"You made Sylvia leave! You and uncle Jake! Next time she calls me... I'm going with her!"
"She called you?!" Shawn asked.
"Yeah!" She answered angrily.
"When?"
"Today!"
"What she say?" He asked urgently.
"I'm - not - telling you!" She refused, sat back and crossed her arms over her chest glaring at him.
Shawn snatched himself around in his seat, unwilling to push it as he sat looking out the front window on the way to the airport, with him having to direct Sheila. When they arrived, he stood explaining to her how to go back out and where to get on the Interstate to head for Chicago, writing out a little map on a piece of paper. He gave her a tight hug, thanking her for everything, letting her know that they'd be back in a few days, he'd be in contact with her then.
With their bags in hand, all four stood getting their luggage checked in, and then through the security machines and the walk through and they were on their way to boarding their flight with not a moment to spare. Angela sat next to Shanna, refusing to sit next to her father. Shawn could only shake his head. Sylvia had spoken to the kids, relieving them of any concern, but not to him. He'd spent one hell of a night trying to get to sleep with her not there next to him. He was exhausted with most of the night spent tossing and turning, his mind deep in thought, unwilling to release him for rest. He would do as Jake advised upon return from California - praying that is, that Deidre pulled through. He felt guilty. She had been his first wife. She lay now in critical condition - but all he could think about was trying to find Sylvia. Trying to figure out how to repair whatever damage he'd created with her from needing to make her his. Replaying in his mind was the image of Armundo Payne - he would need serious prayers and help were he to ever run across him. He shook the thought, he was dead.
He needed to use his power of prayer for Deidre, that she pull out of her injuries, and then... a prayer that some how, he could get his wife to come home to him.
They landed in Cincinnati, Ohio, rushing from one terminal to the next to meet their connecting flight. Still, Angela wouldn't speak to him, and he wasn't going to force her. She loved Sylvia, and he felt a bit of a bite of anger that she could just desert them all like that. Not only putting him through hell, but the kids as well. Crystal and Mundo were adults, so they could cope much easier, but Angela was not. Now here she was, mother in the hospital and Sylvia no where in sight.
As the flight finally took off, Shawn could lean back and get a little rest. He could hear his mom and Shanna talking about Jake, Gert was wondering what became of him taking Vivian home the other night. Shawn was dozing off, when he felt a small hand slipping into his. He cracked his left eye open to peep at his daughter who was looking out the window, but her hand was in his. He gave it a little squeeze, his thumb stroking her knuckles. She glanced back at him, with tears in her eyes.
"I wish Sylvia was here." She admitted softly.
"Its not because she doesn't love you pum'kin." Shawn murmured gently.
"She said she loved me. She said she loves you too... that she left because she needed time...she said its not you... but her." She finally told him what had been said on the phone.
"I guess we have no choice but to give it to her. Let's just focus on your mother right now... okay?"
Angela looked back out the window and then turned back to Shawn, who'd closed his eyes again. "Sylvia's my mom too... I just want everything back to the way it was." She sighed sitting back in her seat. Shawn didn't respond, he dare not open his eyes, the air would make them tear up - because he too wanted things back the way they were, with his wife by his side.
He finally dozed off to sleep and slept the duration of the flight. Just enough rest to refresh him as they landed at LAX around two Sunday afternoon. Shawn went through the routine of renting a vehicle, this time a SUV because he had Shanna and his mother with him. They couldn't wait to get to his condo to unpack and relax a bit before they went to the hospital. Gert had been to California many years ago, but enjoyed it once again upon arrival. This was Shanna's first time and she was enthralled with it. When they arrived at the condo, they were both wowed by the property around it, his condo had it's own swimming pool. There was also a golf course not far on the property, as well a tennis court, club house with a large lounge and bar. Shawn slipped the keys in the door and walked in helping them with their bags. Sitting them down, he went back for his work that would be needed to deliver to the James' while he was there. Gert and Shanna looked around the house with Angela excitedly showing them, it was a spacious three bedroom condo, with a large kitchen, family room, den/office, dinning room, living room, back patio, pool, work out room, and a sauna as well two baths. Shawn returned as they were looking around, dropping off his portfolio and pictures.
"I'll be back... I need to go and collect my mail." He told them.
After he returned, and sorted through the junk mail, he sat up his laptop. Plugged it in and downloaded his email. Sitting down, he felt his heart jolt... there was an email from Sylvia.
Swallowing and nervous, he clicked on it.
From: Sylvia M. McPherson
Date: 05/11/2004 11:30:15
To: Everett Styles
Subject: Please Understand...
My husband... I tossed and turned thru a restless night without you, funny how - already I have become accustomed to you beside me. So much happening... I saw the news about Deidre and could not believe it. Hearing it sucked the air right out of me. It was that that almost made me return to you. However, I can't... not yet. I have spoken with our children. To hear mine go on about you, how you're being such an incredible loving father to them, makes my heart swell. They need you... and there you are.
I've spoken with Angela... I know I've hurt her by leaving. Once again... hearing her voice almost made me come back. But - something stopped me. My husband, my putting you through hell... as I've been told that I'm doing - is not my intention. Not at all. You have emailed me, I see them here, but I haven't read them... too afraid to. Something in your words might make me come back to you... and right now... I - don't want to. Not yet. Not yet. I have my phone turned off as well - so any messages from you, I dare not listen to, the sound of your voice - would bring me rushing back to you - I know it would. You have a strange power over me. Something about you, in your voice, in your words, in your look, in your touch... that leaves me weak, leaves me breathless. I dare not read your letters... I dare not listen to your voice - you see - this is the reason I have not called you. Like someone trapped in a spell - I would abandon this time that I need - and I would rush back to you.
I struggle back and forth with this fear, that my absence may somehow jeopardize what we have, our marriage. I pray not. While I am helpless to get myself to return just yet. Why can I not return? Have you asked yourself that? I have... asked myself - and all I can think of is - within me... something must be - broken. You can't fix it Shawn, you can't fix it. You see, I was fixing it - when I met you. I was doing so good. At first I felt so strong - so sure. Everything was... just as I wanted it to be. Then you swooped in like a mighty storm - tossing everything I so carefully laid out about. You know what it is? I'd just - just gained this amazing independence and freedom, and control ... and I liked it. It felt good. I felt wonderful. I felt free - I felt that for once... I was doing something incredible - for ME. I needed - to - have that time - to fix me! I had it... I had it Shawn... then... you came. And ... once again... I started losing - me.
Want to hear something crazy? I don't want to lose me... and I don't - want to lose YOU!!! So what do I do... what do I do?
I go from wiping at my tears, to smiling with glee and wonder, because I hold your precious child here within my womb. I think... it is that - or him - (this may sound strange), but I know its a boy Shawn... I just feel that he is. I think he - knowing that he is with me - is what gives me the strength and the feeling that its okay right now to take this time. Its like,
you are with me... because I have him with me. You know, I talk to him. Really talk to him, and I find him strangely comforting... as if he listens. As if he says to me, "Its okay mama, I'm with you... we'll be all right. My papah understands." I love him already Shawn... I love him already. Because - he's a part of you. I don't know where you'll be when you read this email, but know this... wherever you are... I am with you. I love you... and we're okay.
Your errant wife...
Shawn sat reading it over and over again. Amazed at her words, her thoughts and if he didn't miss her so much, need her so much, he would almost feel that it was okay, for her to take this time. Strangely enough, he was falling deeper in love with his wife, as each hour, and day went by. He could most certainly vouch for, absence making the heart grow founder... because he ached with it. He sat for a few moments, his mother had come over his shoulder and read the email, he didn't mind. Silently, she stroked his head and whispered. "She loves you... give her some time Shawn... give her some time."
"I'm afraid to give her time. I don't even know where she is, if she's safe. If something were to happen to her, who would know?"
Gert went and sat across from him. She looked him in the eyes and explained.
"Derrick knows where she is Shawn."
"What?!"
"Listen to me son. She called him upset, needing someone to talk to that was close to you, she chose Derrick. Derrick convinced her to make an agreement, that she tell him where she was, and he would keep it confidential on the grounds that she call him twice a day. If she chose to leave her location, he made her agree to tell him where she was going, and on which route. No matter what, no matter where she goes, she must check in at those times they agreed on ... the moment she misses one, he would be on the phone with the police!"
Shawn raised his fist in the air, grinding his teeth with his fist pressed against his head. His mother could see he was fighting not to lose his temper. "Shawn... at least someone knows where she is. She could be out there and no one know."
Shawn leaned forward with his head pressed against his fist, his elbows on the table fighting back a need to shout in anger. He bit out through tightly clamped teeth. "She is - my wife. Look... I tell you what... you call Derrick... tell him - the next time she phones, that I want her to come home... and I will leave - if she needs time, I'll go. Will you do that for me?"
"Shawn... she doesn't want to come home. Derrick knows you, he asked her that already, and she said... when she was ready to come home... she would. What she needs, she can't get sitting across the road from your home, knowing you're not there because of her."
"I'm telling you now... this woman is going to drive me freakin' insane! She's going to drive me clean up the bend! When I get my hands on her... oh when I get my hands on her..."
He couldn't finish because he knew what he would do when he got his hands on her, he would hold on tight and not let go, loving her like a man gone mad. He sighed deep and long and lifted his head to look at his mother.
"My mother, you haven't a clue of what it's like to love someone so much... and not be able to hold them close and keep them safe with you. When all you want to do is love them, be with them and build your world with that person."
Gert swallowed and looked up from her son to her daughter who stood behind him in the door. She could see it in Shanna's eyes, that she knew what she was feeling from him making such an untrue declaration of her. Yet, she would keep that to herself. The fact that Shanna knew the truth of her lost love... was enough.
"Son... let's take it one day at a time. For right now, we should be getting to the hospital."
He looked up and agreed, "Yes... let's go."
When they arrived at the hospital and Shawn spoke with the receptionist at the front desk, explaining who he was, he was shocked to hear that he needed special approval to see Deidre from her representative or her attorney.
"Well who is that?" He asked.
"If you hold on a moment, we will get a hold of her for you. Please, have a seat."
Stunned, Shawn went and had a seat with his mother, Shanna and Angela.
"Why won't they let us see her daddy?"
"I don't know - I suppose we'll find out shortly." He answered. As they waited, he decided to give the James' a call to let them know that he was in town. As he spoke with them, he couldn't help but wonder what was going on with Deidre, distracted, he had to explain to them why he was in town. The Following of which, they invited him and his family to their home for dinner the next night, Shawn agreed. Just as he clicked off the phone, a well attired black man and a police officer walked from down the hospital corridor towards the receptionist desk. The black man spoke with her a moment and she pointed them out. They both turned and looked their way, he spoke back to the receptionist with a nod and then headed for them, his eyes intently on Shawn, who stood.
"Shawn Everett McPherson?" Jeremiah asked, approaching Shawn with his hand out.
"Yes... and you are?" Shawn took his hand, gripping it tightly and shaking it.
"I'm Deidre's appointed attorney, Jeremiah Franklin. Before we say another word, we need to check your identification, and verify who you are... you have any id on you?" Jeremiah asked him with the officer standing by to collect Shawn's identification from him. He stood stunned, staring blank for a moment.
"Are you serious?" He asked.
"Yes, I'm afraid so... without it, I'm afraid we can't allow you to see her."
"What is going on here?" Shawn asked reaching into his back pocket for his wallet. He removed his drivers license and passed it to the officer, "This won't take long." The officer assured him.
"I'll explain once he returns." Jeremiah stated, looking Shawn over, recognizing him from the photo Deidre had in her wallet. He then looked over at her daughter sitting with two women. He smiled at her. "You're Angela?" He asked.
She nodded. Jeremiah looked back at Shawn.
"You have a beautiful daughter. Deidre is very proud of her."
"If you know that's our daughter, then you know who I am." Shawn pointed out to him.
"I assure you, this is just a necessary precaution. Once you're positively identified we can go from here. That shiners healing up pretty good, who made you mad?"
"My brother! He's got one too!"
Jeremiah chuckled, "Yes, brother's... believe me - I understand, I have one as well."
"Yes well, what can I say to prove myself to you and move this along?"
Jeremiah considered the question, was about to answer it when they were interrupted.
"Shawn! Thank god you've arrived! The last thirty-six hours has been hell! And you! Jeremiah Franklin! Don't think you're going to get away with this! She's our daughter! Our daughter! How dare you! Dare you continue with this nonsense! Shawn! He's - he's keeping us from Deidre! We've been going crazy! I haven't slept a wink since all of this has happened!" Georgiana dramatized, throwing herself into Shawn's arms, taking him by surprise.
Jeremiah watched Shawn's eyes narrow with distrust. For the sake of some semblance of compassion, considering those present, Shawn gently took a hold of Georgiana's arms, pulling her off of him.
Georgiana couldn't believe that he had finally arrived. Every since she'd been told that her daughter lay in critical condition, she'd anticipated him showing up with Angela. She was not disappointed. It was wonderful to see him again, even with the bruises on his face, nothing could lessen his appeal in Georgiana's eyes. Deidre's tragedy had been the perfect reason for his return. Georgiana felt only a slight tug to her conscience where her daughter was concerned, considering she lay fighting for her life. While she was indeed genuinely worried about her, it was not enough for her to set aside her longings for her daughter's ex-husband. He'd been on her mind heavily, with the tapes of him, and having that part of him that brought her the slightest bit of gratification, because she knew that it too came from him only fed her desire for him.
"Oh Shawn, he's putting us through hell! Using our
daughter to take revenge out on us! You can't imagine what they've put us through. They won't let us take her out of here! We have our own doctors and hospital that would give her much better care, certainly you can do something to help us get her out of their hands!"
"Mrs. Wherrington, I've only just arrived. I haven't a clue of what's going on here." Shawn returned, stepping back to open up space between them.
Gert sat staring in disbelief. She didn't know this woman, but if she were indeed Deidre's mother, she found it strange that she would throw herself into Shawn's arms that way, considering that he'd been married to her daughter. Gert and Shanna made eye contact, and Angela leaned to Gert whispering, "That's my other grandma... I don't like her." She made her grandmother aware, and getting Gert's attention, who was looking down into her granddaughter's eyes as she went on to say, "You know what grandma, she don't like me either."
Gert's eyes went from Angela, back up to her son, who was obviously uncomfortable with her attempts of trying to cling to him. He'd moved away from her, but she'd moved to his side now, facing the black attorney Jeremiah Franklin.
"He's out for revenge! I know it! What kind of low life human would take advantage of a family emergency like this to further his own selfish plot!" Georgiana blasted at Jeremiah.
She'd gone looking for someone to give her answers. Oscar was in the waiting room on the phone, pacing about so angry he was almost out of control, trying to get Deidre out of the hands of Jeremiah and her friend Terra. Georgiana wasn't sure what was going on. She wasn't really bothered about her daughter staying in the hospital, what she didn't understand was why they weren't allowed to see her. Also, there was that irritating investigator and his partner asking them questions. Oscar had warned her not to say anything to them, not to answer any questions. She didn't get it. She could see no reason for them being under the eye of the investigation when everyone knew that Deidre's cab driver had gotten lost, took a wrong turn, leading her into the midst of a gang war. End of story. So she believed. Unable to stand her husband's presence a moment longer, she'd gone off to find Jeremiah and question him as to why he was doing this when she saw him standing and speaking with Shawn.
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