Thank you to everybody who read or reviewed the last section. There was a lot of new stuff there, and there will be a lot of new material in this chapter. I am enjoying writing the Bolton family drama this time around. It was implied the first time, but I'm writing it out now. Maybe that's the difference between being a baby writer and having a decade of experience.
Mood music: Caught Out There by Kelis
I ended up doing the final proofread of this chapter to the Apple music 90s R&B mix. That song started playing as I was reviewing the fight between Jack and Lucy. It definitely fits. Unfortunately, Jack doesn't know how well just yet.
Chapter 33: You Can't Go Home Again
"Lucy, I'm well aware of your animosity towards Kim. But this really isn't the time or place for this conversation," Jack said to his wife as he walked in on her, screaming at Troy and Kim in the hallway. He didn't even need the three text messages from colleagues telling him to go get his wife. He could hear the argument from the gymnasium. "Let's go on to my classroom and have this conversation like the rational adults we are."
Of course, as he said this, Alex ran over to him, screaming, "Grandpa Jack." That kid had someone impeccable timing. And is still very good at getting away from his guardians, if Jason and Jimmie running behind him is any indication. However, they had the good sense to get out once they saw he had Alex.
"You know the whole was back in town, didn't you? Of course, you did. The little brat knows you. Why the fuck did you not tell me?" Lucy screamed at him. Jack was furious.
"Do not talk about Kim and my grandchild like that. At a minimum, Kimberly is a work colleague. She is Troy's girlfriend. She's also the mother of my only grandchild, who I happen to love very much. She deserves at least some common decency and civility."
"No, she's not. Troy is not going to date someone like her. I'm not gonna recognize any kid of hers." Jack exhaled deeply, trying not to scream at her.
"You really don't have any say in it," Jack said as he finally composed himself again. "Troy is his own person. He's going to live his life his way. We have to accept that." It took him a while to realize that, but Jack did now.
"He was 15. That Bitch forced our 15-year-old son to have sex with her." Lucy argued.
"I was not forced into doing anything I didn't want to do," Troy responded, and Lucy just laughed. "Maybe in hindsight, I was too young. Not to feel the way I felt but to be able to handle the consequences of those choices. I love Alex, but being a father at 18 is not going to be easy. I'm worried I won't give him everything he's going to need for me because I'm too young. But that doesn't invalidate the fact that I fell in love with Kim at 15."
"You can't love at 15." Lucy scoffed.
"I'm 18 now, and I get to make my own choices. I'm definitely in love with her at 18." Troy kissed Kim at that moment. Thankfully, it was a light kiss and not a repeat of the airport kiss earlier this month. "I really don't care what you think of this anymore. I'm going to build my life with my son and Kim."
"No, you're not Troy. I won't let you."
"Lucy, Troy is 18 and can make his own choices, legally. It doesn't matter what you or I say anymore." Jack remarked.
"If you stay with her, then you get no financial support from me, not one cent. You're on your own. Let's see how long you'll last at Berkeley like that." As Carolyn predicted, she would use financial pressure. She had no idea that Kim was paying Troy almost $8000 a month in child support.
"But he'll have my support no matter what. And I will be there for Troy and for Kimberly."
Jack stated sternly.
"With what salary? We know I'm the one who actually contributes to this family financially." Lucy chided. She always does that. He's never had a problem with Lucy making more money than him, but she has.
"I don't want your money. More importantly, I don't need it." Troy smirked at Lucy.
"My mom tried that same thing with me when I wouldn't have an abortion. I chose to be food stamps poor over losing my son. Thankfully, I had Vanessa, who got my trust fund back. So Troy doesn't need you or your money." Lucy's face fell at that.
"But even if Kim didn't have her trust fund back, I would still choose Alex and her over your financial support. It's your choice if you're going to be a part of my life from here on out," Troy shot back.
"I already made my choice," Jack said as he placed a kiss on Alex's forehead. "I will stand by Troy."
"Because, of course, you're supporting this."
"Yes, I do."
"It's because of Carolyn, isn't it? You see Kim like you saw her. Hopefully, you don't want to fuck her. How long have you known about this?" Did Lucy really just accuse him of wanting to have sex with Carolyn? That is not… OK, it's more true than he would have acknowledged before things started to unravel.
"I suspected that Alex was my grandson back in September after Carolyn shared the pictures that Chad center from Labor Day. However, I didn't know until about the time that I started sleeping in Troy's room." Jack explain.
"So, three weeks." It really did take her that long to notice what was going on. So it shouldn't surprise him that they were now arguing in the hallway. They've been heading here for a while.
"Actually, I have slept in Troy's old room since October 10. It just took you that long to realize I was gone. Because you're never there." Jack shot back at her.
"Then you can stay gone. If you're going to support this," Lucy said, pointing to Alex and then Kim, "Then don't even bother coming home."
"I'm still choosing Troy, Alex, and Kim." Jack didn't even have to think about it.
"Fine, have it your way. Troy, I still expect you at the house Thursday. Maybe you'll see the light by then." With that, Lucy was gone. Honestly, Jack was grateful for it.
"Thank you for supporting me," Kim said as she ran up to hug him. "I'm so sorry I wrecked your marriage." Kim was crying again.
"If anybody wrecked my marriage, it was Lucy. I disagree with what she did to you. I can't just stand by her right now, not at all."
"I am still sorry," Kim said as she pulled away.
"You don't have to be." Jack tried to reassure her.
"So obviously, we're not going to dinner with Chad and Sharpay right now. I need a little time." Troy told them.
"It would probably be best because while you were yelling at your mom, you told her Gabriella was responsible for the almost-sex tape," Kim told him.
"Oh, Fu…" Thankfully Troy realized that Alex was still there.
"I will send Chad and Sharpay a text that we will meet them at the game. We can grab something at the food court at the Eastside mall while we pick up your new cell phone before the game and things for your father. You can stay with us. I have a guest room, two now that my roommate has moved out."
"Why do I need a new cell phone now? I thought we were waiting until Friday." Just then, his phone started beeping, and he saw the message was from Lucy. He quickly showed the screen to Jack. Lucy just switched to yelling at him in text message form. Troy quickly cut off his phone because he's dealt with her enough today.
"We're getting new phones tonight. Did you know Lucy was going to do that?" Troy asked Kim.
"I had a similar experience with my egg donor." Kim gave Troy a sad smile.
"Thank you, and I will take you up on the offer of staying in your house. However, I won't need anything from the mall. I actually have a bag packed in the trunk of my car. Let's get out of this building now." Jack was sure half of his colleagues watched this from the video monitors in the principal's office. At least he doesn't have to be back at work until Monday.
"You expected this?" Troy asked as they started walking out of the building. Jack thankfully had his bag with him and did not need to go back to his office.
"Carolyn did. She also suspected that Lucy would try to cut you off financially to force your hand. She told me to be prepared, and I listened. Besides, things haven't been good for a while." He's trying to remember a time when things were good, and it's been years.
"Since October 10, apparently. Maybe I'm the one who wrecked this marriage." Troy lamented.
"Long before then. It's hard to be in a relationship with someone you don't trust. That is not something that's your fault. Lucy gave me the ultimatum, and I stand by my choice. You're a parent now; you should realize that you're always going to choose your kids."
"She didn't," Troy said darkly, and Jack just wanted to hug him at that moment.
"Some people aren't really moms; they are egg donors. I'm just sorry you got one too." At that moment, Jack's phone started ringing.
"It's Lucy is in it?" Kim asked.
"It's her ring tone." But Jack wasn't going to answer it.
"We'll get you a new phone too." Kim offered.
"That's not necessary."
"If I'm the reason why you need to get a new phone, I feel like I should pay for it. But that's just me. Besides, you've done a lot of babysitting." And he's enjoyed every minute of it. He loves quality Alex time.
"And I'm willing to do more. After you graciously pick up a new phone for me, I can watch Alex while you go to the game tonight. I think you two need some time together. I need grandbaby time." He's only keeping it together right now because Alex is in his arms.
"Alex cuddling is magical. You obviously need it right now." Kim said with a sad smile as they made it to their cars.
XXXX
About 2 1/2 hours later
Number unknown: Hey, this is Jack. I had to get a new phone number. If Lucy calls, don't give her this number. Also, if Troy gives you his new number, don't give it out to her either.
Unknown number: How long are you going to be in Albuquerque? I think I'm going to need your help legally.
Carolyn: I'm planning to fly back early Monday morning, but I have Tuesday off too. So I can switch to a later flight. Rodriguez and Associates also handles divorce.
Carolyn: How bad did things go with Lucy? The fact that you now have a new phone number has me worried. I didn't even think that conversation was going to happen until tomorrow.
BFF Jack: For the first time this semester, Lucy came down to the school. I am almost convinced that a certain busybody receptionist texted her, but I can't be sure.
BFF Jack: It was a disaster. I am really grateful you suggested that I pack a bag and keep it in the car. I think I'm going to need you to go with me to the lawyer's Monday. I would do it tomorrow, but we are already going to be at the lawyer's office for most of the day.
Carolyn: You can always schedule an appointment while you're there for yourself. What happened?
BFF Jack: I missed the first half of the fight, but she called Kim lots of nasty names. You were right; Lucy did question Alex's paternity. Thank you for forcing us to get that legally established. She also referred to him as a brat to my face.
Carolyn: I'm just doing my job as your best friend and go-to legal counsel.
BFF Jack: Also, as you predicted, Lucy did try to cut Troy off.
Carolyn: What a fucking bitch.
Carolyn: I didn't mean to actually send that. Chad's friend Amanda turned me onto using Dragon on my cell phone. I really meant to delete it.
BFF Jack: If you mean it, you should send it to me. I feel that way. I did tell Troy that I would support him. Because of that, Lucy told me not to come home. Honestly, I don't want to. She followed that up with several nasty text messages and voicemails.
Carolyn: Which is why you have a new number. Did you keep the old number activated?
BFF Jack: I had no choice because Lucy didn't put me on the account. I'm okay with her paying for a phone that I'm not actually using anymore.
Carolyn: You need to turn that phone over to whoever your lawyer is. Troy's should probably go to his own lawyer. Do you want to go with the firm representing Troy, or do you want your own legal team?
BFF Jack: I'm fine using the same firm but maybe not the same lawyer. Jen is excellent, but I rather have her focusing on Kim and Troy.
Carolyn: I'll make an appointment for Monday with Matt. So is this the time to tell you that Kim already told me she would pay for your divorce attorney?
BFF Jack: Of course she did. Kim just bought me a new cell phone and added me to her family plan. She said it was my present for all the babysitting. I couldn't say no.
Carolyn: Kim is just grateful to have your support. She doesn't have the best parents.
BFF Jack: I'm aware.
Carolyn: She has you and Vanessa right now. That's what matters. I'm glad you chose Troy.
BFF Jack: I really had no choice but to.
Carolyn: There were some times in the past where you didn't put Troy first.
BFF Jack: I know. Mistakes were definitely made, but I'm trying to do better.
Carolyn: Good
Carolyn: Do you want me to meet you at the lawyers' office tomorrow? I might be cutting it tight, but I think I can make it before the afternoon meeting.
BFF Jack: They switch the time to something earlier. Vanessa will be there, but I'll need you afterward. It almost makes me wish Lizzy was coming up, but it's her year to do Thanksgiving with Kevin's family.
Carolyn: Your sister is in Santa Fe now. So maybe she can come up next weekend. In the meantime, I'll be staying in the Evans guesthouse. Apparently, I have free reign of the wine cellar. He likes me. So will have libations at least.
BFF Jack: We will be making very good use of that wine. Troy is considering driving up to Santa Fe Saturday with my mom to break the news to Liz and Kevin in person.
Carolyn: I wouldn't mind doing Saturday in Santa Fe. I feel like Liz is going to be the understanding aunt.
BFF Jack: Of the ones related by blood, yes. I wish you could tell me what is happening with the Evans family.
Carolyn: Maybe Sharpay will tell you, but it's her secret to tell. This is going to sound weird considering everything, but at least Lucy is not Darby.
BFF Jack: I have been a teacher long enough to have seen some things. So I have a feeling I know what went on with Darby. Mostly because I'm aware of at least two teachers playing interference with the witch. Only the principal actually liked her.
Carolyn: Again, it is Sharpay's secret to tell. How are you holding up?
BFF Jack: Playing with the big blocks with Alex while the kids go to a red hawks game. I don't know if I've processed it yet that my marriage is probably over.
Carolyn: You're still not fully sure about filing for divorce?
BFF Jack: I am 95% sure, but this is a lot. We promised each other for better or worse. Part of me wants to fix this. But I'm starting to realize there's nothing to fix. You can't rebuild with ashes.
Carolyn: I'm sorry.
BFF Jack: I don't really want to be alone crying with my 22-month-old grandson right now.
Carolyn: Tomorrow, you'll cry with me over wine. I know it takes a lot to get to this point. There's no shame in making sure that you are really ready to end it.
Carolyn: Tiffany wasn't the first person I caught Charles cheating on me with.
BFF Jack: What? Why didn't you tell me?
Carolyn: There was someone else when Chad was 10 years old. You didn't know because I was too ashamed to tell you.
Carolyn: I didn't serve Charles with divorce papers because I didn't want to uproot Chad's life. In hindsight, that was a mistake. I created a kid that was afraid of change.
BFF Jack: Does Chad know that you know about Jamie and Ryan?
Carolyn: No. I'm just glad Sharpay was too powerful to put up with his usual bullshit.
BFF Jack: Do you think it was easier because she's female? I'm trying to make things better, but the basketball team has a tendency to be homophobic as fuck. I'm worried about Jimmie now. I can only give so many basketball detentions for homophobic slurs.
Carolyn: You should have given more to Ricky last year. He didn't target Chad, but he targeted Ryan. That made Chad go even deeper into the closet.
BFF Jack: That is definitely one of my greatest coaching regrets.
Carolyn: Maybe in some regards, it's easier. Chad will not have to worry about Aunt Esther and Charles's reaction this way.
BFF Jack: Because they are definitely going to go full "no bisexuals." Has Chad told you yet that he is not straight?
Carolyn: He called me a few weeks ago and told me he was demisexual with no gender preference but did not name names. Good thing Troy was loud, and you tell me everything.
Carolyn: Of course, Nana Danforth and Aunt Esther will freak out about him dating a white girl. Sharpay is still on the list of people it wasn't acceptable for him to be with, at least in the inner circle. The outside world might accept her a bit more.
BFF Jack: I feel like the homophobes, and the bigots are going to overlap a lot.
Carolyn: There is definitely a lot of overlap. Ryan would've been a perfect storm.
Carolyn: Before we got on this tangent, I was trying to say that I understand why letting go of Lucy is not easy for you. Leaving Charles was hard for me. I didn't even love him, and it was hard. So I understand why it's hard for you to lose Lucy because, at one time, you did love her. That love isn't there anymore, but it used to be there. Maybe in some ways, that's worse.
BFF Jack: But I love Troy more. I love Alex more. Kim has even started worming her way into my heart. Whoever Lucy thinks she is, Kim is not that person.
Carolyn: She's a good person. She always has been.
BFF Jack: I want to ask you why you feel that way, but I think it might be related to the Evans stuff you won't tell me.
Carolyn: It is very related. I already feel like Vince is my inlaw. I'm pulled in to the Evans family confidentiality.
BFF Jack: So is this the point I tell you that I have money on Chad and Sharpay being engaged by spring break.
Carolyn: I'm hoping for the summer. But honestly, I'm expecting Christmas, and I'm trying to mentally prepare myself. He's too young. He won't even be legal until New Year's.
BFF Jack: Troy and Kim weren't even back together a full 24 hours, and they are already pre-engaged.
Carolyn: Chad referred to himself as Vinces' future son-in-law when confronting him about Darby's bad behavior a couple of weeks ago.
BFF Jack: Why couldn't we have kids that get married in their 30s?
Carolyn: I don't know.
xxxxx
Troy has been dreading this day for weeks, yet he still wasn't expecting it to be this bad. His mom hated Kim and his son and actually expected him to abandon both of them. For what, money? He really doesn't give a fuck about money. If he had to leave Berkeley to be with his family, he would.
Yet, Lucy thought the threat of financial hardship and losing her from his life would be enough to make him leave his family. That was what half of her additional text messages were about. The rest were just cursing Kim.
Troy shouldn't have turned the phone back on, but he did at the Apple Store. The technician just gave him a sad look and showed him how to block numbers on his new phone. He didn't dare show Kim any of the additional text messages. He would break the phone if Kim's stepmom Vanessa did not advise him to do otherwise.
On the advice of Vanessa, he's not giving anybody his new number outside of Chadpay until Friday. Besides, he doesn't have the energy right now. Because if he texted Ryan, Yolanda, or Madison the new number, they would ask way too many questions, and he's not ready to answer them.
If it wasn't for the fact that he wanted to see his best friend play, Troy would have followed his father and son back home. Considering how much Chad hated playing for the team now, he needed all the encouragement he could get.
Troy remembered coming here when he was young and dreaming about playing for his father's alma mater. At some point, that stopped being his dream. He wanted to be his own person.
Of course, he started to regret his decision to come here after the first person threw something at him and called him a traitor. That happened three more times. Let's just say some hardcore Red Hawk fans are upset about him choosing a different school.
"I have no idea they took basketball so seriously here," Troy said as he removed the bald up piece of paper from his hair. At least nobody threw soda on him. Yet anyway. The night was young.
"You should hear half the stuff they say to Chad. That is the number one reason why he is considering not playing next year. If it is this bad now, I hate to see what is going to happen when Berkeley comes to play later in the season," Sharpay told him.
"Another thing to look forward to," Troy said sarcastically as they made their way to their seats. They were sitting just one row behind the A of U bleachers.
"Just forget about them and enjoyed the game tonight," Kim said as she sat next to Sharpay. Sharpay was dressed in a very tight-fitting A of U shirt and blue jeans. Troy didn't even think Sharpay Evans own a pair of jeans. Jimmie, Kelsi's sister Jackie, Taylor's brother Jason, and some girl he didn't know were sitting in front of them.
"It looks like you actually have friends in college," Troy said jokingly as he sat next to Kim and put his arm around her.
"I decided to try being a human being instead of a bitch this school year. It has paid off." Sharpay said with a smile. "Let me introduce you to everyone. The two crazy ones over there are Nikki and Marc. They're just here to cheer on Amanda. You know her from the conspiracy group."
"Also, any text messages from Amanda that had zero typos or homonyms probably came from me," Nikki said from in front of him. "I did the transcript of the baseball bat to the plasma bad break up incident."
"I remember. I actually have yet to meet Amanda in person. Unfortunately, she mostly sends me pictures of Chad and Sharpay and none of herself." Which he enjoyed because at least he got to see what his friends were up to. "Although I've seen you guys a few times."
"She's the cheerleader trying to kill Penelope," Marc said, pointing to their friend, and he recognized her from a few of the pictures Chad sent. He was horrible at labeling things, though. He definitely wanted to meet Sharpay and Chad's long-suffering roommate in person after the game. They talk so much on the phone that Troy considers her a friend too.
"Do you know that at the last away game, Penelope tried to jump my boyfriend in his hotel room? Thankfully Zach dragged her away and gave her the 'he's never going to be into you' talk. I should kick her ass, but I'm just going to give her the copy of He's Just Not That into You that Gabby gave me last year. I obviously don't need it anymore."
"Now that's the girl I remember from school," Troy mumbled under his breath. "Also, why didn't you tell me Gabriella got you that book last year." Because then he could have broken up with Gabriella before she turned his BFF into a YouTube porn star.
"That was mean." Mainly because, in hindsight, he was probably more into Sharpay than Gabriella, but Gabby was safe. At least she was safe until she threw a lamp at him.
"Gabriella did a lot of passive-aggressive stuff like that in high school. I never let it bother me." Troy didn't believe her.
"Speaking of high school, I'm not sure you remember anybody in front of us except for Jimmie. That's Kelsi Sister Jackie and her best friend, Kerri Jackson. Next to them is Jason McKessie, the boy who is single-handedly responsible for pudding principle Matsui in the hospital for two days after the great play incident." Note to self ask his dad about that later.
"If you and Chad didn't make out whenever you're in the same room, it would not have worked," Jason said in a whiny voice.
"Let's not forget Jason is also responsible for telling your mom about my new last name, our engagement, and her grandbaby this afternoon." Troy looked over at the boy in front of him. He seemed to be the complete opposite of his sister in every way. They didn't even look alike.
"You're the one who told Lucy about Alex?" Troy asked Jason.
"I didn't know that she didn't know," Jason said in his defense.
"She was trying to pass off Gabriella as Troy's current girlfriend to me. That was a big sign right there." Kim answered quickly.
"I thought she was just delusional." Troy agreed with Jason, but he wasn't gonna say anything.
"No more talk about evil parents till after the basketball game," Sharpay said sternly as she began cheering Chad on. Sharpay screamed at the top of her lungs every time Chad was on the court. Troy noticed that Chad had a lot more playing time than he did.
"Half the fun of coming to a basketball game with her is watching her cheer on Chad. A week and a half ago, when some guy fouled Chad Sharpay started cursing so loudly that Mr. Evans had to take her outside. She is definitely a super fan." Kim told Troy as she leaned over to kiss him.
"She never acted like this in high school with Zeke. Actually, I don't think she ever made it to a basketball game." He doesn't remember seeing her there even after Ryan made the cheerleading squad.
"That's probably because she wasn't in love was Zeke in high school. Wasn't he the weird guy who was always hiding in the library reading cooking books?" Kim asked.
"That seems on brand." Troy sighed.
"It was for the best since he fu— slept with Penelope. Anybody who goes for trash like Penelope over someone like Sharpay does not deserve her as their number one fan." Kim said as she placed her head on Troy's shoulder.
"As for never showing up to a game in high school, Darby was too busy turning Sharpay into her second chance at a Broadway career. I know she told you the Darby truth." That part was whispered.
"Yeah, which is helping me put the whole Lucy thing in perspective."
"Abuse doesn't have to be physical to be bad," Kim told him.
"Ms. Bolton, I think your dad is here." Jason interrupted, causing both Kim and Troy to turn around to see Jay Kim standing behind him.
"What are you doing here?" Kim asked.
"I thought we could talk before tomorrow, and I figure things would go more smoothly if we were in a public place."
"I don't know. That didn't help last time. You got us kicked out of a restaurant that grandpa owns."
"Your grandfather still hates me because of the divorce, so I'm sure it wouldn't take much for me to get kicked out." Kim snorted at that comment.
"Probably. He really does not like you."
"Kim, I think you should go talk to your father," Troy whispered into her ear. "You need this, for closure if nothing else."
"Fine, let's talk. " Kim said as she let go of her boyfriend and followed her father out. Troy hoped this went better than his confrontation with his mom.
xxx
Kim walked with her father in the outer loop of the arena. She had no idea why Troy was making her talk to her father tonight. Wasn't one bad parental encounter enough for the night?
"If you're gonna yell at me, can we please wait a few days? One angry parent screaming at me is enough for the moment."
"Your mom didn't show up early, did she?" Kim could hear the worry in her father's voice. Just the thought of seeing the woman again made Kim shiver.
"God, I hope not. I don't want to see her tomorrow, but I know I have to. No, the angry parent I had to deal with was Troy's mom, not mine. She called me a pedophile multiple times. Lucy told Troy she was going to cut him off financially if he stayed with Alex and me. She kicked Jack out for taking our side. On top of all that, she said some very nasty things about Alex in text message form that I'm not going to repeat. It's been a rough afternoon." Kim may have turned on Troy's phone when he wasn't looking, and that was a mistake.
God, she hated Lucy. The woman can say whatever she wants about her but do not say anything about Alex. Kim knew she was on the verge of angry tears recounting the afternoon. Unexpectedly, she felt her father's arm go around her.
"I'm sorry,"
"Why should you be sorry? You have said some pretty bad things yourself over the last few years." Kim said with a touch of anger and pain.
"I am sorry about that too. I didn't realize how difficult a position you were in. I was worried about the wrong things."
"Yet you still told Mr. McKessie about Troy stealing your baby girl. And I know you said similar things to Vince."
"In my defense, I was slightly drunk both times. That was also before Vanessa, and I had a very long talk."
"So, she finely told you everything that happened with mom in New York?"
"I have long been aware that your mother is a very evil person. I left her for a reason, and I don't regret that ever. You will always be more important than her." Her father told her.
"No, Vanessa told me all about DC and the senior partner in 1989." Kim found a surprising because Vanessa never talked about 1989.
"Even though I was a lot younger than her, I had a much easier situation. I know that you and mom never believed it, but at least I knew that Troy loved me."
"I know he loves you, and I am sorry for making you think otherwise. I was just worried about you making my mistakes over again." Jay confessed.
"What mistake was that?"
"I never told you, but your mother got pregnant while we were dating."
"I want to avoid a fight in public. So I'm not going to call you a hypocrite right now, but I really want to. Although considering I was born two years after the wedding, that child couldn't have been me. Unless you been lying about your date of marriage." And honestly, that wouldn't surprise her.
"No, Pì Jiāng did not require that, although we were quickly married. You have an older brother Hóng Yì. He was only with us for a few hours, but I loved him greatly." Kim wasn't expecting that.
"Why didn't you tell me this?" Kim asked.
"I didn't want to burden you. I felt I was going to lose you after the accident. Alex too, he was so little when he was born." That explains why Jay is so overprotective of him.
"If you didn't get pregnant, then you never would have been in that position in the first place. But I was looking at the situation the wrong way, and I'm sorry. The person I should blame for what happened is Zhēn and only Zhēn."
"That I can agree with. Did you ever love Zhēn? You were worried that I was going to make that mistake?"
"I don't want Alex to grow up with two parents that hated each other. I realize that Alex won't have that problem."
"Not at all. Does this mean you're ready to walk me down the aisle?" She asked, almost hopeful.
"As long as it is in 2011. I still think you're too young to be getting married. However, as possible husbands go, you could have done a lot worse."
"That's why we are waiting a few years. Even I feel like Troy is not ready for marriage yet. We need time to adjust to being a family and parents together before we go down the aisle." Kim explains to her father.
"In many ways, you're wiser than me," Jay told her, which surprised her.
"I'm trying. Do you want to watch the basketball game with us?" Kim asked, and Jay followed her back inside.
XXXX
Sharpay watched Troy looking anxiously at the outer loop. She didn't remember him being this protected with Gabriella.
"Stop worrying, Troy. If things are really going badly, we could hear them from here. Sit back and relax. This has to be a first for you, watching Chad play without you."
"It's no more surreal than anything else since my plane landed in Albuquerque. Today, I've realized that my mom doesn't care about my happiness. Also, you're a force for good who my son refers to as Aunt Pay, and Chad actually hates playing basketball."
"Chad hates playing basketball with his non-Zack teammates. That is a completely different thing. He likes playing with me."
"That's because when you two play, you allow him to take your clothes off. I heard all about one-on-one at Lava Springs." That comment earned him a smack on the arm. Just because it's true didn't mean Troy had to say it out loud.
"Not in front of the children," Sharpay said in a whisper.
"I doubt we would be teaching these children anything new. Do you realize 12-year-old Jason is hitting on a 15-year-old Kerri?" Troy asked.
Sharpay was just happy that Troy didn't notice the little triangle going on between the high school freshman, the college freshman, and the basketball captain. She would definitely have to talk to Marc about hitting on the underage basketball player. Not that Sharpay can say anything, because technically, she has been doing very inappropriate things with a particular 17-year-old basketball player. She could not wait until Chad was legal.
"I'm not worried. Kerrie is a safety crush. Nothing is going to happen." Sharpay whispered low enough so only Troy could hear her. "It's not that bad. They're in the same grade. It is not as if he can be with girls his own age.
Psychologically he is a lot older than they are. Remember, Chad had the same problem. That is why he was always with people older than him. Jamie was what two years older than him?"
"A little more than three, actually. Jamie was definitely over 18, possibly even 19. I'm not sure he knew Chad was 15 and not 16. Although I'm not sure that would make a difference."
"Probably not. We are not telling Carolyn that. I wouldn't get so high and mighty because there is only a 2 years and five month age difference between the two."
"When he is 15, and she's 18, I promise I won't say anything," Troy said with a laugh.
"Let's just hope he doesn't do what you did. Anyway, I think I owe you a thank you." Sharpay was sure she just made Troy go speechless.
"This is another one of those surreal things that I was talking about earlier," Troy told her in shock.
"I'm saying thank you because you broke up with Gabriella for what she did to me and Chad. Until three months ago, I thought Kim was the only real friend I had, which was not a blood relation. I know you probably did it mostly for Chad, but thank you."
"I consider you to be a friend and not just because you're dating Chad. It probably helps that you're not chasing after me anymore." He said with a laugh.
"If you would have told me you were in love with Kim, I would have stop chasing you earlier and bought you a first-class ticket to New York," Sharpay told him in all seriousness.
"You were going to shipped Troy first class to me? You are like the best friend ever." Kim said as she sits between Troy and Sharpay, she placed an arm around each one of them.
"Are you okay?" Sharpay asked her friend.
"I'm fine, just the normal father-daughter bonding." Sharpay felt there was something Kim wasn't saying but would ask her later. There were too many people around for an in-depth conversation.
"My dad is coming back up in a few minutes. He just went to get popcorn. Troy, your hands need to stay visible for the rest of the game."
Xxxxx
Meanwhile in Manhattan
Gabby: Madison is a fucking idiot. So is Cassandra, for that matter.
Mercedes: I entirely agree. I doubt that is why you are angry. What happened at dinner? Did Taylor tell Ryan about your role in the YouTube sex tape thing?
Gabby: Ryan and Taylor are together.
Madison: Didn't Ryan sleep with her boyfriend? A boyfriend who is now dating his sister and possibly your ex-boyfriend?
Gabby: Yes.
Madison: You know, I'm starting to think they may have had an orgy without you. I think they're all just fucking each other behind your back, and you were too drugged up to realize it.
Gabby: Fucking Prozac.
Madison: So, if you weren't on a medication that causes sexual dysfunction in high school, would you have joined in?
Gabby: I think I should've at least been told what was going on. Maybe Taylor was right, and I don't know Troy.
Mercedes: She is probably messing with your head because she wants all the boys to herself. Maybe Taylor was with Troy too?
Gabby: I wouldn't even be surprised. They probably were all fucking each other. I hate it here. The only positive thing so far is I haven't had to see my mom yet.
Mercedes: I can have a ticket to Colorado at the airport with your name on it in like an hour. You don't have to stay.
Gabby: No. I'm not backing out. Besides, if it was an open relationship before, it can be an open relationship again.
Gabby: Also, Ryan did promise me a spa day, and I at least deserve that.
Mercedes: You do, but let me know if you change your mind.
Gabby: I will. Are you in Colorado yet?
Mercedes: I'm doing my final packing now. The car gets here in an hour.
Gabby: Good. Have a safe flight.
XXXX
"You were right, and four-star hotels don't have everything," Ryan said as he ended the call to the front desk. He was extremely annoyed. "Apparently, an air mattress is a bridge too far. The guy laughed at me. I'm so telling Kim later. You know when she's not worried about telling everybody about Alex."
"So I should probably let you know that my brother told Lucy Bolton about Alex and Kim this afternoon. That's what Sharpay was texting me about. That entire situation is going horrendously."
"You did show me the first few messages. Now I'm definitely not calling in a favor. I'll send a text later to check on her."
"It's barely 10 PM, and I think there's a Kmart or something not that far from here. We could just run out and get one." Taylor suggested.
"But I'm already so comfortable, and I don't want to get up. I wonder if there's a delivery service?" Ryan said, snuggling closer.
"Or we can share a bed?" Taylor suggested. "Gabby thinks we're dating anyway."
"I'm really mad after this afternoon's performance that you never did drama club in high school. Are you okay with sharing a bed?" Ryan asked her as he stroked her hair.
"Perfectly okay. Besides, you make a good pillow."
Taylor said as she bent over to kiss him on the cheek. Except Ryan moved and ended up kissing her again. Honestly, it was an accident, even though the kiss lasted for about 69 seconds. Somewhere Sharpay is laughing at him and probably planning her revenge for all his comments back in September.
XXX
Madison: I'm glad you made it to Albuquerque. Thanks for letting me know. It should be fine. Good luck with the talk with your mom. Just remember you owe her nothing. It's perfectly okay to cut out toxic family members. I did, and I'm happier for it.
Madison: So thanks to Mercedes being really loud when she's plotting with her stepbrother, I know what they were planning for Colorado. I swear those two see Cruel Intentions as a how-to guide but with more coke.
Madison: She's purposely fucking with your relationship with Gabby to get both of you. You as the public boyfriend, and Gabby as the private girlfriend without either of you being aware of the arrangement. A poly relationship would've worked better, but whatever.
Madison: By the way, she's managed to convince Gabriella that you, Sharpay, Ryan, Chad, and Taylor were all Fucking each other in high school behind her back. Thank God she was using voice rec to text Gabriella while she was packing.
Madison: You might want to warn Ryan and Taylor of what's going on. Oh, BTW there now dating or probably messing with her.
Madison: I could probably tell Maria, but I would have to explain everything; it would be too weird. Now I'm mad you didn't give me Ryan's phone number.
Madison: I probably should call Maria anyway because I found Gabriella's bottle of Prozac in the trash. So apparently, Gabriella was reminding me of my sister for a reason.
Madison: Anyway, good luck with the family stuff. Text me back when you can.
XXXX
One hour later
Madison: Hey, Cassandra just called me to come get her from the airport because apparently, Mercedes was fucking her boyfriend.
Madison: I did call Maria, but I only told her about finding the medication in the trash, nothing else.
XXXX
45 minutes later
Madison: Why do I keep getting called to pick up crying sorority sisters? More importantly, why do I keep doing it?
Madison: My Chad says I'm a natural caregiver.
I think it's because I'm a masochist.
XXXX
One hour later
Madison: I now have screenshots of some of the conversations I mentioned earlier. It was worse than I thought it was. Not the one with the stepbrother, though, because that was an actual phone call, and I got to hear both sides. The stepbrother is creepy.
Madison: [six images attached]
Madison: This is all a mess. Seriously, Bolton pick up the fucking phone.
To be continued…
It was probably a mistake for Troy not to give people his new phone number.
So how bad is this going to bite him on the ass? You shall see. If you read the original version, things are different now.