Control Part 8

Mid-morning on the same day at Ridge and Taylor’s house…

In their living room, Ridge sits in a chair looking over some sketches while Taylor is on the couch watching as the kids play on the floor nearby. Looking over at her husband, Taylor sees he is distracted.

“Is there a problem with those sketches?” Ridge doesn’t answer. “Ridge? Did you hear me?”

Ridge looks over at his wife. “I’m sorry, what did you say?”

“Well, I asked you if there is a problem with those sketches, but I can see there is no problem.”

(Confused) “Why do you say that?”

“Well, you have spent the last half hour looking at the same one. So, I know your mind isn’t really on them. Are you going to tell me what is going on?”

“What are you talking about?”

(Getting frustrated but trying to keep her voice even because of the kids) “Ridge, you came home last night distracted, upset, and bewildered. You don’t say anything to me, you just went to bed. Then this morning I notice there is a bruise on your jaw, but still, you don’t say anything. So I say again, what’s going on?”

Ridge says nothing; he just stares into space thinking about his conversation with Thorne from the night before. Seeing that she’s lost his attention again, Taylor stands up. “Fine, don’t tell me. You know, it’s funny. Just the other day I was telling your brother what a great relationship the two of us have. How we have no secrets and share everything with each other. I guess that theory goes right out the window.” Ridge again stays silent. Upset, Taylor gathers up the kids to put them down for their naps. Ridge doesn’t even notice when she leaves the room. A single thought keeps running through his mind: Whom could Brooke be seeing?

********

At Brooke’s house… Kimberly and Rick leave their serious talk behind them and concentrate on just having fun. Done with her sunbathing, Bridget joins them in the living room for some lemonade.

“Man it’s hot out there. I think you guys had the right idea, stay indoors.” Bridget plops down on the couch.

“Oh, I don’t know. It would be nice to work on my tan. I seem to spend all of my time indoors lately, either from when I was in classes, or modeling in the studio. Maybe we could all go to the beach later this week.”

Rick smiles just imagining his girlfriend in her bikini. “That sounds good, but we can’t promise anything now. Mom might need us.”

“Why? I thought she just had a broken arm and some scratches. It is more serious?”

Rick and Bridget exchange a look. “No, its not serious.” At least not what we can tell you about. “She should be fine here, I just want to talk with her before we make any definite plans, ok?”

“Yeah sure.”

“Great, then it’s a definite maybe.” All three laugh.

“Well, I’m going upstairs to change. Kimberly, don’t leave without saying bye.” Bridget heads towards the stairs when the doorbell rings. She alters course towards the front door. Over her shoulder, “Rick, are you expecting anyone?”

“No, I’m not.”

As Bridget opens the door she gasps in surprise. Rick quickly turns towards the open door. “Dad! What are you doing here? You know the rules.” Eric just stands there as Kimberly watches in confusion.

********

Ever since he left Adam’s, Thorne has been driving around aimlessly. He can’t figure out where to go. I’m not up to going over to Mom and Dad’s right now. I know we need to talk, but I first have to figure out what I’m going to say. I can’t go back home. The beach house holds too many memories right now. Me and Brooke, happy. Me hurting Brooke more than I ever thought I could. Me and Macy, trying to be happy. Man, I really need to sell that place and start over fresh. I still haven’t figured out what to say to Brooke to forgive me. Hell, I don’t even know how I’m going to speak to her. Without realizing it, Thorne has driven to Forrester Creations. Well, maybe work will distract me for a while.

Upon entering the building, Thorne spots Megan on the phone. Maybe she could help me talk to Brooke. It worked the last time. Thorne just shakes his head. What am I talking about, there’s no way that a simple message from me to Brooke through Megan will work. Brooke probably told her to throw away all my messages anyway. What am I going to do?

Megan sees Thorne as he heads towards his office. She chuckles at seeing his indecision. She knows he was about to speak to her, then stopped himself. I bet I can guess what he was about to say.

A little while later Katie walks up to Megan. “Katie, hi. Is Brooke going to be going home today? When I spoke to her earlier, she said the doctors weren’t sure.”

“Yes, I just spoke with Brooke. They are releasing her later today. She asked my to come by here and pick up her messages, the new designs that need approval, the contracts she needs to read, and any other ‘pertinent information’, as she calls it. She said you would know what that means.” Katie and Megan laugh. “But, since the doctor’s told me she needs to take it easy for a few days, just give me those things that are so desperate that if she doesn’t see them, Forrester Creations will self-destruct. I’m sure most of what she wants can wait for a few days. Besides, (she winks at Megan) what she doesn’t know can’t hurt her.”

(Laughing) “That’s for sure. Besides, I was going to do that anyway. See. (she points to her desk) I’ve already made three piles. This one (she points to the biggest one) is everything that can wait at least a week, or things I can handle myself. This one (the medium size pile) is everything she actually asked for, and this (she hands Katie a small manila envelope) is what I was actually going to give her. Those are just the latest proofs from the last photo shoot. All she has to do is pick which shots she likes best. Nothing too hard, and nothing to cause too much stress. See, great minds think alike. But, you didn’t have to come all the way down here. I could have dropped it off myself.”

“I know, but I do have an ulterior motive.”

“What?”

“Well, I’m looking for Thorne. (Determined) There are a few things I’ve been wanting to say to him, and now is as good a time as any.”

********

Eric pushes his way past his children into the house. Once inside, he notices Kimberly. “Oh, I didn’t realize you had a guest.”

“Well, you would have if you had bothered to call first. But then again, you shouldn’t even be here. Now, leave.”

Eric just stares at Bridget in disbelief. “No. The three of us need to get a few things straight.”

Rick ignores his father for a moment and turns back to Kimberly. Rick lowers his voice so his father can’t hear. “Kimberly, I’m sorry. I think it would be better if you left. I have a feeling things are about to get ugly.”

(Gesturing towards Eric) “Is this what you meant by ‘family problems’?”

“Yes. I’ll call you later, ok?”

“That’s fine. I hope things go ok here. Just let me know about our beach plans.” Kimberly walks to the door

“Bye, Kimberly.”

“Goodbye Mr. Forrester. Bye Bridget.” As she drives away, Kimberly can’t help but wonder about all of the tension between Rick, Bridget and their father. Well, it looks like things are worse for him than they are for me. I hope everything will work out for them. But, why isn’t Eric allowed at the house. What rules are they talking about?

Inside, the tension is so thick you can cut it with a knife.

Walking towards the door, Rick speaks first. “You never answered my question, what are you doing here? You know Mom doesn’t want to see you, and you aren’t allowed to come over. Or have you forgotten that already.”

Eric just sighs and moves into the living room. Rick and Bridget hesitate by the door, but then follow him. “Rick, I didn’t come over here to see your mother. I know she is still in the hospital. I came over here to see the two of you.”

“It doesn’t matter if Mom is in the hospital, or at work, or on vacation. She specifically said that no Forrester is to come to this house. (Mocking) What part of that sentence do you not understand?”

(Losing his patience) “Bridget, don’t use that tone with me. I’m your father and deserve your respect!”

Bridget starts to laugh. “You do realize that all I would have to do is call Mom at the hospital, tell her you’re here, and you will be fired.”

(Shocked) “What has gotten into you? Look, this isn’t how I wanted things. Let’s start over. (Takes a deep breath) I came over here to see the two of you.”

“You should have called. That’s what phones are for.”

“Rick, what good would that have done? Every time I call either one of you I either get your machines and leave messages that never get returned, or if I happen to catch you in, you tell me you are on your way out and can’t talk. You never call me just to talk anymore, and lately I only see the two of you at Forrester. And when I do, you always seem to be rushing off. The two of you seem to be avoiding me.” Eric pauses, waiting for their explanation.

“Yes, and…”

“Is that all you have to say? (Starts to get angry) Look, I want some answers from the two of you. What is going on, and where is all of this hostility coming from? I don’t deserve it and I won’t accept this behavior from the two of you. I’m your father. I deserve to spend some time with my children.”

“Since when?”

“What?”

“You heard me, since when? Since when have you ever shown fatherly concern or attention? Oh, and by the way, where’s your sidekick in all of this. I bet this little visit while Mom is in the hospital was all her idea.”

“Who? Stephanie?”

“Of course, Stephanie. Do you do one thing on your own? I’m sure she prodded you into come over.”

“Yes, it was her idea, but I wholeheartedly agreed. We felt it would be better for me to come here alone. We’ve both been concerned for the two of you. Especially you Rick, with everything you’ve gone through in the last year. (Rick and Bridget just roll their eyes at one another. Eric doesn’t notice.) I just don’t understand. When you were living with me and Stephanie, we got along so well. We were happy, and I thought we had a great father and son relationship. But, ever since you’ve moved back in with your mother, you seem to be cutting me out. I just want to know what happened?

(Angry) “Don’t you dare blame anything on Mom! If you want to blame anyone, look in a mirror.”

Eric looks over at Bridget. “How is any of this my fault?”

“Oh, my god. How stupid do you think we are? And, I guess, we can’t totally blame you. (Sarcastic) Our ever loving stepmother gets her share of the blame as well.”

“Stephanie? Now, you really have me confused. What has Stephanie ever done to the two of you? She has always loved both of you and has done everything in her power to protect you. Family is the most important thing to Stephanie, it always has been. You know that.”

“You know, you’re absolutely right.”

(Shocked) “Rick?”

Rick just smiles over at his sister. “Yes, family IS the most important thing to Stephanie. She loves her family and will do anything to protect it. Isn’t that what she always says? (Eric nods in agreement) Well unfortunately, her definition can’t include us. How can we be a part of a family that hates our mother? Or does Mom not fit in to this equation?”

“Look Rick, whatever problems between me and your mother shouldn’t have anything to do with you kids. Brooke and I have been divorced for a long time now, but I will always be your father.”

Rick laughs. “You know, it’s funny. Mom says the same thing. She always wanted me and Bridget to be part of the Forrester family. She never did anything to keep you away from us. She even encouraged us to spend time with you and Stephanie. This is our decision. Besides, since when have you ever been a real father to either one of us? Yes, you tried to do the admirable thing and marry mom when you found out she was pregnant with me. Things didn’t work out between the two of you, I could understand that, but why disappear from our lives? And don’t use Ridge as an excuse. You constantly walk in and out of our lives on a whim. You came back in when we found out you were Bridget’s dad, but soon out you went again. The only time you have any use for us, are as weapons to hurt Mom. That is the one thing I don’t understand. You used to always defend Mom, say she is a great mother, and not let people talk badly about her. But in the last few years all of that has changed. It’s like ‘Invasion of the Body Snatchers’. I see you before me, but you’re entire attitude has changed. More and more you see things the same way and take cues from a woman who has hated our mother for more then twenty years. And the reason for that hatred, YOU. Stephanie’s hatred of Mom is because you left her for Mom; no other reason. I never wanted to see it, neither of us did. But, our eyes are finally open to the way you, and the rest of your family has treated mom.”

Eric just stands there shocked choosing to only hear what he wants. Oh my god, Stephanie was right. Brooke has been poisoning the children against us. When will that woman stop causing problems for my family?

Rick continues. “Yes, YOUR family. I can’t speak for Bridget, but I never want to be part of a family that has such hatred and disrespect for my mother. (Bridget nods vehemently in agreement) Mom has told us everything my so-called loving family has done to her. Mom, Bridget and I don’t have secrets anymore. She finally stopped protecting you. See, she HAD to explain why there would be no more contact here, or at work between her and the rest of the Forresters. I always knew there was tension between Mom and Stephanie but I turned a blind eye to the truth. I just wanted to pretend we were all one big happy family. But now the blinders are off, and have been, for quite some time. I now see how mean and vindictive my own family really is. You don’t care about anyone’s feelings but your own.”

“I knew it! What has your mother been saying? I’m sure she has only told you her side of things.”

(Trying to stay calm) “She has told us everything, culminating with the plot you, Ridge, and Taylor had to break up her and Thorne. (Fuming) How dare you decide that what Mom and Thorne felt for each other wasn’t real! How would you know? Do you even know what love is? The best part, though, was your grand excuse for everything; Stephanie’s health. Her health never seemed to matter when you or Ridge went after something you wanted. No, it was only when Mom started to be happy again, with someone else, when you both freaked. Instead of setting out to destroy Mom, did any of you ever think of getting Stephanie some counseling? She causes her own health problems with her perverse hatred of our mother. No, it’s protect Stephanie above anything else. Well, congratulations your plan worked. You destroyed Mom’s happiness and Stephanie is protected from the evil, insidious Brooke Logan. And all it cost you was your company, and your children. But, you must be used to that by now. After all, we aren’t the first kids Stephanie has driven away, are we? When was the last time you heard from your other daughters? (Sarcastic) You do remember their names right?”

Eric again tries to defend himself. “I’m sure Brooke didn’t tell you everything. If we all just calm down, you will understand my side.”

Bridget just stares at her father for a minute, incredulous. “Your side? What possible excuse could you have? What has Mom ever done to intentionally cause you as much pain as you’ve caused her? I can’t think of anything, except for maybe divorcing you and trying to get on with her life. And that was more than ten years ago.” She turns to her brother. “Rick, can you?”

“Nope, not a thing. Now, I have nothing more to say to you, except that I am an adult and lead my own life. If you haven’t gotten the hint by now, I will spell it out for you. Get out; I never want to see you again. Bridget is still a minor; you might be able to force her to spend time with you. But I don’t think that will work. Bridget, do you have anything to add?”

Bridget smiles. “Actually, yes I do. Dad…” Eric looks at his daughter hopefully. “Get out. (Sweetly) If you leave right now we won’t have you fired.”

Realizing there is nothing more he can do for now, Eric finally leaves as the door is slammed behind him.

Inside, Rick and Bridget give each other a hug. “That felt so great.”

“Yes, I’ve wanted to say those things for a long time now. But, it was hard too, you know. I mean he was right about one thing. He will always be our father.”

“Rick, right now, biology is the only thing that makes him my father. As long as his attitude towards Mom doesn’t change, I never want to see him again.” Bridget leaves her brother’s embrace and runs up the stairs.

Watching her go, Rick just shakes his head. Well, hopefully he will change. I hope he really thinks about what he’s done and the real reasons behind them. But I doubt it. As long as he’s with Stephanie, that will never happen. Rick, once again, moves into the living room, sits on the couch, and just stares into space.

On the other side of door, Eric just stands there in disbelief. No, that didn’t just happen. We’ve always been a family and will continue to be one. I know I can make them understand. Brooke gave us no choice. I did the only thing I could possible do. Thorne is so much better off without that woman in his life. She would have made him miserable. And now, Stephanie doesn’t have to worry about Brooke destroying any more sons. Eric gets in his car and starts to drive off. She never should have told the kids anything. I bet she did it just to hurt me. I’m sure she put her usual slant on the truth. I just have to let Rick and Bridget calm down. I won’t let Brooke alienate me from the kids. I’m sure once I’ve explained my reasoning they will understand and agree that I was left with no choice. They’ve always loved Stephanie. They’ll agree with me, I know they will.

********

“So, is Thorne here by any chance? I’ve been all over town looking for him.”

“Yes, he got here about a half hour ago. I’m sure he’s still in his office. He doesn’t look too good.”

“Well, he deserves it. (Hold up the manila envelope) Thanks for the proofs. I’m sure Brooke will be calling you later to check in. Bye Megan.” Katie walks towards Thorne’s office.

Megan just watches her go and laughs. Man, I would love to be a fly on the wall for that conversation.

Quietly opening the door to Thorne’s office, Katie takes a good look at him. He is seated at his desk, leaning back in his chair, staring at the ceiling. He looks like the weight of the world in on his shoulders. Good, that will make this much easier. As Katie slams the door, Thorne, who didn’t see her come in almost falls over backwards in his chair. After regaining his balance, he stands. (Surprised) Katie!? What are you doing here? Has Brooke’s condition worsened? Is she alright?”

(Unwavering) “Thorne, take a seat. You and I need to have a long talk.”

End of Part 8

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