May 9, 2006

Inquisitive Natures

Sonny and Alexis leave Brooke Lynn outside in the backyard to continue their conversation inside beyond Momma Cass' nosey ears. Sonny yanks his hands from his pockets more than willing to talk with them over trying to come up with words of explanation.

"Obviously there are some issues we might need to discuss." He softly tries to break the ice.

Alexis bulks at the calm as a matter of fact tone in his voice. "Yes. Sonny. Issues. Many issues. You're illiterate. That's huge."

She crosses her arms waiting for him to juggle the ball thrown back into his court. He motions his hands some more and after taking in a couple of her obscure looks, he gives up and shoves them back into his pockets.

"I'm not stupid."

"I didn't call you stupid Sonny. I am trying to figure out exactly how you pulled this off."

"You're making it sound like I scammed you or something. I didn't tell anybody."

"Then how did Brooke Lynn know?"

"The kid knows everything. I can't hide anything from her. Trust me. I'd love to. My life would be a hell of a lot easier, but she always finds out."

"You know what upsets me the most?"

"No. I'm not sure why you all are upset. Hell I'm the one that should be torn up. But I'm not."

"Why not Sonny? Now before you answer. Understand that I feel like I was lied to."

Sonny throws his arms open. "I don't understand why this is about you! Or even her passed out on my lawn! I'm the one that can't read and write. Help me here."

"Do you remember what we meant to each other Sonny?"

"Oh god. Where are you going with this?"

"You sat on my couch many times. I shared my biggest fears with you. I broke pottery for you and never once did you mention something like this."

"I don't understand why it even matters Alexis."

"It's an issue of trust. It's an issue of truth. You're not who I thought you were."

"Who did you think I was and who do you think I am now? Let me guess. You thought I was a clever and smart business man, legal or not, and now you think I'm incompetent."

Kevin pushes back in his recliner to look up at the ceiling. Lucy interrupts his meditation with the close of the door.

"Doc, you've been in a better mood since you got Alexis back."

"I can't deny that she fills a void."

"Seriously. What does that mean? Should I worry?"

Kevin flashes Lucy a grin. "No. I do owe Alexis a bit of gratitude for bailing me out back in the day. But aside from that, I've been with her through everything. And all I can do is help her deal with her latest situation the best way that I can."

Lucy stares at Kevin not exactly sure of what he means.

"Her latest issue? Something wrong with Sonny? You really didn't explain why she ended up in the hospital."

"Aside from her discovery of his inability to read and write? No. Sonny is Sonny."

"Is something wrong with Kristina?"

"Doctor- patient confidentiality Lucy."

"Ok. How about I ask as a friend of Alexis?"

"Well then I'd have to say it's not in your best interest for me to disclose any information about Alexis. I'm sorry Lucy. Alexis asked me not to."

"Ok. That's fine. I'm leaving now."

Kevin darts from his chair and grabs a part of Lucy's dress.

"No. No. I know you Lucy. You're gonna go snoop aren't you?"

Lucy frantically shakes her head. "No. You said she doesn't want anyone to know. I don't even know what to snoop for."

"You always stumble upon information. Do not go snooping Lucy."

Alexis stares at Sonny unsure of whether or not to agree. "Yes. I find you incompetent. Not because of this. Just in general. Do you even know who shot through your window?"

"Not yet."

"Shouldn't that be a priority? How is Kristina going to live with you under these circumstances?"

Alexis touches her heart realizing she said too much, but Brooke Lynn saves her.

"I'm better!" She announces while racing through the door. Alexis grabs her and becomes overly concerned with dusting the grass from Brooke Lynn's clothing.

"You are covered in crap. And if I'm not mistaken, I think I'm supposed to take you home."

"Where you going? We're not finished!" Sonny yells at her as she gathers Brooke Lynn's backpack.

"Yes. We are. Let's go Brooke Lynn." Alexis takes Brooke Lynn by the hand and drags her out of the house.

Lorenzo fell back on his bed and placed the cold press on his swollen face. He quickly jerked up his body from the slam of his door. Alexis invited herself in and moved towards him with her face filled with intimidation.

"Natasha. Please. Don't hit me again. I want to keep my real teeth a couple more years."

Alexis grinned and pushed him back onto his bed. She sat down behind him and caressed his head on her lap.

"Lorenzo. You're going to explain to me why you told Ric I was pregnant after I told you not to."

Lorenzo sat up not convinced she wouldn't break his neck if he made himself vulnerable.

"It was either that or me telling him that we almost slept together. Which bullet did you wish to extricate Natasha?"

"You're a bloody wimp Lorenzo!"

"Bloody?" Lorenzo grinned with pain in his jaw. "He's an attorney. He asks questions. Too many I might add. And he was getting suspicious."

"And the best you could do was 'Alexis is pregnant'. What an annoying chap!"

A knock hit Lorenzo's bedroom door. Ric's voice followed the knock calling Lorenzo's name. Lorenzo and Alexis rushed to find her a hiding place under the bed.

After Alexis was settled under, Lorenzo invited him in. "Come on in Ric!"

Ric walked in ready to vent. "I need to talk to you about Alexis. What happened to your face?"

Lorenzo touched his face almost forgetting his bruises. "E-bay."

Ric tried to hold back a laugh but failed. "The Russian wife? I thought you were joking?"

"Enough about me. What's your problem with Alexis?"

"I'm upset she didn't even bother to tell me about the pregnancy. What made her tell you?"

"It was a slip Ric. I think she was in shock."

"Maybe. You know where she is? I checked the office. No luck."

Lorenzo looked down and behind himself. "Not a clue Ric. I'll call you if I see her."

Alexis shakes herself from her daydream and realizes the coffee pot is in her hand instead of on the hot plate. She gasps at the coffee making its way across her counter.

"I'll be out there Brooke Lynn!" Alexis calls out to her while rushing to clean up the hot mess.

Alexis makes her way into the living room and hands Brooke Lynn a warm mug. She gives her a soft smile before settling next to her on the couch. Alexis yanks out a bottle sitting on the table behind her. "Would you like Baileys in your coffee?"

Brooke Lynn grins at Alexis and nods with excitement while crossing her legs on the couch for a comfortable position.

"Is that ok Alexis?"

"Of course. We'll keep it between us. It's our secret girl's night in."

Alexis pours in the Baileys under Brooke Lynn's watchful eye. Brooke immediately gulps down her coffee after the ok.

"Slow down Brooke. We can't get light-headed here. We have a lot to discuss."

The night begins to fall to Sonny's dread. He had taken a walk to Lois' house and found her door locked. So he sauntered back to his house and into the backyard to set up camp for the night. Sitting on his back stoop, he notices the porch light gleaming above his head and he realizes he's lucky to have it considering he's never paid the bill.

"How would Kristina live here?" He asks himself not exactly sure of what Alexis meant, but deep down inside knowing exactly how she felt.

He keeps his ears on alert and notices a sound of someone coming along the side of his house. "Who is it?" He speaks with force to the air.

"It's just Lucy Coe."

Sonny stands up from his stoop and approaches Lucy trying to maneuver in the dark. He grabs his flashlight and guides her to his porch under the light.

"Lucy? What are you doing here all by yourself?"

"I just thought I'd stop by. Lois and I went out for dinner."

"Oh. I stopped by her place and noticed she was gone."

"So what's the deal with Alexis, Sonny?"

"Maybe I should have taken my own advice on the Baileys huh?" Alexis questions lying back into a comfortable position on her couch. She observes Brooke Lynn fighting to stay awake at the other end. "Are you ok Brookie?"

"I think so. I think I should just lay right here. If my mom calls, I'll talk to her tomorrow." Brooke Lynn rubs her eyes and closes them to avoid the beaming lights.

"We won't answer the phones." Alexis reassures her.

They both lay in complete silence until a thought pops into Brooke Lynn's head. "Alexis?"

"Yes Dear."

"What happened to Baby Ricky?"

Alexis sighs. "Sonny was right."

Brooke Lynn sits up to look at Alexis. "Right about what?"

"You always find out."

"Wow Lucy. You don't waste time."

Sonny invites Lucy to sit down in his lawn chair. He reclaims his seat on the stoop.

Lucy shrugs her shoulders. "Why not just ask huh? Is it a crime to just ask?"

"No. Unfortunately I don't know what you're looking for Lucy. Doesn't Kevin know what's wrong with Alexis?"

"Patient-doctor confidentiality."

"Right. Right." Sonny nods his head in understanding. "I'm sorry. Can you clarify?"

"He said something about helping her with her latest issue."

"Maybe her visit to the hospital. She's still mourning the loss of Ric and Lorenzo. She loved them very much."

"They were good guys. So I hear you're illiterate?" Lucy belts out with a grin.

"So my issues aren't confidential?"

"Sorry. It's just between me, Kevin, and Alexis."

"So Alexis knew! She gave me hell about not telling her and she knew the whole time!" Sonny's eyes grow wide.

Lucy starts to bite her fingernails. "Did I get someone in trouble?"

"Sorry Alexis. Didn't mean to pry."

"You're not prying Brooke Lynn. I just don't know what you already know. In fact I thought you knew a lot. I guess not."

"I've heard different stories. My dad has his theories and my mom always shoots them down. I know my dad hates Uncle Sonny."

"That he does. Sonny was involved. But that's over now. It's time for everyone to move on. But since you asked so nicely, I'll tell you the story."

Sonny grabs his jacket from the kitchen table with Lucy at his heels.

"I'm going over there and giving her a piece of my mind Lucy!"

Lucy grabs Sonny's arm and pulls him back. "No Sonny. You're gonna get me in trouble. I wasn't supposed to pry."

"And I should save your ass because?"

"All I did for you. I will pay you to shut up. What do you want? Name it!"

"A double cheeseburger with a large fry and a Hi-C sounds good right about now."

Lucy smiles. "You're easy."

Sonny returns the smile. "And we can pry together. You have access to files and I have the smarts to not get caught. We'll find out the truth about Alexis together."