Chapter Eight

The next morning, Pacey paced back and forth across the shaggy carpet of the Witters' living room, trying to remain calm as he listened to his father. By the time Joey and he made it to Capeside, the charges against Mike Potter were dropped. Pacey had Doug to thank for quick damage control. Apparently, John Witter had gone behind his elder son and present sheriff's back and used his former authoritative position to persuade his officer pals to help him out.

When John stopped speaking, Pacey turned to him and gave a humorless chuckle, "Let me get this straight….You discovered that Mike did not make one bank deposit in your designated timeframe and you automatically jumped to the conclusion that he ran off with the money."

"Don't use that patronizing tone with me, Pace," John replied gruffly, standing up from the sofa, "What was I supposed to assume? He didn't come to work the next morning and he didn't answer my calls. I checked with the bank to make sure that there wasn't a glitch in their website. It wasn't chump change. It was a large sum, Pacey."

"Mike didn't answer your calls because his cell died while he was sitting in the ER all night with Bessie. Alexander had gotten sick at summer camp with an allergic reaction. Did it ever occur to you to call the B&B or Bodie or me for that matter?"

The former shieriff put his head down as if defeated, but he responded, "Potter should've still called, or at the very least told the officer that he had the deposit. There would've been no arrest if he had it with him. "

Unbelievable, Pacey thought. After all these years, his father still couldn't simply admit when he made a mistake. Sure, he'd eventually apologize months or years later, but apologies did not come easy for his old man. He was a man made of steel pride, "It was at the B&B and according to Doug, as Mike explained that when he was pulled over, but your law enforcement buddy took him in anyway."

"So you're taking his side?"

Pacey shook his head, but kept his voice even, "Pop, there is no sides in this particular situation. There is only the truth. You've been a blood hound ever since I hired the both of you, looking for any sign of suspicion. You never gave him a chance," Pacey said, flapping his hands. "I don't know…I don't know. Maybe I was wrong to think having both of you as managers could actually work and benefit the Icehouse."

John narrowed his brows, "So that's it, huh? You're firing me, Pace? You're firing your own father?"

How was it that his old man could make him feel like the villain? Pacey wondered as he rubbed his temples. "I can't keep getting calls whenever you think Mike's up to no good, Pop. I can't keep rushing back here for every fictitious crisis. Do you have any idea what's been happening these last couple months with me, what's been happening with Joey?"

"Only from what Dougie tells me," his father replied. "Every time I call you, Pacey, you seem exasperated with me before I even say a word. Sure, maybe I've been a bit hardheaded when it comes to Mike Potter, but I've only been trying to look out for you. For years, I've been trying to make up for being a shitty father to you growing up. But no matter how many times I say I'm proud of you. No matter how much money I've dished out for the restaurant, you keep me at arm's length."

Only John Witter could make a false charge of theft into how Pacey was a lousy son. Pacey sighed. Despite what the former sheriff thought, however,, Pacey had been more than grateful for his father's financial investment in the Icehouse. Pacey had finally thought that they were slowly moving beyond his less than stellar upbringing. The insults and the putdowns had cut deep into his self-worth, but maybe his old man was right. Maybe Pacey couldn't let go of the past so easily Maybe their relationship was a lost cause. Pacey nodded, "Maybe you're right. Maybe we're both at fault here, but as of right now, I don't see an easy fix."

Pacey dropped his head as he walked passed his father and out the door.

….

"It's not too late, you know," Joey said later that afternoon, placing her hand over Pacey's as they sat on the porch swing overlooking Doug and Jack's front yard that led straight to the beach. On any other day, Pacey would take in this view and salty scented breeze and feel a fierce need to be one with the sea, but today was no such day. "You can hire your dad back, Pacey " Joey continued. "My dad isn't even that upset about the whole thing,"

Pacey turned his head toward her and arched an eyebrow.

"Okay," Joey nodded and sighed, "He was pissed actually, but he said that he was expecting something like this eventually. It comes with the territory when an ex-con works with a retired sheriff. When you put a dog and cat in a locked cage, nine times out of ten there will be some type of melodrama if not bloodshed."

Pacey gave a weary chuckle, "That bad analogy is supposed to help? How?"

"I'm just trying to saying that it was a misunderstanding between two very stubborn men," Joey smiled slightly, " but it could've been worse."

The screen door squeaked as Doug walked out holding a wriggling Amy on his hip, "Joey's right, ya know, little brother. You had to expect some type of dramatics to befall when you hired the both of them."

"I can't believe you of all people are making light of Pop's actions," Pacey replied gesturing with his hands. "The man used his influence at the department, Dougie, and disregarded your authority."

"Bubba!" Amy screamed.

"Exactly, Amy!" Pacey said triumphantly. "See, she gets it!"

Joey laughed, "I don't think Amy's using expletives just yet, Pacey."

Doug rolled his eyes as he guided Amy's bottle to her mouth, "All I'm saying is that there isn't a rulebook on how to be a good father, Pace. And despite his misguided suspicions of Mike, Pop only had your best interest at heart, Pace."

"Okay," Pacey held up his hand, "enough of this good-natured advice. I'm gonna go down to the Icehouse." He turned back to Joey and asked, " Do you want to come?"

Joey shook her head, "I want to spend time with Amy."

Pacey smiled, "Will you be okay here with my brother's newly found parenting words of wisdom?"

Joey smirked and patted his thigh, "I think I'll manage, Pace."

Pacey grinned back and gave her a quick kiss before getting up.

"Hey," Doug retorted, "I give good advice."

"Yeah," Pacey countered over his shoulder as he stepped off the porch, "you're a regular Dr. Phil."

Doug turned to Joey, "What do you see in him?"

"I guess the same thing Jack sees in you," she replied keeping a straight face. "The Witter charm is too darn irresistible."

That earned her a skeptical look to which Joey laughed.

…

A little while later after Doug went to the police department, Joey helped Evelyn Ryan fold laundry while Amy happily sat on her Minnie Mouse play mat and chewed on her freezable teething ring. It had become a daily routine for Grams to come over to the beach house to dote on her great-granddaughter while Jack was at school and Doug was on duty. Even though Amy had a fulltime babysitter other than Grams, Evelyn still loved to be an active presence in the little girl's life.

Evelyn had moved back to Capeside and moved into La Brea Park, the retirement community that Joey remembered Jen remarking, gave retirement a bad name, which was why Jack probably kept trying to persuade Evelyn to move into the beach house. However, according to Jack, Evelyn was adamant about not being an intrusion on Doug and Jack. Nevertheless, Joey knew, Jack was worried about her. The woman may have been in remission, but she was both physically and emotionally drained, especially after Jen's death.

Now as Joey watched Evelyn smile down at the blond curly-haired girl with familiar bright, blue eyes, she wondered what she would do in the older woman's shoes. Would she be as resilient? Probably not, Joey thought as she folded a bath towel and put it aside.

"Momma," Amy said in her sweet, tiny voice, pointing a small finger toward a framed picture of Jen sitting on the end table by the couch.

"Yes, that's your mommy, sweetheart," Evelyn smiled as she bent down from the sofa and brought Amy onto her lap. The great-grandmother then turned to Joey and explained, "We've been making sure Jennifer remains a constant presence in her young life, any way we can."

Joey smiled slightly as a wave of sadness washed over her, a familiar sadness for a child who lost her mother too soon. Joey also ached for a grandmother who lost her granddaughter who was more like a daughter.

Joey had never been particularly close to Evelyn Ryan, but now they shared in the loss of Jen. As a child, Joey had thought of the woman as some type of witch who despised all children. Then, Joey had seen her as a religious fanatic who shunned the Potter family for their "sinful" lifestyle. It wasn't until Jen came into town that Joey started seeing Evelyn as a kind and spirited woman. While Evelyn had helped Jen become tamer, Joey thought, Jen had helped her become more opened minded and easygoing. Evelyn even seemed to become more energetic up until her breast cancer diagnosis.

The thought made Joey tense.

As she brushed a curl off of Amy's forehead, Joey asked gently, "How are you doing, Evelyn?"

The other woman gave a small smile, "After all these years, Dear, don't you think it's time for you to call me Grams like everyone else?"

Joey's lips curved slightly and she nodded.

"And to answer your question," Grams continued, "I have good days and bad days, but this little one here," she tightened her arms around Amy, earning a giggle, "keeps me on my toes." The older woman's wise eyes then probed Joey's face, " How about you, Dear? Bessie told me about what you've been going through lately."

"Of course, she has," Joey replied dryly.

"You shouldn't be upset with her, child," Grams said, "Bessie's just concerned for you."

"I know," Joey sighed and nodded, brushing her hair behind her ear, "I know…It's just that I know Bessie's position on what I should do, but I'm still not sure on what's right for me."

"It's a difficult decision, " Grams supplied and then sighed. "I once believed that you shouldn't question the Lord's plan, that your faith will get you through anything. That notion, however, is hard to hang onto as you go through chemo and wonder about your next test results and then you see the worry on the faces of your loved ones."

Joey hesitated, "So…so if you had the chance to prevent it, you would?"

"In a heartbeat," Grams replied firmly but quickly added, "But I'm not you, Josephine."

Joey looked down, trying to contemplate everything, as a little body crawled onto her lap. Amy grinned up at her and Joey grinned back. Her internal debate vanished for the moment as she hugged the little girl.

"Looks like Amy missed her Aunt Joey," Jack's laughing voice entered the room.

Joey smiled at him, "Hey Jack." She stood from the sofa still hanging onto Amy who rested her head on Joey's shoulder.

"Where's Pacey?" Jack asked.

"At the Icehouse," Joey replied, "trying to put out any fires started by our fathers, figuratively speaking of course."

"I don't think too much damage was done, " Jack smiled. "Doug says the restaurant has turned a good profit the last couple months despite the tension brewing between them."

"If you ask me, the former sheriff Witter needs to get over himself," Grams put in as she stood from the sofa, "and stop acting like a grumpy old man."

"Grams," Jack chuckled, "speaking of grumpy old men, do you have another hot date with Mr. Niles tonight."

"Who's Mr. Niles? Joey asked, looking back and forth between Jack and Grams.

"Grams' new boyfriend."

"Really?" Joey smiled.

Grams gave Jack a look of reproof, "George's just a neighbor friend over at the retirement community. We play poker together sometimes and he's busy tonight."

"Great," Jack grinned, "you can stay for dinner. Joey, I hope you and Pacey can too. Doug and I are throwing a few steaks on the grill."

"Ah, maybe," Joey shrugged. "I promised Bessie I'd run a few errands and I don't know when Pacey'll be back."

Joey handed over a sleepy Amy to Jack and said her goodbyes. She loved being a part of familiar lighthearted conversion, but she needed a little time alone, to think.

…

Pacey looked around the interior dining room of the Icehouse. There were only a few individuals still leisurely eating their lunch. Out on the deck, however, a decent sized crowd still lingered. Even with "The Icy Management Scandal" being headline news for The Capeside Press, Pacey had been surprised that it didn't affect business too much, although Mike did have a few snide remarks thrown his way.

"Mike," Pacey called him over to the bar as he sat down on a stool.

Mike walked over after he said goodbye to Mr. Clayton and his family, who were regular patrons during tourist season. "Looks like everyone enjoyed the lobster roll special today," Mike commented as he took a seat next to Pacey.

"They also enjoy a front row seat to a scandal," Pacey replied dryly.

"That too," the other man sighed and nodded.

"Listen, Mike," Pacey began, "I just want to apologize again for…"

"Pacey," Mike cut him off, holding up a hand, "I already told you that there's no need for apologies. I may not have stolen money, but I'm not an innocent victim. I egged John on and let my temper get the best of me on occasion."

"Still," Pacey replied, "You're probably questioning having any association to the Witter clan. I mean, I know that I'm not the guy that you envisioned your daughter ending up with," Pacey replied, remembering Mike's praise of Dawson all those Christmas dinners ago, "But I wouldn't blame you if you were dead set against me being with Joey now."

Mike arched a brow, "What? That's farthest thing from the truth, son." He put a hand on Pacey's shoulder. "I couldn't have envisioned a better man for Joey. I've been very grateful she has had you by her side these last couple months."

Pacey gave a small smile but then it retreated and he sighed, "I wish I could do more for her, ya know, give her all the answers she needs. I want her to know I'm with her for the long-haul no matter what she decides."

"Doesn't Joey know that?"

"I think she does," Pacey replied, gesturing with his hands, "But she keeps talking about wanting to remember the past when things were simpler. I...I think Joey's afraid to think about the future. because there aren't any guarantees," he trailed off as an idea popped in his head, then asked Mike, "You really approve of me in Joey's life….on a permanent basis?

Mike grinned as if he knew Pacey's hidden meaning and replied, "Yes, of course ."

"You better approve, Potter," came a familiar surly voice.

Pacey and Mike turned toward John Witter who wore his same old bland expression. "What are you doing here?" Pacey asked.

"I want my job back and I came to grovel if need be," John said a bit sourly. He turned toward Mike, "I'm sorry I jumped to the wrong conclusion. Ya know, I have trouble believing people can change, maybe because I've got trouble changing myself, but I'm willing to work on it.

Mike gave a nod of acceptance.

John then directed his attention to Pacey. "You're a good son, Pace. And I'm not gonna hold the fact that you fired me against you for too long," his lips twitched at the corners.

Pacey stood and stepped toward his father. He was tired of holding a grudge for past mistakes. "You're on probation, Pop," he said in a serious tone.

"That's fair, I guess," John offered.

Pacey then smiled, "I gotta say, despite your love for the dramatics you two are actually a great team….I have a feeling this is a start of a beautiful friendship…"

John and Mike looked at him, then each other, and then they walked in opposite directions getting back to business.

Pacey chuckled even as his mind went back to how he could make a permanent guarantee for the future to Joey.

…

After Joey stopped at the market, having picked up Alexander's favorite foods consisting of Chips Ahoy, Cheese Doritos, and Mountain Dew (because every kid needs to indulge in junk food for at least a week after spending the night in the ER), she walked the same old streets of Downtown Capeside trying to clear her head. One would think after her talk with Grams things would become clearer, Joey thought. However, she'd always been the exception to the rule.

Joey walked a few feet with her head slightly bent down, focusing only on the cracks in the sidewalk, and then she froze. Her head lifted.

The wall.

"You bought me a wall?" she'd asked Pacey with wide eyes, a little more than surprised.

"Not bought, rented," Pacey had clarified. "And this thing didn't come cheap, either. It cost me a hundred bucks."

"You bought me a wall?"

"You said that already," Pacey had replied. "Look, it's a limited time offer, so you should get cracking."

Pacey," she'd smiled, trying to figure why he would do something so outrageous for her, "did you fail to notice the size of this thing?"

"I just thought your next endeavor should be bigger and better than your last one. It's important you keep on growing both as a person and as an artist. I also brought you this," he'd held up a can of paint, " Now I know it's not gonna cover the whole thing. But as the saying goes, 'A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.'"

…

The long ago memory was so acute that Joey could almost feel the cold wind blow across her cheeks even as a touching warmth wrapped around her heart. Joey remembered how she'd stared at the boy she'd known almost her whole life and seeing him in a completely new light. She hadn't known it then, but that moment would point her down an unexpected yet thrilling path in her life, a path she was still traveling despite a couple roadblocks along the way.

Maybe, she thought, if she stared at the wall long enough, the answer to her new dilemma would come to her…

A hand touched her shoulder, making her jump.

Joey turned around, "Dawson!"

He gave an uncertain smile, "Sorry, didn't you hear me?"

"I was lost in thought."

Dawson broke out in a genuine smile, "Some things never change."

"Yeah," she smiled slightly and then she hugged him, "It's good to see you, Dawson".

"You too," he grinned as he stepped back, "When did you come back into town?"

"Early this morning," Joey replied, "to deal with the drama of Pacey's father arresting my father. You know, a type of tragedy Shakespeare would've killed to pen," she remarked dryly.

"Yeah," Dawson 's brows narrowed, "I was wondering about that. I was actually about to call you. How's your dad?"

"He's doing okay," Joey replied, tucking her windblown her behind her ears, "Pacey fired his dad, though."

"Wow! How's Pacey doing?"

"He's struggling with his decision despite what he says to the contrary"

"There seems to be a lot of that going on." Dawson said, looking at the wall and back at her. "What were you thinking about when I interrupted , Joey."

Since when did Dawson become so intuitive? Joey shrugged, "Well, you know me. My mind never stops, " She paused, thinking quickly. "How are your ideas for next season coming along, Dawson?" she went with a topic he couldn't resist.

Dawson looked unsure for a second but went with the change of subject, " Yeah, actually, I could use your help with that, Jo. I'm glad I bumped into you. I think that I made a mistake introducing the triangle too soon. Sam and Petey hate each other, so why would she be so conflicted?"

"Well, Dawson, you did develop an unspeakable attraction between them," Joey pointed out. "You did have Petey and Sam kiss in the season finale, making her run off to Colby."

"I know," he sighed, "but that's just hormonal. I don't know. I've got their antagonistic banter down pat, you know, having an eyewitness account of it since the first grade and all." he chuckled, "but I'm having trouble with the grand moment when everything changes between them. When does their hate turn into love?"

Why had she agreed on giving him advice? Joey thought. She couldn't very well tell Dawson that he was wrong about his two best friends. The truth was that Joey didn't really despise Pacey growing up and vice verses. They'd only fought for Dawson's attention, the boy who had the ideal life or so they thought, and somewhere along the way Pacey and Joey forgot where their hostility started.

Joey sighed and said, "There wasn't a grand moment where everything changed, Dawson. When it came to serious matters, Pacey and I actually opened up to each other and found that we actually had things in common like our dysfunctional families, but I guess we didn't realize it, that despite our protests to the contrary, we were genuine friends," Joey smiled. "Then, came the little moments in Junior year: ditching class; restoring True Love; dance lessons; Pacey helping with the B&B," Joey stopped when she saw a glint of past hurt in her friend's eyes. She sighed, "This is awkward."

"No," Dawson shook his head, "no, Joey. I just realized that I was going about this all wrong." He took a deep breath, then turned around, "But if there aren't grand moments, Joey, then what does this wall represent?"

Joey's lips curved up slightly, "Well, Dawson, I said that there wasn't a grand moment where everything changed between us like a switching on a light" she sighed, "But when Pacey brought me this wall, it was the moment that I first loved him. I may not have realized it then, but I know now. This wall challenged me…Well, Pacey challenged me to take a risk with my heart, but the wall represents the challenge ."

"What does the wall mean now?" Dawson asked, "Why were you lost in thought?"

"Trying to decide if I should take a new step of a different kind," Joey turned and stared at the bricks as she heard Grams whisper, in a heartbeat.