Chapter 73- Skye Starts to Lose It

When Myrtle finished feeding Rae, there was a knock at the door. Myrtle went to answer and found Renee on the porch. She too seemed a little shocked at Myrtle's pink hair, though she didn't say anything. She came to visit her good friend Rae. Myrtle excused herself to go check on the girls.

"Oh, Rae, honey…" Renee sat beside her on the couch. "I am so sorry. I should've come by sooner. I don't really know what to say. Just know that I'm here for you if you need anything, just like you were there for me during Asa's heart problems."

"How is Asa doing?" Rae asked.

Renee smiled and squeezed Rae's hand. "Only you think about others when you're the one going through so much. Asa is doing much better."

"It was quite the shock for both of you finding out about Ben."

Renee frowned and lowered her gaze. "I've decided to give Ben a chance. I was being way too stubborn before."

"It was hard for you to let Max go. These things take time."

Renee nodded. "Max hurt us so much, especially Asa. Yet I loved him. I still love him. But Ben is our real son and I want a chance to know him. He seems happy with Viki. But Starr is quite the handful. She was when she was living with us too, but now she's so much angrier since her parents were arrested. But enough about my life, what can I do for you?"

Rae smiled. "Just being here means so much to me."

"How are things going with Skye? Last I knew she was opening up to you more."

"Skye and I have grown much closer," Rae said. "But she's still in so much pain. All the time. And I don't know what to do for her. It's always two steps forward and ten steps back."

"Well, she's proven herself at work. I have to tell you, she's so determined to do a good job. She's not like the other dishwashers I've had. She shows up early and usually they all quit by this point. Most times it's because they realize they can't juggle work and school. But Skye isn't a high school student, so it makes a difference. She's really surprised me."

Rae smiled. "Her job is very important to her. Hopefully it's just temporary, but it means a lot to her."

A short while later, the front door swung open, and Erica walked in. "Oh, Myrtle, Rae, you'll never believe the morning I just had. Jackson and David—" She came to a sudden halt when she noticed Renee. "Oh. I didn't know you had company."

"Erica, have you met Renee Buchanan?" Rae asked.

Erica frowned. "Oh, I know all about the Buchanans. The conniving launderers they are."

Rae placed a hand over her forehead.

Renee grinned. "It's nice to see you too, Erica."

Erica crossed her arms and walked over to Rae. "Where is Myrtle?"

"She went upstairs to check on the girls," Rae said.

"And… how are you feeling?"

Rae sighed. "I'm okay."

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When Myrtle found Skye's room to be empty, she went in to find Kendall lying on her bed reading a magazine.

Myrtle stood in the doorway and cleared her throat. "Where is Skye?"

"She got called in to work," Kendall said. "She'll be working late."

Myrtle raised an eyebrow. "And she couldn't use the front door?"

Kendall sighed. "She's mad at you."

"I know she's mad at me," Myrtle said. "Though she's really just mad that Rae is sick and she's taking it out on me. I can take it, but I don't want her to show it in front of Rae."

Kendall turned back to her magazine. "A little too late for that, wouldn't you say?"

Myrtle eyed her suspiciously. "Skye isn't at work, is she?"

"Why would you say that?"

"Because I can tell when you're lying. Plus, I know Skye. I guess there's only one way to find out…"

"What do you mean?" Kendall asked.

"Her boss is downstairs. She'll confirm or deny it."

Kendall groaned.

Myrtle set her hands on her hips. "Where is Skye really?"

"Well… I guess you'll find out sooner or later. She ran away."

Myrtle rolled her eyes and sighed heavily. "Ran away to where?"

"AJ called and wanted her to come to his custody hearing. So, she's going there, then on her date, then she's staying at her dad's because she's mad at you."

"Why does this not surprise me?" Myrtle shook her head. "I think it's wonderful that she goes to support AJ. I wouldn't have stopped her. That is completely different than planning a date when you know you are grounded, especially when you're confused over which man you like. But what I don't like, is her taking off like this because it's going to make it that much harder on Rae."

FargateFargateFargate

At the Port Charles courthouse, all of AJ's family arrived to support him—Edward, Lila, Alan, Monica, Tracy, Ned, Emily, and of course Skye. Even Bobbie and Tony sat on AJ's side. And Elizabeth sat with AJ and his lawyer Alexis Davis. Behind Sonny, Brenda, and his lawyer Diane Miller, sat Jason, Mike, Courtney, Max, and Milo. And to Skye's surprise, Michael Cambias walked in.

He sat with Skye and explained how his family had many dealings with ELQ. And now that AJ was a new business partner with Fusion, he wanted to show his support. While Alan and Monica were prepping AJ, Edward greeted Michael with joy and seemed pleased that he was going to date his granddaughter.

The hearing started off in AJ's favour due to Sonny's criminal record, until Diane pulled AJ onto the stand and asked him about his drinking.

"I'm attending AA meetings regularly—" AJ started to say.

"Answer the question," Diane said. "Are you or are you not an alcoholic?"

"Well, yes, but—"

"And have you ever driven drunk?"

"Yes."

"And did you cause the crash that gave Jason Morgan amnesia?"

He locked eyes with Jason and nodded. "Yes."

"Have you ever been drunk with Michael in your care?"

He took a long pause before answering. "Yes, but—"

"No further questions, your honour."

AJ looked like he was about to cry when the judge announced they would continue further tomorrow. He walked back over to Elizabeth and Alexis, when Skye gritted her teeth and charged over to Sonny and Diane.

She pointed an angry finger at Sonny. "How dare you use AJ's drinking against him?"

"Skye—!" Alan hurried over to him and pulled her back.

"Do you not understand how hard it is!?" Tears started to spill down Skye's cheeks. "He's worked so hard to quit for Michael's sake, yet you won't even lift a finger to protect him from your life! If you really care about that little boy, then you'll just walk away and not look back!"

AJ lowered his gaze.

"Skye, stop!" Alan said.

"Skye, this isn't helping," Monica cut in.

"No, Skye is right." Edward stepped in. "This hoodlum has taken enough from this family, and I won't let him take any more!"

"Sonny has legal rights to Michael," Courtney said.

"Stolen rights!" Edward shouted. "He hung my grandson on a meat hook until he signed Michael over!"

Sonny wrapped an arm around Courtney, and they started to walk away.

"Don't you walk away like that! Don't you walk away from us!" Skye shouted out and pointed her finger at him again. "You are in this until the bitter end, Daddy… uh, Sonny... And it will be bitter. You will wish that you never treated me like this… I mean AJ… do you hear me?"

"Skye, that's enough," Alan said. "AJ hasn't lost yet. He can still win"

"I will do whatever I have to to make sure you don't keep that child away from his real father!" Skye said. "And it'll be a blessing, it won't be a tragedy, because you'd be better off dead than having to deal with me!"

Courtney gaped at her. "You just threatened my brother's life!"

Skye seethed and shook her head. "Don't drop your guard, Sonny. You better sleep soundly in that big house that you've obtained illegally with that big business you love so much, because I'm coming after you when you least expect it. You just watch."

"Skye, come on, I'm taking you home," Alan said.

"Actually, we have dinner plans," Michael cut in and Alan eyed him suspiciously. "I think all you need is a night out to distract you."

"Skye is my daughter and she's coming home with me," Alan insisted.

Skye started to cry again as Sonny and Courtney left. "I want out of here… come on, Michael."

Alan sighed as he watched Michael and Skye leave together.