Life Unexpected -When All Seems Lost

10. What Comes Next

Lux rubbed her temples. The stress of the last 24 hours was finally taking its toll on her. After all a person could only take so much. She had no idea how she was going to navigate the next three days. She lay on her bed in the attic just trying to take it all in.

At least they didn't have to worry about the newspaper. Mrs. Thorogood had put the fear of God into the editor. So much so that the assistant editor had arrived with a written draft of an apology in hand:

"The editorial staff of the Oregonian sincerely apologizes for any discomfort and embarrassment caused to Ryan Thomas, Cate Cassidy, Lux Cassidy, and Nathaniel Bazile. We wish all the best to the aforementioned. Furthermore, we acknowledge that they have a right to their privacy. Having so stated, we do look forward with anticipation to the event being billed as "Our time, Our Story" hosted by K 100 on Wednesday morning at 11 AM. Kudos to Cate, Ryan, Lux and Baze for the courage and heart to share themselves with a very fickle public and press.

Please join with us in allowing these four to maintain their dignity in what is probably the most trying time of their lives. Forgive us, Cate, Nate, Ryan , and Lux for marginalizing you as individuals, for reducing your pain to tawdry sensationalism, and for not giving you the respect you deserve."

Personally, Lux would have preferred tar and feathering the entire editorial staff, but Ryan and her parents seemed satisfied .She was tired of living her life in a goldfish bowl. Perhaps they would be left alone, once Ryan left, and if her mother retired from radio.

"Nah, I would never be that lucky," she surmised. Besides, she had really enjoyed listening to her mother and Ryan on the air. "Wednesday, is the last time," she thought ruefully. Never before had she felt so conflicted. She loved Ryan almost as much as she loved her parents. Yet, she wanted a to be a family with Cate and Baze so much she could almost taste it.

It was within her grasp, but not without someone she loved paying a high cost, even if it was a cost he was willing to pay. She had been certain she was doing the right thing at the time. Now she was plagued with guilt, and second guessing herself.

Lux had no idea how the future was going to play out, and she hated the uncertainty of it all. Unlike the adults, she had opted out of scripting her part in the "Our Time, Our Story" gig, preferring to speak from the heart. No amount of cajoling had changed her mind. Finally, Mrs. Thorogood had persuaded Cate to leave her alone.

Cate had decided for herself that she needed some down time to just to rest mentally and physically, away from Cate, Baze, and Lux She had planned to check into a hotel, but Mrs. Thorogood wouldn't hear of it. She had invited Cate to stay in a carriage house on the Thorogood estate. Cate would have the service of a five star hotel, and human companionship from Eliza Thorogood only if she wanted it. Cate had gone home to pack, and to talk briefly with Lux.

"You're sure you'll be all right alone? You know you can stay with Baze..."

"No, Mom. He needs space as much as the the rest of us right now. I promise I'll stay put. I need this time too."

Cate had looked at Lux, her face full of uncertainty. She didn't know if Lux could survive the current crisis without resorting to past unsavory and sometimes dangerous behaviors.

"Please trust me Mom. You know in your heart these last months have changed me. You want me to trust you, and I'm trying. Can't you give me the same respect?"

Cate's face softened. Lux had changed. Lux's eye's were begging Cate to trust her daughter. Cate sensed her vulnerability. This was a side Lux rarely allowed anyone to see.

"Okay, baby. I just want to make sure you're all right. Please call Baze if..."

"Go already! I have your cell phone, the mansion's phone, and Baze's!"

Cate had giggled, and with a peck on Lux's cheek, she had made her exit from Lux's room. Ten minutes later Lux had heard the front door close. Ten minutes after that her eyes had closed in the sleep indicative of exhaustion, both physical and mental. Now she was having trouble waking up She cocked her ears, listening.

Someone was in the house. But who? Everyone she knew was supposed to be somewhere else. Lux unplugged the bong lamp and quietly crept down the attic stairs. The noise was coming from Cate's room.

A man in a gray hoodie leaned over Cate's vanity. Lux managed to sneak up behind him. Just as she was poised to to bring the lamp down on his head. He suddenly turned to face her.

"Ryan!"

"See ya later, Baze!" Bug called out, as he ran out the door of the bar. " I paid the beer man. The receipts are in the register."

"Good job, Bug. I want you to know that I'm really glad to decided to start GED classes."

Bug stopped and gave Baze a wistful grin. "Yeah, I'm done with the old me. I don't even like that person anymore. So I'm going to get that GED and maybe see about some technical classes afterward. I always liked to make things with my hands. I'm thinkin' carpentry or cabinet making. My old man was really good at making furniture when he was sober, which was almost never. I need to prove to myself that I'm better than that."

"You are better than that, Bobby. You had better get going. The bar is going to be closed today. I'll see you tomorrow."

"K. Later."

Baze trudged upstairs to his loft. Bug wasn't the only one wanting to make major changes in his life. Nathaniel Bazile was tired of the person he had been for most of his life: spoiled, self-centered, living day to day. He suddenly realized that even if Cate and Ryan were to remain married, he would feel the same way.

He grabbed pad and pencil off of the nightstand, and sat down on the bed. Perhaps he could turn the bar into something more upscale. Despite the craziness of the engagement dinner, the bar had worked well as the venue for the event. On the other hand, Cate and Ryan had used an off premise catering service.

The face lift he had in mind would require an on site state of the art kitchen, and the staff to run it- and one more thing he didn't currently have—money. He would have to borrow the money, and who in his right mind would lend it to him?

"Nate? Come on down son. I want to talk to you I just got off the phone with Eliza Thorogood. How about having a beer with your old Dad?

Baze smiled in spite of himself. "That woman sure gets around. Dad sounds upbeat. What have I got to lose?"

He walked down the stairs to the bar, to see his father behind the bar, filling two glasses.

"Is Molson Ale fine with you?"

What do you think, Dad?

John Bazile chuckled. "I know, stupid question. I think I ought to tell you that she called me last night after the blow-out at the reception. She told me what had happened, and what she had in mind. Told me she would call me after you guys met with her this morning. I thought maybe you could use a sympathetic ear. I promise I will listen, Baze, and not judge."

Baze shook his head in disbelief. " How do you know her Dad?"

"Portland Chamber of Commerce and several charities to which we both contribute. I have to say I never pegged her to have the guts to do what she did to Samuel and Trina. Boy, was I wrong. However, I'm glad Samuel Thorogood got what was coming to him. I always thought there was something shady about him."

"I don't know what to say, Dad. I guess I never really cared before about what you did, or who you knew unless it benefited me personally. I'm not that person anymore."

John Bazile clapped his son on the back before taking a sat across the table from him. Blue eyes stared into blue eyes.

"I know, son, I know."

"Dad, I have some ideas I would like to run by you. I want to make some changes to the bar."

"I'm listening, son."

Baze reached out across the table and took the hand his father proffered. Perhaps a new day was dawning for the relationship between father and son.