Chapter 23
Jarod set Brian's suitcase down by the door. Brian was standing in between Mallory and Catherine Parker. Major Charles stood behind Catherine. He was holding Abigail.
'Why don't we give you some time alone? Jarod, Brian and Abigail and I will go to the park...its just a block away.' Major Charles said.
Mallory turned away from her mother and Major Charles. She wished she could go to the damned park herself! But she turned back and nodded at him.
'Fine.' was all that she said. She then turned to look behind her. Jarod nodded at her. Brian was looking at Catherine. He nodded to her. That made Mallory mad! It was almost as if her son was silently letting her mother know that whatever pack of lies she told her, would be alright!
Mallory watched as Major Charles carried Abigail towards the door and opened it. Jarod and Brian followed him out. Brian closed the door behind them. Mallory then turned and faced her mother.
Catherine Parker cleared her throat.
'Abigail is beautiful.' she said.
Mallory turned away and looked out of the window. Jarod had removed the stroller from the inside of the rental car and placed Abigail in it. The three men began walking down the sidewalk, away from the house.
'It's been so long...' Catherine began. But Mallory turned back around.
'Is that supposed to be funny?' she asked. Catherine looked startled.
'No! I just want the chance to explain myself! Mallory, the years I spent without you and Ethan were beyond horrible! And Major Charles and I only had one another to take comfort in. He was without Jarod, Kyle and Ethan. I was without Ethan and you.'
Mallory gave her mother a blank stare.
'But you had blondie over there to keep you company, didn't you? Who is she? Why does she look like me? The two of you must've had another child together.' Mallory guessed, nodding towards the picture she had dropped earlier.
Catherine moved towards her daughter.
'What did Jarod tell you?'
Mallory folded her arms and gave her mother a cold smile.
'Nothing. I do believe he wanted me to hear your lies for myself.'
'He doesn't believe me? Of course not. He made that very clear the other day.' Catherine said bitterly.
Mallory tilted her head, regarding the woman. It was almost as if she thought everyone was just going to understand this damning secret of hers! Mallory cleared her throat.
'Let me just tell you this upfront: I know Jarod and he knows me. And the connection that we have is no accident. We were both raised in the same house of horrors. Only he was treated as a test subject and I was treated as if I didn't exist. I don't know now if there is anything you could've done for me...or Brian. But I do know that Jarod and I had this impression that you were damned near a patron saint...who died trying to save children, when what you really did was ran off!'
But Catherine was calm in the face of her daughter's anger.
'Can I tell my story now?'
Mallory sat down on the couch.
'And what a story I bet it is, 'Mother'. Do tell.'
Catherine sat down on the opposite couch, saddened beyond belief. This angry person that sat before her, was not how she hoped her daughter would turn out. In the end, there had been a small part of her that had trusted that her husband would raise Mallory right. How wrong she had been to have such faith.
'I know you saw the DSA...the one in which it appeared as if Raines shot me after giving birth to Ethan. Well if you remember very carefully, Raines shot me, then you see me laying there.'
'Up until now, I tried to erase that DSA from my mind. There's something about thinking that your mother was shot at point black range, moments after giving birth, that's just distasteful.'
Catherine was silent for a moment. She then spoke again.
'Well, as you know now, that is not what happened. I made a deal with Raines. One that I never intended on keeping. Somehow he knew that.'
'What else is new? What deal?' Mallory almost sneered.
'If I did not try and claim you or Ethan, then I would be allowed to keep my other baby...my other daughter.'
Mallory stared at her for a long moment.
'What the hell are you talking about? The blonde in the picture? When did you have her by the way?'
'Moments after I had you.' Catherine almost whispered.
Mallory slowly stood up. She then began to shake her head.
'Wait a minute! Just wait a minute! So you're trying to tell me that you had triplets?'
'Triplets?' Catherine asked.
'Yes! Triplets! You know, Lyle, me and blondie?'
Catherine rubbed her hands together.
'No. I had twins.'
'I don't understand!'
'Lyle is not mine. I had twin girls. Lyle is your brother though...your half brother.'
Mallory sat back down again. Lyle was not her twin brother, but he was still related, which meant that her father had cheated on her mother at some point. She looked up at her mother.
'Who is Lyle's mother?' Mallory asked.
Catherine continued rubbing her hands together.
'A woman long dead. A secretary at the Centre. She wanted your father to leave me for her. She gave birth to Lyle around the same time that I gave birth to your sister and you. The Centre had her killed shortly after giving birth.'
Mallory breathed in deeply. She could not believe this! The Centre had finally been toppled, but the lies just kept on going on and on!
'So, it was my sister that Raines told you had died? I saw the DSA of my birth!'
Catherine nodded.
'I didn't know about your sister, until I made my deal with Raines. He told me that your sister...Melanie, had been taken and given to the Triumverate. I couldn't let her stay under their control...'
'But it was okay to leave me?'
'Honey, listen to me. If you believe nothing else I tell you, then you have to believe that your father did love you in his own way. I knew you would be cared for...not in an ideal way, but cared for nonetheless! And Ethan...I knew of the people that were going to adopt him. I believed he was going to have a happy life too.'
'But not a Raines free one. Was he my father?'
'No! No! I don't know what was done or how things were altered, but I am telling you Sydney was wrong about that! I never would've let that man touch me! Never, ever!'
Mallory had no response for that. Catherine wanted to sit down next to her daughter. A daughter that looked so much like her at that age, but appeared to be nothing like her in demeanor. Instead, she chose to sit back down on the couch opposite Mallory.
'When I went to get Melanie, she was a disturbed little girl. The horrors of being trained to be a girl Pretender cost me thousands in psychiatric care in later years....when I went to Africa to get her, I had every intention of getting Ethan and you back! I was not going to let Raines, or anyone else keep me from my children. Major Charles felt the same way about Jarod and Kyle. What had happened with our first rescue attempt, we just considered that a temporary setback. We were coming back to get all of you.'
Mallory still said nothing, resisting the urge to rejoice in her mother's soft words. Major Charles and her mother may have meant to do many things. But the sad fact was that they did not. Mallory now found herself wondering what the hell had kept Major Charles from getting his sons out of that place? And how and when, had he decided that he loved her mother here?
'The night before I was set to go back to the United States with Melanie, I awoke in a Centre owned hotel, to find someone running from my room. This person had injected me with something. It caused this.'
Mallory stared at her mother curiously, as she opened up, of all things, a container of baby wipes on the table that seperated their respective couches.
'What are you doing?' Mallory asked. Catherine began to wipe her face with the baby wipes. Mallory noticed that her mother brought away heavy looking pancake make up. The reason, became shockingly clear! Mallory jumped up and put a hand over her mouth!
'Good God! What happened to you?!' she gasped, as she looked at the odd ring like pattern on her mother's face and neck.
Tears began to fill Catherine Parker's eyes, as she finished wiping off her make-up. She set the baby wipes down.
'I don't know what this is. I still don't know after all of these years. And along with these awful scars, I have had almost every illness known to mankind. Mallory, Major Charles was so busy trying to nurse me back to health after every crisis, and help me with Melanie...we knew we could not provide a home for our children.'
Mallory began to back away.
'Are you kidding me?! That's your excuse?! Jarod had NO home at all, and helping take care of you would've been preferable than the nothing life he had! And let me tell you something about Jarod...something I know that you know....he would've gladly helped take care of you! He would've gladly helped his father take care of you! All he wanted was his family! All I wanted was you! How dare you tell me to my face that some stupid skin rash and some colds, viruses or whatever the hell you had, are the reason the two of you didn't even TRY to come back for us! Oh my God!'
Mallory turned and looked around for her purse. Catherine Parker was openly weeping now.
'I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I know that now! I know that you wouldn't have cared....but I didn't then...I was a freak! I still am! I didn't think Major Charles would find me attractive anymore...I didn't know if Melanie was ever going to be a normal little girl...'
Mallory found her purse and began walking towards the door.
'Mallory please! Please try and understand! I want you in my life again! I want Jarod and my grandchildren...I want Ethan and Melanie to know everything....' she sobbed. She then sat down on the couch and put her head in her hands. Mallory opened the front door. She stopped to look back at her.
'Then tell them everything, Mother. Jarod and I are taking our children back home to begin the life that you tried to steal here.'
Catherine's head snapped up!
'I never tried to steal Brian!'
'Oh the hell you didn't! Major Charles and you were too lazy, trifling or just plain busy shacking up, to bother to rescue Jarod or I. Then, Jarod and my minds were erased, did you know that? Huh? Did you know that, Mother?'
Catherine Parker wiped her nose.
'Yes, of course I did. I just found out recently like you did. I'm sorry I wasn't there to prevent what happened.'
'Until recently, I thought that I had been sent to boarding school. My memories of my teenage years were very different from what reality was. It is actually coming back to me, as I watch old DSA's of Jarod and I. I used to sneak down to his room...cage, whatever you want to call it, because I was lonely and desperate to be with the one person that I knew loved me and would listen....we deserved a chance. I'm not blaming you for what happened. You were off with your boyfriend, you didn't know or care. But I do blame you for making what Jarod and I have to do here today, harder! Brian is not yours and he's not your second chance to raise a child! I don't want you in my life. I don't want Major Charles or you calling to talk to Brian. If you care anything for me at all, you will help my son make clean break of this life he has here.'
Catherine began to cry again. Mallory turned and walked out of the door.
****
Major Charles and Jarod stood and stared out into the distance. There was a small lake nearby. Brian was on a park bench. Abigail was in his lap.
'How do you think it's going?' Major Charles asked Jarod. 'It's not.' Jarod answered. He bent down and picked up a rock. He then tossed it.
'You're just full of positive energy, aren't you?' Major Charles said sarcastically. Jarod glared over at his father.
'You might as well get used to the idea of Brian being gone, because that is the reality here. Catherine and you also may as well get used to the idea of not being part of our lives for a while, because that may very well be a reality as well. And you might want to have a talk with Ethan, because I will tell him the truth myself, the next time I hear from him.'
Major Charles looked away.
'I know you're angry about your mother...'
'No, Dad. What I'm angry about is the type of man you turned out to be. You ran off with Catherine Parker. But instead of just telling me that, or accepting responsibility for leaving my mother, you come up with some crock of God knows what, about my mother doing something vile like selling her children, when the truth is you cheated on my mother!'
Major Charles put a hand up.
'Fine, Jarod. I don't want to fight with you. We need one another now. This is going to be hard on the rest of the family.'
Jarod turned away from his father. What he wanted him to admit is that he lied about his mother. His father seemed unwilling to do that. And until he could, Jarod would always have a big problem with him.
Jarod saw Mallory walking towards them. He walked up to meet her. Brian watched her. Abigail was still in his lap.
'Well? I mean that was quick.' Jarod noted, reaching out to touch her.
'It was quick because I know crap when I hear it. Let's go.'
Mallory began to pull on his arm, but Jarod stopped her. He glanced back at Major Charles, who moved beside him.
'You listened to Cathy's side of the story?' Major Charles asked.
Mallory smiled. It was a cold one.
'Yes I did. Jarod, let's go.' she said, pulling on his arm again. This time, the Major lost it!
'Now you wait just a minute young lady! I have put up with your bullying and disrespect for as long as I'm going to! You didn't listen to my wife, did you? If you had, you wouldn't be here!'
Mallory let go of Jarod's arm and walked up to Major Charles.
'What did you think was going to happen? That I'd listen to my mother's sob story about a little skin rash and some illnesses, and then welcome her with open arms? Her story, which I assume is yours as well, is ridiculous...and sad. Sad because I do believe it's the truth. And if that's the truth then that makes the both of you weak! I'd get going back to the house, Major, because she's really going to need someone to whine to!'
Mallory then turned and walked over to Brian and Abigail. Brian stood up, holding his little sister.
'Did you talk to Cathy?' Brian asked. Jarod walked over as well and took Abigail from Brian.
'Yes, I did. Everything is fine, and it will be more than alright if you come back to visit sometime.'
Brian didn't exactly look thrilled by that, confirming Jarod's suspicions about the talk he had had with his mother-in-law. Her intention was to tell her daughter the truth, and convince her to let Brian stay. Plus, he knew Mallory was lying about allowing him to come back and visit.
'So, you haven't changed your mind then? About letting me stay? I am on the football team here...I'm going to homecoming with Lindsey! I can't leave her!'
Mallory's eyes widened. She looked at her son, then nodded to Jarod. He carried Abigail with him over towards some empty swings. Mallory followed him.
'What are we going to do? I though he agreed to come with us?'
'I think that was more of a ploy to get you to agree to talk to your mother. I don't think we're getting him on a plane unless we drag him.'
'Then drag him we will!'
'Mallory! He's in love with a girl...'
'He's too young for that! And there are plenty of nice girls in Delaware. And we have a high school picked out for him....'
'Honey, I understand that. But short of a miracle, I just don't see this...' Jarod stopped talking abruptly. Jarod and Abigail stared at something behind Mallory. Her eyes then met Major Charles's. He nodded to someone behind her. Mallory turned around.
Catherine Parker, make-up returned, was talking to Brian. He began shaking his head vehemently, but she then hugged him, stroking his hair. Major Charles walked over as well. Mallory could not hear what was being said and she looked at Jarod.
'What do you think is going on?'
Jarod smiled.
'I think our parents are finally doing the right thing.'
Mallory turned back to look at the threesome. Major Charles walked over to them.
'We'll meet you back at the house...at the rental car. Brian is ready to go.' he said sadly. He then turned and walked over to Brian. He put an arm around the boy, as did Catherine Parker, and the three of them began walking back towards the house.
'I'll put our little one back in her stroller.' Jarod said softly, walking away from Mallory, who was still in shock. Wonders never ceased, she thought.
****
Sidney Bristow looked around for her gun, CIA badge and her other necessities, while trying to make breakfast. Her boyfriend, Michael Vauighn, came out of the bedroom, talking on a cell. He hung up and gave Sidney a look.
'What? What is it?'
'When I tell you what I'm about to tell you, I don't want you to get mad or freak out.'
'What is it, Michael? Tell me.'
Michael walked up to her.
'There was an order given, from higher up, to scale back the watch on Lyle Parker's house. It began last night.'
'WHAT?!' Sidney screamed. Michael touched her shoulders, but she shirked away.
'If I had known this I would've watched his damn house myself! I have to get over there! Lyle is counting on just the slightest opening to murder his nanny! I know him! He won't be able to help it!'
She began to look for her keys, but Michael blocked her way again.
'There's more, Sidney.' he said quietly. Sidney stopped moving.
'Tell me Lisa isn't dead?'
'No, but her family has reported her missing. She failed to show up to meet her fiance last night. Lyle claims he had not seen her all day and assumed that she quit without telling him.'
Sidney turned away from him shaking her head! Was Lisa still alive? Maybe Lyle was torturing her somewhere else? Sidney turned back to Michael.
'What about the little boy? Bobby?'
'I don't know, Sidney.....Sidney....'
Sidney found her car keys, purse and gun. She looked at Michael.
'I'm going over there myself then.'
'I'm coming with you!' Michael yelled, as Sidney began walking towards their front door. He was already dressed and ready, as he followed her out.
Jarod set Brian's suitcase down by the door. Brian was standing in between Mallory and Catherine Parker. Major Charles stood behind Catherine. He was holding Abigail.
'Why don't we give you some time alone? Jarod, Brian and Abigail and I will go to the park...its just a block away.' Major Charles said.
Mallory turned away from her mother and Major Charles. She wished she could go to the damned park herself! But she turned back and nodded at him.
'Fine.' was all that she said. She then turned to look behind her. Jarod nodded at her. Brian was looking at Catherine. He nodded to her. That made Mallory mad! It was almost as if her son was silently letting her mother know that whatever pack of lies she told her, would be alright!
Mallory watched as Major Charles carried Abigail towards the door and opened it. Jarod and Brian followed him out. Brian closed the door behind them. Mallory then turned and faced her mother.
Catherine Parker cleared her throat.
'Abigail is beautiful.' she said.
Mallory turned away and looked out of the window. Jarod had removed the stroller from the inside of the rental car and placed Abigail in it. The three men began walking down the sidewalk, away from the house.
'It's been so long...' Catherine began. But Mallory turned back around.
'Is that supposed to be funny?' she asked. Catherine looked startled.
'No! I just want the chance to explain myself! Mallory, the years I spent without you and Ethan were beyond horrible! And Major Charles and I only had one another to take comfort in. He was without Jarod, Kyle and Ethan. I was without Ethan and you.'
Mallory gave her mother a blank stare.
'But you had blondie over there to keep you company, didn't you? Who is she? Why does she look like me? The two of you must've had another child together.' Mallory guessed, nodding towards the picture she had dropped earlier.
Catherine moved towards her daughter.
'What did Jarod tell you?'
Mallory folded her arms and gave her mother a cold smile.
'Nothing. I do believe he wanted me to hear your lies for myself.'
'He doesn't believe me? Of course not. He made that very clear the other day.' Catherine said bitterly.
Mallory tilted her head, regarding the woman. It was almost as if she thought everyone was just going to understand this damning secret of hers! Mallory cleared her throat.
'Let me just tell you this upfront: I know Jarod and he knows me. And the connection that we have is no accident. We were both raised in the same house of horrors. Only he was treated as a test subject and I was treated as if I didn't exist. I don't know now if there is anything you could've done for me...or Brian. But I do know that Jarod and I had this impression that you were damned near a patron saint...who died trying to save children, when what you really did was ran off!'
But Catherine was calm in the face of her daughter's anger.
'Can I tell my story now?'
Mallory sat down on the couch.
'And what a story I bet it is, 'Mother'. Do tell.'
Catherine sat down on the opposite couch, saddened beyond belief. This angry person that sat before her, was not how she hoped her daughter would turn out. In the end, there had been a small part of her that had trusted that her husband would raise Mallory right. How wrong she had been to have such faith.
'I know you saw the DSA...the one in which it appeared as if Raines shot me after giving birth to Ethan. Well if you remember very carefully, Raines shot me, then you see me laying there.'
'Up until now, I tried to erase that DSA from my mind. There's something about thinking that your mother was shot at point black range, moments after giving birth, that's just distasteful.'
Catherine was silent for a moment. She then spoke again.
'Well, as you know now, that is not what happened. I made a deal with Raines. One that I never intended on keeping. Somehow he knew that.'
'What else is new? What deal?' Mallory almost sneered.
'If I did not try and claim you or Ethan, then I would be allowed to keep my other baby...my other daughter.'
Mallory stared at her for a long moment.
'What the hell are you talking about? The blonde in the picture? When did you have her by the way?'
'Moments after I had you.' Catherine almost whispered.
Mallory slowly stood up. She then began to shake her head.
'Wait a minute! Just wait a minute! So you're trying to tell me that you had triplets?'
'Triplets?' Catherine asked.
'Yes! Triplets! You know, Lyle, me and blondie?'
Catherine rubbed her hands together.
'No. I had twins.'
'I don't understand!'
'Lyle is not mine. I had twin girls. Lyle is your brother though...your half brother.'
Mallory sat back down again. Lyle was not her twin brother, but he was still related, which meant that her father had cheated on her mother at some point. She looked up at her mother.
'Who is Lyle's mother?' Mallory asked.
Catherine continued rubbing her hands together.
'A woman long dead. A secretary at the Centre. She wanted your father to leave me for her. She gave birth to Lyle around the same time that I gave birth to your sister and you. The Centre had her killed shortly after giving birth.'
Mallory breathed in deeply. She could not believe this! The Centre had finally been toppled, but the lies just kept on going on and on!
'So, it was my sister that Raines told you had died? I saw the DSA of my birth!'
Catherine nodded.
'I didn't know about your sister, until I made my deal with Raines. He told me that your sister...Melanie, had been taken and given to the Triumverate. I couldn't let her stay under their control...'
'But it was okay to leave me?'
'Honey, listen to me. If you believe nothing else I tell you, then you have to believe that your father did love you in his own way. I knew you would be cared for...not in an ideal way, but cared for nonetheless! And Ethan...I knew of the people that were going to adopt him. I believed he was going to have a happy life too.'
'But not a Raines free one. Was he my father?'
'No! No! I don't know what was done or how things were altered, but I am telling you Sydney was wrong about that! I never would've let that man touch me! Never, ever!'
Mallory had no response for that. Catherine wanted to sit down next to her daughter. A daughter that looked so much like her at that age, but appeared to be nothing like her in demeanor. Instead, she chose to sit back down on the couch opposite Mallory.
'When I went to get Melanie, she was a disturbed little girl. The horrors of being trained to be a girl Pretender cost me thousands in psychiatric care in later years....when I went to Africa to get her, I had every intention of getting Ethan and you back! I was not going to let Raines, or anyone else keep me from my children. Major Charles felt the same way about Jarod and Kyle. What had happened with our first rescue attempt, we just considered that a temporary setback. We were coming back to get all of you.'
Mallory still said nothing, resisting the urge to rejoice in her mother's soft words. Major Charles and her mother may have meant to do many things. But the sad fact was that they did not. Mallory now found herself wondering what the hell had kept Major Charles from getting his sons out of that place? And how and when, had he decided that he loved her mother here?
'The night before I was set to go back to the United States with Melanie, I awoke in a Centre owned hotel, to find someone running from my room. This person had injected me with something. It caused this.'
Mallory stared at her mother curiously, as she opened up, of all things, a container of baby wipes on the table that seperated their respective couches.
'What are you doing?' Mallory asked. Catherine began to wipe her face with the baby wipes. Mallory noticed that her mother brought away heavy looking pancake make up. The reason, became shockingly clear! Mallory jumped up and put a hand over her mouth!
'Good God! What happened to you?!' she gasped, as she looked at the odd ring like pattern on her mother's face and neck.
Tears began to fill Catherine Parker's eyes, as she finished wiping off her make-up. She set the baby wipes down.
'I don't know what this is. I still don't know after all of these years. And along with these awful scars, I have had almost every illness known to mankind. Mallory, Major Charles was so busy trying to nurse me back to health after every crisis, and help me with Melanie...we knew we could not provide a home for our children.'
Mallory began to back away.
'Are you kidding me?! That's your excuse?! Jarod had NO home at all, and helping take care of you would've been preferable than the nothing life he had! And let me tell you something about Jarod...something I know that you know....he would've gladly helped take care of you! He would've gladly helped his father take care of you! All he wanted was his family! All I wanted was you! How dare you tell me to my face that some stupid skin rash and some colds, viruses or whatever the hell you had, are the reason the two of you didn't even TRY to come back for us! Oh my God!'
Mallory turned and looked around for her purse. Catherine Parker was openly weeping now.
'I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I know that now! I know that you wouldn't have cared....but I didn't then...I was a freak! I still am! I didn't think Major Charles would find me attractive anymore...I didn't know if Melanie was ever going to be a normal little girl...'
Mallory found her purse and began walking towards the door.
'Mallory please! Please try and understand! I want you in my life again! I want Jarod and my grandchildren...I want Ethan and Melanie to know everything....' she sobbed. She then sat down on the couch and put her head in her hands. Mallory opened the front door. She stopped to look back at her.
'Then tell them everything, Mother. Jarod and I are taking our children back home to begin the life that you tried to steal here.'
Catherine's head snapped up!
'I never tried to steal Brian!'
'Oh the hell you didn't! Major Charles and you were too lazy, trifling or just plain busy shacking up, to bother to rescue Jarod or I. Then, Jarod and my minds were erased, did you know that? Huh? Did you know that, Mother?'
Catherine Parker wiped her nose.
'Yes, of course I did. I just found out recently like you did. I'm sorry I wasn't there to prevent what happened.'
'Until recently, I thought that I had been sent to boarding school. My memories of my teenage years were very different from what reality was. It is actually coming back to me, as I watch old DSA's of Jarod and I. I used to sneak down to his room...cage, whatever you want to call it, because I was lonely and desperate to be with the one person that I knew loved me and would listen....we deserved a chance. I'm not blaming you for what happened. You were off with your boyfriend, you didn't know or care. But I do blame you for making what Jarod and I have to do here today, harder! Brian is not yours and he's not your second chance to raise a child! I don't want you in my life. I don't want Major Charles or you calling to talk to Brian. If you care anything for me at all, you will help my son make clean break of this life he has here.'
Catherine began to cry again. Mallory turned and walked out of the door.
****
Major Charles and Jarod stood and stared out into the distance. There was a small lake nearby. Brian was on a park bench. Abigail was in his lap.
'How do you think it's going?' Major Charles asked Jarod. 'It's not.' Jarod answered. He bent down and picked up a rock. He then tossed it.
'You're just full of positive energy, aren't you?' Major Charles said sarcastically. Jarod glared over at his father.
'You might as well get used to the idea of Brian being gone, because that is the reality here. Catherine and you also may as well get used to the idea of not being part of our lives for a while, because that may very well be a reality as well. And you might want to have a talk with Ethan, because I will tell him the truth myself, the next time I hear from him.'
Major Charles looked away.
'I know you're angry about your mother...'
'No, Dad. What I'm angry about is the type of man you turned out to be. You ran off with Catherine Parker. But instead of just telling me that, or accepting responsibility for leaving my mother, you come up with some crock of God knows what, about my mother doing something vile like selling her children, when the truth is you cheated on my mother!'
Major Charles put a hand up.
'Fine, Jarod. I don't want to fight with you. We need one another now. This is going to be hard on the rest of the family.'
Jarod turned away from his father. What he wanted him to admit is that he lied about his mother. His father seemed unwilling to do that. And until he could, Jarod would always have a big problem with him.
Jarod saw Mallory walking towards them. He walked up to meet her. Brian watched her. Abigail was still in his lap.
'Well? I mean that was quick.' Jarod noted, reaching out to touch her.
'It was quick because I know crap when I hear it. Let's go.'
Mallory began to pull on his arm, but Jarod stopped her. He glanced back at Major Charles, who moved beside him.
'You listened to Cathy's side of the story?' Major Charles asked.
Mallory smiled. It was a cold one.
'Yes I did. Jarod, let's go.' she said, pulling on his arm again. This time, the Major lost it!
'Now you wait just a minute young lady! I have put up with your bullying and disrespect for as long as I'm going to! You didn't listen to my wife, did you? If you had, you wouldn't be here!'
Mallory let go of Jarod's arm and walked up to Major Charles.
'What did you think was going to happen? That I'd listen to my mother's sob story about a little skin rash and some illnesses, and then welcome her with open arms? Her story, which I assume is yours as well, is ridiculous...and sad. Sad because I do believe it's the truth. And if that's the truth then that makes the both of you weak! I'd get going back to the house, Major, because she's really going to need someone to whine to!'
Mallory then turned and walked over to Brian and Abigail. Brian stood up, holding his little sister.
'Did you talk to Cathy?' Brian asked. Jarod walked over as well and took Abigail from Brian.
'Yes, I did. Everything is fine, and it will be more than alright if you come back to visit sometime.'
Brian didn't exactly look thrilled by that, confirming Jarod's suspicions about the talk he had had with his mother-in-law. Her intention was to tell her daughter the truth, and convince her to let Brian stay. Plus, he knew Mallory was lying about allowing him to come back and visit.
'So, you haven't changed your mind then? About letting me stay? I am on the football team here...I'm going to homecoming with Lindsey! I can't leave her!'
Mallory's eyes widened. She looked at her son, then nodded to Jarod. He carried Abigail with him over towards some empty swings. Mallory followed him.
'What are we going to do? I though he agreed to come with us?'
'I think that was more of a ploy to get you to agree to talk to your mother. I don't think we're getting him on a plane unless we drag him.'
'Then drag him we will!'
'Mallory! He's in love with a girl...'
'He's too young for that! And there are plenty of nice girls in Delaware. And we have a high school picked out for him....'
'Honey, I understand that. But short of a miracle, I just don't see this...' Jarod stopped talking abruptly. Jarod and Abigail stared at something behind Mallory. Her eyes then met Major Charles's. He nodded to someone behind her. Mallory turned around.
Catherine Parker, make-up returned, was talking to Brian. He began shaking his head vehemently, but she then hugged him, stroking his hair. Major Charles walked over as well. Mallory could not hear what was being said and she looked at Jarod.
'What do you think is going on?'
Jarod smiled.
'I think our parents are finally doing the right thing.'
Mallory turned back to look at the threesome. Major Charles walked over to them.
'We'll meet you back at the house...at the rental car. Brian is ready to go.' he said sadly. He then turned and walked over to Brian. He put an arm around the boy, as did Catherine Parker, and the three of them began walking back towards the house.
'I'll put our little one back in her stroller.' Jarod said softly, walking away from Mallory, who was still in shock. Wonders never ceased, she thought.
****
Sidney Bristow looked around for her gun, CIA badge and her other necessities, while trying to make breakfast. Her boyfriend, Michael Vauighn, came out of the bedroom, talking on a cell. He hung up and gave Sidney a look.
'What? What is it?'
'When I tell you what I'm about to tell you, I don't want you to get mad or freak out.'
'What is it, Michael? Tell me.'
Michael walked up to her.
'There was an order given, from higher up, to scale back the watch on Lyle Parker's house. It began last night.'
'WHAT?!' Sidney screamed. Michael touched her shoulders, but she shirked away.
'If I had known this I would've watched his damn house myself! I have to get over there! Lyle is counting on just the slightest opening to murder his nanny! I know him! He won't be able to help it!'
She began to look for her keys, but Michael blocked her way again.
'There's more, Sidney.' he said quietly. Sidney stopped moving.
'Tell me Lisa isn't dead?'
'No, but her family has reported her missing. She failed to show up to meet her fiance last night. Lyle claims he had not seen her all day and assumed that she quit without telling him.'
Sidney turned away from him shaking her head! Was Lisa still alive? Maybe Lyle was torturing her somewhere else? Sidney turned back to Michael.
'What about the little boy? Bobby?'
'I don't know, Sidney.....Sidney....'
Sidney found her car keys, purse and gun. She looked at Michael.
'I'm going over there myself then.'
'I'm coming with you!' Michael yelled, as Sidney began walking towards their front door. He was already dressed and ready, as he followed her out.