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The Tessarae Inn |
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Poseidon Rising CHAPTER 14 Amanda tucked her feet under her on the couch in the Penthouse. Once she seemed to find a comfortable position she grabbed a pillow and hugged it to her chest. Blair glanced at her watch. Amanda had assured her when she called that Todd was not at home and would not be for hours. Still those kinds of assurances had a way of falling to the wayside when you were dealing with Todd. She looked out at the skyline for another minute then turned to face Amanda. “What is it that we need to talk about? Amanda chewed her lower lip for a second then said in a soft voice, “Don’t break his heart.” “Did you just say…?” “He went through hell to get back to you. There is still some possibility of infection. He’s still on medication. He’s weaker than he likes to pretend.” He didn’t seem weak that night a week or so ago. Her cheeks flushed just thinking about it. “The scars will eventually fade but it will take time.” Blair lowered her head and she thought about the scars that seemed to lash across his chest, back and thighs. She felt a surge of emotion threaten to choke her again. She took a breath and steadied her nerves. “He had been thrown against the rocks numerous times before I was able to pull him out of the surf. It really truly is a miracle that he’s alive. He has an extraordinary will to live and after meeting you I think you are a big part of that.” “Amanda, exactly what is your relationship with Todd?” “We’re engaged. Now, stop trying to change the subject. Tell me what you’re feeling.” Blair eased down and sat on the step. “It’s not that I don’t love him. I will probably always love him but I just can’t go through that again.” Amanda tossed the pillow she was holding to the other end of the couch. “That’s doesn’t make any sense. I’d give anything if someone loved me that much.” “Be careful of what you wish for. Did he ever tell you why I was so angry at him?” “I’ve been around for a while now. I heard some things and he told me what he did with Jack.” “He told you?” “He didn’t want to but I have a way of irritating the hell out of him until he tells me all sorts of stuff.” “But about Jack?” “It’s eating at him. Even now. What he did is killing him. And I can understand why. I had to walk away and stay away from him for two whole days when I first heard about it.” “Don’t you see? It was only because I loved him so much that he was able to hurt me like that. I trusted him. Though every bit of logic in the world told me not to, I did.” “Yet, you’re protecting him. As angry as you are, you were, you’re still protecting him. I haven’t heard one hateful thing come out of your mouth about him. What does that tell you?” Blair sighed loudly and crossed her arms over her chest. “Blair, he did lose his memories. Gradually they’ve returned but the fact of the matter is that in the beginning he didn’t know who he was or where he was or anything. Except…” “Except what?” “Except he kept telling me that someone was waiting for him, that someone loved him and that he had to get home to her. He was so sure of that I couldn’t believe otherwise. He never gave up on you, so I never gave up on him.” “Someone always seems to be there for him. Lucky, I guess.” “Luck? Ain’t that much luck in the world. This is something else beyond luck at work here. The chances of him surviving that accident were zero. The chances of me finding him and successfully pulling him out of that surf were zero. The chances of the person who rescued him having medical training and being able to sustain him until he could reach a hospital were zero. The chances of him recovering were zero.” “Amanda, I don’t think this is helping anything.” “The chances that he would remember who he was and where he came from were damn near zero. Are you listening to me, Blair? Nothing about his recovery was guaranteed but he got better by sheer force of will. Why are you so ready to give up on him now? In the beginning, the one thing he remembered was that you loved him.” "That’s funny because the one thing I remembered was how little he loved me.” “Oh, why don’t you try selling that to someone who hasn’t practically lived with you two for the last month or so. You’re in love with my fiancé and you need to admit it. Then we can fight for him on a level playing field. And, Blair, don’t assume I’d let you win.” ====== Starr danced around the living room of the penthouse. “I’m so glad its Friday. No school for two whole days. Can we go to the animals attack marathon at the Bijou tomorrow? Everybody at school is talking about it. I can’t believe they are going to show it on the really big screen. It is going to be so cool.” “What about Jack?” “What about him?” “Maybe we should do something the three of us can do.” Starr frowned then sighed. “It’s okay, Daddy. I can go another time.” What? Another time? Who was this changeling standing in front of him? “What other time?” “Maybe Sunday. Chad may still be there tomorrow and he will take me.” He shot a glance at Starr and her eyes grew big. “What did you just say? Did you say Chad might still be there? Has he been there often?” “Not really. Just last weekend. We went out last Friday, then we all went to the park on Sunday.” “I want you to stay away from him. Do you understand me, Starr? And keep your little brother away from him too.” “But Daddy!” “I’m your father and I’m tired of being treated like some kind of interloper.” “What’s an interloper? Like an antelope?” “Sit down, Starr. This is serious.” Starr sat back down. He slipped beside her. “I love your mother, Starr, with everything in me. I can’t let another man take my place in her life. Do you understand what I’m saying?” “I think so.” “I need you to be on my side in this.” “What do you want me to do?” “I want you to stop being so happy about him being around. And I want you to let your mother know that it’s not all right with you that he’s there.” “He’s real nice.” “I don’t care how nice he is, Starr. He can’t have my family. Do we have an understanding?” She pressed her lips together then rolled her eyes and sighed loudly. He watched her breathe for what felt like at least an hour. “Yes, she said finally, “but this time it’s gonna be your fault.” |