Fanfic: B&S episode 713: part 1/8
*****
Season 7 - Episode 713 - Last dance
By Marea67
About: Brothers & Sisters general
Rate: Can’t go higher than PG-13 as this American Television, but I've cheated a bit on this one!
Disclaimer: Just escaping from reality here, not created for financial gain.
Summary: It’s my own season 7. Go with it! If you believe you can do better, write it yourself! I dare you!
*****
Starring:
also starring
*****
“Kevin, it was good to see you again.” Julia sighs, as they cross the lawn towards the door.
“It’s good to see you too. And with a smile on your face.” Kevin answers with a gentle smile of his own.
“I know. It’s been a few weird weeks since Tommy died but I feel like I’m more ‘present’, you know, in the here and now… and not so stuck in the past..”
“It’s good to hear that.”
“How’s Elizabeth?”
“Alright, I think, for a girl who lost her dad… She has days that she’s very withdrawn, and then she’s very happy and playful. I can hear her cry sometimes, but …” Kevin doesn’t finish his sentence because he doesn’t want make Julia sad. He can see how Julia digs her nails into the palm of her hand before asking:
“And how’s Billy?” It visibly takes an effort, but with each time, that she had asked him that question over the last three weeks, it gets easier to her.
“He’s fine. Growing too fast. I had to send Jordan and Elizabeth to get Billy some new clothes… I sure hope Billy doesn’t mind pink and lavender.” Julia laughs and so does Kevin. “Speaking of Jordan. Thank you for keeping the house that Tommy bought. For now anyway.” Kevin says.
“Well, everything you told me made sense. Selling the house could only happen at a loss right now, and that would be a waste. Tommy loved the house, he looked forward to moving there, I know that much. Plus, I feel like I owe something to Jordan for looking after the kids and for being a friend to Tommy. God knows Tommy needed a friend. As long as it won’t be at the expense of the kids… I .. feel I’m in no position to argue with this.”
“Of course you do. You’re Tommy’s widow.”
“I don’t feel like that at all. The gap between Tommy and me was so big…. I feel like he deserved better than what he got.”
“He loved you. Endlessly.”
“He did, didn’t he?” For a moment there’s a sadness on Julia’s face that just as easily disappears again. “Well, like this, at least Jordan will have a place to stay.”
“And when you get out of this place you’ll have a place to go to… You’ll love the house, it’s really lovely.”
“I don’t think I’ll be out anytime soon, but… I can’t wait to see it.”
“I have to go. Mom texted me that she needs to see me. And I have to squeeze that in between meeting you, driving back and getting Olivia to soccer-practice.”
“It must be a lot of hard work…Five kids?” Julia says. Kevin nods.
“I don’t want to ask too much from Scotty, he didn’t ask for any of this. So, I’m trying to take as much from his hands as I can…” Kevin replies tiredly. "So I have to go. But I’ll be back, so if there’s anything you need…?”
“A photo of Elizabeth and Billy.”
“Billy?”
“Yes. I must learn to see him for what he is. A child. And not some dark entity that will make my life miserable.” Julia explains. Kevin nods.
“Anything else?”
“Yes… You’re beautiful smile.” Julia suddenly says, obviously taking Kevin by surprise, because he gives her a shy and uncertain look. “You look too tired. I miss your smile.” Julia says letting her thumb slide over Kevin’s face in an unusual gesture of intimacy. “I’m sorry that Tommy and I made your life so miserable…” She apologizes.
Kevin takes her hand and places a kiss on the inside of her hand.
“You and Tommy haven’t made my life miserable. Don’t even think that. I love the kids, all five of them… But there’s been a lot going on lately and … perhaps I did forget to smile more often.. Consider my smile added to your grocery-list….” He smiles.
Julia and Kevin enter the building again when Kevin suddenly stops.
“What’s wrong?” Julia asks.
“What is she doing here? She should be locked up someplace else.”
“Who?”
“Michelle.”
“Michelle?” Julia asks, the name is familiar to her somehow.
“Our surrogate. Scotty’s friend. The one who stole our child.”
“Are you sure?” Julia asks.
“Yes. See that woman over there, crossing the garden, with the white and blue t-shirt? That’s her.” Julia stares at the people in the garden, but the only person she sees crossing the garden, in a white and blue t-shirt, is Renee.
“That’s Michelle? The one who stole Daniel?”
“I’m a 100% sure of it. You better stay away from her, she’s crazy… Completely mental… Well, anyway, I have to go. My mom’s waiting me.”
“Don’t keep Nora waiting.” Julia smiles. “I’m glad you came by…”
“You’re welcome. And I won’t forget your list: a picture and a smile.” Kevin grins.
*****
“Seth, I don’t know what to say. This book is amazing.” Seth’s editor, Ben, says.
“Thanks, Ben, I’m surprised to hear that you like it so much.”
“You know, I have to say this, I’m not much of a crier, but this book, by the end, when his wife dies of cancer… I was in tears. My wife thought I was crazy.”
“I’m sorry.” Seth laughs.
“So, I gave it to her, to let her read it as well.”
“And?”
“Our entire supply of paper tissues is gone…..” Ben answers dryly.
Seth grins, glad that the book had caught his editor off guard.
“I’m glad that you decided to submit it to us and that we could turn it into a book.”
“You think it will be a success?” Seth wants to know.
“I can’t imagine it won’t be. It’s beautifully written…” Ben smiles.
“Well, now I have one thing left to do, and that is have Kitty read it.”
“You haven’t shown this to your wife?”
“If I would have, she would have made alterations…. And ….”
“Never mind. I get it. I have a wife who knows better too. Well, I wish you luck…”
“Be nice to me in my obituary.” Seth jokes.
“I’ll visit your widow in prison, I promise.” Ben jokes back. With a copy of his new book under his arm, Seth leaves Ben’s office, before he leans against the wall.
“Kitty is going to kill me for killing off the wife.” He’s mumbles to himself.
*****
“Hey, Julia.” Rose, one of the nurses, looks up from her paperwork.
“Rose, can I ask you something? I was allowed to be in the garden this morning. I was with my brother-in-law. He said that he recognized someone. He’s convinced that a person, who I know under the name Renee, is actually a woman called Michelle.” She points at Renee.
“Her name is Michelle. Michelle Renee McGregor.” Rose answers. “But I wouldn’t be to shocked. It happens that people want to change so badly that they use another name, thinking that by doing so, they become a different person, get a different personality. Don’t take it too hard. I’m sure she meant well.” Rose says soothingly.
“Yes. Probably.” Julia nods, but when she turns around she can feel her tears sting. Life here is difficult enough without getting lied at by someone you trust. She had considered Renee a friend. She had talked to her about things that she hadn’t told anyone else before.
She had told her secrets, believing that Renee’s painful past of losing a child mirrored her own. And Renee had never once done anything to tell her the truth… All those times, that she had pretended to be interested in Julia, had been nothing more than trying to get information out of her about Daniel.
No wonder that Renee/Michelle had been so interested in Elizabeth and if she would safe with ‘those gays’. She had carefully manipulated a lot conversations to get the latest news on Daniel… And that had been all Michelle had wanted to know. Tears of pain and frustrations fill Julia’s eyes.
She exits the building to enter the enclosed garden. She sees Renee, her back is to Julia. Julia shakes with anger.
“Michelle?” She asks and, taken off guard, by the mention of her name, Michelle turns around.
She opens her mouth to say something, but at the same time she becomes aware of her mistake and she knows that she cannot correct it anymore.
“I have to give you the most sincerest regards from Kevin Walker and Scotty Wandell, with their profound hope that you will rot away in this place!”
“Julia..” Michelle raises her hands begging for a chance to explain, but Julia is beyond reason.
“You lied to me. You pretended to be my friend. You pretended to care. I trusted you! But I guess that my trust was as meaningless to you as Scotty’s was!”
“Don’t say that! I loved Scotty, he was my best friend. I would have done anything for him.” Michelle defends herself.
“Except give him and his husband back their child. The child you stole from them. You robbed them of their money and you robbed them of their child. You’re nobody’s friend. You wouldn’t recognize friendship if it hit you in the face! You’re a thief… A miserable thief! Your care and friendship are completely worthless. The words have no meaning to you whatsoever!”
“You’re wrong! I … I wanted to be your friend.” Michelle starts to cry.
“No, you didn’t! All you wanted was information on the child you stole! And you used me and my love for my children!” Julia yells.
“He’s my son! Mine and Scotty’s!”“
No, he’s not! And thank God you’re not his mother. You would have been a worthless mother!” But her words have taking the argument a step too far. Through her tears, Michelle laughs sarcastically.
“Well, hello….. Pot? Kettle? Black? Right? If there’s one worthless mother here, it’s you, Julia Walker. I looked after my boy after he was born. I fed him, I sang him lullabies, I played with him, I rocked him in my arms when he cried, I laughed when he did. The only reason I had to give him up was, that I knew, that with the Walkers after me, I’d never have a life again. I was forced to give up my son.
I loved my son! And that’s more than you did! You neglected one child and stuffed him in a box, all alone, in some basement, while you kidnapped your other child and scared the living daylights out of her by waving a gun around and pointing it her at her dad and her biological father. Don’t you dare tell me that I’m not good enough as a mother. The only one who failed at being a mom is you!”
Michelle points angrily at Julia and her fingertip hits Julia’s chest rather hard. It is all Julia needs. Her hand goes up and it hits Michelle’s face so hard that they attract even more attention from the people in the garden, who start to realize that something is happening.
For a moment, Michelle is shocked and surprised by the slap, but she’s not the person who’ll have herself slapped around. With a loud scream she reaches out to Julia, who back away, trips over her own feet and in her fall take Michelle with her. Michelle manages to get her hand in Julia’s hair and she pulls.
Julia screams in pain. It unleashes something inside her. Julia’s not used to physical fights, but now, she puts all her pain and frustrations into it. The loss of William, the fear to lose Elizabeth as wel,l, they choke her up and they mix with the betrayal she had felt when she had found out about Lena and Tommy.
A betrayal she had felt for a second time when she found out about the embezzlement, and the shock that Tommy had left her and Elizabeth to take car themselves. The numbness of seeing that their house, their safe haven against all evil, about to be foreclosed and then she would have nothing left.
The humiliation she had felt over Kevin and Nora’s attempts to keep her and Elizabeth close. She had so desperately felt the need to escape, but Seattle hadn’t brought her peace. Neither had coming back to LA. And the kidnapping that had let to Billy…. It hits her full force and for the first time in a long time she just feels the need to hit back hard.
With a growl, her nails scratch Michelle’s face. Michelle tries to hit back, but Julia manages to deflect the slap by turning her face, making it only superficial. Julia kicks, screams, punches, lashes out and pulls at Michelle’s hair, clothes and anything else she can put her hand on, trying to hurt her as much as she possibly can.
They roll over the ground as Michelle fights back as hard as she can, sometimes having the upper-hand, sometimes lying under Julia and taking the punches, until Julia’s weight is suddenly picked off her and she sees that two orderlies have now joined them. One is restraining Julia, the other is holding Michelle on the ground.
Michelle goes limp, she knows that she shouldn’t fight with an orderly, but she watches how Julia, beside herself with anger, tries to fight the orderly who had picked her up and taken her away from Michelle. Michelle realizes that Julia doesn’t stand a chance. The man is twice her size and all muscle.
Julia fights out all her frustrations but eventually she has to give up. She collapses in the man’s arms and she starts to cry uncontrollably. One of the nurses approaches her and she feels the sting of a needle in her arm. She wants to protest, but she no longer has the energy.
“I’ll kill you if I get the chance.” Julia says between clenched teeth. “I hope you’ll never, ever hear one more word about Daniel, that he’s lost to you forever.” Michelle backs away, when she sees how much Julia hates her. Michelle shakes her head and tears fill her eyes.
“I’m sorry, Julia… It wasn’t just about Daniel. .. It started out that way… but then I really got to like you and … I wanted us to be friends…. That was not a lie…”
“Spare me your fairytales. I don’t want to hear them anymore… Not ever again.”
“Julia….” Michelle wants to say more, so much more. Now that her own rage is subsiding, she can finally see what she’s about to lose: Her only friend in this house. But Julia shakes her head, she doesn’t want to get lied to anymore. She feels weak and she knows that she’s been given some sedative.
She sees Rose approach her.
“Get me out of here, please.” Julia begs in a small voice. Rose nods that the orderlies should put Julia in a wheel-chair and take her and Michelle to their respective rooms and she prepares to rapport it to the doctors…
*****
“I’m not sure if I should do this.” Jason paces up and down.
“I think you should. It’s perfect for you. And you know it.” Chad says, lying on the couch.
“But, Chad, running an orphanage? I know nothing about that. I was just trying to figure out if I could somehow help the community. I wanted to do something with my religion.”
“And you were asked to take over an orphanage, that has suffered from mismanagement. I’m not that good with the Bible and such, but didn’t Jesus say something somewhere about protecting kids…. I somehow always had this idea that it was pretty important to him.” Chad sits up, focusing his attention from his script to his husband.
“You’re hopeless…” Jason lovingly lets his fingers run though Chad’s hair.
“Isn’t that why you love me?” Chad asks, with a smile. “But seriously, you get what I’m saying?”
“Yeah, I do. I just … I don’t know how to do this. Running something big was always Robert’s job.”
“Talk to Nora, she owns a centre that gives help to parents of sick children. Ask Sarah, she knows how to run a company or ask Kitty, she worked with Robert, perhaps she can give you advice.….”
“Now you’re making sense…” Jason says, almost surprised.
“See, I’m not totally useless.” Chad jokes.
“No, you’re not, that’s why I love you… So you think I should think about this?”
“I’m not thinking anything when you look at me like that.” Chad sighs, wrapping an around Jason and pulling him down, ignoring the fake shocked cry that Jason gives.
*****
End of part 1/8
**** COMMERCIAL BREAK****
Season 7 - Episode 713 - Last dance
By Marea67
About: Brothers & Sisters general
Rate: Can’t go higher than PG-13 as this American Television, but I've cheated a bit on this one!
Disclaimer: Just escaping from reality here, not created for financial gain.
Summary: It’s my own season 7. Go with it! If you believe you can do better, write it yourself! I dare you!
*****
Starring:
also starring
*****
“Kevin, it was good to see you again.” Julia sighs, as they cross the lawn towards the door.
“It’s good to see you too. And with a smile on your face.” Kevin answers with a gentle smile of his own.
“I know. It’s been a few weird weeks since Tommy died but I feel like I’m more ‘present’, you know, in the here and now… and not so stuck in the past..”
“It’s good to hear that.”
“How’s Elizabeth?”
“Alright, I think, for a girl who lost her dad… She has days that she’s very withdrawn, and then she’s very happy and playful. I can hear her cry sometimes, but …” Kevin doesn’t finish his sentence because he doesn’t want make Julia sad. He can see how Julia digs her nails into the palm of her hand before asking:
“And how’s Billy?” It visibly takes an effort, but with each time, that she had asked him that question over the last three weeks, it gets easier to her.
“He’s fine. Growing too fast. I had to send Jordan and Elizabeth to get Billy some new clothes… I sure hope Billy doesn’t mind pink and lavender.” Julia laughs and so does Kevin. “Speaking of Jordan. Thank you for keeping the house that Tommy bought. For now anyway.” Kevin says.
“Well, everything you told me made sense. Selling the house could only happen at a loss right now, and that would be a waste. Tommy loved the house, he looked forward to moving there, I know that much. Plus, I feel like I owe something to Jordan for looking after the kids and for being a friend to Tommy. God knows Tommy needed a friend. As long as it won’t be at the expense of the kids… I .. feel I’m in no position to argue with this.”
“Of course you do. You’re Tommy’s widow.”
“I don’t feel like that at all. The gap between Tommy and me was so big…. I feel like he deserved better than what he got.”
“He loved you. Endlessly.”
“He did, didn’t he?” For a moment there’s a sadness on Julia’s face that just as easily disappears again. “Well, like this, at least Jordan will have a place to stay.”
“And when you get out of this place you’ll have a place to go to… You’ll love the house, it’s really lovely.”
“I don’t think I’ll be out anytime soon, but… I can’t wait to see it.”
“I have to go. Mom texted me that she needs to see me. And I have to squeeze that in between meeting you, driving back and getting Olivia to soccer-practice.”
“It must be a lot of hard work…Five kids?” Julia says. Kevin nods.
“I don’t want to ask too much from Scotty, he didn’t ask for any of this. So, I’m trying to take as much from his hands as I can…” Kevin replies tiredly. "So I have to go. But I’ll be back, so if there’s anything you need…?”
“A photo of Elizabeth and Billy.”
“Billy?”
“Yes. I must learn to see him for what he is. A child. And not some dark entity that will make my life miserable.” Julia explains. Kevin nods.
“Anything else?”
“Yes… You’re beautiful smile.” Julia suddenly says, obviously taking Kevin by surprise, because he gives her a shy and uncertain look. “You look too tired. I miss your smile.” Julia says letting her thumb slide over Kevin’s face in an unusual gesture of intimacy. “I’m sorry that Tommy and I made your life so miserable…” She apologizes.
Kevin takes her hand and places a kiss on the inside of her hand.
“You and Tommy haven’t made my life miserable. Don’t even think that. I love the kids, all five of them… But there’s been a lot going on lately and … perhaps I did forget to smile more often.. Consider my smile added to your grocery-list….” He smiles.
Julia and Kevin enter the building again when Kevin suddenly stops.
“What’s wrong?” Julia asks.
“What is she doing here? She should be locked up someplace else.”
“Who?”
“Michelle.”
“Michelle?” Julia asks, the name is familiar to her somehow.
“Our surrogate. Scotty’s friend. The one who stole our child.”
“Are you sure?” Julia asks.
“Yes. See that woman over there, crossing the garden, with the white and blue t-shirt? That’s her.” Julia stares at the people in the garden, but the only person she sees crossing the garden, in a white and blue t-shirt, is Renee.
“That’s Michelle? The one who stole Daniel?”
“I’m a 100% sure of it. You better stay away from her, she’s crazy… Completely mental… Well, anyway, I have to go. My mom’s waiting me.”
“Don’t keep Nora waiting.” Julia smiles. “I’m glad you came by…”
“You’re welcome. And I won’t forget your list: a picture and a smile.” Kevin grins.
*****
“Seth, I don’t know what to say. This book is amazing.” Seth’s editor, Ben, says.
“Thanks, Ben, I’m surprised to hear that you like it so much.”
“You know, I have to say this, I’m not much of a crier, but this book, by the end, when his wife dies of cancer… I was in tears. My wife thought I was crazy.”
“I’m sorry.” Seth laughs.
“So, I gave it to her, to let her read it as well.”
“And?”
“Our entire supply of paper tissues is gone…..” Ben answers dryly.
Seth grins, glad that the book had caught his editor off guard.
“I’m glad that you decided to submit it to us and that we could turn it into a book.”
“You think it will be a success?” Seth wants to know.
“I can’t imagine it won’t be. It’s beautifully written…” Ben smiles.
“Well, now I have one thing left to do, and that is have Kitty read it.”
“You haven’t shown this to your wife?”
“If I would have, she would have made alterations…. And ….”
“Never mind. I get it. I have a wife who knows better too. Well, I wish you luck…”
“Be nice to me in my obituary.” Seth jokes.
“I’ll visit your widow in prison, I promise.” Ben jokes back. With a copy of his new book under his arm, Seth leaves Ben’s office, before he leans against the wall.
“Kitty is going to kill me for killing off the wife.” He’s mumbles to himself.
*****
“Hey, Julia.” Rose, one of the nurses, looks up from her paperwork.
“Rose, can I ask you something? I was allowed to be in the garden this morning. I was with my brother-in-law. He said that he recognized someone. He’s convinced that a person, who I know under the name Renee, is actually a woman called Michelle.” She points at Renee.
“Her name is Michelle. Michelle Renee McGregor.” Rose answers. “But I wouldn’t be to shocked. It happens that people want to change so badly that they use another name, thinking that by doing so, they become a different person, get a different personality. Don’t take it too hard. I’m sure she meant well.” Rose says soothingly.
“Yes. Probably.” Julia nods, but when she turns around she can feel her tears sting. Life here is difficult enough without getting lied at by someone you trust. She had considered Renee a friend. She had talked to her about things that she hadn’t told anyone else before.
She had told her secrets, believing that Renee’s painful past of losing a child mirrored her own. And Renee had never once done anything to tell her the truth… All those times, that she had pretended to be interested in Julia, had been nothing more than trying to get information out of her about Daniel.
No wonder that Renee/Michelle had been so interested in Elizabeth and if she would safe with ‘those gays’. She had carefully manipulated a lot conversations to get the latest news on Daniel… And that had been all Michelle had wanted to know. Tears of pain and frustrations fill Julia’s eyes.
She exits the building to enter the enclosed garden. She sees Renee, her back is to Julia. Julia shakes with anger.
“Michelle?” She asks and, taken off guard, by the mention of her name, Michelle turns around.
She opens her mouth to say something, but at the same time she becomes aware of her mistake and she knows that she cannot correct it anymore.
“I have to give you the most sincerest regards from Kevin Walker and Scotty Wandell, with their profound hope that you will rot away in this place!”
“Julia..” Michelle raises her hands begging for a chance to explain, but Julia is beyond reason.
“You lied to me. You pretended to be my friend. You pretended to care. I trusted you! But I guess that my trust was as meaningless to you as Scotty’s was!”
“Don’t say that! I loved Scotty, he was my best friend. I would have done anything for him.” Michelle defends herself.
“Except give him and his husband back their child. The child you stole from them. You robbed them of their money and you robbed them of their child. You’re nobody’s friend. You wouldn’t recognize friendship if it hit you in the face! You’re a thief… A miserable thief! Your care and friendship are completely worthless. The words have no meaning to you whatsoever!”
“You’re wrong! I … I wanted to be your friend.” Michelle starts to cry.
“No, you didn’t! All you wanted was information on the child you stole! And you used me and my love for my children!” Julia yells.
“He’s my son! Mine and Scotty’s!”“
No, he’s not! And thank God you’re not his mother. You would have been a worthless mother!” But her words have taking the argument a step too far. Through her tears, Michelle laughs sarcastically.
“Well, hello….. Pot? Kettle? Black? Right? If there’s one worthless mother here, it’s you, Julia Walker. I looked after my boy after he was born. I fed him, I sang him lullabies, I played with him, I rocked him in my arms when he cried, I laughed when he did. The only reason I had to give him up was, that I knew, that with the Walkers after me, I’d never have a life again. I was forced to give up my son.
I loved my son! And that’s more than you did! You neglected one child and stuffed him in a box, all alone, in some basement, while you kidnapped your other child and scared the living daylights out of her by waving a gun around and pointing it her at her dad and her biological father. Don’t you dare tell me that I’m not good enough as a mother. The only one who failed at being a mom is you!”
Michelle points angrily at Julia and her fingertip hits Julia’s chest rather hard. It is all Julia needs. Her hand goes up and it hits Michelle’s face so hard that they attract even more attention from the people in the garden, who start to realize that something is happening.
For a moment, Michelle is shocked and surprised by the slap, but she’s not the person who’ll have herself slapped around. With a loud scream she reaches out to Julia, who back away, trips over her own feet and in her fall take Michelle with her. Michelle manages to get her hand in Julia’s hair and she pulls.
Julia screams in pain. It unleashes something inside her. Julia’s not used to physical fights, but now, she puts all her pain and frustrations into it. The loss of William, the fear to lose Elizabeth as wel,l, they choke her up and they mix with the betrayal she had felt when she had found out about Lena and Tommy.
A betrayal she had felt for a second time when she found out about the embezzlement, and the shock that Tommy had left her and Elizabeth to take car themselves. The numbness of seeing that their house, their safe haven against all evil, about to be foreclosed and then she would have nothing left.
The humiliation she had felt over Kevin and Nora’s attempts to keep her and Elizabeth close. She had so desperately felt the need to escape, but Seattle hadn’t brought her peace. Neither had coming back to LA. And the kidnapping that had let to Billy…. It hits her full force and for the first time in a long time she just feels the need to hit back hard.
With a growl, her nails scratch Michelle’s face. Michelle tries to hit back, but Julia manages to deflect the slap by turning her face, making it only superficial. Julia kicks, screams, punches, lashes out and pulls at Michelle’s hair, clothes and anything else she can put her hand on, trying to hurt her as much as she possibly can.
They roll over the ground as Michelle fights back as hard as she can, sometimes having the upper-hand, sometimes lying under Julia and taking the punches, until Julia’s weight is suddenly picked off her and she sees that two orderlies have now joined them. One is restraining Julia, the other is holding Michelle on the ground.
Michelle goes limp, she knows that she shouldn’t fight with an orderly, but she watches how Julia, beside herself with anger, tries to fight the orderly who had picked her up and taken her away from Michelle. Michelle realizes that Julia doesn’t stand a chance. The man is twice her size and all muscle.
Julia fights out all her frustrations but eventually she has to give up. She collapses in the man’s arms and she starts to cry uncontrollably. One of the nurses approaches her and she feels the sting of a needle in her arm. She wants to protest, but she no longer has the energy.
“I’ll kill you if I get the chance.” Julia says between clenched teeth. “I hope you’ll never, ever hear one more word about Daniel, that he’s lost to you forever.” Michelle backs away, when she sees how much Julia hates her. Michelle shakes her head and tears fill her eyes.
“I’m sorry, Julia… It wasn’t just about Daniel. .. It started out that way… but then I really got to like you and … I wanted us to be friends…. That was not a lie…”
“Spare me your fairytales. I don’t want to hear them anymore… Not ever again.”
“Julia….” Michelle wants to say more, so much more. Now that her own rage is subsiding, she can finally see what she’s about to lose: Her only friend in this house. But Julia shakes her head, she doesn’t want to get lied to anymore. She feels weak and she knows that she’s been given some sedative.
She sees Rose approach her.
“Get me out of here, please.” Julia begs in a small voice. Rose nods that the orderlies should put Julia in a wheel-chair and take her and Michelle to their respective rooms and she prepares to rapport it to the doctors…
*****
“I’m not sure if I should do this.” Jason paces up and down.
“I think you should. It’s perfect for you. And you know it.” Chad says, lying on the couch.
“But, Chad, running an orphanage? I know nothing about that. I was just trying to figure out if I could somehow help the community. I wanted to do something with my religion.”
“And you were asked to take over an orphanage, that has suffered from mismanagement. I’m not that good with the Bible and such, but didn’t Jesus say something somewhere about protecting kids…. I somehow always had this idea that it was pretty important to him.” Chad sits up, focusing his attention from his script to his husband.
“You’re hopeless…” Jason lovingly lets his fingers run though Chad’s hair.
“Isn’t that why you love me?” Chad asks, with a smile. “But seriously, you get what I’m saying?”
“Yeah, I do. I just … I don’t know how to do this. Running something big was always Robert’s job.”
“Talk to Nora, she owns a centre that gives help to parents of sick children. Ask Sarah, she knows how to run a company or ask Kitty, she worked with Robert, perhaps she can give you advice.….”
“Now you’re making sense…” Jason says, almost surprised.
“See, I’m not totally useless.” Chad jokes.
“No, you’re not, that’s why I love you… So you think I should think about this?”
“I’m not thinking anything when you look at me like that.” Chad sighs, wrapping an around Jason and pulling him down, ignoring the fake shocked cry that Jason gives.
*****
End of part 1/8
**** COMMERCIAL BREAK****