"A Single Yellow Rose" – Chapter Thirty-Nine
"Do you understand these rights as I have read them to you?"
Shawn could only nod as he stared straight ahead, not looking at his parents who were directly in his line of sight or at Belle, who he could see out of the corner of his eye. It was as if a numbness had settled over him the moment the detective starting counting off the Miranda rights that he had heard so many times on television and in movies he could practically recite them by heart himself.
It wasn't until he heard the sharp clank of metal against metal that he blinked himself out of his hypnotic state to see the other detective who had until now, remained silent and motionless, reached into his back pocket for a standard issued set of handcuffs.
"Are…are those really necessary?" Hope gasped as the light bounced off the shiny metal objects.
"It's standard procedure ma'am."
"I know that! I was on the Salem police force at one time!" Hope snapped until Bo reached down and grabbed her icy fingers hard in his grasp effectively silencing her outburst.
"Jay?" Bo asked, watching Belle turning away from her mother's arms to stare down at the handcuffs. "Do we have to use those?"
"There are a lot of people out there," the detective said holding the handcuffs as he saw his higher ranking partner was considering the request.
"You know Jay…we go back a long way and I've never…" Bo stopped and took in a deep breath, "in all these years…called in that marker."
"Damn it Brady," Detective Wagner cursed as he pushed back his open suit jacket, resting his fists on his waist, "until now that is."
"Until now," Bo agreed quietly.
Staring for a long moment at the man he went through the academy with, Jay finally released a pent up breath. "Put 'em away."
"But Wagner…"
"Just do it," Jay said, remembering a night, many years ago, when two rookie cops walked a late night beat near the waterfront when they surprised a couple of kids trying to break into one of the warehouses. One of them had a gun that Wagner hadn't seen and if Brady hadn't rolled into him, knocking him being a trash can while disarming the gunman in one shot Jay knew he wouldn't be standing here about to arrest the son of the man who saved his life. "We'll wait until we are at the elevators."
"If you continue down the hall here you can go through the inner offices and the kitchen avoiding the main ballroom altogether," Marlena quietly offered as she looked intently at Belle who stepped out of her arms.
Wagner nodded in agreement, as he studied the younger Brady who stood in front of him. He trusted Bo's word but he still wasn't sure if his son would try to do something foolish if he thought he could get away with it. "Check it out," he said to his partner.
"I think we're going to head home…I doubt Belle is going to want to stay here at the ball. Call and let us know what happens," John said folding his arms across his chest.
"Will do." Bo replied.
"It might be late before we get home," Hope added, talking a quick glance at her watch.
"It doesn't matter," Marlena assured her. "Belle will probably be asleep but please…we would like to know what happens."
"Will you stop talking about me like I'm not here!"
Belle's outburst surprised everyone but not Shawn. Having seen flashes of her temper earlier, he knew she was getting upset the more their parents talked over her head. How she felt about what was happening to him was another story because from the moment he was unable to deny what the police were accusing him of she hadn't glanced his way at all.
"You're right dad," she continued her voice flat, "I don't want to stay here but I'm not going home either. I'm going down to the police station."
"Belle…"
"Izzy B…"
As John and Marlena started to protest, Shawn reached out for Belle but she quickly backed away from his touch. "I think…maybe it would be best if you went home," he said, trying to mask the pain that filled him when she stepped out of his reach.
"Well right now I don't really care what you think," Belle said hotly, "I'm tired of being protected and I'm tired of being lied to so I'm going to the station." Turning to face her parents, she continued. "Now, you can take me or I'll go out there and find myself another ride but either way…I'm not going home."
"All right," Marlena said quietly, placing a hand on her husband's arm before the temper their daughter had obviously inherited from him erupted. "If that is what you want…your father and I will go with you."
Belle only nodded, her anger quickly fading at her mother's soft words. Turning back around, her gaze flickered over Shawn's parents before it landed on the bruising and scrapes on the side of Shawn's face. 'A hockey game huh' she thought as her eyes suddenly collided with Shawn's. 'That lie just rolled off your tongue so easily.' A tightness settled in her chest as she remembered the sheepish grin he offered earlier leaning against the Penthouse door while telling her how he was forced to deal with a face full of snow to avoid a flying hockey puck.
"Belle…please," Shawn started but the other detective returned cutting off his words.
"Okay," he said, "we're all set to go this way."
"Bo…you go with Shawn," Hope said, "I'll meet you at the elevator."
"Where are you going?"
"Back inside…to get Uncle Mickey," she said before turning and disappearing around the corner.
Shawn continued to stare at Belle, wanting desperately to take away the pain he saw in her eyes that he put there. Even the presence of his father at his side didn't waver his hold on Belle's gaze as he tried to convey what he was feeling wishing desperately that he could have just a few minutes alone with her to try to explain things. He watched the tears that crowded at the corners of her eyes and a piece of him, deep inside, died a quiet death because he knew he was the cause of those tears.
"Let's go," Detective Wagner said, moving to stand next to Bo as Shawn watched Belle step back to join her parents but their eyes never broke away from each other.
"Shawn?" Bo said quietly.
Quickly turning on his heel, Shawn broke free from Belle's gaze and headed down the hall following the detective, the rustling sound of Belle's skirt filled his ears as they all made their way through the kitchen. Once they reached the elevators, he saw his mother and Uncle Mickey standing there. The silver doors silently slide open and Hope, Mickey and the two detectives stepped inside. Then Bo and finally Shawn followed them.
"That's enough people," Wagner said, motioning for the handcuffs from his partner as from the corner of his eye he caught Belle heading for the elevator.
Stopping in front of the still open doors, Belle watched, her eyes wide and unblinking as Shawn extended his hands out in front of him, his fingers curled inward and palms touching as the solid click of the locking mechanism of the handcuffs seemed to reverberate in the small interior of the elevator.
"Oh my god," Belle whispered, pressing her knotted fingers hard against her stomach as the reality of what was happening finally hit her.
"Belle…I…" Shawn's voice cracked as Belle's gaze snapped from his wrists to his face. He watched as a solitary tear escaped and made it's way down her cheek. "Please…I did it…did this…for-"
"Don't!" her whisper was hoarse, her protest cutting off his words even before Mickey could place a warning hand on his great nephew's shoulder, "Don't…tell me you did this for me."
Belle held Shawn's gaze as the doors finally slid close and only then did she reached out to press one palm flat against the cool surface while the other hand tightened into a fist she held taut against her heart, praying it could somehow stop it from breaking in two.
*****
"Have you got feeling back in those toes of yours yet?"
Stopping to lean on Jason's arm, Mimi lifted up the edge of the mink jacket and her dress displaying a shapely calf, ankle and a one of a pair of strappy, high heeled red shoes. "I think so."
"Hmmm…if I ask about the rest of you will I get the same demonstration?" Jason said with a grin as he enjoyed the view.
"It's a good thing my teeth started chattering before you figured out how to undo the rhinestone straps of my dress," Mimi teased in return.
Jason pulled her close to him just as they stepped back into the ballroom. He was still amazed that they had finally gotten things straightened out between them and he was actually holding her in his arms. "Have I mentioned tonight how much I really like your dress?" he whispered against her lips.
"A few times." Mimi said, before accepting his kiss. "Come on…let's get back to the gang."
"Yeah I guess them seeing us together will explain the way I behaved earlier."
"What do you mean?"
"Well when I got back to the table and took your note away from Jan-"
"Jan?" Mimi interrupted him. "Jan had the note I left for you?"
Jason nodded. "I grabbed it out of her hands before she opened it but after I read it all I could think about was you standing outside and freezing…waiting for me…so I took off to get your jacket but I didn't stop to explain what you wrote or where I was going."
"So they probably thought we were fighting…again."
"Yeah…image how surprised they will be when they see us now."
"Oh I don't think they will be too surprised," Mimi said, caressing Jason's cheek with the tip of her finger. "I think they knew…before we even did, or were willing to admit it…that we would end up like this."
"I guess we both can be a bit stubborn," Jason said.
"Remember that the next time we fight."
"Hey…isn't that Chloe up there on the stage?"
Mimi turned around in Jason's arms. "Yeah it is. I wonder what is going on?"
"Maybe it has something to do with Dr. Wesley," Jason whispered, leaning down to place a kiss on the edge of Mimi's ear.
"I don't think so…it looks like she is going to sing, "Leaning back, Mimi looked up into Jason's eyes. "You want to head back to the table now?"
"Nah," Jason replied pulling her close back against his chest, "let's stay here and see what's going on."
*****
On stage, Chloe stepped in front of a microphone stand right out of forties with its tilted, square mouth piece, watching as her mother moved to the far edge of the stage. Nancy offered her a bright smile and quick thumbs up sign.
"T-thank you very much," Chloe said as the applause faded away. Taking a deep breath, she silently prayed it would calm the butterflies that soared around in her stomach. "Those of you who know me or have heard me sing know that opera is my passion but I also love the classics by American composers like the Gershwin Brothers and Irving Berlin and tonight…with this wonderful orchestra backing me up I would like to sing one of those classics for you titled 'What'll I Do'."
Turning back to the bandleader, Chloe offered a small nod of her head before looking back out at the audience, her gaze centered on one table…one boy. Suddenly, the lights dimmed and a spotlight shone down on her blinding her to everyone in the room. She didn't know her mother had arranged it and she found herself blinking furiously as she tried to see past the golden haze. She wanted desperately to sing to just one person tonight and now he was lost from her sight.
'What am I going to do now' Chloe thought. 'Philip was my anchor while I stood up here!' As the first strands of the music flowed over her, she took a step closer to the microphone and closed her eyes…
Gone is the romance that was so divine
'Tis broken and cannot be mended
You must go your way and I must go mine
But now that our love dreams have ended
What'll I do…
When you are far away
And I am blue…what'll I do…
What'll I do…
When I am wondering who
Is kissing you…what'll I do…
What'll I do with just a photograph
To tell my troubles to…
When I'm alone with only dreams of you
That won't come true
What'll I do…
Opening her eyes, Chloe welcomed back the glory of singing as it flowed through her. She had been so afraid that this had been taken from her too…that her voice was another casualty of her past but thanks to her friends and a deep love for singing that nothing could extinguish, Chloe felt like she could step off this stage and soar among the stars.
What'll I do with just a photograph
To tell my troubles to…
When I'm alone with only dreams of you
That won't come true
What'll I do…
Philip was on his feet before the last note faded away. Leading the thunderous applause that filled the ballroom, he felt a familiar ache fill his chest just like every time he heard Chloe sing but this was the first time he ever heard her perform something other than opera. She looked so at home on the stage out in front of the orchestra and at one point cradling the microphone with her hands as she poured her heart and soul in that song. It felt as if she was singing only to him but he guessed a lot of people felt the same way…that was the magic Chloe weaved when she sang.
"Boy she was pretty amazing huh?"
Turning around, Philip found Brady standing beside him, applauding Chloe along with everyone else. "I sure am going to miss her."
"What does that mean?" Philip said, dropping his hands to his side.
"Oh that's right…you don't know do you?" Brady said, turning to look at him. "Not surprising seeing how little you and I talk now a days but I thought for sure Belle would have ignored my wishes and blabbed it to you anyways."
"Blabbed what? And what are you talking about missing Chloe…she's not going anywhere."
"With a voice like that I would have to disagree with you…someday that voice is going to take her very far but right now I'm talking about me. I'm the one 'lighten out…come second semester."
Philip was genuinely surprised by Brady's comment. "Where to?"
"NYU…I've decided to really concentrate on my music and Salem isn't exactly a hot bed of activity in that area." Brady turned back to again at Chloe. "Yep…I'm really gonna miss her and despite what you think Phil and all that's happened between us…you too."
Philip watched as Brady walked away, so absorbed in his thoughts that he jumped when he felt a tap to his shoulder.
"Nice to see you are behaving yourself."
Turning around, Philip found Jason and Mimi standing there and a quick glance downward brought him another surprise as they saw their linked hands. "What's that suppose to mean?"
"Well when we saw Brady heading over here I thought we'd better join you two just in case a referee was needed." Jason said.
"And here we were worried that the two of you would need a referee," Philip said, watching as Jason wrapped his arm around Mimi giving her a quick squeeze. "But I guess we were wrong. Where did you disappear to?"
"He came after me," Mimi said.
"Took the long way around I guess," Philip said, eyeing the mink jacket Mimi still wore.
"It is a long story…I'll tell you later," Jason said. "I guess this was a surprise huh?"
"More than you know," Philip said, turning back to look at Chloe just as Nancy came back out on stage to join her daughter.
"Thank you…thank you so much," Chloe said breathlessly as her mother came out and grabbed one of her hands, pulling her down to lay a quick kiss on her cheek.
"Oh I am so proud of you honey," Nancy gushed. "I could just burst!"
"Thanks mom," Chloe whispered, thankful that the spotlight was turned off and she was able to quickly find Philip in the crowd. The sight of him on his feet cheering for her made her heart start to hammer in her chest. Pulling away, she moved towards to the stairs wanting desperately to be with him…to tell him her amazing news.
"Honey…where are you going?"
"I have to talk to Philip mom," Chloe whispered.
"No wait, wait," Nancy said tugging on her hand, "you can't go yet."
"Mom…I haven't had a chance to tell him-"
"Can I have everyone attention please," Nancy called out, standing on her tip toes to reach the microphone without letting go of Chloe's hand. "My husband and I have the most exciting news and I just can't wait to share it with you all."
"Mom! What are you doing?" Chloe asked.
"You have a just witnessed the wonderful talent my daughter has been blessed with and tonight I am so happy to announce the most special news," Nancy continued, despite her daughter's protest. "My dear sweet Chloe has been accepted into the prestigious New York City High School of Performing Arts and thanks to my family who live in the area, who has offered to open their home to her, she will be starting there next month."
"Mother!"
A stunned silence was quickly followed by applause but all Chloe could do was stare at her mother in astonishment. She couldn't believe Nancy had violated her trust but revealing what they had just learned only hours before the ball tonight when the acceptance letter arrived in the mail.
"I know we will all miss her but this is a once in a lifetime chance and Chloe is just so excited about perfecting her talent and seeing just how far it will take her!"
"How could you do that?" Chloe pleaded, yanking her hand free.
"Sweetie I know we said we would wait to tell everyone but I couldn't help myself," Nancy said, shocked at the stricken look on Chloe's face.
"I told you I wanted to wait…I told you I wasn't sure," Chloe cried, "I said I wanted to tell Philip first… oh on…Philip."
Stunned at Nancy words, Mimi and Jason shared a quick glance before both of them turned to look Philip.
"Did you know about this?" Mimi asked.
Philip felt the anger and hurt filling him until it reached every corner of his being. Unable to look at Nancy and Chloe on stage, he dropped his gaze to the table but the leftover silverware and napkins became blurred as the sting of tears filled his eyes. "It's news to me."
"I can't believe she didn't tell any of us," Mimi continued, "I mean we were sitting here together most of the night so it's not like she didn't have the chance-"
Silencing Mimi with a hard stare, Jason reached out to lay his hand on Philip's shoulder. "Hey buddy…are you okay?"
"No…no I'm not."
"There must be a reason she didn't say anything to you before now," Jason said.
Shrugging off Jason's hand, Philip gripped the back of one of the chairs his mind racing with all kinds of thoughts. Brushing the tears away before they fell, he looked up to see Brady standing a few feet away, applauding the news.
'NYU…I've decided to concentrate on my music…' Brady words rang in Philip's ears meshing with what Mrs. Wesley had just announced on stage… 'Chloe has been accepted into the prestigious New York City High School of Performing Arts'…turning away, Philip tried to force the quickly forming picture out of his mind.
"I wonder if Belle knew anything about this," Mimi said.
"Speaking of Belle…where is she…and Shawn?" Jason asked.
"I…I don't know," Philip muttered. "I've got to get…to get out of here."
"Philip…wait…I'm sure Chloe is going to want to talk to you about this bombshell her mother just dropped." Mimi said.
Shaking his head, Philip slowly backed away from his friends. "No…I've got to go."
Turning around, he disappeared into the crowd just as Chloe appeared back at the table, nodding thanks to well wishers as she brushed past them while the orchestra started playing again. "Where's Philip?"
"Chloe! What is going on? Why didn't you tell us?" Mimi cried.
"Please…I can't get into this right now. I have to talk to Philip…where is he?"
"He just walked away," Jason said, "…seconds ago."
"I've got to find him."
"Chloe…he's really shook."
"I know," she said, "I never meant for him to find out this way. Which way did he go?"
"Toward the elevators."
Gathering her skirt, Chloe took off. Mimi turned to look at Jason. "Should we go after them?"
"Will it do any good?"
"I don't know but they both seem so upset…lord only knows what they are going to say to each other…they might need us," Mimi said. "Besides, I want to get this coat of your mom's back on its hanger."
"Well that as good of an excuse as any to follow them…come on." Grabbing Mimi's hand, Jason headed towards the front entrance.
to be continued…