"Thanks for the pizza! If I get them to take a nap... I'll be back to help you some more."
"Don't worry about it... if you can you can. From this point on, you'll have to use the front door or the basement door and stairs to get in and out of the house, I'm getting ready to tear away the ones at the kitchen door."
"Okay... no problem."
Jake climbed back up the stairs and had to fight an overwhelming urge to keep going, to get in his truck and head for Chicago. He fought the urge and channelled his energy into taking the stairs out and stacking the wood from them, then next he turned to clearing the area behind the garage. He worked non stop with Mundo finally joining him with the boys down for a nap. Crystal showed up later on and took possession of the boys leaving Mundo to help him. By five thirty, they had the measured area dug out, levelled and framed up to pour the concrete just as Shawn had it planned out. Tomorrow, they would pour the concrete.
Jake thanked Mundo, told them to lock up the kitchen door, he still had the key Shawn gave him. He headed for home. There he took a shower and by the time he got out of it, it was twenty minutes to six. He sat on his bed and didn't feel like going. He was exhausted. He laid back for just a moment, intending to go anyway, with his arm over his eyes, he lay there, nothing but a towel wrapped around his lower body. As he lay there, the strangest thing happened. He realized he was lonely. Lonely and alone. His one hand rubbed over his stomach and then taking him by surprise, he felt tears well up in his eyes. The radio was softly playing Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, "It's your love." He couldn't bring himself to get up and change the station, so he endured the music. Didn't matter what song was playing on the radio, it wouldn't change one startlingly ugly reality... he was alone, with no one to love... but Neil Foster's ex-wife... Doris. At fifty-two she was beyond the years of child bearing, and if she weren't... it wouldn't matter. Nowhere in him could he find the motivation to be serious with her. To settle down with her, to marry her. She waited for him now. But his mind... his mind... was in Chicago....
Chicago...
Vivian hated playing Sade... but she couldn't bring herself to turn her off. She felt the way Sade sang. Low, blue, melancholy... lonely... alone. She walked around her home, her arms wrapped around herself, realizing she would leave this place one day. Perhaps... one day soon. Then what? "Where will I go?" She wondered as she walked around, listening to the low raspy voice of the blues jazz singer. Vivian went pass her phone and stood staring at it. She wanted to pick it up... and dial his number. She closed her eyes and turned away trying to dismiss the ridiculous idea. There was no way she could bring herself to speak to him again. It seemed that all they ended up doing was yelling at each other anyway. Being totally honest with herself, she knew that she was the cause of that. She couldn't help it. While she wanted him with all of her might, she was equally fearful of him. Of what it could mean for her if she were to allow herself to get seriously involved with him. What if for some reason, it didn't work out. What if she ended up going to bed with him, and then he rose, said "Thanks." and walked away and never came back. Vivian knew she couldn't take it. No... she could not make the next move. He had to. He would have to come to her. If she went to him, called him... let him know that she was crazy as hell over him, he would use her, then discard her. She just couldn't do it. Her stomach ached and she needed something to do. But there was nothing for her to do. She wish she knew where Sylvia was, she would invite her to come there to have someone to talk to. She couldn't bring herself to call Sheila, she didn't wish to be mothered. Finally she sat on her sofa and immediately her mind settled in to day dream about him. She went over every inch of his face and body, trying to find the flaw that would repel her. She needed to find something, because knowing what under handed deeds he'd been up to wasn't enough. All she could see, feel and taste was what was right about him. The solidness of his body. The strength of his hands as they pulled her close to him. The force of his tongue as it played with her own. The pounding of his heart against her breasts. The force of his erection against her lower region, bringing her to a moist throb just thinking about it.
She threw herself back on the sofa and grabbed her remote and clicked her television on. On Channel nine, the movie with Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert was coming on, "It Happened One Night." She shot up and rushed around her house turning off all the lights, clicking her stereo and Sade off, then into the kitchen she popped herself some microwave popcorn, poured it in a bowel, and then went and made herself comfortable in the corner of her sofa to watch the old black and white film. Praying as she did, they would play another one like this, one after another until she fell asleep and didn't make a fool out of herself and call Jake.
In Wisconsin...
Jake showed up, he was late... but he made it there. He took the time to patiently explain to Doris what he was doing for Shawn and why. He wanted her to know that he had a great deal to make up to him. She was understanding. She listened and said all the right things. She'd prepared him a delicious dinner. Spaghetti and meatballs, with the sauce poured over the noodles just the way he liked it. Then she disappeared and slipped into something she thought was appealing. Enticing Jake, leading him to her room. There, they both stripped down, doing all the familiar things they liked prelude to having sex, they were both ready. Then something happened that forever changed things. Jake entered her body and went completely soft. No matter what she did, he couldn't keep an erection. He reached down and pushed her head away. "Stop Doris... stop..."
"It's okay Jake... it happens. No big deal... you'll be okay. You're just tired that's all. You need to relax, maybe get some sleep." She whispered softly, coming up beside him in the bed, leaning down to kiss him. He turned his face away. "Don't... chill okay..."
"What's wrong Jake... I don't get it? What's wrong? Its not me is it?" She asked desperately.
Jake couldn't answer her, didn't want to answer her. He sat up suddenly.
"I think I should go."
"I was right earlier wasn't I? You've met someone else! Who? Who is she? Tell me... who is she!?" Doris demanded.
"Doris... we're not getting anywhere. You and I - where can we go from here?" He asked trying to reason with her.
"What do you mean where can we go from here?! We could get married Jake! We could buy a home... open a business! We could do something!" She pleaded.
He sat looking at her a moment and then turned away, "Put some clothes on."
She gasped, a look of hurt and humiliation crossing her features. She scrambled from the bed grabbing her gown up as she went. Jake reached down and picked up his underwear, his pants and shirt, standing he turned to walk to her bathroom to dress and leave, and stopped stunned. Doris was standing with her gown on and a gun pointed at him.
"What the... what are you doing?"
"You think you can just use me and use me... then when you've had enough... find someone new and just drop me like nothing! LIKE NOTHING!! I GAVE UP MY FAMILY FOR YOU!!! I GAVE IT ALL UP... FOR YO-O-OU! WELL YOU WANT IT TO BE OVER JAKE?!! I CAN MAKE IT BE OVER... OVER FOR GOOD!!!"
"Calm down Doris... calm down."
"NO! Don't tell me to calm down! You're not gonna humiliate me this way! I'm not gonna let you!"
"Who said anything about us breaking up? Did I say that?" Jake felt his heart pounding as he tried to figure a way to get to her, to get the gun.
"I'm not stupid Jake! I know what's going on! This is it for us... isn't it? ISN'T I-I-I-IT!" She screamed with the gun shaking, pointing at his chest. She began sobbing, "You're not gonna leave me in shame! Have people laughing at me! Have him laughing at me!" She thought of her ex-husband, who was now married with two children by a younger wife. The thing about it was, he hadn't left her for the younger woman, she'd left him for the younger man. They would laugh at her. Everyone would laugh at her. Her children. Her family who told her she was insane for leaving Neil for someone like Jake with his reputation. Yes, even Neil had called her an idiot and a fool! Yelling that Jake ca
red about no one but Jake.
"Doris... that's crazy... who's going to laugh at you... no one... no one. Come on now... put the gun down... I'll stay... okay... I'll stay with you tonight. Would that make you feel better?"
"Then what about tomorrow? When you leave... I'm not crazy... you won't be back... it's over... I know - I know it's over... I can tell. You've found someone else." She sobbed, staring at him. "I loved you so much Jake. All I ever wanted was someone like you! I would have done anything for you. I could make you happy if you would just let me try."
"Okay... we'll try okay?"
"Aaah Jake... come on... I know when its over... I can tell. You never loved me - anyway... never loved me... never once said it."
"I love you... okay... see... I love you."
"No... you don't... you think I'm ugly, repulsive. You said... put some clothes on... oh god... oh god... what have I done... what have I done!" She cried shaking and then taking Jake totally by surprise, she turned the gun, put it in her mouth and pulled the trigger, a resounding pop shocked him. The blast shook Jake as he watched blood shoot from the back of her head, spraying the wall behind her.
"NOOOOOOOOO!!! NOOO NOOO NOOO NOOO NOOO - FUCKIN' NOOOO - OOOOH MAN... WHY'D YOU DO THAT!??!! Oh God... why'd you do that?! Oh - my - god!" Jake dropped to his knees and began sobbing as he crawled to her, lifting her head as blood poured from the back. He leaned back and shouted out in agony, the power of his sobs threatening to rip the blood vessels in his neck.
Chapter 89
L.A. Tuesday night...
"Doctors of Deidre Wherrington-McPherson, daughter and heiress of financing empire, B.W. Finance, have said that she is in stable condition. They stated that she was allowed the freedom to come slowly out of the induced coma administered to aid in her recovery now that she is out of danger, surviving several gunshot wounds from the attack on her Friday last week. The cab driver that was escorting her died on the scene as well as other's involved in the shooting. Who they are, the identities of these men has not yet been established. It has been reported that apparently there are extenuating circumstances surrounding the motive for the attack. One that may not be as cut and dry as at first believed. When the L.A. investigative team were asked to please elaborate, all they would comment on, was that nothing could be pinpointed on as conclusive and that they were conducting a thorough probe by following up on conflicting accounts." The news anchor woman stated as they cut to a commercial break.
Oscar T. sat in his study, holding a drink in one hand, the remote in the other. His mind buzzing in too many directions to be able to focus on any one thought. He couldn't believe it. All of his carefully laid plan blown by a few wannabe hero's! Of all the times in the world to be good Samaritans... they had to choose that night. He agonized over the unfairness of it. He brooded over his inability to dare make a move, or a phone call. He wanted to know who was dead of the hired hit men. He wanted to hear something from his hired assassin. But nothing - no word was sent to him and he couldn't help but wonder if the man was dead? He had to be! Why else would he have gone so long without contacting him?
Oscar sat back in his chair, slumped and afraid. Maybe he was laying low, being cautious in not contacting him due to the investigation? Oscar took a sip of his drink unable to fix his mind on what he should think. Which way he should now go, what should he now do? No matter how fearful, he knew the key was to just... carry on as normal. He must continue to be the hurt and disgruntled father, arriving at the hospital and demanding that his daughter, see them if he and Georgiana happen to show up together. Matter of fact, he decided they would, whether she wished to or not.
He wanted to pull his hair out!
All the time and money he'd spent to set things up. Oscar sat forward suddenly re-running all of the means he used to pay out... feeling his heart speed up from the adrenal rush of fear that possibly, he'd left something to chance? For the life of him he couldn't make order of his tracks. There was nothing written down anywhere, because a paper trail was stupid and could be discovered by anyone. So all he had to rely on was his memory as to how he'd taken care of everything. He prayed that he'd been careful and thorough every step of the way. He wish now instead of altering the plan, he'd waited a while after Deidre moved out. He'd taken care of their old chauffer Craig and hired a new thinking to go that route, but all had changed once Deidre packed up and left. It hadn't been easy nor cheap to maneuver things into place, forcing her to take a taxi - but it had all fallen into place just right. Breaking into his thoughts, he looked towards the door, Georgiana's voice could be heard on the other side speaking to Anthony. Oscar's eyes narrowed, waiting for her to enter. He didn't have to wait for long as the door opened with her coming through looking directly at him.
"Nice place for you to be, in here sipping on evening cocktails while our daughter lays in i.c.u with us barred from seeing her!"
"And I wonder why that is?" He sipped again, his eyes shooting daggers through her as he reclined again.
"Well I don't know why you're looking at me that way... its not because of me!" Georgiana defended.
"Isn't it?! Come on admit it Georgi! Who else-..."
"Don't call me that!"
"Doesn't matter what name you come under! This is all your fault!"
"My FAULT! Don't you dare blame this on me!" She defended hotly.
Oscar stood from his chair, "Who else is there to blame when she's so paranoid that she took out a power of attorney against us! WHO - ELSE - is to blame for that!??! Hm? Our own flesh and blood daughter doesn't trust either of us, because her slut of a mother has fucked her husband and killed her unborn child! Now let's see..." He angled his eyes looking towards the ceiling, mockingly as if in deep thought, "... would I trust my parents... or mother if I'd found out such a thing... hmmm, NO! Any fool would not! Its because of you - that she's moved out! -..."
"It had nothing to do with me!" Georgiana's heart was pounding in denial.
"ADMIT IT!!!"
"IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH ME!!!"
"You - and your driven need to have her ex - ruin her life!-..."
"She was going anyway! She moved out to try and get Angela back!" Georgiana was panting, her chest squeezing as he placed the blame on her, and she was in the perfect place to receive it, unaware of how deep his cunning.
"She moved out - because you disgusted her! She moved out because finally... it occurred to her that she couldn't trust her own mother! She moved out because she realized that you - YOU - killed her unborn child! YOU DID THAT!!! NOW - here we are! Security guards! Power of Attorney's! Lawyer's and someone that isn't even her flesh and blood family, blocking us... or rather ME - FROM MY OWN GODDAMN DAUGHTER!!! BECAUSE OF YOU - YOU NASTY PIECE OF WORK!!!" Unable to restrain himself, Oscar attacked her. He attacked her because it was easy to place the blame on her for all of his hard efforts to go astray! Attacked her because he couldn't see a clear way out! Attacked her because he hated her! Everything about her!
With his hands around her neck, he shook her and squeezed. Georgiana clawed and scratched at his hands, swinging and hitting trying to free herself. The servants heard the fight and rushed in, Anthony, Daryl and Dawn their downstairs maid struggled to pull the two apart.
Finally they got Oscar's hands off of her and put some distance between them.
"YOU BAS - TARD!!! YOU'LL PAY FOR TOUCHING ME!!! WHEN MY ATTORNEY'S ARE DONE WITH YOU - YOU'LL BE LUCKY TO HAVE A POT TO PISS IN!!! ANTHONY - CALL THE POLICE! I WANT HIM ARRESTED!!!"
"YES... CALL THE POLICE... CALL YOUR LAWYERS... GATHER EVERYONE YOU NEED!!!" Oscar railed back, breathing hard. "Because I have all the smut and dirt on you that I need! When I get done with you... the world will see you for what you really are... so call'em... I dare you."
Georgiana stood across from him breathing hard with his words penetrating her fog of anger.
"You're no better than I am!"
"Sorry dear... a man can't be a slut! A whore! A nymphomaniac! I didn't sleep wi
th my daughter's husband! I didn't kill her unborn child! Like I said... go for it! By the time I'm done with you, I'll have the judge committing you for being a mental psychopath who is dangerous to society! Anyone that would do what you have to your own daughter... is capable of anything!"
Suddenly Oscar smiled... just then... he knew what his next move was, and was happy the servants were present to hear it. Not that they probably weren't aware already of what she'd been up to for the last so many years. Oscar turned to them, "Go... we're fine. I assure you, I have no intention of touching her again... not ever again!"
* * *
Wisconsin to L. A...
"Whassup?!" Mundo answered the phone, waving to his friends to turn the mixer down they were messing with in Shawn's basement.
"It's me. Everything okay?" Shawn asked.
"Papah-Shawn, hey! Yeah... everything straight. Whassup in Cali - yo'ex pullin' out ah'right?"
"She's gonna be fine. Angela has spent time with her and I've visited her, wait till I get home and tell you what happened here. It's gonna blow you away... I still can't believe it myself. Anyway, has Jake come by there?"
"Yeah man... he been here straight thru since Sunday, just left tonight. He got a lot done papah-Shawn. I helped him where I could."
"What's done so far?"
"The kitchen... gone! Oopso - history man! Shit all stripped out down to the beams. Took out the kitchen steps, we dug out that spot behind the garage all the way up to the kitchen door! He built a frame for the foundation and tomorrow I'll be helping him pour the cement."
"Ah good... have you found all your paper work for school so we can get that ball rolling? Your old loans need to be paid so you can register and get the classes you need, I don't want you waiting until the last minute, once the classes are filled you're shit out of luck for the first semester! I'm not having it... I want everything in place so when I get back, you can sign up and start selecting!"
BOMAW 4-6 Page 22
