Showdown

A/N: Anything written in bold italic is being spoken in Italian.

Anything written between ** is Dave's dream sequence.

Part 2

Jing-Mei, Carter, Mrs. Peterson and the boys sat down for dinner. During dinner, Jing-Mei and the others could hear Dave moan and toss and turn in the bedroom through the intercom, but were oblivious to the fact that Dave could hear them, too. He laid in bed and heard them talking and laughing while he remained all alone in the other room.

Dave(to himself): Wwwant ttthat!! Lllife!

Jing-Mei: Excuse me, everyone. I think Dave's awake. Better go check on him.

Jing-Mei gets up from the table and goes into Dave's room. As Jing-Mei nears the room, Dave slams his eyes shut and pretends to be asleep. Jing-Mei walks over to his bed.

Jing-Mei: Dave, sweetheart, are you awake? Do you want something to eat?

Dave continues the charade. Jing-Mei gently shakes him, with no response from him. She starts to get worried so she checks his vitals.

Jing-Mei: Pulse is normal. Respirations are normal. Everything seems to be alright. I guess I made a mistake.

Jing-Mei gives him another kiss on the head and leaves his room.

Dave(to himself): Mmmake bbbig mmmistake, Ccchin!!

Dave falls asleep. He quickly enters dream world.

**Six-year old Davey and two year old Sophie are standing together with Davey's arm around Sophie's shoulders. Sophie is dressed in subtle pink dress and Davey in a blue, undersized suit. They are at a funeral---their mother's funeral. As the few guests leave, the children remain at the grave site as ordered by their father. Shortly after the cars pull away from the cemetery, Vincenzio approaches the grieving children. He hugs Sophie and takes his finger under her eyes to wipe her tears away. He sends her off with Mrs. Santini. Davey starts to follow when he is stopped by his father, who's holding him by his tie and choking him. Vincenzio gives Mr. Santini a dismissing look and he and his wife start to walk away with Sophie. Vincenzio turns on Davey. He locks his fingers tightly around Davey's jacket lapel.

Vincenzio: Look, you little fucker! Look, what you did! You killed her! You killed your mother! She's dead and it's all your fault! You will rot in hell! I'll make sure you pay for taking my beautiful wife away from me!

Vincenzio starts shaking Davey. Finally, he stops. Davey is hysterical. Tears cover his small face.

Davey(crying): I...I'm sorry, pa'pa. I didn't mean to hurt mama. I...I loved mama.

Vincenzio: YOU LOVED YOUR MOTHER!! YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT LOVE IS, YOU WORTHLESS LITTLE MURDERER! (pause) What do you think about me, huh? DO YOU LOVE ME, TOO?!

Davey remains silent so Vincenzio shakes him some more.

Vincenzio: ANSWER ME, FREAK! DO YOU LOVE ME!!

Davey(crying): Yes, pa'pa. I...I love you, too.

Vincenzio: LIAR!

Davey(shaking his head): No pa'pa. I...I do love you, very much.

Vincenzio: You love someone who beats the crap out of you for every breath you take?

Davey nods, obviously scared. Vincenzio starts to snicker evilly.

Vincenzio: Stupid fucking kid. Well, here's a news flash for you, I HATE YOU!! I CAN'T STAND THE SIGHT OF YOU! I HATE THE WAY YOU LOOK, THE WAY YOU SMELL! THERE'S NOTHING ABOUT YOU I LIKE!!

Davey starts to bawl loudly as Vincenzio walks away.

Davey: I still love you, papa!

Vincenzio turns back to his distraught son and walks over to him. He looks down at him as Davey looks back up at him, teary-eyed. There's a silence amongst the two of them. Davey calms down when he sees his father staring down at him, hoping maybe the words from his heart somehow manage to reach his father's heart and opened it up. Davey starts to smile up at his papa's face when the next thing he knows there's a hard slap that sends him right into the grave of his mother's.

Davey lies in the hole, momentarily stunned. His father gawks down at him.

Vincenzio: STAY THE FUCK DOWN THERE! YOU DON'T BELONG UP HERE WITH HUMANS! YOU ARE WERE YOU BELONG NOW---WITH THE REST OF THE MAGGOTS!! GET USE TO BEING DOWN THERE BECAUSE THE NEXT GRAVE DUG WILL BE YOURS!! HA, HA!!

Vincenzio walks away from the grave site. Davey collects himself and when he feels safe, he climbs out of the hole---in time to see his father with his arms wrapped around the waist of a small, dark hair woman. He watches as his father and the lady kiss. Davey, may only be six years old, but he can see the passion in that kiss. Both Vincenzio and the lady were giggling at each other.

Once Davey was out of the hole, he kneeled by the grave and watched as the groundsmen came over and lowered his mother into the hole. He silently prayed to himself, crossed himself and then stood up still with tears in his eyes.

Davey: Vio con dios, mama. I will always love you and I will take good care of Sophie. I won't let pa'pa and his girlfriend hurt her. I promise, mama.

Davey feels a hand on his shoulder and swings around to see Mr. Santini behind him. Mr. Santini takes Davey's red and swollen face into his hand and smiles down at the shaken boy. Suddenly, Mr. Santini's face slowly morphs into the evil laughing face of his father.**

Dave jumps up in the bed, sweating profusely. He starts breathing deeply, trying to catch his breath. He peers out his door and sees Jing-Mei and Carter hugging again. A look of fury appears on his face. He takes all his pent-up anger and thrashes out with his right arm, knocking his intercom to the floor making a loud bang and causing Jing-Mei and Carter to break apart from each other's grasp.

Jing-Mei: That came from Dave's room.

Jing-Mei and Carter walk into Dave's room and see that their Italian co-worker was now wide awake and wearing an indescribable look.

Jing-Mei: Dave, baby. You're finally awake. Are you hungry? Do you want me to fix you something to eat?

Dave remains silent but gives Carter a death look. Carter starts to feel uncomfortable in Dave's bedroom.

Carter: I think I better go now. Thanks for dinner. I'll see you tomorrow at work, Deb. Welcome home, Dave.

Jing-Mei: Alright, John. See you at work. Say goodbye, Dave.

Dave: Gggget ooout.

Jing-Mei: Dave, that wasn't nice?!

Carter: That's alright, Deb. I've overstayed my welcome. That's just his way of telling me he wants to spend the rest of the night with you and the boys---Malucci-style.

Jing-Mei: No, it's not alright. Dave, John is a guest in our home. Now, I know you've had it rough growing up and I'm very sorry and believe me I feel for you but that does not give you the right to talk that way to our guest. You are a lot of things, Dave, but rude is not one of them. Now, you apologize.

Dave lays back in bed, silently and starts pounding his right fist down on the bed--harder and harder.

Jing-Mei walks Carter to the door and then goes back into Dave's room. Once Carter is out of the house, Dave settles down. Jing-Mei re-enters the bedroom to a more relaxed Dave. She sits down next to him.

Jing-Mei: That was a ugly scene. Do you mind telling me what the hell that was all about?

Dave: Lllike hhhim?

Jing-Mei: Yes, I do like John. What's wrong with that?

Dave: Llllittle ooones, Rrrrazzal lllike hhhim.

Jing-Mei: Yeah, I think the boys and Rascal like John, too. So, what's the problem?

Dave starts to cry. Jing-Mei tries to comfort her upset husband.

Jing-Mei: Dave, what's wrong, baby?

Dave: Nnnobody llloves mmme.

Jing-Mei: Now, that's ridiculous. We all love you.

Dave(shaking his head): Nnno, yyyou dddon't.

Jing-Mei: Why would you say that?

Dave: Hhhug, kkkiss hhhim. Llllittle ooones hhhug hhhim, Rrrazal ppplay wwith. Mmme ddump hhere.

Jing-Mei: We were just all very happy that you were fi...wait a minute, how did you know all that?

She looks at Dave and follows his line of vision as he glances towards the door. Her jaw drops.

Jing-Mei: Oh my god, you saw that?

Dave shyly nods in response.

Jing-Mei: Dave, I'm sorry. I had no idea.

Dave: Mmmarry mmme, hhhim nnnot.

Jing-Mei(kidding): Is my Italian Stallion showing his green now?

Dave: Fffun mme mmake.

Jing-Mei: First off, I am not making fun of you. I wouldn't do that. Secondly, we were just being friends--- there's nothing serious going on between us and finally, we did not mean to dump you in here. I thought you were tired. If you wanted to join us, all you had to do was say so.

Dave: Mmme ssstupid, talk.

Jing-Mei: No, you don't. You talk just fine. It's a little difficult to understand you at times but I'm getting better at it. Besides, we are going to get you help with your speech---just like in the hospital. I'm going to make sure you get the best therapy possible. As soon as the gym equipment arrives, Larry will start to work with you and I'm going to hire a speech therapist and Dr. Legaspi, will help you get over your nightmares and eventually help us put the bastards who hurt you in the first place away for the rest of their lives. I'm even getting into the act. I'm going to teach you to read. Would you like that?

Dave: Bbburdon...nnnot wworth iiit.

Jing-Mei: You know Dave, that's one of your biggest problems. You have no self-confidence. As long as I've known you, you didn't. You are NOT a burden and you are worth the time. You've got to believe in yourself more. I know that you haven't exactly had much of a fan club in your life, but that's going to change. You are going to be the guy you always wanted to be and have the one thing you always wanted....respect.

Rusty comes running into Dave's room, distracting the two.

Rusty: Tuck me in, Mama Jing.

Jing-Mei: Go ahead into your bedroom and I'll be there in a moment.

Rusty: Papa, too.

Jing-Mei looks at Dave and he shakes his head.

Jing-Mei: Not tonight, Rusty. You're papa's still tired. Maybe tomorrow.

Rusty drops his head down and sadly leaves the room.

Jing-Mei: Dave, you have to start paying attention to your sons. They need you. Those are two wonderful little boys and they are being deprived of knowing their daddy. And they aren't the only ones losing out. You are too. By not getting to know them, you are missing out on watching them grow up. Eventually, you are going to regret not being there for them at this time.

Rusty(yelling from his bedroom): Mama Jing, comin'!

Jing-Mei: Are you hungry, Dave?

Dave nods.

Jing-Mei: I'll make you something to eat after I put Rusty and Antonio to bed. Then I'll give you your meds. So, just relax for now and don't worry so much.

After the boys were put down for the night, Jing-Mei came back into Dave's room with a tray of food. He was starting to fall asleep despite his effort to stay awake.

Jing-Mei: Dave, baby, you have to stay awake and eat. You need to take your medications and some of them required you take them on a full stomach.

She put the tray on the bed over his legs.

Jing-Mei: We have juice, meatloaf, peas and potatoes. Where do you want to start first?

Dave reached for the juice. Jing-Mei grabbed at it first. Dave tried to snatch it from her.

Dave: Wwwant iiit.

Jing-Mei: I know but I have to help you.

Dave: Dddo ssself.

Jing-Mei: Alright, have it your way.

Jing-Mei hands Dave the juice. His right hand is trembling a great deal. He manages to get the juice up to his lips. He tips his head back and although most of the juice does get into his mouth, some pours down his chin and neck. Jing-Mei is quick with the napkin to wipe him up.

Dave continues to eat on his own, only getting about half the food in his mouth. With only small portions of each food remaining on his plate, Dave pushes the dish away.

Jing-Mei: Finished?

Dave: Dddone.

Jing-Mei: Okay, now for your medicine.

Jing-Mei divides his pills up and explains to him what each is for and when and when not to take them. Once Dave's medicated, Jing-Mei prepares to tuck her husband into bed. Dave's mind is preoccupied. He's not focusing on what Jing-Mei is trying to do.

Jing-Mei: Dave, what's wrong?

Dave looks at her and then starts to scratch his head, trying to think of the right words to use to say what he wants to. The more he thinks, the harder he scratches his head until he actually draws blood.

Jing-Mei: Dave! Stop that!

She grabs his hands and holds them.

Jing-Mei: Just relax and concentrate. The words will come, you'll see.

After pausing for several minutes, Dave starts to talk.

Dave: Ccchin, wwwhat Iii dddo?

Jing-Mei: Your a doctor, remember.

Dave: Nnno. Iiii hhhusband---yyyou wwwife, nnnow wwwhat?

Jing-Mei: You don't understand this whole marriage thing, huh?

Dave shakes his head.

Jing-Mei: Let's see if I can explain it to you in a way you can follow. (pause) As husband and wife, we pledged our love to each other which basically means that we would die if it meant protecting the other one. We agreed to share our lives with one another. That includes all the good and bad things that happen, we will deal with together. We are family. You, me and the boys have become one. Do you understand any of this?

Dave: Lllittle bbbit, Iii gguess.

Jing-Mei: You'll get the idea in time. Now, let's get these pants off you?

Jing-Mei starts to undo Dave's pants, but Dave pushes her hand away.

Jing-Mei: I never thought you would be shy when it came to getting undressed.

Jing-Mei tries again but Dave keeps pushing her hand away.

Jing-Mei: Dave, part of being married is for us to get close with each other so that we can make love.

Dave: Sssex.

Jing-Mei: That's one word I knew you wouldn't forget. (pause) It's okay, Dave. What we are doing is something beautiful. You use to think it was. Besides, if we don't get intimate, we can't create anymore little ones around here, like the two we already have.

Dave looks at her confused.

Jing-Mei: I'm referring to Rusty and Antonio. I can see that you need a refresher course in sex education.

Jing-Mei relentlessly tries to undress Dave, but he fights her. She finally wins out and gets his pants off of him. Then she lifts up his shirt and shrieks when she looks at his scarred covered body. She's seen them before, but that is not a sight you can ever get use to.

Jing-Mei: Dave, do you want to try to make love?

Dave thinks for a moment and then shakes his head.

Jing-Mei: I know that it can't be because you still don't like to be touched, maybe you just aren't ready to be touched like that.

She looks at Dave's indecisive face.

Jing-Mei: You do want to do it, don't you? Are you afraid?

Dave shakes his head.

Jing-Mei: Then what is it?

Dave shrugs. She leans over to kiss him, but he turns away. Jing-Mei pulls the blanket over him, attaches the vent to his trachea and exits the room, disappointed that another night went by that she and Dave remained celibate.

Dave laid back into bed, thinking to himself.

Dave(to himself): Iiit's nnot tthat Iii ddon't wwant to, Iii ccan't, Iiii

cccan't...no....Ill Dddon't fffeel aanything.

As Jing-Mei heads into the living room, to sleep on the couch, she is approached by Mrs. Peterson.

Mrs. Peterson: You were in there so long with him, I thought that you and he were...doing the deed.

Jing-Mei: I wish. But Dave, isn't ready yet. He's not comfortable with us, yet. The whole marriage thing has him so confused.

Mrs. Peterson: Give him some time, he'll come around.

Jing-Mei: If this is within his control, but there's the chance that he may not be able to help it.

Mrs. Peterson: What do you mean---not help what?

Jing-Mei: Mrs. Peterson, I think Dave's impotent.

To be continued. Please read and review.