Stolen Years (Read 27,160 times)

[Kpatch]

Chapter 12


After visiting Parker, Philip walked outside and headed toward his car, when he spotted Marlena getting out of her car in the doctors reserved parking area. After hesitating for a moment, he rushed over to her. “Marlena!”

Marlena looked at Philip but didn’t smile. “Philip. Hello.” She reached into the trunk of her car and took out her wheeled briefcase.

“Got a minute to talk?” Philip wondered if she sensed his anxiety. Hell, of course she sensed it. She’s a shrink. “It’s important.”

“I can see that,” she said without emotion. “You can call my office and make an appointment.”

“No,” Philip gripped her arm as she started to walk away. “It’s not for me. It’s for someone else, and I’d prefer that no one knows I’m talking to you.”

Marlena cocked her head and looked at Philip as if he were a child. “There’s no shame in seeing a psychiatrist, Philip. Seventy percent of all adults speak with a mental health professional on a regular basis. It’s alright to admit you need help.”

Philip mentally rolled his eyes, struggling to keep his composure. “It really isn’t for me. I swear.”

“Ah.” Now he detected disbelief on her face. “You know, when you were married to Belle, I was quite civil to you.”

What the hell did that have to do with anything, Philip wondered. He reminded himself that he was trying to catch flies with honey. He needed her, so he had to act friendly. But Marlena never made it easy to be friendly, even when she was his mother-in-law. She always struck a judgmental and superior pose. Even at his most charming, Marlena was a nut he could never crack. “Yes you were,” he answered.

“But you did a lot of unforgivable things. Chasing after Belle while she was engaged to marry Shawn. Kidnapping Claire. Burning down the Dimera warehouse while John was running the enterprise. Using Paul Hollingsworth to do your dirty work. Killing my friend Tony Dimera. Cheating on your wife and impregnating your best friend while she was engaged to another man. Shall I continue?”

Ouch. Talk about rubbing salt in a wound. The woman had the memory of an elephant. Philip hoped she didn’t see him flinch just now. He wasn’t about to give her the satisfaction of seeing just how deeply he regretted all those events she just listed, so he merely shook his head no and tried to sound unemotional. “My list of crimes is legendary. I’m aware.”

“And to this day, you show no remorse for any of it.” Marlena poked a finger into Philip’s chest. “The best thing that ever happened to my daughter was getting you out of her system.”

Philip smiled a fake smile and wondered how long he’d have to endure this inane conversation. “Yes, I know that mothers and fathers all over Salem breathe a collective sigh of relief when their daughters break up with me. But that’s not the point here. Look, I need a favor. It’s for Chloe. She’s in trouble.”

Marlena’s look of disapproval morphed into disdain. He briefly wondered if Marlena went to the Martha Stewart School of Hardasses. “Believe it or not, Philip, I’m not a big Chloe supporter either. After the things she did to Brady....”

“I think it was the other way around.” Philip was amazed at how often people liked to rewrite history. “I’m asking ... I’m begging for your help. You’re the best in the business.” Flies with honey, he thought again. “And Chloe’s mental health is very precarious right now.”

He watched Marlena soften a little when he appealed to her professionally. “Alright. Fine. Let’s talk in my car.”

After Marlena and Philip sat down in the back seat of her sedan, Philip said, “This has to be kept confidential.”

Marlena smiled snidely. “You know, Philip, you can’t have it both ways. If you’re my patient, then I can invoke doctor-patient confidentiality. But if you’re not....”

“Fine, what do I have to do to be your patient?” Philip was losing his own patience.

“Well first of all, you have to pay me.”

Philip reached into his back pocket and took out his wallet. “How much?”

“Three hundred dollars per session.”

“Three hundred dollars? Wow. Insurance covers this?”

“It depends on the diagnosis.”

Philip took out four fifty-dollar bills. “I only have $200 on me. And I’d rather not write a check. Can I pay you the rest next time I see you?”

“I don’t take consignment,” Marlena answered. “Then again, very few people pay me cash in the back seat of a car, so this will do.”

“Thank you.”

“...For now,” she added.

“So we’re speaking under doctor-patient confidentiality, right?”

“That’s correct,” she said.

Over the next 20 minutes, Philip explained Chloe’s situation, the switched paternity test, Philip rejecting her, the seizure on New Year’s Day, what happened at the Oaks, Kate, Craig, the whole nine yards. Marlena barely seemed to be paying attention. She’d purse her lips, looking like she was constipated, and every so often she nodded.

“Where’s she staying,” Marlena finally asked.

“No one can know. She’s at Craig’s house in Salem.”

“I didn’t know he still owned property here. As I recall, he’s a lovely neighbor.”

“Yeah, lovely,” Philip said sarcastically.

“And where’s she sleeping?”

“Excuse me?”

Marlena repeated the question. “Where’s she sleeping?”

“Um. Her old bedroom.”

“I see. And you? Are you staying there?”

“I’m in the bedroom next door.”

“Hmmm, and she thinks you’re her bodyguard?” Marlena chuckled. So rude, Philip thought.

“What are you thinking,” he asked, trying to get her back on point. “You’re obviously coming to some conclusions.”

“Yes, I am. Without having the benefit of speaking directly to Chloe, and judging only by the information you related, I actually think it’s detrimental to Chloe to be staying in the room she lived in as a teenager. I think you could be stunting her progress.”

Philip’s eyes widened. “I never thought of that.”

“Yes, well, of course you didn’t. I have a degree and you don’t. You see, not only is she staying in her parents’ house, but she’s also in her old room. She’s comfortable there and you’re enabling her to stay in that comfort zone.”

“Hmmm, so we should move her somewhere else?”

“Yes and no,” Marlena answered. “I’d hate to see her moved again after all the chaos of the past six months. But I do think that her immediate environment should change. Move her into one of the other bedrooms. Place objects from her adult life in there.”

“Like what? A picture of Parker?”

“Yes, and anything that might remind her of her life before things deteriorated.”

Philip nodded as the wheels began to turn quickly. “Good. Good, these are good suggestions.”

“Of course they are.” Marlena looked at her watch. “I have an appointment in 15 minutes. We’re done here.”

Philip smiled at Marlena. She was such an ice queen but she sure knew her stuff. “Thank you.”

They both got out of the car and before parting company, Marlena said, “Let me know how it goes. Oh, and don’t forget you owe me a hundred dollars.”

[gapeach]

First let me say I can't believe I am the first person to comment on this chapter. Secondly I am glad that Phillip talked to someone about Chloe even if it was Marlene. She gave some good advice.

[melly]

Marlena's such a warm, compassionate soul....

[jc20886]

Marlena's compassion is boundless especially where Philip is concerned

[fluffysmom]

LOL at Marlena attending the Martha Stewart school of hardasses. Too funny.

It must have been such a struggle for Philip to take all of her judgments. Glad she was able to give him some advice. I hope it will help Chloe.

[Kpatch]

Chapter 13


Craig and Chloe were inside the house. By now, Philip figured that Chloe probably found all of the packages he piled up outside her bedroom door. He pictured her opening them as if they were Christmas presents. Christmas. They never did get to exchange their Christmas gifts last year, Philip remembered. Last time Philip was in Chicago was New Years morning and the tree and gifts were still there, untouched, unopened. Five months later, he didn’t look forward to going back there and tackling the task of taking the tree down. He wondered if there were a service that would put the tree away for him.

Philip leaned on the railing of the back porch watching the moon rise in the sky. He kept thinking about Now Voyager, an old Bette Davis chick flick that he watched with Chloe last year. “Don’t lets ask for the moon. We have the stars.”

That was the last line of the movie and it never really made sense to him until now. Now, he had Chloe back. In a way, anyway. She was back in his life and he got to see her every day. Parker was on the mend and would be coming home before long. It was getting close to being what he wanted, only it wasn’t. Chloe was stuck at about 20 years old. She knew Philip from high school, but nothing more. She clearly liked him, she flirted with him and was friendly and open, maybe more so than she’d be if she remembered everything that transpired between them.

So he had the stars, but he still wanted the moon.

He wanted his old life back with Chloe, with all her memories. As much fun as it was to pretend their life was as uncomplicated as it should have been 10 years ago, they had both grown a lot since then. Some for better, some for worse, but that was life. And he wanted it back, warts and all.

He heard the screen door behind him and he whirled around.

“Well, what do you think?” Chloe stood in front of him, hands on her hips, wiggling a little to show off her new clothes. They fit her like a glove. She was wearing a fitted short sleeved button-down blouse with a little floral print on a purple background, tight jeans, and open-toe shoes. She looked very sexy, Philip thought. Then again, Chloe could make a potato sack look sexy.

“Wow,” Philip said. “You look ... hot.”

Chloe smiled and threw her arms around Philip. “Thank you for my new clothes,” she said, hugging him tightly and pressing her cheek against his. Her scent was intoxicating. “You know my taste in clothing so well!”

She leaned away a little but kept her arms around him. He looked into her eyes, but she was gazing at his lips. She leaned closer and kissed his mouth, surprising him with a soft, sweet, sensual kiss. A few seconds later, she leaned away.

“What was that for?” he asked, not that he minded a bit.

“That was my way of saying thank you for everything.”

Philip leaned closer. “I think I need more gratitude,” he said, pulling her closer and kissing her long and hard. Without thinking, his tongue found the inside of her mouth, a warm wet spot that felt like home. This was the first real kiss they shared in more than half a year, and he let all his pent-up emotions flow into that kiss.

Philip was completely lost in her until Chloe pulled back. “Wait,” she said breathlessly. Wait for what, he wondered. Did he overwhelm her with the force of his kiss? He only knew he couldn’t let her out of his arms, so he continued holding her and hoped she wouldn’t reject him. She asked what seemed like an odd question at a moment like this. “What was that red dress you bought?”

He raised his eyebrows. “Red dress? Oh!” Philip reluctantly released Chloe and rubbed his forehead. “I guess I got nostalgic. It reminded me of....”

She finished his sentence. “The dress I wore to the first Last Blast dance.”

“Yeah. Silly, I know.”

“Not silly. I think it’s sweet,” she said stepping closer and running her hands up Philip’s shirt until they came to rest on his shoulders. “I guess we need to find a reason for me to wear it.”

Philip licked his lips and slid his hands around her waist. “I guess I’m going to have to take you out somewhere.” He leaned in and kissed her.

Barely breaking the kiss, she said, “Mmmm. Where?”

“Anywhere you want,” he said between kisses.

“Sounds like a date,” she said. She moved out of his arms. “I want to try on the rest of my things.”

And in a moment, she disappeared. Philip buzzed his lips and blew out some air. He ran his hand along the back of his neck. He was perspiring. Wow. That girl definitely knew how to get him worked up in a hurry. God, he was 16 again and he was falling in love with Chloe all over again.

But they weren’t 16. They were adults. They were parents. And as much as he’d like to endlessly relive these teenage porch scenes complete with stolen kisses while her father sat inside reading, he knew it wasn’t practical. He needed to face reality. They both did.

He thought about Marlena’s advice, how to move Chloe from the past into the present. Philip figured it was worth a try, but he wondered if Craig would go for it. He took a deep breath, erased the euphoric smile from his face, reached for the screen door and stepped inside. Time to discuss it with Craig.

[gapeach]

Can't wait for THAT conversation. I hope Craig agrees, even tho he can't stand Marlene.

[fluffysmom]

I like Chloe's enthusiasm as well as the steamy stolen kisses. I wonder how the conversation will go. Craig isn't exactly Marlena's biggest fan.

[MrsM]

I see a lot of heartbreak in Philip's future. Unfortunately. I think it has to get worse before it gets better.

[Kpatch]

Chapter 14


Philip stepped inside and found Craig on the sofa reading something on his tablet. “Can I talk to you for a minute, Craig?”

Craig looked up and he had a funny expression on his face when he looked at Philip. “That’s not your color,” he said.

Philip walked over to the sofa and sat down. “What’s not my color?”

“That shade of lipstick,” Craig said. Then he turned his attention back to his iPad.

Philip touched his lips and looked at his fingers. Chloe’s berry red lipstick. Well, that’s subtle, Philip thought to himself. Why not hang a sign. Sheesh. Philip reached into his pants pocket for a handkerchief and patted his lips. “They’re releasing Parker in a few days.”

Craig looked up. “That’s great news.”

“They want to send him to rehab for physical and occupational therapy but I want him home.”

“At your father’s?”

“No, not the mansion. I meant I want him with me ... which, right now, is here. My plan is to bring Parker here and hire an occupational therapist to work with him. Are you okay with that?”

Craig thought for a moment. “I think that’s a good idea. We can set him up in the family room down here.”

“Good. Thank you. ... There’s something else I wanted to discuss.”

Craig put aside his iPad. “Okay.”

“I spoke to Marlena today.”

“Damn it, Philip! I told you I don’t want that woman involved in my business.”

“Hear me out, Craig. Personally, I don’t like her any better than you do. She’s my ex-mother-in-law, for god’s sake. And I can tell you that she doesn’t like me either. I had to sit through a recitation of all the crimes I committed against humanity.”

Craig was amused. “Must have been a fun conversation.”

“It wasn’t. But you know why I did it? I did it for Chloe. I’d do anything for her, and Marlena is one of the most highly regarded psychiatrists in the state. She lectures around the world and she’s on the faculty at Northwestern. So even though I’d rather get waterboarded in an Afghanistan prison than spend two minutes with her, I respect her professionally. And she gave me some good advice. I think.”

“Advice about Chloe? Please tell me it’s for you to stay as far away from my daughter as possible.”

Philip rolled his eyes. “Not you too.”

Craig grabbed Philip’s arm. “I’m kidding. What advice did the good Dr. Evans give you?”

“She said we might be enabling Chloe by letting her stay in the same room she lived in when she was a teenager. Living in that room is stunting her progress. It’s too comfortable.”

“Hmmm. Marlena said that, did she?”

Philip nodded.

“And did she say where we should move her? To your bedroom, perhaps?”

“Yes,” Philip said. “That would probably help her.”

Craig rose quickly. “Are you freaking kidding me? Is this all just an elaborate ruse to get Chloe into your bed.”

Philip got up too. “No of course not, and keep your voice down,” Philip said glancing upstairs toward Chloe’s bedroom door. He looked back at Craig. “You really think so little of me? I didn’t mean that Chloe would be in the same room as me. I meant we would switch bedrooms.”

“Oh,” Craig said with a bit of contrition.

“I was thinking that I’d drive to Chicago and pick up some of Chloe’s knick-knacks to put in the room. Help her remember her life as an adult.”

Craig nodded. “I think that’s a good idea. I’d like to be the one to talk to Chloe about it. I don’t want her to misunderstand the way I just did.”

“Of course,” Philip said.

“When will you go to Chicago?”

“Later this week,” Philip answered.

“Let me ask you something. You and Chloe. Seems like you’re getting ... close again.”

Not as close as I’d like, Philip thought to himself. “There’s something there,” he nodded. “I’m not exactly sure what to make of it, only that I’m grateful that she seems to like me.”

“Well, tread lightly, Philip. She’s fragile right now, so don’t push her.”

“I won’t. You don’t need to worry about that.”

“You should know something, Philip. Nancy’s coming. She’ll be here tomorrow.”

Philip groaned. “Oh great. Just what I need.”

“Now, watch it, young man. Nancy is my wife and I want you to show her the respect she deserves.”

“Fine. But I’d like her to show me some respect too.”

“Well. That’s fair,” Craig agreed. “I’ll talk to her.”

[MrsM]

Well that talk went better than I expected. I am surprised at how well they are getting along.

[melly]

NANCY'S COMING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Did I mention that I like Craig and Nancy? Cause I do.

Craig and Philip seem to be working reasonably well together--which should help the Philip/Nancy relationship along.

[fluffysmom]

That's a good idea in theory Philip and Craig. But I doubt Nancy will be ready to respect Philip right off the bat.

Good conversation between the guys. I liked Craig's reaction to the lipstick. Busted!

[gapeach]

I am really liking the interaction between Craig and Phillup. They both want what is best for Chloe!!

[Kpatch]

Chapter 15a


Later that day, Philip knocked lightly on Chloe’s door.

“Come on in,” she said from inside.

When Philip went inside, he saw Chloe putting the things he bought her into the closet.

“You know what trying on all these clothes made me think of,” Chloe asked.

Philip shook his head no, but he hoped she was going to say she remembered dragging him to boutique clothing shops on State Street in Chicago.

“Made me think about Belle,” she noted.

Philip looked downward to hide the disappointment he was sure would show on his face. The last person he wanted to talk about was Belle.

“The two of us used to go crazy at Ballistix at least once a week after school. We’d go in and try things on and giggle like teenagers.” Chloe chuckled and rolled her eyes. “Well, we were teenagers. Even though we hardly ever bought anything because neither of us got much of an allowance, we had a blast. Hmmm, I wonder what Belle is doing these days. Do you ever talk to her? Do you keep in touch?”

Philip shook his head again. “Uh, not much, no.”

Chloe laughed. “You had a major crush on her before I moved to Salem. But from what I could tell, she only had eyes for Shawn.”

Those words punched a hole in Philip’s gut. “Yep. And that never really changed either,” Philip said, a hint of resentment in his voice.

“Oh my gosh. Shawn! What about Shawn? You two used to be superclose. Are you still friends?”

“No, not really. Bo fills me in now and then, but we’ve lost touch.”

“Wow, I really thought you guys would be friends for life. What happened?”

Philip shrugged. “Time and space, I guess.” He was tired of this line of questioning. He sat on the corner of the desk and watched Chloe putting her clothes on hangers and wondered why she was doing that. “Better not get too comfortable in here,” he said, wanting to change the subject from Belle and Shawn.

Chloe stopped what she was doing to look at him. Her brow knit. “Why not? It’s my room.”

“Yeah, but you’ll be moving to the bedroom next door soon.”

Chloe put a hand on her hip and laughed. “Oh I will, will I? So you think I’m just gonna move into your room with you? You’re really quite cocky Philip,” she said jokingly. “Not sure if I like you this way or not.” She resumed her task of hanging up her new blouses.

Philip scratched his forehead. “You mean Craig didn’t say anything to you?”

“About what?”

Uh oh. Open mouth, insert foot. “Damn. I thought he would have told you by now. Never mind.”

Chloe stopped putting the clothes away and looked at Philip again. “You can’t do that, you know. You can’t say never mind once you’ve opened Pandora’s box.” She went and sat on her bed and patted the space next to her, inviting Philip to come over. “Talk to me.”

Philip sat down beside her and took a deep breath. “Okay. I got some advice about your condition today. So, it seems ... in order to help you remember your more-recent life, we ... your father and I ... think you might make faster progress if you moved out of the room you lived in as a teenager.”

Chloe thought for a long time before she answered. “I see. I think that could be a good idea.”

“You do?”

“Uh huh. So ... where will you sleep,” Chloe asked, placing her hand on Philip’s thigh.

Philip shifted nervously, remembering Craig’s advice to tread lightly, but Chloe wasn’t making this easy. “Well, we’d ... we’d ... we’d swap,” he stuttered. “I’d sleep in ... in here and you’d sleep in my... um ... in the bedroom ... next door.”

She looked into his face and he knew that look. He knew it well. It was her “I want you, so do me” look. He felt his pulse quicken. “But you’ll still come visit me, right?” she said.

That comment and those eyes took Philip’s breath away. She was telling him she wanted him in her bed. “Every chance I get,” he whispered. To hell with treading lightly. He threw caution to the wind and let his emotions take over. He found himself leaning closer to Chloe until their lips met. She leaned back onto the bed and pulled him down with her. He rolled on top of her, hands streaking from her hips upward along the curve of her waistline and resting on her breast. He quickly sat up and ran his hands through his hair.

“What’s wrong,” Chloe asked as she sat up and touched Philip’s cheek.

“We can’t do this, Chloe.”

“Why not? I want you, Philip, and you obviously feel the same.” She ran her hand down his arm and Philip got up off the bed.

“I do. I want you more than I can even tell you, but it wouldn’t be right. Not until you get your memory back.” Chloe looked truly hurt, as if he was rejecting her. The last thing he wanted to do was hurt her feelings. If she only knew. But he promised Craig he wouldn’t take advantage of the situation, of her vulnerability and dependence on him under the circumstances.

It would be so easy, but it wouldn’t be right. She needed to concentrate on getting her life back, remembering her son -- not getting tangled up in something that would only complicate things. “Chloe,” he said, returning to his seat on the bed, “if you still want me once you know everything that happened in your life, well ... I’m all yours.”