THAT MIAMI GLOW

Ranger POV

Chapter 8: M

oOo

Morellifidgeted uncomfortably, downing the remaining red wine from his glass in one large gulp. He looked helplessly at Helen for an inkling of support, but her eyes were suddenly watching Frank's fury come to life. All her earlier haughtiness had seemingly vacated the room.Looking frantic, anywhere but at Frank, Morelli abruptly stood up making to leave as he placed his serviette on the table.

"But you haven't finished your dinner, Joseph. I made a special dessert for –"

"Helen! For once in your life, shut the hell up!"

Frank was infuriated with her constant interference. Slowly he turned, his scornful eyes on his main target. He seemed outwardly calm but those piercing eyes definitely were not calm.

"Sit. Down! Morelli!" Frank's snarling voice brooked no argument whilst casting a warning glare at Helen. "You have not answered my question."

Frank spoke with such commanding authority. His voice was controlled but definitely snarly. How to piss off a girl's father in one easy move. What a stupid fuckwit. You are so dead, Morelli. Slowly and reluctantly he sat back down. I could practically hear the gears and cogs in his fucked up brain clunking along. He had painted himself into a corner. Sucks to be you, fuckwit.

Silence.

"Enlighten me. I'm all ears. What did you mean, Morelli? She's yours? Because, you had her first?"

"Joseph was just –"

"Shut up, Helen! I did not ask for your opinion. I am asking your precious Joseph. He has some explaining to do."

Morelli gulped visibly, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down nervously. Sweat appeared on his brow and he wiped his hands nervously on his jeans.

"Let's start with the she's yours bit. Enlighten me. I don't understand. From where I am sitting you must be seriously mistaken."

He indicated Stephanie and I sitting together.

Helen made to interject but Frank was onto her as he slammed his fist firmly on the table causing all the dinnerware to rattle and wobble. "Not your story to tell Helen! Butt out!"

We sat there in awe of Frank's control of the room. He waited, tapping his fingers loudly on the table, eyeing Morelli expectantly.

"She was my girlfriend."

"I don't think so. You must be confusing me with Terry Gilman."

"We dated." The asshole was desperately clutching at straws, still avoiding the enormous elephant in the room.

"You never ever took me out on a date, Morelli."

The asshole was getting frustrated and very agitated with each comeback from Stephanie.

"Dated? Did you call that dating? Bring over a six pack of beer and a pizza? And then expect, you know …"

"I still don't hear an explanation!" Frank uttered those words through gritted teeth.

The drumming of Frank's fingers was quite loud in the conspicuous pause that followed. Until …

"Is this the one where you took Stephanie's virginity on the bakery floor and then wrote all about your conquest before you left for the navy?" Edna exclaimed excitedly.

She didn't come down in the last shower. She knew exactly what she was doing. She wasn't saying it to save Morelli's ass.

Frank roared, leaping up suddenly which sent his chair flying backwards with a loud crash. His eyes shot from Edna with utter astonishment, then rage as he glared at the harpy and that jackass, his hands white-knuckling the edge of the table.

Helen gasped, covering her mouth, her eyes wide in shock. "Mother! Frank!"

We watched, enthralled by the way the dynamics had suddenly changed. We didn't say anything. We didn't need to. I held Stephanie's hand in my lap and we observed as it all played out. All we needed was some popcorn. Frank looked ready to pounce, but waited, recognising that Edna had more to add.

"What?" Edna replied mockingly at Helen. "It's true and you know it. And, you grounded Stephanie for the entire summer as punishment and made her life hell after that! Just like you treated her after the choo-choo incident in that stronzo's father's garage. Stephanie was only just six years old for that one! Such a mean wicked mother. I was so appalled with you, Helen. You are such a disgrace and a huge disappointment."

Edna got up, pushed in her chair and stomped up the stairs. Well done, Edna. Bravo!

Frank was seething. Suddenly, in one quick step he was reaching for Morelli, grabbed him forcibly by the arm and punched him in the jaw, knocking him off his feet. He moved surprisingly fast for a man of his age.

"Frank!"

He ignored her. Morelli was stunned, nursing his very sore jaw. That was some punch. And so very deserving for the fucker. He's going to have a whopper of a shiner tomorrow. Maybe even a fractured jaw. Now, that would be so very fitting.

"So. You are the bastard that took away my daughter's innocence. 'Never trust a Morelli', Helen always said. 'Watch out for those Morelli boys.' And here you are, in our family home," he sneered nastily, scowling directly at Helen with those useless quotes. "How is that possible? Stephanie, was never yours! My daughter is not a trophy, you lousy filthy braggart. You were a predator, preying on young girls, just like your father used to do. He was a notorious cherry popper, just like you."

Frank was catching his breath. He grabbed Morelli up off the floor by his shirt front in a remarkable show of strength, shaking him vigorously. Morelli had the sense to keep his mouth shut. He didn't deny anything and Frank had already figured that.

"You had her first. Eh? I get it now. I read those blatant messages on the walls about my Pumpkin. You make me sick. If I had known, you would never have ever set foot in this house. Helen never disclosed who, or why the hell she punished Stephanie! She was only sixteen, you fucker! And she needed medical treatment, that much I did know. And antibiotics! Get your disgusting filthy diseased ass out of my house! If you ever show your face here again, I will kill you. Mark my words. You are white trash, you worthless piece of shit! Upstanding citizen my ass! I will have words with the Chief of Police, and the Mayor, now that I know all the sordid details. You'd better start packing, tonight, and leave town, better still, the entire tri-state area, because I am going to make your life hell, whether you are here in Trenton or elsewhere. I will hunt you down. Be sure to keep looking over your shoulder you bastard."

Edna was sitting on the stairs, proudly admiring her son-in-law's fierce tirade. It was long overdue.

"About time you stepped up, Frank. Glad you finally got your cojones back. She's had you by the short and curlies for years."

Helen got up from her dazed state, making to see Morelli out the door.

"Sit down, woman! I haven't started on you yet. If you let that scum of the earth into this house ever again, I will kill you too!"

Helen's stricken pale face was priceless. Way to go, Frank.

"But … this is all Stephanie's fault. She should have done as she was –"

"Enough! We will discuss faults a little later. I feel so embarrassed, and I am so ashamed of you, Helen. Don't you dare say anything else! There is nothing you can say to redeem your appalling behaviour."

Helen was about add something else inane and stupid but Frank just cut her off. He was still standing, glaring daggers at the whining harpy.

Douchebag Morelli made a very hasty exit. Stephanie let out a long drawn out breath and almost stifled a giggle. I squeezed her into my side and kissed her temple. She had taken it all really well and held her composure with fortitude.

"So proud of you, Babe."

Frank walked to Stephanie's side. He was looking sad and remorseful.

"Stephanie, Pumpkin. I am so sorry for not being there for you. I was not aware of the full situation and I deeply regret my lack of support. I don't know how to make it up to you. But, just know this, I am so very proud of you. That you and Carlos are happy and married, makes me feel so pleased. You have found the man of your dreams, I can tell. Congratulations to you both."

He hugged Stephanie and gave me a hearty handshake, strong and heartfelt with a firm pat on my shoulder.

"Now you two, go and get something decent to eat. I need to have some words with that shrew who claims to be your mother. Be safe. Be happy."

Edna saw us to the door with a chuckle and a hug.

"I have my bags packed and the rest in boxes. I am ready."

I grinned at her. "Will you be alright tonight?"

"Oh yes. For sure! I wanna see the fireworks. Tomorrow morning sometime will be fine. Now go. Love you both and don't worry about a thing here. This has been long overdue. Besides, I wouldn't want to miss a good Helen smackdown!"

So, Edna was ready to move into Stephanie's old apartment, which already had a complete makeover, especially that hideous sixties bathroom. We helped with new furniture and painted it white inside. New window fixtures, good security, of course, and new appliances and she was set to add her personal touches. Her neighbours were more age appropriate for her. And the bonus for Edna, she had the bathroom all to herself.

The storm had passed but I could see another front brewing. Edna waved and was rubbing her hands in anticipation, as she closed the front door.

oOo

TBC

Oh boy, oh boy oh boy.

Frank has snapped out of his stupor it seems. But has that just been a safety mechanism to manage all things Helen?

Edna is in for a show.

Not a cliffie in the true sense, but I will keep you in suspense for a bit.

Loving the reviews and reactions. Thank you so much.

Be safe. Be happy. Keep well.