As a long time viewer of GL I'm not buying Mallet's exit, so here's my take on it, using some history, bringing back a couple of characters, and making sense of his 'villainous' past, which never rang quite true to me.
He Didn't Have To Be
Prologue
August 15th, 2009
AC Mallet glared at the phone as he slammed it down into the headset. Few people could get him worked up, and lord knew that only one person in this world could do it quite this fast and this well. After nearly 17 years since he had last seen her and 14 since she had destroyed his first marriage she was back and destroying yet another.
But he couldn't turn her away.
There was many a person that the former Anthony Camiletti could turn his back on, but never her.
Truth was, if asked there were four, maybe five, people he would do anything---risk anything--- for. Marina, Henry, Frank, and her. Wasn't a long list and two of the three old enough to have his back he knew always would. But not her.
It had been a long time since she had done anything but led him into trouble and despair.
Tiredly, he made his way up the stairs and looked in on his son.
His son. Not Shayne Lewis's, for he had learned many years ago that being a parent did not mean that you were the one who lent your DNA to the child. Being a parent meant that you were the one there to raise it. To teach them right from wrong. It meant sacrificing what you wanted to make their life better, and wasn't that what he was once again going to have to do for her?
Lord knew their father had never done it for either of them.
"Damn it Julie, why the hell can't you ever learn? And why the hell did you have to drag me into it again? Especially now?" he muttered as he crossed the nursery and looked down at his little boy. Sadly, he gently ran a finger down Henry's cheek: "You are MY son, Henry, no matter what you will eventually be told. Whether I can make my way back to you and your Momma again; if she can find it in her heart to forgive me for the lies I'm going to have to tell her.
But I can't leave you without a father.
Now, I know your Grandfather will protect you with all that he has, but your mother is going to need more than just him if she is going to be able to keep you. And sooner or later the man whose blood you share will decide to fight for you just because he can," he continued softly. "If I can't be here because I have to take care of my blood, then I have to leave in away that will ensure your mother will get to keep you.
Even if it means, she may never forgive me for it."
September 8, 2009
Dear Frank,
If you are reading this--- well, I hope you're at least reading this and haven't thrown it in the garbage--- anyway--- something has gone terribly wrong.
I did not tell you everything when I left Springfield, partly to protect Marina and Henry and partly myself.
One thing I need you to believe is that I didn't repeat the past, Frank, not in the way you meant it. I wouldn't have done that to Marina.
Truth is, I didn't do it to Harley either.
I know… too late for confessions, but. . . So much is about to happen and I need Marina to be prepared in someway.
A young woman will be appearing on her doorstep in short order. Her name is Antonia Camilleti.
And no, she is NOT my daughter.
She is Julie's.
I don't know who her father is.
Julie never told me.
There are a lot of things Julie hasn't told me over the years.
She's not the same girl she once was.
Somewhere along the way, my sweet, innocent little sister turned into someone I don't even recognize any more. Got involved with the people I tried to keep her from. It all backfired on me, Frank, and now I'm afraid it might backfire on Marina and Henry as well.
I won't be there to keep them safe.
To separate the lies--- covers I had to maintain to buy time and help Julie---- from the truth, and I fear that those facts could cost Marina Henry. I left Springfield to keep that from happening as much as to try to save my baby sister, only now I know it is too late.
I don't deserve your help, Frank, but your daughter does.
Whether you believe me or not, there are a few things left to do.
Julie rarely took care of her daughter, often dropping her off with friends. Among those who know about her is David Grant. Before I left the country I made arrangements with him, left files, papers, all Marina might need to keep Henry should a fight arise. She'll know from who. David will also know who to get backup from.
I know I have no right to ask, but, I would appreciate it if she also took Toni in.
There's no one else.
And, Frank, just one more thing.
Tell her I will do al I can to come back to her and our son, and if I can't, I'll be watching over them.
Mallet
