Hey you guys!
Okay I wanted to just let you guys know a few things about reading this chapter, at first it may seem a little too dramatic to be the second chapter in the story but it does have significance through out the story.......now don't get into thinking right now that the story is a mushy love story because it does take a dramastic turn which Kelly I'm sure will like, cuz she doesn't seem to give me too good of reviews when I write a cheesy lovey chapter......
Justine
_________
The next day Amanda sat on Aiden's bed with him standing in front of her as she straightened his clothes. Harry stood in the doorway confused, all Amanda had told him was to get ready and look nice. She hadn't smiled all morning and when he asked where they were going she just shrugged and said to see someone, all he knew was they were dropping Aiden off with Scott for the day. Amanda was dressed unusually conservative, a pair of fitted black pants with a fitted white sweater.
"You look handsome,"said Amanda quietly to Aiden before she stood up. She looked over at Harry.
"You ready?"asked Amanda to Harry.
"As always,"said Harry. Amanda scooped up Aiden and walked over into her room, slipped on her heels and walked back out.
"Grab my purse please?"asked Amanda. Harry shrugged and grabbed her black bag that was on the table and followed her out the door.
***
An hour later they stood in front of a house in the upper part of town, one Harry didn't recognize. She still didn't tell him where they were or who they were seeing. Her face was hardened at this point and she didn't look, more of determined look like she was doing something she had no choice in the matter. Amanda hit the doorbell and waited next to Harry. Moments later the door opened by a an older man who looked at Amanda with question.
"I'm Amanda,"said Amanda quietly.
"Amanda?"asked the older gentleman.
"Cate's daughter,"said Amanda.
"Oh, we weren't expecting you."
"No one ever does,"sighed Amanda,"Can we come in?"
"Of course," The older man moved and opened the door wider to let them both in, Harry bit his lip, they were there to see Amanda's mother. The house was rose wood all over inside, a pretty penny must of been spend for it.
"I'm Gavin, Cate's husband,"said the man offering Amanda his hand.
"Where is she?"asked Amanda ignoring his hand, she was not in the mood for a little happy family moment.
"Dad, who's at the door?" Amanda looked up to see a tennage girl reflecting Gavin's features walking down the stairs.
"Jamie, this is Amanda, Cate's daughter,"said Gavin.
"Cate? Has a daughter?"asked Jamie.
"Can I see her?"asked Amanda presistantly. Gavin nodded and lead the two of them up the stairs past Jamie. Amanda bowed her head down as they walked down the hall silently til Gavin stopped at a door and opened it. Slowly Amanda walked in first, the room was plush looking with pillows and lace everywhere with the sweet scent of flowers flowing everywhere. On the large four poster bed that sat in the middle of the room was a woman surrounded and covered in a white fluffy comforter. The woman had Amanda's dark brown hair and wide blue eyes, she looked over at Amanda with bitter eyes as a cold look came over her. Amanda walked over to the bed and stood at the side with her arms crossed. Harry and Gavin stood back never having witnessed the tension between both women.
"I'm here," Amanda's voice was monotoned.
"I'm not blind," Amanda rolled her eyes.
"So how was France or wherever you were?"asked Cate bitterly.
"Fine,"said Amanda,"Now you tracked me down what do you want?"
"I'm dying and you ask what do I want?"asked Cate angrily.
"As I said, you're the one who tracked me down,"said Amanda.
"You were always ungrateful,"muttered Cate.
"You were never a mother, so I guess we're even,"shrugged Amanda.
"Who's he?"asked Cate nodding to Harry. Amanda glanced over at Harry then back at her mother.
"My husband, Harry,"said Amanda.
"Husband? What'd he knock you up?"asked Cate.
"No, he waited until after we were married,"said Amanda.
"So I've got a grandchild?"asked Cate.
"No, Dad has a grandson, you well you have what you have,"said Amanda. She watched as her mother's face changed, it went from stone hard to one of some self pity.
"Do you have a picture of him?"asked Cate softening her voice. Amanda uncrossed her arms and held her purse up, opening it she pulled out her wallet and opened it. As she pulled out some recent picture of Aiden she walked over to the bed and handed them to Cate. The older woman took them and looked at them, he was a reflection of Amanda and ultimately of herself, dark brown hair, stunningly blue eyes and that flawless creamy skin.
"His name?"
"Aiden,"said Amanda,"He was born in Paris." Cate nodded as she went back to looking at the pictures.
"May I keep one?"asked Cate.
"I suppose,"shrugged Amanda. Cate nodded as she carefully rested the picture in her lap then looked back at her daughter.
"Well I'll get on to why I called you here,"said Cate,"I rewrote my will."
"So?"asked Amanda expecting her to tell her ruefully that she was written out or she was leaving her something incrediably inane.
"You will get everything," Amanda looked at her mother surprised, it was the last thing she expected to hear.
"Cate, we never discussed this,"said Gavin, then it became clear to Amanda why. Looking over at Gavin, she looked past the expensive clothing and posh exterior and seen the desperate alert look he wore.
"Gavin, shut up,"snapped Cate.
"I don't want it,"said Amanda,"Give it to him and whatever her name is, they obviously want it," said Amanda stressing the word 'obviously'.
"Then give it to Aiden,"said Cate.
"Cate do you even realize how much you are talking about?"asked Gavin.
"I do,"said Cate sternly to her husband. Amanda sighed and shook her head, looking at Harry she gave him a defeated look, she never lied to him when she said her family was crazy.
"Okay, I have a question. Why?"asked Amanda,"Why after all these years of being no more than a simple stranger to me, after all the hurtful words, after all those years of not being a mother and being more concerned about work, or your social life or whatever, after kicking me out of my home, why are you giving me everything?"
"Because who else am I going to give it to?"asked Cate blatantly like it was an obvious answer to everyone but Amanda.
"What is this some sort of redemtion to yourself?"asked Amanda,"Make you feel better or something? Ya know you gotta a pretty nice set up here, nice house, nice family, no mistakes the second time around?"
"Is that what you believe?"asked Cate.
"That is what I know, do you even realize what you had me thinking about my family for eighteen years, it wasn't until I was with Dad that I realized how much you tore apart any chance we might of had,"said Amanda,"And it had been so fucking hard for me, so goddamn hard for me to have a normal proper marriage and to raise my child because I haven't a fucking clue how to because the only way I know how is to make everyone around me miserable." Amanda shook her head, it was never going to get through to Cate, not in a million years and all she was doing now was wasting her breathe and dragging painful memories out in front of Harry that didn't need any more attention.
"Ya know what you do what you want,"said Amanda,"You have a good life, whatever you got left of one." Amanda turned to leave, she walked with her head down towards the door. She only stopped when she looked over at the dresser, her eyes caught something on the dresser and she walked towards it to get the object.
"You have cancer, and you still smoke?"asked Amanda sarcastically as she picked up the pack of cigarettes and held them up.
"Well it can't kill me twice,"shrugged Cate,"Give them over?" Amanda threw the pack at her mother on the bed, watching them land a foot away from her mother. Amanda looked over at Gavin who stood there with an annoyed look on his face.
"You let her smoke?"asked Amanda,"What the fuck is wrong with you?"
"He doesn't let me do anything,"barked Cate,"I do what I want."
"This is retarded,"muttered Amanda.
"Well now that you've got them bring them over to me,"said Cate. Amanda walked over to the bed and carelessly tossed them down in front of Cate.
"I'm gonna go now, there's not much more to talk about,"said Amanda softly.
"I want to talk to you alone for a moment,"said Cate looking at Amanda,"Then you." Cate looked over at Harry who watched the whole thing with amazement,"I want to talk to you alone as well."
"Cate,"sighed Amanda not wanting her or Harry to have to talk to her mother for any amount of time alone.
"Now,"demanded Cate,"You two leave." Amanda smirked, as she watched them leave.
"Wait,"called Cate,"Harry, Harry is it?" Amanda nodded as Harry stopped in the door way.
"I want to talk to you first, Amanda will just make you leave if I talk to her first,"said Cate as she waved him in.
"Well I'm not going to leave,"stated Amanda.
"Why do you think I'm going to make some move on him?"asked Cate,"Honey, he may be an attractive man but he's had you paw all over him, I don't shit in my own bed." Amanda stood there slightly offended before turning and leaving.
"Fine, but don't think he's gonna believe all your sadistic lies about me,"said Amanda leaving the room and slamming the door behind her. She stood outside the door and looked around ruefully at the little life her mother had set up for herself. In Paris she had gotten a call from her mother's lawyer explaining she had cancer and wasn't expected to live much longer, it wasn't Amanda's reason to rush home but she was curious about what her mother wanted.
Inside the room Cate motioned for Harry to take a seat next to the bed. Quietly Harry took a seat, he had never met this woman before in his life but he had heard of her and what he had heard was that she was cold and heartless, she was the source of Amanda's ability of be ruthless when she wanted to be. Now he looked at her, an older verion of Amanda, she had that stone look on her face Amanda often had when she was mad or being dead serious.
"Marry your students often?" Cate's words surprised him, he certainly wasn't expecting that as her first words to him.
"Don't look that surprised, when I had her tracked down to were in the picture, I had you checked out,"said Cate,"I came quite close to calling Scott up, have a good laugh at him for for pretending to be the best parent in the world when his own daughter was messing around with her teacher in his school."
"Pardon?"asked Harry not quite knowing how she knew so much.
"I'm not stupid, you just don't take a girl to Spain without bedding her first,"explained Cate,"Now look I don't you letting her do anything stupid, in a little while my money will be her's, she can do with it as she pleases I don' care."
"I think she wants you to give it to someone else,"said Harry softly.
"I know I know but that damn husband and step daughter of mine aren't getting a penny of it,"said Cate taking a drag from her cigarette,"I know she doesn't care at all what happens to me and for all it's worth the feelings are neutral, but I have no one else to give this money to and it's a nice amount."
"I'll talk to her,"said Harry nodding.
"Well go get her, she's probably trying to rip someone apart out there,"said Cate waving towards the door. Harry nodded and got up, one thing he could confirm was that their families were dysfunctional in everyway possible. Opening the door he found Amanda standing there waiting for him.
"She wants to talk to you,"said Harry.
"Tough luck, let's go,"said Amanda turning. She went to walk away but Harry grabbed her shoulder gentily. Amanda turned rolling her eyes at her husband, she couldn't even imagine what her mother had said to him.
"Please?"asked Harry. He had that look on his face, that one he had mastered to an art, that one that broke down every defense she had and made her do anything for him, she had her own of course that could turn him to mush but it killed her to know he could do the same to her. Amanda crossed her arms and stormed into the room like a pouting child loudly slamming the door behind her.
"What the hell do you want now?"asked Amanda.
"Come here,"commanded Cate softly. Amanda stood there debating silently in her mind if she should go or not, finally she decided and walked over plunking herself heavily on the bed.
"What?"asked Amanda.
"I've seen you in some magazines,"said Cate.
"So?"asked Amanda. Cate shook her head, her daughter was almost a replica of herself, stubborn and set in her own ways, if the two of them were ever to go to war against someone they'd be dead in moments.
"I was impressed,"said Cate,"My lawyer said you were quite accomplished in your life in Paris."
"Big shock huh? The whore was good at something,"said Amanda sarcastically.
"You've done quite alot, you've accomplished yourself, you've gotten married and had a child,"said Cate.
"I suppose in this family falling in love and not being self centred and selfish is an accomplishment,"said Amanda.
"Harry seems like a suitable man,"said Cate slightly changing the subject.
"If he wasn't I wouldn't have married him,"said Amanda.
"Nor slept with your teacher,"said Cate. Amanda looked at her with a creased brow.
"I'm not stupid, I can figure things like that out,"said Cate,"Now on to what I really wanted to talk to you about."
"Go on,"said Amanda dully.
"Well soon, I'm going to have to give up and come to terms that I will soon be at the end of my road,"said Cate,"The doctors have only given me a couple of months, anyday I will be in the hospital, they've explained it all to me, ultimately I won't be able to keep myself alive."
"Yeah,"said Amanda.
"I have given my lawyer the authority to give you the right to in other words pull the plug,"said Cate,"There's honestly no reason to keep myself as a vegetable hooked up to god knows how many machines."
"And your husband isn't capable of this?"asked Amanda.
"He's a fool, he'd keep me alive for the rest of his foresaken life,"muttered Cate,"Plus, I figure after having me for a mother I might as well give you the right to end my life."
"Is this a guilt trip or something?"asked Amanda.
"No I am dead serious,"said Cate,"If anyone is going to cut of my life, I want it to be you." Amanda shook her head in disbelief and looked off into space.
"I don't want to do it,"said Amanda.
"Look I've never asked anything from you,"stated Cate.
"Well it's not like you had any right to,"said Amanda loudly in an accusing tone,"You were shit for a mother, and you still are."
"That's because I never wanted you,"said Cate. Amanda looked at her like she had just been slapped in the face. Cate shook her head at the choice of words she had used.
"I never wanted you in a sense that I didn't want kids, you were unplanned,"said Cate,"I never wanted kids, I wasn't cut out for kids."
"Well you made that pretty damn obvious,"snapped Amanda.
"I didn't know what to do with you, you grew up and just seemed to learn things on your own,"said Cate,"You did what I couldn't. You have the family, I couldn't do that. I should've let your father raise you."
"That's a sorry excuse,"muttered Amanda holding back tears, it was a heavy burden hitting her with all of this.
"I never said it was one,"said Cate,"I only married this bastard because I could aquire more money from him." Amanda slowly picked up the disguarded pack of cigarettes from the bed and looked at her mother.
"You shouldn't smoke these,"said Amanda softly. She looked away from her as sat there at the edge of the bed.
"I'm never going to say I'm sorry but you should've had better,"said Cate.
"No kidding,"scoffed Amanda quietly.
"You can go now,"said Cate,"My lawyer will call you when I go into the hospital." Amanda nodded and got up off the bed, without looking back she walked to the door. Walking out into the hallway she seen Gavin and Harry waiting for her. Looking over Gavin sullenly she held the pack of cigarettes out to him.
"Throw these away,"said Amanda softly before looking over at Harry who looked at her with concern,"Let's go." Harry wrapped his arm around her and left the house with her.
In the car Amanda was quiet as she sat in the passenger's seat this time, she stared out the window with glassy eyes. Harry didn't want to bother her yet with it, he figured he would take her home for a bit and let her pull herself together from whatever her mother had said to her before they brought Aiden home, he even considered calling Scott to see if Aiden would be able to spend the night with him. As they pulled into parking lot Amanda looked over at Harry with a drained look on her face.
"Can you go pick Aide up now?"asked Amanda.
"We can get him later,"said Harry softly.
"No I want him now,"said Amanda softly.
"Maybe you should take a little time alone,"said Harry.
"Please?"asked Amanda. Harry nodded.
"Are you gonna be okay alone?"asked Harry. Amanda just sat there like she hadn't even heard Harry's question. Harry shook his head and pulled into their parking space. Getting out of the car he walked around to Amanda's side and opened the door. Reaching down he practically pulled her out of the car.
"You and me are going to have some time,"said Harry as he shut the door.
"But,"stuttered Amanda.
"Aide will be okay with your dad,"said Harry reassuringly.
********
Harry sat in bed with Amanda resting her head in his lap. Softly he stroked her hair, she had been quiet since she got home, he could tell he was crying. He had still been reluctant to ask her what had gone on. He watched as she sat up and looked at him with tear streaked cheeks.
"She wants me to pull the plug,"said Amanda softly.
"What?"asked Harry.
"She said she was going to be in the hospital soon and when it comes time, she wants me to be the one to decide to cut her off of life support,"said Amanda,"In some weird way it's her being a mother."
"What did you say?"asked Harry.
"I suppose,"shrugged Amanda,"She told me a lot of stuff I didn't want to know."
"Hun it's okay,"said Harry hugging her,"You're gonna be okay."
"Can you get Aide now?"asked Amanda as she pulled back. Harry nodded as he sat back, he leaned over and kissed her forehead.
"Are you gonna be okay?"asked Harry. Amanda nodded.
"I'm gonna take a nap,"said Amanda settling down into the pillow. Harry climbed off the bed watching her as he pulled on his jacket. Amanda smiled slightly at him as she pulled the covers close up around her.
Okay I wanted to just let you guys know a few things about reading this chapter, at first it may seem a little too dramatic to be the second chapter in the story but it does have significance through out the story.......now don't get into thinking right now that the story is a mushy love story because it does take a dramastic turn which Kelly I'm sure will like, cuz she doesn't seem to give me too good of reviews when I write a cheesy lovey chapter......
Justine
_________
The next day Amanda sat on Aiden's bed with him standing in front of her as she straightened his clothes. Harry stood in the doorway confused, all Amanda had told him was to get ready and look nice. She hadn't smiled all morning and when he asked where they were going she just shrugged and said to see someone, all he knew was they were dropping Aiden off with Scott for the day. Amanda was dressed unusually conservative, a pair of fitted black pants with a fitted white sweater.
"You look handsome,"said Amanda quietly to Aiden before she stood up. She looked over at Harry.
"You ready?"asked Amanda to Harry.
"As always,"said Harry. Amanda scooped up Aiden and walked over into her room, slipped on her heels and walked back out.
"Grab my purse please?"asked Amanda. Harry shrugged and grabbed her black bag that was on the table and followed her out the door.
***
An hour later they stood in front of a house in the upper part of town, one Harry didn't recognize. She still didn't tell him where they were or who they were seeing. Her face was hardened at this point and she didn't look, more of determined look like she was doing something she had no choice in the matter. Amanda hit the doorbell and waited next to Harry. Moments later the door opened by a an older man who looked at Amanda with question.
"I'm Amanda,"said Amanda quietly.
"Amanda?"asked the older gentleman.
"Cate's daughter,"said Amanda.
"Oh, we weren't expecting you."
"No one ever does,"sighed Amanda,"Can we come in?"
"Of course," The older man moved and opened the door wider to let them both in, Harry bit his lip, they were there to see Amanda's mother. The house was rose wood all over inside, a pretty penny must of been spend for it.
"I'm Gavin, Cate's husband,"said the man offering Amanda his hand.
"Where is she?"asked Amanda ignoring his hand, she was not in the mood for a little happy family moment.
"Dad, who's at the door?" Amanda looked up to see a tennage girl reflecting Gavin's features walking down the stairs.
"Jamie, this is Amanda, Cate's daughter,"said Gavin.
"Cate? Has a daughter?"asked Jamie.
"Can I see her?"asked Amanda presistantly. Gavin nodded and lead the two of them up the stairs past Jamie. Amanda bowed her head down as they walked down the hall silently til Gavin stopped at a door and opened it. Slowly Amanda walked in first, the room was plush looking with pillows and lace everywhere with the sweet scent of flowers flowing everywhere. On the large four poster bed that sat in the middle of the room was a woman surrounded and covered in a white fluffy comforter. The woman had Amanda's dark brown hair and wide blue eyes, she looked over at Amanda with bitter eyes as a cold look came over her. Amanda walked over to the bed and stood at the side with her arms crossed. Harry and Gavin stood back never having witnessed the tension between both women.
"I'm here," Amanda's voice was monotoned.
"I'm not blind," Amanda rolled her eyes.
"So how was France or wherever you were?"asked Cate bitterly.
"Fine,"said Amanda,"Now you tracked me down what do you want?"
"I'm dying and you ask what do I want?"asked Cate angrily.
"As I said, you're the one who tracked me down,"said Amanda.
"You were always ungrateful,"muttered Cate.
"You were never a mother, so I guess we're even,"shrugged Amanda.
"Who's he?"asked Cate nodding to Harry. Amanda glanced over at Harry then back at her mother.
"My husband, Harry,"said Amanda.
"Husband? What'd he knock you up?"asked Cate.
"No, he waited until after we were married,"said Amanda.
"So I've got a grandchild?"asked Cate.
"No, Dad has a grandson, you well you have what you have,"said Amanda. She watched as her mother's face changed, it went from stone hard to one of some self pity.
"Do you have a picture of him?"asked Cate softening her voice. Amanda uncrossed her arms and held her purse up, opening it she pulled out her wallet and opened it. As she pulled out some recent picture of Aiden she walked over to the bed and handed them to Cate. The older woman took them and looked at them, he was a reflection of Amanda and ultimately of herself, dark brown hair, stunningly blue eyes and that flawless creamy skin.
"His name?"
"Aiden,"said Amanda,"He was born in Paris." Cate nodded as she went back to looking at the pictures.
"May I keep one?"asked Cate.
"I suppose,"shrugged Amanda. Cate nodded as she carefully rested the picture in her lap then looked back at her daughter.
"Well I'll get on to why I called you here,"said Cate,"I rewrote my will."
"So?"asked Amanda expecting her to tell her ruefully that she was written out or she was leaving her something incrediably inane.
"You will get everything," Amanda looked at her mother surprised, it was the last thing she expected to hear.
"Cate, we never discussed this,"said Gavin, then it became clear to Amanda why. Looking over at Gavin, she looked past the expensive clothing and posh exterior and seen the desperate alert look he wore.
"Gavin, shut up,"snapped Cate.
"I don't want it,"said Amanda,"Give it to him and whatever her name is, they obviously want it," said Amanda stressing the word 'obviously'.
"Then give it to Aiden,"said Cate.
"Cate do you even realize how much you are talking about?"asked Gavin.
"I do,"said Cate sternly to her husband. Amanda sighed and shook her head, looking at Harry she gave him a defeated look, she never lied to him when she said her family was crazy.
"Okay, I have a question. Why?"asked Amanda,"Why after all these years of being no more than a simple stranger to me, after all the hurtful words, after all those years of not being a mother and being more concerned about work, or your social life or whatever, after kicking me out of my home, why are you giving me everything?"
"Because who else am I going to give it to?"asked Cate blatantly like it was an obvious answer to everyone but Amanda.
"What is this some sort of redemtion to yourself?"asked Amanda,"Make you feel better or something? Ya know you gotta a pretty nice set up here, nice house, nice family, no mistakes the second time around?"
"Is that what you believe?"asked Cate.
"That is what I know, do you even realize what you had me thinking about my family for eighteen years, it wasn't until I was with Dad that I realized how much you tore apart any chance we might of had,"said Amanda,"And it had been so fucking hard for me, so goddamn hard for me to have a normal proper marriage and to raise my child because I haven't a fucking clue how to because the only way I know how is to make everyone around me miserable." Amanda shook her head, it was never going to get through to Cate, not in a million years and all she was doing now was wasting her breathe and dragging painful memories out in front of Harry that didn't need any more attention.
"Ya know what you do what you want,"said Amanda,"You have a good life, whatever you got left of one." Amanda turned to leave, she walked with her head down towards the door. She only stopped when she looked over at the dresser, her eyes caught something on the dresser and she walked towards it to get the object.
"You have cancer, and you still smoke?"asked Amanda sarcastically as she picked up the pack of cigarettes and held them up.
"Well it can't kill me twice,"shrugged Cate,"Give them over?" Amanda threw the pack at her mother on the bed, watching them land a foot away from her mother. Amanda looked over at Gavin who stood there with an annoyed look on his face.
"You let her smoke?"asked Amanda,"What the fuck is wrong with you?"
"He doesn't let me do anything,"barked Cate,"I do what I want."
"This is retarded,"muttered Amanda.
"Well now that you've got them bring them over to me,"said Cate. Amanda walked over to the bed and carelessly tossed them down in front of Cate.
"I'm gonna go now, there's not much more to talk about,"said Amanda softly.
"I want to talk to you alone for a moment,"said Cate looking at Amanda,"Then you." Cate looked over at Harry who watched the whole thing with amazement,"I want to talk to you alone as well."
"Cate,"sighed Amanda not wanting her or Harry to have to talk to her mother for any amount of time alone.
"Now,"demanded Cate,"You two leave." Amanda smirked, as she watched them leave.
"Wait,"called Cate,"Harry, Harry is it?" Amanda nodded as Harry stopped in the door way.
"I want to talk to you first, Amanda will just make you leave if I talk to her first,"said Cate as she waved him in.
"Well I'm not going to leave,"stated Amanda.
"Why do you think I'm going to make some move on him?"asked Cate,"Honey, he may be an attractive man but he's had you paw all over him, I don't shit in my own bed." Amanda stood there slightly offended before turning and leaving.
"Fine, but don't think he's gonna believe all your sadistic lies about me,"said Amanda leaving the room and slamming the door behind her. She stood outside the door and looked around ruefully at the little life her mother had set up for herself. In Paris she had gotten a call from her mother's lawyer explaining she had cancer and wasn't expected to live much longer, it wasn't Amanda's reason to rush home but she was curious about what her mother wanted.
Inside the room Cate motioned for Harry to take a seat next to the bed. Quietly Harry took a seat, he had never met this woman before in his life but he had heard of her and what he had heard was that she was cold and heartless, she was the source of Amanda's ability of be ruthless when she wanted to be. Now he looked at her, an older verion of Amanda, she had that stone look on her face Amanda often had when she was mad or being dead serious.
"Marry your students often?" Cate's words surprised him, he certainly wasn't expecting that as her first words to him.
"Don't look that surprised, when I had her tracked down to were in the picture, I had you checked out,"said Cate,"I came quite close to calling Scott up, have a good laugh at him for for pretending to be the best parent in the world when his own daughter was messing around with her teacher in his school."
"Pardon?"asked Harry not quite knowing how she knew so much.
"I'm not stupid, you just don't take a girl to Spain without bedding her first,"explained Cate,"Now look I don't you letting her do anything stupid, in a little while my money will be her's, she can do with it as she pleases I don' care."
"I think she wants you to give it to someone else,"said Harry softly.
"I know I know but that damn husband and step daughter of mine aren't getting a penny of it,"said Cate taking a drag from her cigarette,"I know she doesn't care at all what happens to me and for all it's worth the feelings are neutral, but I have no one else to give this money to and it's a nice amount."
"I'll talk to her,"said Harry nodding.
"Well go get her, she's probably trying to rip someone apart out there,"said Cate waving towards the door. Harry nodded and got up, one thing he could confirm was that their families were dysfunctional in everyway possible. Opening the door he found Amanda standing there waiting for him.
"She wants to talk to you,"said Harry.
"Tough luck, let's go,"said Amanda turning. She went to walk away but Harry grabbed her shoulder gentily. Amanda turned rolling her eyes at her husband, she couldn't even imagine what her mother had said to him.
"Please?"asked Harry. He had that look on his face, that one he had mastered to an art, that one that broke down every defense she had and made her do anything for him, she had her own of course that could turn him to mush but it killed her to know he could do the same to her. Amanda crossed her arms and stormed into the room like a pouting child loudly slamming the door behind her.
"What the hell do you want now?"asked Amanda.
"Come here,"commanded Cate softly. Amanda stood there debating silently in her mind if she should go or not, finally she decided and walked over plunking herself heavily on the bed.
"What?"asked Amanda.
"I've seen you in some magazines,"said Cate.
"So?"asked Amanda. Cate shook her head, her daughter was almost a replica of herself, stubborn and set in her own ways, if the two of them were ever to go to war against someone they'd be dead in moments.
"I was impressed,"said Cate,"My lawyer said you were quite accomplished in your life in Paris."
"Big shock huh? The whore was good at something,"said Amanda sarcastically.
"You've done quite alot, you've accomplished yourself, you've gotten married and had a child,"said Cate.
"I suppose in this family falling in love and not being self centred and selfish is an accomplishment,"said Amanda.
"Harry seems like a suitable man,"said Cate slightly changing the subject.
"If he wasn't I wouldn't have married him,"said Amanda.
"Nor slept with your teacher,"said Cate. Amanda looked at her with a creased brow.
"I'm not stupid, I can figure things like that out,"said Cate,"Now on to what I really wanted to talk to you about."
"Go on,"said Amanda dully.
"Well soon, I'm going to have to give up and come to terms that I will soon be at the end of my road,"said Cate,"The doctors have only given me a couple of months, anyday I will be in the hospital, they've explained it all to me, ultimately I won't be able to keep myself alive."
"Yeah,"said Amanda.
"I have given my lawyer the authority to give you the right to in other words pull the plug,"said Cate,"There's honestly no reason to keep myself as a vegetable hooked up to god knows how many machines."
"And your husband isn't capable of this?"asked Amanda.
"He's a fool, he'd keep me alive for the rest of his foresaken life,"muttered Cate,"Plus, I figure after having me for a mother I might as well give you the right to end my life."
"Is this a guilt trip or something?"asked Amanda.
"No I am dead serious,"said Cate,"If anyone is going to cut of my life, I want it to be you." Amanda shook her head in disbelief and looked off into space.
"I don't want to do it,"said Amanda.
"Look I've never asked anything from you,"stated Cate.
"Well it's not like you had any right to,"said Amanda loudly in an accusing tone,"You were shit for a mother, and you still are."
"That's because I never wanted you,"said Cate. Amanda looked at her like she had just been slapped in the face. Cate shook her head at the choice of words she had used.
"I never wanted you in a sense that I didn't want kids, you were unplanned,"said Cate,"I never wanted kids, I wasn't cut out for kids."
"Well you made that pretty damn obvious,"snapped Amanda.
"I didn't know what to do with you, you grew up and just seemed to learn things on your own,"said Cate,"You did what I couldn't. You have the family, I couldn't do that. I should've let your father raise you."
"That's a sorry excuse,"muttered Amanda holding back tears, it was a heavy burden hitting her with all of this.
"I never said it was one,"said Cate,"I only married this bastard because I could aquire more money from him." Amanda slowly picked up the disguarded pack of cigarettes from the bed and looked at her mother.
"You shouldn't smoke these,"said Amanda softly. She looked away from her as sat there at the edge of the bed.
"I'm never going to say I'm sorry but you should've had better,"said Cate.
"No kidding,"scoffed Amanda quietly.
"You can go now,"said Cate,"My lawyer will call you when I go into the hospital." Amanda nodded and got up off the bed, without looking back she walked to the door. Walking out into the hallway she seen Gavin and Harry waiting for her. Looking over Gavin sullenly she held the pack of cigarettes out to him.
"Throw these away,"said Amanda softly before looking over at Harry who looked at her with concern,"Let's go." Harry wrapped his arm around her and left the house with her.
In the car Amanda was quiet as she sat in the passenger's seat this time, she stared out the window with glassy eyes. Harry didn't want to bother her yet with it, he figured he would take her home for a bit and let her pull herself together from whatever her mother had said to her before they brought Aiden home, he even considered calling Scott to see if Aiden would be able to spend the night with him. As they pulled into parking lot Amanda looked over at Harry with a drained look on her face.
"Can you go pick Aide up now?"asked Amanda.
"We can get him later,"said Harry softly.
"No I want him now,"said Amanda softly.
"Maybe you should take a little time alone,"said Harry.
"Please?"asked Amanda. Harry nodded.
"Are you gonna be okay alone?"asked Harry. Amanda just sat there like she hadn't even heard Harry's question. Harry shook his head and pulled into their parking space. Getting out of the car he walked around to Amanda's side and opened the door. Reaching down he practically pulled her out of the car.
"You and me are going to have some time,"said Harry as he shut the door.
"But,"stuttered Amanda.
"Aide will be okay with your dad,"said Harry reassuringly.
********
Harry sat in bed with Amanda resting her head in his lap. Softly he stroked her hair, she had been quiet since she got home, he could tell he was crying. He had still been reluctant to ask her what had gone on. He watched as she sat up and looked at him with tear streaked cheeks.
"She wants me to pull the plug,"said Amanda softly.
"What?"asked Harry.
"She said she was going to be in the hospital soon and when it comes time, she wants me to be the one to decide to cut her off of life support,"said Amanda,"In some weird way it's her being a mother."
"What did you say?"asked Harry.
"I suppose,"shrugged Amanda,"She told me a lot of stuff I didn't want to know."
"Hun it's okay,"said Harry hugging her,"You're gonna be okay."
"Can you get Aide now?"asked Amanda as she pulled back. Harry nodded as he sat back, he leaned over and kissed her forehead.
"Are you gonna be okay?"asked Harry. Amanda nodded.
"I'm gonna take a nap,"said Amanda settling down into the pillow. Harry climbed off the bed watching her as he pulled on his jacket. Amanda smiled slightly at him as she pulled the covers close up around her.