| JESSIE: The day had turned out so beautifully and it was fun just to wander around town, hand in hand with Tay, listening to him talk about everything under the sun. he was so beautiful, with the sun beaming down on his golden hair, making it glow. I caught my breath as he absently ran his hand through it and then smiled down at me, flipping his sunglasses up on his head to look directly at me as I talked. I flipped mine up in the same manner and watched his eyes crinkle as he laughed at some dorky thing I'd said. But he was being just as silly, almost as if it was a contest to see who could make the other laugh more quickly. Once we had all the frivolous things I'd bought for the family, that would be so much fun to give, loaded into the rental car with the luggage, we headed for the airport and the dreaded flight home, back to reality and dizzying, stupefying schedules. Nothing I had bought was large and we discovered that we could fit them into our carry-on bags. Once we checked them, which, surprisingly went without a lot of trouble, we went to the airport restaurant to get a drink and something to eat. Taylor laced his fingers tightly in mine and led me out toward the gate and I was so enthralled by the vision of beauty that was my husband that I almost didn't see the man at the counter across the hall. Suddenly I was four years old again and waiting for the other shoe to drop. My head swam and I struggled to breathe, move, do anything, but remained frozen, barely realizing Tay was trying to get my attention. Those cold eyes never left mine as I waited, a small four year old, terrified of what would happen to me if I let out one, too loud breath. I was shaken roughly back to reality and the eyes I was looking into were the warm blue ones that belonged to my obviously worried husband. "Baby, do you know that man?" I heard him ask, and nodded my head. I felt my throat get thick and felt my body begin to give out as I realized what I needed to say to him. In a voice that I did not recognize as my own, I choked out, "He's my father." |
| JESSIE: I stood, still frozen ,though I felt a need to run, hide anything to get away from the man who was now striding comfortably toward us. I took a step back and slightly behind Taylor, without realizing it. "Jess.." he said softly and tightened his grip on my hand, "It's alright baby." He turned suddenly and gave the walking evil a bright smile. "Hello. Can I help you?" Taylor asked. "You must be Taylor." he said, sticking out his hand. "Yeah, Taylor Hanson. And you are..?" he waited for an answer. "Jessie never told you about me?" he asked. "Not to be rude, man, but as you can obviously see, my wife is not feeling well and can't tell me anything. I really need to get her to a chair so if there's nothing else I can do for you.." Taylor pulled me by the hand, toward the line of chairs against the windows, wedging himself between me and my step-father. "Jessie? No hello for your father?" the evil son-of-a-bitch had the nerve to ask. It made my blood boil. "I haven't had a father since I was six years old, or a mother for that matter. Sorry to disappoint you." I said shortly as I sat down to wait for our flight to be announced, praying it would be, quickly. Like now. No such luck. "Oh come on Jess." he said, still smiling. "I had no idea where you were. I assumed your mother took you wherever she decided she needed to be." |
| "I lived with Gram. Taylor, this is Alex Reid. my step-father. Alex, my husband, Taylor Hanson." I sighed and stood taking a position slightly behind Tay, unconsciously. It was where I stood behind my mother, if my mother happened to side with me at the moment. I felt Tay's arm circle my waist and pull me up next to him. "It's nice to meet you." my sweet husband said politely, without releasing his grip on me. "Your mom left you with Gram. You were with her the whole time?" he asked like I was supposed to believe he cared. "Apparently you didn't look very hard, I lived in that apartment until the day she died." I said angrily. "Honestly Jess. I had no idea. I'm sorry about Gram." "Uh-huh, me too. You know about mother then?" I asked. "What about mother? And why did you call me step father?" he asked. "Mom is dead too, ALEX. And so is my brother's father. I believe if you've seen any press you've seen my picture with JACOB? Jake Lee? Who, by the way, mom informed him in a letter after she died is actually my full brother. You're not my father, Alex. Jakey's dad was." Taylor's grip tightened on me even more as a flood of different emotions came over Alex' face. "Jakey?" was all he managed. "Jake and I are close. Next to my husband he is my best friend. Also my manager, financial consultant and sometimes bodyguard. So if it's money you want from me, take it up with Jake." I said curtly. "Money? I can't believe you said that, Jess. You are my daughter, I raised you. Well tried to. That hurts Jess." he said, trying to look as if what he was saying was true. "Hmm...not as much as some things, though, huh?" I asked sarcastically. "Alex, if you really need to contact me again, do it through Jake. Otherwise, pretend you never found me." I sighed and turned to Taylor. "I just want to go home, Tay." I said softly and started to walk away, pulling him after me. "Jessie, please don't.." Alex called after me. "Call Jake, Alex. If any money actually belongs to you, he will see that you get it. He's honest. Goodbye." I said without looking back. "Jessie Reid!" he hollered through the airport, like he did when I was little. I stopped and slowly turned back, moving close to Taylor's side. "My NAME is JESSIE LEE HAN_SON." I said as if to a mentally slow individual. "HANSON" I repeated. "Get in touch with Jake. He will see what needs to be done.GOODBYE." |