I present to you another chapter!
Wish cast into the sky
I'm moving on
Sweet beginnings do arise
She knows I was wrong
The notes are old,
They bend, they fold
And so do I to a new love.
-"Swing, Swing" by The All-American Rejects
Santa Barbara: 2019
"Look Grandma!" Zuri jumped up and ran in between Maddie's lap, handing her a picture. "I drew you and daddy and grandpa and me. See?" Zuri pointed out each stick figure as she said who they were.
"I see, very good." Maddie praised taking the white sheet of paper from her, "Oh look at that," Maddie glanced at the clock on the mantle. "Bed time kiddo."
Zuri groaned in protest, "But I don't wanna go to bed." She puffed crossing her arms.
"Go say good night to daddy." Maddie changed the subject and placed the paper onto the couch cushions. Zuri squeezed out of Maddie's legs and carefully walked barefooted out onto the porch.
"Good night daddy." Shawn looked over towards the door and extended his arms. Zuri ran into them and was lifted onto his lap. "Good night baby girl." Shawn kissed her forehead.
"Will you read me a story?" Zuri clutched his shirt.
"Why don't you ask grandma? I'm sure she'd love to read you a story." Shawn hated that he wasn't going to read her a story. Ever since she was a baby he always read her a story, no matter what. But tonight he just wasn't feeling it. Too many things were on his mind and he was too antsy to sit and read a child's book.
"Okay…" Zuri sighed hopping down from Shawn's lap and running back inside. Once Shawn couldn't see her anymore he leaned his head against the window and closed his eyes. He folded his arms and rested his legs onto the railing in front of him. Shawn took a deep breath and held it for a few seconds before letting it go. He tried not to think, or move any muscle in his body. He could hear the birds chirping softly in the tress, the occasional car driving down the road and the sounds of the waves hitting the rocks and sand only twenty feet away from him.
"Tired?" Shawn heard his father sit heavily in the chair next to him. Shawn shrugged and didn't open his eyes. "You're doing a good job," Henry opened a can of beer, "Raising her and all. She's a good kid." Henry took a sip and placed it onto the table between him and Shawn.
"She is." Shawn agreed nodding softly.
"Just because you're back in town doesn't mean you're going to see them." Henry said. Shawn opened his eyes and swung his legs down, turning to face his dad.
"I didn't say anything about seeing anyone." Shawn gripped the arm of the chair tightly.
Henry rolled his eyes, "It's all over your face kid. You're scared to run into them again- Juliet again."
"That's none of your business." Shawn bit down softly onto his bottom lip trying to hold his tongue. Leaving Juliet had been one of the hardest things in his life. She had been a breath of fresh air for him, a new start. She loved him and was happy because they were together. And Shawn had let her down. Seeing the look on her face when he told her he wasn't psychic broke his heart. He dispelled all of the times she had defended him to people. All the times she swore that he was magnificent and the real deal. He let her down and crushed her heart, worst of all making her a liar to everyone who asked her if he truly was psychic.
Santa Barbara: 2014
"Shawn you have to cut this out!" Gus argued. Shawn laughed and fell into his desk chair. "I'm serious. You're starting to believe you're actually psychic."
"Who said I'm not?" Shawn picked up the bag he'd brought in and searched through the various food items inside.
"The fact that psychics don't exist. There's no such thing expect in fiction and TV shows." Gus crossed his arms.
"Dude relax," Shawn stood up and placed a hand on Gus's shoulder, "I know psychics aren't real, you know psychics aren't real but they don't." Shawn shook Gus softly. "That's why we're making money."
"By fooling the city?" Both Shawn and Gus whipped around.
"Jules…" Shawn's heart began to beat faster in his chest when he saw his girlfriend.
"Uh… I think better go." Gus ran past Juliet without another thought.
"It's not what you think." Shawn gulped.
"Not what I think?" Juliet stepped towards him with her arms across her chest. "I think you just admitted that you're not psychic." Shawn lowered his eyes. He couldn't look at her anymore. "You lied to me Shawn." Her voice went to a whisper.
"I-I didn't mean to." He stuttered rubbing the back of his neck.
"Then what the hell?" She pushed him back roughly. Shawn bumped into the desk behind him, "I can explain." Shawn held his hands in front of him.
"I don't want to hear it Spencer." She growled out his name. "You've been lying to me since the day we met."
"Not technically." Shawn said, "I didn't tell you I was a psychic at that diner."
"Shawn!" Juliet yelled, "You're a liar. A fraud. Just like Frank. I told you why I had issues with him and then you go and pull a stunt like this." Her face fell.
"Just let me explain Jules. Please." Shawn tried to step towards her.
"No," She shook her head. By now her eyes were like water ducts, tears pouring down her face. "Nothing you have told me was true was it? It was all a lie."
"No baby no." He stopped walking when she stepped back. "It wasn't all a lie. I'm still me. I'm still the same guy."
"Which is what Shawn? The only you I've ever known was a liar."
"That's not true." Shawn shook his head.
Juliet took a deep breath, "I can't do this with you right now. I'm this close to pulling my gun." Juliet held up two fingers that were close to touching. "I don't think you should be around me for a while." She turned and began to walk away.
"Just don't tell Jules." He rushed after her.
"How dare you ask that of me!" She screamed.
"Not for me! For my dad and Gus. This is my mess, not theirs." Shawn said.
"I won't tell Shawn. Only because I don't want to be a traitor like you. I defended you. Every time someone called you an idiot for being psychic I told them you were. I told widows and victims' families that a psychic was going to figure out what happened to their loved ones. I gave them false hope. And I blame you Shawn." With that being said Juliet ran out of the Psych office.
Santa Barbara: 2019
"You're right it's not." Henry held up his hands in defeat. "It's all yours kiddo. Just don't let it bother you." Henry stood up with his beer and walked into the house. Shawn settled back into his seat and gave himself a few minutes to calm down. After his body had relaxed and the night sky had finally turned black, Shawn headed inside.
The house was dark. Shawn took that as a meaning that everyone else was asleep. He checked all the doors and windows on the bottom floor to make sure they were all locked before he headed up stairs. He quietly slipped into his old bedroom. Zuri was fast asleep on one side of the bed. Using his phone as a light Shawn searched his bags for clean clothes. Once found Shawn walked to the bathroom. He quickly stripped and put on new clothes. He brushed his teeth and hair. Shawn took a paper cup from the holder and filled it with water from the sink. He opened a pill bottle and took his dose. After using the bathroom Shawn retired to the bedroom. He carefully got into the bed and under the covers. He wrapped an arm around Zuri and closed his eyes, waiting for sleep to come.
Shawn opened his eyes and squinted. He was going to kill whoever opened the blinds. He turned around and noticed Zuri wasn't in the room. Looking at the clock he realized it was almost noon. "Shit." Shawn got up and pulled on a pair of jeans. He walked slowly down the stairs towards the kitchen. He stopped when he heard a familiar voice.
"Coffee?" his dad asked.
"That would be lovely Henry." Shawn continued into the kitchen and looked around. Two heads looked up at him. "Good Morning Mister Spencer." Karen Vick greeted with a smile.
"Evening." Henry corrected, "It's a quarter till noon." Henry placed two mugs onto the table.
Karen rolled her eyes, "I heard you were coming back into town." Shawn nodded.
"Family issues." He fisted his hands.
"I'm well aware of the situation." Karen nodded and picked up one of the mugs, "Would you like to join us?" Shawn moved slowly into the chair across from Karen and sat. "I'd like to apologize for my hostility during our last meeting."
"It's alright Chief. You were just doing your job." Shawn shrugged.
"It's just Karen now. I've retired." Henry sat down next to Karen.
"I heard. Lassie's Chief now huh? Things must be going well." Shawn accepted the cup his father held towards him. Shawn took a sip and practically groaned in happiness when the liquid hit his dry throat.
"In more ways than one. He's doing a pretty good job. You as well. Henry's told me a bit about what you do, but I still don't see it clearly." Karen leaned towards Shawn a little bit, giving him all her attention.
"I work for an insurance company." Shawn set the mug down on the table.
"Good money?"
"Very." Shawn nodded. "I'm making quite a lot."
Karen's smile grew, "I'm glad. I've met your daughter. She's very cute."
"Thank you. Where is she by the way?" Shawn looked at his dad.
"Your mom took her out to the park. We thought you could use some sleep." Henry answered.
"Thanks." Shawn picked the mug back up and gripped it with both hands. He took another sip and stretched out his legs underneath the table.
"I'm glad you're doing well Shawn. It's good to hear. Unfortunately I've got to be going." Karen stood up and motioned for Henry to stay seated, "Thank you for lunch Henry." She walked to the kitchen door.
"My pleasure Karen." Henry nodded.
"I hope to see you again soon Shawn. I'd love to catch up more." She left before Shawn could respond.
"That wasn't too bad, eh?" Henry glanced at Shawn who sighed and stared down into his mug.
Can you all believe only a few more episodes until our favorite show is off air? It seems like the first season ended oh so long ago. I have no idea what I'll be doing with Psych no longer coming out with new episodes. Most of my life is centered around it- Obsessive geek I know...
I hope you all enjoyed this chapter, I loved writing it for you!
