Chapter 79- Myrtle Snaps

The next few days, Rae was quiet about her thoughts on Myrtle and Stuart starting to date each other but Skye wasn't. Skye kept talking about all the wonderful things Myrtle and Stuart could do with her, and also repeated several times that Stuart should just come to live with them in spite of Myrtle's insistence that it wouldn't be happening any time soon.

Michael was extra kind to Skye after he slapped her. He sent her a dozen roses the next day and took her out for lunch at the Palace before she started her shift. He also listened when she told him she's a recovering alcoholic, so he didn't push her to drink. She decided she was being ridiculous for not sleeping well that night and that she was lucky to have a man like Michael who showers her with so much attention. So, she pushed that night to the back of her mind and decided she needed to what she could to do everything she could to hold on to him, including texting and calling him regularly.

Rae was having another bad day and was throwing up a lot. The pain in her abdomen was getting worse, but she wouldn't let on.

After Skye left for her next counseling session, Erica came over to check on everyone. As soon as she came in, however, Kendall excused herself and went upstairs.

Erica plopped down on the couch between Myrtle and Rae and let out a heavy sigh. "I don't think Kendall is ever going to accept me. I might as well give up."

"Nonsense!" Myrtle said. "Kendall wants nothing more than to have a family with you and Bianca. She just won't admit it."

"Well, I've gone over and above, yet she won't reciprocate."

"She needs time, darling. You have to remember that she is the child in the relationship. Not child by age, but child in role. It's up to you to keep reaching out and eventually she'll come around."

Erica scoffed. "Maybe when Hell freezes over."

"Skye came around for me and Kendall will come around for you too," Rae reassured her. "Just keep making sure she knows you're not going anywhere."

Erica sighed and changed the subject. "Myrtle, we need to talk about you and Stuart."

Myrtle grinned. "We're going out for lunch tomorrow. I couldn't be happier."

Rae lowered her gaze.

"Do you think it's wise to get into a relationship now?" Erica asked. "You lead such a complete and filling life. You have me and Bianca, and you even have Rae, Skye, and Kendall now. Not to mention Opal is our good friend. What more could you possibly need?"

Myrtle reached out and pinched Erica's cheek. "You're cute, I'll give you that. But there's no reason to be jealous or feel threatened. You are growing to accept Rae and Skye, and you will learn to accept Stuart."

"Just look at how uncomfortable Rae is right now. She won't speak up, but certainly she agrees with me."

Myrtle turned to Rae. "Is this true? Do you agree with Erica?"

Rae sighed. "Not exactly. But in a way."

"In what way?" Myrtle asked.

"Well, I'm not jealous and I don't feel threatened," Rae said. "I just have a few concerns that's all."

"What kind of concerns? I thought you liked Stuart."

"Oh, I do, I do," Rae assured. "I like him very much, especially because he was there for Skye so much and was good to her. It's just… he's not that much older than I am. What is he… about five years older than me? It's just a little awkward to think he could be my future stepfather. Plus, he's just gotten divorced. What if Marian decides she wants him back? I don't want you to get hurt."

"Stuart would never hurt me," Myrtle said.

"And I don't know that he can take care of you. He's a sweetheart, he really is. But… he's… I'm just concerned."

"You mean he's slow?" Myrtle asked. "That's why you think he can't take care of me?"

Rae chewed on her fingernails.

"All I've been doing is take care of you, Skye, Kendall, and Erica these past few months and you think that I need someone to take care of me? Yet you won't even consider that maybe Stuart has become my confidante? Besides Opal, who I haven't seen much lately, I don't have anyone to talk to because I'm always either disciplining Skye and Kendall, listening to Erica's latest drama, or feeding you? I happen to care about Stuart, and I enjoy his company. We are going slow, but we want to develop into something more and I don't need either of your approvals. It actually surprises me that Skye is more accepting of it than you are. And after she wasn't accepting of you and John, I can't believe you'd turn around and disapprove me of me and Stuart. Stuart has been nothing but good to all of—"

"Myrtle…" Erica interrupted, and she placed a hand over Rae's pale and clammy forehead. "She's burning up."

Myrtle's mouth dropped slightly when she noticed Rae cradling her stomach.

FargateFargateFargate

Michael texted Skye: What are you up to?

Skye: Waiting for my therapist to call me in.

Michael: What?

Skye: I'll call you right after.

Michael: Why are you in therapy?

Michael: Where is it?

Skye: To talk about my drinking, insecurities, etc.

Michael: Where is it? ? ? ? ?

Skye: General Hospital in Port Charles.

Michael: What therapist?

Skye: Kevin Collins.

Skye: I'm going in now. I'll call you after.

Michael: Go for dinner with me instead.

But Skye turned off her phone and tucked it away as she headed inside.

Skye filled Kevin in on her week, how she was finding ways to help her mother out without feeding her. She also told him about Mother's Day (minus Michael slapping her). But that she hadn't done much to try and find fun things to do with Kendall other than stop fighting with her and the Euchre game they had with Jax and Bianca. He seemed quite pleased with her efforts and said it's showing growth.

"Now, the date you went on last week, have you seen him again?" Kevin asked.

Skye nodded. "We're officially a couple… we're going steady."

Kevin's eyes grew wide. "You don't think you're moving a little too fast?"

Skye shrugged. "Life is short. Michael really cares about me."

"In what ways has he shown that he cares about you?"

"Well, he's very present and likes to shower me with attention. Not to mention he's handsome, charming, and from a very prestigious family."

"And how does he treat you?"

Skye paused for a moment before speaking. "I just told you. He's present and is showing that he'll always be there for me and will focus on me."

By the end of the session, Skye turned her phone back on to find 10 text messages, 20 missed calls, 6 voice messages from Michael, and one voice message from home.

As she turned the corner, she just about screamed when Michael appeared and grabbed her arm and dragged her into the men's bathroom.

Skye's breathing sped up. "Michael… what a surprise—"

He shoved her hard against a urinal and she heard a crack as her side jabbed against the flusher handle. She screeched out in pain and dropped to her knees cradling her side.

"What did you talk about in therapy?" Michael demanded to know. "Did you talk about me?"

Skye started to cry as her chest throbbed with each breath.

"Did you talk about me?" he repeated.

"Good—good things…" Skye cried. "All good."

He knelt over, lifted her arm and kicked her hard in the ribs that were already in severe pain and she shrieked. "Don't lie to me."

"I—I'm—I'm—I'm not…"

He began to stroke her hair. "I am willing to forgive you… if you never go to therapy again."

Skye avoided eye contact with him as tears streamed down her cheeks.

He kissed her hard on the lips. "I still love you, but I can't even look at you right now. Stop making me do this…" He struck her hard across the cheek, then kissed it. "I'll call you tomorrow… and you better tell me that you cancelled going to therapy."

She sat there crying as he took off. Maybe she did make him do it… or maybe not… or maybe she needed to talk to someone about and they'd tell her… She began to sob which only made the pain worse and she finally yanked out her phone… She went to her contacts and hovered her finger over Home… but she couldn't go to her mom about this, not right now… she was supposed to help take care of her, not the other way around when she's sick… She scrolled down to Dad, but it went to voicemail… so she decided to try him at home.

"Quartermaine residence?" Big Alice's voice came through.

"A—A—Alice? I—I need to speak to my father… T—to Alan."

"Is this Miss Skye? Alan is out with Emily right now."

Skye's heart sank.

"Can I take a message?" Alice asked. "Or perhaps you'd like to speak to someone else?"

"N—no… that's… that's okay…"

After she hung up she scrolled through the list again. "Wh—who… d—damnit…" Hayley. Jax. AJ. But she finally ended up calling home anyway.

"Hello?" Kendall answered.

"K—Kendall?" Skye sobbed. "I—I want to t—talk to my mom."

"Are you all right?"

"P—p—please get Mom…"

"She isn't here. Didn't you get Myrtle's message? She and Erica had to take Rae to the hospital. She had a setback."

Skye began to cry harder.

"Skye, what's wrong? You're worrying me. I'm sure your mom's okay, they might have to decompress her again. Skye… what's going on?"

"Will… will you come get me?" Skye asked.

"Yeah… sure. Are you still in Port Charles?"

"Y—yes… at—at the hospital."

"Okay, I'll be right there.