45
On the way home, Lisa was sure she floated on cloud nine. This day had exceeded her wildest expectations. To be fair, the past three days had exceeded all her hopes and dreams. However, it seemed that today, they had finally broken through that ice layer keeping them trapped in time. In hindsight, she really could not tell what had kept her from opening up to him like this before. She had always been scared shitless to give him too much information, worried what he might do with it. Well, how crazy, that with all the love she had for him, she had not trusted him with her whole heart in a very long time. It all had been a painful lesson in self-destruction.
Today, though, it seemed they both had jumped over the shadows of their past. Michael had actually admitted he wanted a life with her. Not just their baby- but her as well. Her worst fear had always been that he would cast her aside once she’d carry his child. The fear had been hanging over her during their marriage and was fed and nurtured by her mother. Well, he had made it very clear today: he wanted her. Why had she still doubted him? He had really hung in there through some crazy stuff. Crazy stuff of her own making, at times.
Now, it all seemed so clear once again: her life was with him, their baby, her children, and his children. All she had to do was hope and pray that Debbie would see reason and bow out.
Seriously? Debbie, see reason? She only sees dollar signs.
Whatever! That actually would work, too. Michael had plenty of dollar signs to show for. He did not get to where he was by backing down when he really wanted something. She remembered only too well how he had pursued her, totally ignoring the fact that she was married to Danny. He had acted as if her marriage was a minor inconvenience that should not stand in the way of their future. He had not cared about what anyone would think when they had eloped. He wanted her to be his wife, and he wanted that to happen on his schedule and when he thought time was right. Which had been immediately. Waiting was a concept that did not apply to him once he had his sights set on a goal.
What chance did Debbie really stand? Michael had lawyers and advisors, and Lisa was sure they would be able to get him out of whatever contract he had signed with Nursey. Sure, she would try to hold the kids over his head, but it was not like she had any apparent interest in them. Prince obviously craved a woman to bond with, and sadly, or thankfully, that had not happened with his mother. Well, Lisa was prepared to be the mother the adorable tike deserved. And Michael’s little girl would only know her from the start.
Please, God, please let everything work out. I know I have not prayed in a long time, probably ‘cause things have been more than shitty for me. But now, you’ve given me this new chance, this new life inside. Please don’t fuck me over.
Lisa knew this was not the most conventional of prayers, but for her it was progress. For the longest time, she had not felt any need or desire to pray to the God who had taken her father way too early. Well, maybe her faith, or lack thereof, was yet another thing she would have to re-evaluate in her new life. Her life with Michael.
She smiled and felt that warm feeling in the pit of her stomach. That and nervousness about how the deal with the soon-to-be former Mrs. Jackson would go down.
As soon as she arrived back home, she rushed upstairs to call Danny. She wanted the kids home as soon as possible. Michael had promised to be over tomorrow, and she wanted some time to talk to them beforehand. Everything would be perfect, she just knew it! Ben and Riley adored Michael and had still not adjusted to him being gone. She could not count the night she had found them sitting by the window, waiting for him, long after she had explained time and time again that he was not coming back. Riley had looked at her with her huge, serious eyes, informing her that no matter what her mother said, she knew Michael would be back.
Well, baby, I probably should have listened to you.
Danny sounded less than pleased after she stated her request.
“I thought you needed time to rest. Are you sure you can handle having them home?”
“Dan. I’m pregnant, not deathly ill.”
“Thanks for reminding me.”
“Look, I’m fine. You don’t really have to approve of my choices. You are the father of two of my kids, and I value your friendship, but what happens from here on out with Michael, this baby, and me is off-limits to you.”
“Whatever you say, Lise. Just remember that your choices do impact our children. Remember how they suffered last time you decided to leave him, after you rushed head first into marrying him in the first place. Before the ink on our divorce degree was dry, might I add. What’s gonna be different? Oh, besides the fact that he can’t marry you ‘cause he is already married?”
Oh shut the fuck up, Danny.
Lisa took a deep breath. Her lips pressed together for a moment, then she shook her head. No, not even his ignorant ass could mess up her good mood. She would simply not let anyone intrude.
“Danny, please have them home this afternoon by five. Thank you and goodbye.”
Hanging up, she smiled proudly at her mirror image across the den.
You did well, girl. He would be proud. You didn’t even curse. Loudly anyway.
Lisa checked her answering machine and of course, discovered five messages from her mother. Wonderful. The next battle on the horizon. But the funny thing was that she really did not care. She was ready. She would say the words she had been carrying in her heart for years.
Back off or get the hell out of my life.
Cursing might have to be involved in that conversation. Or not: there was really no need for it, as there was nothing mother could do this time. Sure, her own doubts were still here, but she now understood she could share them with Michael, who also was appropriately freaked out and afraid. They could lean on each other, stabilize each other, and finally go back to being the team they were meant to be.
The next message made her sparkling blue sky darken slightly. Her doctor had called and asked her to come in for some more tests. Was something wrong? No, it couldn’t be that. He would not leave a message if it was serious. She had some blood work done and results forwarded as everyone was worried about her clotting disorder and getting her medication right so the pregnancy could progress without further excitement.
Fear spread through her despite her efforts to calm her thoughts.
Lisa decided to stop running scared and just take the bulls by the horns. Her doctor knew her well enough to immediately spy the tone of her voice.
“Lisa-Marie, you sound so worried- don’t. I just told you it was all routine.”
“I know, doc. But you have to understand: nothing with me ever seems to be routine. I mean, I was told I wasn’t pregnant to begin with, only to find out that I was. I’m scared, you know my history.”
“Really, you have no reason to be scared. But you know what? Why don’t you come in tomorrow, and we do a sonogram.”
“Isn’t it too early for that?”
“Well, we can do a vaginal sonogram. That will give us a good idea of what’s going on. That and the blood tests should put your mind at ease. Stress is the worst thing for you right now, so please don’t let yourself worry too much.”
“I’ll try. I promise. Doc? Can my…ah..the father of the child come, as well?”
How odd that she could not identify what Michael was to her. Boyfriend sounded wrong. She could not very well say he was her lover. When he was so much more. Still, he was not her husband anymore, and ex-husband would be confusing as well.
“Sure thing.”
“Well, there are some things we have to discuss then. He..uhm…has a slight problem going anywhere without a circus around him, so I better prepare you.”
They discussed the details of the visit and the doctor, used to celebrity clients, assured her he did not expect any trouble. Ok, she would just have to wait and see. But there was no way, she would go to the appointment without Michael. Not after today.
Lisa tried to get on the computer to answer some business related emails, but her eyes crept over to the clock every five minutes or so. Would he call her? Should she call him? She only left less than three hours ago, so how much could it take to make the offer palatable for Debbie. Of course, the Debster would have to hem and haw, sigh and cry about how much she loved Michael. Well, if she really loved him, she should get her talons out of him and just fuck off. Ok, she could stay on Earth until she delivered his baby girl, then she could go back to wherever she had come from.
A new email popped up in her inbox. From her mother. Dammit!
“Lisa- I know you are home as I just received the email you had courtesy copied me on. As I am sure you are aware of, I have been horrendously worried about you the past THREE days, so please return my calls. I know you would not want to stress me without reason, so thank you for being considerate.- Mother”
Her eyes closed in frustration, and she felt her pulse rate spike. Talk about being stressed out! Maybe her doctor would tell her tomorrow to lay off smoking, drinking, and contact with Priscilla. The first two had already been cut out- the latter might be a problem. Lisa noticed she was biting her fingernails. God! She had to really get a grip.
Well, procrastination was obviously not working, so she might as well face the music. How bad could it be? The worst was over, Priscilla already knew that she was carrying Michael’s baby. And, had she not made it clear enough that she would not do anything to end this pregnancy? Maybe, mother was only genuinely worried as she had not been on contact those magical three days. Maybe she actually was reminded that she was a human mammal- with maternal instincts.
Lisa had to laugh.
Well, hey, maybe it was delusional, but it was possible.
If only Michael would call. Hearing his voice would give her strength. Automatically, she picked up her phone and called him. It went to voicemail right away. Dammit!
Was he still busy with Debbie? Or was he on the phone arranging for a big, fat check, a ticket, and a plot of land in Australia? Which would be fitting as this whole nightmare that was their marriage had started there.
“Hey, you. I know I just left…but I got home and I have to answer my mother’s calls. Yes, plural; big surprise, right? I can’t believe how much I already miss you again. I want to thank you for everything. Everything you said… I…I was such an idiot before, Mike. I don’t ever wanna close myself off from you again. I love you so much. So, even if things didn’t go well with Debbie, call me as soon as you get this. If I don’t answer, I’m on the phone with ‘you know who.’ Wish me strength. I’ll call you back later. Oh, I have a surprise – hope you have time tomorrow before we talk to the kids. I love you. Like crazy. Bye for now.”
She clicked off but held on to the receiver, subconsciously holding it to her heart. One more deep breath, inhaling the resolve she had garnered just from being able to jabber on his voicemail.
Biting her lip, she waited for her mother to answer the phone. Lisa could just imagine Priscilla staring at the caller ID, purposely not answering until the fifth ring.
“Well, good, you are alive. I was this close to calling the FBI.”
“Hello, mother. No need to call the authorities. I am sure you were in touch with Danny who probably told you where I was. So let’s dispense with the drama, can we?”
“Lisa Marie, all you had to do was to simply fill me in. I was so worried when I could not reach you. You can’t blame me. You have a history of being…impulsive when stressed.”
Another deep breath. Mother was something. How nice of her to rub in her breakdown last year.
“I am not stressed, mother. Or, let’s say, I was not until I picked up the phone.”
“Of course, Lisa. I realize I am the root of all your pain. Because, heaven forbid you blame the person who actually has done nothing but hurt you.”
“Ok, did you need me to call you to torture me some more? If so, now that you know I am alive, as you put it, this conversation is over.”
Silence.
Good. Let that sit for a minute. Lisa was not about to soften up.
“Ok, Lisa Marie. I’m sorry. I guess I was just worried. I apologize. I did not mean to attack you.”
Lisa felt like looking around, getting ready to duck in case the flying pigs would smack her upside her head any moment now. Had mother just apologized?
“Ok. So, anything else you wanted? I mean other than to make sure I am well?”
And annoy the shit out of me?
“No, I just wanted to see if I could drop by later to check on you. Before you say anything- I promise to not bring up anything that could upset you. I just want to make sure you are taking care of yourself.”
And by that she probably meant to see if Lisa scheduled an appointment at an abortion clinic yet.
“I am fine, mother. No need to come by. Danny will drop Riley and Ben off in a bit and I want to spend some time with them. No need to trouble yourself.”
Translation: Please stay the hell away from me for a while. Let’s see if Priscilla would actually be sensitive enough to get it. Or wise enough to respect the hidden message.
“No, trouble, sweetheart. How about I bring by some food from the little Indian place you like? We can just hang out and chat for a bit. No hidden agenda, I promise.”
Hang out? No hidden agenda? What foreign language was her mother speaking? And Lisa guessed that was a no, as far as her mother respecting any subliminally sent message.
“I don’t know… I really wanna take it easy…”
“I won’t stay long. Come on- let me take care of my daughter.”
Shit! Why was everything always about Priscilla and her needs? And why was it still so difficult to turn her down?
“Ok, fine. But just for a little while, mother. I am really not in the mood for any long, drawn out discussions. The kids don’t know about the baby yet, so I don’t want you to say anything.”
“Does that mean you will not tell them for now? I mean, if you’re keeping it, they will find out.”
No shit, Sherlock. And what was with the “if you’re keeping it” bullshit again? ‘It’ was a living little human being. Her dream child.
“There is not ‘if’ in that sentence. I am keeping my baby. Michael and I will tell the kids tomorrow- together.” She put just the right emphasis on the last word to convey the message.
“Oh…I see. Well, I am sure you will do what you think is best. So…does Indian food sound good?”
Message received. Good.
“Wonderful.” Lisa sighed. What else could she do? Well, she could say no, but, knowing her mother, she’d drop by anyway.
After Lisa hung up, she realized how tired she was. She had about an hour before Danny would be back, so she decided to lay down and read a bit. Her eyes felt started to close and she felt the book slipping form her fingers. Ok, maybe a little nap would be ok.
The ringing of the phone intruded on her dreamless sleep. It took a minute to get her bearing and the ringing stopped. She was slightly dizzy when she sat up, so she decided to take it slow. Making a detour by the bathroom, she finally found the phone again, and saw that Michael called. He had not left a message, which was odd, and stirred a kaleidoscope of nervous thoughts and feelings.
Why could he not at least tell her how it went? Or not tell her anything other than that he loved her?
Lisa, cut out the insecurity crap! He probably will try again any second now. And you also know how to dial his number, right?
Ok, that’s right: she would not fall into old habits again. Proving to herself that she had the capacity for mature patience, she went downstairs and put on water for some tea. Her eyes fell on the clock, and she was surprised she had slept for almost an hour. The kids would be home any minute now. Everything would work out well. She only had to make it through the evening with her mother then she could look forward to a perfect day with her kids and Michael tomorrow. And hopefully, get some calming news from her doctor.
Just when she finished pouring the water into her cup, the phone rang again. Recognizing the number on the ID, she smiled. There- of course he was calling back.
“Hey, babe.”
“Hi, princess. How is the beautiful mother of all my future children?”
How did he manage to chase all the clouds away and paint this great, goofy smile onto her face just like that?
“I hope you mean me with that. But can we take it one at a time? This one is making me tired as it is.”
“That’s ‘cause it’s full of energy and love for life. I can tell.”
“Oh, yeah? How?”
“Magic. I can’t let you in on the secret. But maybe I’ll show you tomorrow.”
She shook her head and laughed.
“How can I miss your silly self already?”
“How could you not?”
“Glad to see those self-help books to improve your self-esteem helped.”
“Very funny. So, did you get some rest?”
“Yeah, surprisingly.”
“Why surprisingly? I thought I wore you out good enough to get you sleepy.”
“Cocky ass!”
“Nope. Just truthful. Seriously, are you ok?”
“I’ll be better once you tell me how it went.”
“Where you at?”
“Ah…in my house. You called the home-phone.”
“No kidding. Just want to make sure you are sitting down.”
Oh no! How badly had things gone with her? What in the world? Why did Debbie always have to mess up everything?
Lisa tried to fight back the tears, telling herself that she needed to hear him out before she panicked. She made it into her family room, putting the tea down with shaky hands.
“Ok, I’m sitting. Lay it on me.”
“So, yeah. She was…not happy.”
“With? What did you tell her?”
“Well, I was just going to ask her to speed up the divorce without telling her why. I mean, why upset her? It can’t be good for the baby…”
Yeah…her getting upset was also not good for their baby. What was he saying?
“Ok…” Lisa tried her best to keep her tone even.
“There was a slight problem.”
Everything with Debbie was a slight problem. Her mere existence was a problem. At least as far as Lisa was concerned.
“Michael, just spit it out. I’m dying here.”
“Ah, have you seen any, um, papers?”
“Papers? No, why?”
“Well, Debbie was…,” he coughed, “…nice enough to bring this wonderful article…”
Pause. Dammit! Did he even recognize that in real life no dramatic pause was required?
“What article?”
“Let me read it to you: DID JACKO PUSH EX DOWN THE STAIRS TO KEEP HER FROM SPILLING THE BEANS? WILL PREGNANT DEBBIE TELL THE TRUTH OR KEEP THE COVER?” He modified his voice to sound like some annoying reporter on the entertainment news.
What the fuck? Now she was glad she was sitting.
“Oh, Michael…fucking hell… I don’t know what to say…”
Lisa felt nauseous and dizzy. Would they ever leave him alone? And why was Debbie carrying this trash around with her? Unless, she was somehow in on it. Wouldn’t be the first time…
“Oh, it gets better.”
Lisa held her breath and closed her eyes.
“What else does it say?”
“Oh that? Nothing much. Just that you covered for my ass in 93 and that you are about to go to my buddy Sneddon and confess. So, naturally, I pushed you down the stairs. That’s the kind of deranged monster I am, you know?”
She knew he was trying to sound facetious , but he was not able to mask the pain in his voice.
“Baby, I’m so sorry. I can’t believe it. Why now? And why did she feel she had to bring this over to you? What a bitch.”
Visions of wrapping her hands around Debbie’s neck brought some measure of relief.
“Oh, well, to show me that you are out to get me, and that you are the inside source the article referred to. You are the crazy nut-job jealous of Debbie and my happiness, you know.”
“Excuse me?”
“So, I informed her that really, you had not motive to be jealous of her and hate me, because you are pregnant with my baby, and we have plans to be together.”
Of course this had obviously been blurted out in a heated discussion, and yet, Lisa could not suppress the joy and radiant warmth spreading through her at imagining Debbie’s face. A miracle there was no news-report about Debbie’s head exploding. But then again, she had not seen the papers…
“Michael, I am so sorry. I bet that went over really well.”
“Oh, wonderfully. I tried to reason with her, but she was very irritated. I told her there would be financial advantages to her if she let me get out of the marriage early. I assured her she really could only win in this situation, but for some reason she has it in her head that she loves me and wants this marriage to work.”
Lisa could not suppress a sarcastic laughter. That bitch! She loved him alright. All the way to the bank. Of course, she had not given in. She was going to bleed her victim dry first. And, now she knew Michael had every motivation to want her gone. Which of course gave her perfect leverage. That and the baby she was still carrying.
“Well, maybe if you give her a couple of days.”
“I don’t think Deb is our biggest problem right now, Lise.”
That sinking feeling again.
“What else is going on?”
“Debbie told me some more interesting news. Guess who paid her a visit?”
Lisa did not feel like guessing, as whoever the surprise visitor was, would probably not be good news.
“Your mother.”
“What the hell?”
“Yeah, straight from thereabouts. She planted the idea that you were about to drop me and that Debbie should go to the police and tell them about the fight we had at Neverland that day you fell down the stairs.”
No, this had to be a mistake. Her mother would not stoop that low, would she?
“Why would mother do this? I mean, are you sure Debbie was not covering her own ass for running to the tabloids?”
“Lisa, please don’t be so naïve. You’re mother has every motivation in the world. She would just love to see me investigated by the police again for something else I did not do. And maybe, with all the chaos, you would pull away from me, this time. Furthermore, now Debbie thinks she has the perfect little blackmail tool- that I would not divorce her as long as she keeps quiet and does not inform the police that we fought.”
“That’s what I mean: Maybe Debbie just tried to pull my mother in on this to distract you from the fact that she is behind it all?”
“That makes no sense, Lise. Debbie didn’t know about the baby. Your mother, on the other hand has all the facts. She is the one who benefitted from getting Deb stirred up- and from talking to the tabloids.” Michael sounded irritated now. He hated being second guessed. Especially when it came to her mother.
Lisa was about to respond when the doorbell rang. As much as she had been looking forward to the kids getting back, she really needed to continue this conversation with Michael. It was not that she doubted his logic. She just could not wrap her head around the fact that her mother would interfere like this- again.
“Michael- hold on. The kids are coming home. Let me get the door, ok?”
He sighed. “Sure, go ahead.”
Still shaken, Lisa walked to the door and let the kids in. They both rushed her, hugging her, both talking at the same time.
“Hey, let your mother breathe, guys.”
Lisa laughed, looking up at Danny, who asked if she was ok. Knowing, she probably looked anything but, she assured him she was just peachy.
Riley looked at her with her big, grey eyes, her face worried. “Mommy, do you feel better now?”
“Yeah, Mommy, hope you’re not sick anymore. Did you take your medicine?” Ben chimed in.
The story had been that she had suffered from a virus and had therefore fallen down some stairs. It had been too late to eliminate the fall from the official story, as Riley had overheard a heated conversation between her grandmother and father.
“Lisa, do you need me to hang around? I don’t mind staying here for a while.”
Lisa covered the receiver of her phone, hoping Michael would not get upset at having Danny around. This modern version of a family sure was exhausting!
“No, I’m good. Listen, I’m on the phone. Just see yourself out, ok? Thanks for bringing them over.”
“Yeah, I’m glad I rushed them home to you so you can ignore them while you talk to no doubt more important people.” His voice became unnecessarily loud.
Fucking hell! Could he maybe manage to be civil for more than five minutes? The presence of her children prevented her from giving him the answer he really deserved.
She lifted the phone to her ear again. “Hey babe, still there? Just one more minute.”
“Tell that asshole ex-husband of yours I will personally kick his ass when I see him next time.” Michael sounded heated and she loved it. He was so cute when he got all defensive.
She smiled. “Will do.”
“Danny? Michael says, hi.”
“Mommy, Mommy! Can I talk to Michael? Please?” Squealing, Riley about launched herself into the air to grab the phone. Danny looked like he just had been forced to bite into a sour apple. Served him right.
“Yeah, just for a moment while I talk to your Dad.”
Riley ripped the phone from her and raced off into the family room, Ben hot in pursuit, yelling at his sister that he wanted to say hello as well.
“Nice to see they will miss me.” Danny remarked.
“Don’t be such a fuckhead, Danny. Be glad they like their step-father. And he adores them.”
“Oh, step-father, is it? I take it you had a pleasant couple of days while we worried about your health.” The gaze he bestowed on her left no doubt what he was referring to.
“Very pleasant, thank you. Michael never disappoints.” That was such an immature remark, but she really had not been able to hold back. Not when Dan was all geared up for a pissing match himself.
“Until he does. Like when he knocks up other people or gets married to friends of his. Maybe it will be your turn again this time, as you are such good friends. Oops, wait- he already is married. And not to you, right, Lise? Sucks to be you. Tell the kids I will call them later.” With that, he stalked out and slammed the door. What a fucking asshole! Well, in the grand scheme of things, Danny was the least of her problems right now. He would just have to get in line behind her mother and Debbie.
She found the kids on the couch, the phone between them, as they both talked to Michael. It would be so difficult to not tell them they would be a family again soon until tomorrow. The kids would flip out! She could not wait to see the expression on their faces. But, she had promised Michael they’d do it together. It would be the start to their new family life.
Unless Debbie digs in…
No, it did not matter. They could be a family anyway. The only thing that mattered were their feelings. And she had promised Michael to hang in there, waiting, if she had to. He was committed to her, the baby, and to her children. It all would work out. All she had to do was to not let any doubts snake their way in. And he would give her the strength. Her hand came to rest over her abdomen: he and the little one right there, under her heart.
Finally, she managed to wrangle the phone away from her children and to convince them to unpack their bags.
“Sorry, that was longer than I had anticipated.”
“No problem. It was so sweet talking to the chipmunks again. Gosh, Lisa, I miss them so much. I can’t wait till we’re all one family again.”
“Funny, I just had a similar thought.”
“Did you kick whats-his-name out?”
“Yes, he left. He’s not pleased.”
“He can take a long walk off a short cliff.”
Laughing she reminded him, “Hey, he is their father.”
“Thankfully, he is full of recessive genes. And your kids are wonderful. You know I love them so much.”
“You’re bad. But yes, I know you love them.”
“Oh, baby. You have no idea how bad I wanna be…” The drop in his voice send shivers down her back and heat to other places. How wonderful would it be to just avoid the topic from earlier and jump into some nice, distracting sex talk. But no- this had to be dealt with first.
“About what we talked about…”
“Ok, thanks for killing the mood.” He giggled then got serious. “So, yeah, your mother. I want the witch as far away from you as possible.”
“Michael, we don’t even know if she really is behind this.”
“Lisa, are you joking? Of course she is behind this. She hates me. And she hates the fact that we are soiling the Presley heritage with a black baby.”
Lisa closed her eyes, hoping against all rational arguments that he was wrong. Her mother could not possibly be such an evil monster, could she?
“Half-black.
“Whatever, Lisa. You get my point. She is ignorant, and she is prejudiced. I am sick and tired of her interference. I am scared what she will do. She is evil.”
He had every right to be upset. And he was probably right. But what was she to do? Priscilla was her mother. Plus, it was not fair to condemn her without hearing her out.
“Michael, if she is behind this, I will deal with it. But I’m telling you, I’m not so sure your sweet wife is not deeper into things than you give her credit for. Maybe she found out I was pregnant and was covering her bases. You said she was basically blackmailing you to stay married, right? And you know what? They have nothing. You didn’t push me and nothing in the world will change that fact.”
“Lisa, baby, please. You know what it would do to me to be accused of something again. And once the press gets wind that you are pregnant, they will just say I tried to kill you and the baby to keep everything under cover. This time it will not be about me raping little boys, this time, I will be called a child-killer. Murdering my own child. For heaven’s sake, Lisa. See? It doesn’t matter if any of it is true.”
She did not like the tone of this. He was working himself up into full paranoia now.
“Michael, let them talk. Plus, what are you saying? Should we just keep this baby a secret? Are you ashamed of being a father to my child when you could not wait to strut around with Deb’s pregnant ass?”
“Lisa, stop it. You know that is not what went down. And didn’t I just tell you earlier how thrilled I am about this baby? How can you doubt my love for you- for our child?” He sounded hurt. Tears in her eyes once more, she knew she was being unfair, but she did not understand what he expected of her.
“So, what do you want me to do, Michael?”
“I want you to stay away from your mother. I don’t trust her anywhere near you.”
“That will be kind of hard to do, given she is coming over for dinner.”
“Call her and tell her to stay home.”
Was he issuing orders to her now?
“I will do no such thing, Michael. I will confront her and she will tell me the truth. Then, I’ll take it from there.”
“Are you nuts? Like she will just tell you the truth? She’ll lie her ass off and you will fall for it.”
“Can you give me a bit more credit than that? I let you deal with Debbie, you let me deal with Priscilla.”
“If you’re already choosing her over me, how can this work, Lisa?”
Irritation threatened to choke her.
“Can you trust me for like five minutes, Michael? It’s not always your way or the highway.”
“Fine, do whatever you want. I don’t have to tell you I like it.”
“No, you don’t.”
They fell silent. Lisa fought the urge to hang up on him. The old Lisa would have no doubt reacted that way- and thrown her phone to top things off.
Lisa listened to the sound of his breathing.
“Michael?”
“Lisa?”
“I love you very much. Please don’t hang up mad.”
“Gosh girl, I love you like crazy. And I just don’t want you exposed to her evil. Not with me being all the way out here, helpless.”
“Well, you just send me good vibes and I will be ok.”
“I hate when I can’t take control of things. Or protect my family.”
Her irritation evaporated just like that. Michael was magic, indeed.
“No, kidding. But you hide it so well. Little control freak. ” Ok, this was getting better. He even giggled.
“Ok, Lise. I got some stuff to take care of. And don’t worry about the Debbie situation. I am still working on that. You know I can work all kinds of magic.”
“I don’t want you to work magic on her. You’re only allowed to work magic on me. Or under me…against me…with your clothes off…”
“Oh, girl, you are evil! Not fair getting me all riled up and you being all the way in your house. We need to work out different living arrangements.”
Ok, he sounded better again, causing her heart-rate to calm down. “Yeah, we sure do. Hey, I’ll call you later ok? I wanna spend time with the kids before mother gets here.”
“Hey, what’s the surprise you talked about?”
Oh shoot- she had forgotten all about the planned sonogram. Well, she would tell him later. She was afraid he would go off on a tangent again if he suspected there was trouble with the baby. Which there was not. The doctor said it was all routine. She swallowed down any remnant doubt.
Lisa assured to tell him later, then they took ten more minutes to say good bye. It was as if neither of them was able to put down the phone. She could tell Michael was still not pleased at the idea of having her mother come over, but he did not bring it up again.
About an hour later, Lisa was ready to face her mother- and hopefully the truth. Priscilla showed up on time, hiding under the perfect façade of the ever-wonderful mother and grandmother. During dinner, Lisa’s eyes kept sweeping over her mother, attempting to discover any hint of deceit or of a guilty conscience that one would surmise to accompany having basically sold her daughter out to her known enemy. There was nothing. Priscilla played with the kids as if she did not have a care in the world. Not one disparaging word was uttered against the baby or Michael. It was as if someone had erased the topic from her mother’s mind.
The perfect act. And as the evening went on, Lisa grew more and more suspicious. Some things were just too perfect to be true. It was very difficult to believe that Priscilla would just forgo the opportunity to send little hidden jibes across the room. Unless she thought she had all her bases covered. A sick feeling filled Lisa and made her blood turn cold. Michael had been right. Her mother had to have been the source the papers talked about. And if he was right about that: Debbie probably also had not lied about the little visit Priscilla paid her.
Steeling herself, Lisa forced the urge to punch her mother down. No, she had to be smart about this. When it was bedtime for Riley and Ben, she even managed to read them a story before tucking them in.
“Mommy? Michael said he’ll see us tomorrow. Is that true?”
Half surprised her daughter had suppressed the question this long, she smiled, pulling the cover over her.
“Yeah. Sure is. Michael and I have a surprise to talk to you guys about tomorrow.”
Ben climbed up in her lap. Story time had taken place in Riley’s room, and he was about to be carried down the hall. “Like a surprise party?”
“Yeah, something like that. But you two have to promise to go to bed now, ok? So you’re up and rested tomorrow.”
Lisa carried Ben to his room, and of course, her son had a million more questions for her. Finally, she got him to lay down and she turned his nightlight on that projected a starry sky onto his ceiling. How she envied her son for being able to glide into peaceful slumber soon. While his mother had to go and battle one more dragon tonight.
When she came downstairs, Priscilla was sitting in the formal living room, nursing a cup of tea.
“Well, Lisa Marie, maybe now that the children are in bed you can tell me why you have been eyeing me so strangely all evening long. What did I do now?”
“I don’t know, mother. You tell me. Maybe you can explain something to me.”
“Of course, Lisa, anything. What?”
“Maybe you can explain to me how I am supposed to sustain a relationship with the monster of a mother who hates one of my children and tries to destroy its father.”
The teacup noisily met the saucer as Priscilla’s expression changed from the normal Botox induced surprise to sheer fear.
“I have no idea what you are talking about, Lisa-Marie.”
“Oh, why don’t you just cut the crap and stop with the fucking lies, mother. Unless you want to walk out of here minus one daughter and three grandchildren, you fill me in your recent journalistic activities. And don’t bother lying.”
Priscilla held Lisa’s gaze as their light eyes met in silent battle. Finally, she pressed her lips together.
Then, she took a deep breath, and opened the floodgates, submerging her daughter’s world with images of hate and betrayal.
(to be continued)
©2012 Erika B Michaels. All Rights Reserved. This story is a work of fiction. Any names, places, and other identifying features are used in a fictional manner, for entertainment purposes only, and are in no way representative of actual events. This work may not be reproduced, copied, transmitted, or stored without expressed written permission by Erika B Michaels. All photos and images, mentioned songs or song titles are copyright their creators. ABSOLUTELY no disrespect is intended to any persons portrayed in this work.
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