The Shadows Fall: Chapter 23

When he got home, he was surprised to find Blair awake.  He sat on the bed and began disrobing, and she sat up behind him and started to massage his shoulders.  Relaxing, he started to tell her the events of the night.  He was certain to include what a hit her 'hot blonde' had been in The Break Bar.  

"Poor Jessica, Todd."

"I know.  I just want her to get help."

She continued to massage his shoulders.  "You've changed, in so many ways.  You used to be so against therapy and 'getting help.'  Now look at you."

"Yeah, the poster boy for mental help."

"No, Todd, don't sell it short.  You've made a difference in your own life.  How many people can really say that?"

"I don't know, but if I didn't change, I might not be here.  I was forced to change.  I could have never lived that way.  Without Ray's help after coming back, I wouldn't be able to sit here right now and be part of your life."

She continued her handiwork, and listened to him.  He was so wise.  She knew, even way back, that he was brilliant; his mind worked in ways she sometimes marveled at.  "Now, what?"

"The 'what' is moving forward with this expose.  I'll go back over there in the next few days and act as her john.  That will get me in there.  She's going to make contact with some of the other girls, and I'll investigate around while there.  Possibly the story can break open for us this week."

"Well, I could..."

"No.  You're not.  You heard Larry.  Nothing.  Bed rest."  She didn't argue, instead, she kissed along his ear and down to his neck.  He turned toward her and kissed her mouth.  Then, he brushed some hair back from her face.  "Let's turn in.  I guess I'm tired.  And why are you up?  You should have been asleep?"

"Jack, he was up.  He didn't want to tell me, but I think he had a nightmare."  I heard him around downstairs.

"Is he all right?"

"Yes, he seems okay.  He didn't want to talk about it.  Unless he's just waiting for his father."  She smiled, lying down next to him.

"Maybe.  I seem to rate around here."

"Yes, with everyone."  She cuddled next to him.  "Especially this hot blonde."

***

Breakfast was a hectic time for the kids at the Mannings' house.  Todd would always be up, bustling around the kitchen, making the kids things to eat, packing lunch for them, reminding them of what to do at school that day.  He lingered around Jack that morning, checking on his son.  "I'll pick you up at 10:30 today Jack.  That way we can get to your appointment on time, all right?"

"All right, Dad."  Jack slurped down his orange juice and headed out to the bus.  Sam got himself going as well, and he jumped into Todd's arms to be brought to the bus.  Every day, Todd would stand watching as Sam boarded, keeping an eye out for Fedora Man.  He supposed it could have been in his mind, or that he just saw something and created the image in his head, but he couldn't be certain, so he checked, every morning, clockwork.

Heading back to the penthouse, he walked in to find Blair gingerly descending the stairs, cautious.  "Hey, what are you doing?"

"I'm just coming down to see the kids off.  I guess I missed them," she said.

He knew she was feeling a little like she had deserted them, but he refused to cut into her sleep for something he could easily do himself.  "They're fine.  You've been doing it for years, I have a lot of time to make up for.  Come on, sit down in the kitchen and have a nice breakfast with me."

"All right.  But can we have it by the windows?  It's so nice out!"

"Sure.  I'll get it."

"I'll help."

"No, no you don't.  I've got this, you sit down and read The Sun.  Let me know what you think.  The mock up for this afternoon's dinner edition is on the tablet."

She lifted the tablet, which didn't have the password any longer since the wedding was over and not a secret anymore, and looked through for the mock up, finding his notes instead.  As he brought the tray in, she said, "Todd, all these big wigs were at The Break Bar?"

"Yeah, the clients seem to be high-powered folks."

"Think it's intentional?"

"Probably.  I can't imagine all of the tricks being big guys just accidentally."

"What are you thinking, Todd?"

"I'm thinking I'll find out.  One way or the other."

They had a leisurely breakfast, watching the commotion of the city during the early morning hours, and feeling the sun's warmth coming through the glass panes of the penthouse.  "What should we do today?"

"I'll be going to The Break Bar tonight, but until then, I don't know, what do you want to do?"

"I want to pick out the crib."

"The crib?"

"Yep.  I want you to help me choose it."

"All right, that sounds good.  We can shop online, right?"

"Yep, we can.  I found a few already, and I want us to figure out which one is the best and what color scheme we want."

"Only the best for my kids."  

"Of course."

After cleaning up the breakfast dishes, he made a comfortable spot for them on the couch and they perused the catalogs and talked over the baby's nursery.  Throughout, he observed her as if from afar; beautiful, full of life, and anticipating the new one she had within her.  He found her most gorgeous right then, and pained for the times he missed with both of their other children.  They placed an order for the crib, online, and lounged about the living room, talking the day away, and at times, just sitting silently against each other; him reading, her dozing.  He loved to watch her sleep against his chest, and spent much of the time doing so.  

After lunch, they decided to take a bath, and he ran the water in the master bedroom suite until it was the perfect temperature.  They climbed in, relaxing, and talked over some old times and various capers they were involved in.  Soon, they were laughing and recalling their penchant for costumes over the years:  nuns, a police officer, a count, a Mexican with a sombrero, Marilyn Monroe, a witch, a life guard.  "All in all, we've had a colorful life together, Mr. Manning," she said.

"Not over yet, Mrs. Manning."

***

Todd made the trip, with Williams at the wheel, to Mountainview, to pick up his son.  Not wanting to intrude, he had left Jack alone with Ray, and made certain the boy knew that everything he'd say was confidential.  Ray also promised to reiterate that premise, so that Jack would become comfortable enough to say anything to the counselor.

When he arrived, Jack was sitting outside Ray's door.  His eyes were red, and he seemed very small and very tired.  Todd said, "Hey, kid, what's up?  You okay?"

Jack stood up, "It's hard, Dad.  It's really hard."

"I know it is.  But nothing worth it is easy."

"He wants to talk to you," Jack said.  Todd felt a nervousness in his stomach.  He hoped it was not something more horrific that Jack had uncovered.

Todd knocked, and Ray opened the door.  "Todd, so good to see you."

They shook hands, and Todd sat, Jack following him into the office.  All three of them sat for a moment, quiet.

"We had a good session," Ray said.  "We accomplished quite a bit in an hour's time."


Jack looked tired.  Todd knew how that was; Ray was adept at getting the client into the work and making each person delve deep. It was clear his son was no exception.


Todd said, "What can I do to help?  I'd do whatever it takes."


Ray explained, "It seems Jack has a great deal of residual anger against two people.  And Jack, if I speak out of turn, interrupt me, and I'll correct myself or let you take over.  He's very angry with Zeus, his former father image.  For all intents and purposes, Zeus is the psychological father of Jack, and even though that is changing, it has a great impact.  And second, he harbors a great deal of anger at someone else."


Todd was certain that Ray was talking about him.  Giving him away, leaving the family, those things were not easy to get by.  "All right.  Jack, it's okay.  Being angry is all right, it's how you deal with the anger that counts."


Ray spoke, "Jack, do you want to tell your father this?"


Jack looked up, and found his father's eyes.  "It's Mom."


Todd was stunned.  Unable to find his voice at first, he paused.  "Mom?"


Jack shook his head affirmatively.  He seemed embarrassed.  Todd went over and put an arm around his son.  "It's all right.  You'll get through that.  You'll come out on the other side fine."  He was cautious not to make the boy feel strange for what he felt.  He knew that was paramount in his self-work.


Ray said, "Jack, if you will, step outside and I will fill in Todd on the rest of this, as we agreed, all right?"


Jack nodded and left.


Ray closed the door after him.  "I know, surprise."


"I was positive he meant me."


"You've already apologized several times and showed him the reasoning behind your actions.  And, all the torment you have endured sort of offset his feelings.  He's forgiven you, and he loves you very much.  He wants to be able to actually say the words to you.  He asked me specifically if he could work on that."


Todd did not know how to take this new information.  It was difficult to comprehend for him; he had seen signs that the boy was changing toward him, gradually, but to hear it this way overwhelmed him, leading him to tear up.


"What about Blair?  You know she's on bed rest.  She can't have any stress."


"I realize that, and so does Jack.  This is a very sensitive boy you've brought into this world.  He's not all tough like he acts.  In fact, he's very concerned for her ever hearing what he's feeling.  He was comfortable with you knowing, because he trusts you.  However, he does not want her to be caused any pain. He has real, and at times, consuming anger toward her."


"For what?"


"He terms it 'being selfish.'  She left you in that prison, she accepted the impostor, she let The Impostor discipline her children, she overlooked the cruelty that the kids endured at the hands of The Impostor.  He blames her for his abuse, Sam's and the things that happened to Starr.  And for some reason, he blames her ultimately for your torture as well."


"He's wrong.  Blair didn't ever intend to hurt anyone."


"In his eyes, she betrayed the family by settling for The Impostor.  He says he's read up on the whole case, and interviewed people from town.  His final say on this is that she had no proof whatsoever that The Impostor was actually you, and that she gave up too soon."


In his deep love for Blair, Todd himself had never even entertained the idea that she gave up too quickly.  Viki had assured him that Blair did look for him.  Starr had taken the brunt of the blame for convincing everyone that The Impostor was him.  But if he sat and examined it as his bright fifteen year-old son had for however long, he could see how this conclusion could be drawn.


"What do you plan to do?"


"I plan to have him work on his anger toward Blair first.  I think it is more manageable and probably can be dealt with in session without even bringing her in.  You also can be a support on this.  If the man who was locked up and tortured does not blame Blair, then Jack will see less reason to.  As for ignoring the signs that the kids were mistreated, I haven't been able to ascertain much about that yet.  The big nut to crack will be his hatred for Zeus.  That is what, according to Jack, controls his acting out and forces him to make poor choices.  I want you to be prepared.  Since Zeus is here, in treatment, there will be a time where I'll encourage Jack to speak with him about the abuse in person.  You will have to approve it, and so will Blair, but it will probably happen."


Todd took everything in, and thanked Ray for his time and effort.  Leaving the office, he ran into Jack, who was sitting in a wheelchair, attempting to perform a "wheelie."  "Dad, are you mad at me?"  Jack asked.


Todd put his arm around his son's shoulders and lead him to the limo, waiting outside Mountainview.  "No, I'm not mad at you.  I love you."


Jack smiled, "I want to grow my hair."


Todd laughed, and in spite of his tiredness Jack did also, and then fell asleep in the limo against his father's shoulder.  

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