Thank you to everybody who read or left kudos for the last section. I love all the encouragement. Remember, I adore reviews and comments. Keep your writer happy. Sorry, I was supposed to update yesterday, but I got distracted by writing new material.
There is a lot of original material here. I keep having to completely rewrite the New York sections because there are so awful compared to what I can do now. I really want to delete Ryan Taylor Gabriella Manhattan. I won't because of some of the later chapters and wanting to preserve everybody's original reviews. That story was very inconsistent in quality. It's now driving me crazy trying to fix it. I have a fixing things problem.
Chapter 37: Port In The Storm
Still early afternoon Wednesday, November 26, 2008 (seriously, this has been a long day)
BFF Jack: Hey, I'm still waiting on the attorneys. The other team, not ours.
BFF Jack: Although my new divorce attorney Matt said he can actually schedule me in for a meeting on Friday. Jen insisted on it after I gave her my phone. Lucy got even worse after we cut it off. I've been advised by both my and Troy's attorney not to read the messages, and I'm not going to.
BFF Jack: Marcy and a security guard they have on retainer will be grabbing my stuff for me per Matt. Maybe it's a good thing I let Kim grab me some outfits yesterday.
BFF Jack: We had time to talk because the other side is late. I'm not even surprised the other team is late because Kim's mom never made it to a parent-teacher night on time. I'm actually shocked she even showed up at all.
BFF Jack: Maybe it's a good thing that there was an emergency. I saw Vince in the parking lot, so I assume he's the emergency. He's working with Mr. Rodriguez himself.
BFF Jack: He came over and hugged Kim. There was crying.
BFF Jack: Kim is really tense. She doesn't want to see her mom, and I don't blame her. She was horrible. With all his faults, Jay had custody for a reason. Apparently, they mended fences last night enough that Kim actually hugged her dad.
BFF Jack: I have not hit the man yet, but the afternoon is still young. The other team just arrived in the parking lot, so no more texting. Vanessa has informed me it's inappropriate to live text a legal consultation.
Xxx
An hour later
BFF Jack: Hey, we got done early because Kim fainted. I think she's pregnant, but her stepmom believes she is just in shock because everyone on that side of the family has treated her like shit for the last three years. She may be right.
BFF Jack: Although if Kim is pregnant, it's OK because she's a future billionaire. Her grandfather left her everything because she's the only one who doesn't care about the money.
BFF Jack: Lucy's pathetic attempt to cut Troy off financially definitely isn't going to work.
Carolyn: Oh God. Is Kim OK?
BFF Jack: She's fine. Although Vanessa decided to take Alex with her early. They will stop off at the house later to grab his outfit for tomorrow.
BFF Jack: It's for the best because I think Kim and Troy need some time together by themselves. Once I finish up here, I'm going to head over to you.
Carolyn: Which is great because I can seriously use some time with my best friend. It's been a rough day, and it's not even 3 PM yet. I'm sorry, I wasn't there.
BFF Jack: I get that Chad was always going to come first. He needed you.
Carolyn: Especially as his lawyer.
BFF Jack: What happened? Chad didn't punch out Charles, did he? Not that I blame him because I still want to punch him.
Carolyn: No. Although Chad still has a black eye. Fortunately for him, his girlfriend is really good at covering up bruises.
BFF Jack: I think I shouldn't ask why Sharpay is good at that even though I think I know.
Carolyn: Again, you have to ask Sharpay. After dropping Charles off at his hotel, Chad and Sharpay met me at Specialty Foods of Albuquerque to pick up some groceries. Because the Evans actually don't know how to cook or keep any food in their house whatsoever. Anyway, while we were there, we ran into Sharpay's ex-boyfriend.
Carolyn: Zeke, the mildly awful one, not the should be locked up in jail one.
BFF Jack: I know what Malick did to her. Mr. Evans told me so I would kick him off the basketball team when the school wanted to do nothing to him. Thankfully not being able to play basketball was enough to make him transfer voluntarily.
Carolyn: OK, I'm glad you at least know that part and that you helped to get that monster away from her. Also, I have some choice words about your boss that I'm going to keep to myself right now.
BFF Jack: I also hate my boss, but the principal at West is apparently worse.
Carolyn: Have you considered Xavier?
BFF Jack: Sometimes, especially now that I'm probably going to be on my own soon. Liz has a friend there, and apparently, they just managed to poach my current Vice-Principal. Anyway, please continue telling me your story.
Carolyn: So Zeke, the guy who cheated on Sharpay with Penelope for their entire relationship, punch Chad when he saw them kissing.
BFF Jack: Seriously? As his former coach, I'm not even surprised. He always had jealousy issues.
Carolyn: Yep. Sharpay was not happy. She pulled him off of her boyfriend and held him down with a stiletto to the testicles.
BFF Jack: Painful but well deserved.
Carolyn: She didn't actually stab him; she just held her foot right above. After I pulled Sharpay off of him, Zeke tried to attack Chad again. This time Chad punched him back. It just got worse from there. It took four people to pull them apart.
BFF Jack: Do I need to help you get anybody out of jail?
Carolyn: No charges were pressed because I reminded management that the Evans group owns the building where the grocery store is. Although Chad and Sharpay are now banned from all three locations of Specialty Foods of Albuquerque. Zeke got the same.
Carolyn: I'm also trying to call in some favors to get a restraining order against Sharpay's ex-boyfriend. I might be successful. Sharpay is currently looking for an ice pack. He's definitely going to be bruised tomorrow. My mom is going to ask so many questions. She's going to see right through the makeup.
Carolyn: No food in the house, but they have plenty of ice for drinks. Along with lots of booze. This is good because we sent Amanda to get groceries at another store, but she's underage.
Carolyn: Honestly, I find it a small miracle that Sharpay has turned out as well-adjusted as she is.
BFF Jack: You know I'm OK if I can't see you until tomorrow.
Carolyn: Chad is having dinner with Charles, and it's best if I'm really far away from that.
BFF Jack: This is true.
Carolyn: It will be OK because Sharpay is with him. She will definitely keep him calm. She hasn't even left his side outside of getting ice.
BFF Jack: It's good that he has somebody like that.
Carolyn: I know, but I'm still concerned. Maybe it's all the talk of divorce, making me apprehensive.
BFF Jack: I like to believe that our children are better judges in character than us. Kim is such a selfless person. She's a literal future billionaire, and she still wants to be a teacher. She gave up so much to keep Alex. I'm worried about Troy being so young, but at the same time, I trust Kim.
Carolyn: I definitely don't think Taylor would have jumped in to defend Chad like Sharpay did. I think it's time for me to have the 'what are your intentions with my son' talk.
BFF Jack: Let me know how it goes. I need to go. I'm being pulled into another emergency lawyer meeting.
Carolyn: Why? Earlier, you said it was going to be Friday.
BFF Jack: Matt and Jen want to look at the letter that Zhēn Cáo's attorney gave me. Especially after looking at what Kim received. Kim cried, so I agreed.
Carolyn: What did that letter say?
BFF Jack: I don't know. Kim won't let anybody but Jay and the lawyers read it. Not even Troy or Vanessa. Although the amount of Korean cursing tells me it was definitely not good.
BFF Jack: Vanessa barely got Kim to handed over to the attorney.
Carolyn: From what I've been told, that's probably for the best. Did Vanessa ever tell you that they suspected Zhēn was responsible for the accident that caused Kim to go into labor early?
BFF Jack: What? When did you start talking to Vanessa without me?
Carolyn: They couldn't prove it, but they always suspected. I would say to ask Kim about it, but it's probably not something she wants to talk about.
Carolyn: We are lawyers; we chat all the time. Sharpay's coming into the room; I got to go.
BFF Jack: OK, I'll text you after the meeting to let you know when I'm coming over.
Carolyn: I look forward to it. We will order out because I'm still not cooking.
XXXX
"I'm sorry lunch didn't happen. I can't cook, but I can make an excellent sandwich." Sharpay said, making her way to the refrigerator. "Amanda even got the good bread from Alexander's." Sharpay pulled a French baguette out.
"It's OK. Jack's going to come over soon, and we will get takeout. But I'll take a slice of bread." She did miss that place.
"This is why I like you," Sharpay said after passing her the freshly sliced bread. It was just as crusty as ever.
"I'm glad he's coming over to keep you company while we are dealing with Charles. Jack could definitely use a friend after yesterday." Sharpay said as she went back to the fridge to get cheese and turkey. "I saw some of the messages that Lucy sent to Troy, and she was horrible. I don't even know why Troy even wants to go over to her house tomorrow."
"Probably to see Jack's mom, his Aunt Janya, and the uncles. They're not as abrasive as Lucy."
"Probably. I guess it's time we have our mother/girlfriend talk." Sharpay said as she sat down in a nearby chair.
"I promise I won't bite," Carolyn said with a smile.
"You won't be as bad as Darby anyway. You eat bread, so that's a plus. She would never let me eat a sandwich like this." Sharpay said, taking a bite of her sandwich.
"Did Darby control what you ate?" Carolyn couldn't help but ask. You don't spend nearly a decade as a child advocate without picking up on these things.
"She controlled everything. Even what colors I could wear. I'm actually thankful to Taylor for destroying my fall wardrobe. Now I can replace it was stuff I actually like. Chad has been helping me."
"I heard about you two getting kicked out of a department store."
"We weren't really doing anything." Carolyn couldn't help but glare.
"I was young once." Unfortunately, I was married with a one-year-old by the time I was your age, but Carolyn doesn't say that.
"We are taking our time in that regard because of everything." Which makes sense given that she's a sexual assault survivor.
"That's good that you're taking your time."
"It's not even all me. I know you know about Jamie now. I actually held his hand the entire conversation." Carolyn nodded her head. That conversation just happened.
"That left some scars. I'm trying my best to help him recover because I do love Chad."
"I think I figured that out when you refuse to leave Chad alone with his father," Carolyn admitted honestly.
"But I think a part of you was still worried because he's 17 and I'm 18. But I know this isn't just a crush. This is not an immature love or simple lust. How I feel about him isn't going to go away when he gains 50 pounds and starts to lose his hair." She couldn't help but laugh at that.
"So even though you two have only been together a few months, you see a future with him?" Carolyn asked.
"I will never see Chad and me living the white picket fence dream. That's just not us." Sharpay told her.
"But, you see something?"
"Yes, I'm not sure what that is at the moment because I don't think I'm Broadway bound anymore."
"Not as a performer; I can see you there as a playwright someday. Chad sent me The Taming Of The Drama Queen, and it was terrific. You're really talented. Chad didn't exaggerate at all how good it was." Sharpay smiled.
"That's why I see a future with him. I've never had someone who has supported me like him before. I want to do that for him, so I got in that car and made small talk with your idiotic ex-husband and Tiffany. I will never put my future kids through what he's put Chad through."
"So, I will be seeing grandchildren eventually?" Carolyn asked.
"Not any time soon. As I already stated, we haven't done anything that could possibly produce a grandchild yet. We're not planning on it anytime soon. Now Chad will be obsessed with making sure our children are significantly younger than his new brothers or sisters. He was googling foods with edible charcoal in the car." Carolyn couldn't help but laugh.
"At least he's careful."
"I think he's still in the denial phase about the siblings. Although, I hope that he'll get one of each. I can't wait to have more babies to shop for."Sharpay seemed excited.
"I was afraid of that. Will you let me know how he is really handling it? Once Chad starts processing the situation."
"I will. I think Chad is mostly bothered by the fact that Tiffany is only a little bit older than us. The fact that Tiffany implied that the relationship started before the divorce didn't help things. It did start before the divorce, didn't it?" Sharpay asked.
"Yes, but I don't want to get into that right now." It still hurt too much to talk about that and the rest of Charles's infidelity.
"I respect that. I'm going to go bring Chad a sandwich. I assume our interrogation is over for the afternoon?" Sharpay asked.
"For the moment anyway." Carolyn smiled at her.
Xxxxx
Gabby: When can you get me on a flight to Colorado?
Mercedes: So you finally come to your senses and are giving up on Troy?
Gabby: I'm giving up on Ryan being a way to make Troy jealous. He's too close to my mom.
Mercedes: Congratulations on your mother being a cougar. My latest stepdad is only three years older than me. Bonus points for Ryan being rich.
Gabby: Not like that.
Mercedes: Or so you think. I feel like all your friends in high school had a really great time without you. I'm convinced they were all swingers.
Gabby: He arranged for my mom to be there at the spa. Honestly, I think it was a ploy to get me into treatment. I'm pretty sure my massage therapist may be an actual therapist.
Gabby: She asked too many questions.
Mercedes: Stepdad number two tried that with me in high school. So I wouldn't be surprised if your mom did the same thing. If Ryan helped her, then he was obviously never interested in you.
Gabby: That seems obvious now.
Mercedes: Where are you?
Gabby: I crashed Ryan and Taylor's post-breakup makeover.
Gabby: BTW, they're not actually together. They're pretending to be together because Madison contacted Ryan and told him what I was planning. He didn't like the idea of me using him to get to Troy.
Mercedes: I think you've been ambushed into an intervention. Madison probably helped. She's that type of person. I don't even know why she is in our sorority? Did your "massage therapist" mention possible treatment options?
Gabby: She mentioned the program she went through to deal with her pill problem. They have a branch in the San Francisco metro. She also got rid of my spiked cucumber water. I should've known something was up earlier.
Mercedes: She was definitely a professional. So are they planning any other family events while you're there?
Gabby: Family Thanksgiving tomorrow with Ryan and Taylor.
Mercedes: I wouldn't be surprised if there will be an addiction specialist there. Or a crazy doctor. Probably the same one from the spa this morning.
Gabby: Probably.
Mercedes: I can get you out of New York before then but just barely. My agent managed to get you on a flight leaving LaGuardia at 5:30 AM.
Gabby: That means I only have to put up with some mild shopping for dinner attire.
Mercedes: Switch it to a lingerie store. Have a little fun before you get the hell out of there. Ryan is paying, right?
Gabby: Yes. It's why I decided to get highlights. I deserve new hair after everything with Troy. Seriously why would he choose Chad and Sharpay over me? I'm so much better.
Mercedes: Good. Treat yourself.
Gabby: I will.
Mercedes: I'll send you an email with your travel information later. You're gonna love Aspen.
XXXX
Maria M: Hey Vince, it's Maria. I tried calling your office, but Daniel said you were at an outside appointment and wouldn't be back until next week. I thought it would be best to text you instead of leaving a message with him.
Maria M: This morning did not go well. Gabriella couldn't even get through our spa time without having a drink. Not only do I have to worry about the fact that she stopped taking her Prozac, but I also now have to worry about the fact she's self-medicating. Gabriella may be going into full-blown alcoholism.
Maria M: Also, I didn't quite stick to the script and was promptly yelled at by her specialist.
Maria M: Daniel also told me that you're not going to make it in time for lunch. Apparently, your divorce is going worse than mine did. Even if you arrive late, you still need to come to New York. I think Ryan needs you. The divorce is hard on him, mainly because he didn't see what was happening to Sharpay at the time.
Maria M: He did but not soon enough. You have no idea how guilty he feels. It's always hard to find out that your sibling is suffering, and you didn't see it. I know that too well.
Maria M: I had to bury my sister because of it. Gabriella was there when she died.
Maria M: Now, I feel bad having him help with Gabriella when I really think he needs to be in New Mexico with Sharpay. At least Ryan will be coming back for winter break. Also, maybe by that point, he'll be more emotionally prepared. This has been a hard semester.
XXXX
As Maria hit the send button on her last message, she heard a knock at her door. However, before she could even get up, she found an envelope slid under her door. Maria was surprised to see it was from a lawyer's office. Maria quickly opened it only to regret that instantly. She definitely made the right choice blocking Lucy; she was an evil, manipulative, and spiteful woman.
Maria knew everything she was reading had to be true. It matched everything Troy has told her about Kim. He knew she had to call him. Although after four attempts, she decided to send a text message.
XXXX
Maria M: Hey Troy, it's Maria. I know things are going terribly with your mom, so I'm not going to give you an update on how operation intervention is going. We're doing our best, though.
Maria M: I know how bad things are going because your mother called me yesterday to rant about kicking your father out. Which honestly is something that she wanted to do for a while. BTW, all the time she said she was at my house last year, she wasn't.
Maria M: She actually tried to convince me to help you and Gabriella get back together again. She was shocked when I told her I don't want you and Gabriella back together.
Maria M: I'm not going to tell you what she said about Kim. You don't want to know. Your mother annoyed me to the point where I blocked her number, and that's before I found out her real motivations. I'm on your side in this. Remember, your children always come first.
Maria M: Your mom forgot that a long time ago. So did Kim's. They're both evil women. You both deserve so much better.
Maria M: Speaking of Kim's mother, I received a letter from her via her attorney. I'm not going to tell you what's in it, but if you could give me an email or a fax number for your attorney, that would be good.
Troy B: Hello, Maria. This is Marcy Menendez. I'm a paralegal with Rodriguez and Associates. Our firm is representing Troy and Kimberly Bolton.
Troy B: Troy has also received unpleasant messages from his mother and turned his phone over to us to monitor. I'm planning to forward all of the non-Lucy messages to him Friday, as requested. However, since you specifically asked for our help, I thought it was appropriate to reply. Can you please fax that letter to 505-555-2law or email a PDF to Rodriguez_Associates?
Troy B: Also, if you need to contact us directly, please call 505-555-1law.
Maria M: I just sent it to you as a PDF.
Troy B: Is this a good number to call you on? Troy's attorney, Jen, would like to speak with you at your earliest convenience.
Maria M: Yes, I'm available now.
Xxx
Vince: Sorry, Maria. Yes, things are going bad with the divorce. I was in emergency meetings all morning.
Vince: Daniel wasn't able to get me a flight in the morning, but I have one for midafternoon. So we can all have a very late dinner together. It doesn't hurt to have two thanksgivings. I'll make reservations somewhere.
Vince: Or maybe a brunch Friday would work better? I forgot to account for the time difference. I might be getting back to New York Way too late for dinner.
Vince: I'm sorry things didn't work with Gabriella, but we will try again Friday.
xxx
Vince Evans placed his phone in his pocket as he left the garage of the house he barely lived in. He hated the place even more since he found out everything Darby did to Sharpay there. He's not even sure he wants to sell the house anymore. He may just bulldoze it and redevelop the property into a bunch of townhouses. It wouldn't hurt to build something good on the ashes of his life.
However, Vince put those thoughts out of his mind because he knew that Sharpay and Chad were there. Honestly, he wouldn't even bother coming back to the house if they weren't staying there. He prefers his apartment at work right now. Nothing bad happened to any of the kids there.
"Do I need to call the lawyers?" Mr. Evans asked as he walked into the living room and saw Chad's apparent black eye. "What happened?"
"No, I just got into a fight with Sharpay's ex-boyfriend at a grocery store. Fortunately, Sharpay inflicted enough damage to make up for my black eye. My mother/lawyer was with us." Chad replied with a wince.
"Please tell me it was Malick. I would love to have an excuse to kick him out of the school that I can actually use with judiciaries and the board. Beating up our new star basketball player would definitely qualify." Vince said almost gleefully. He's been trying to get him kicked out of school all year, but he hasn't been able to. He can't even get him moved to another class because of his uncle.
"Unfortunately, it was Zeke. What are you doing here? You're supposed to be in New York right now." Sharpay asked.
"I had a last-minute meeting with the lawyers." Mr. Evans said with a sigh.
"I thought you said you were going to focus more on family instead of business," Sharpay said as she walked into the room.
"This was family business. It seems they are having trouble tracking your mother down to serve her with the divorce papers." Vince explained.
"I'm not even surprised," Sharpay said bitterly.
"Thankfully, Daniel is a miracle worker, and he got me on a flight for midafternoon tomorrow. I plan to spend the entire weekend with Ryan in New York."
"Good. I think he would like that. He could definitely use the backup." Chad mumbled the last part under his breath, but Vince still heard him.
"He has Maria. But tonight, you have me. I thought the three of us could go out to dinner tonight. Chad, your mom, can join us if you like." He definitely still owes the woman. "Amanda as well." Vince liked her and really wishes she was a business major instead of premed.
"I wish we could. I much rather be with you than my own father; unfortunately, we already have plans with him." Chad sighed.
"What happened?" Vince asked, even though he already knew that Charles would be bringing his girlfriend.
"Charles showed up at the airport with his very pregnant girlfriend, who he neglected to tell Chad anything about. She is Kim's age." His daughter explained.
"José is nearly Kim's age," Vince mumbled under breath.
"OK, that's just creepy. You're welcome to join us." Sharpay offered. "I'm going to need extra help to keep Chad from punching out his father. It is probably for the best that you're here with us in Albuquerque because Ryan is too busy helping with your little Gabriella intervention."
"So you know about that?" Vince asked, surprised because they were purposely keeping this from Sharpay for the moment.
"When Troy was cursing out his mother yesterday for calling Kim various expletives, he let slip that Gabriella was responsible for turning me into a porn star. Chad and Taylor let me in on the punishment."
"I'm only offering rehab as a possible alternative to jail time for the sake of Maria. She's really been there for Ryan this year. However, if Gabriella is not receptive to treatment, then Carolyn will make a lot of phone calls. Gabriella will suffer the true extent of the law." Vince explained.
"I don't doubt that."
"That seems like something your mom would do," Sharpay commented.
"Have you told your brother about Gabriella's involvement in the video?" Vince asked.
"No, because we were all worried Ryan would push Gabriella out a window, and then he'll be really sad for hurting Maria like that." Chad quipped.
"Also, we like Maria," Sharpay added.
"It's not her fault Gabriella is evil," Chad said just as his phone chimed.
"It's Taylor. And she kind of wants to punch out Gabriella." Chad explained.
"Really, who wouldn't," Sharpay remarked. "I'm going to go upstairs and figure out what I'm wearing for tonight while you're talking to Taylor." Sharpay kissed Chad once before leaving. Vince was surprised she was so comfortable with Chad talking to his ex, but maybe that's because they really trust each other.
XXXX
The ex-girlfriend: I just sent Troy a Text message to express my deep desire to punch out his ex-girlfriend. Only to get a reply from Marcy Menendez, the paralegal. Apparently, Lucy is that evil, and he had to turn his phone over to his attorney.
The ex-girlfriend: Marcy, the paralegal, also told me never to put threats of violence in writing.
Chad: I feel like my mom would completely agree with that. So before you ask, I can't give you Troy's new cell phone number or Kim's for that matter. Troy wants to avoid everybody until he gets through Thanksgiving hell. He is a masochist who is still planning to show up to the great Bolton Thanksgiving to see all his other family members. Uncle Chris does make the best baklava, though. I was hoping the lawyers would talk him out of it, but as far as I know, I still have to show up at 4 PM to be the supportive best friend. You know, in case I have to pull him off of his mom.
The ex-girlfriend: I get that. So I probably shouldn't tell him about Gabriella's weird behavior today?
Chad: No, although I've already heard some things from Ryan. Apparently, she can't get through anything without alcohol.
The ex-girlfriend: Yes. I could smell it. She was really manic at lunch, but now she's super quiet, which is worrying me even more. I caught her crying in the dressing room.
Chad: Sharpay's dad is flying out tomorrow afternoon to help with this. He's also reading this over my shoulder because he's probably curious about the fact I still text my ex-girlfriend.
Chad: He told me to tell you that he will take care of it with Maria. Troy has too much to deal with right now. We need to leave him out of this.
Chad: OK, Vince will threaten her with jail time if she doesn't go into treatment. If Gabriella is as smart as she acted in high school, she will take the deal.
The ex-girlfriend: OK.
Chad: If you want to check up on Troy and Kim and provide him with moral support, I will give you Kim's landline number. However, you have to promise not to mention Gabriella.
The ex-girlfriend: Kim still has a landline?
Chad: Vanessa made her get one.
The ex-girlfriend: That is definitely Aunt Vanessa. I promise not to mention the G-word.
Chad: The number is 505-555-6656.
The ex-girlfriend: Thank you. I'll call him after this.
The ex-girlfriend: Also, try to be careful with the L word. Even though he's been aware of his mother's possible treachery since October, I don't think he realized it was this bad until yesterday. I'm not shocked because she's been nasty to my mom and me for years, but I kept that from Troy. So this really was a surprise for him.
The ex-girlfriend: In hindsight, you probably shouldn't have done that.
Chad: You may be right about that. My new policy is now to tell the truth whenever possible. I am even contemplating coming out to certain family members. Aunt Mariah would be supportive.
The ex-girlfriend: Good policy. She has a wife, so that seems a good possibility.
The ex-girlfriend: So how are you doing? I heard you're not going to be an only child much longer? Do you want condolences or congratulations?
Chad: I don't even know yet. I'm still processing. Troy is closer in age to his own son than I'm going to be to my siblings. This is worse than the age gap between Jack and his sister Liz. This is so weird. Mainly because my dad keeps going after the barely legal. Tiffany is barely 21.
The ex-girlfriend: Because he's really creepy. There's a reason why I always had you come to my place. I'm not even surprised.
Chad: Oh God, he didn't do something like hit on you?
The ex-girlfriend: Yes.
Chad: What did he do? Did he touch you?
The ex-girlfriend: He said something really inappropriate while trying to "hug" me. Then I subsequently threatened to kick him in the balls and make you a guaranteed only child. He let go, and I made sure that I was never alone with him again.
Chad: And I was happy to be at your house because your dad can actually cook. If only you made good on that threat, I think even Tiffany would be grateful.
The ex-girlfriend: He's a nutritionist. Making sure we eat healthy foods is what he does.
Chad: He also doesn't molest your friends or significant others.
The ex-girlfriend: I'm sorry I didn't tell you what he did earlier.
Chad: It's OK. I'm glad you told me now. I have to go get dressed for dinner with my jerk father.
Xxx
"Are you OK?" Mr. Evans asked after Chad just threw his phone at the couch.
"No. I just found out that my ex-girlfriend avoided my house last year because my father propositioned her. I don't know exactly what he said, but it made Taylor so uncomfortable that she never wanted to be around him. Now I'm going to have to have dinner with the man." When deep down, Chad never wanted to see him again.
"I'll go with you. I'm very good at dealing with horrible people." Except for your soon-to-be ex-wife, but Chad kept that thought to himself.
"Thank you. We could use a buffer, and I can't ask my mom to come with us. Not only does she despise my father, but she has plans with Jack tonight. I'm not disrupting that. He needs a break."
"I saw him at my lawyer's office this afternoon," Vince explained.
"Lucy was horrible to Kim yesterday. She tried to break the couple up by threatening to cut Troy off." Vince laughed at that.
"Even if Kim wasn't a millionaire, I would step in to help. I would've stepped in before if Kim told me. She means a lot to me for what she's done for my kids." Vince tells Chad.
"That's good to know. Jack took Troy's side, and Lucy kicked him out." Chad explained.
"Rodriguez and Associates are the best."
"Marcy, the paralegal, even told Taylor not to threaten Gabriella in text message form."
"They are a full-service firm."
XXXX
"Do you want to talk about it?" Troy asked Kim as they finally made it back to the house.
"Not yet. I suspected that it wasn't actually an accident but an engineered attempt for me to have a miscarriage that almost killed me. You know Alex is only alive because I didn't tell her the real date of conception?" Kim was on the verge of tears at that point. The only thing Troy could do was hug her. Although he wasn't allowed to read the letter, Kim told him some of it in the car.
"But she wasn't successful. You and Alex are still with me. I'm so glad you're back in my life." Troy kissed her forehead.
"I'm glad that I'm back too. It just hurts so much."
"Nothing she said in that letter was true," Troy said as he wrapped his arm around her and kissed her on the forehead.
"Outside of her true crime confessions. I could never make Zhēn happy. I do not know why she hates me so much." Kim started to cry harder as she spoke.
"That's not a problem you should concern yourself with. Zhēn is the one with the problem." Troy kissed her forehead. "Think about all those good things your grandfather said about you. You are an amazing person."
"You actually believed that?"
"Yes," he said as he kissed her again. "Your grandfather's lawyer even told me that he cut your mom out of the will and the company because of how she treated you. That actually might be why she decided to confess everything."
"While she's hiding somewhere in China. That seems on-brand for her. It's exhausting." Kim sighed.
"How about I run you a bath? Then after you relax, we work on breaking our Vegas record." Troy said as he leaned over to kiss her on the lips.
Unfortunately, that's when the phone rang. Kim leaned over to see who was calling.
"Unless your mom somehow managed to get a hold of Taylor's cell phone, I think it's safe to talk to this person," Kim said, picking up the phone. "You talk to Taylor because I don't have the energy. I'll meet you upstairs in a little bit, OK." Troy just gave Kim a quick kiss before letting her go.
"Hi, Taylor. How's New York?" He wanted to ask about Gabriella but knew better.
"Not completely horrible. I have new hair and shoes." Taylor responded.
"I heard shoes are very important."
"They make everything better. Anyway, I was just calling to check up on how you were doing. I heard that my little brother may have told your mom about Alex and Kim. Do I need to punish him when I come in for Christmas? Ryan was going to get him a new videogame system, but I can tell him no."
"He would because the Evans twins spoil everybody rotten. I think Kim is going to take care of it in English class Monday. I understand Jason really didn't tell Lucy anything; he just called Kim by her new last name. It just kind of blew up from there." Troy sighed into the receiver.
"I figured that's what happened since your paralegal from your attorney's office returned my last text message to you. I have been informed not to threaten bodily harm against Gabriella in text message form." Troy snickered at that.
"I'm glad my legal team could help. How's it going? Has Gabby agreed to go into treatment yet?"
"Not yet. But apparently, Sharpay's dad is coming tomorrow. He's going to take care of it."
"I was worried about that. If Gabriella doesn't agree to go into treatment voluntarily, he is planning to threaten her with jail time." He doesn't want Gabriella to go to jail.
"I heard. When I was texting Chad to get your number Vince was in the room and told him to tell me. I know you want to protect her but what she did was wrong."
"I know, but I don't think she's well and understands what she did."
"You can acknowledge that someone is not well and also acknowledge that they've done something wrong. That's what my therapist says anyway. I probably should call Makayla."
"You probably should if you keep wanting to punch Gabriella out," Troy remarked.
"I would if I wasn't 100% sure she's probably on a flight somewhere to be with her family. So what's going on with you? How is my little cousin or maybe nephew? It's weird with my Aunt being your son's grandmother. We are one weird family." You have no idea, Taylor.
"Let's go with nephew since Chad and Sharpay have already designated themselves as uncle and aunt, respectively. Actually, so has Ryan, for that matter."
"Aunt Taylor, it is. We're going to go to the big toy store in Times Square Friday for me to pick out goodies for Christmas."
"He does not need more toys. So I have to ask how is Gabriella doing?" Troy asked.
"I don't really want to answer that question, especially because I know you're having a hard time with your mom. You had to turn your phone over to your attorney. That tells me nothing is going right at the moment."
"It is definitely a mess. However, I still want to know what's going on with Gabriella. Even though I was probably in love with Kim the entire time I was with Gabriella, I still care about her. I want her to be OK. I know that she's gotten worse since the breakup." Troy explained.
"She threw a lamp at you and showed up naked in your dorm room."
"Which is a problem. I'm starting to wonder if this goes beyond normal post-breakup denial. Plus, there is the fact that I know Mercedes is manipulating her. Madison thinks that Mercedes was even the one that convinced Gabriella to post everything on the Internet."
"It's possible. I'm not going to tell you not to care about Gabriella because I still care about Chad. I even checked up on him because I know he's having a tough time with his father showing up with his pregnant girlfriend this morning."
"What?" Chad didn't tell him about that. Actually, he hadn't heard from Chad since early this morning when they were texting as he was waiting for his dad to arrive. Despite Troy sending him a few messages from the lawyers' office.
"I guess Chad hasn't had a chance to tell you about Tiffany and his future half-siblings. She's pregnant with twins."
"Chad didn't tell me about that or Sharpay, for that matter." And even if Chad was still processing, Sharpay should have told him.
"He's probably trying to keep the drama away from you. He only gave me Kim's landline number if I provided not to mention Gabriella."
"Which do you felt at miserably," Troy told her poignantly.
"I know. I'm sorry I failed horribly. But I did want you to know about your lawyers. Apparently, they'll send you everybody's text messages Friday." Taylor told him.
"I probably should've given them a list of people I actually want to hear from, but I'm just kind of exhausted. Lucy threatened to cut me off if I stayed with Kim. She also kicked my dad out because he took my side. I'm not even gonna tell you the things that she said to me in text messages because everything hurts right now." And that's not even adding on the stuff with Kim's mom. It's all a mess.
"I'm so sorry. You don't deserve this."
"It's OK." Liar.
"No, it's not, but you will get there eventually."
"I hope so."
"You have a lot of other people that are on your side, including me," Taylor tells him.
"Thank you for that." Troy is still surprised that Taylor was starting to become a better friend now that they live on opposite sides of the country literally.
"In the meantime, Ryan and I will deal with Gabriella. Don't even worry about it."
"Thank you." It was good to have one less thing to worry about.
"Focus on your kid and your girlfriend tonight and fortify yourself for quality time with family tomorrow," Taylor told him.
"I'm having Thanksgiving with your parents, oddly enough. That's going to be the easy part of my day."
"Say nice things about my dad's turkey, and you'll be fine. Oh, and keep Alex front and center because they love little babies." Taylor suggested.
"Will do, although Alex is with grandma and grandpa Kim right now because Kim had a rough afternoon at the lawyers."
"Did her mom do something?" Taylor asked.
"Zhēn sent her a very hateful letter that she won't let me read, along with sending a letter to my father that had him cursing and crying that he also won't let me read. The only thing I know about it is the accident that caused Kim to go into labor early wasn't an actual accident."
"Fuck." Taylor exclaimed.
"It's OK."
"I am glaring at you through the phone right now."
"I will acknowledge that Nothing is close to OK. I promised Kim I would give her a relaxing bath after her horrible afternoon, and I plan to honor that promise."
"Have fun and use protection."
"We will."
To be continued...