Author: SoapKast

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Kingsport #36

“Ali, you didn’t!!!” exclaimed Sheila Davenport.

Alison Farrell Montgomery sipped a chilled glass of wine in the comfort of her award-winning English garden. “Billy needed to hear the truth, Sheila,” reasoned Alison. “Connor is all wrong for him.”

Sheila cleared her throat. “Ali, you told me weeks ago that you wouldn’t insert yourself into the middle of Will’s relationship with Connor.”

“I haven’t!”

“You have!” Sheila refilled her wine glass. “If you keep this up, Will is going to end up alone and he’ll blame you for ruining his chance for happiness with Connor.”

“Sheila, what am I supposed to do? Connor is so weak-willed that he can’t handle the fact that I want to buy my son a house as a wedding present! It’s not my fault Alistair Windsor squanders whatever income and assets he has on cheap booze and even cheaper teenage girls!” Alison fingered the white tablecloth. “I can think of fifty well-bred men in Europe, Asia, Australia, South America, and Africa who would be perfect for Billy…but he wants Connor.”

“Yes, he does. Besides, Will won’t make a bad decision. He’s not like Nicholas.”

Alison nodded in agreement. “Is Nicholas still trying to find himself?”

“Worse than that,” sighed Sheila. “He wanted to sell his shares in Davenport Technology to Elijah…for all people…”

“How did you stop him?”

“I’m the trustee on Nicholas’ trust fund. He can’t do a thing with those shares without my consent.”

Alison pondered Sheila’s words carefully before saying, “I wonder why we have such a hard time letting our youngest children live their lives without our interference?”

“I wish I knew,” reflected Sheila, honestly. “I don’t want someone to take advantage of Nicholas…in much the same way I’m sure you don’t want Connor to take advantage of Will.”

“Exactly! This is why we’re best friends,” smiled Alison.

“I do hope Will and Connor get married. I’m having the most delightful dress made in London,” cooed Sheila.

Alison smiled, lightly. “I’d be surprised if Billy went through with the wedding, but, I suppose, anything is possible.”

“Oh. Hello, Mama. Mrs. Davenport,” said Jill Stanhope Montgomery as she walked through the English garden. “It’s a lovely day.”

Alison forced a tight smile on her face. “Jill. What brings you to the estate?”

Jill stood her ground because she knew her mother-in-law would love nothing more than to see her falter. “Hannah and Kate wanted to see the new puppies. Warren called ahead. I merely wanted to enjoy a cool drink inside…if that’s all right with you, Mama.”

“As you were,” Alison stated with a dismissive wave of her hand.

Jill smiled pertly, walked into the main house, and took a deep breath. She knew that neither Sheila nor Alison realized that she’d overheard most of their private conversation. Jill couldn’t stop from giggling at the thought that Will might call off his wedding to Connor. It would cause a scandal among their set, but it meant Jill could avoid that wedding. Jill couldn’t believe her luck. As Jill walked into the Morning Room, she ordered a drink from the kitchen, sank into a chair, and felt like everything was going right for the first time in a long time.

“You’re here a lot.” India Montgomery eyed her sister-in-law with great contempt as she picked up a long-forgotten book on a side table.

“It’s nice to see you, too, India,” said Jill, lightly. “How are you?”

“Fine,” snapped India. “I hope you’re not staying long.”

“I’m Warren’s wife. I have every right to be on the family estate,” huffed Jill.

India eyed Jill carefully. Even though Jill was married to Warren, India felt nothing towards her. To India, Jill was just a woman with too many high ideas and little substance. “Tell your husband to come see me. It’s been years.”

“Then come by for dinner tonight. I’m sure Hannah and Kate would love to see their Auntie Indi.”

“Some other time,” India replied, stiffly. “If you’ll excuse me…”

Just then, a brilliant thought flooded Jill’s mind. She knew she had to act fast, so she said, “I suppose you haven’t heard the news.”

“The lives of the masses do not interest me,” sniffed India.

Jill felt like a cat toying with its prey. “Oh. I thought you’d like to know about Connor and… Oh, never mind.”

“Connor?” The name fell from India’s lips with such passion she felt like she’d erupt. “What about Connor?”

Jill sighed, lightly. “Oh, it’s probably nothing. Anyway, the masses don’t interest you, so…”

“Tell me, Jill.” India’s eyes darkened with hot anger. “If you don’t…”

Jill could feel the hairs rising on her arms. She knew India was unpredictable, but she had never seen it for herself. She’d never seen India go from pleasant to terrifying in the span of a few seconds. In all truth, Jill was frightened. “I heard…that Will…is considering calling off his wedding to Connor.”

“Who told you that?!?” India demanded to know.

“I can’t say!”

“Tell me, Jill!!!”

“I heard your mother tell Sheila,” Jill said, quickly. “Apparently, Will and Connor had a fight the other day and…” Before Jill could finish her thought, India was gone. Jill tried to catch her breath just as one of the servants brought her a perfectly chilled glass of iced tea. However, Jill couldn’t think about anything in the moment except for the fact that she’d given India a loaded gun. Everyone knew how India felt about Will and Connor. It was only a matter of time before India did something to ensure Will called off the wedding. However, no one could blame this on Jill. Alison and Sheila didn’t know she’d overheard them. No one would ever believe India. And, in that moment, Jill realized she’d played this just right. Her hands were clean. Whatever happened next wouldn’t be her fault because Will was already having doubts, Connor was fiery, and India was unstable. No, Jill told herself, whatever happens next won’t be my fault…It’ll be God’s will. And, with that realization, Jill Stanhope Montgomery absolved herself of everything that would transpire from this split decision…

 

In our next installment, Kenny demands more of Barbara…

 

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Kingsport #35

Will Montgomery and Dr. Connor Windsor’s wedding plans had taken on a life of their own. Chefs were flown in from around the world to prepare lavish tasting menus; every floral arrangement known to man had been created; every society matron had offered her humble opinion; and musicians from around the world played tunes ranging from the inane to the caustic. Will wanted his wedding day to be perfect; Connor wanted it to be memorable. However, their parents wanted this most exclusive wedding day to befit their established images in Kingsport.

Raquel Windsor squinted her eyes at the floral centerpiece arrangements which lined the greenhouse on the Montgomery Estate. “I simply don’t know…everything is so beautiful!”

Alison Farrell Montgomery rolled her eyes. She’d known Raquel for over thirty years due to Raquel’s marriage to her childhood friend, Alistair Windsor. To Alison, Raquel was the worst kind of interloper because she forgot where she came from while pretending she’d been to the manor born like Alistair, Alison, and Charles. While Raquel may have softened her roughest edges, Alison always liked to remind her that she’d never be one of them. “I think it’s the right amount if we want to err on the side of understatement,” snapped Alison.

“Oh, yes, I didn’t see it that way,” chimed in Raquel. “Connor,” she purred to her son, “I think Alison and Will are correct.”

Connor smiled tightly. The last thing he wanted was look at floral centerpieces with his mother and Alison, but he loved Will so he said, “Will and I will be too busy enjoying the wedding to even think about centerpieces.”

“These things do matter,” added Will, “but Connor has a point.”

Raquel nodded in agreement. “Oh, I couldn’t agree more, Will!”

Alison exhaled loudly. “Look at the time. I’m sure Chef is having lunch up to the library as we speak. We mustn’t be late.” Alison floated out of the greenhouse with Raquel tripping over herself to keep up.

“I don’t know why your mother is so short with my mom,” sniffed Connor.

Will forced a tight smile on his face. “I don’t know why my mom does half the things she does, Connor.”

“She’s a snob.”

“Ouch. Be nice.”

Connor placed his arm around Will’s tight waist. “I’m sorry.” He kissed Will’s scented neck. “Let’s skip lunch. I’ve had enough of our mothers for one day.”

“We have to go. It’s lunch, not the gallows,” laughed Will as they stepped into the hot August sun. “Besides, our mothers will have to learn how to get along,” sighed Will.

“Then you need to talk to your mother,” snapped Connor. “Everyone knows my mother is desperate for Alison’s approval.”

Will exhaled sharply. “I’ll have a word with her. Connor,” began Will, softly, “my mother wants to buy us a house as her wedding present to us.”

Connor turned to Will with marked bewilderment. “Why? You can live in my house.”

“Well, she thinks it’ll be good for us to establish a home off of your family’s estate.”

“Will, you need to tell your mother to mind her business!”

“Connor!”

“I’m serious! There’s nothing wrong with my house. You never cared that it’s at the back of my family’s land. Only your mother would care about something so…trivial!”

“Okay, calm down,” snapped Will. “It’s just a house. Anyway, you always said your sister wanted your house, so why not give it to her?”

“Will, stop letting your parents control you.”

“My parents do not control me,” scoffed Will, hotly.

Connor shook his head as they approached the main house. “If you believe that…”

“They don’t!” insisted Will.

“Wake up, Will. You have more money than God, but your mother wants to buy our marital home. Oh, and let’s not forget that your dad bought the polo club for you. No wonder you have no qualms spending a million dollars of your money on our wedding because you never pay for anything! For crying out loud, you still live at home!”

Will froze in steely silence as he averted Connor’s gaze. In that moment, it felt like the world had lots its color, sounds ceased to exist, and joy had yet to be known. “You should go,” said Will, crisply.

“I can’t have an opinion?!?!”

“Go, Connor. I won’t ask you again,” replied Will, icily.

“Fine,” snapped Connor.

Will watched as Connor disappeared into the house as he wondered what he’d done to deserve such treatment from the man he loved. Just as the tears were about to flow, Alison walked out of the house towards her son. “Connor had to leave,” Will told his mother.

Alison shook her head in disbelief. “I heard you two from the hall. Oh, Billy…”

“Mom, please. Don’t. Pity is the last thing I need from you.”

“I’m not giving you my pity, Billy.” Alison seized her son by his hands, turned his face towards hers, and said, “You need to think long and hard about Connor. This is the moment every couple faces during the run-up to their wedding… It dictates whether or not they will commit themselves to each other…forever. If Connor is intimidated by your money…your family, then he is not the right man for you.”

“How can you say that to me?!”

“Billy,” Alison continued, firmly, “you need to hear this. Yes, Connor’s family has some money, but not they’re not like us. If Connor can’t handle it, then call off the wedding, Billy. I mean it.”

 

In our next installment, Jill lets a secret slip…

 

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Kingsport #34

Dylan Davenport sat in the conference room of the Davenport Family Office in downtown Kingsport. He’d come back from Greece early for this meeting, a meeting which he didn’t want to attend, but he felt it would be the only way for his voice to be heard. For Dylan, the issue at hand wasn’t about control as much as it was about ego. Not his; Eli’s. Over the last few weeks, Dylan had read and re-read Eli’s proposal to take Davenport Technology private with varying degrees of worry. Before Dylan could finish his thought, Eli strode into the office, a cup of coffee in one hand, his briefcase in the other. “You’re late,” muttered Dylan as he took his seat at the table.

Eli Davenport gave Dylan a tight, annoyed smile. “It’s always nice to know you’re minding the trains, Dylan.” He took a short sip of the piping hot cup of coffee before adding, “My plane is leaving for San Francisco in two hours. What’s this about, Dylan?”

“I think your plan to take Davenport Technology private is too risky.”

“Says who?”

“Me.”

“Ah,” chortled Eli. “You.”

“Yes, me. Me with an MBA from Harvard. Me who ran the company for ten years…”

“Before you quit,” snapped Eli. He glared at Dylan with simmering contempt. “Your arrogance is breathtaking.”

Dylan clenched his jaw. The one thing he hated about Eli was that his brother always knew how to push his buttons. “Now, wait just a minute…”

“You’re so arrogant, Dylan. You always have been. Just because Mom and the board elevated you to CEO of Davenport when you were thirty-five doesn’t make you some sort of savant. You’re a rich kid whose mommy gave him the top job at the family company. Nothing you’ve done in your entire life has been because of your merit.” Eli snorted with resounding disgust. “You’re a joke.”

Dylan’s eyes narrowed as his breathing quickened. “I took Davenport from $850 million in revenue to $3.5 billion in two years, Eli. What else do you think made the stock price rise? I’m the one who suggested the board increase dividends! Who benefited from that? You and the rest of the family. You want to call me arrogant? Well, look at yourself. You swan around San Francisco like you came from some ghetto when you’ve had just as much money, privilege, and access as me. The Davenport name opens doors and the money that comes with it has allowed you to set up your investment company to become richer than you ever dreamed.” He took a deep breath before saying in a low, controlled voice, “I’m the reason why you are where you are today, Eli.”

Eli held his brother’s eye contact for what seemed like a lifetime. While they were polar opposites, they were alike in many ways, especially when it came to their egos. It was the trait they’d inherited from their father. “Fine.” With that, Eli stood up and started to leave the room. “You can’t stop the plan to take Davenport Technology private, Dylan.”

“Are you sure about that,” muttered Dylan.

“It’s a good plan!” exclaimed Eli. “You’re just jealous because you didn’t think about it first!”

“I don’t want to burden Davenport Technology with over $5.5 billion of debt in order to stroke your ego, Eli. It’s a horrible plan. Before we know it, the vultures will buy up our debt to force a sale of the company or its parts. I will not let that happen!”

“You’re not Dad! You can’t stop me, Dylan. Nick is on my side. Lisa is coming around. You don’t have the power to stop what I know is the right thing to do for our family.”

“Our family?!?! Until a few weeks ago, the only person who’d seen you in years was Lisa. You took your money and your trust fund, moved to San Francisco, traded on our name, and pretended we didn’t exist. My god, Eli! You’re never here and now you want to do the right thing for your family? Man, go to hell.”

Eli could feel the walls closing in on him. He hated it when he and Dylan sparred because they knew each other…the essence of the other so well, everything they said to each other was soaked with historical subtext. “I’ve had enough of this, Dylan. I’m leaving.”

“Of course. Run away like you always do, Eli. See you in another ten years, bro.”

As Eli started for the door, he turned to his brother with a feeling of dread. “I wish I knew why you hated me so much.”

Dylan stared at Eli with utter contempt. “I don’t hate you, Eli; I pity you.”

“Well. At least that’s out of the way. I’ll see you on the vote about taking Davenport Technology private.”

Dylan rose from his seat with a diffident air. “You are not taking the company private. I will not let it happen.”

“You can’t stop me!”

“I can, Eli. When I was CEO, I nominated half of the board. I suggested Meredith to replace me as CEO. Half of Wall Street loves me; the other half wants to sleep with me. And, you’re forgetting one very small detail.” Dylan walked over to his brother with a purposeful stride in his step. When they were nose to nose, Dylan whispered, “If I tell Mom to vote against you, she will. She controls her shares and Nick’s shares. She’ll vote against you as will I. You’ll lose. You know it.”

Without another word, Dylan brushed past Eli and strode out of the conference room.

As Eli stood in the cold room, he thought about everything which had led him to this moment. He thought about his childhood, his years in San Francisco, and the family he barely knew. Yes, Dylan had told a few hurtful truths, but for Eli, none of that mattered. He was going to take Davenport Technology private whether his family supported him or not. It was only a matter of time, planning, and execution. Eli had all of the time in the world. He knew far too well that Dylan had shown his hand too quickly. However, Eli was never one to give up. He would drop this takeover plan all the while building up another one that no one would see coming. The first thing he needed was an ally…and Eli had the perfect one at his disposal.

 

In our next installment, Connor explodes…

 

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Kingsport #33

The sight of Kenny Wilkes in Kingsport scared Barbara to death. It had been two days since that man had darkened her door and she still didn’t know how he’d been able to track her down. She’d left him in the middle of the night while he was black out drunk. It was the first chance she’d had in years to escape him, so she took it. On her way to the bus depot, she happened to pick up a magazine which extolled the virtues of Kingsport along with its richest residents. Ever the chancer, Barbara knew that if she could work for the Montgomery family, she would be able to sleep with Charles Montgomery, IV, become his mistress, and bear his child. That was her plan. Everything was going to plan until Kenny Wilkes arrived with his dirty fingernails, unkempt hair, and breath smelling of cheap beer and even cheaper cigarettes. In another life, Kenny had been enough. In this life, he was everything Barbara loathed: He was free of ambition with no drive to better himself. On top of that, her mother had forced Barbara to marry Kenny when she was fifteen. Some people whispered Barbara’s mother (who was always in and out of jail) sold her daughter for six hundred dollars, a steady supply of pills, and a carton of cigarettes to a man who was forty years her senior. Barbara knew it was true; she wouldn’t admit it to anyone.

As Barbara sorted Alison Farrell Montgomery’s mail and invitations at her desk at the Montgomery Estate, Barbara did everything in her power to remain cool and collected. However, her thoughts kept going back to the man who was currently in her apartment and refusing to leave because he was her husband.

Husband.

The word alone made Barbara want to vomit. That man was her abuser. Her jailer. Her albatross. Barbara associated husbands with lithe, fit, beautiful men from romantic comedies, not extras from Deliverance.

“Barbara,” called Dane Hurley. “Ada is on her lunch break and I need for you to bring a lunch tray to the library.”

“But I’m…”

“Now,” Dane said firmly as he walked out of the room.

Barbara sighed, pulled herself together, collected the tray, and heaved it through the servant’s quarters to the glorious library. Even though she’d been forced to drop out of high school the semester before graduation by Kenny because “a woman’s place is two steps behind me”, Barbara loved books. Reading was her only escape from a world devoid of life, color, joy, and happiness. That was why she risked being in the library the day Ada warned her about getting above herself because she felt at peace for the first time in her life. First Kenny, now Ada. If it weren’t for other people, thought Barbara, she would be happy.

As she knocked on the door and walked into the library, Barbara nearly tripped when she saw Charles Montgomery, IV sitting near one of the large windows smoking a cigar. He looked up to see Barbara lingering in the doorway. “What do we have here?” he asked, quickly.

“Your lunch, Mr. Montgomery.” Barbara walked his lunch tray to the well-laid table near the fireplace.

Charles strode over to the table, picked up the silver dome, and eyed the lunch of grilled salmon, rustic vegetables, and a baked potato. “I don’t want this. Chef is losing his touch. Tell him I want a hamburger.”

Barbara quietly salivated at the luxurious meal as she placed the dome on the tray. “I’ll tell him, Mr. Montgomery.”

“Thank you.” Charles eyed Barbara carefully. “You’re new here.”

She stopped in her tracks. No one had ever spoken to her before. They barked orders at her, but they didn’t speak to her. For a moment, she didn’t know how to respond, so she simply said, “Yes. I’ve been here for a few weeks.”

“Then I trust we’re treating you well.”

Barbara kept her head low. “Very well, sir.”

“Good.” Charles gave Barbara a low smile. Yes, he thought, this creature had something…interesting about her. “Do you have a name or did Dane strip it from you upon your employment here?”

“Barbara,” she said, lightly.

“You know who I am, so there’s no need for all of that. It’s been a pleasure to speak with you, Barbara.” With that, Charles turned his back to her as he continued to smoke his cigar.

Barbara couldn’t believe the twisted nature of her luck. First, Kenny had tracked her down to Kingsport for reasons he hadn’t told her and now she’d finally met Charles Montgomery, IV. Her heart raced with fury, coupled with excitement. Maybe, just maybe, thought Barbara, things would work out after all. They could have worked out before Kenny came to town and now…well, Barbara wasn’t too sure. After all of her hard work, Charles had taken notice of her. That meant more to her than anything. She knew that one day, she would reach her goal, but she had to get Kenny out of her life. Now.

As Barbara sat on her familiar stool as the chef prepared Charles’ hamburger, she began to think of how to get Kenny out of her life. She could divorce him, but that didn’t stop him from being a presence in her life. Barbara considered other options… Most were too extreme, but one…well, maybe that could work. Just maybe…

The chef called out for Barbara to take Charles his meal which only fueled her desire to finish the plan she’d crafted for herself months ago. However, once Barbara walked into the library, Charles was gone. It felt like an awful dream. She stood there unsure of what to do when her cell phone vibrated in her pocket. Even though she wasn’t supposed to look at it, she did. Kenny was texting her demanding to know when she’d be back, how much money she had, and what was for dinner. And there, in the middle of what felt like the worst moment of her life, Barbara decided that the best thing to do was rid Kenny from her life. She couldn’t risk getting Charles and losing him all the same. No. It was time to ensure everything she’d worked so hard for would come true…someday soon…

In our next installment, Eli defends his plan to Dylan…

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Kingsport #32

“How’s she doing?” asked Sheila Davenport as she sat in the garden of her daughter, Lisa’s mansion. She took a small sip of water before adding, “She won’t answer my calls, Jackson.”

Jackson Collins wasn’t a man to show his cards without knowing what the other party was willing to sacrifice in return for his knowledge. While he liked Sheila, he knew that her constant meddling was a continued source of friction between Sheila and her children. “Lisa just came out of surgery and she’s doing fine. The doctor wants to keep her in the hospital overnight. She should be home tomorrow.”

Sheila nodded silently. “I suppose that is best. It pains me that my daughter has had to suffer like this so often.”

“We’ve handled it together,” replied Jackson, quietly.

“Everything?” Sheila bit the inside of her cheek in order to stop herself from bringing up the one issue she knew was off limits. However, Sheila felt in her heart that it was necessary for her to ensure Lisa didn’t act in a manner which could jeopardize her future happiness. “Jackson, do you know why Lisa is in the hospital?”

Jackson folded his arms as he glared at his mother-in-law. “I do,” he shot back.

“No, the real reason.”

“My wife is recovering from an ectopic pregnancy…”

“She also had her tubes tied,” blurted out Sheila. “I tried to talk her out of it…”

“I can’t believe you!” spat Jackson.

“Me?” Sheila said with marked offense. “I haven’t done a thing wrong!”

“Lisa told me that she wanted to have her tubes tied yesterday. I fully supported her decision then and now. It wasn’t your place to insert yourself in the middle of our marriage, Sheila!”

“I am concerned! Lisa is very smart, very clever, but she clearly isn’t thinking rationally or she wouldn’t have had her tubes tied! She should have consulted you before making that decision,” huffed Sheila.

“It’s her decision to make; not mine.”

“I thought you wanted more children!”

“I do…I did. I’ve seen Lisa suffer from through miscarriage after miscarriage and, well, it’s not fair on her. It’s taxing. It’s emotionally draining. You haven’t seen how much she suffers when no one is looking. I don’t want her to go through that again, Sheila.”

“If you don’t try…”

“Look, I’m done. You had no right to betray Lisa’s trust by telling me something she told you in confidence. I’m appalled, Sheila.”

“I… I did what I thought was the right thing to do!”

“When are you going to understand that you can’t run around controlling your children! They’re in their thirties and forties! Leave them alone.”

“I do not control them,” huffed Sheila. “Jackson, I know you’re suffering, but it doesn’t give you the right to take it out on me.”

“You do control them. You use your money and influence to keep them in line. Look at the way you treat Nick. He’s thirty-five and yet you still have control over his trust fund!”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” sniffed Sheila. “Nicholas isn’t responsible.”

“Fine. Excuse away your behavior. I think it would be best if you gave Lisa some breathing room for a few weeks.”

“Weeks! Jackson, she’s my daughter!”

“She’s my wife! She deserves some time away from you.”

“You can’t make decisions like that without…”

“I can and I will,” Jackson snapped. “It’s time for you to go, Sheila. Please show yourself out.”

Barbara Wilkes sat in front of the window unit air conditioner in her apartment in a vain attempt to stay cool. She would have gone to the beach today, but she’d worked the morning shift at the Montgomery Estate and been sent home because Mrs. Montgomery didn’t need any further assistance for the day. It was a forty-minute car ride to the beach followed by an even longer one back to her apartment. Barbara knew it wasn’t worth it, so she did her best to beat the summer heat.

As she thought about the next step in her plan, Barbara smiled at the fact that she’d been able to get upstairs through her talent. The next thing she needed to do was ingratiate herself with the family. She knew Mrs. Montgomery liked her well enough, but Barbara had a bigger prize in sight. From what Barbara heard from the staff and people around town was that Charles Montgomery, IV had a thing for young women who could keep their mouths shut. Barbara was that woman. However, she hadn’t been able to meet him, let alone catch his eye. Moreover, that hideous uniform she had to wear every day hid her body…her supple curves…her heaving breasts. He was the reason she’d come to Kingsport. He was the reason she had demeaned herself by being a maid. He was the reason she was determined to play the long game, but not too long. Time wasn’t on her side. There would always been a young woman on Charles’ arm even though Barbara would soon age out of that demographic. She wracked her brain trying to think of a way into his bed and yet she hadn’t cracked the code.

A repeated knock at the door forced her out of her reverie. She groaned, put on a tee shirt, and walked to the door. Barbara knew her rent was on time, she never had guests, and she even brought home cookies for the other tenants in the building. Who on earth would be pounding on her door like this?

The instant she pulled open the door, she had her answer.

Barbara let out a scream, but the sound never escaped her mouth. Had she not been holding onto the door, she would have fallen to the ground in a heap of fear. She’d run from her past, but somehow, somewhere, it had followed her to Kingsport. Barbara tried to slam the door shut, but it was useless. He was already in her apartment.

“Get out,” she cried in a broken voice. “Leave…”

“That’s no way to talk to your husband,” replied Kenny Wilkes.

In our next installment, Barbara tries to stay calm…

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Kingsport #31

“Mom… What’re you doing here?”

Sheila Davenport watched as her daughter walked across the well-appointed drawing room and sat in an overstuffed leather club chair. While Lisa looked a little worse for wear, Sheila was pleased to see she’d still managed to put herself together. “Jackson asked me to stop by.”

“He shouldn’t have done that,” replied Lisa, wearily.

Sheila took a deep breath before sitting in the chair across from her daughter. “He’s worried about you. So am I.”

“There’s nothing to worry about. It’s a common procedure. I trust Dr. Shearer.” Lisa fiddled with the cashmere blanket carelessly draped over the arm of the club chair.

“It’s not about trust, Lisa. What you’re going through…”

“Mom, I don’t want to talk about it.”

“You need to…”

“No,” interjected Lisa. “No, I don’t need to talk about it. I need some peace and quiet before the surgery on Wednesday. That’s why Jackson took Oliver to his sister’s summer place in Nantucket. I just need…some peace and quiet.”

“Lisa, you like to sweep every emotion under the carpet as if nothing matters. But, sweetheart, I can’t even imagine what you’re going through right now. If you need me to come with you on Wednesday…”

“I don’t. Jackson will be here. His sister, Veronica, will bring Oliver to Kingsport on Saturday.”

Sheila shook her head, knowingly. “Are you going to tell Oliver about your pregnancy?”

Lisa shot her mother a furious glare. “No. He doesn’t need to know, Mom.”

“Maybe it’ll help him understand…”

“He’s nine years old! He doesn’t need to know every detail of my failed reproductive system!” Lisa bit her lip as she stared out of the bay window. “I’m sorry,” she said in a low voice. “I don’t know how to feel.”

“Lisa, you are one of the strongest people I know.”

“Ugh. Don’t even start with that!”

“It’s true!”

“I don’t want to be a strong black woman right now, Mom. I want to grieve. I want the world not to make sense. I don’t want to be strong for my husband or my son. I want to… God, I just want to sit in my house and let the silence be my friend. I don’t even know why you’re here!”

“Your husband asked me to check on you, Lisa! Jackson is worried about you and, quite frankly, so am I.” Sheila surveyed her daughter before saying, “I think it would be prudent for you to talk to a professional.”

“I don’t need to talk to a professional,” hissed Lisa. “I need to be left alone! I’m a forty-year-old woman! I don’t need my mother or my husband thinking they know what is best for me!”

“You don’t let people in! You never have!”

“Because people meddle. They think…they assume!…they know what’s best for you when it’s all dressed up in their ego.” Lisa turned her back to her mother as she sat in the window seat. She took in the sight of her swimming pool before saying, “You can go home.”

“I’m not leaving you.”

“I want you to leave, Mom,” said Lisa, evenly.

“No. You’re my daughter. You’re obviously in pain! I want to help you!”

“I don’t need help!” yelled Lisa. “I don’t need it! I don’t want it! The only thing I want is to have this…pregnancy over with, Mom! I don’t want anything else. You haven’t a clue what it’s like to have so many miscarriages and now this ectopic pregnancy. It’s been hell for me. Just hell. People look at me all the time and think that just because I’m rich with a handsome husband and smart child that my life is dandy. It’s not. The pain I’ve endured for years… A husband who’d rather spend time in New York with those whores rather than with me… The son who’s growing up so fast that before I know it, life as I’ve known it will be over…and it’ll just be me. Alone.”

Sheila rushed over to her sobbing daughter and scooped her up in her arms. “My little girl,” Sheila said after a long while, “it will be okay.”

“You don’t know that,” replied Lisa as she wiped her eyes. “All I know…I just want this pregnancy over with, Mom. I can’t bear it anymore.”

“I know…”

“Over the last few days, I can feel myself growing closer and closer to this child when I know how it will end. It’s horrific.” Lisa walked away from her mother, her mind swirling around her. “I… I haven’t told Jackson yet, but I have asked Dr. Shearer to tie my tubes as well.”

Sheila let out a stunned gasp. “Lisa! I know you’re hurting, but that’s…that’s a huge decision to make without consulting your husband!”

“It’s my body,” retorted Lisa, hotly. “I don’t need Jackson’s consent!”

“You don’t know if, one day, you’ll change your mind and want to have another child.”

“I’ve accepted that Oliver will be my only child,” sighed Lisa. “He’s enough. I can’t go through this pain again, Mom. I won’t do it.”

“Maybe it’s wise to hold off on making this huge decision until you have more clarity of mind,” reasoned Sheila.

“I don’t need more time. I’ve already made up my mind, Mom. The doctor knows what to do. I’m not confused.”

“Surely, you want to consult, Jackson…”

“Enough!” Lisa shouted at her mother. “Jackson is not my keeper! He doesn’t own me. He loves me as I am.”

“How do you know for sure that he doesn’t want another child? Neither of you have been using birth control, so it’s very likely that Jackson may want another child one day.”

Lisa stared icy daggers at her mother. “If that’s what Jackson wants,” started Lisa, “then he’ll have to find it somewhere else. I’m done.”

“You’re willing to throw away your marriage and the potential of another child to – what? – prove a point?”

“You don’t understand!” snapped Lisa. “The emotional upset and tumult I’ve gone through since last Friday have been awful. I know my chances of carrying a child to term are low. I’ve accepted that. If Jackson wants another child, then I won’t be able to help him, with or without having my tubes tied. I’m doing this for me, Mom; not for Jackson.”

“I’m wholly aware of that,” retorted Sheila. “Sometimes I worry that your insistence on being so independent will be your downfall. If you do this without telling Jackson, it’ll haunt you for the rest of your life with him, Lisa. I can guarantee that.”

“I need to rest. You should go,” Lisa said, evenly. Without looking up, she waited until her mother had left the house, closed the door, and driven away in her car before she let the tears flow. Lisa knew her mother had a point, but in this moment of pure agony, all she could do was mourn the future…and the child which was not meant to be.

In our next installment, Jackson lays down the law with Sheila…

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