#32 (Jackson lays down the law with Sheila...)
“How’s she doing?” asked Sheila Davenport as she sat in the garden of her daughter, Lisa’s mansion. She took a small sip of water before adding, “She won’t answer my calls, Jackson.”
Jackson Collins wasn’t a man to show his cards without knowing what the other party was willing to sacrifice in return for his knowledge. While he liked Sheila, he knew that her constant meddling was a continued source of friction between Sheila and her children. “Lisa just came out of surgery and she’s doing fine. The doctor wants to keep her in the hospital overnight. She should be home tomorrow.”
Sheila nodded silently. “I suppose that is best. It pains me that my daughter has had to suffer like this so often.”
“We’ve handled it together,” replied Jackson, quietly.
“Everything?” Sheila bit the inside of her cheek in order to stop herself from bringing up the one issue she knew was off limits. However, Sheila felt in her heart that it was necessary for her to ensure Lisa didn’t act in a manner which could jeopardize her future happiness. “Jackson, do you know why Lisa is in the hospital?”
Jackson folded his arms as he glared at his mother-in-law. “I do,” he shot back.
“No, the real reason.”
“My wife is recovering from an ectopic pregnancy…”
“She also had her tubes tied,” blurted out Sheila. “I tried to talk her out of it…”
“I can’t believe you!” spat Jackson.
“Me?” Sheila said with marked offense. “I haven’t done a thing wrong!”
“Lisa told me that she wanted to have her tubes tied yesterday. I fully supported her decision then and now. It wasn’t your place to insert yourself in the middle of our marriage, Sheila!”
“I am concerned! Lisa is very smart, very clever, but she clearly isn’t thinking rationally or she wouldn’t have had her tubes tied! She should have consulted you before making that decision,” huffed Sheila.
“It’s her decision to make; not mine.”
“I thought you wanted more children!”
“I do…I did. I’ve seen Lisa suffer from through miscarriage after miscarriage and, well, it’s not fair on her. It’s taxing. It’s emotionally draining. You haven’t seen how much she suffers when no one is looking. I don’t want her to go through that again, Sheila.”
“If you don’t try…”
“Look, I’m done. You had no right to betray Lisa’s trust by telling me something she told you in confidence. I’m appalled, Sheila.”
“I… I did what I thought was the right thing to do!”
“When are you going to understand that you can’t run around controlling your children! They’re in their thirties and forties! Leave them alone.”
“I do not control them,” huffed Sheila. “Jackson, I know you’re suffering, but it doesn’t give you the right to take it out on me.”
“You do control them. You use your money and influence to keep them in line. Look at the way you treat Nick. He’s thirty-five and yet you still have control over his trust fund!”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” sniffed Sheila. “Nicholas isn’t responsible.”
“Fine. Excuse away your behavior. I think it would be best if you gave Lisa some breathing room for a few weeks.”
“Weeks! Jackson, she’s my daughter!”
“She’s my wife! She deserves some time away from you.”
“You can’t make decisions like that without…”
“I can and I will,” Jackson snapped. “It’s time for you to go, Sheila. Please show yourself out.”
Barbara Wilkes sat in front of the window unit air conditioner in her apartment in a vain attempt to stay cool. She would have gone to the beach today, but she’d worked the morning shift at the Montgomery Estate and been sent home because Mrs. Montgomery didn’t need any further assistance for the day. It was a forty-minute car ride to the beach followed by an even longer one back to her apartment. Barbara knew it wasn’t worth it, so she did her best to beat the summer heat.
As she thought about the next step in her plan, Barbara smiled at the fact that she’d been able to get upstairs through her talent. The next thing she needed to do was ingratiate herself with the family. She knew Mrs. Montgomery liked her well enough, but Barbara had a bigger prize in sight. From what Barbara heard from the staff and people around town was that Charles Montgomery, IV had a thing for young women who could keep their mouths shut. Barbara was that woman. However, she hadn’t been able to meet him, let alone catch his eye. Moreover, that hideous uniform she had to wear every day hid her body…her supple curves…her heaving breasts. He was the reason she’d come to Kingsport. He was the reason she had demeaned herself by being a maid. He was the reason she was determined to play the long game, but not too long. Time wasn’t on her side. There would always been a young woman on Charles’ arm even though Barbara would soon age out of that demographic. She wracked her brain trying to think of a way into his bed and yet she hadn’t cracked the code.
A repeated knock at the door forced her out of her reverie. She groaned, put on a tee shirt, and walked to the door. Barbara knew her rent was on time, she never had guests, and she even brought home cookies for the other tenants in the building. Who on earth would be pounding on her door like this?
The instant she pulled open the door, she had her answer.
Barbara let out a scream, but the sound never escaped her mouth. Had she not been holding onto the door, she would have fallen to the ground in a heap of fear. She’d run from her past, but somehow, somewhere, it had followed her to Kingsport. Barbara tried to slam the door shut, but it was useless. He was already in her apartment.
“Get out,” she cried in a broken voice. “Leave…”
“That’s no way to talk to your husband,” replied Kenny Wilkes.
In our next installment, Barbara tries to stay calm...
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