Chapter 41: Families Have The Ties That Bind
One of the correction officers escorts Keesha into see AJ, who sits on his bunk staring at his hands. The officer bellows into the silence, "Quartermaine, you have a visitor." The officer leaves the two alone.
AJ gets up from his bunk and swallows the lump in his throat. He's been dreading this, knowing how angry she'll be. AJ worries that she'll follow through on her threat. He looks like a chastened boy as he gazes into her unforgiving face. "Hi, Keesha. I know this looks bad. But I can explain..."
"I'm not interested in your explanations, AJ. I'm through hearing your lies and excuses." Keesha interrupts angrily. "Besides there is no explanation for this. And don't you dare claim this is MY fault. I'm tired of taking the blame for your drinking. I can hear you now: 'honey, I wouldn't drink if you spend more time with me. I'm feeling neglected.' You drink because you want to. Why I didn't listen to Ned and Alan years ago, I have NO idea."
AJ looks at her pleadingly. "Because you love me, Keesha. Honey, I need you, you're my rock; the one I count on to pull me together. I'm in big trouble, and I need you now more than ever. Please, just give me another chance."
"I've given you a truckload of second chances. The fact is you can only stay sober for a few months at a time. I can't live that way anymore. And more importantly, I won't let my son live that way ever again." Keesha takes a breath. "No more chances. It's over, AJ. I'm leaving you. By the time you're out of jail, I'll be out of the gatehouse."
"So that's it?" AJ yells angrily. "You're running out on me? What happened to 'for better or for worse'? Huh? Why don't you just kick me when I'm down? You really are a cold little..."
"Cut the crap, AJ!" Keesha screams back. "Our whole marriage has been for worse! It's not just you and me in this marriage, it's the bottle too! When I married you, I didn't sign on for the bottle as well. Do you realize with your latest screwup that you've probably destroyed my hopes of becoming detective?"
AJ rolls his eyes dramatically. "Oh, so this is about your precious little job? Or is it about Commissioner Garcia?" AJ mimics Keesha sarcastically. "Oh wait, it's Alex now, isn't' it? All you have to do is smile at him, and he's falling all over the place to do your bidding! Tell me, have you slept with him yet? Or were you waiting until I screwed up again so you could play the suffering wife? That's your favorite role isn't it? Well I don't need that kind of help, so just get the hell out of my face!"
Keesha looks ready to explode as she bites out her next words.. "You're a bastard, AJ! Any love I ever felt for you is gone. Expect to hear from my lawyer." Keesha slams out of the holding area.
The tears burn her face as she flees blindly from the precinct. Her escape is blocked when she runs straight into Alex Garcia who's entering. She loses her balance from the impact, and Garcia has to grab her to prevent her from falling. "Keesha!" He sees the tears pouring down her face. Swearing softly in Spanish, he embraces her as she lets out a sob. "Shsh, it's okay. Let's go to my office. You'll have some privacy there. " She nods silently, letting him escort her there.
Once inside, Keesha lets loose, her body shuddering with sobs of despair. Alex rocks her soothingly as he rubs her back. "That's it. Let it out. You deserve that at the very least. "
Keesha struggles to pull herself together. "I'm s..sorry. I.. I must look like a fool, running through the precinct like that. I... I'll never live this down." She disentangles herself from his embrace, wiping the tears from her eyes. She accepts the tissue box from Alex.
Alex shrugs. "I don't think anyone noticed. Besides, you're only human. I meant it last night when I said I'm here to listen. You look like you could use that."
"I'm sure the whole precinct noticed, but I appreciate your attempt to make me feel better. I must look terrible." Keesha blows her nose. "Well, this will be plastered all over the news soon enough....I'm leaving AJ. My marriage is over." Fresh tears form in her eyes.
Alex represses the urge to hold her again. "That's a hard decision to make, but I think it's the right one. If you don't cut loose from him, he'll drag you down with him."
Keesha nods in agreement. "I know, that's why I ended it. So why does it feel so awful to do what's right? Why do I feel like a selfish brat?" The tears stream down her face unchecked.
Alex stands before her, reaching out to cup her face in his hands. He wipes the tears away with the pads of his thumbs as looks into her face intensely. "You have nothing to feel guilty about, Keesha. You're one of the kindest, most giving people I've met. We may not know each other very well, but I've seen how much you've given to your marriage. But it wasn't enough because AJ didn't work with you."
Keesha nods as she accepts his words. "Thanks, I needed to hear that."
Alex slips into his native tongue. "De nada." He lets his hands fall to his sides. "What I said is true. Why don't you take the day off? The doctors won't let us near Luciano today anyway and I'll go interview Laura Spencer for you," Alex offers.
Keesha shakes her head decisively. "No, I'd like to do the interview with Laura. I want to keep busy, so at least one part of my life is under control. I need to move a few things to Justus' this morning. When is AJ set to be released?" Keesha picks up her discarded purse.
Alex sits on the corner of his desk. "His arraignment will be at 2pm. He'll probably be released then. Lee is arranging all the details."
Keesha grasps the doorknob in her hand and turns around one last time. "Thanks for being so supportive, Alex. I couldn't ask for a better boss."
Alex bows his head modestly. "Gracias, I'm here anytime. Don't hesitate to take some time off if you need to."
Kevin sits alone at his desk tapping on the keyboard of a small powerful laptop computer that has a modem connection. He's riveted to the screen. "Okay, guys ... let's see what you're REALLY up to. Why don't I start with the personnel files...." His sketch of Cassidy lays on the table beside him.
Kevin types in his password and selects the file. "You've left a nice BIG trail of bedcrumbs, I hope this doesn't lead to some infernal deadend." The file he requested pops up on his screen. He scrolls through the database until he finds the information he's looking for. Kevin's eyes widen in disbelief and he leans back in his chair thoughtfully. "Could it be true? Obviously you want me to know or you would have concealed the information. What game are you playing?" He stares at the screen a long time. Kevin's face takes on a determined look when he picks up the phone and dials a number. The person on the other end answers immediately. "Hello, Stefan. I'd like to see you as soon as possible.... actually it's both business and personal. Great, I'll be there in an hour."
Nikolas sits alone on the Spencer living room couch with his hands covering his eyes. "eight... nine.. you better be hiding... TEN!" He jumps up and starts a dramatic search. "Now WHERE would Lesley Lu hide? Hmmmm..." He looks under the table and behind the overstuffed chair. "Well, she's certainly hid herself well, I have NO idea where she could be..." A small giggle can be heard from inside the coat closet but Nikolas pretends not to hear. "Let's see if she's under the couch...." He looks under the couch. "Nope.. well she's soooo small, maybe she's hiding under the living room rug!" A louder giggle is heard from the closet. "I'll have to try the kitchen...." Nikolas swings the door to the kitchen but tiptoes toward the closet instead. He whips the closet door open suddenly and Lulu falls out. Nikolas launches himself on her, tickling her ribs and tummy. "I gotcha!"
Lulu screeches in delight while she struggles to get away from Nikolas. "Nikky, stop! Stop!" She continues to laugh after he releases her. "Will you swing me around in the air?"
"You mean play airplane?" Nikolas asks.
Lulu gets up and tugs on his arms. "Yes! Please, Nikky?"
Laura enters through the front door carrying two sacks of groceries. Nikolas quickly takes them from her and carries them into the kitchen. "You shouldn't be carrying these. You should have taken the driver offered to help you with these!"
Lulu runs up to her mother and grasps her hand. "Hi, Mommy!"
Laura and Lulu follow Nikolas into the kitchen. "Normally I would fight with you, Nikolas, but today I have to agree that an extra pair of hands would be nice." She drops into a kitchen chair. "Why is it even the chores I used to do seem like too much?"
Nikolas replies while he puts away the groceries. "Because you're handling both roles now. And you aren't sleeping well."
"You always have a good answer." Laura crosses her arms on the table and lets her head rest there. "So tell me again why I refused your offer of a driver earlier?"
"Webber pride." Nikolas pours Lulu a glass of milk and starts to make her a sandwich. Lulu sits at the table drinking her milk. "By the way, did you decide about that other offer I made?"
"You sure have your timing down! I'd say yes to any relief right now. " Laura gratefully takes the glass of water Nikolas offers. "What would I do without you?"
"You never have to worry about that. How about tonight?" Nikolas sets a peanut butter and jelly sandwich in front of Lulu.
Laura looks indecisive. "It's such short notice, it's not fair to you or Stefan.."
"It's no big deal, really. I wouldn't offer if I wasn't absolutely sure it'd be okay." Nikolas begins to rub her shoulders, working out the knots in her neck. "Boy, you're really tense."
Laura leans into the massage, closing her eyes and relaxing her whole body. "You're a natural, Nikolas. Alright, alright, I guess it's up to Lulu then."
Lulu pipes up. "What?"
"How would you like to go to a sleepover at Wyndemere with Nikolas tonight?" Laura asks
"Really?! Can I?" Lulu's eyes dance with excitement. She begins to bounce in her chair.
"Settle down, LesleyLu." Nikolas admonishes lightly. Lulu settles down obediently.
Laura smiles at Lulu. "Yes, Lulu you can go to Wyndemere tonight. But you understand you are to be on BEST behavior, or they may not invite you again."
"Yes, Mommy! Oh, Wow! So when do we go, Nikky?" Lulu pleads.
Nikolas shakes his head in amusement. "Before dinner. Now finish your sandwich."
The doorbell rings, Nikolas goes to answer it. He finds Keesha on the doorstep. "Hello, Keesha."
Keesha looks at him awkwardly. "Hi, I'm here to see Laura. Is she in?"
Nikolas steps aside to let her enter. "Sure, she's in the kitchen. I'll go get her." Keesha waits in the living room. Laura and Nikolas enter a few moments later, followed by Lulu.
Laura smiles in welcome as she gives Keesha a warm hug. "It's so good to see you, Keesha! It's been too long! Just here for a visit? Or can I help you with something? Nikolas, would you mind getting some tea for us? Lulu, why don't you go upstairs and pack for your overnight? I'll check in on your progress later." Lulu bounds up the stairs.
Keesha stops them. "No, that's okay. Actually I'm here on official business. I need to ask you some questions, Laura." They all have a seat in the living room.
Laura sees Nikolas start to protest and stops him. "It's fine, Nikolas. I want to do anything I can to help find the people responsible for Luke's death. So what are your questions, Keesha?"
Keesha looks at the floor guiltily. "Actually, I wanted to ask you some questions about your trip with Lulu to Switzerland..."
Nikolas blows his top. "What is it with you? You have all the time in the world to harass her about her travel plans, but you don't have any time to come visit or lend her a hand after her husband dies?! What kind of friend are you?" Keesha looks down guiltily.
Laura stops him. "Nikolas, please! I won't have you attacking Keesha. She's my friend, and she's only doing her job. "
"Perhaps it would be better if we had this conversation at the station. With Lulu here, it might be easier for everyone... " Keesha suggests.
"Yes, I agree Keesha," Laura replies coolly as she rises to retrieve her coat. "Nikolas, will you call Alexis and ask her to meet me at the police station? And there's Lulu... would you mind..?
Nikolas gets up and follows the women to the door. "The police have no reason to question you! This is harassment, plain and simple. I'm coming with you. I won't let you be railroaded by some supposed friend." Nikolas glares at Keesha.
Laura kisses his cheek and whispers in his ear. "No honey, I'll be fine. Thank you for everything... and make sure Stefan is warned."
Monica and Alan sit on the living room couch, holding hands, consoling each other. Monica shakes her head as she fights back the tears. "Oh, Alan, what are we going to do about AJ?"
Alan shrugs helplessly. "There's nothing we can do, darling. He has to do it himself. Hopefully now he'll go into inpatient treatment again. It's just sad that he destroyed his marriage to Keesha in the process. I can't blame her for leaving. She's been a saint this last year."
Edward makes his entrance in his typical dramatic style. "I have to say I'm tired of bailing out your son. Will you two please do something about him? He's a disgrace to this family!" He walks over the the liquor cart blithely and makes himself a drink. His hands shake slightly and his face is flushed. "Where is AJ anyway? I hope he's not lying in some alley making a spectacle of himself."
Monica bites her tongue. "Lee Baldwin convinced AJ that going to detox would help his chances in court down the line. So that's where he is."
"Has Tracy arrived yet?" Alan asks to change the subject.
"Hello, my dear family!" Tracy says as if on cue while she strolls dramatically into the room. "I can't tell you how it warms my heart to be back in the bosom of family. Hi Daddy." She gives Edward a kiss.
Alan greets her sarcastically. "Ah, it's my darling sister, Tracy. And where is Dylan? Not tearing up the foyer, I hope?"
"Alan..." Edward warns.
"My darling son is upstairs with Reginald getting settled. And where are your children, Alan?" Tracy asks sweetly. "Let me guess...AJ in a gutter somewhere? How about Emily? Does she have needle marks in her arms yet? Oh, and I hear congratulations are in order... Jason has graduated from minor thug to mob boss! You must be so proud!" Tracy beams at them, clearly proud of herself.
Monica loses her temper. "Tracy, put a sock in it!!"
"And I would like to know how you found out this information." Alan shoots back. "Renewing your mob ties, dear sister?"
Edward breaks in angrily. "Can't we have one homecoming without the infernal bickering?! I invited Tracy and Dylan here because they need family. Now I expect everyone to behave like the adults they are."
