Stolen Lives, Loss Of Innocence - A Days Fanfic (Read 11,438 times)

[heroicmuse]

I really like this conversation between Natalie and Paul.

[sevenna92]

SCENE 11 – DIMERA LIVING ROOM, LATE MORNING

Chad was sitting in a big sofa chair reading on his IPad when Harold approached him.

“Mr. DiMera, Ms. Callaway is here to see you,” he said.

“Oh, bring her in,” Chad answered as he put his IPad down on the table and got out of the chair.

He then saw Natalie entering the room wearing a long, black coat, a white and red polka-dotted dress and a long ponytail. He then went over to hug her as Natalie tentatively received his embrace.

“Hey, cuz,” Chad greeted her. “How is everything?”

“Good,” Natalie answered.

“Why don’t you have a seat on the sofa? I’ll have Harold bring you something to drink.”

“Okay,” Natalie nodded as she walked over to the sofa and sat down, rubbing her knees.

“I saw you dancing with a couple of people last night, including that famous baseball player Paul Narita,” Chad remarked crisply. “You got a lot of people talking.”

“Really?” Natalie cocked her eyebrow inquisitively.

“Here, I got some pictures in my IPad if you’d like to take a look,” Chad replied as he picked up his device and handed it to her.

Natalie then looked over at the tablet and was surprised at what she was seeing. Right there were some pictures of her and Paul dancing, including one where Paul spun her around and another one of Natalie laughing as Paul waved his arms around.

“You seemed to really enjoy yourself at the club. I think you and Paul really hit it off,” Chad chimed whimsically. “You know… you could go out with him.”

“I don’t know,” Natalie frowned anxiously. “I have some tests and papers left over that I need to grade. Not only am I swamped with schoolwork but I also have to tutor the kids that need the extra help. Later on today I’m supposed to meet Theo at Abe’s so I can help him with his studies. I’m still trying to make a life for myself and I barely have time for a date.”

“How could you not have time for a date?” Chad replied. “You’re a young, attractive, confident and brilliant woman. Father has been telling me about how you were one of the brightest and smartest kids in high school and also how you were even a straight A student in college. I don’t think anyone in our family has ever gotten the grades or even the level of education you have gotten. But I just don’t understand how could you possibly have trouble finding a date?”

“Look, Chad,” Natalie glared at her younger cousin. “I may be smart but it’s not like it’s easy for me to make friends or even go out and interact with people. I don’t know if whatever I say is going to bore them or maybe I’ll blab on and on too much about one subject or I’m just going to plain annoy them. And I really don’t think there are many guys in this town that find me attractive. I’m certain there’s way more beautiful and attractive women than me.”

She then smiled softly to herself with a dreamy look on her face as she added under her breath, “Like Theresa.”

“Don’t worry so much about what other people think, Nat,” Chad replied gently. “Just be yourself.”

“Yeah, like that’s easier said and done,” Natalie grumbled angrily, crossing her arms. “I’ve done nothing but follow the rules, keep my nose clean and be a good and decent person and yet whenever I go around town, I feel like people are looking at me with pure disdain and contempt. Somehow I’m the she-devil incarnate and I’m the most horrible, evil, disgusting vermin to walk the face of the earth all because my name is DiMera and I have DiMera blood running through my veins.”

“Yeah, I know how hard it is, cousin,” Chad conceded. “I remember that when I was in town a while back, before I got shot and I had to go to Boston, there were a lot of people that treated me very much the same way. Not like it matters now. Our family has the reputation it does for a reason.”

“I know, but before I even found out I was a part of this family, my life was so normal. Sure it was tough being an autistic person and I had to struggle to do well in school and to socialize properly with people, but I was so happy and carefree living with my parents and my brother Pete and my sister Hilary.”

“Hilary and I were so especially close and she was such a cool person. Sure she could be a bit condescending and snobby but she taught me everything I know on how to deal with society. I would tell her my greatest and secret fears and thoughts and she was always there for me. She was especially brave and confident and she was always the popular one in high school. She seemed to have a lot more boyfriends and friends than I ever did.”

“But now I find out that I was born into an Italian mafia family with a lot of global connections and my world’s being turned upside down. My uncle is one of the most notorious crime lords in the entire planet with God knows how many kids and God knows how many mistresses. You’re one of the only few cousins I have left besides Kristen and Peter because all of Uncle Stefano’s other kids are dead. And besides that, Peter’s in jail and E.J. is freshly buried and cold in his grave.”

“Yeah,” Chad nodded. “You’re right about that. I think you’re probably one of the few living female DiMeras left in our family.”

“Yeah, you’re probably right. What a scary thought,” Natalie answered with a frown. “What if I’m the only one?”

“Maybe not,” Chad mused with a smile. “Who knows? Maybe there are some more cousins out there that we’re not aware of yet.”

“Yeah,” Natalie laughed. “Maybe. I know that my father’s name is Sergio but I still don’t know who my real mother is. And Uncle Stefano won’t tell me a thing.”

“It’s okay, Natalie. Just be patient. Father will tell you in due time.”

“I hope so,” Natalie sighed.

Harold then walked over to the living room and handed a glass of Coke to the young dark-haired woman. Natalie accepted the glass and thanked the butler as Harold bowed out of the room.

Natalie then took a sip of her Coke and swallowed, chewing on the ice in her mouth.

“By the way, I heard that you got into a really bad fight with Ben at Club TBD the other day.”

“Yeah, so?” Chad shrugged.

“What were you thinking, Chad? You don’t go around provoking people like that, especially when this guy’s got a really bad temper,” Natalie retorted sternly.

“And how would you know anything about Mr. Rogers?” Chad scoffed snidely.

“Because Abby told me when I stopped by at the hospital the day before yesterday when I went over to see Theresa on my lunch break,” Natalie answered pithily. “And besides, I’ve been hanging around your girlfriend Jordan and she’s been telling me a lot about Ben and how you two have been having problems.”

“And I thought you were the one that had trouble making friends,” Chad chuckled.

“Yeah, well, I hope I’m making some progress,” Natalie scoffed. “Seriously, Chad, you really have to stop being such a jerk.”

“Well, I do want to make a good impression for Father,” Chad declared proudly. “I’m the heir apparent to the DiMera empire now that E.J. is dead. And it is my job to protect you and make sure nothing happens to you, especially since you are your father’s only daughter and one of the only few DiMera females left.”

“I can take care of myself just fine,” Natalie shot back.

“Seriously, Nat. Sometimes you are just way too trusting,” Chad remarked crisply and Natalie drank up the last of her glass and put it down on the table. She then got up from her seat and started to walk out of the living room.

“It was nice seeing you, Chad. Maybe I’ll drop by again later.”

“Okay, take care, cuz,” Chad waved as Natalie walked out of the living room and left the house.

[heroicmuse]

So Natalie doesn't know who her mother is! Woo hoo! I'm up for a good paternity mystery.

I figured she was autistic but it was nice to get the confirmation.

[sevenna92]

Yeah, me too! I'm still pretty much trying to put together the backstory of her mother but sometime later on in this story you're going to find out who she is.

Yeah I could've sworn she mentioned something about being autistic but whatever.

I wanted to add in the next week of previews and the last scene for this chapter today but I spent ALL day cleaning the house. I'm exhausted now so perhaps I'll get the chance before I go to bed.

[André DiMera]

Maternity mysteries are always great! Can't wait to see who her mother is! I really like Natalie! Her conversation with Chad was great! Awesome story, sevenna92!

[fluffysmom]

I wonder if Natalie will tell Teresa how she feels.

[sevenna92]

They sure are, André DiMera! I think they can be wonderful if done right! I'm still working out the minute details but it should be really good! And it's even better since we have another mystery with Paul's paternity. It should be interesting to see how Natalie and Paul uncover the truth behind their origins. 

I'm sure Natalie will eventually tell Theresa, fluffysmom. But right now Theresa has her own issues to contend with, such as her unresolved feelings for Brady and the constant nightmares she keeps on having. Plus there's this issue of Clint possibly putting a serious wedge between Natalie and Theresa. I think he's going to see Natalie as a serious threat to his ultimate plan with Theresa and he's going to want to do everything possible to keep her close. 

[sevenna92]

Author's Notes:

Well, here's the very last scene for this chapter. I am so overjoyed by the positive responses I've been getting so far and I'm glad people are really liking this story! I have a couple of scenes I'd like to load up too before I go to bed because I got to get up early tomorrow. The scene after this should get you a really good idea of who Natalie's mom might be. Hopefully it doesn't give away too much but the full mystery won't be revealed until much, much later, I promise you. 

And happy reading! 

SCENE 12 – SALEM UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL, EARLY AFTERNOON

Meanwhile, in the physical therapy room, Jordan was busy trying to help a young man in his late 20s try out his new prosthetic legs. He had a small buzz cut and was clean shaven with brooding, dark brown eyes with bulging biceps.

The man then grunted as he tried to slowly holster himself up on the metal rails. He then put out one metal foot ahead as he took another tentative step and he began to move across to the other side.

“Keep on doing it, Chance. You’re doing great,” Jordan replied encouragingly as the young man pulled himself along even as his feet slipped and he struggled to keep his balance.

Chance then yelled as he nearly lost his footing and grabbed tightly onto the railing. He then kept on walking as he vaulted over to the other end. He then turned himself around to face the other side and then kept on paddling slowly as carefully as he could.

It was then that Jordan heard a knock at her door and she turned around to see Ben and John standing at the door. “Detective Black! What a pleasant surprise!” the young auburn haired woman exclaimed.

“Hello, Ms. Ridgeway. I’m sorry to interrupt your session, but if you don’t mind, I’d like to talk to you and your brother outside privately.”

“Sure thing, Detective Black,” Jordan replied as she turned to a young college intern with a long ponytail and a dimpled, angular, Oriental face.

“Hey, Phyllis. Can you please cover for me with Chance? I need to take care of some unrelated business. I’ll be right back.”

“Sure thing, Jordan,” the younger woman nodded.

Jordan then turned to face Ben and John as she soon walked out of the room with the two men.

As soon as Jordan stepped out of the room and closed the door, she and Ben looked at John expectantly.

John then scratched his head nervously and sighed deeply, dreading what he was about to say.

“Jordan, Ben, I know this is a little sudden and out of the blue, but I really have some important news to tell you.”

He then inhaled deeply and rubbed his hands, adding, “There really is no easy way to say this, but… your father is dead.”

Jordan then fell silent as her face went deathly pale and her jaw nearly dropped in shock. Ben’s eyes welled with tears as he drew back with a devastated yet disbelieving expression.

“What?” was all he could muster.

“His body was found buried deep in the snow last night at the park. He was killed with two gunshot wounds to the chest,” John replied.

“Who would do this?” Ben demanded angrily once he was able to snap out of his shock and regain his composure.

“We don’t know yet. Right now we’re in the middle of a murder investigation and my partner and I are trying to contact the next of kin and anyone else that might have known him. We’ll keep you posted on any new info that comes up but this is all we know.”

“Oh my God,” Jordan whispered in astonishment and Ben shook in tremors, biting his lower lip. He choked out a barely concealed sob as tears fell down his face.

“No… no… no…” he muttered as he then let out a loud scream and pushed past John, bolting wildly through the hospital corridors.

“Oh no, Ben!” Jordan cried as she rushed past John to catch up with her kid brother.

Ben then shoved past Theresa as she was walking through the corridors with a folder filled with paperwork.

“Hey!” Theresa screamed angrily as she caught a blur of Ben dashing madly in a fit of rage. “Watch where you’re going, you psycho!”

She then noticed that Jordan ran past her as she spun around just in time to disappear right into the horizon.

“What is her problem?”

“Ben! Ben! Wait up!” Jordan yelled as she finally caught up to her brother at the entrance and grabbed his shoulder. Ben then turned around to look at his sister with a look of pure hatred in his eyes.

“What do you want, Jordan?”

“Ben, look, I know you’re upset right now. And it’s okay to be sad. But we know the kind of person Clyde is. Whether he’s your father or not, it doesn’t excuse who he was or what he did to us,” Jordan attempted to console him gently yet firmly.

“I know that!” Ben shouted in a trembling yet taut voice. “But he’s a changed man. I know he was. He gave me money just so I can go to college and be a better person. I was going to be the first Weston to graduate college on my father’s side of the family. And he was going to therapy sessions with Dr. Evans to deal with his problems. I know what he did wasn’t excusable but he was working his way to rebuild his relationship with us.”

“Ben, you don’t know Clyde like I do. You don’t know the whole story,” Jordan insisted.

“Of course I do. He was drunk a lot and he beat us and our mother. What else is there?” Ben retorted snappishly.

“Ben, it’s time I told you everything about our father. All of it,” Jordan announced as she took in a deep breath. After a few minutes, she opened her mouth, steeling herself to confess the whole thing to Ben.

“Ben, Clyde did more than drink and beat us. He raped me when I was just 15-years-old. It was sometime after Mom died. After the accident happened, he made me do awful, horrible things for him. I even had to run some opiates and heroin for all of his customers.”

“All of the money I got from selling and distributing drugs was given to him. He kept me on a very tight leash and he said he’d kill me if I ever told anybody what he was doing to me. That’s why I had to take you and run, Ben. It was only a matter of time before he dragged you into his world too.”

Ben was trembling in astonishment and disbelief at what he heard. His hands were sweating profusely and he was bobbing and shaking his head as if to say “No”.

“No… No… No… You’re lying. You’re lying. That can’t be true. Dad did not do that. He did not do the things you said. He did not do the things you said. He did not…”

He then quickly rushed over to a nearby sink and started to puke and vomit in reaction to what he had just learned. After wiping his mouth and drinking some water, he turned back to Jordan.

“How could you say all of those horrible things about Dad?”

“You call him Dad? He doesn’t deserve that title, Ben! Haven’t you forgotten what he did to you, to me, and to Mom?”

“What about Mom?” Ben demanded furiously. “Did you do something to her? What did you do, Jordan?!”

“I didn’t do anything! It was an accident!” Jordan screamed, sobbing. “I was only trying to help her escape! I had to get her and the baby away from Clyde! The car lost control and it crashed into a tree! They’re both dead!”

“A baby… What do you mean a baby?” Ben growled and then he stopped suddenly, his eyes widening. “Oh my God… Mom was pregnant when she died…”

“I didn’t mean to do it. It was an accident. It’s all my fault I killed my own mother and my own baby brother. It’s all my fault…” Jordan sobbed hysterically, nearly collapsing to the ground.

“Jordan…” Ben whispered in shock, his eyes gawking in horror yet disgust. “How could you?”

Jordan then wiped her eyes and stopped sniffling. She then looked up just in time to see Ben walking away from her.

“Ben! Ben! Ben, wait!”

Theresa was standing around in the nurses’ station taking a cigarette break when John suddenly walked past her. He then turned around and was surprised to see her there.

“Hello, Theresa.”

Theresa then started as she swerved around to see the older man and her face paled. She then gave a nervous, awkward smile and she began sweating excessively.

“Um, hey, John,” she said. “How is life treating you?”

“As well as it’s ever been,” John answered casually and Theresa gazed down and noticed the badge hanging on his chest.

“Nice badge you got there. So you a cop now?”

“Yep,” John nodded affirmatively. “So I hope I don’t catch you getting into any serious trouble. I would hate to have to arrest you.”

“Yeah,” Theresa nodded with a half-frown, her eyes averted nervously. She took another puff of her cigarette and exhaled.

“Just so you know, I’ve been keeping my nose clean and out of trouble. I’ve been staying out of Brady’s life and he’s not of any concern to me anymore.”

“Good,” John nodded with a smile, obviously pleased. “I hope you have a good life, Theresa. I pray that you can still somehow turn your life around and make things better for yourself. I believe you still have potential and it’s a terrible thing to waste.”

“Yeah, maybe I’ll find my purpose in life, someday, God willing,” Theresa sighed as she flicked the butt of her cigarette. Ashes rained down onto the spot that she was standing on and she took another puff.

“You know, I wish there was some way I could make it up to you for all my trouble. Perhaps I can offer you some reparation to help pay for emotional and psychological damage and medical bills and such. My job really doesn’t pay me much but I was thinking of taking in some more side jobs to earn more money.”

“That sounds really good, Theresa. I think that’s a smart idea,” John nodded approvingly.

“I sure hope so. I hate this job as it is. I’m thinking of quitting altogether and finding another job. Something more satisfying. I was even thinking of becoming a magician. That would be really cool, especially since I’ve grown more interested in magic lately.”

“Whatever you want to do, Theresa. It’s up to you,” John shrugged as he turned to walk away. “So long.”

Theresa then shrugged and kept on smoking.

John then sighed as his face dropped into a worried yet troubled frown and he continued to saunter through the hospital corridors.

Theresa’s mind began to drift as she recalled the moments that she spent with Brady in bed and all of the conversations that they shared together. Her eyes then welled up with tears and she squeezed her eyes shut, trying not to cry.

“What have I done?” she whispered. “I had a good thing going and I ruined it by being stupid and selfish. Why do I always ruin every relationship I have? I didn’t realize how much I care for that moron until it was too late. Now Brady’s off with another woman and I’m all alone. I suppose it’s time I moved on. There’s no point in me mulling over what ifs. I just hope I don’t end up screwing up whatever I have going on with Natalie right now. She’s the best thing to have happened to me in a good long time.”

She then turned around to see Natalie walking in from her left and she let out a deep sigh. The young redhead woman then took another drag of her cigarette, blinking away tears as a lump developed in her throat. “I wonder if she feels the same for me like I do her.”

Natalie then noticed John walking right in her path and John smiled upon seeing Natalie.

“Hello, Natalie.”

“Hey, Mr. Black.”

“Please, call me John,” John replied politely.

“Oh, okay. Sorry,” Natalie apologized quickly.

“So how is everything?” John inquired.

“Good. The students really like me and the teaching position is going well so far,” Natalie answered with a big grin. “Plus I get to help tutor kids and it really feels good being needed.”

“That’s great,” John replied. “This town definitely needs more people like you.”

“That really means a lot, coming from you,” Natalie remarked. “I know that you and Marlena have had really bad history with my family and all and I just feel awful that I’m part of a clan with such an ugly reputation.”

“Hey, don’t sweat it, kid,” John waved his hand dismissively. “Besides, I think you’re a good egg. I don’t believe you’re anything at all like the other DiMeras. You’re a good person with a big heart. Don’t ever forget that.”

“Thanks, John,” Natalie smiled sweetly. “I really hope you’re doing okay and I’m so happy that you have a great job. I know that things have been rough between you, Brady and Theresa and I know you have every reason to hate her. I don’t like what she did as much as anybody else and I know it’s really bad and horrible. But despite everything that I know about her, I can’t bring myself to hate her. I still feel bad for her and I truly believe she needs a friend to guide her.”

“That’s a nice thing for you to say, and that’s great that you said that too. I don’t believe it’s a good thing to hold so much anger and hatred in your heart. But at the same time I want you to be careful around Theresa. I don’t want you to get hurt the same way Brady has,” John chimed empathetically.

“I know, I know,” Natalie scoffed with an eye roll. “Everybody keeps on telling me the same thing. But I’ll be careful. I’m not that stupid. I know the kind of person she is. I just want to help her.”

“I know you have nothing but the best intentions for her, Natalie, but I just want to be absolutely sure you know what you’re getting into,” John replied firmly.

“I know. Thanks for looking out for me,” Natalie smiled. “I better get going. My dog must be getting antsy right about now and I have to make sure she has enough food and water.”

“Okay. Take care of yourself, kid,” John said as Natalie walked away. He then picked up his cell phone and opened it. He then saw a picture of him and Marlena on New Year’s Eve and sighed deeply.

“I better go see if Doc is okay,” he said.

[sevenna92]

Okay, here's next week's previews!

Next week, on "Stolen Lives, Loss Of Innocence..."

Will’s Sonix article on Paul comes out and everybody learns about his secret.

Will’s marriage is in danger when Sonny learns about his one night stand with Paul.

A grief-stricken Ben soon falls under Jeremiah’s spell as he takes his father’s place in the drug business.

Theresa discovers her new magical powers and decides to use them for her own financial benefit.

Natalie struggles with her growing feelings for Theresa.

Natalie has a tense call with her Uncle Stefano.

Paige schemes to find a way to sabotage J.J.’s budding relationship with Myrna.

Theresa makes a proposition to Paul.

Someone is shot!

And now here are two additional spoilers just for the heck of it:

Natalie decides to consult a higher power. 

Theresa is bewildered when she discovers that she might have a secret admirer. 

[sevenna92]

Chapter 2

SCENE 1 – THERESA’S APARTMENT, MIDNIGHT

Later that evening, Natalie was lying in her bed, tossing and turning. She was whimpering fearfully as her bed kept on rocking violently and she was kicking her legs in a frenzied manner.

A huge downpour of rain falls on a lonely, dark stretch of highway as several cars and trucks pass by a dusty, dirt road. A young, attractive woman of about 19 years with long, overflowing, dark raven hair, slightly dark olive skin, and exotic good looks was wearing a red top, a pair of battered blue jeans and some sandals was walking alone, shivering with cold.

As one truck flew by her, honking its horn, the woman waved desperately to get its attention. She then stopped and stuck out her thumb, watching more cars pass her by. Her knees then cobbled and banged against each other and she crossed her arms around her body in an attempt to keep warm.

Just then, a large, black, shiny limousine pulls right in front of her as the front window pulls down. The woman then approaches the vehicle cautiously to see who was inside. She was surprised when a man in his early/mid 30s with dark, short, black hair, thick, distinguished eyebrows, a dashing, handsome, boyish face, and beady, pointy, intense dark brown eyes peered out into view. He had a cigar in his mouth and he appeared to have a very stocky yet muscular build.

“Hello, little miss. How can I help you?” he importuned.

“Excuse me sir,” the woman said shakily in a nasally, high-pitched voice. “I need to hitch a ride to Vegas. Can you give me a lift?”

“Sure thing, little one. Get in,” the man remarked as he opened the door and the woman slipped inside the car. As soon as the door slammed shut the limousine drove away into the cold, wet night.

The woman then shifted her legs slightly to get more comfortable and she turned around to get a closer look at the strange man beside her. She drew back in fear at the sight of the larger and intimidating man.

The man then smiled kindly yet politely as he grabbed a bottle of champagne. He then popped it open with an opener as white, thick, cold steam flowed out and he poured the golden, bubbly liquid into a champagne flute.

“You would like some champagne?” he asked.

“Sure,” the woman nodded as he handed her the glass and she took a sip.

“So where do you come from, little girl?” the man inquired crisply in a thick Italian accent.

“I come from Paris, France. I’ve spent most of my life there and I have a family that has a really huge and prosperous vineyard and a successful winemaking business. My great-grandfather Vernon, great-grandmother Marcy and grandmother Lidia have been running Livingston Vineyards for years now and we have all kinds of offices all over France, Great Britain, Argentina, Italy, and even in some parts of the U.S., including California, Florida, and even Louisiana. Business is especially great in Louisiana since a lot of people buy our family’s winery for the Mardi Gras festival.”

With that she suddenly stopped speaking and remained silent. At this point the man grabbed a cluster of grapes and bit into one. He then plucked off one grape and offered one to the young woman. “Want one?”

“Okay,” the young woman replied as she took the grape and chewed on it. After she swallowed and stewed for several minutes she spoke up again. “Sorry, I’m not that much of a talker. I’m really sorry about that. It’s just that I mostly keep to myself. I really didn’t have that many friends growing up. A lot of the kids used to tease me at school just because of the color of my skin and the way I talked. Also I never really knew my own father and I didn’t even know who he was until just fairly recently.”

“Oh? Who was he then?” the man inquired.

“My father’s name was Chekhov Carter. Apparently he had a wife named Charisma Dumonde, who was part of a large and influential Georgia dynasty. They used to own some big plantations before the Civil War and after the war ended it all fell apart. But they soon built this large tobacco plantation and before they knew it the profits went through the roof. Charisma was set to marry another man from another family that was heavily involved in the tobacco business but instead she set her sights on Chekhov.”

“Of course this caused a huge scandal in her family since Chekhov was from the lower class and he was mainly a street dancer/musician/magician who traveled with a nationwide circus. Charisma’s parents thought that Chekhov was beneath her for a lady of her stature and if she were to marry him, it would bring her ruin. But Charisma went ahead and married him anyway.”

“Of course it turned out to be a tumultuous and stormy marriage. Chekhov was a philanderer and an adulterer and he ran around with many, many women. There are rumors that he might have fathered at least a dozen children out of wedlock but who knows if it’s true. He had seven children with his wife: three sons and four daughters. Their names were Raphael, Jericho, Josiah, Emily, Adrienne, Sivonne, Jeune, and Naeten. As much as he loved his wife and children, he just couldn’t give up his bad habit of obtaining mistresses. And my mother was no different.”

“I am so sorry to hear that, little girl,” the man remarked sympathetically.

“My mother Emma was on a tour in Baton Rouge to promote her latest set of Livingston Wines when she saw a street performance that my father made with his family. Needless to say that she was smitten. My father was also drawn to her and sought her out. He courted her with flowers, chocolates and love letters and would use to come by her place with a bowl of crawfish.”

“My mother was married to another man but she and her husband had been having some problems. Somehow my mother had this idea that he was going to leave his wife and be with her. But then she caught him with another woman and she was heartbroken. She broke things off with him and returned to France. By then she had no idea that she was pregnant with me. Sometime later I was born and she decided to pass me off as her husband’s daughter. My stepfather went to his grave early believing that I was his daughter.”

“Oh, you poor little girl,” the man commiserated sadly. “How did your father die?”

“Tuberculosis,” the young woman answered. “I spent most of my life believing that I was Errol Livingston’s daughter and now to find out that it was all a lie concocted by my mother to hide her indiscretion…”

She then broke down into sobs and she curled up into a ball. The man then offered her a handkerchief and the girl took it and wiped her face. She then looked up with a restrained yet timid smile, the first she gave in a long while.

The man then smiled back tenderly as he took her hand and held it. He then kissed it gently as he looked into her eyes. “The name is Sergio DiMera. What’s yours?”

The girl then smiled even more widely, showing her flashing, brilliant teeth.

“Erin. Erin Livingston.”

“How about I take you up to my penthouse apartment complex up near Caesar’s Palace and I can show you how I live?” Sergio remarked.

“Sure,” Erin giggled as he put his arm around her and she snuggled close to him.

The rest of the drive up to Las Vegas was silent as the bitterly cold and heavy downpour continued to spill down all over the desert highway.

Natalie then opened up her eyes and sat up quickly in bed, panting. She then looked around frantically in her room, trying to gather her bearings. Just then the door opened and a dark figure emerged.

Natalie then froze up in terror as she saw a blurry figure standing in front of her but she couldn’t quite make out whom it was. She then grabbed her glasses and put them on. She then breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that it was none other than Theresa, with her hair all frazzled and tangled up and wearing a light cyan nightgown.

“Geez, can you keep it down? I’m trying to sleep here,” she retorted nastily and Natalie glared at her.

“I’m sorry. I just had a really bizarre dream,” Natalie apologized and Theresa laughed. “About what? About you swimming in a land of chocolate ice cream?”

“N-No. That’s not quite it,” Natalie insisted, shaking her head.

Theresa then raised her eyebrow curiously as she walked over to her bed and sat down next to her. Natalie then crossed her legs and sighed, hugging her Charmander doll.

“I was dreaming that there was a 19-year-old girl that got into an older man’s limo and they were talking about their lives. Apparently the girl is from a very famous family of winemakers and vineyard owners and she spent most of her life in France.”

“Oh, sounds fancy. So what’s exactly so weird about that?”

“Well, it’s that apparently this girl was a product of an extra marital affair between this street performer and a vineyard heiress. He had a large family back home in Louisiana and he was a serious ladies’ man. Her mother fell hard for him and she was hoping for a happier and better life with her new love.”

“But it never happened. And from what I could tell the girl and her mother had a falling out when she discovered the truth about her real father and she ran away to Las Vegas. And it appeared that my father had some sort of empire in Las Vegas. I think I remember my uncle telling me that he had a large casino empire and he had a lot of showgirls, strippers and prostitutes at his every whim. But my mother was the one woman he really loved. And that’s all I really know of her. That my mother was the love of his life.”

“Wow, your dad must have been a real hotshot then. Maybe much bigger than your Uncle Stefano?” Theresa whistled.

“No. My uncle was more successful than all of his brothers combined. How do you think he got so much power at the tip of his fingers?” Natalie retorted sardonically.

“I can only imagine,” Theresa chuckled with an eye roll.

“Anyways, I feel like I know this girl. What if she’s my real mother?” Natalie mused.

“Maybe, maybe not. Maybe this chick was just somebody that your father picked off the side of the road and slept with. How can you possibly know for sure this girl may be your real mother?”

“I suppose you’re probably right,” Natalie frowned sadly. “I think I’ll go see Marlena in the morning and maybe she can help decode my dream.”

“Good luck with that,” Theresa retorted demurely and then she glanced over at Natalie’s right shoulder. She was surprised to find a birthmark that was the shape of a butterfly wing and it was a dark reddish brown color.

Natalie then glanced over to see what Theresa was staring at and noticed her birthmark.

“What is that?” Theresa asked inquisitively.

“Oh, that? That’s my birthmark. My mom used to tell me that was a kiss from an angel because I was so special. She also told me that I was lucky enough that she and Dad wanted to adopt me in the first place,” Natalie explained.

“I wish we were all that lucky,” Theresa sighed dejectedly. She then giggled and brushed Natalie’s hair lightly.

“Well, darling, I better get back to bed. See you in the morning.”

She then got up from Natalie’s bed and walked away. Natalie then watched the younger woman leave her bedroom with a forlorn look on her face as she lay down back into bed. She then hugged her Charmander doll tightly as she closed her eyes to sleep.

[sevenna92]

SCENE 2 – DR. MARLENA EVAN’S OFFICE, MID-MORNING

There was a knock on the door as Marlena walked over to open it and she saw Natalie standing in the doorway.

“Well, hello Natalie. It’s so nice to see you in my office,” Marlena greeted her with a warm smile.

“Nice to see you too, Dr. Evans,” Natalie smiled as she stepped into the office and walked over to a seat.

“So how can I help you today, Natalie?” Marlena queried as she sat down in front of her desk.

“Well, there’s something I want to discuss with you,” Natalie replied. “Ever since I arrived in Salem I’ve always been wondering who my real mother is. I have no idea who she is or what she was like and my uncle won’t tell me anything. I know that Sergio is my father because he and my Uncle Stefano are brothers. And I know that he was a famous casino mogul who owned a large chain of casinos in Las Vegas and also employed a lot of showgirl acts.”

“But last night I had a really strange dream. I saw him riding in a limousine with a young girl that looked to be about 19. They were talking about their lives and this girl really had a rough life. She grew up with a stepfather that she thought was her real dad until her mother confessed everything and then she found out that she was the result of an affair she had with a young street performer in Louisiana named Chekhov Carter.”

“He also had a wife and a large brood of kids and he also had a bunch of other mistresses. But for some reason I felt like some sense of familiarity towards her. It was almost as if I knew her, even though I really don’t. I thought there might be some sort of connection between us. And now I wonder if she could be my real mother. Maybe I’m wrong and this might be all for naught. But what if I’m right and I’m seeing visions of my mother’s past?”

“Hmmm… Well, I’m not quite sure how much help I can be for you, Natalie. I’m not really an expert on these things. But if you do keep on having these dreams, then there definitely might be something going on. On the other hand, I can try to look up the names of the people you’ve mentioned and see if I can come up with some answers,” Marlena answered pithily.

“Thanks, Marlena!” Natalie beamed. “I would really appreciate it. I’m just trying to make sense of what I dreamed of last night.”

“It’s okay. We all have bizarre dreams every now and then,” Marlena replied assuredly. “Is there anything else you want to talk about?”

“Um… Well… there is one thing…” Natalie’s voice trailed off as she averted her gaze and twiddled her thumbs. “You see, there’s this really beautiful and attractive woman that I really like but she’s with another guy and I don’t like him. I don’t believe he’s even good for her and I think he’s kind of creepy too. I want to tell her how I feel but I’m afraid she’ll reject me. I don’t know what I’ll do if she blows me off. I don’t think I can recover from that. I think I may have found my soul mate but I don’t know if she feels the same for me.”

“Well, I don’t believe there’s any harm in telling her how you feel. If you truly care about her, I think it’s best to be totally and completely honest about how you feel. And who knows? Maybe she does feel the same about you but she’s scared to admit it. You never really know what goes on in the heart and minds of people,” Marlena remarked with a shrug.

“I guess you’re right, Marlena. Thanks for the advice,” Natalie smiled as she got up and turned towards the door. “I guess I’ll see you later.”

“Okay, Natalie. Thanks for stopping by,” Marlena waved happily as Natalie walked out of the office.

As soon as the door slammed shut, Marlena’s face fell and she began to ponder silently on what she had learned.

“Well, I guess John was right after all. It appears that Natalie’s got it bad for Theresa. I just hope things go well for that poor woman.”

She then walked over to her seat and rolled over to her computer.

“Now let’s see what information I came come up with regarding Mr. Chekhov Carter on Ewe Search.”

She then went over to the Ewe Search database and typed in “Chekhov Carter”. She scrolled down the search results and started to rifle through numerous newspaper articles promoting Chekhov’s various street performances.

“Hmmm… This sounds promising…”

She then found a link that led to an official marriage certificate from Chekhov Carter and Charisma Dumonde and even an announcement, but apparently nothing else.

“Dumonde? That sounds awfully familiar,” Marlena muttered as she narrowed her eyes suspiciously. “Let’s see if I can’t find some pictures of the family.”

She then went back to the other website that had the newspaper clipping archives and she scrolled down for any pictures of Chekhov and his clan. Finally she found one good family photo of the Dumondes and she sized up on one picture of them playing instruments and dancing at one Mardi Gras festival in 1956.

After staring at the photo for a couple of minutes, her eye caught onto one particular person and she quickly zoomed in on a certain dark-skinned little girl with long, dark raven hair and innocent, doe-like eyes.

A breath caught in Marlena’s throat and she inaudibly gasped as she drew back in shock.

“Oh my God…” she whispered as she glanced back at the newspaper article title reading, “Dumonde Family At Mardi Gras Festival of 1956” and then back at the image of the familiar looking little girl staring back at her.

“Lee Dumonde… Well I haven’t seen or thought of this woman in ages… I know who this is… Could it be that she might have some sort of connection to Natalie?”

She then peered over her shoulder towards her door and turned back to her computer.

“I must uncover whatever I can for Natalie. I got to figure out what exactly is going on in her family’s past and find out the true identity of her mother.”

[sevenna92]

SCENE 3 – KATE’S HOUSE, MID-MORNING

There was a knock on the door as Kate walked over to open it. She was surprised to find John standing there in the doorway.

“John? What are you doing here this early?” Kate inquired. “I take it this is not a social visit.”

“No it’s not,” John remarked crisply. He then let out a deep sigh. “Is it all right if I come in?”

“Sure,” Kate shrugged as he stepped into the house. As soon as she closed the door, she turned around to face him.

“Now what’s all this about?”

“Kate, this really isn’t easy for me to say this…” John began and Kate knitted her brows worriedly.

“Oh my God. It’s not about Lucas, is it?”

“Nope. It’s about that boyfriend of yours, Mr. Weston. He was shot and killed last night.”

Kate’s jaw dropped in horror and she froze in horror. “What?” she murmured in a hushed whisper.

“He was found in the park buried in the snow with two gunshot wounds to the chest. We don’t know who killed him but we’re looking for suspects. Right now we’re trying to find anybody who may be connected or associated with him.”

Kate then covered her mouth with horror as her eyes began to well with tears. She then shook in tremors and she gradually began to break out into sobs. Kate then started to wail loudly as John walked over to her and hugged her. He then cradled her in his arms as she continued to cry.

Kate then wiped her eyes and looked at her former lover. “Oh my God. I can’t believe he’s dead. Who would want to murder him?”

“It’s going to be okay, Kate. Abe and I are going to find out who killed Clyde and bring them to justice,” John vowed solemnly.

“Please do,” Kate said and she took in a deep breath, regaining her composure. “You sure you can’t stay a while?”

“No, I can’t,” John replied, shaking his head. “I got to work on this case and try to uncover more evidence. And also I got a lunch date with Doc too.”

“Oh, okay,” Kate replied with a nod. “So you two are now getting back together?”

“It’s a slow process but I think we’re getting there,” John answered, tilting his hand tentatively.

“Well, in that case. Good luck,” Kate replied with a smile.

“Thank you, Kate. And I’m sorry for your loss,” John said as he walked out the door and left.

Kate then sat down on the sofa, covering her face with her hand as she let out a sob.

[sevenna92]

SCENE 4 – HORTON TOWN SQUARE, MID-MORNING

Natalie and Theresa were walking through Horton Town Square together talking and laughing.

“Wow, that’s a really wild story, Theresa,” Natalie retorted. “So you encountered some old witchy lady late last night and now you think you might have some superpowers?”

“Yeah, I think that’s exactly that’s what’s going on,” Theresa snapped. “I was brushing my teeth earlier and I was able to stretch the toothpaste on the toothbrush into some sort of elastic waste band. I even turned on the faucet and completely froze the water just by blowing on it. I don’t know if this was some sort of bizarre dream I had from drinking too much, but I’m willing to bet all my money that I must have been bestowed with some mystical power by the gods.”

“Cool beans,” Natalie giggled.

“What’s this I’m hearing about my little sister having superpowers?” Eve importuned as Natalie and Theresa turned around to see the taller, skinnier blonde woman approaching them with a coy, haughty smirk.

“Oh, hi Eve,” Natalie squeaked with a nervous grin.

“Hello, Ms. Callaway,” Eve purred in a demure, gentle voice. “It’s so nice of you to keep Jeannie company.”

“Jeannie?” Natalie retorted curiously as she looked at Theresa, who then gave her older sibling a dirty look.

“Yeah,” Eve laughed. “That’s the name her mommy and daddy gave her.”

“Shut up,” Theresa growled and Natalie had to cover her mouth to keep from laughing. “I think it’s a cute name.”

“Well, don’t get used to it,” Theresa scoffed with an eye roll. “I don’t go by that name anymore.”

“Just because you go by Theresa now doesn’t change the fact that you’re still Jeannie Donovan, little sis!” Eve barked as Theresa growled angrily.

“If you don’t stop bugging me I swear to God I will electrocute your behind with lightning bolts!”

Eve then burst out laughing at Theresa’s remark. “Oh really? And what makes you think you can do that?”

Theresa then spread out her arms straight and her eyes started to glow a dark midnight blue. Natalie could feel the electromagnetic pulse vibrate in the air as her arms were riddled with goose bumps.

Two small violet blue balls formed in her hands as they charged up with more intensity and power and sparks began to surge wildly. As more electricity began to dance and spill out of her hands and increase in size, Theresa raised up her hands and brought them together, combing the two balls into one and making it the size of a basketball.

Eve’s jaw dropped in surprise as she began to stand back in fear.

“Okay, Theresa. Take it easy. I was just playing around. No need to go all Dragon Ball Z on me.”

“You have exactly 3 seconds to leave or I’ll pulverize you into a pile of ashes. I’ll give you a head start so you better start running. One… two…”

Eve then put one foot in front of her and tensed up her shoulders, prepared to run.

“Three!” Theresa screamed as she started firing a series of lightning bolts at her sister.

Eve then let out a scream as she raced out of Horton Town Square with several lightning bolts whirling and buzzing by her.

Just then Will, Paul, and Anne noticed the commotion and came running right over. Will was carrying Arianna in a stroller.

“Whoa, Nelly! What is this?” Anne exclaimed.

“Was that lightning?” Will retorted quizzically.

“Wow… Theresa, did you touch something radioactive?” Paul added.

“What, no!” Theresa snapped and then looked confused. “Um, at least I think so…”

“That is by far the weirdest thing I’ve ever seen,” Will retorted as he and Paul exchanged glances.

“So you’re like Wonder Woman now?” Paul said to Theresa with a laugh.

“Yeah, I guess so,” Theresa shrugged.

Paul then smiled tenderly at Theresa as she blushed.

Natalie then looked on at Theresa and Paul with a puzzled expression as she turned to Will.

“What brings you here today?”

“Just taking Ari out for a stroll,” Will answered and Natalie glanced down at the young toddler.

Arianna then giggled and laughed as she peered up at Natalie with a smile.

“Oh, she’s so cute. I just love kids,” Natalie grinned. “I’m thinking of having my own kids someday.”

“That sounds good,” Will replied. “I think you might make a great mother someday. But I think it’s best if you try to live life first. There’s no need to settle down into a relationship so quickly.”

“Thanks, Will. I’ll keep that in mind,” Natalie replied.

Will then sighed and then looked down at his daughter guiltily. He then glanced over at Paul as he and Theresa were talking. His stomach turned and twisted into knots as he dreaded what he would have to face if the truth about his one night stand ever came out.

Theresa then glanced over at the stroller and suddenly stopped talking as she fell into a trance.

Paul, Anne, Will, and Natalie looked over at Theresa and were immediately concerned.

“Theresa? Theresa? Are you okay?” Natalie hollered as she waved her hand in front of her face.

Theresa then shook her head and exhaled deeply.

“Whoa. What just happened?”

“You zoned out, that’s what happened,” Anne retorted crisply. “And speaking of which, you better head into work. While we’re at it, I need to talk to you privately about something.”

“Oh, God. What did I do?” Theresa grumbled. She then turned to the others.

“Well, I’m off.”

She then looked over at Paul. “It was nice hanging out with you, Paul. Maybe we can get together again some more?”

“Sure,” Paul grinned.

Theresa then looked over at Natalie. “So I’m guessing you’re going to have to go to work too.”

“Yeah. I wish I could stay around a bit longer though,” Natalie frowned.

“It’s okay. We’ll catch up either at Club TBD or Mt. Olympus later,” Theresa replied reassuringly.

“That would be swell,” Natalie giggled and Theresa smiled tenderly as she and Anne walked away.

“Well, see you, boys,” Natalie waved as she walked out of the square too.

“Well, I got to get back home and feed Arianna. She’s probably due for a nap right about now,” Will remarked to Paul.

“Oh, okay then,” Paul nodded. He then looked down at Arianna as he added, “See you around, kiddo.”

Arianna then giggled and laughed, reaching out her hands.

Will then waved to Paul as he and Arianna strolled out of the square.

As Anne and Theresa were walking through the square, Anne turned to face her friend.

“Seriously, Theresa. What is up with you lately?” she scoffed.

“Is this about Clint again, because I am not going into it today!” Theresa snapped.

“No! It’s not about your weirdo creepy friend who’s probably a serial killer,” Anne retorted back, rolling her eyes. “It’s about your other friend, Natalie Callaway. That Jersey girl. You two have been hanging around a real lot lately. I’ve never seen you have any other female friends other than myself. And I don’t believe you even hang around your sister that much anyway.”

“Oh,” Theresa nodded and then she paused. “Well, Natalie’s different from everybody else in Salem. She is really not that bigheaded, prissy or even a haughty person. She’s actually very humble, mild-mannered and just a sweet lady. Also she’s very funny and charming. Not too mention incredibly beautiful and attractive. I think she’s actually pretty sexy.”

“Well, if I didn’t know any better, I’d say you’re attracted to her!” Anne shot back accusingly.

Theresa and Anne suddenly stopped as Theresa snapped over towards Anne, stunned in disbelief.

“You can’t be serious! I’m not attracted to her in any way, shape or form! And besides, I’m not afraid to admit when I find someone attractive, even if it’s a woman! That doesn’t mean anything!”

“True, but you and Natalie seem awfully close. Why is she even living in your apartment? Why can’t she find her own place? Is she too broke to do so?”

“Her teaching position doesn’t pay her very much and you know how hard teachers scrape by just to make a living. I decided that the most generous thing to do was to offer her a place to live. And she seems happy there anyway. And she makes a great companion.”

“Right,” Anne nodded skeptically. “Theresa, you’re not a college woman living in the dorms like your young niece. You’re a woman in your 20s and I’d imagine that she’s the same age as you. People are going to start talking sooner or later and you know they love to talk.”

“Who asked you?” Theresa snarled. “And by the way, even if I was a lesbian, it’s really nobody’s business whether or not I’m shacking up with her. And I really do feel safe and comfortable with her. And I’m the happiest I’ve been in a very long time.”

“You’re really getting defensive for somebody that you claim is ‘just a friend’,” Anne chuckled derisively and Theresa rolled her eyes.

“Shut up.”

“Enough talk. We’re both late for work as it is,” Anne retorted suddenly and then gave Theresa a side eye. “And this conversation is not over.”

“Spoken like a true jealous woman,” Theresa sneered with a haughty and arrogant smirk.

[sevenna92]

SCENE 5 – WILL & SONNY’S APARTMENT, MID-MORNING

Will then opened the door to the apartment that he and Sonny shared together as he ushered Arianna inside the building. Once he rolled the stroller into the living room, he picked up the little girl and placed her in the rocking chair. He then folded up the stroller and put it away.

Will then turned around to see Sonny entering the room, holding an article in his hand.

“Hello, Will,” he said in a cool voice.

Will then flinched as he gazed at his partner nervously. Sonny’s face seemed blank and emotionless but the blonde young Salemite man felt like he could somehow sense the simmering rage and anger in his eyes.

“Good morning, love,” Will greeted him warmly.

“Will, can I ask you something?” Sonny retorted.

“Sure. What is it?” Will answered in a somewhat apprehensive voice.

“What is this?” Sonny demanded as he held up an article in his hand titled, “The Final Out.”

Will’s jaw dropped in horror and shocked as he grabbed the article from Sonny and began to scan it. After a couple of minutes of scanning it, he then glanced up at Sonny with a fearful expression.

“I can explain.”

“Why did you hide this from me? Why couldn’t you trust me enough to tell me about this job?” Sonny retorted angrily.

“Because I was instructed not to! I even had to take off my own wedding ring just so Paul wouldn’t get the wrong idea about me!” Will shot back.

Sonny then drew back in horror and shock as he flashed back to all of the times Will had to work late.

“Is this why you had to work so late? Because of him?”

“Yeah, but I didn’t want to repeat the mistakes from the last time!” Will snapped. “I only wanted to make sure Paul was comfortable with the decision he was making and he was sure that it was the right one! I was helping him along with the article while I was doing my interviews.”

Sonny then recalled the one occasion where he had gone to Paul’s hotel room and he heard the shower running. He knew that Paul had company but he really had no idea who was actually with him. A part of him didn’t want to believe it, but he was starting to have a sinking feeling of what Will really had been up to.

“Will, is there something you hadn’t told me?”

“Yeah,” Will sighed sadly as he hung his head guiltily. “Oh, God, Sonny. I screwed up real badly. I made one of the worst mistakes of my life.”

“Oh no… Will, what did you do?” Sonny whispered in a mortified voice.

“Sonny… I slept with him,” Will confessed as his voice cracked and he was on the verge of tears. “I don’t know what came over me. I messed up really bad. I know that it was wrong and it was horrible and I just feel so awful and disgusted about it. I wish I hadn’t done it but he was the one that came onto me and I gave in. It only happened one time…”

“You slept with him?!” Sonny screamed in a loud voice, his eyes wild and burning with rage. “Will, how could you do this to me? To us? I’ve done nothing but support you and love you and Ari and put a roof over our heads. I even wanted to open a new club just so we have more money and a better life.”

“You know, I don’t get you lately. While you were in L.A. you barely called me. And then you became really distant and you spent all of your time working on this article. I mean, what happened to us? We used to spend so much time together and now it’s like you’re a stranger. I don’t even know who I married anymore.”

“Well you were the one that had all of these adventures all over the world and you got to experience a lot of sights and thrills. I never got to do anything of that. Instead I ended up with a kid and now I feel like I’m stuck with all of these responsibilities. I never got to live a life like you did!” Will shot back angrily.

“You really think it was a bad idea for us to get married, Will?” Sonny growled fiercely. “I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you! I love your daughter and I want to be in her life! I’m as much her father as you are! I want to keep on living the life we share together! I want to be with you forever!”

He then took in a deep breath and sighed, dropping his head and rubbing his temples stressfully.

“You know, I wanted to spend the rest of my life with someone else once. I was ready to have a life with that person but he wasn’t willing to come out. I had to leave him because I was not about to live a lie like that. It was one of the hardest decisions I ever had to make. I sometimes wonder what would happen if I did get to marry him and he wasn’t so afraid to come out.”

“So I was your second choice?” Will demanded angrily, feeling hurt and disappointed. “I was a placeholder for you because you couldn’t get the one person you really wanted?”

“No, Will! That’s not what I meant at all…” Sonny shook his head.

“All right then, Sonny. You want to leave?” Will declared indignantly as he gestured towards the door. “Here’s the door. Just go. Get out!”

“All right. Fine,” Sonny scoffed as he walked towards the door and opened it. The two men looked at each other with pure disdain and hatred as Sonny’s eyes were filled with bittersweet sorrow and heartbreak. “I think it’s best if we take a break for a while. And while I’m at it I’m going to file a motion to legally adopt Arianna as my own. I might even sue for custody too.”

He then stepped out of the apartment room and closed the door shut.

Will’s eyes then glowed brilliantly as he trembled with rage.

“You’re not taking my daughter!” he roared.

[sevenna92]

SCENE 6 – SALEM UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL, EARLY AFTERNOON

It was just after noon when Theresa was standing around the nurses’ station, taking a cigarette break. She then took in a long drag and exhaled heavily as she noticed two people walking towards her from the corner of her eye. The young woman scowled with an eye roll as a pair of black siblings approached her.

One of them was a slim yet shapely woman with curly, short hair, bulging, wide yet round brown eyes, and wore an open blouse with a long, dark blue skirt. The other was a muscular, strapping yet stocky man with bulging, round shoulders, an enlarged, rectangular upper chest, short, slick, dark black hair, and a dashingly handsome, clean-shaven face. He also had small, slanted, dark black eyes with a large, prominent chin.

“Well, well, well. Look who the cat dragged in. Two of Maxine’s lackeys,” Theresa growled sharply.

“Hello, you she-devil,” the woman sneered. “I see you’re slacking off as usual. It must pay big to be Miss Milbauer’s lapdog.”

“I am not Anne’s lapdog! What gave you that idea, Celia?” Theresa sneered.

“I don’t know. You seem to get away with a lot here,” the woman replied with a shrug. “Are you and Anne having a secret office affair?”

“What? No!” Theresa yelled furiously. “Anne and I are not sleeping together! She’s really not my type! And besides, it’s not like Anne’s into women anyway.”

“So what’s the deal with you and your friend Natalie anyway?” Celia smirked. “Are you sure you’re not banging her? She really seems to be out of your league, even for you.”

“Shut up! Just shut up!” Theresa snarled.

Celia then laughed heartily as she turned to her brother. “Let’s get moving, Jason. I don’t want to waste another second with this white trailer trash wench.”

“Yeah,” Jason chuckled as they started to walk away.

“Hello, my little lovelies,” Maxine cooed and Celia and Jason turned around to see the older woman with sweet smiles.

“Hello, Auntie Maxine,” Celia remarked.

“Hello, Auntie Maxine,” Jason chimed.

“I really hope that Ms. Donovan here wasn’t bothering you,” Maxine replied.

“No, Auntie Maxine. She really wasn’t a bother at all,” Celia answered with her grin growing wider.

“She was a real charming firecracker as usual,” Jason replied smoothly as Theresa clenched her teeth, nearly seething.

“You scummy little lying…”

“Excellent, Celia,” Maxine beamed as Anne walked over to the group. “Hello, Maxine.”

“Hello, Anne,” Maxine replied with a nod.

“I need to speak with Theresa in my office,” Anne replied as she turned to Theresa. “Now.”

“Well, it was fun chatting with you two kids, but I got to run. Perhaps we can bump into each other later,” Theresa scoffed as she walked away and followed Anne to her office.

Sometime later the two women got inside Anne’s office as Theresa sat down in front of her desk and Anne took her seat. Once she sat down, she began looking at some files and shuffling some papers.

“So what’s going on, Anne?” Theresa retorted curiously. “This must be serious.”

“Well of course it’s serious. My boss Seth just called. Apparently there were some W-2 files missing that hadn’t been turned in. Do you know what happened to them?” Anne inquired sternly.

“Um… I uh… they must have gotten lost in the mail or something…” Theresa stammered nervously.

“Right. Listen kiddo, Mr. Burns is breathing down my neck on this one and in case you didn’t know, this would be considered a felony,” Anne explained as she started to shuffle more papers. “This wasn’t an easy decision for me to make so since I don’t want this to end up impacting the hospital in a negative way, I have no choice but to let you go.”

Theresa then dropped her jaw in astonishment. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Her chest suddenly became tight and she felt like she couldn’t breathe.

“W-What? I’m fired?”

“Yep. Fired, laid off, given the pink slip, sayonara, don’t let the door hit you on the way out. I’m sorry, Theresa. As much as I’m your friend, I’m also your boss and I have to be the one to take responsibility and frankly I feel like it’s my fault I’ve given you way too many passes. I know that you were hired here at this hospital for your probation thing but now you’re going to have to find another job within the next 30 days or your probation officer will find out and he’ll ship your behind back to California and prison.”

“Oh my God…” Theresa muttered in fear. “I can’t go to prison. They’ll rape me and stab me to death there! Oh, God, Anne! Please don’t fire me! Give me another chance!”

“I’m sorry, Theresa. You blew off all of your chances at this hospital,” Anne replied sympathetically. “But tell you what. I can give you a nice, glowing reference and you’ll be on your way to St. Mary’s. You can be an assistant to a good friend of mine. Hopefully you’ll have a better chance of being a better employee there than you were here. I wish you well, Theresa. I hate to see you waste your life like this.”

“Thanks, Anne,” Theresa replied with a deep sigh. “I don’t know how I even deserved a good friend like you.”

“Hey, anything for you, kid,” Anne rejoined with a smile as she walked over to her younger companion and placed a hand on her shoulder. “I care for you very much.”

“Thanks,” Theresa smiled back and then sighed deeply again. “I’ll think about applying to St. Mary’s. In the meantime, I’ll go searching for other jobs.”

“That’s the spirit,” Anne declared as Theresa grabbed her purse and started to head out the door. “So um… I guess I’ll see you around.”

“Yeah,” Anne nodded. “Good luck, kiddo.”

Theresa then nodded and then walked out of the office.

An hour and a half later, Theresa was walking through the nurses’ station with all of her belongings. Melanie was walking through the area and noticed her.

“Hey, Theresa. What’s with all that stuff?”

“Good news, Miss Powderpuff. You won’t be seeing me around here anymore. I’m fired,” Theresa declared in a curt tone.

“Oh wow, that’s terrible. Well, I hope you find another job soon,” Melanie replied sympathetically.

“Oh, how nice of you to say that, considering that you don’t care about me,” Theresa sniffed snootily. “And besides, you can hang around Brady all you want without any interference from me. Isn’t that wonderful?”

“Well, well, well. Looks like the trash is finally back out in the street, where she belongs,” a female voice cooed arrogantly as Theresa and Melanie turned around to see Celia.

“Celia! What’s wrong with you?” Melanie frowned sternly.

“Why are you hanging out with that riff-raff wench like her?” Celia sneered at the younger, auburn brown haired woman. “It’s not like you’re even friends with her.”

“Yeah, but that doesn’t give you the right to call her trash!” Melanie frowned angrily.

“Oh, please, honey. You really need to stay away from that trailer trash tramp. For all I know, she’s already infected that poor nice Callaway girl with her filth,” Celia snorted disdainfully as she gave Theresa a hateful glance.

Theresa then clenched her fists and narrowed her eyes darkly and Melanie looked at her, crossing her arms.

“Don’t drag Natalie into this.”

“I appreciate Natalie’s kind and friendly heart, but her mercy and compassion is clearly misplaced,” Celia scoffed disdainfully. “Theresa should be kicked and beaten down like the dog she is.”

“You’re really asking for a knuckle sandwich, aren’t you?” Theresa sneered and Melanie looked at her fearfully. “Theresa, don’t do it.”

“You’re so disgusting and pathetic. You’re obviously a dysfunctional sad sack of a hot mess. I don’t think anyone would ever want to be around you, not even your parents. They must be so bitterly disappointed in you that they are probably ashamed to admit that they have such a pathetic, useless child. I can’t even imagine why that friend of yours would ever be interested in you either. She would have to be awfully desperate to get involved with a vulgar, trashy, promiscuous loser like you,” Celia sneered with an evil, cruel laugh.

Theresa then let out a scream as she charged right at the older black woman. Melanie then suddenly grabbed her by the arms and held her back. Theresa kicked and screamed wildly while thrashing as she struggled to break free.

“Let me go! Get your hands off me! Get off me! I need to teach her a lesson! Let me at her! Let me at her!”

“Security!” Celia yelled and a couple of security guards grabbed Theresa and hauled her away.

“Let me at her! Let me at her! Let go of me!”

Celia then watched the guards drag Theresa away with a self-satisfied smirk on her face.

It was then that Theresa was thrown out of the hospital as she landed face down on the snow. Theresa then got up to her feet and turned around to see the doors close in on her.

“Just great! That little wretched woman!” she growled. “How dare she insult me and disrespect my relationship with Natalie! That was really low to drag her into our little war. I’ll show her! I’ll show her! If she even touches a hair on her head…”

She then shook her head, shivering. “Why does everybody think I have a thing for her? Maybe they’re seeing what I’m not seeing? Or maybe it’s something I’m trying so hard to deny?”

She then wiped her nose. “It doesn’t matter now. I’ll go for a walk to clear my head and then I’ll head back to the apartment and make some hot chocolate for Natalie and I. I think she’ll like it.”

Theresa then turned around and headed for Horton Town Square.