Breaking Ties: An Ensemble Story (Read 240,284 times)

[André DiMera]

Glad J.J. didn’t let himself get sucked into an argument. Hopefully he won’t run out of meds.

So glad Sonny didn’t make the mistake of jumping into bed as soon as he and Will got back together. It may suck for Will at the moment, but it’ll be better in the long run.

That has to be hard to hear for Aiden. Wonder what else the book says.

Great chapter, heroicmuse!

[lumiforeverandalways]

Great few chapters.
Glad Vicki is coming out of her shell.
Uh oh wonder what Abe will say.
Cant wait for more.

[heroicmuse]

Week 319 - 4
The storm sounded like it was getting worse as Kenneth sat in his room, thinking about his argument with his mom. He’d never really argued with her before. He thought she went overboard a lot and he didn’t like that she used him as a babysitter without asking him about what he wanted or needed to do, but he’d always swallowed his feelings so he wouldn’t fight with her.

He didn’t like that he’d flown off the handle with her, but at the same time it was long overdue. He was tired of her telling him he couldn’t do this, that, or the other, and after what had happened he felt this strong need to protect his family from the next Marcel that might come along. After all, if Marcel could sneak into the yard undetected so could anyone else, and this was a nice house that people who had more bad intentions than they did money might be tempted to break into and rob.

Kenneth double clicked on his Zoom app, aggravated that the storm was messing with his Internet. He needed to talk to Hannah. She’d tell him if he was out of line. But the WiFi had gone off a couple times and now even though it said it was connected he kept getting a screen that said “No Internet” when he tried to open his Zoom link on his Ewe Browser.

“There is Internet!” he said to the computer, annoyed. “It says it right up top.” He hit RELOAD but the same screen came up.

Kenneth sighed and pulled his phone out instead. 1 bar of signal and when he tried to call Hannah it took a million years to connect and then went straight to voicemail.

“Damn it!” Kenneth said, throwing the phone down and himself on his bed.

There was a knock on the door. “Kenneth?” Malcolm called.

“Dinner ready?” Kenneth asked. “I’ll be down in a sec.”

“Actually,” Malcolm said, “I’d like to talk to you. May I come in?”

Kenneth sighed. “I guess.”

Malcolm came in. “Rough night, huh?” he said, sitting down at Kenneth’s desk without asking permission. “I too find cold, dark nights to be challenging, especially if the weather appears to mirror a difficult time in my life. In fact, poets from Shakespeare to Hardy have commented on the bleakness of the season.”

“No offense, Uncle Malcolm,” Kenneth said, “but I’m not in the mood for an English lesson so could you just say what you came to say?”

Malcolm looked him up and down. “Your sister is safe,” he said. “She called a little while ago. She is snowed in at the Brady Pub and helping cook food for her fellow winter refugees. You, on the other hand, appear to be in need of something. Your mother said you were not acting like yourself and I can tell from your mood that you’re feeling weighed down. What is it, Kenneth? Is being back in the house where you were held at gunpoint getting to you?”

Kenneth shook his head. “I haven’t thought of it once since I’ve been back,” he said. “Vicki being lost got to me is all. Ma was worried and I felt so useless cause there was nothing I could do to help find her.”

Malcolm nodded. “That was stressful for all of us. But I keep telling your mom to have more faith in your sister. Vicki may have her difficulties, but she’s not incapable of survival. I had no doubt she would find shelter, especially since she was with her friends.”

“That’s not the point,” Kenneth said.

Malcolm crossed his arms. “Then what is?”

Kenneth shook his head. “I haven’t felt Marcel’s ghost once in this house, but I sure keep feeling Dad’s. One of the last things he said to me was to take care of Vicki. He said she was fragile cause of how she is and it was up to me to be the kind of brother who doesn’t let the world hurt her. And ever since Marcel took me, I keep hearing that over and over in my head and feeling like I fell short.” He blinked hard. “She was in that closet in her room and he came within an inch of cornering her in there and there was nothing I could do and in my head I see over and over him grabbing her and I hear Dad telling me I’m supposed to protect her.”

Malcolm put his hand on Kenneth’s shoulder. “That was a heavy burden your father placed on you,” he said softly, “and one impossible to meet under the circumstances. That man had a gun to your head, Kenneth. You had no choice but to submit, to let him tie you up. If you’d fought him we’d be grieving your murder.”

Kenneth bit his lip. “I know,” he said. “But Dad would have wanted me to protect Vicki or die trying.”

“That’s too much to ask of a young man first starting out his own life. That’s why you came here, remember? To start your life, to not be beholden to Vicki’s needs all the time?” Malcolm put his arm around Kenneth. “I know you don’t want to hear this, but if you can’t stop thinking about what might have happened to your sister or what your father would have wanted you to do about it, then it is time for you to stop being so stubborn and seek help.”

Kenneth hesitated, but he said, “It’s not that bad, Uncle Malcolm. Honest. Once we get past this storm and back to normal life, I’ll be fine.”

“Will you? Seems you’re always waiting for something that will make things all right again and never finding it.”

Kenneth swallowed hard. “Just give me time. I gotta get used to being back, that’s all, and once this storm passes and I can talk to Hannah again it’ll help. She’ll keep me thinking straight.”

“If you say so. I’ve said what I had to say.” Malcolm stood. “But no more talk of guns. Your mother is uncomfortable with you having one in the house and so am I, so the subject is closed.” He squeezed Kenneth’s shoulder. “Come on down and have dinner.”

Kenneth sat on his bed, thinking, as Malcolm walked out of the room.


“You don’t know how much we appreciate your hard work,” Max told Vicki and Claire in the kitchen. “With us giving so many people emergency shelter during the storm, we’re twice as busy as usual, and Chels can’t really help out with Lynn trying to get into everything, so the more hands we have, the better.”

“Who’s Lynn?” Vicki asked, stirring the soup. “Or Chels, for that matter?”

“Chelsea is Max’s wife,” Claire told her, “and their daughter Lynn was born last New Years’. She’s really cute. My mom lets me be a mother’s helper for her sometimes. It’s like a babysitter but while Chelsea is there so she can step in if there’s a problem.’ She turned toward Max. “Vicki just moved here from the Capitol.”

“Six months ago if you want to be accurate,” Vicki said, “because I came to visit and couldn’t leave town when they put up the roadblocks. But I was doing school online until now and my mom finally gave in to staying here.”

“Nice,” Max said. “So you’re going to go to school with Claire and Ciara, huh?”

Vicki made a face. Claire said quickly, “And Allie. Vicki’s nervous about fitting in but she’s already one of us so there’s nothing to worry about.”

“Of course not,” Max said. “How’s that soup coming, Vicki?”

“I don’t know,” Vicki said. “I’ve never made clam chowder before.”

Max came and looked over her shoulder. “You just need to stir in the flour to thicken it up, that’s all. In a couple minutes you’ll be ready to add the clams and then we can get it out to all those hungry people.”

Vicki’s eyes darted back and forth. She wasn’t sure how much flour she needed or where it was but she was embarrassed to ask.

Claire handed her a bowl and said, “It works best if you stir it in a little at a time, and then as soon as it thickens up, turn the heat down so it doesn’t boil over."

“That’s exactly right,” Max said. “Listen to Claire and you’ll get it in no time.” He patted Vicki’s shoulder before walking away.

“Thanks,” Vicki whispered. “I was lost.”

“No problem,” Claire said. “I told you. I’ve got your back.” She smiled at Vicki and Vicki smiled back.

[André DiMera]

Kenneth really should listen to Malcolm and seek help. If he doesn’t, he’ll always be looking for the next thing that will make things okay.

So nice to see Claire helping Vicki, and both of them helping Max with the Pub.

Great chapter, heroicmuse!

[Kpatch]

Claire and Vicki have developed a nice friendship.

Malcolm has given Kenneth a lot to think about.

[lumiforeverandalways]

Claire and Vicki have developed a really sweet friendship.
Great chapter.

[heroicmuse]

Week 319 - 5
“Any luck getting through to Kenneth?” David asked, coming into Hannah’s room.

“Uh uh,” Hannah said. “The phones are all jammed up or something cause of the storm. Texts won’t go through and his phone goes right to voicemail.”

“That’s too bad,” David said. He sat down next to Hannah on the bed and said, “About what happened earlier… what did happen, exactly?”

Hannah looked away, embarrassed. “Nothing, really. The wind rattling the windows sounded like gunfire for a minute, that’s all. It was a dumb thing to think. Can a gun even work right in this weather?”

“I don’t know,” David said. “I’m not any kind of expert on guns. But I do know my daughter, even if I wasn’t around during the most important years of her life.” He put his hand on Hannah’s shoulder. “It’s been rough being back here after the shooting, huh?”

“Yeah.” Hannah swallowed hard. “Eric said I never got to go through my feelings about it so it’s happening now. He made it sound like no big deal but it’s gotta be something serious cause he asked me to let him call in his mom on my case.” She bit her lip. “I hate that Marcel got to me like this but looks like he made me lose my mind.”

“Don’t talk like that.” David crossed his arms. “Marlena Evans is the best in the business. If anyone can help Eric to help you, it’s her. But either way, this is temporary, darling. You went through a lot and it’s going to take time to work some things out, that’s all.”

“I hope so.” Hannah sighed. “This apartment might not be much, but it used to be home. Me and Mom lived here since I was 12 and then you came and joined us. And now I can’t set foot in it without thinking I’m getting shot at all over again.”

David put his arm around her. “That night had to have been so terrifying for you and Mom. I wish I’d been here.”

“I’m glad you weren’t. At least I didn’t have to worry he shot you on top of everything.”

“True,” David said, “but I’d have wanted to help Mom protect you. I’ll tell you one thing, though. Karma has a way of catching up with losers like Marcel. Sooner or later someone’s gonna shoot him and maybe then he’ll understand what he did to you.”

Hannah shuddered. “I don’t like that kind of talk. Horrible as Marcel is, I don’t want to think of him bleeding out on the floor. I’d rather he just stay in prison where he can’t do a thing to me and that’s that.”

“Understood. Just, the father in me hates that he hurt you so badly.”

“I’ll be fine,” Hannah said. “I’m in therapy and everything to get my head on right. It’s Kenneth I’m worried about.”

“Kenneth? Why?”

“Cause what he went through was ten times as bad, getting a gun held to his head and all that. But he won’t hear of talking to a therapist. Just says all the time he’s fine when it’s written all over his face he’s not.”

David sighed. “We men can be stubborn about things like that. But maybe being stuck at home a few days with no phone or Internet will get him thinking differently.”

“I doubt it, but I guess we can hope.” Hannah sighed.

The lights flickered just then. “Uh oh,” Hannah said. “We gonna lose power?”

“I’ll get the flashlights ready just in case,” David said, standing. But before he could take another step, the lights went out, plunging Hannah’s room into darkness.


“Turn off that stove,” Johnny whispered. “I’ll get rid of Abe.”

Sydney stared at him for a second, a frightened expression on her face. “K,” she said. She turned the stove off.

Johnny went to the front door. “Abe,” he said, imitating his mom’s mannerisms. “What brings you by?” He scowled when he saw Theo standing next to Abe, then put on his best smile anyway.

“A better question is why you’re trying to talk like the man of the house,” Abe said. “Your mother got stranded in the storm. She and Lucas ended up at the Brady Pub with your sister and her friends.”

“Good for them,” Johnny said. “That doesn’t explain why you’re here.”

Abe looked him up and down. “Now that sounds more like the Johnny I know,” he said. “Is there a reason you are being so rude?”

Johnny’s cheeks got hot. “Sorry,” he mumbled. “I just don’t like my mom checking up on me.”

“Understood. But given that we’re in the middle of a major storm and your parents aren’t able to get home, someone needed to come check on you. In fact, I’m going to do one better. Theo and I are going to come stay with you until the roads are cleared up enough for your mother to get home.” He and Theo came in without being invited.

Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Sydney said to herself, “Johnny’s taking too long. The snow is already starting to melt.” She took a deep breath. “I’m just going to have to get the syrup onto the snow myself cause he’s not here.”

Sydney grabbed a metal spoon and took a spoonful of syrup out of the pot. It was hard to scoop up and the spoon was getting hot. She’d have to hurry to get it onto the snow.

She tried to do it, but the spoon handle got too hot all at once and she dropped it, spilling the syrup. She jumped back, but it hit her arm anyway, burning her. It hurt so badly she screamed.


Paige took the groceries out of the trunk. The car was parked in an underground garage that was kind of dark. It was giving her the creeps so she hurried to get them out.

A car started right near her. Paige flinched. Who would be going out in this weather? She grabbed the rest of the bags and slammed the trunk closed, then hurried toward the elevator, unable to shake the feeling that someone was watching her.

She pressed the elevator call button. “Come on,” she said, trying not to panic. She looked over her shoulder. No one was there; there was no reason to freak out.

But still, she was sure she was being watched.

“Okay, Paige,” she said to herself. “Get it together. That homeless guy is long gone and no matter how crude he was about flirting with you, he didn’t follow you back to the hotel. You’re safe. Jeff is long gone and so is that homeless man.” She breathed in and out, trying to calm herself. “The elevator is going to come in a minute and you’ll bring the groceries upstairs and you and JJ can start over again, have a nice night despite the snow instead of all this freaking out. If the elevator ever comes.” She pushed the call button again even though she knew that was totally useless.

Footsteps sounded on the floor behind her. She held her breath, hoping whoever that was didn’t notice she was freaking out. If they did, hopefully they thought she was just scared of elevators. If they were a legitimate guest of the hotel and not someone looking to cause her trouble.

“Paige!” the person behind her called. “Is that you?”

Paige turned. “Oh my gosh,” she said, her fear melting away when she saw who it was. She felt equal parts foolish and relieved. “I didn’t expect to see you here. What are you doing in Chicago?”

[André DiMera]

Glad David and Hannah are talking about this. I can’t imagine how hard this is for both of them. Hopefully nothing bad will happen while the power’s out!

It’s a good thing Abe is staying, at least that way he can keep an eye on Johnny. Oh man! I was afraid something like this would happen! Hopefully Sydney will be okay!

Wonder who Paige just ran into.

Can we please have previews, heroicmuse?

[lumiforeverandalways]

Glad David and Hannah talked about Ken.
Good thing Abe and Theo are staying with Johnny and Sydney - hope Sydney is ok.
Wonder who Paige has seen in Chicago.
Can we please have some previews?

[heroicmuse]

Thank you André DiMera, Kpatch, and lumiforeverandalways for your comments this week.

Coming up: more chaos as the storm continues!

Coming Up on Breaking Ties...


As the storm rages on, it causes all sorts of trouble for our friends in Salem (and Chicago!)

Paige is relieved when she meets an old friend in the parking garage, but her anxiety grows again when they get in the elevator and she worries that the power could go out before she makes it to her floor. And after a close call, will JJ be able to comfort her?

Back in Salem, both Hannah and Kenneth’s homes have lost power. Being alone in a dark, cold room triggers a painful memory for Hannah, and her PTSD acts up again when Valerie drops something in the kitchen, making a loud noise. Later, Valerie is annoyed with David’s response when she asks him to bring Hannah a lantern, and David is equally upset when he finds Hannah has locked herself in her room. After convincing her to let him in, David pushes Hannah to confide in him… but will he be able to stay calm when he hears what she has to say?

Over at Malcolm’s, it’s equally dark and cold, and Kenneth struggles with depressing feelings when Nan asks him to say Grace before they eat, while Nan wonders what is going on that has caused Kenneth to act more like his sister.

As for Vicki, she’s set to have a good time sleeping over with Allie and Claire in a spare room in Eric’s apartment. But when the girls decide to play the truth game, things get awkward fast, between Vicki inadvertently asking a question that could upset Claire and her own feelings of not fitting in after the questions the other girls ask.

Elsewhere, Abe has his hands full between trying to deal with Sydney’s injury and with Johnny’s sulky and rebellious behavior, especially when Johnny doesn’t want to accept Abe’s being in charge until Sami and Lucas can get back.

And finally, Hope is concerned about the way Aiden deals with it after learning some upsetting news about Thomas, while Sami is unhappy to hear that Eric is still with Eve.

[André DiMera]

Wonder what old friend Paige meets. Hope she makes it before the power goes out. It sounds like she might.

Not surprised that Hannah’s PTSD acts up during the power outage. Wonder what she says to David.

Kenneth definitely needs help!

Sounds like the game will be interesting. Hopefully it doesn’t get too awkward.

Seems that Johnny will be annoying, as usual. Hopefully Abe can help Sydney.

Wonder what Aiden finds out that upsets him. Sami needs to get over her issue with Eric and Eve.

Thanks for the previews, heroicmuse!

[Kpatch]

I wish JJ would have gone with Paige to get the groceries out of the car, or that they would have brought it back with them to begin with.

[lumiforeverandalways]

A big week to come for sure.
Hopefully Hannah will open up to David.
Poor Ken.
Hopefully Sydney is ok and Johnny needs to accept Abe is in charge until Lucas and Sami are back.
Wonder what Vicki asks Claire.
Thanks for previews.

[heroicmuse]

Week 320 - 1
Theo came running into the kitchen, where Sydney was sobbing and holding her arm. “My father will be here in a matter of seconds, but I wanted to be the first to check on you,” he said. “What happened?”

“It’s still happening,” Sydney sniffed, making an effort to control herself so she wouldn’t look like a baby to Theo. “I spilled hot syrup on my arm and it’s burning and burning.”

“Here,” Theo said. He turned on the sink as Abe came rushing in. Johnny followed Abe and stood in the doorway.. “It is cool but not freezing. Put your arm under it to stop the burning.” Sydney glanced at Abe, who nodded and then she put her arm under the water.

“What happened?” Abe asked.

“Sydney said she spilled hot syrup on her arm,” Theo said. “She has not yet provided any other details.”

“Let me see it,” Abe said to Sydney, “so I can make sure you don’t need to go to the hospital.”

“In this snow?” Sydney sniffed. “We’ll all die in a car crash.” She held out her arm anyway.

“This is statistically improbable,” Theo said. “Although the weather creates dangerous conditions, there are also few cars on the road and my father’s decades of experience driving in storms as a police officer and the equipment he has on his car such as snow tires makes it unlikely he would crash.”

“Well, hopefully we won’t have to test that premise,” Abe said as he put on his reading glasses. He looked at Sydney’s arm and said, “This does not look like a serious enough burn to require hospitalization. Does your mom have antibiotic cream for cuts and injuries in her bathroom?”

“I don’t know,” Sydney sniffed.

Abe said to Theo, “Please go see if there is a first aid kit in the bathroom. If not, I will have to get mine from the car.”

Theo said, “Would it not be more proper for Johnny to do this errand as he lives here?”

“It would,” Abe said, “but I want to talk to him and Sydney in private while you are doing that.”

“Oh,” Theo said. “All right.” He left.

Abe said to Sydney, “You are going to be fine. But you were very lucky. I don’t know what you were doing with hot syrup, but you could have been burned much more severely. So who wants to tell me what was going on in here? You or Johnny?”


Upstairs in Eric’s apartment, Sami was helping the girls get settled, leaving Eric and Lucas alone in the living room.

“I can’t thank you enough,” Lucas said. “Obviously we didn’t plan to get stuck, but a nice warm apartment is far better than trying to camp out in the car. Plus being snowed in on the side of the road brought back bad memories, if you know what I mean?”

“Of what EJ did to you and to my sister,” Eric said. “You don’t need to say another word. I understand completely.”

“Right,” Lucas said. There was an awkward pause and then he added, “I hope we’re not seriously inconveniencing you.”

“Of course we’re not,” Sami said, coming back into the living room. “Eric loves having his favorite sister here, doesn’t he?”

“And the girls, too,” Eric said. “I’m especially happy to see Vicki Hansen bonding with the other girls. She has not been in Salem long and from what I understand, she has some social difficulties. I am sure it is doing her a world of good to be so readily accepted as one of the group by girls as kind as Claire and Allie.”

“I thought there was something off about her,” Sami said. Eric raised his eyebrows and so did Lucas. “I’m just saying,” Sami said. “I wasn’t trying to be judgmental.”

“Of course,” Eric said. “And yes, she does have some awkward mannerisms, but I am sure that her friendships with the other girls will help smooth that out. Anyway, do you and Lucas have everything you need?”

“I think so,” Lucas said. “I can’t get over you having a collection of spare toothbrushes in the bathroom.”

“It’s a habit I got from my grandmother,” Eric said. “Do you remember, Sami? Whenever we came to visit her as children and we’d beg to stay over we’d find a new toothbrush and tube of toothpaste in the bathroom. She said she always made sure to be ready for company because the worst thing you could do is have to turn family away because you weren’t prepared.”

“I remember,” Sami said softly. “God bless Grandma Caroline. Is it weird for you living in her old apartment? You know, without her?”

“It’s been long enough that it feels like mine,” Eric said, “but yes, I miss her often.” He crossed himself and said. “I’m sure she was looking out for all of you tonight, leading you safely to her old home during the storm.” He smiled slightly. “But if you have everything, I have to ask you to excuse me.”

“Doing your evening prayers?” Sami asked lightly.

“Well, yes, but not yet. Since we can’t be together tonight, I’d like to call Eve and make sure she’s all right.”

Sami scowled. “Eve? As in Eve Donovan? You’re still with that low class piece of - “

“Sami,” Lucas said quietly. “Let’s be good houseguests for once and not start a fight, all right?”

“Just saying,” Sami said. “Even Nicole is a better choice and that’s saying something.”

Eric frowned. Before he could say anything, Lucas said to Sami, “Let’s go say good night to the girls.”

“I know what you’re doing, Lucas Horton,” Sami said, “and - “

“Sami,” Eric said quietly. “I also know what Lucas is doing and I appreciate it. But I am going to say this once and once only. Eve is my girlfriend and someday she may be my wife. I am aware of what you think of her, but I don’t care to hear it. I love her and that is not going to change no matter how many insults you sling her way. But it does hurt me when you insist on being so nasty to and about her. So please, from now on, ask yourself how you would feel if I said something similar to you about Lucas -- not that I would, Lucas -- and conduct yourself accordingly.” He walked away before Sami could answer.

“Of all the nerve!” Sami said.

“He has a point,” Lucas said. He laughed. “You should see the look on your face.”

“Why? What about it?”

“Because,” Lucas said, “even though I know I shouldn’t, I still find it cute the way you get so worked up when you think you’re right.” He stroked Sami’s cheek. “Come on. The sooner we check in on the girls, the sooner we can get rid of all the pent-up energy in other ways.”

“Oooh,” Sami said. “I like the way you think, General.”

“And I love the way your mind works,” Lucas said, kissing her. “Come on.”


In the girls’ room, Vicki sat on the air mattress Eric had found for her, reading a book entitled Flowers for Algernon, while Claire and Allie were making the bed.

“Look what Ciara’s missing out on by being so mean,” Allie said. “She could have been part of all of this.”

“Don’t gloat,” Claire said. “It’s not any nicer when you do it than when she does.” She pulled the sheet over a corner of the mattress. “There were things about her that were cool,” she said. “Truth or dare was fun, and she was really good at doing makeovers for us. Like insanely good. I loved it when she’d do my hair and nails at a party.”

“Truth or dare was only fun for you,” Allie said, “not for me. And I bet Vicki wouldn’t have liked it either if she was there. Would you, Vicki?”

“Huh?” Vicki said, not looking up from her book.

“We were talking about Ciara liking to play truth or dare,” Allie said. “I hated it and I bet you would too.”

“Oh. Yeah,” Vicki still didn’t look up from her book. “The truth part is okay cause you can kind of find a way around the question if you don’t want to tell people the real answer. But the dare part’s another story. I don’t ever take a dare cause you never know what someone’s gonna make you do.”

“Exactly!” Allie said.

“We wouldn’t make you do anything mean if we played,” Claire said. “You can trust us.”

Vicki nodded and turned another page in her book.

“So, want to?” Claire asked.

“Want to what?” Vicki said.

“Play Truth or Dare, Nice Girls Edition,” Claire said.

[André DiMera]

Johnny’s not likely to tell the truth, so I hope Sydney does. Glad she’s gonna be okay!

Glad Eric and Lucas got Sami to stop badmouthing Eve. Loved the references to Caroline!

I have a feeling that Vicki’s probably not gonna be interested in playing truth or dare, but we’ll see. Glad the three girls are together.

Great chapter, heroicmuse!