Daddy?
By Alice N. Wonderland
Cass has unsuccessfully tried to contact Jeff. He's not answering his phone and his voice mail is full. She can't help but think, "Is this intentional?"
She has the car packed and Joaquin is fast asleep in his carrier. Lizzy breaks the silence.
"Cassie are you and Jeff splitting up like mommy and daddy...Cliff?"
It saddens Cass as her sister remembers that Cliff isn't her daddy.
"No baby we're not, he's just out working... just like daddy did when I was growing up" Somehow even those words don't comfort Cass.
"So why are we going to Tampa?"
"Well, because I know mom misses you tons and I really want to see my friend Dani"
"She's married to The Rock... he's real cute"
Cass chuckles at her sister and they take off.
Cross the country Jeff is napping in his motel room with a bag of peas on his left knee. He hears heavy footsteps outside of his room followed by a pounding on the door.
"Who is it?!"
"Marc!"
Jeff makes his way to the door.
"Open this damn door boy!"
Jeff opens the door and the sun flashing from behind his father-in-law hurts his eyes, he turns and walks back to the bed where he sits.
"What are you doing here Marc?"
Mark rolls his eyes and starts to open the blinds and curtains in the room.
"Hey!" bellows Jeff.
"What you need is a little daylight! Amongst a few other things including my boot up your ass! The question isn't what am I doing here, it's what are you doing here!"
"I like to call it supporting my family"
"Boy don't get smart with me! Do you really think I'm stupid?!"
"Is this a trick question really?"
"Everything you're doing! I've done! But I was a man about it! I took accountability for my actions and for my family!"
Jeff doesn't want to hear this and covers his face with a towel.
'Taker continues, "I sure the hell didn't leave her alone enough for my brother to come after her again!" Jeff sits up, "Yes again... Matt paid Cassie a visit night before last."
"Why didn't she call me?"
"Couldn't, your mailbox is full."
"I don't know where I dropped the ball Marc. Oh God if he...I got to call her."
"No. You need to go to her; you need to step up son!"
"I don't know how..."
"Jeff, I was 19 when my little girl was born... I didn't know anymore than you," 'Taker sighs "son sometimes you just got to be a man for your family. Cass needs you."
"What if I mess up?"
"Then you'll be none different than a lot of other man who did."
Cass and Dani are walking in the park while Rock and his niece Alexandria are playing with Lizzie and the kids.
"I know how hard it is Cassie, believe me Duane ain't no picnic," A smile comes to Cass' face.
"But he's worth it. I wouldn't give him up for anything in the world. Life really is good."
"So what do I do? Just wait for him?"
"Do what you did from the beginning. Go after him! What, girl did you think that just because you got the ring you could stop chasing after your man?"
"I didn't think I would have to chase him at all. I didn't think he would leave."
"Jeff should a taken McMahon's offer. Don't you agree?"
"I do now. I wanted what he wanted"
"Sometimes what our husbands want—isn't in the best interest of our family. I got tired of being away from my husband. Duane and I were growing further and further apart..."
"Like Jeff and me...well, I can't even get in touch with him. I can't wait for him to get in touch with me. Dani, God help me, but I've been thinking more and more about divorce lately... I just don't know if this marriage can be saved...what a turbulent relationship it's been anyway, what in the hell were we thinking when we got married..."
"That you were in love."
"I do love the man, there's no denying that, but does he love me? Could he love me and let all this just happen?"
A few hours later they all pull up in front of Duane and Dani's house and Cass sees Jeff's Harley parked in the drive way. Duane looks and Dani and they smile...
"Who the hell parked that schwinn in front of my house?" Duane winks at Dani. They all get out of the car. Joaquin is asleep and Cass carries him as she walks towards the front of the house and sees Jeff sitting on the porch.
He walks to his wife and embraces her and his child.
"God, I love you."
"I love you too."
Jeff kisses his son's head then his wife.
"I'm gonna fix what's wrong Cassie I swear." Jeff again kisses Cass when Rock and Dani walk up.
"Come on break it up! This is a family neighborhood!!!"
A big smile breaks across Duane's face and he embraces his friend and they walk in the house. Tears of joy spring from Cass' eyes and she and Dani enter the house as well.
Back at Cass and Jeff's house in Malibu someone climbs out of the window, it's dark and we can't tell who he is, but he's left a "Love Letter" that starts out "My darling Cass, we will be together...SOON!"
Read N' Review... More soon!
