A Passion Rekindled (27 page)

Scarlett wiped her eyes. “I was so horrible to you for no reason mom, I never blamed you I never blamed you for anything that happened. Mom I love you so much, you have been an inspiration to me. You were there when Angel was born you were there after my divorce. Mom no matter what you were always there for me and I am extremely blessed to have you. Don’t give up mom. We need you.”

Scarlett laid her head on her mother’s bed and cried.

“Your mother was so proud of you.” Scarlett turned to see Helen at the door. She was dressed in a pink sundress and jacket. Scarlett wiped her eyes and stood smoothing down her red polo shirt and jeans.

“Mrs. Waters.”

“How are you holding up?”

“I don't know it's been three days and no change.”

“I know it's scary but you have to have faith.”

“I do. We have been through so much and I am so heartbroken. It’s like if it's not one thing it's another. I never thought all this bad would happen to me.”

“It’s ok sweetie.”

Helen walked over to her and hugged her. Scarlett let the tears fall as she hugged Helen back.

“It's not fair. All she ever did wrong was love a jerk. She always saw the bright side always put us first. Why is this happening?”

“Scarlett I know it doesn’t seem like it now but everything happens for a reason. Your mom talked to me a day before this happened.”

Scarlett looked up to Helen. “What did she say?”

“Scarlett sometimes we never know what people pray for.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Your mom told me she was tired of fighting the pain. She told me how proud she was of you and Devon and Maggie. And how she knew Angel was blessed because she was your daughter. You were happy finally. Living in a great house and have a great job. You are working so hard on making your life better. She was so proud at the woman you have become.”

“I was so mean to her once. I yelled I screamed I blamed her. I was angry at her. I didn’t understand how she couldn’t know what was going on in her own house. But she didn't and it wasn’t her fault.”

“She told me what happened. You know she understood the anger. She understood why you were so upset. She never blamed you either.”

“I'm just so sorry. She has to wake up so I can tell her. She has to wake up so I can explain to her how sorry I really am.”

“She knows.”

“How can she know? How can she know I never meant to take my anger out on her? How can she know I was just letting off steam?”

“Because mothers always know. She knows you love her and how lucky she is to have such a wonderful daughter.”

“Then why don't you like me?”

“What?”

“Why don't you like me? If you see that I am such a great woman then why don't you like me?”

“It's not like that.”

Before she could finish talking someone knocked on the door. They both turned to see an emotional Jay standing there. Scarlett looked at her and knew something wasn’t right she wore a pair of skinny blue jeans and an oversized USA shirt. Helen cleared her throat.

“Well seeing how Jayla is here you will be in good hands so I will be going.”

Helen gave Scarlett one last pat on the back before she walked out the door. Scarlett walked over to Jay and hugged her.

“You ok?”

“No. Chris and I are done.”

“Wait done? What happened?”

“I walked up to his office last night he said he was working late he canceled on me again. When I got there I heard music playing and when I opened the door he was there with that blonde from the party.”

“What?”

“I can’t believe I was so stupid.”

“You can’t believe that he would hurt you.”

“I know what I saw.”

Scarlett moved closer to her. “So what did he say?”

Jayla threw her hands up. “Nothing I wouldn’t let him.”

“Jay you got to talk to him.”

“No I can’t. He is the worst kind of man. He made me believe that he was in love with me. That he wanted to be with me. He made me believe that we could be happy.”

“Look.” Scarlett pulled Jayla to a chair. “I know Chris that man loves you so much.”

“Then why was he with her.”

“Jay I don't know, that is why you need to talk to him.”

“I can’t.”

Someone knocked on the door and Chris walked in wearing khakis and collard red shirt.

“Oh Jay thank God you’re here.”

“Chris go away.”

“Jay it's not what you think if you would just listen to me.”

“No.”

Scarlett took a deep breath. “Ok look I don't have time for this so let's do this the fast and easy way Chris what was that blonde chick doing in your office?”

“She came up to go over some forms.”

Scarlett sighed. “What about the music and the dancing?”

“I wasn’t dancing with her. Look when she came up I had the radio on and I was trying to finish up my work. She came in and when we got done a slow song was on and we got up she pulled me to her and that’s when Jay walked in.”

“So nothing was going on?”

“No! Nothing at all.”

Chris moved towards Jayla. “Jay baby I love you there is nothing I would do to hurt you. Ever!”

“She is so beautiful.”

“You are beautiful.”

“Your mother loves her.”

“But I love you.”

Scarlett threw her hands in the air.

“Will you guys just kiss and make up please.”

Jay walked to the door. “No. I can’t do this. It's not the first time and it’s not the last. I can’t keep turning my head to this. I love you Chris so why isn’t that enough?”

“It is.”

“No it's not. If it's not your mother, it's some other woman. I can’t do this so leave me alone.”

Jay walked out the room and Chris followed. Scarlett looked back to her mom then went after them.

“Guys wait. Now you both listen to me and listen up. I am tired and I am angry so please don't get mad at me for being so rash but you both are being stupid. I know being in love is scary but you move through it. Life is too short for you guys to be going through all this. My daughter was hit by a car. My mother is in there fighting for her life. So you both get it together and work this out. I mean it.”

Scarlett walked away as Jay and Chris looked at each other.

Chapter 10

Time to let go…

Scarlett was sleep on the chair when Shane walked into the room with two cups of hot coco. He brushed her hair out her face and she awoke.

“You always were a light sleeper.”

“Shane what are you doing here?”

“Came to see how you were. I brought coco. I remember whenever you were worried or upset it would calm you down. There is extra chocolate and marshmallows.”

“You remembered that?”

“Yeah. I remember a lot…I'm sorry for getting so upset…it's just I was shocked about you being with Christian.”

Scarlett looked at a sleeping Angel.

“Shane when we divorced I wasn’t myself. I know I didn’t do all I could as your wife. I put my mom and daughter before you and I am sorry about that. It’s just…I have always been someone my mom could rely on and when she needed me I had to be there for her. She is my rock and I am hers. It was wrong of me to expect you to get that. It was wrong of me to take you for granted.”

“So why did you file for divorce?”

“I came back to the apartment. I waited for you for an hour. I figured you were out with Miranda I know it wasn’t a rational thought but I was there waiting and wondering where you were. And when you never showed up, I just figured we were better off apart. You deserved someone who got you. You and I both know that from the start we were not going to work with each other. We are too much the same person. I figured I had loss you so I should just leave.”

“But you didn’t lose me. If you would have called I would have been there I would have begged you to take me back because I have been miserable without you. You were it for me and now any woman I am with just doesn’t do it for me. I wish I could have made you trust me.”

“I do too. I loved you so much and I was afraid that you were just going to keep on hurting me.”

“I can’t say if I would have or not. But know this I loved you more than anything and I was just being stupid.”

“Is it because I didn’t come home when you wanted me too? Is that why you slept with Miranda?”

“I don’t know. Honestly, it was one of those things you just can’t explain. I didn’t want it to happen I even tried to stop it and I am so very sorry that it did happen. If I could take it back I would.”

“I wanted to wait longer you know. I was already to too. I got in the car and said I will give it another thirty minutes. I waited for about 20 minutes before my phone rang. It was Devon telling me that mom was getting worse. I had a choice to make and it was a tough one. But in the in the end I ended up being gone that same day. I always thought you would come after me. You knew where I was and if you wanted me, you would have come to me but you didn’t. So after a month I filed for divorce. After being home for a year and a half and seeing how bad my mom was getting I knew Shrines was the best chance she had. But I didn’t have any money. I couldn’t ask you to help seeing how I just up and left. So we packed up and sold the house. But it was run down and beat up the people who bought it were only going to tear it down. It was worth 75,000 we got 80,000. I sold my car but only got 2,000 for it.

And after paying off all the hospital bills and house bills, debts that I didn’t even know existed. Buying six plane tickets so the nurse could travel with us we had 25,000 left. Shrines cost 20,000 yearly. I had to find us a place to live and it was just all so very stressful. Then I went for a job interview and met Christian. He and his family have been so good to us.”

“The Waters are a wonderful family. They really do care about people. Christian seems to be taken with you.”

“Can I tell you something?”

“Yes you know you still can. Just because it’s been three years doesn’t mean I have stopped caring about you.”

“I still love you. I thought three years was enough time to get over it but it’s not. But then there is Christian.”

“You love him too?”

“Yes I do…but this is about us. I know we have both moved on but I made the mistake. Everyone deserves one get out of jail free card. I'm just sorry.”

“No I'm sorry.”

He moved to kiss her. He pulled her close to him. Scarlett kissed him back but after a moment, she pulled back.

“Shane I can’t.”

“I’m sorry I shouldn’t have.”

“I love you but I’m not in love with you anymore. We have both moved on and grown and I still want you in my life.”

“I want you in mines too.”

She smiled as she heard Angel moan.

“Mommy?”

Scarlett looked up at Angel.

“Hey sweetie how are you feeling?”

“I'm ok. Where am I?”

“You're at the hospital you had an accident.”

“Is Alex ok?”

“Alex? Oh, the other girl yes she is fine. You two were very lucky.”

“I was waiting for you and…”

“I know baby let’s not think about that.”

She looked over to Shane.

“Shane?”

“Yes, as soon as he heard you were hurt he came here to check on you.”

Shane walked over to her.

“How are you Angel?”

“I have been better.”

They all laughed.

“You are growing up to be a very beautiful girl.”

“Shane are you going to leave again?”

“Yes but this time I will keep in touch more.”

“Really?”

“Of course I got to make sure my favorite girl is doing ok.”

She hugged him.

“I missed you.”

“Missed you too Angel.”

Devon ran into the room.

“Scar we need you now.”

“Shane can you?”

            
 
“You don’t even have to ask. Go.”              

Scarlett ran out the room and followed Devon. She went into her mother’s room and saw a Doctor trying to resuscitate her. 

“What is going on here?”

“Mommy is dying.” Maggie fell against the door tears streaming down her face. “Scar mommy is dying.”

“Maggie it’s ok. Come here.”

Scarlett held her as they continued to work on her. Devon grabbed them both. Scarlett turned her head away as the doctors worked on her mother. None knew who cried the hardest when they pronounced her dead at 5:24pm On February 2nd 2007. They covered her body and Scarlett hugged Maggie and Devon. She pulled away but stopped in her steps when she saw her father at the door. Her face went from sad to angry.

“What the hell are you doing here?”

“We wanted to see what was going on?”

“We?” Scarlett moved closer to him. “Who is we?”

“Me, your brother and Danger.”

“Danger. You brought that son of a bitch up here?”

“Scarlett watch your mouth.”

“No you watch your back. You need to get the hell out of here all three of you. We don’t need any of you.”

“Well Danger wanted to see his daughter and I wanted to see my wife.”

She folded her arms. “You have no wife and he better not be with my daughter. I will kill him.”

Scarlett ran out the room and into the hallway. She turned towards the elevator until she heard Danger’s voice. Hearing him say her name made her heart sink to the pit of her stomach. She turned around and saw Danger and Derek and all she could see was red.

“You bastard you stay away from my daughter.”

“Well, well, well look at you all grown up. You are a beautiful sight Scarlett. Come over here and give big daddy a kiss.”

Scarlett moved closer to him as Maggie and Devon walked out the room.

“You will leave this hospital right now.”

Danger laughed. “Baby I love it! You’re so forceful. Anyways I have a right to see my daughter and you. I miss you guys.”

“You have no rights to her or me. Now I am only going to tell you once to leave.”

“Scarlett I came here to take you and my daughter home. You’re my wife we belong together.”

“I am not your wife.”

Scarlett placed her hands on her head and frowned. Derek walked closer to her.

“Why are you being like this Scarlett he just wants to see his daughter? And we want to see her too!”

“Who in the hell was talking to you? And how did you find us Derek?”

“Maggie called me. My little sister missed me.” Maggie started to cry harder.

“Scarlett I'm sorry I didn’t know he would bring them I just thought he should know.”

“Maggie it’s not your fault. This loser never could say no to these idiots.”

Maggie stood behind Scarlett and Scarlett stood firm. She needed to show these guys no fear and that is what she was going to do. She looked at Maggie and Devon.

“Maggie I want you and Devon to go check on Angel for me.”

Devon stood in front of Scarlett. “No we are not leaving you alone with them.”

“Devon please I can handle this ok. Go I will be behind you. Take the elevator though I don’t want them to know what floor she is on.” Devon walked away holding Maggie’s hand and Scarlett turned towards Darrel.

“I want you three to leave this place. My mother just died and I need to be with Devon, Maggie, and Angel.”

Darrel moved a little closer to them.

“She’s dead?”

“Yeah Darrel I wonder whose fault that is.”

“What it’s not mine?”

“Not yours. She never relaxed enough to heal because she was doing your job. You ruined her life and mines.”

Derek frowned.

“We just came to see our family.”

“Well that sucks for you because you have no family here. Now I advise you guys to leave before I call security and tell them about the restraining order you three just violated.”

“Scar is everything ok?”

Scarlett turned to see Christian and Shane walking towards her.

“Scarlett are you all right Devon and Maggie were worried.”

“I am fine I was just heading to see them.”

Danger moved closer to Scarlett and turned her towards him.

“You think I am just going to let you walk away from me…it’s not that easy.”

Scarlett could feel the heat from the alcohol he must have consumed on the way there. It burned her nostrils. Christian moved closer but she shook her head and waved him off.

“Yeah I am and it is. I am done with this situation and all of you in every way shape and form.”

He scoffed. “Please you never forget your first love.”

“You are right about that you don’t.”

She looked over to Shane then turned her head back to Danger.

“But you were not my first love. I dealt with you, I tolerated what you did I might have even lusted after you, but I never loved you.”

“You are lying.”

“Am I? You actually think after everything you have done to me. All the ways you hurt me I could love you.”

He moved closer to her but she pushed him away from her. “You are nothing more to me than a ghost from my past, a ghost I really don’t want or need in my life.”

“Scarlett I know you loved me and I cannot pretend I didn’t love you. You have kept me away from my daughter, you got our marriage annulled you kicked me out your life and because I was in jail I couldn’t do anything about that. But I am out I am here and I am not going anywhere.”

“Then you stay here. I will leave.”

Scarlett turned away and walked to the elevator with Shane and Christian. Danger yelled after her.

“You don’t walk away from me. I am that girl’s father she deserves to know who I am and you cannot stop me.”

She turned towards him. “James you gave up your rights to her when you raped and kidnapped me. As far as she is concerned you are dead. And I advise you not to take another step closer to me. The security office is right down the hall and I have no problem sending you right back to jail where you belong.”

The elevator doors opened and they stepped in. Danger screamed as the doors began to close.

“This ain’t over. It’s far from over girl you wait.”

***

Devon wheeled Angel out the room followed by Scarlett and Maggie. Christopher, Helen, Christian, and Chris were out waiting for them. Helen looked at her.

“Are you guys ok?” Scarlett smiled.

“Yeah I am just glad to take Angel home. We have a lot of things to work out before Friday.”

Christian walked over to her and kissed her forehead. She smiled at him as he wiped the tears from her eyes.

“Do you need any help?”