Through Thick And Thin
Anne-Marie's smile turned into a scowl as she set eyes on her nemesis, her face couldn't hide the pure disgust she felt. In fact it was closer to hatred. She could barely open her mouth to speak. When she finally did, her tone was cold.
ANNE-MARE: I didn't realise you had visitors Joseph?
JOSEPH: Yes, Jac needs my help.
Anne-Marie looks at Jac up and down.
ANNE-MARIE: I see, and how long will she be staying with you for?
JOSEPH: Mother you're not going to like what I'm about to say. Joseph pauses, he realises what he's about to say will go down like a lead balloon...
JOSEPH: Jac and I, we've decided to try again. Takes a very deep breath before continuing.. We love each other.
Anne-Marie's face turns to a dark shade of purple and her eyes narrow down to slits.
ANNE-MARIE: I can't believe I'm hearing this! After everything she has done - she blew our family apart. Have you forgotten what she did to you? To us? HAVE YOU?
JOSEPH: (His voice rising) I am sick and tired of holding grudges! It achieves nothing, apart from eating away at me, until there is nothing left but bitterness. I'm done with it mother!
ANNE-MARIE: (Shouts) Why now! Why her! What would your father say?
Joseph shakes his heads angrily.
JOSEPH: DON'T YOU DARE BRING HIM INTO THIS! He was no saint believe me. How many fathers would sleep with their son's girlfriend?
Joseph couldn't remember the last time he raised his voice to his mother.
Jac was sitting on the sofa, staring at the floor. Anne-Marie turned to face her.
ANNE-MARIE: You do realise Joseph is only looking after you because he feels it's his duty? You're his project, something to keep his mind off Faye.
JOSEPH: Stop it, Jac knows the reason why she is here. She knows I have for forgiven her for what she has done. His voice was now low. You can't stand the fact that I have forgiven her, because you Never have forgiven dad. Even though he's been dead for three years.
ANNE-MARIE: You will have your heart broken again if you go ahead with this sham.
Jac looked straight at Anne-Marie with a resolute look.
JAC: I won't hurt Joseph again Anne-Marie, I can promise you that. I know what I did in many people eyes was unforgiveable. But this is my chance to try and undo some of the damage that I caused. I can never turn back time and take back what I said or did. But Joseph makes me happy. I love him, and this time it's real it's not for my personal gain anymore. For years I never thought he would forgive me, but all credit to him he's shown what kind of man he his. I am going to repay his faith in me.
Anne-Marie looks at Jac with utter contempt.
ANNE-MARIE: I don't believe a single word you say, you're a lying scheming nasty slut, with absolutley no morals whatsoever.
Jac can feel her throat tighten so she swallows hard. Anne-Marie's words had stung her, but she was not going to let it show, for Joseph's sake.
JOSEPH:(His voice shaking with rage) I think you should leave, before I do something I regret!
ANNE-MARIE: I never knew you could be such a gulliable fool. What are people going to say? Our family name is going to be tarnished yet again.
Joseph nods his head in a mocking way and laughs.
JOSEPH: (Sarcastically) Oh of course, the family name. How could I bring the Byrne dynasty into such disrepute? All I have ever tried to do is the right thing, to be a decent upstanding member of society. To make you proud of me. But all you care about is the Byrne name, and it's supposed status. I'll tell you something shall I? It means nothing NOTHING! to me now! I LOVE Jac I don't care what you say.
ANNE-MARIE: You are no longer my son! You are a disgrace.
Joseph looks surprisingly calm. He had finally released all the anger he'd suppressed over the years.
JOSEPH: Go now. I don't need you anymore.
Anne-Marie gets up and strides out of the flat without even looking at her son. Jac looks meaningfully at him.
JAC: No one has ever defended me like that before. Thank you.
JOSEPH: It's just you and me now Jac. The way it should be.
Joseph kisses Jac with a passion he had never felt before...