Tribulations of Honesty – Part 9

Let's not forget that the little emotions are the great captains of our lives and we obey them without realizing it. Vincent Van Gogh, 1889

Assumptions are the termites of relationships. Henry Winkler

" I need you to do me a favour," Archie announced the next day while cooking with Stevie
" No worries mate, what is it?" Stevie answered, not looking up from the fish he was filleting
" There's been something playing on my mind, but if I try to ask it there'll be no turning back" Archie explained
Stevie glanced up and saw the serious expression on his employers face
" What is it?" Stevie repeated
Just then Lexie strolled past and Archie nipped the discussion in the bud
" I'll tell you later" he hissed
" Okay…." Stevie acknowledged
Lexie saw Stevie's mystified expression and raised her eyebrows
" What's that look for?" She questioned, grabbing her handbag off the bench
" Nothing" Archie answered for him, " You off to pick up Mel?"
" Yeah. I'll see you at home" she announced, swinging her bag onto her shoulder and giving him a peck on the cheek
" See you later Stevie," she added
" Bye Lex" Stevie echoed

" What is this favour?" Stevie asked cautiously as Lexie walked out the door
" It's just something that's been playing on my mind that needs to be resolved," Archie explained
" And it's to do with Lexie?" Stevie guessed
" Yeah"
" Well what is it?" Stevie exclaimed in a hushed voice, starting to get impatient
" Lexie got pregnant last time we were at Glenbogle" Archie acknowledged
" Yeah, so…." Stevie elaborated
" Well Paul was there as well, and we had a fight over him having feelings for her. We weren't really on the best of terms for some of the trip"
" You can't be serious" Stevie appealed, seeing where the conversation was leading
" Well, what if it wasn't my baby?"
" Do you really think that Lexie would do that?!" Stevie announced amazed
Archie stared at him desperately, " I don't know Steve, I truly don't think so- but at the same time I have to get rid of this doubt."
" Well I can't ask her!" Stevie exclaimed
" I know" Archie commented, " And neither can I unless I want to completely ruin our marriage."
" So what do you want me to do about it?" Stevie asked warily
" I thought perhaps you could get Teena to bring it up, you know in one of their 'girl talk' sessions."
" Oh mate." Stevie gaped at Archie, " I don't know if she'll go for it"
" Can you just try?" Archie pleaded
Stevie regarded him hesitantly
" If Lex finds out about this you're a goner. You know that right?"
Archie sighed, " I know, I know."
" And you still want to go ahead?"
Archie nodded, " If you were me- you'd want to make sure, wouldn't you?"
" I guess so." Stevie agreed
Archie jumped as Teena came up behind them
" Done?" she asked, reaching out for the plates Stevie had just placed the fish on
" Like a dinner" Stevie replied
Teena grinned and whisked the plates away to their vendors

" Will you at least ask her?" Archie asked, turning back to Stevie
" I some how doubt that what you are thinking would ever be true" he rationalised
" I know" Archie agreed, " But I need to know if I can trust Lex again"
" Okay" Stevie settled reluctantly, " But I still think you're barking up the wrong tree"
" Thanks mate" Archie announced, giving him a pat on the back
" If this all goes pear shaped its not my fault" Stevie reinforced
" Hopefully it won't" Archie replied
" Arch?"
" Yeah?" Archie asked
Stevie took him in for a minute before saying the one thing that no one wanted to consider
" What if it's not yours?"
Archie turned around and kept walking

At a certain point u have to trust the other person- that's what love is

" He wants me to do what?!" Teena exclaimed as Stevie explained Archie's dilemma to her that night
" Well he can't really ask her can he" Stevie reminded
" Well no, but…."
" Teen, Lex has no reason to lie to you. So if you can just get her to confirm that it's Archie's kid it'll put his mind at rest." Stevie explained
" He shouldn't be doubting her in the first place!" Teena remarked angrily, gathering her shoulder length blonde hair into a messy ponytail
" I don't think he did doubt her- until she told him she'd had feelings for his brother!"
" Half-brother" Teena corrected, "And yes, 'had feelings for'- that doesn't mean she jumped into bed with him."
Stevie sent her a look, which she blatantly ignored
" She broke his trust Teen. He thought he knew her and then suddenly out of no where this happens"
" It's not out of no where. Weren't you saying that they fought last time they went back because Archie suspected that Paul had feelings for her?" Teena prompted
" Well yes, but Lex assured him that he was wrong. Which if you ask me just makes matters worse."
Teena ignored him, and changed the subject
" Isn't Paul getting married soon?" Teena inquired, as they placed the dishes from dinner in the sink
" Yeah, in about a year, to Archie's ex-girlfriend apparently" Stevie revealed
" Oh God" Teena murmured, turning to look at him, " This is beginning to sound like an episode of the Bold and the Beautiful."
" Tell me about it." Stevie agreed, reaching out to massage her shoulders
" I really don't want to do this Steve" Teena grumbled
" I know honey. But could you imagine what would happen if Archie brought it up?"
" Fine" Teena relented, cringing at the thought, " But I'm doing it for Lex in the long run- I'd hate to put her through that."
" Me too." Stevie agreed, kissing her cheek
" Mmmmm" Teena sighed, reaching out to hug him, and wondering how in hell she was going to do this…

A woman can say more in a sigh than a man can say in a sermon. Arnold Haultain