I'm sorry that it's been awhile since I last updated. I'm just trying to put this entire story together without messing it up. This story is one hundred percent Red Lightening's, I'm just the writer. This was all her idea and she deserves a lot of praise for thinking this up. I'll do my best to update more often.
Chapter 4: A Drop In The Ocean
Matthew and Brooke decided to drop the kids' off at Skills and continue on their merry way to the hospital. The entire ride there, Brooke grilled Matthew about Samantha. He talked so much about Sammy, by the time they found a parking space; his jaw was sore. At the moment, Brooke and the Chief of the hospital are having a bitching match per usual, Brooke's winning marvelously. Matthew sees nothing has changed since high school.
"I didn't sign any fucking thing, releasing my parental rights. That's bullshit."
Brooke folds her arms over her chest and glares at Chief Jackson O'Hara. The man runs a hand through his short brown hair. Never in his entire career has he ever witnessed this. Of course, he's heard of these strange occurrences at other hospitals, but not his hospital. Not the place where he's worked since his days as an intern.
"Ms. Davis, your signature is plainly written here," Chief O'Hara stated sincerely.
"I didn't sign anything. I didn't give up my child. I would never do that. I was told, my daughter was dead," Brooke replied clenching her fists in disgust. If this man is saying, she wrote jack shit on this form saying her rights are terminated. Then he's full of it. Brooke has vowed to fight anyone who gets in the way of receiving rightful justice.
Chief O'Hara asked, "Who told you this?" Though, he isn't quite sure if he wants to know who orchestrated such agony. If anything ever happened to his baby girl, Jackson would want their head on a platter.
"Doctor Eric Smith," Brooke informed the older man, who leans back in his chair and sighs. Eric and Jackson roomed together in college, they're very good friends. Jackson is the godfather of Eric's youngest daughter, Ruthie. "He…he and another intern, Angelina Young…yeah that was her name."
Jackson's eyes widen slightly, his wife. No this woman cannot be talking about his wife. His Angie would never do that. She wouldn't do something so blatantly illegal. No, she wouldn't do that, she's a good person. Angie would never risk not being part of their ten month old daughter, Amanda's life. Angie loves her family too much to do something so rash.
"No, it…it has to be another…" Chief O'Hara flashes back to a time, possibly six years ago when Angie was in quite a funk. Her parents were close to getting kicked out of their nursing home and…all of sudden, everything was okay. Now that he really thinks about it, he never knew how she came up with all that money. "Listen, I want to help you…but, there are steps…measures that need to be taken. Things need to happen a-and…if this happened to me, I would, I'd get myself a good lawyer and fight this."
"What?" Now, Brooke is dumbfounded and confused. She expected more of a screaming match between the Chief. He is, after all, the man in charge. He's the one, everyone looks at when there's a crisis.
"Leave," Chief O'Hara ordered, glancing side to side as though he's being watched. He honestly, can't stand the thought of their case getting thrown out. "Leave, right now and…get yourselves good lawyers."
Matthew and Brooke share looks of confusion, but reluctantly stand. "Why…why are you telling us this? Why are you helping us?" the young architect dared to ask, even though, he isn't quite sure he'll understand the answer.
"Cause, if that happened to my baby girl. I'd want justice and revenge," Jackson thinks about Amanda's first steps and her first word. He can't imagine what it's like missing out on milestones like that.
"But, your part of the hospital, you'll get sued too" Matthew doesn't want to pity this man, but he feels something for him. If the money is pulled from their hospital, jobs could be at stake, but nobody deserves missing out on their child's life.
"The hospital is a company, with lawyers of their own. If you want to sue me, go ahead. I'll fight you and we'll see what happens. But, this wasn't my mistake. This was Eric and Angie's and…you need to know that, we're-"Jackson sighs, trying to formulate a proper sentence. "This hospital has damn good lawyers and I know if you throw this at them, right now; unprepared and by yourselves. They'll play it off like you want money and you'll lose. With fair warning, you might have a chance."
Brooke's face falls, looking disheartened and ready to sob. "You mean to tell me, we don't have a chance?" She thought there was more justice in the world than this. Well, now that she thinks about it. Justice is bullshit. When Keith was murdered, nothing happened to Dan. When Victoria tried to steal her company, she couldn't fight her off. When Samantha was taken from her, nothing happened. Nothing ever goes her way.
"Right now, any lawyer could spin this. You guys could be frauds looking to get money or crazy people looking for attention," Chief O'Hara answered quietly, in his some odd years' as chief; he's seen almost everything. "Just…go and get yourselves fucking good lawyers. You'll need it in this fight."
Ethan Copeland watches Brooke Davis and his best friend, Matthew exit Chief O'Hara's office with dazed and slightly amazed expression etched onto their faces. He glances around the room, searching for anyone who seems moderately guilty. Angelina's facial expression catches his eyes in a matter of seconds. She looks like a little kid who took from the cookie jar. Guilty, almost, but not quite; more so disheartened and pained than anything else.
Emma leans against the door to the younger children's bedroom; the room is usually crowded with little kids, but most of them are downstairs watching cartoons. The rest have ventured outside and are playing a rousing game of hide-and-seek. Only, one boy is in there, nine year old Mason Wentworth.
He's staring dreamily out the window looking distant. His tuft of dark brown curls is neatly combed behind his ears. "I heard from Mel that you got in trouble today," Emma announced giving him a knowing look.
Per usual, Mason doesn't respond. When his Mom visited last summer, she was killed in a drug-store shooting. Mason stayed hidden in the car. The police have tried to get him to talk, but Mason's refused. He's become what some would call a selective mute. He can talk, he's just so divulged in his own grief; he doesn't want to. Their foster parents' don't know what to do with him, so they ignore it.
He wasn't always like that. He used to be quite adventurous and playful, but he and his Mom were very close with one another. She only lost custody of him because her schizophrenia made her behave irrationally and Mason often had to be the grown-up. Social Services allowed her to visit twice a week, under a few minor restrictions.
"What'd Bryan do to piss you off?" Emma doesn't expect an answer, the majority of the time; she can tell what Mason is thinking but just a simple look. Right now, he's not giving her anything, but a defiant huff.
Mason may be a mute, but he's known to get into his share of fights. Especially, when he feels he's been provoked. He glances out the window, trying to force himself to speak. Ever since, Mom died; he hasn't uttered a word. His guidance counselors try their best, but Mason doesn't seem interested in talking to anyone.
"Mason, look at me," Emma coaxed causing the nine year old to eye her apprehensively. "You can't keep getting in fights. I know you don't mean to, but…why don't you just talk, a little? Like say hi or something."
The fourth grader frowns at her, he thought Em understood. He thought she understand that he can't. He can't talk, no matter how much he tries. He doesn't want to talk. Nobody ever listens anyway; it's easier to just stay quiet.
"Bud, I want to hear your voice again. I miss it," Emma tried her eyes shining with unshed tears, feeling like a complete idiot. "I know you miss your Mom, Mase. But, you can't go through life not talking. How do you expect anyone to help you?" Her question cuts deep into his core and causes the younger boy to wince.
Mason eyes her with slight resentment in his eyes. Emma's never had parents. She can't possibly understand what it's like for him. He lost his Mom. Course, he never knew his Dad. But, that never seemed to much matter to him. It's an out of sight, out of mind kind of thing. Or at least it was; now his Social Worker, Claire Downing is currently searching for his Dad.
Emma sits down on the single bed near Mason and takes his hands. "It'll be impossible for anyone to really help you. Right here, right now. You can say whatever you want, but you hafta say something" Emma ordered softly, her tone is becoming full of warmth and hope. Mason isn't exactly an amazing listener, but he's always been a decent enough kid.
The younger boy thinks for a moment. "I'm starting to forget things," he admitted shamefully while tears press against the walls of his eyes.
"Like what?" The curly headed blonde teen wishes she could take away his pain with a magic wand, but Mason's hurting like no kid should. Sure, kids' have lost their parents. But, there's hardly a soul here, who lost their parents right in front of them. That's where Mason Julian Wentworth is the exception.
"The way my Mom did stuff. The kind of things we'd talk about. It makes me sad." Mason's tone is full of anguish and pain. He hates admitting things like this, it makes him feel as though, he's betraying his Mom.
"I can see how that would," Mason looks away; he doesn't wanna talk about it. "We can talk about that. We can talk about anything," Emma promised gently tapping his hand with the tips of her fingertips.
Mason pokes his chest adamantly. "I don't want to. I know my Mom would want me to talk about her. And I know you and Claire want things to be normal, but I don't feel normal. And I don't want to talk," the younger boy explained exiting the room, before Emma can coerce him into talking more.
Victoria impatiently waits for the blasted flight attendant to get her lost luggage. The insolent woman has to be the stupidest person she's ever met. Really, how hard could it be to obtain luggage from New York? They're a few states away for crying out loud. Victoria can just bet if she sent it by wagon, her suitcase would be in her hands by now.
"I'm so sorry about this ma'am, but your luggage is on its way back." The flight attendant answered trying to keep her patience with the rude woman. They hadn't meant to lose her luggage, things like that do happen. But, did this lady understand. No! She just…well basically had a tantrum and keeps insulting the staff.
"What I want to know is how my luggage got on a plane to Michigan. That's not even remotely similar to my destination," Victoria announced quite curtly. The entire staff of Logan Airlines in Charlotte is currently running around like chickens with their heads cut off. "It shocks me how stupid people can be these days."
The flight attendant tries not to look annoyed, "it'll be here, shortly." Her promise sounds dry on her lips and tastes metallic, as though she doesn't believe her own words.
"Huh, I distinctly remember you saying that, maybe an hour ago," Victoria replied frowning distastefully. These people have to be the stupidest citizens she's ever had the displeasure of meeting. And she thought her assistant was moronic, but these idiots are worse.
"Well, there are people on the flight to Michigan. We can't force the plane in another direction and disrupt everyone else's plans," the flight attendant explained quite kindly, her fortitude for this obnoxious woman is wearing incredibly thin.
"Oh, so mine can be disrupted? But, others can't. Here, just send it to my assistant," Victoria ordered storming off in a huff with anger in her eyes. "Oh and this airline will be hearing from my lawyer."
Victoria quickly ushers outside to where the taxi man has been waiting for a good two hours, but he's a taxi driver. What could he possibly be doing that's more important? Anyway, it's not like she won't pay him for the time he lost. Rolling her eyes at his annoyed smile, Victoria places her purse on her lap. "Get me to Tree Hill."
"Oh, that's a beautiful town, miss. The people, land, everything is so lovely."
It could be the resentment building up from her failed marriage and relationship with her only daughter, but Victoria scowls at the sweet man. "I don't need a review. Just do your job and get me, there" the woman snapped bitterly as the taxi driver nods and decides to keep his mouth shut for the entire ride. He also puts the music on low, so only he can hear it and that wretched woman is stuck pondering her thoughts in silence.
Brooke buckles her seatbelt and glances at Matthew looking the picture of confused. She's still in shock after what happened with Chief Jackson O'Hara. Brooke plays with her fingers for a bit, Matthew tries to ease the mood, by turning on the music. "So, what happens now?" Brooke asked curiously, causing the young man to turn it down.
"Now, we find ourselves a damn good lawyer" he answered confidently. Only, on the inside, he feels his internal organs quiver with fear. He doesn't have the money to pay for a lawyer. He and his buddies only just started their company. They poured everything they had into the foundation and it's only just starting to take off.
Brooke asked tentatively, "Matt?"
"Yeah," Matthew replied chewing nervously on his lower lip. He tucks his jet black hair behind his ears and scratches the back of his neck.
"I was thinking," Brooke plays with her dark brown hair. "That maybe…since, we know I didn't want to give up, Samantha. I was thinking I could get to know her and start to play a more active role in her life."
Matthew blinks rightfully surprised; he hadn't expected Brooke to want to play a role in Sam's life so suddenly. He knows that's only Brooke's nature. But, Sam is like a daughter to him. He loves her with all his heart. Instead of saying what he really feels, Matthew forces himself to smile and nod in agreement.
"I…yeah, of course," the young architect answered quietly. "You…well, we're going to be in town for a few more days. If you want, you could meet her tomorrow."
"Really?" Brooke eyes are full of hope; she prays to God that Samantha will like her. They met at the park, but that was before, Brooke knew. Right now, Brooke hopes Samantha will just like her and they can start a relationship.
"Of course, you are her mother, Brooke." Matthew knows Rosie always envisioned herself sort of like a second mother to Samantha. Rosie taught her how to kick a soccer ball, play in the mud, and football tackles. It's a good thing Rosie and Brooke are complete opposites, cause Matthew's almost certain, Brooke would feel offended.
"I know…I just, thank you, Mattie" Brooke said feeling overwhelmed with emotion as hot tears rush to the walls of her eyes.
Matthew plasters on a fake smile and nods, curtly. He wonders if after Brooke and Sam get to know each other, if Brooke will decide to adopt her. She could apply for adoption and Matt could easily see a judge taking pity on her. She'd win. Matt thought miserably. He knows she would and he'd get occasional visitation. No. Matt doesn't want to lose Sammy. She's been like a daughter to him for five years. He can't lose her. He won't. Doesn't he deserve a chance of happiness too?