Degrassi: Season 4 Predictions
Authors Note: June 2004
Well thanks to all who reviewed for the first part. I appreciate any kind of review because it lets me know that even if you hated my work, you read it somewhat which is still cool with me! I guess I got this episode up earlier than I thought I would. Anyway, he is part two for TGITM!
Oh, and there's what I gues is a spoiler for Terri and Rick that Americans haven't seen yet. Don't say I didn't warn ya!
4.02 The Ghost In The Machine (2)
Paige swallowed hard.
"Dead?"
"Yes sweetheart. I thought you knew. I thought that was why you were here, to maybe pay respects," Barbara replied.
Paige shuffled in her seat a little.
"Ma'am, no offense, but the last thing I'd be doing here would be to pay respect to...Dean," Paige replied.
Barbara stared intently at Paige.
"You know, I know my son wasn't...the greatest child ever. I knew it and a lot of other people knew it too," Barbara started.
Paige wasn't sure if she wanted to be here any longer. Obviously Dean paid for what he did and was going to live a miserable life in hell paying for it.
"I hate to admit it, but my boy.....he raped a couple of girls. That was the most ashamed of him I had ever been. I gave up on him, and he gave up on himself,"
"Ma'am, if you don't mind, I think I'm just gonna go ahead and-"
"Paige, I'm sorry," Barbara cut Paige off.
"Excuse me?" Paige said, stopping in the middle of getting up.
"I'm sorry for what my son did to you," Barbara replied.
"And what is it exactly you think Dean's done to me?" Paige asked.
His mother couldn't know could she?
"Paige, please don't insult my intelligence in my own home. You know what I mean," Barbara replied.
Paige stood up completely.
"Yeah so I'll just see myself out-"
Paige started towards the door.
It was one thing for Dean to rape her, but to tell his own mother? And obviously she didn't care because she sure as hell didn't report him or try and contact her before now.
"Paige wait!" Barbara called.
Paige stopped at the door and turned around.
What on Earth could she possibly want?
She decided to just go and see. It was the least she could do.
"Ah...yes?"
"Look, I ah.....know it must be difficult for you to be here right now. But I feel like I have to at least explain some things to you," Barbara spoke.
"About what?"
"Like the fact that Dean killed himself over you," Barbara replied.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
"Craig.....wake up! Craig!"
Craig tossed his head sideways a bit.
"Am I dead?" he asked.
"No you're not dead son. Otherwise you'd be here with me-"
Craig shot up.
"So you think I'm going to hell huh?"
"Son, I'm not in hell"
"We'll, that's not a relief, cause you sure as hell aren't in heaven" Craig replied.
His head stung. He felt the top of it. He was bleeding. But it felt more like he had a headache more than anything.
He got out the car and looked around.
"Ugh, where the hell am I?"
Craig knew where he was. It was just that at the moment he was completely flustered.
"Son, you ruined the car I left for you. You screwed up again," Craig's father spoke.
"And I bet you wish you were here so you could beat me huh?" Craig asked looking around.
"Craig, no, I told you I changed before I died and I meant it. I crashed because I was crying so hard thinking about failing you and I couldn't see through the tears and-"
"Blah, blah blah . The sob story of your life. Only your whole life is one big sob story huh dad?" Craig asked.
He got back in the car and shut the door.
"The car was supposed to tide you over for a little while son,"
"Relax dad, it still works,"
In all actuality, the car had a minor fender bender. Nothing his step dad's used auto company couldn't fix.
Craig started up the car again, but it went right back off.
"Not yet son, were not done talking," Craig's father said.
"Aha, yeah we are," Craig replied.
He once again tried to start the car. It started but went right back off.
"I'll let you leave when were finished," Craig's father spoke.
Craig sighed and sat back.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Paige sat down slowly, back on the leather sofa.
"Dean, committed suicide?"
"Yes, I'm afraid so," Barbara replied.
"And over me you say?" Paige asked.
Barbara looked at Paige thoughtfully.
"Look, I know how it must sound. But believe me, I don't mean it that way,"
"So.....what happened?" Paige asked.
Barbara sighed and sat back a little.
"Ohhhhh, where should I begin?" she started "I guess.......well I guess it all started with Dean's father,"
"Is he around?" Paige asked.
"Oh no. No, he's in jail where he belongs," Barbara replied.
Jail?, Paige thought.
"Well, it's complicated. Dean's father was never really any good for me. We were high school sweethearts, Doug and I. Doug was the handsome football team captain that every girl wanted to date and I was his cheerleading girlfriend, Barbara started.
Paige was amazed that Barbara was telling her all of this, so openly and free.
"I knew I should have been concerned from the start. Doug was a heavy alcoholic, but I just brushed it off as him being a normal teenage boy who drunk, no matter how much,"
Paige listened intently.
"So I stayed with him. And we got married in college. Doug seemed to be better the first year of our marriage. But then, he started drinking again. A lot. And with the drunkenness came the beating," Barbara replied.
She chuckled to herself in an angry tone.
"He'd hit me and hit me. And afterwards buy me some new gift that was supposed to make up for it. And being the naive person I was, I would accept his gifts and try to forget about him hitting me. God knows I shouldn't have,"
Paige thought her Barbara's situation sort of seemed like Craig's when his father beat him Or Terri's when Rick hit her. Only in both cases tragedy came. Craig's dad died and Terri wound up in the hospital, where she STILL is because of Rick.
"Anyway, I got pregnant with Dean. I guess that was the grace period because Doug didn't hit me at all. No he just did other things........other things instead," Barbara spoke.
Now they were on to the Dean era.
"I loved Dean and I was determine to make him the opposite of his father after he was born. It seemed like all Doug wanted from me was sex. And when I wouldn't give it to him, he'd run off and find someone else to do it with," Barbara replied.
Paige couldn't help but to feel sorry for this woman. She had been through so much. But that still didn't explain how Dean wound up being a rapist.
"I guess somewhere along the way, Doug decided "hey, what about my own son?"
Paige cringed a little.
"Are you saying that....?"
"Yes, Doug sexually abused Dean. I tried to stop it but Doug would beat me again. He'd say that he wasn't abusing Dean, he was teaching him how to be a real man just like his father," Barbara replied.
At this point, the woman was nearly beside herself with tears.
"Oh my god. I had no idea," Paige replied, shocked.
Dean was taught how to rape people.
"I called the police. Finally got the nerve to. They came, locked Doug up. But by that time it was too late. He'd scared my son for life," Barbara replied.
Paige wanted to feel sorry for Dean, she really did. But should she. After all, he raped her.
Paige noticed that Barbara was looking at her again.
"I'm sorry that my stupid mistakes caused my son to live his life thinking that it was okay to do what he did to you," she said.
Paige really didn't know what to say, or even if she should speak.
"I...."
"Dean......ah, he......you.........must have been the last person that my son........raped.....because he killed himself after a game sometime last year. He told me everything. How he'd raped a few people and said that one girl, you, threatened to take him down," Barabra replied.
Paige knew that she was referring to the time when she had to go to Bardell to cheer for the basketball team, and J.T. and Spinner gave her the courage along with Ms. Sauve to finally stand up to Dean.
"He went into his room. I was scared for him. I wanted him to come out-
=-=FLASHBACK=-=
"Dean....Dean son, open the door!' Barbara exclaimed.
"Mom, I'm a rapist. I deserve to die!" Dean exclaimed.
He was siting in a chair that was facing a window directly in front of his door.
He had a gun in his hand.
"Son, we can get you help. We can talk to the girls, Paige and all of them- "
"Don't you get it mom. I don't want to talk to anybody!" Dean shouted "Besides, I'd probably go to jail if-"
"Son, just open the door and we can talk"
"Mom, I love you okay. Bye."
"Dean? Dean what are you doing?"
Dean put the gun inside his mouth and put his hand on the trigger.
"Dean?"
"Goodbye world" Dean thought.
"Dean, let me in, Dean I BANG!"
Barbara jumped at the sudden sound of a gunshot.
"Oh my god Dean? DEAN!"
-PRESENT-
"My precious angel looked so defiled. Was so defiled," Barbara spoke.
She was crying now.
Paige sat stunned.
She slowly got up and sat next to Barbara.
She reached out and started rubbing her back as she cried.
If only Paige had known all this before.....
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
"So where are you exactly anyway?" Craig asked. "I mean are you in hell, heaven....god what am I saying you're not in heaven," Craig chuckled.
"No, I'm in limbo," Craig's father replied.
"What's limbo?" Craig asked.
"Well, I have a chance to redeem myself. So that I don't have to go to hell,"
"What? Oh give me a fucking break," Craig said.
"Language son!"
"Ah, ah, ah dad. Yell, beat me, do anything and it's straight to hell with you!" Craig taunted.
As much as Craig wanted to see his father got to hell, the truth was that even in the deepest confines of his heart, he knew that he still loved his dad. Whatever kind of love it may be.
"So, what do you want with me then?" Craig asked.
"Well, I always wanted to show how much I loved you. But every time I thought about it I'd think about your mother and how.........anyway I just couldn't control my temper and I just lost it with you," Craig's father replied.
Craig reached for the keys and tried to start the ignition again.
"Dad, you can talk while I drive!" Craig exclaimed, angry that his father was still keeping the car from starting.
"And risk you getting into another car crash. I don't think so," Craig's father replied.
"Isn't redemption supposed to be a novel righteous thing? If you're forcing me to listen and won't go away until I accept your apology, how do you expect to go to heaven?" Craig asked.
"I don't wanna force anything on you son," Craig's father replied.
"Then let me go!" Craig exclaimed.
His father could go to hell, heaven wherever. But he was sick of hearing his voice.
Craig's father reluctantly agreed and allowed Craig to start his car.
"Before I go, I want you to read something I left for you before you make a decision," Craig's father started.
Craig started up the car.
"Jeremiah has a letter........ask him about it. He'll give it to you....."
And with that, Craig's dad was gone.
"Dad?" Craig called aloud.
Nothing.
A letter huh?, Craig thought.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
"He killed himself?" Hazel asked shocked.
"Apparently so," Paige replied.
"Wow," Ashley said.
"So it's over then. He got what he deserved," Spinner spoke.
"But did he?" Paige asked.
"What...Paige the guy was a rapist. Dying was the worst that could happen and it did. He deserved it," Spinner replied.
"Dean didn't DIE, he killed himself. And his mother told me that his father used to rape him when he was a kid," Paige replied.
Spinner, Hazel, and Ashley were shocked.
"So, it was like father like son?" Hazel said.
"Please, Craig's dad beat him but you don't see him going around beating other people up," Spinner said.
"His mom wants me to visit his grave," Paige spoke shortly.
Ashley, Spinner, and Hazel stared at her.
"And are you?" Ashley asked.
"Hell no she's not," Spinner replied for her.
It was a big decision, Paige had to admit.
But a part of her no longer hated Dean. In fact she felt like she connected with him.
"I'm going," Paige replied.
"No, Paige-"
"Fine. We'll just come with you," Ashley said.
"No. I have to do this alone," Paige replied, firmly.
Like Dean's mother wanted.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
"Joey!" Craig called out upon entering his house.
"Oh hey. How was the car?" Joey asked.
"I sorta hit a tree," Craig replied.
"Oh my god.....are you okay?" Joey asked.
"Alive and well......actually I don't know if I'm well," Craig replied walking over to the couch.
"What do you mean Craig?" Joey asked following.
Craig decided now was as good a time as any to talk to Joey about his father.
"My dad......keeps talking to me,"
"Really?" Joey asked, in a skeptical tone.
"Yeah ah, he was the one who told me about the car," Craig replied.
"Craig-"
"Joey, I'm not making it up. And now my dad says there's some crazy letter...." Craig replied. He couldn't help but to laugh at that one.
"Says he gave it to you to give to me. But now I definatley know I'm crazy, cause my dad hated you. He wouldn't give you something like a letter to give to me," Craig laughed.
Joey swallowed nervously.
"Actually," Joey said in a barely audible voice. Craig was still laughing.
"Actually Craig...-" Joey spoke up.
"Craig stopped and stared at Joey.
"No.........he did?"
Joey got up and went upstairs.
Craig was a bit floored. How could Joey keep something like that from him?
"He wanted me to give it to you, but I didn't think-"
"What? That my father could really have changed and was a different person!"
"Craig he beat you!"
"People can change Joey!" Craig exclaimed.
He snatched the letter out of his hand and started to tear it open.
He started reading.
Everything his father said was true!
He WAS trying to change!
"Joey, how could you keep this from me?" Craig asked, angrily.
"Craig, I'm sorry. I didn't think I was a good time to-
Craig turned around and headed towards the front door.
"Craig where are you going? Craig!"
Craig didn't stop to answer.
He was going to go see his fathers grave.
Like he wanted him too.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Paige swallowed slowly and hard. She looked down.
It was Dean's grave.
He died so young.
Paige bent down on her knees and started to cry.
She didn't even know why she was crying.
Maybe it was because Dean died because he did something he thought as okay. It was all Dean's fathers fault. Maybe Dean could have been a different person if Deans father had been a different person.
Paige wanted to be angry. To blame somebody. Like maybe Dean's mother. Or father. But she certainly didn't want to blame Dean.
She'd gotten enough justice for one day. And enough justice for both her and him.
"Paige?" Craig asked.
Paige turned around.
She wiped her eyes and stood up.
"Craig, hi," Paige said, trying to flush her teary voice down her throat.
"What are you doing here?" Paige asked.
"I was visiting someone," Paige replied.
"Me too," Craig replied.
The two stood next to each other.
"Really? Who?" Paige asked.
"My dad," Craig replied. "Wanted me to forgive him."
"And do you?" Paige asked.
If it meant the difference between heaven and hell, Craig would forgive his father.
"Graveyards...they're so full of pain. Yet most people see them as some sort of place of evil," Paige said.
"But we know better right?" Craig said.
Paige smiled at him.
She did now.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Well that's the end of the two part opener. Did everyone like it? I tried to have Craig and Paige resolve they're feelings for the people they hated in a bitter-sweet way. For those of you who have been raped (if any) or know someone who has, I do not condone rape. Or think that you should or should not forgive a rapist. I just decided to justify it in Dean's case, not everyone else. I tried to handle it tastefully at that.
As always review, let me know what you think.
I'll have 4.03 Dont You Want Me aka King of Pain, up soon!
Authors Note: June 2004
Well thanks to all who reviewed for the first part. I appreciate any kind of review because it lets me know that even if you hated my work, you read it somewhat which is still cool with me! I guess I got this episode up earlier than I thought I would. Anyway, he is part two for TGITM!
Oh, and there's what I gues is a spoiler for Terri and Rick that Americans haven't seen yet. Don't say I didn't warn ya!
4.02 The Ghost In The Machine (2)
Paige swallowed hard.
"Dead?"
"Yes sweetheart. I thought you knew. I thought that was why you were here, to maybe pay respects," Barbara replied.
Paige shuffled in her seat a little.
"Ma'am, no offense, but the last thing I'd be doing here would be to pay respect to...Dean," Paige replied.
Barbara stared intently at Paige.
"You know, I know my son wasn't...the greatest child ever. I knew it and a lot of other people knew it too," Barbara started.
Paige wasn't sure if she wanted to be here any longer. Obviously Dean paid for what he did and was going to live a miserable life in hell paying for it.
"I hate to admit it, but my boy.....he raped a couple of girls. That was the most ashamed of him I had ever been. I gave up on him, and he gave up on himself,"
"Ma'am, if you don't mind, I think I'm just gonna go ahead and-"
"Paige, I'm sorry," Barbara cut Paige off.
"Excuse me?" Paige said, stopping in the middle of getting up.
"I'm sorry for what my son did to you," Barbara replied.
"And what is it exactly you think Dean's done to me?" Paige asked.
His mother couldn't know could she?
"Paige, please don't insult my intelligence in my own home. You know what I mean," Barbara replied.
Paige stood up completely.
"Yeah so I'll just see myself out-"
Paige started towards the door.
It was one thing for Dean to rape her, but to tell his own mother? And obviously she didn't care because she sure as hell didn't report him or try and contact her before now.
"Paige wait!" Barbara called.
Paige stopped at the door and turned around.
What on Earth could she possibly want?
She decided to just go and see. It was the least she could do.
"Ah...yes?"
"Look, I ah.....know it must be difficult for you to be here right now. But I feel like I have to at least explain some things to you," Barbara spoke.
"About what?"
"Like the fact that Dean killed himself over you," Barbara replied.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
"Craig.....wake up! Craig!"
Craig tossed his head sideways a bit.
"Am I dead?" he asked.
"No you're not dead son. Otherwise you'd be here with me-"
Craig shot up.
"So you think I'm going to hell huh?"
"Son, I'm not in hell"
"We'll, that's not a relief, cause you sure as hell aren't in heaven" Craig replied.
His head stung. He felt the top of it. He was bleeding. But it felt more like he had a headache more than anything.
He got out the car and looked around.
"Ugh, where the hell am I?"
Craig knew where he was. It was just that at the moment he was completely flustered.
"Son, you ruined the car I left for you. You screwed up again," Craig's father spoke.
"And I bet you wish you were here so you could beat me huh?" Craig asked looking around.
"Craig, no, I told you I changed before I died and I meant it. I crashed because I was crying so hard thinking about failing you and I couldn't see through the tears and-"
"Blah, blah blah . The sob story of your life. Only your whole life is one big sob story huh dad?" Craig asked.
He got back in the car and shut the door.
"The car was supposed to tide you over for a little while son,"
"Relax dad, it still works,"
In all actuality, the car had a minor fender bender. Nothing his step dad's used auto company couldn't fix.
Craig started up the car again, but it went right back off.
"Not yet son, were not done talking," Craig's father said.
"Aha, yeah we are," Craig replied.
He once again tried to start the car. It started but went right back off.
"I'll let you leave when were finished," Craig's father spoke.
Craig sighed and sat back.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Paige sat down slowly, back on the leather sofa.
"Dean, committed suicide?"
"Yes, I'm afraid so," Barbara replied.
"And over me you say?" Paige asked.
Barbara looked at Paige thoughtfully.
"Look, I know how it must sound. But believe me, I don't mean it that way,"
"So.....what happened?" Paige asked.
Barbara sighed and sat back a little.
"Ohhhhh, where should I begin?" she started "I guess.......well I guess it all started with Dean's father,"
"Is he around?" Paige asked.
"Oh no. No, he's in jail where he belongs," Barbara replied.
Jail?, Paige thought.
"Well, it's complicated. Dean's father was never really any good for me. We were high school sweethearts, Doug and I. Doug was the handsome football team captain that every girl wanted to date and I was his cheerleading girlfriend, Barbara started.
Paige was amazed that Barbara was telling her all of this, so openly and free.
"I knew I should have been concerned from the start. Doug was a heavy alcoholic, but I just brushed it off as him being a normal teenage boy who drunk, no matter how much,"
Paige listened intently.
"So I stayed with him. And we got married in college. Doug seemed to be better the first year of our marriage. But then, he started drinking again. A lot. And with the drunkenness came the beating," Barbara replied.
She chuckled to herself in an angry tone.
"He'd hit me and hit me. And afterwards buy me some new gift that was supposed to make up for it. And being the naive person I was, I would accept his gifts and try to forget about him hitting me. God knows I shouldn't have,"
Paige thought her Barbara's situation sort of seemed like Craig's when his father beat him Or Terri's when Rick hit her. Only in both cases tragedy came. Craig's dad died and Terri wound up in the hospital, where she STILL is because of Rick.
"Anyway, I got pregnant with Dean. I guess that was the grace period because Doug didn't hit me at all. No he just did other things........other things instead," Barbara spoke.
Now they were on to the Dean era.
"I loved Dean and I was determine to make him the opposite of his father after he was born. It seemed like all Doug wanted from me was sex. And when I wouldn't give it to him, he'd run off and find someone else to do it with," Barbara replied.
Paige couldn't help but to feel sorry for this woman. She had been through so much. But that still didn't explain how Dean wound up being a rapist.
"I guess somewhere along the way, Doug decided "hey, what about my own son?"
Paige cringed a little.
"Are you saying that....?"
"Yes, Doug sexually abused Dean. I tried to stop it but Doug would beat me again. He'd say that he wasn't abusing Dean, he was teaching him how to be a real man just like his father," Barbara replied.
At this point, the woman was nearly beside herself with tears.
"Oh my god. I had no idea," Paige replied, shocked.
Dean was taught how to rape people.
"I called the police. Finally got the nerve to. They came, locked Doug up. But by that time it was too late. He'd scared my son for life," Barbara replied.
Paige wanted to feel sorry for Dean, she really did. But should she. After all, he raped her.
Paige noticed that Barbara was looking at her again.
"I'm sorry that my stupid mistakes caused my son to live his life thinking that it was okay to do what he did to you," she said.
Paige really didn't know what to say, or even if she should speak.
"I...."
"Dean......ah, he......you.........must have been the last person that my son........raped.....because he killed himself after a game sometime last year. He told me everything. How he'd raped a few people and said that one girl, you, threatened to take him down," Barabra replied.
Paige knew that she was referring to the time when she had to go to Bardell to cheer for the basketball team, and J.T. and Spinner gave her the courage along with Ms. Sauve to finally stand up to Dean.
"He went into his room. I was scared for him. I wanted him to come out-
=-=FLASHBACK=-=
"Dean....Dean son, open the door!' Barbara exclaimed.
"Mom, I'm a rapist. I deserve to die!" Dean exclaimed.
He was siting in a chair that was facing a window directly in front of his door.
He had a gun in his hand.
"Son, we can get you help. We can talk to the girls, Paige and all of them- "
"Don't you get it mom. I don't want to talk to anybody!" Dean shouted "Besides, I'd probably go to jail if-"
"Son, just open the door and we can talk"
"Mom, I love you okay. Bye."
"Dean? Dean what are you doing?"
Dean put the gun inside his mouth and put his hand on the trigger.
"Dean?"
"Goodbye world" Dean thought.
"Dean, let me in, Dean I BANG!"
Barbara jumped at the sudden sound of a gunshot.
"Oh my god Dean? DEAN!"
-PRESENT-
"My precious angel looked so defiled. Was so defiled," Barbara spoke.
She was crying now.
Paige sat stunned.
She slowly got up and sat next to Barbara.
She reached out and started rubbing her back as she cried.
If only Paige had known all this before.....
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
"So where are you exactly anyway?" Craig asked. "I mean are you in hell, heaven....god what am I saying you're not in heaven," Craig chuckled.
"No, I'm in limbo," Craig's father replied.
"What's limbo?" Craig asked.
"Well, I have a chance to redeem myself. So that I don't have to go to hell,"
"What? Oh give me a fucking break," Craig said.
"Language son!"
"Ah, ah, ah dad. Yell, beat me, do anything and it's straight to hell with you!" Craig taunted.
As much as Craig wanted to see his father got to hell, the truth was that even in the deepest confines of his heart, he knew that he still loved his dad. Whatever kind of love it may be.
"So, what do you want with me then?" Craig asked.
"Well, I always wanted to show how much I loved you. But every time I thought about it I'd think about your mother and how.........anyway I just couldn't control my temper and I just lost it with you," Craig's father replied.
Craig reached for the keys and tried to start the ignition again.
"Dad, you can talk while I drive!" Craig exclaimed, angry that his father was still keeping the car from starting.
"And risk you getting into another car crash. I don't think so," Craig's father replied.
"Isn't redemption supposed to be a novel righteous thing? If you're forcing me to listen and won't go away until I accept your apology, how do you expect to go to heaven?" Craig asked.
"I don't wanna force anything on you son," Craig's father replied.
"Then let me go!" Craig exclaimed.
His father could go to hell, heaven wherever. But he was sick of hearing his voice.
Craig's father reluctantly agreed and allowed Craig to start his car.
"Before I go, I want you to read something I left for you before you make a decision," Craig's father started.
Craig started up the car.
"Jeremiah has a letter........ask him about it. He'll give it to you....."
And with that, Craig's dad was gone.
"Dad?" Craig called aloud.
Nothing.
A letter huh?, Craig thought.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
"He killed himself?" Hazel asked shocked.
"Apparently so," Paige replied.
"Wow," Ashley said.
"So it's over then. He got what he deserved," Spinner spoke.
"But did he?" Paige asked.
"What...Paige the guy was a rapist. Dying was the worst that could happen and it did. He deserved it," Spinner replied.
"Dean didn't DIE, he killed himself. And his mother told me that his father used to rape him when he was a kid," Paige replied.
Spinner, Hazel, and Ashley were shocked.
"So, it was like father like son?" Hazel said.
"Please, Craig's dad beat him but you don't see him going around beating other people up," Spinner said.
"His mom wants me to visit his grave," Paige spoke shortly.
Ashley, Spinner, and Hazel stared at her.
"And are you?" Ashley asked.
"Hell no she's not," Spinner replied for her.
It was a big decision, Paige had to admit.
But a part of her no longer hated Dean. In fact she felt like she connected with him.
"I'm going," Paige replied.
"No, Paige-"
"Fine. We'll just come with you," Ashley said.
"No. I have to do this alone," Paige replied, firmly.
Like Dean's mother wanted.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
"Joey!" Craig called out upon entering his house.
"Oh hey. How was the car?" Joey asked.
"I sorta hit a tree," Craig replied.
"Oh my god.....are you okay?" Joey asked.
"Alive and well......actually I don't know if I'm well," Craig replied walking over to the couch.
"What do you mean Craig?" Joey asked following.
Craig decided now was as good a time as any to talk to Joey about his father.
"My dad......keeps talking to me,"
"Really?" Joey asked, in a skeptical tone.
"Yeah ah, he was the one who told me about the car," Craig replied.
"Craig-"
"Joey, I'm not making it up. And now my dad says there's some crazy letter...." Craig replied. He couldn't help but to laugh at that one.
"Says he gave it to you to give to me. But now I definatley know I'm crazy, cause my dad hated you. He wouldn't give you something like a letter to give to me," Craig laughed.
Joey swallowed nervously.
"Actually," Joey said in a barely audible voice. Craig was still laughing.
"Actually Craig...-" Joey spoke up.
"Craig stopped and stared at Joey.
"No.........he did?"
Joey got up and went upstairs.
Craig was a bit floored. How could Joey keep something like that from him?
"He wanted me to give it to you, but I didn't think-"
"What? That my father could really have changed and was a different person!"
"Craig he beat you!"
"People can change Joey!" Craig exclaimed.
He snatched the letter out of his hand and started to tear it open.
He started reading.
Everything his father said was true!
He WAS trying to change!
"Joey, how could you keep this from me?" Craig asked, angrily.
"Craig, I'm sorry. I didn't think I was a good time to-
Craig turned around and headed towards the front door.
"Craig where are you going? Craig!"
Craig didn't stop to answer.
He was going to go see his fathers grave.
Like he wanted him too.
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Paige swallowed slowly and hard. She looked down.
It was Dean's grave.
He died so young.
Paige bent down on her knees and started to cry.
She didn't even know why she was crying.
Maybe it was because Dean died because he did something he thought as okay. It was all Dean's fathers fault. Maybe Dean could have been a different person if Deans father had been a different person.
Paige wanted to be angry. To blame somebody. Like maybe Dean's mother. Or father. But she certainly didn't want to blame Dean.
She'd gotten enough justice for one day. And enough justice for both her and him.
"Paige?" Craig asked.
Paige turned around.
She wiped her eyes and stood up.
"Craig, hi," Paige said, trying to flush her teary voice down her throat.
"What are you doing here?" Paige asked.
"I was visiting someone," Paige replied.
"Me too," Craig replied.
The two stood next to each other.
"Really? Who?" Paige asked.
"My dad," Craig replied. "Wanted me to forgive him."
"And do you?" Paige asked.
If it meant the difference between heaven and hell, Craig would forgive his father.
"Graveyards...they're so full of pain. Yet most people see them as some sort of place of evil," Paige said.
"But we know better right?" Craig said.
Paige smiled at him.
She did now.
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Well that's the end of the two part opener. Did everyone like it? I tried to have Craig and Paige resolve they're feelings for the people they hated in a bitter-sweet way. For those of you who have been raped (if any) or know someone who has, I do not condone rape. Or think that you should or should not forgive a rapist. I just decided to justify it in Dean's case, not everyone else. I tried to handle it tastefully at that.
As always review, let me know what you think.
I'll have 4.03 Dont You Want Me aka King of Pain, up soon!