Tag: Sheila Davenport

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Kingsport #50

“All of Kingsport, Manhattan, London, Paris, and Hong Kong are a twitter with the news of today’s wedding of Montgomery scion, William Harrison Montgomery to Dr. Connor Lorenzo Windsor, both of Kingsport, Connecticut. The wedding ceremony will take place at a private chapel on the Montgomery Estate for close family and invited guests before the reception which is rumored to be hosted in the grand ballroom on the estate for three hundred and fifty people,” explained the Kingsport Press in breathless detail. “William Montgomery, the youngest child of Charles Montgomery, IV and Alison Farrell Montgomery, is the owner of the Kingsport Polo Club as well as the captain for the King’s Polo team. Dr. Connor Windsor, the eldest child of Alistair and Raquel Windsor, is a surgeon at Fairfield County Hospital…”

Jill Stanhope Montgomery tossed the newspaper aside as she took a deep, cleansing breath. Although she tried to block out the events of the other from her mind, she couldn’t stop thinking about her moment of passion with Connor. Her body ached for him. He still knew everything that made her quiver, cry, moan, and melt. Warren hadn’t had sex with her in three months. To have a man inside of her…on top of her…and ravaging her made Jill want nothing more than to run off with the man who was due to marry her brother-in-law at eleven o’clock this morning.

“Are you ready?” Warren Montgomery walked into his wife’s dressing room as he fastened his nineteenth century cuff links.

“DeShawn will be here to do my hair in a few minutes. We won’t be late.”

Warren eyed Jill carefully. “We can’t be late for my brother’s wedding,” stressed Warren. “I’m his best man.”

Jill fastened an emerald and sapphire bracelet around her wrist. “We’ll be early,” smiled Jill, lightly.

“We should’ve stayed at the estate last night,” muttered Warren. “With all of the out of town guests coming in today, there may be traffic.”

“We’ll be fine,” sighed Jill. “Warren, I want to apologize.”

“For what?”

“Everything. I know I haven’t been myself recently and I am sorry. I should have put my personal beliefs and feelings aside when it came to Will’s wedding.”

Touched by his wife’s sudden about face, Warren kissed her forehead. “That means a lot. Thank you, Jill.”

Just then, the doorbell rang as Jill’s phone bleated to life. “That’s DeShawn. Showtime,” tittered Jill.

            “I don’t think we should be talking right now,” Nicholas said into his cell phone as he waited to climb into an idling black town car. “What we did the other night…”
“We didn’t do anything wrong. It was just a kiss,” whispered Will.

“You’re getting married today. I knew it was a bad idea letting myself get sucked into your orbit again,” snapped Nicholas.

“Please don’t be mad at me, Nicholas. I… I was in a weak state and I should’ve known better,” stammered Will. “I just… Help me make sense of what to do, Nicholas.”

“I can’t, Monty. You’re on your own.”

“Nicholas…”

“Monty, I can’t be your talk-to. If you want to marry Connor, marry him. If you don’t, call it off. Either way, the decision is yours. I can’t… No, I won’t be your consolation prize or back-up plan. Whatever you do next, you have to do it on your own.”

The chapel on the Montgomery Estate was last used on the occasion of Warren’s wedding to Jill. Outside of that, the chapel sat dormant except of weekly cleanings and the off times when the Montgomery family would use it to repent for sins of the past, present, and future. Sheila Davenport, Dylan Davenport, Lisa Davenport Collins, Jackson Collins, Oliver Collins, Elijah Davenport, Faren Davenport, and Nicholas Davenport made

their way into the chapel past the assembled press dressed in their finest wedding couture. Eli led Faren towards the holding area where she joined her cousins, Hannah and Kate Montgomery, the other flower girls in the wedding party.

“How tastefully done,” Sheila said to Dylan, who walked by her side.

“I suppose,” muttered Dylan. “I’m surprised Charles allowed the press to attend.”

Sheila pursed her lips. “Raquel Windsor begged for press coverage. People like Raquel think the Montgomerys are a royal family.”

“Aren’t they?” mused Dylan.

“Royalty doesn’t have this much money,” tutted Sheila.

“I didn’t think you’d come to your ex-boyfriend’s wedding,” Lisa whispered to Nicholas as they made their way to their pew.

Nicholas lowered his eyes before saying, “If I didn’t come, people would talk. I’m happy for them.”

Lisa gave Nicholas a curious stare. “All right. If that’s the story you want to tell…”

“Drop it,” Nicholas ordered his sister. “Let’s enjoy the wedding.”

In a small sun drenched waiting room, Will waited calmly as Warren finished tying his bow tie. “Is everyone here?” worried Will.

“Yes,” said Warren, calmly. “Uncle Walton and his brood just showed up.”

“How do you know for sure?”

“Jill texted me. Everything is going to be fine, Billy.”

Will forced a smile onto his face. Despite everything that had happened, he could feel the clouds lift. He was getting married today to the man he loved! Will couldn’t think of anything more wonderful. A second later, the clock stuck eleven. Without a word, Will drew a deep breath before leaving the room and walking towards the altar.

It had been agreed that Will would begin the processional with Alison and Charles followed by Connor and his parents. After what seemed like years of stress and worry, Will cast a confidant eye over the his wedding guests. They were dressed in their finest morning clothes just for the occasion. Even his sister, India, and his sister-in-law, Jill, looked good. Will smiled confidently at Nicholas Davenport because he knew his future was with Connor. As Will took his place at the altar with Warren by his side, they faced up the aisle to await Connor’s entrance. The music swelled and…

Nothing.

Silence.

Three seconds (which felt like six years) ticked by.

More silence.

Someone coughed.

Silence.

People looked at each other with mounting concern coupled with polite society smiles.

More people coughed.

Will turned to Warren with pensive dread in his eyes.

Alison grabbed Charles’ hand with a heavy squeeze. Their eyes locked ever so briefly before they both cast them to the stone floor.

Suddenly, the door to the chapel opened.

Everyone turned around with eager anticipation.

Alistair Windsor stepped into the chapel with a worn look on his face. “We… He’s gone. We don’t know where he is. Will…I’m so sorry.”

Will let out a scream so deafening, it sounded primal. His blood ran cold before he collapsed into Warren’s arms in front of the entire congregation. A second later, everything went black.

 

In our next installment, questions abound in Kingsport…

 

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Kingsport #46

The ballroom on the Montgomery Estate was a feast for the senses. On this, the occasion of Alison Farrell Montgomery’s birthday, only people from the most salubrious backgrounds and carefully crafted lineages were invited to share in the festivities. Dignitaries the world over chatted with royals, aristocrats, and the great and good of Kingsport. Although Alison never liked to make a fuss about anything, she always allowed others to create a fuss about her birthday. This was the first time in years Alison had celebrated her birthday in Kingsport. Unbeknownst to everyone else, she was secretly happy to have her family around her during this wonderful time.

“I see India and Will are keeping their distance from each other,” said Sheila Davenport over the rim of her champagne flute.

Alison fiddled with the ruby and diamond bracelet, a birthday present from Charles, on her wrist. “I spoke to them this morning. I don’t want a scene in front of a prince or an ambassador.”

Sheila let out a small laugh. “Charles has really outdone himself this year, hasn’t he?”

“It’s the least he can do,” teased Alison. “He managed to invite the right people, fly in my favorite chefs, and ensure nothing but restrained elegance filled our ballroom.”

Sheila took note of Alison’s choice of words. “Our?”

“Yes,” bristled Alison, brightly. “It’s our family home.”

“You needn’t get defensive. I think… Darling, you know how I hate to intercede, but maybe it’s time you and the old coot called a truce.”

“We have. We have our lives…”

“That’s not what I mean,” insisted Sheila. She quickly stopped talking as one of the Princesses of Andover came over to wish Alison a happy birthday before being whisked away for a dance by a certain nobleman. “No matter how much I visiting you in Paris, I would love it even more if my best friend came home.”

Alison nodded at Sheila’s words. “Sometimes… Sheila, you cannot repeat this to anyone!” She waited for Sheila to swear her silence before stating, “Sometimes I miss Kingsport. I miss the estate. Yes, it’s very easy for me to visit or have the children visit me, but it’s not the same. Don’t get me wrong, I love Paris. It is my home, but Kingsport…” Alison’s voice drifted off into the ether. “I suppose I’m simply being an old nostalgic,” laughed Alison.

“Mrs. Montgomery!” Barbara Wilkes deftly made her way through the throngs of the rich and the good as her formal maid’s outfit tried to cut off her circulation.

“What?” said Alison, evenly.

“There’s a man here to see you.”

“Which one?” goaded Alison. “There are far too many men here to know…”

“Count Andre du Renault,” Barbara replied in badly broken Franco English.

Alison felt her heart sink into the pit of her stomach. She caught Sheila’s eye as she said, “I didn’t invite him!”

“Where is he?” Sheila asked Barbara, crisply.

“In the Morning Room,” answered Barbara.

“You may go,” Sheila told Barbara. Once Sheila saw that the little maid had faded into the background, Sheila looked at Alison’s ashen face. “Do you want me to come with you?”

Alison shook her head as she quietly glided out of the ballroom and into the long corridor which led to the Morning Room. She hadn’t seen Andre in months and, quite frankly, she doubted if she would ever see him again after their last confrontation. He was the first man in years who made her feel alive in a personal and sexual way, but India had come between them as she had done to so many people in the past. As Alison pushed open the door to the Morning Room, she saw Andre leaning against the fireplace with a tumbler of whisky in his hand. Before she would speak, he turned to her and said, “Thank you for inviting me, ma chérie.”

“I didn’t invite you,” snapped Alison as she closed the door to the Morning Room. “I told you I never wanted to see you again, Andre.”

“My love, you don’t mean that! If you did, you wouldn’t’ve invited me to celebrate the occasion of your birth.”

Even though she vowed to loathe this man for the rest of her life, his sweet words always made her wet with desire mixed with hot, ripe passion.

“Andre,” Alison said after a moment, “I promise you I didn’t invite you to my home. You must be mistaken.”

Count Andre du Renault procured a gilded invitation from the breast pocket of his tuxedo and handed it to Alison. She studied it with great care. Yes, the invitation came from the Montgomery family office with all of the details concerning tonight’s event. “My love, I came here to be with you.”

“I don’t want to be with you. Not after you were with my daughter!”

“But I wasn’t! She pursued me. She…mixes things up so I don’t know what’s right or sideways. That woman is evil, ma chérie.”

“Just go, Andre. If you love me, leave. I don’t want my husband or my children to see you.”

Crestfallen, Andre placed a small box on an end table before gracefully walking to the door, kissing Alison on the cheek, and leaving the Morning Room.

Confused and shaken, Alison knew she had to regain her composure before she returned to the ballroom. After a few brief moments, Alison screwed up her nerves, checked herself in the mirror, and opened the door of the morning room when she gasped. There, standing in the shadows was India, leaning against the wall. “India! You scared me to death.”

“I wanted to be sure you got your birthday present,” sneered India.

Alison’s eyes went wide at the callous tone her daughter directed towards her. “You…” stammered Alison, quickly. “Why would you do something that like that, India?”

India slowly walked over to her mother, grabbed her by the shoulders, kissed her cheek, and whispered into Alison’s ear, “Because I can.”

As Alison stood frozen in horror, she watched India glide down the corridor like a figment of her imagination. It was in that moment that Alison finally understood something she’d denied for years: India was capable for anything. Anything.

 

In our next installment, Eli puts his plan in motion…

 

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Kingsport #41

“Mom… What are you doing here?”

Sheila Davenport took a deep breath before saying, “Dylan and I had some business to discuss. How was your holiday?”

Lisa Davenport Collins surveyed her mother carefully as she sat in a chair at the far end of Dylan’s drawing room. “It wasn’t a holiday,” Lisa replied, crisply. “I had a lot of thinking to do…my therapist was indispensable.”

“Oh.” Sheila deftly touched the silk pillow which sat by her side. “I don’t know what is keeping your brother… I’m supposed to meet Alison in an hour.”

“He’s probably busy with something.”

“Well… I should go…”

“That’s it?” Lisa called after her mother. “We’ve barely spoken in weeks and now you’re avoiding me?”

“Don’t you take that tone with me, Lisa. I have plans.”

“Yes, you always have plans. Were your plans so important that you couldn’t be bothered to wish Nicholas a happy birthday?”

“Who told you that?!?”

“Dylan told me. That was cruel, Mom. He’s your son.”

Sheila let out a frustrated sigh. “You children are getting more and more difficult the older you get! I sent Nicholas a gift the next day. It was a bespoke chess set…”

“Nicholas hates chess,” interjected Lisa. “Eli likes chess.”

“See. I can’t do anything right! No matter what I do for you children, it’s never enough.”

Lisa glared at her mother with bewilderment. “You try to control us! Me, Dylan, Nicholas, Eli…it’s what you do.”

“I’ve never…”

“The minute one of us does something to upset you, you ice us out. You’ve done it to all of us! It’s the one thing we four have in common.”

“I do not have to listen to such slanderous lies,” spat Sheila, hotly.

“You didn’t call me once the entire time I was in Arizona. Not once. Everyone else called to check on me, but not you,” snapped Lisa.

“I was giving you space…”

“No, you weren’t, Mom. You were upset with me because I made a decision about my body without consulting my husband!”

“He has a right…”

“No, he doesn’t! No one does. What I do with my body is up to me. I am not Jackson’s property. No one owns me.” Lisa stood up, walked over to her mother, and said, “Mom, I love you, but you have to stop trying to run our lives.”

“I do not try to…”

“You do! Dylan told me how you reacted when Nicholas said he wanted to sell his shares in Davenport Technology.”

“That has nothing to do with you or Dylan. Nicholas’ shares are held in trust. I’m the trustee because he’s too impetuous and irresponsible to manage his own financial affairs.”

“How can he become responsible if you won’t let him try? He’s thirty-six! Dylan, Eli, and I can vote our shares in the company which are held in trust, so why can’t Nicholas?”

Sheila let out an exasperated sigh. “Lisa, this is none of your business. I don’t even know why you’re concerned about Nicholas’ affairs.”

Lisa let her mother’s words sit with her for a moment before saying, “Because no one ever holds you to account. You have so much privilege that no one would deign to tell you when you’re in the wrong. What your adult children do…the mistakes they make…are none of your business.”

“You children will always be my business! Lisa, I think you’re mistaking interference for love. I’m sorry I behaved so badly when you told me about your surgery. I shouldn’t have been so impulsive.”

“I suppose that’s as much of an apology as I’ll ever get from you.”

“You needn’t be so hostile.”

“Then learn to apologize with sincerity!” Lisa grabbed her purse and turned to her mother with mounting annoyance. “Mom, I love you, but you need to take a good, long look in the mirror. There’s a reason why you and Eli don’t talk, why Nicholas refuses to come home, why Dylan keeps you at arm’s length, and why I can’t deal with you right now.”

“Lisa! Where are you going,” Sheila called after her daughter. “Lisa!”

With that, Sheila watched Lisa storm out of Dylan’s house with more hurt and fury than she’d ever seen from her daughter in her entire life.

 

In our next installment, Charles demands something from Alison…

 

 

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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 #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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