Around Midnight
11:43. John stared at the clock display, waiting for the minute to pass. One one-thousand, two one-thousand…. He regretted fighting with Brady, but his regrets didn't end there. He regretted that he didn't know his son, at least, not as well as he knew Belle, Sami, or Eric. Those years in boarding school robbed him of the chance to see what made Brady tick. When he was younger, he was easier to understand. Give that kid a baseball mitt or a chocolate sundae, he was as docile as a newborn. 11:44. But when he became a teen, it was tougher to get through to him. During that time, the only person who could was Belle, but she didn't know enough to ask why he was sad, or confused, or angry. Then again, she loved him, which was what he desperately needed.
Why did he let Brady go away? Why couldn't he have lied and say that the school was too expensive, or maybe, tell him the truth, that him leaving would leave him with half a heart? 11:45. Why didn't insinuate himself into Brady's life, so at least, he could guide him in affairs of the heart? Obviously, Brady needed some help, since he goes to extremes when it came to women. His 'friendship' with Chloe Lane has rendered him vulnerable to any female, waiting for a pushover to worship her. He never pegged Brady as a 'pushover', except where his kid sister was concerned. It seemed like Belle has competition in Chloe Lane. Maybe that's why Brady always gave him and Phillip a hard time about being 'whipped'. Maybe Brady's the mayor of 'Whippington', population, him. 11:46. John took a deep breath and sighed. He could feel Marlena turning toward him and felt her cool hand on his shoulder.
Marlena: (quietly) Okay, John. What's wrong?
John: (sniffing) What are you talking about, Doc?
M: You've been acting strangely all night. You haven't said more than ten words to me, you hardly touched your dinner, and you went to bed at eight. Normally, this would be the recipe for romance, but it's 11:48, we're wide awake, and we're clothed. There is a problem, John. Now, what is it?
John rolled onto his back. As he lifted his arm, Marlena snuggled him, resting her head on his chest. He kissed her forehead and gently hugged her.
M: (quietly) John, please tell me what's wrong.
J: (sighing) It's Brady.
M: Oh, what about him?
J: We had a huge fight tonight.
M: Really?
J: Yeah, Doc. I just don't understand it. I thought we were over the hump, totally in the clear, where he was concerned. But tonight, it was almost as if it was two years ago. He was as angry and hostile as he was when he returned from college.
M: I'm sorry, John.
J: I am too, Doc. I shouldn't have let it ruin tonight.
M: How couldn't it, John? You love him.
J: Yeah, I do. But some of the things he said…
M: Like what?
J: I'm not going into it, right now.
M: Why? Was it about me?
J: No, of course not. In fact, I think that he is much closer to you than to me.
M: John, don't be ridiculous.
J: I'm serious, Doc. I brought up work and he completely dismissed me. Then I brought up a taboo subject, Chloe Lane.
M: How did you go from a conversation about work to a discussion about Chloe?
J: (sighing) It just seems that any man she touches completely falls apart. Look at Phillip Kiriakis. He had himself together, to a degree, and he crawled after her, like a sick pup. I figured that Brady was stronger and more mature than Phillip. Sure, he always proclaimed that he and Chloe shared a 'friendship', but judging from his behavior lately, I overestimated him or rather, I underestimated her. He is flaking out, Doc, and I think it's because Chloe went back to Phillip.
M: Why would you assume that, John? I don't recall Belle, discussing a reconciliation.
J: Maybe she's trying to spare Brady's feelings.
M: I'm sorry, John, but you seem to be reaching. And it seems short-sighted to place the blame solely on Chloe. Which makes me wonder…
J: Wonder what?
M: I wonder whether I'm sharing my bed with John Black or Victor Kiriakis.
J: (sitting up) Where is this coming from?
M: It's coming from the fact that you're blaming Brady's problems on a 17 year old girl. A girl we haven't seen or heard from in months.
J: So you're an advocate for Chloe, now?
M: (annoyed) No, I'm not. But it is irresponsible to single out a teenaged girl for disrupting Brady's work life. The girl is a singer, not a siren, luring men to their doom. Instead of oversimplifying the problem, like Victor does, could you, at least, consider that there's a more complicated reason for his behavior? Stop looking for a scapegoat and look for a solution. When you are ready to rationally discuss Brady, let me know. Good night, John.
Marlena turned away from John, pulling the blankets to her shoulders.
J: Man, I certainly have the magic touch, tonight.
M: (tersely) You certainly do.
J: Doc?
M: Yes, John?
J: I'm ready to talk, now.
M: Are you?
J: Yeah.
M: (sitting up) Okay, as long as I'm talking to John Black.
J: (sighing) I'm worried about Brady. I'm afraid that he's slipping back to his old ways. And the reason why I think Chloe is involved is…
M: Go on, John.
J: Please, Doc, don't take this the wrong way, but he's beginning to act out, like he did when he found out that you weren't his real mother.
M: (hurt) Oh.
J: (touching her hand) I know you didn't mean to hurt him and I think he knows that too. I need to be honest, here. Brady is unflappable, except when it comes to the women in his life. Isabella, Belle and you are his weaknesses and I think that the list now includes Chloe Lane. I know that Izzy B, Belle and you, would do anything to protect his heart, but I can't say the same about Chloe.
M: John, I…
J: My boy is hurting, Doc. Whether it's accidental or intentional, my gut is telling me that Chloe Lane is behind this.
M: (solemnly) John, I hate to say this, but you're right.
J: What? Did Brady confide in you?
M: No.
J: But you do know what's bothering him? How could you keep this from me?
M: Wait a minute, John. I didn't keep anything from you. I only found out about this today…
J: Found out what?
M: (taking a deep breath) Brady is hurting, because of Chloe.
J: What did she do? Is she pregnant or something?
M: No, quite the opposite. She's been gravely ill for the past few months.
J: (turning on the lights) What is wrong with her?
M: (solemnly) She has leukemia.
J: (shocked) Oh, no.
John got out of bed and walked to the bureau, attempting to compose himself. He felt the color leave his face and couldn't stop his hands from trembling. Marlena stared at him as the memories of Isabella's illness assailed him. She got out of bed and walked over to him. She placed her hand on his shoulder.
J: Oh, dear God.
M: John, please look at me.
John didn't turn around.
M: (quietly) Okay, John. You don't have to look at me, just listen to me, carefully. I only found out about this today. Craig must have felt overwhelmed and needed to talk to someone about this. Over the last few months, the Wesleys had to deal with her illness and the added complication of finding her birth father, since Nancy wasn't a match. Chloe had a marrow transplant last month and she's recuperating. The doctors are confident that she will recover, but they are concerned that her energy hasn't returned. And apparently, so is Brady.
J: Brady kept this a secret?
M: Yes. Somehow, Brady found out and agreed to keep this quiet. Everyone at Salem High think that she's doing an independent study, but little do they know…
J: I can't believe that he wouldn't tell me.
M: He made a promise, John. Brady is very loyal when it comes to the people he loves.
J: (turning around) I wish that I can say the same about me.
M: What do you mean, John?
J: I should have had more faith in him, Doc. I told him to forget about her, that he shouldn't waste his time because they had no future…
M: (comforting him) You didn't know, John. Please, don't be so hard on yourself.
Marlena hugged John.
J: (shaken) I… I just can't believe this.
M: I know, John, I know. But at least Brady is a source of comfort to the Wesleys. Ironically, Brady and Chloe's arguments offer the Wesleys some reassurance that she still has some fight in her. Often, she spends her days, in despair, worried about whether she is going to make it. Brady's presence ignites her.
J: That's good, but how long can he do this? He's working full time at Basic Black and helping Chloe. He may be young, but I don't think he can withstand all the stress. Something's got to give.
M: Not necessarily. As Brady's father and boss, you can talk to him. Convince him to reduce his hours at BB or at least, consider easing up on his visits with Chloe.
J: The latter suggestion is virtually impossible. There is no way that he would desert her.
M: That is true. But you two can find some common ground. And he will listen to you, because you were in his position. You know how it feels to see the woman you love slipping away, not that I'm saying that Chloe is at death's door, but you understand. And please remember, we need to keep Chloe's condition a secret. We need to respect the Wesleys' wishes. I do regret violating Craig's trust, but I have faith that me disclosing this to you will help Chloe in the long run. (squeezing John) Don't beat yourself up, John. Everything will work out. You'll see.
J: (to himself) I hope so, Doc, for Chloe and Brady's sake. More than anything, I hope that Chloe will have a happier outcome than Izzy B.
Brady carefully unlocked the penthouse door and walked inside. It must have been midnight by now, and it was a cinch that his father was in bed. Yes, he promised to tell him about Chloe, but he wanted to wait for the right time. As Brady sat on the couch, he admitted to himself that it was his fault that he was late. From the moment he learned if her illness, he engaged in a nightly ritual. After every visit, he would cruise around Salem, visiting landmarks that reminded him of her. Among the many stops were the bowling alley, the basketball court and the park with the swings, the flowering trees and the gazebo. These tours remained motorized, since he didn't have the heart to be within the vicinity, without her. The tours usually lasted two hours and tonight wasn't an exception. As Brady pulled out his wallet, he wished that he would have avoided the urge to patrol, especially tonight. When he pulled out his photo of Chloe, his heart sank at the thought of breaking his promise to her. He studied the dejected expression on her face and thought of the day he took the picture. The culmination of all the disappointments she experienced with Phillip saturated her face and the idea that he was on the cusp of doing that to her made his insides curdle. As he caressed her cheek, he felt a hand on his shoulder.
J: (quietly) Hey, kid.
Br: (turning around and looking up) Dad, there is something I need to tell you.