Scene 1
"This is Sara... Marshall... my wife."
Arlie became faint upon seeing Sara, and slipped from her chair before she was able to catch herself.
"Mom!"
Michael rushed to his mother's aid, but she waved him off.
"I'm all right."
She was still righting herself when she noticed Pierce had long since left his chair. Michael hadn't noticed either, and he was worried when he turned to look for him. Sara was still standing where he'd left her, small and scared, as Pierce approached her.
"My dear," he said warmly, smiling as he held out his hands. Sara didn't move, but Pierce took her hands in his anyway. "My dear, this is a shock for us, but welcome."
"Michael... honey..." Arlie glanced at Sara and Pierce but quickly looked away, hoping to deny it as long as she could. "You're only eighteen. This can't be... legal."
"We flew down to the States."
Arlie was having trouble forming her speech. Several times she opened her mouth to speak only to close it again, shaking her head in disbelief.
"We don't even... we've never met this girl! How long have you known her?"
"A few years, we went to high school together. We've been seeing each other for a year."
"Michael!"
"Mom, there was a reason no one knew about it."
"Mrs. Marshall," Sara interjected, her voice strong and confident. "I'd like to tell you myself, if I might. Maybe you could show me upstairs? That is... if it's all right that I stay here...?"
"Of course it's all right," Pierce said, shooting Arlie a look before she could object. "You're family."
"Please Mrs. Marshall..."
Arlie sighed. "All right. You go ahead into the kitchen." Arlie waited as Sara left, then hissed to Pierce as she followed. "Would you talk to him?"
Pierce just nodded as Arlie went inside, then turned to his son and tried not to smile.
"Well!"
"Dad, I'm sorry...
"You don't need to apologize."
"Yes, I do, but I want you to know that if it could have been done the... proper way... we would have."
"Do you remember a few months back I told you about the girl I brought home from college? Joanna?"
"I think so..."
"And my father decided for himself that she wasn't for me and convinced her to go away. I never saw her again. Well... I'm with your mother now and I wouldn't change anything for the world, but I always wonder what would have happened... I don't want that for you. So congratulations. I will be difficult, but... you have my blessing."
Michael nodded. "Thanks, Dad."
"Now... why the hell did you do it?"
* * *
Arlie reached the top of the stairs and turned to wait for Sara.
"I'm sure Michael has told you about Aunt Grace?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"You'll meet her, this is her room. We just can't be too loud, as she sleeps quite often now."
Sara nodded and continued to follow Arlie down the hall.
"And this," Arlie said flatly, "is Michael's room. Well... yours too, now."
"Oh, Mrs. Marshall... I... " Sara stuttered. "I mean... I'm not ready to share a room with Michael."
"Oh!" Arlie couldn't mask her delight. "Upstairs on the next floor. This way." She led Sara upstairs to an empty room, trying not to smile. "Far be it from me to complain, but... if you aren't sleeping together, why did you get married?"
"I didn't want to get married. I mean... it wasn't..." Sara groaned. "It's hard to explain without telling the story. My father is a very loving man, but very traditional in many ways. He didn't want me to have any sort of relationship with a boy, but Michael was so nice... We started just as friends, and I couldn't imagine not letting it develop into more just because of my father. That's why no one knew. Well... my father found out a little while ago." Sara took a deep breath. She glanced at Arlie and was encouraged by her sympathetic look. "He gave me a choice between going back to India for a time or leaving the family entirely, disowned. I couldn't... I still can't imagine not seeing my family again, but after I called Michael from the airport to tell him I couldn't go through with going to India."
"But, why did you...?"
"I didn't think I had any options. I couldn't go to India and at this point I couldn't go back to my family. I can't support myself. Michael wanted me to just live with him, but that... I do respect most of the things my parents taught me, Mrs. Marshall, and living with a man is not something that would be right for me. Michael suggested we marry."
"I just don't see... Why marriage? We would have helped you, for Michael's sake."
"It's not your responsibility. Not really."
Arlie sighed. "And your father... does he know?"
"Yes. He reacted just as I expected."
"He won't... do we have to worry... umm... will he come after you?"
"What?"
"I don't know what I'm saying... I've seen documentaries... about the men in your... culture."
"No! My father is not a violent man. Not every man in India is like that."
"I'm sorry." Arlie turned from Sara, trying to hide the fact that she was blushing. "I don't know anything about... I can only go by what I've seen."
"Well, it's not something you need to worry about."
Arlie nodded and turned back to Sara. "So..." she gestured to the room around her. "... this can be your room. The décor is a little stale, but feel free to dress it up. We can get you new bedding, a desk... whatever you need."
"Mrs. Marshall... there's something else, I might as well tell you now."
"This can't be good..." Arlie muttered.
"My father wasn't angry specifically about Michael. I'm... I'm pregnant."
Arlie couldn't speak. The words made a vague impression on her, but all she could do was stare. When she formed a coherent thought, she surprised herself that it was to note how great a contrast Sara was against the bare white wall behind her.
Scene 2
Lou had to sneak into her parents home to avoid them, so she could see Flynn first. She was where she expected to find her, bent over a book at her desk.
"What are you reading?"
Flynn gasped, jumped, but did not turn around.
"Poli Sci," she finally answered.
Lou hesitated, too, unsure of how to approach Flynn and even unsure of her feelings toward her.
"I'm going to Kosovo," she blurted out.
Flynn pushed herself from the desk, wheeling back on the chair and turning as she did. "Kosovo?"
"To do relief work. That's why I came home."
"But... it's so dangerous."
"I try not to think about it. I want to help."
A nervous silence followed. Neither sister quite knew what to say next, and neither was willing to look the other in the eye. When they did speak, they started at the same time.
"I'm sorry about-"
"I don't blame you-"
"Sorry," Flynn said. "You... you go."
"I said I don't blame you for... Andrew. It was a mistake for us to be engaged. I don't think either of us were happy."
Flynn nodded. "Well, I'm sorry anyway. It was... sisters shouldn't do that to each other."
"I think you two'll be great. You know him so much better than I do. When are you moving in?"
Flynn was stumped by the question. Andrew had filled her in, but they hadn't discussed details yet.
"Uh... soon," she said. "When are you going to tell Mom and Dad about Kosovo?"
"When are you going to tell them about Andrew?"
"Touché. I don't know which they'll dislike more."
"Probably Kosovo."
"They had such expectations for you and Andy, though."
"And they can have the same for you."
"Nah... I'm different, not as important."
"You always say that!" Lou protested. "It's not true."
"We'll see."
Lou shook her head with a sigh. "Well, I'd like to get it over with now, and we should tell them at the same time. Are they home?"
"Yeah. Dad's out in the garden and Mom's down in the workshop.
Scene 3
"Mrs. Duffy, can I see you in my office?"
Tina left her post in the restaurant and slyly smiled at Burke as she approached him.
"I don't think we should make a habit of it in your office," Tina teased.
Burke shushed her. "Just come in."
Tina clung to him once the door was closed, exploring his arms and chest and trying to get a kiss. Burke did his best to get away, and eventually retreated behind his desk.
"Please," he said firmly, holding out his hand. "I wanted to talk about that."
"Oh, Burke, don't..."
"It would never work with us. Becky wouldn't like it, George certainly wouldn't like it, and I'm stopping it before it goes any further."
"It's already gone pretty far," Tina pointed. "And George is your uncle, not your father."
"What does that have anything to do with? You're his ex-wife, and he's uncomfortable enough as it is having you live in the house. I'm sorry... the other day... I'd just received some bad news and I was only looking for comfort. I found the wrong kind. I'm sorry."
"Bastard!"
Tina whirled on her heal and left, slamming the door behind her. But she wasn't watching where she was going, and she walked right into George. She recovered quickly, and managed her old, sweet smile.
"Sorry 'bout that, Georgie," she said, running her fingers through his hair.
Scene 4
The gates to the Marshall property were closed when Frankie arrived in the cab, and several people mulled outside ready to shout protests against Marshall Industries'' dealings when the opportunity presented itself. She was admitted, but only after lengthy negotiation with the housekeeper. Frankie thanked the driver when they reached the door, and insisted she didn't need him to wait for her.
"I'm calling the police if you really are a protestor," Frankie was warned when admitted to the foyer.
"I am not. I am... I am French. I came to see Miss Marshall."
"I'm sorry, honey, Grace is out right now."
"No, no... the older Grace."
"Oh, why didn't you say so? You're here to interview for the job."
"No, I-"
"What's your name, honey?"
"Frankie Chevalier."
The housekeeper frowned. "No... I don't think that name was on our list."
"Please... I am not here for a job. I would only like to visit with Miss Marshall."
"Is she expecting you?"
"No, but... please, just tell her I am here. I know she is ill, but I have come a long way to see her."
"Alright," the housekeeper sighed. "Wait right here and I'll see if she is awake. It was Frankie Chevalier?"
Frankie nodded and did not move from her place while the housekeeper disappeared upstairs, but she turned expectantly when the woman again descended the stairs.
"I don't know what it's all about," she said, throwing up her hands, "but Grace insisted I give you something to eat first, so you can leave your bags there and come on into the kitchen with me. My name's Cynthia."
Scene 5
"And you're sure we don't know each other from somewhere?"
"Probably not, Mr. Reece. But even if I knew you when I was younger I wouldn't remember. I don't have much of a visual memory."
"Well, as I said, you're only our second interview, but none of the other candidates have nearly the qualifications you have."
Grace beamed at the praise. She felt at home in the Reece house the instant she walked through the door. And, though Jack's aloofness made her nervous, she still felt at ease with him. But Gemma... she and Gemma had taken to each other from the start. Even then, as the interview came to a close, Gemma was cuddling against Grace on the sofa.
"And I don't think Gemma could possibly like anyone more than she does you."
"Will you stay, Grace?"
"Well, I can't stay, but I would love to tutor you. That's up to you and your dad."
"Your prospects look good," Jack assured her. "I'll let you know for sure by this evening, if that's all right?"
"Quite, thank you." Grace stood and took Gemma's hand to shake it. "Sweetie, it was very nice meeting you."
"Likewise!"
"I'll see you out," Jack said.
He followed Grace out the front door and closed it behind him.
"Your daughter is wonderful, Mr. Reece," Grace said. "She'll do well with whomever you choose. She has a wonderful outlook."
"I'm quite proud," Jack said wistfully. "But! I can say with some degree of certainty that we'll go with you. I still have to interview the other candidates, but..."
"I hope so," Grace nodded. "I'd love to work with Gemma. But... well, I'm sure you're trustworthy but it would be foolish of me not to get a character reference. Just that I would be working in your home, and-"
"Say no more," Jack said, raising a hand to stop her. "I understand completely. Wait here, I'll be right back."
Jack ran into the house and returned moments later with a slip of paper.
"This was my doctor... knows me better than anyone."
"Flynn?" Grace had only glanced at the paper, and did a double take when she saw the name? "Jackson Flynn? This will appease my father-we've known the Flynn family forever."
"That's right, I'd forgotten. I picked him because he was Canadian, and it was just coincidence that we came from the same town."
"That's great. I'll see if I can't get a hold of him. I'll... talk to you later?"
"Yes, I look forward to it. And Gemma will too."
Scene 6
"Oh, this day only gets better," Pierce groaned. "Grandpa..."
He was driving toward the Marshall Industries building after spending a little extra time during lunch with Michael and Sara. The protest group that had been two or three people strong when they left had grown to over a dozen. Four carried placards and two passed leaflets to pedestrians.
"Marshall lies, forest dies!" they chanted.
There were a few parking spaces at the front of the building. Pierce's was one of them, and the doorman came down to help fend off protestors as he got out of his car. They shouted so many different things at him that he couldn't make out any of them. He ignored them all, including the photographer, and struggled through to the door. He turned there, and spent some time motioning them quiet.
"Marshall Industries is still investigating the allegations made in this morning's newspaper, and we are disappointed that such a misunderstanding could occur. A more complete statement will be issued by the end of the day."
John was in the lobby to meet him when Pierce went in. His eyes drooped, as did his posture, and he was on edge.
"I hope you at least had a good lunch," he said.
"Ha! If only. I'll tell you later. What's new?"
"We've got copies of the paper's proof. I don't know where the hell they came from, but they've got the blueprints for the original concept for Regent Island."
"What was that?"
"Golf course, luxury golf course. I nixed it as soon as I saw the plans-almost three years ago. I assumed they were destroyed."
"So where...?"
"I don't know. We're trying to find the guy who originally came up with the concept. He quit two years ago."
"Anything pointing to Benedict?"
"Not really, unfortunately. Personally I think they're the only explanation."
"Have you contacted Morgan yet?" Pierce asked ask they headed for the elevator.
"Just voice mail. And Cresswell isn't answering his phone."
"Jeez..."
John's secretary was waiting for them when they reached the top.
"Gloria?"
She turned and walked with them back to John's office.
"We found Oldman."
"Who?" Pierce asked.
"Golf resort," John replied quickly. "What did he say, Gloria?"
"Nothing. He was found dead in Lake Michigan three months ago."
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Coming up in Episode 12:
- Michael and Sara have a difficult time setting in to married life in separate bedrooms
- Burke regrets ending things with Tina and she seizes the opportunity, but Becky has her objections
- Frankie charms Aunt Grace, but will have to wait for the answers she seeks
- Grace enjoys her work with Gemma, but has a difficult time getting Jack to open up