Chapter Ten

Jason waited for Carly to call him. She didn't.

Carly waited for Jason to send the divorce papers. He didn't.

After a week, Michael called Jason. "We need to have a meeting," Michael told him

"We do?" asked Jason, confused by the formal tone.

"Can you pick me up at 3pm at my school?"

"I'll be there."

Now Jason pulled up and Michael ran to get in. As they drove away Jason said, "Did you have a good day?"

"Fine. I called this meeting to negotiate the reunion of you and my mother."

Jason's eyes got huge. "What are you talking about? Does Carly know you are doing this?"

"No. But when you and Dad have meetings you work out business stuff. So I thought we could, man- to- man, work out this family stuff. What will it take for you and my mom to get back together?."

Jason felt awful that Michael was so desperate to make all of this right."What has your mother told you about why she moved out?"

"Nothing, really. But she's living at the Metro Court and she always goes to a hotel right before she gets a divorce."

"You remember how we told you we probably wouldn't be married forever?"

Michael looked down. "Yeah, I know you said that." he mumbled. Then he eyes came up and he said quickly, "But we were happy! Mom and Morgan think so, too. And I... we liked living with you. Why does that have to end?"

Jason didn't have an answer for that. He said, "We are still a family, no matter what. Okay? You can come to my place whenever you want. And your mom and I are still... we still care about each other just as much as ever. We are still going to see each other."

Michael nodded.

"So, " Jason said "do you want to go home and we can pick up Morgan? Maybe get some burgers and shakes?"

"No thanks." Michael said sadly, "That won't make anything better. Please go talk to my mom."

"I will. We will figure this all out. I don't want you worrying about it anymore, deal?"

"Okay. But please... don't make my mom sad."

After Jason dropped Michael off at Greystone he sat in the car feeling exhausted.

I have to do something to fix this, he thought, I have to save my marriage. I have to keep my family.

At the same time as Jason was driving Michael home from school Carly was sitting at the bar at the Metro Court.

She wore a green silky dress and her hair flowed in curly waves. She sipped her water. Her mind was on her husband.

"Can I buy you a drink, gorgeous?" said a deep voice from behind her.

She turned and saw Patrick Drake.

"I have a drink. And you know I'm married." she said

He sat down next to her. He placed his hand on her arm. "Is a ring on your finger enough to stop our fun? I don't see your husband around here right now."

"And where is Robin? She was your fiancee the last time I checked."

Pain filled his face. He took his hand off her arm and turned away. "Can I get a drink over here bartender? Scotch neat. Best you have in the house."

"Going for the good stuff, huh?" Carly asked " What happened?"

"She left me." he said, bitterness in every word.

"What did you do?"

Patrick's head whipped around to look at her again. "I don't want to talk about it."

"That bad, huh? Well I think you should go find her and work it out."

"Why do you care?"

"I don't. It's just..." She thought of Jason "you wanted to marry her, you love her, don't give up so easily."

The bartender placed the drink in front of Patrick.

He looked at it.

Then threw some money down and said, without drinking it, said "I've got to go."

Carly turned to watch him leave and noticed Bobbie stepping off the elevator.

They had plans to meet for dinner so Carly went over and sat down with her.

Bobbie said, "You look miserable, Carly. You haven't called Jason, have you?"

"He hasn't call me is more like it."

"Don't play games. This is too big of situation to act stubborn."

Annoyed, Carly asked "So what would you like me to do, mama? Beg him to stay married to me? I am through with trying to convince that man that I'm worth loving." Her voice cracked "If Jason doesn't want me then I don't want Jason either."

Bobbie raised an eyebrow. "Really? Is that the truth?"

"No. I love him like crazy, you know that. But, I don't want to!"

"Oh, Carly. What in the world happened? You seemed so happy for these last two years. Happier than I have ever seen you before. Why did you walk out on that?"

"Because Jason doesn't think marriage is important. He wants to be around me but beyond that... he won't say. He never comes right out and says he wants to be my husband for the rest of his life. And I need that. I love him too much to settle for less."

Bobbie beeper went off. She looked at it. "I'm sorry honey. But I have to go into work." Bobbie stood up and said, "Come by my house with the kids this weekend. You all can't stay cramped up in a hotel suite for two days while you have them."

"Thanks, mom."

Bobbie bent over and kissed her cheek then left.

Carly finished her water, with lemon, and then stood to leave when she saw Jason walking toward her.

He said, "Can we go somewhere and talk?"

"The patio." Carly said and walked out there. Jason followed.