Resist - A Continuation
Parts 35-36
“Gwamma!!!”
“Hello Andrew. How was your trip?” Carmen smiles at me while giving Andrew a big hug.
She really makes me feel good and she’s great with Andrew.
“It was fun. I missed you and daddy and Uncle Way.”
“Really? Well I missed you, too. I have someone I would like you to meet. This is Mr. Bernard Rivera.”
“Hello Mr. Benawd Wvera. Hey I know you! You came to see my Mama in Chicago,” Andrews says, acknowledging Colin.
“That’s right. How ya doing little guy?”
“Look Mama. It’s your friend. I can’t wemember his name.”
I feel really awkward right now and need to find out just what the hell is going on. “That’s okay honey. Why don’t you go find Aunt Kathleen and have her get you settled in.”
“Alwight. Bye Gwamma. Bye Mr…I can’t wemember your name. Bye...Aunt Kathleen, Mama said to get me settled in...” Andrew waves as he runs out of the room, screaming my instructions to Kathleen as he runs to find her.
Andrew didn’t even recognize his aunt’s presence. It’s not surprising though. She has all but stayed hidden away from him. I don’t know who she resents more, me or my son. She probably really does think he’s Nino’s which explains why Bernard could be here. But what’s up with Colin.
“So. Bernard. Nice to see you. How have you been?” I don’t know what else to say. I might as well be cordial until I know what’s going on.
“And Colin. I didn’t expect to see you…”
I’m cut off by Pilar. “…Oh Michelle, let’s just cut to the crap. I was just about to tell Bernard and my mother everything.” She’s been quiet up to this point. Her voice is hostile. This is definitely war.
“Exactly what were you going to tell them and what does Dr. Beckford have to with it?” I remain calm. If there’s one thing I’ve learned from Danny it’s how to remain cool, no matter what I might be feeling.
Pilar gets up and walks over to Carmen and places her hands on Carmen’s shoulders as if she is consoling her mother. “Just the truth Michelle. Just the truth.”
I take a deep breathe before saying, “why don’t you just cut to crap, Pilar. Why are my ex-father-in-law and Danny’s old roommate here?”
I can tell by Pilar’s stiffening, that she didn’t think I knew who Colin really was. And she definitely doesn’t know the developments between Danny and me. I wonder what Danny will think of his friend Colin. Unless, I’ve been set up again. Dammit.
“Well, Pilar? What’s going on. What’s this truth?” I really am getting scared now. What if these past few days with Danny were a hoax.
The smirk returns, the same smirk that was always on Danny’s face. “Let’s see, Michelle. I told Bernard how you killed his son, had his baby and then tried to pass the boy off as a Santos after you told Dr. Beckett the boy was a Rivera. And now that Danny wants to divorce you, you ran back to Dr. Beckford thinking he would help you keep Danny. You wanted him to provide you with a name of someone that would give you false paternity results. I’d say that’s a whole lot of crap. And I’m not going to let you hurt and deceive my family anymore.”
I cannot believe my ears and my head hurts. Where the hell did she come up with this story? All I see is a woman who hates me so much that she would lie to hurt me, even get me killed. Over that monster, Nino Rivera. And why would Colin go along with this charade?
“Michelle, is this true?” Carmen asks with a hint of disbelief in her voice. Good. She doesn’t believe her wacko daughter.
“Can I speak to Carmen and Bernard alone?” I ask, still keeping my composure.
“You don’t deserve anything Michelle. Just admit that you lost at this sick game of yours.” Pilar walks up to Michelle and gets in her face. “I’ll never forgive you for killing Nino. You must pay at all costs.”
I step back and then I slap her. “You are a crazy pathetic bitch!” I’ve lost it now. I grab Pilar by her arms and start to shake her. Carmen runs to grab Pilar, while Colin pulls me back. But I won’t stop. “Do you actually hate me that much that you would tell these crazy lies?! Get off of me Colin! What did she offer you? Anybody can see she’s lying!”
“Hey, what’s going on in here?” Danny comes rushing in with Jimmy and Carlos close behind. “What are you doing here?” he asks Colin as he tries to step between us. “And what is Bernard Rivera doing here?” Now he is talking to Carmen.
I free myself from Colin and move to other side of the room where no one is standing.
“Ask your sister Danny. Tell him Pilar.” I can take no more and try to run out, but Danny catches me and holds me to him. His eyes are soft, concerned. No, the only person trying to pull a hoax is Pilar. “Danny. She’s lying. She wants me dead. She wants our son dead, too.”
“What the hell is going on here? Somebody tell me something!”
Colin steps forward and says, “Look. Let’s all just calm down.”
“Shut up Colin,” I snap.
Finally Bernard speaks. “Danny, I was called here today because there was some news about Nino’s murderer. What I’m being told is that your wife...my son’s widow...killed him in cold blood. And her son may or may not be my grandson. I just want to know if this is true. If it is, then you know what must happen. If it isn’t, then I’ll be on my way.”
Danny is bewildered. “Who told you such a story?”
“I did Danny. She’s poison. And since you are divorcing her it shouldn’t matter to you that she gets what she deserves.” Pilar starts crying. Boy, this woman is out of her mind. “And how do you know that the boy is really yours?”
“What are you talking about Pilar?” Danny lets me go and goes to comfort his sister. “You know Michelle didn’t kill Nino. Why would you say that? And you also know that I’m Andrew’s father.”
Colin speaks again. “Actually, Danny. Pilar is telling the truth. You are not Andrew’s father.”
________________________________________
Last time...Colin speaks again. “Actually, Danny. Pilar is telling the truth. You are not Andrew’s father.”
“What are you talking about Colin? Is this some kind of sick joke? Michelle?” Danny turns to me looking for a sign.
I’m speechless. Why would Colin go along with this? And Danny is looking at me like I betrayed him. Everybody is waiting for me to answer, but Colin adds more to his tale before I can speak.
“Danny, Michelle isn’t even Andrew’s mother. I know you’ve gotten attached to the boy, but he isn’t yours or Michelle’s.”
That shocks everyone in the room, including Pilar. What is Colin up to? I don’t have time to digest his comment before I pass out.
I’m at Cedars. In one of those suites. Rick is at the door talking to a Lillian Raines. Where is Danny? Where is Andrew? All I manage to say in a faint whisper is, “Rick...”
“Michelle, honey how are you?” Somehow Rick hears me and he and Lillian rush to my bedside and start to check me over. “You’ve been unconscious for 3 hours. What happened? Danny won’t say anything. I am glad you are divorcing that guy. He’s such a cold man and you deserve better.”
I let Rick finish his tirade. Sometimes it’s best to just let him get it all out. “Where’s my son?”
“He’s with Abby. Danny asked us to keep him. You know, it was almost as if he didn’t want anything to do with his son. Don’t you worry though. Abby and I will help you take care of the children if he won’t.”
“Is Danny here?” I’m almost afraid to hear the answer. What if he believed Colin and Pilar? He’s going to kill me if he does. I need to see him. If we can’t be together, that’s fine. But Danny has to be there for his son. I have to make him see that they’re lying. And I also need to figure out Colin's motives. It's obvious that Pilar was blindsided by his last comment.
Lillian leaves the room. Rick says, “Look Michelle. I know you’ve had a tough go at it since Nino’s death, but you don’t need someone like Danny Santos to make your life complete. You will be released now that you are awake. I want you to come stay with us, too. Abby will take care of you.”
“I need to see Danny.”
“Did you hear me? The guy is a cold-hearted jerk. He doesn’t care about you and it would appear he feels the same for Andrew. You don’t have to talk to him. Communicate through lawyers.”
Oh he’s making my head hurt. “Dammit, Rick. Where is Danny? I want to talk to him. Now.” My voice is calm and leveled. Boy has Danny rubbed off on me. Anyway, my only objective is to get this mess straightened out.
Rick hesitates, but finally agrees to go find Danny. He thinks Danny stuck around. Just when I thought everything was going to work out...
“I thought she was okay? You said she was being released.”
Danny and Rick are in Michelle’s hospital suite. They are on either side of her bed.
“That was before she passed out again. Look I know Michelle asked to see you, but I think you should leave. You’ve put her through enough and she doesn’t need any stress right now. I’ll take her home with me when she is released. You can visit her when she’s better.”
“Don’t dictate to me when I will see my wife and where she will be staying.”
“Please. Don’t act like you care about her. You only married her so Andrew could be near you. And now you’ve sent him away. It’s best that Michelle and Andrew be around people who really love them.”
Danny looks at Michelle. Without averting his eyes, he says, “You don’t know how I feel. But you’re right. She doesn’t need any additional stress and coming home with me...well...would hardly be stress-free. And Andrew should be with his mot...um...with Michelle.”
With that said, Danny leaves.