since he called them all to the meeting.
“We need to free up some of the money that we lost during the Thurlow-Jurado fiasco.” Reichen admitted, he could see the draining in James’ face and knew it was a huge task to ask of his boss. “If we are able to put aside some money in a savings then when the time comes that the economy tanks again... we will still be ahead of our competitors to be able to bring our prices down for the consumer. If we can do that, then we wont have to make cuts later down the road.”
“How do you even expect us to do that?” Frank howled.
Reichen swallowed. He had spent the last couple of days trying to find an easy way to find a chunk of money in T.E’s savings that could progress his idea of keeping the company afloat. His throat hoarse and tight, he replied, “There’s a few unnecessary departments that we can free up...”
“Hold up! So you think that we are going to just go along with this plan of yours... to fire some of the hardest working men and woman we’ve had working for this company? Need I remind you that your position was just created... why don’t we fire you first?”
“Then do it.” Reichen told Frank, the two men stood their ground. “I understand that saving a company means making a few life-changing cuts. I’m not here to capitalize on an idea anymore than you’re here to keep this company afloat --”
“Which it is!” Frank barked.
James held up his hand. “I think we owe it to the man to hear him out.”
“Do you really think we need to fire employees... that just seems a little extreme, can’t we look into a couple of the properties that T.E. owns?” Emmet asked, it had already been an idea that Reichen had went over. “Have we eve thought about that?”
“There’s nothing of substance. The good news is that we are still far ahead of our competitors and there doesn’t seem likely to be a recession in the near future so you definitely have time to think about it Mr. Thurlow, but please know that this is a delicate matter and time isn’t always going to be on our side. There’s going to be a point where you need to make an executive order.”
Frank turned to his best friend and boss. “We can’t just let go of people that have been true and trusting employees of this company for years. Right now there’s no need to make any sort of cuts, James. Don’t just listen to this --”
“I’d refrain from continuing that sentence, Frank.” James directed.
“Fine.” Frank shook his head. “I’m taking the rest of the day off... I think I should just be near my family right now. The only way we can move this company forward is by standing by it and it’s employees. Mr. Calbourne has already stated that we are far ahead of our competitors... why are we even discussing this in the first place?”
“We need to protect the future of this company, that’s all.” Reichen reminded him. “If we don’t keep that our first priority... I’m sorry to say it, but these loyal and trustworthy employees won’t have a company to work for.”
[.....]
Scene Eleven:
Stone Creek; Now Town
Stone Creek Memorial Hospital; Level Three
Gideon hands his wife her cup of coffee and then sits next to her in one of the hospital lounges. She admired the way his wife had always spent time at the hospital, especially during her lunches or breaks. Daphne didn’t rely on her beeper as much, as the nurses knew exactly where to find her. On level three next to a huge aquarium where many small fishes swam. Whenever Gideon would have free time, he would come and join her.
“You’re sister is back in Stone Creek,” The doctor spoke after her first sip of the warm liquid, it loosened her throat muscles as it slid down, it was definitely a welcoming feeling, “apparently our son and your mother have had a run-in with her already. I don’t know why Isabelle is back in Stone Creek but I hope that she stays awhile.”
“You know why she’s here, at least we do.” Gideon reminded his wife. His sister was in town because Penelope needed to tell the family that the cancer has come back. “I don’t know if my mother has told Isabelle yet, but I’m pretty sure it’s the cancer that has brought my sister back.”
“What are we going to do?” Daphne asked, her voice distraught.
Gideon pulled her into his arms. “We just have to wait for my mother to give us the go and hopefully this time it will be a little easier than the last time. I think she’s living proof that this thing can be beaten, after everything she has been through in her life... to lose her now. That’s not even an option to me and I don’t want anyone else to think that way.”
“We are going to get through this like a family.” Daphne added, she dug herself into her husband’s chest and took a couple of deep breaths. “We can’t be broken, you’re right. So when she decides to tell everyone else in the family we have to make sure they understand that the best thing for her is treatment. Your mother can be very squandering.”
“I’m just glad that Isabelle is in town.”
Not only has his family spent many many days and nights in this very hospital as doctors and patients alike, but they have had the time to understand that being together in times like these was often the best medicine. He had only hoped his brother Corey would join them soon. He also knew that neither Corey or Isabelle, or the rest of the Wilkinson family were related to him by blood. Gideon had spent a lot of time dealing with his true parentage... but he was sure they were all family through faith and love.
They shared more than just a last name.
“Do you ever wonder what would have happened all those years ago if we hadn’t run into one another in the dorm rooms?” Daphne asked, the honesty in her tone. “I mean if I had continued living with Rodney in the crappy apartment down the street from the University?”
“I don’t think we should worry about that.” He assured her, wrapping his arms around Daphne. Though he could feel that she wasn’t ready to drop the conversation, he locked eyes with his wife and smirked. “Is something wrong?”
Daphne pouted. “I have to worry about it, Gideon, because if that were so then things would be extremely different than they are now. Mike would still be alive... so would a certain gorgeous young woman that made our son happy. Our family has fought so hard against all odds.”
“We will continue to fight.” He replied, knowing they had a lot to deal with.
[.....]
Scene Twelve:
Stone Creek; Now Town
Skyline Street; Building for Rent
When Clifton Briggs first decided to open Shenanigan’s Nightclub he never expected it to succeed as it did. The first year was the hardest for him and his marriage had suffered because of it. But through everything -- and against most odds his nightclub succeeded and he was able to focus back on his marriage to Audrey. The second year was his favorite. There was no forgetting that.
Now here he was.
No longer was he married to Audrey and although he had already come to terms with their failed marriage there was still the longing in his life for the support of a woman’s love. He thought that it could be Cassie, but now he couldn’t tell where she was -- or what she was thinking. He sighed, heavily and exhausted.
Clifton looked out at the building in front of him. Where he wasn’t certain about the younger woman, he was positive about the future of his business. The only way for Shenanigan’s to survive is for it to relocate to ‘Now Town’ and out of the slower part of Stone Creek. He knew this and once Damien gave him the go to find a spot, it was the first thing Clifton had done.
He searched everywhere for the perfect spot, the biggest building and the greatest location. It brought him here to skyline street to the building right in front of him. Clifton sat in his car, the cold wind trapped outside as he kept warm by the heater. Across the street from him was the building he had been looking for. The place where he would rebuild his legacy.
If only it wasn’t owned by Patsy Sutton-Clarke. There was no way this woman would relinquish one of her properties for the kind of business that Clifton would bring around. He could just hear her holier than thou speech she would give in protest. How she would slither around Clifton, dangling the property and then ripping it away from him. She was a Sutton after all.
The building stood vacant for now. Which was good for Clifton. Now all he needed to do was find a way to take the property from the woman. Turning his car back on, Clifton took off.
[.....]
[.....]
Scene Thirteen:
634 W. Parker St., Stone Creek. [Callahan Condo’s #29]
Taylor Kern & Dizzy Robert’s Condo.
“I need to soak my feet.” Dizzy Roberts said, she looked over to her boyfriend and smiled innocently, “You wouldn’t know a guy who would give me a foot massage right about now... would you?” She chuckled, as she watched him look over his shoulder and shrug.
After having such a busy schedule, it was nice to have someone to come home too. Even though Mac Kern didn’t necessarily live with her, it felt like he did. Especially now that his brother -- and her roommate -- Taylor was always off with Aidan Jurado. Not that she was upset with him about it. Dizzy had seen how long Taylor had pitted after the other man so she was happy to see him actually get a happy ending.
She watched as Mac placed his book bag on the nearest table and walked over to her. It was days like today, when both of them had rid themselves from their busy lives at the same time, that she loved the most. Possibly even more than a steaming hot shower. Although she was sure they would have one later, it was, however a very cold day.
“I will rub your feet on one condition.” Mac spoke, he sat down and let her place her legs upon his lap.
“We are living on conditions now?” She asked, half jokingly.
Mac smirked. “I just want you to hear me talk about something, that’s all. We have been going really good lately and I cannot see myself without you in my life. But I do need to talk to you about something that happened at school today.”
“What’s that?” She asked, sitting up cautiously.
“I ran into Cassie.” Dizzy hadn’t heard that name in awhile, so hearing it today after such a long shift at the hospital... it made her cringe, but she did so secretly in hopes that she wouldn’t make Mac defensive over the other woman. “She was signing up for classes.”
Dizzy tried to calm her nerves. “Well, that’s good for her. I think going back to school will only help that little boy she is raising.”
“So would you mind that I help her with school?” He asked.
The day had escaped the two while they were at home and while driving Dizzy was able to catch the hint of the sunsetting in the distance. So right now, as she locked eyes with her boyfriend with only the dim light from an old lamp her mother had given her before she moved to Stone Creek... it was hard for her to read his face. Which made the question ever the more difficult to answer.
“I don’t understand,” Dizzy spoke, hesitantly, “are you asking my permission to spend more time with Cassie Lakhani or are you telling me that you’re going to help her pay for her classes? Because if it’s the latter I think her new housemate should pay for it... he has the money to --”
“I’m not paying for anything.”
“So you want to spend more time with her.” Dizzy spoke, trying not to sound like the jealous girlfriend. She lifted her legs off of Mac’s lap and leaned forward on the couch. “I don’t really know what you want me to say right now, Mac. We have worked so hard to communicate better. I just don’t know how to say this without you being angry.”
He tilted his head. “I love you.”
“Then don’t hurt me. I just don’t want to see you spend more time with Cassie and realize that pursuing me was a bad idea.” Dizzy said. “Do you understand where I am coming from? I mean seriously... I tried to help you and Cassie get back together at first... I know how you felt about her.”
She could feel him scoot closer to her on the couch, but she brushed him away. “Dizzy... I can’t express how much I feel about you because there’s nobody who has ever been there for me like you have. Cassie and I have already made our peace. There’s nothing there for us anymore. I just want to help her to get back on her feet.”
“Fine.” Dizzy sighed, she turned towards Mac with a tight lip. “But the moment you feel anything towards her... the moment you want to pursue Cassie again, you better tell me. You owe me that much, Mac. I’m not going to sit here and be the fool in some teenage love triangle. I’m way too old and mature for that. You got that?”
“I only have eyes for you.” He spoke, leaning in to kiss her.
At first, Dizzy fought his affection. She didn’t know if he was trying to avoid his feelings towards Cassie and distract Dizzy, or if he was genuinely displaying his affections for her. But eventually she gave in and kissed him back. They fell backwards onto the couch and Mac leaned up, yanking at his sweater. Halfway through the maneuver his arm got caught in the sleeve and he was stuck in the material.
Dizzy chuckled, she leaned up to help the younger man out of it and when it was safely done he chucked the sweater across the room and proceeded to kiss the woman in his arms. Her soft delicate neck, and then he made his way down the center of her chest. Dizzy let out a light moan, she turned her head to the side and a tear fell down her cheek -- obviously her mind stuck on Cassie and the future Mac had told Dizzy he once wanted with the younger woman.
[.....]
Scene Fourteen:
1509 Mango Ln., Stone Creek. [Briggs Home]
Clifton Briggs, Cassie & Lucian Lakhani’s Home
“I found us a live-in guard.” Clifton called once he entered the home, he wasn’t too sure where Cassie was in the house but he saw her car outside and knew the echo from the hallway would somehow carry-out to her. He hung up his coat and made his way through the house. “Hey, Cassie... are you here?”
“In the kitchen!” He could hear her call, which was a relief to him.
After Callum had knocked Clifton out last year, the house seemed a lot more empty and it bugged him. He wanted to hire a guard for both his and Cassie’s benefit. This time they would all feel safe in his home and hopefully it would help Cassie sleep. “There you are... what are you doing?”
Cassie looked up at him. “My mother used to make this soup back home, she would call it comfort food and I think that we could use some comfort these days. Would you mind tasting it for me?” She asked, holding out a spoon.
“It smells amazing.” Clifton spoke. “Have you already put Lucian down for bed? I really was hoping that I would make it home in time to tuck him in. I cannot believe how big he is getting, has it really been that long?”
“It has.” She continued cooking dinner, and Clifton felt as if he could live like this forever. “Everyone talks about how they grow up so fast and how you want them to slow down and I honestly didn’t believe any of it. But I really want him to stop growing so we could enjoy every single day. Soon he is going to be riding a bike -- hopefully it’s not a motorcycle...”
They chuckled at the thought. “Let’s just worry about getting him on a tricycle first. then when everything is settled we can start talking about motorcycles and getting his license to drive! Oh god, if he is anything like me we are not letting him get his license until he is twenty-five.”
“How bad?” She asked, smirking.
“Three speeding tickets.” He replied sheepishly. “I remember I used to have this part-time job at a hardware store after school, so I ended up spending most of my checks on those tickets. My parents were really good parents. Just like you are to Lucian.”
Cassie took a deep breath. “You’re a good parent too, Clifton. Who else would hire a guard to stay here all day and protect their child and the woman who gave birth to him? Thank you for that. I know I was really hesitant about it at first, but having more people here is definitely what I need. Just to feel a little more secure.”
“Anything for you.” Clifton said, he tore his attention from Cassie and back to the soup. “So how long until this is done? Not to kill the mood or anything, but I am starved.”
“If you could get some bowls, it’s almost done.” Cassie replied, once he turned to grab the bowls she watched him. A slight smile on her face, she couldn’t let him see her admiration for him. Cassie knew that Lucian needed to be her number one priority.
[.....]
Scene Fifteen:
813 Crystal Hill St., Stone Creek. [Bayou Oaks Condos #13]
Jeremy Joplin’s Home
After confronting Damien about his plan to push her out of the council -- which Penelope knew wouldn’t be that hard to do... especially now that her cancer was back, getting back to a calm and collected feeling all ended with having to be around Jeremy. So she was able to convince her grandson to drop her off at the doctor’s home without having to explain their relationship to her daughter, Isabelle.
“It is very nice to see you,” Jeremy said, he invited Penelope into his house and took her coat which he hung up in the coat closet, “I saw that your nephew dropped you off... you know that I could have picked you up if you had asked me.”
She turned around and narrowed her eyes. “Are you going to ask me to Prom next?”
“There is obviously something on your mind today.” He snickered. She knew at that point she owed him an apology, Jeremy didn’t deserve the nasty comments she wanted to direct towards Damien and it irritated Penelope that she was letting Damien get in the middle of her time with Jeremy. “So what exactly is going on Penelope? I saw Daphne at the hospital today and she seems like something is bothering her lately.”
“Did she tell you anything?” Penelope questioned, obviously hungry for whatever it was that Jeremy talked to Daphne about. The only other people who new about the cancer return had been her son Gideon and his wife.
Jeremy eye’d her curiously, “Is there something you should be telling me?”
“Yes.” Penelope gulped. “I just don’t know if I’m able to tell you right now. I don’t know how to tell you right now, if you don’t know already.” She began to tear up, standing there in front of him. “I feel like every time the two of us are at a good spot something gets in the way.”
“Please tell me what is obviously going on. Does this have anything to do with Grady?” He asked. “Because if this does have anything to do with him and you need to work that out, please do so Penelope. I’m going to be with you, no matter what happens. Is he okay at least?”
She shook her head. “The cancer is back. My cancer is back.”
Her mother had always told Penelope when she was a young girl that there are few things in life that will scare you into completely silence, that she could always apologize for anything she did wrong and that one day... one day nothing would ever be the same. Penelope had thought she had survived that one day twice already... but today, she stood there. Silent as could be.
“I need you to speak.” Her tears began to fall. “I really need there to be another voice in this room besides myself because this is the first time -- since Daphne told me that the cancer was back -- that I’ve told it to someone else.”
Jeremy stepped closer to Penelope and took her hand. “We have been through a whole lot of things in our lives. Us alone have been in places that neither of us were happy to be in. But we made it through... I’ve been so angry at you that it drove me crazy, and then you left --”
“I left so that I could keep my family together.” Penelope pleaded.
“I know that and it took me awhile to realize what you were doing.” He told her. “We have just started to figure out where we fit in each other’s lives and I am not going to let you get away from me now. So I just want you to know that I am going to sit with you through-out the entire process.”
“Thank you.” Penelope mouthed, falling into his arms.
[.....]
Scene Sixteen:
1507 Mango Ln., Stone Creek. [Holly Oak Manor]
Patrick Sutton’s Home
“The staff said there was someone from my past waiting for me in the living room,” Patrick Sutton pronounced as he leaned against the doorway and found himself coming face-to-face with a woman he hadn’t seen in years, “I just didn’t think I would be seeing yet another lost face from my past... first my sister Kimberly comes back home --”
“Kimberly’s back?” Isabelle Rhodes gasped, she shook her head in amusement. “Well, it looks like a whole reunion is in story for our teenage years than? My god, Patrick, you still look like the charming womanizer that I knew in high school.”
This evoked a chuckle from the man as he greeted Isabelle with a troubled hug. The last time he has seen her was back in high school before he was expelled and sent to finish school in Paris. Being near her was enough to take him back to when -- for a couple of years -- his womanizing ways had seized to exist.
Patrick went to the bar and poured her a drink. “A lot has changed.”
“Not from what I hear. When I heard that you bedded and wed Charlene Nelson -- yes, I’m sure it was in that order as well, I nearly had a heart attack! The Patrick Sutton that I grew up with was never one to fool around with a Nelson... especially poor jaded Charlene Nelson.”
“Like I said a lot has changed, Izzy.” He handed her a glass of gin. “I never asked why you liked gin in high school... but I remember exactly what you would do for a bottle of it. If the people in Stone Creek only knew all about their head cheerleader.”
“Pot calling the kettle...” She warned, taking the glass.
He smirked. “So why are you even back in Stone Creek?”
“I honestly don’t have a clue,” She admitted, “My mother had called me and asked me to come back to Stone Creek... she had something important to tell me but ever since I arrived in town she had been brushing me off. I have my suspicions but I don’t know how I would feel if her cancer came back.”
Patrick nodded. “I heard about that, I really am sorry. Penelope has always been an interesting woman --”
“She hated you.” Isabelle chuckled, she sniffled. “She always told me that you would be one of my greatest downfalls and that if I stood with you I was bound to get knocked up and used as a trophy wife. I had to tell her that we were never even dating. Can you believe that? She thought I would date you.”
“Why wouldn’t you?”
The blond rolled her eyes. “Come on Patrick, we both know each other. There was no way that either of us would have ever dated each other back then. My mother was just afraid you were going to turn me into the mess you turned Charlene into.”
“Either way... I’m sorry to hear about your mother’s cancer. I don’t have either of my parents anymore so I know how hard it is to be without them.” He replied warmly.
Isabelle took a sip of her drink and looked around, “The last time I was in this house was when I reluctantly accompanied Shannon to a party here... you remember that one? Your parents were away and you decided to show everyone a sex tape you made with Shannon... You ruined a really good thing that night.”
There was nothing he hated more than going back down memory lane. “You think I don’t know that?” He barked, stepping away from her and trying to get his bearings back. Patrick had thought his only worries had been bringing down Damien Crenshaw, but now, as the faces from his past keep popping up so were the mistakes he had made along the way.
“When I heard about Shannon’s passing,” her voice cracked as she went on, “I couldn’t find it within myself to come back to Stone Creek. My mother informed me that they held a funeral for her in Paris... so I guess I really hadn’t missed much. We all grew so far apart after high school, you know? But during high school she was my closest friend.”
“I’ve already made my peace with her death, so if that is why you decided to stop by... please see yourself out.” Patrick suggested, he placed his drink on the bar and began to make his way out of the living room. He didn’t have the time to reminisce with the woman who not only introduced him to Shannon Thurlow, but also aided in getting him expelled.
Isabelle looked over her shoulder and saw that he was on his way out, tears in her eyes she let him go. She turned around and took a deep breath, looking around the entire living room before getting up and making her way out of the Holly Oak Manor.
[.....]
Next Time, On Concrete Shelves
- Finally, Penelope Wilkinson comes to a decision about what to do concerning the return of her cancer.
- Upon discovering that Patsy Sutton-Clarke owns the building he wants, Clifton tries to get his boss, Damien Crenshaw, on board with his plans to take over the building.
- Taylor Kern talks to Caitlyn Thurlow about his relationship with Aidan Jurado, while plans for the Winter Wonderland Ball start to come together.
- Cassie Lakhani finally makes a choice between Mac Kern and Clifton Briggs...
