|
Post by Trey on Jul 16, 2024 13:41:52 GMT -5
Wow, this was a very honest conversation that Philip/George are having! I'm glad that Philip is being able to articulate what he's feeling in a safe environment. He loves Chloe, no doubt, but he's also been hurt too many times (and in the back of his mind, I think he believes she'll always be a flight risk).
I'm sure it's hard feeling what he's feeling about her and balancing Parker's feelings/needs, too.
|
|
|
Post by Kpatch on Jul 17, 2024 7:11:27 GMT -5
Chapter 476c
“Do you think she’ll come back?” George asked Philip.
With a shrug Philip said, “Doesn’t matter anymore. I almost don’t want her to.”
George looked askance at Philip and repeated the word, “Almost.” Philip shrugged and George asked, ”Do you really think she’s responsible for your daughter’s death?”
Philip sighed. “If you hear something often enough, you start to believe it, even if it’s not true. But no. I didn’t really mean that. I’m just emotionally and physically exhausted. What I do blame her for is what happened afterwards. For leaving us.” He grunted. “Funny, I used to be an eternal optimist,” Philip mused. “Not so much anymore.” Philip paused as a memory washed over him. “You know George, my father had one great love of his life for most of his life. I know how that feels. That woman—she married someone else, so she was unavailable to Dad. But he pined for her for decades. He got married and divorced a number of times because he could never love anyone the way he loved Caroline. Eventually he met someone who could replace Caroline in his heart and they had many happy years together.” He downed another sip of his drink. “But George, Dad was in his 70s when he met Maggie. And even though I can’t see myself with anyone but Chloe, I also don’t want to spend my whole life alone.” His voice cracked with emotion when he said, “I don’t want to wait until I’m 70 to meet someone who can replace Chloe in my heart.” He hung his head as his arms dangled between his thighs. “If anyone even could.”
George rubbed Philip’s shoulder. “I’m sorry, buddy. I hate that you and Parker are going through this. You don’t deserve it.”
Philip sat up straighter. “No we don’t,” he said harshly, surprising George. He poked his own chest with one finger. “I did nothing except love that woman, yet I’m the one she walked out on,” he said between gritted teeth. “Me and Parker. And I’ve had it! I’m tired of women walking all over my damn heart.” He set his drink on the coffee table. “You know, I’ve never walked out on a woman in my life. But they don’t think twice about leaving me.” He blew some air out between his lips and leaned back on the sofa. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to get heated like that. Blame it on the brandy.”
“It’s okay. You can say anything to me. I just hate seeing you wound so tight. Have you talked to that Mary person? The psychiatrist?”
“Not lately, but I’m planning to.” He pushed on George’s arm with his shoulder. “Meantime, I’m talking to one of my closest, most trusted friends.”
“You do know I’m here for you, buddy. And not just when you happen to be in town.”
“Yeah. I do know that. And I’m grateful.”
Parker came running from the kitchen while Louise walked behind him holding a platter. “Get ‘em while they’re hot,” Parker squealed with joy. “Homemade chocolate chip cookies made by me and Louise.”
|
|
|
Post by heroicmuse on Jul 17, 2024 7:56:35 GMT -5
I'm glad Philip has George in his corner.
I'm also glad he finally expressed some anger at Chloe's ridiculous behavior.
|
|
|
Post by André DiMera on Jul 17, 2024 8:16:45 GMT -5
It’s good that Philip is comfortable enough with George to express all this.
|
|
|
Post by doolfan4life on Jul 17, 2024 8:41:08 GMT -5
It’s actually a relief to see Philip let out that anger He’s right too He didn’t deserve this
|
|
|
Post by gapeach on Jul 17, 2024 10:04:46 GMT -5
I like how he related what he feels for Chloe to what Victor felt for Caroline. I also don't want him to wait that long to find love. While nobody will ever replace Chloe in his heart, he does have the capacity in his heart to love someone else.
|
|
|
Post by mae00 on Jul 17, 2024 13:02:01 GMT -5
I was hoping Philip would get to air all of this when he said they would stop by and see George.
|
|
|
Post by Trey on Jul 17, 2024 13:07:08 GMT -5
Finally! I’m glad Philip faced his feelings in a healthy way instead of bottling it up.
|
|
|
Post by Kpatch on Jul 18, 2024 7:31:28 GMT -5
Chapter 476d
Stephanie stretched herself out in the bed and struggled to open her eyes. As soon as her eyes fluttered open, she squeezed them shut again. “Ow. Ooh. Too bright.” She grabbed hold of her head. “Oh man. Waking up with a headache doesn’t bode well for the rest of my day.” She forced her eyes open again and slowly became aware of her surroundings. “This isn’t my room.” She shot up in bed. “What the—?”
She threw the covers back and walked around the room. Little by little it became horribly clear where she was—Alex’s suite. His overnight case sat on the luggage rack near the foot of the bed.
She began breathing hard when she realized she was wearing his button-down shirt. She hooked two fingers into the top of the shirt and looked inside to see she had nothing on underneath the shirt. She raked her fingers through her hair. “Oh god. What have I done?”
She looked toward the bathroom. “Um. Alex?” She went to the bathroom and knocked softly. When no one answered, she slowly opened the door. Alex’s shaving kit was on the counter.
Leaving the bathroom, she went back toward the bed and plopped down on it. She scanned the room from the edge of the bed. Her eyes fell on her clothing and underwear draped over an easy chair. Her purse was on the desk. She got up and fished out her phone. “A text from Alex. He says ‘Meet me at the office.’ What time is it?”
She tapped the screen again and saw the time display. “Nine fifteen?!? I was supposed to be at the office with Alex at eight. I need to get dressed.” She grabbed her clothes and headed for the bathroom mumbling, “My brother was right when he said I can’t hold my liquor.”
|
|
|
Post by gapeach on Jul 18, 2024 7:32:55 GMT -5
Would it be asking too much to think NOTHING happened?!?!?
|
|
|
Post by doolfan4life on Jul 18, 2024 7:45:02 GMT -5
Very disappointed in Stephanie Alex will likely fire her after this too for tardiness What was she thinking?
|
|
|
Post by André DiMera on Jul 18, 2024 8:20:16 GMT -5
Oh man! I wonder if anything happened between Alex and Stephanie. Since she woke up in his bed, I assume so.
|
|
|
Post by heroicmuse on Jul 18, 2024 8:32:31 GMT -5
I'm not so sure that whatever happened was consensual. It would be just like Alex to take advantage of someone who is too incapacitated to say no.
In any case, Stephanie should have stuck to her guns and stayed away from him.
|
|
|
Post by mae00 on Jul 18, 2024 14:03:11 GMT -5
I knew this was going to happen.
It's not just the liquor that Stephanie can't hold. Let any man show her any kind of attention and it's not long until she's in his bed. It's either that or they aren't showing her the attention she thinks she deserves and then she just HAS to have that person.
|
|
|
Post by Kpatch on Jul 19, 2024 6:31:29 GMT -5
Chapter 477a
It was Monday morning and Philip had promised Mary that he and Parker would have an in-person session with her before they left Chicago. Parker went first while Philip waited in the outer room.
Mary smiled warmly at Parker, who was sitting on the floor with his back against the sofa and a Barbie, GI Joe and a boy doll. She got out of her chair and sat on the floor across from him.
“Can you tell me what you’re thinking about, Parker?”
“Did you know my mommy ran away,” he pouted. “She was sad on account of my sister who died. She never got to see her. I didn’t get to see her either. Not in person. Not even in pictures. But I didn’t run away.”
“Are you suggesting that you want to run away?”
“No.” He got quiet for a few moments. “But I wish Victoria was never born.”
“Oh? Why do you say that?”
“On account that if she was never born, she wouldn’t of died and my mommy and daddy would still be together and they wouldn’t be so sad all the time.”
“I understand.” Mary let a moment pass before saying, “You know, Parker, many families experience tragedies like yours did. In working with them, I know that these kinds of things often tear a family apart.”
“Like mine.”
“Yes, like yours. See, it’s so hard for people to deal with a child dying. It affects everyone in the family.”
“What happens afterwards?”
“Well, it’s different for different families. Even though the situations are similar, everyone is different. Just like your mom and dad experienced Victoria’s death in different ways from each other and differently than you did. But no matter how you look at it, it’s a very hard thing to have to go through. There are no easy answers, Parker. I wish I could tell you what’s going to happen in the future for your family, but I don’t know what’s going to happen. But there’s something very important that I want you to remember.”
“What?”
“You always have me.”
Parker’s brow knit. “How do I know?”
Mary cocked her head. “What do you mean, dear?”
“I thought I’d always have my mommy. How do I know I’ll always have you?”
Feeling herself becoming emotional, Mary looked away for a moment. “That’s a very good question, Parker, especially since I just told you I don’t know what the future will bring. You have my phone number, right?” Parker nodded and Mary said, “I will always answer when you call me. Another thing to remember is that your father is there for you. There are a lot of people in your life who love you. Lean on your dad. Lean on me. Lean on them. We’ll get through this together.”
“Could I have a hug,” Parker asked, his lower lip quivering.
“Of course you can. Come.” Mary opened her arms and folded them around her littlest patient. “Hugging my favorite patient is my greatest pleasure.”
|
|