Resolutions Part 1
Chapter 15
"One more thing Ty, I think you should go to the Awards dinner."
Ty looked at Lisa, his face not betraying his thoughts.
I need to be straight with her.
"Lisa, I'll never be able to adequately tell you what you mean to me; you and Jack. I know you only want the best for me and believe me going to the dinner to be in that spirit, but I don't think I can. Amy doesn't even want me in her life right now, let alone at the same table with her.
Lisa paused a moment thinking of how to respond, eventually deciding on the direct approach. Rising from the kitchen chair where she and Ty were sitting, she began, "Ty, It's your decision to make," with a smile on her face. "But I think your pride is keeping you from doing what you know to be the right thing." Knowing she had said enough, Lisa bent down and kissed Ty again before walking away leaving him to his thoughts.
How can I face her right now knowing she wants nothing to do with me? But I didn't do anything wrong! Maybe it is my pride telling me not to go but pride isn't always a bad thing. Am I supposed to sit back and take it? I don't think so.
…
Heartland
"Everyone ready?" inquired Jack.
"I'm ready," responded Lou. "Amy, are you ready?"
"I'm right here." Amy said walking into the living room not hiding her annoyance. "You don't have to yell."
Choosing to let her sisters snide comment slide, Lou turned to her Grandfather. "Where's Lisa?"
"I just spoke to her; she should be here any minute."
The words had barely escaped Jack's mouth when the door swung open and Lisa strode elegantly into the room.
"You look beautiful," said Jack kissing his wife. Turning to Lou and Amy, Jack commented further, "Both of you do as well."
"Thank you Grandpa," said Lou.
Amy acknowledged Jack's compliment with barely a discernable nod, betraying the frostiness that remained between them.
Though fully conscious of Amy's uncharacteristic lack of respect, Jack also knew tonight wasn't the time to mix words with his Granddaughter whom he dearly loved despite her recent bizarre behavior.
"Let's go then." Jack said as all four left the house for Lisa's SUV.
….
"Davis, did you get the ticket to the awards dinner I sent you?"
"Yes Helen, I received it;" with an annoyed tone Helen failed to detect.
"Good. You need to continue to use every opportunity to get close to her so she won't be suspicious of what we've planned. She needs to suffer like I've had to. Let's not forget what she did. Call me after you've left the dinner."
"I will Helen."
….
Horse Trainer of the Year Awards Dinner
Entering the ballroom, Jack, Lisa, Lou and Amy began making the rounds greeting long-time friends. Upon locating their table, Jack and Lisa both took notice of Ty's name tag next to Amy's.
"Do you know if Ty's coming?" spoke Jack into Lisa ear.
"I spoke to him about it yesterday and told him I thought he should come despite Amy's behavior but he made it clear he wasn't interested in light of the current situation."
"What do you think?" inquired Jack.
Smiling at her husband before answering, Lisa said, "I think Ty's too much like you not to come."
Jack looked at his wife inquisitively.
"He has too much honor and character not to come," Lisa declared.
"Well, I can't say I blame him if he doesn't show," Jack growled while also acknowledging Lisa's compliment. "Amy's dead wrong blaming Ty as she has and how she's treating him is completely unwarranted. I'm worried Lis; I'm really worried about them."
"I understand your concern Jack, but as I said to Ty yesterday, I believe it will all work out eventually and we'll look back and understand what's was behind Amy's behavior."
"I hope you're right Lis."
After a few more minutes, the Master of Ceremonies began tapping his glass with a spoon signaling it was time for people to begin finding their seats. As the family took their seats around the table, a neatly attired Davis Maxwell suddenly appeared.
"Good evening Jack, Lisa, Lou. Amy, you look stunning tonight."
"Thank you Davis; I didn't know you were coming?"
News to me too, Lou thought. I didn't even know he was invited.
"Hello Davis, replied Lou. I didn't know you were invited to this event."
"I wasn't formally but Amy mentioned it a few days ago. As luck had it, a friend offered me his ticket so I a shifted a few things around allowing me to come."
"What luck indeed," Lou responded feigning sincerity.
Seeing the empty seat next to Amy despite the clearly visible name tag displaying Ty's name, Maxwell seized on the opportunity.
"Is this seat taken?"
"It's reserved for Ty," Jack quickly announced. "He must be running a little late."
"No, that's not it Grandpa," Amy corrected. "I don't think he's coming."
Before Jack could dispute his Granddaughter's declaration, Amy looked at Maxwell and said, "Please, sit here Davis."
Jack glared angrily at his granddaughter only to receive a stoic look in return. Lisa quickly put her hand over Jack's hoping to sooth his mounting anger at Amy's rudeness.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, I'd like to welcome all of you tonight to the 25th annual Horse Trainer of the Year Awards Ceremony."
As the audience applauded in acknowledgement, Lisa noticed movement out of the corner of her eye and recognition immediately followed.
"Jack look," said Lisa nodding in the direction of the ballroom entrance.
Striding confidentially into the room, dressed in a stylish black tux was Ty. Lisa took in his tailored clothes, freshly shaven face and rarely combed hair. She smiled faintly to herself feeling proud of Ty's rugged good looks and appearance.
Stopping for a moment to scan the room, Ty's gaze fell upon the family's table. Smiling briefly to Lisa and Jack, his eyes continued around the table until it fell on Amy. Seeing Maxwell seated next to his wife lit a barely discernable ember of anger in Ty visible initially only in his eyes.
Ty's subtle reaction however didn't escape the detection of Lisa watchfulness. Nor did it fail to go unnoticed by his estranged wife. Lisa noticed a look of sorrow that flashed across Amy's face before retreating back to her stoic countenance.
As though scripted, Ty casually turned and walked purposely to the back of the room toward a nearly empty table and sat down as though he were meant to be there.
"Jack, if you don't mind, I think I'll go sit with Ty. I don't think it's right for him to be sitting alone, separated from the family," said Lisa purposely looking at Amy at the end of her comment.
As he started to answer, Amy quickly interrupted her Grandfather.
"Please stay here Lisa; I don't think we should stray from the assigned seats."
Startled by Amy's comment, Lisa's attention was quickly drawn away from Amy to her visibly agitated husband.
With a challenging stare meant only for his Granddaughter, Jack forcefully spoke to Lisa while fixing his glare upon Amy. "No, you should go and join Ty Lisa…especially since his assigned seat at this table was given away."
"You sure you don't mind?"
"Not at all, Lis. In fact, I may even join you in a little bit. I haven't seen Ty in a while and it would be good to speak with him."
Glaring momentarily at her angry Grandfather, Amy knew better than to further spar with Jack in his current state. Instead, she turned her back partially away from him pretending interest in the speaker's introductory remarks.
Without further comment, Lisa gracefully rose from her seat and made her way to where Ty was sitting.
"Mind if I join you, Lisa asked smiling at Ty?"
"Lisa, as much as I'd love you to, I know what you're doing and it's not necessary."
"Maybe not, but I'm doing it anyway."
Knowing he wouldn't change her mind, Ty arose and graciously held Lisa's as she sat down.
"Thank you Ty."
"I see Amy invited a guest," Ty commented; his tone etched in sarcasm. "I guess my name tag must have been knocked off the table somehow. Or maybe it was the wind?"
"Ty" Lisa said soothingly, "don't assume the worst. None of knew he was coming when showed up at the table."
"And he just happened to sit in my place of his own accord?"
Drawing a deep breath, Lisa replied, "No, Amy invited him to sit with us after he requested it."
"Not only have I been kicked out, it would appear I've been replaced as well," Ty remarked with bitterness joining the already positioned sarcasm.
Lisa reached over and gently place her hand on Ty's arm. "I know things are bad right now, but it's not permanent. Things will get better. I believe that."
"I hope you're right Lisa; they can't get much worse."
Ty and Lisa continued their conversation for another moment before the hotel staff began serving dinner. Ty remained silent throughout the meal and Lisa could see the pain he was experiencing and her heart went out to him. Any further thoughts were interrupted by the speaker asking for attention.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, it's time to announce the winner of the 2017 Horse Trainer of the Year award. This year's nominees are:
"Cody Bennett, Outlander Stables."
"Wilson James, High River Farms."
"Amy Fleming-Borden, Heartland Ranch"
Ty could only smile cynically at the mention of the hyphenated name. "Not so sure of that anymore," he thought.
"and Garrett Musgrave, Liberty Ranch."
"And the 2017 winner of Horse Trainer of the Year is….."
"AMY FLEMING-BORDEN, Heartland Ranch!"
The room erupted in applause as the attendees rose to acknowledge Amy's achievement. Ty hesitated for a second – an action not unnoticed by Lisa – before joining in the ovation.
As Amy made her way to the podium, Ty could only marvel at her poise and beauty.
Despite what's going on with us, you've surely earned this. No one can match you. And you're more beautiful than ever."
"I'd like to thank the committee for this award; especially when there were so many other great nominees to choose from. I'd also like to thank my family…Grandpa, Lisa, Lou and my husband for their support.
I wasn't expecting that. I guess she forgot my name though.
I will do my best to be worthy of this great honor. Thank you again.
As Amy made her way back to her seat she was warmly greeted by several in the audience who knew her. Arriving back at the table, Amy received a heartfelt hug from Lou and even one from Jack somewhat to her surprise. The biggest surprise however came from Maxwell.
"Amy, I'm so proud of you; congratulations!" before pulling her in for a lengthy and fervent embrace.
Observing every move between his wife and Maxwell, Ty began to see red. Lisa detected Ty was ready to explode and quickly took hold of his arm. "Let it go Ty; now's not the time," Lisa urged softly but firmly. "There will be a better time to deal with it."
Ty remained coiled for a few more seconds before slowly relaxing his body, heeding Lisa's advice.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for coming tonight. We look forward to seeing you all next year. Good night."
"Will you be alright? I'd like to go over and congratulate Amy and speak to Jack," asked Lisa.
"I'm fine; you go ahead." As Lisa began to walk away, Ty quickly called, "Lisa."
As Lisa turned to see what Ty wanted, she was startled to see him walking deliberately towards her. Coming to a stop in front of her, Ty looked at Lisa for a half second before reaching out to embrace her.
"Thank you Lisa; thank you for what you did for me tonight."
In reply, Lisa only reached out to touch Ty's cheek and smile; one which he returned. She then turned and made her way back to the family table.
Ty's gaze followed Lisa to the table where he saw her congratulate Amy and begin speaking to Jack.
What he observed next though caused him to involuntarily suck in his breath and clench his fists as waves of anger and hurt began to course through his body.
Amy was standing receiving well-wishers with Maxwell glued to her hip. And, she was holding his arm.
Ty was a mixture of stunned and hurt.
I can't believe it. How could she do that to me?
Ty's thoughts immediately drifted back to the night he told Amy of how special it was when she took his arm. How he felt loved by her. How it was something reserved only for him.
That was only a few weeks ago. How could everything turn to crap so fast?
If I don't get out of here, I'm going to take that guy apart.
As Ty began to abruptly make his way out of the room, both Lou and Amy saw him leaving noting the troubled look on his face. Quickly leaving her sisters side, Lou rushed to catch Ty before he escaped the room.
"Ty," Lou yelled as she approached him. "What's wrong, why are you leaving before saying goodbye? I know things are bad right now with you two but I thought you'd at least come over to congratulate Amy!"
"I had planned to Lou," Ty replied bitterly. "But did you see what she did?"
"What who did; Are you talking about Amy?"
"Yes. She took that asshole's arm!"
"Ty, I'm sure she didn't mean anything by it."
"Lou," Ty nearly shouted as he interrupted her. "You don't understand!"
"What Ty?" Lou pleaded. "What don't I understand?"
Pausing momentarily to draw a calming breath, Ty began to explain.
"A few weeks ago…the night of Spartan's death actually, Amy and I had just gone to bed after an incredible day. We had gone on a picnic that afternoon and as we were talking that night, I began to tell her all she meant to me. All the little things about her I loved. Her smile; holding my hand; running her hand through my hair. The LAST thing I said to her was how special it made me feel when she took my arm. How it was something she only did with me and how much I loved it. She cried Lou when I told her that. She CRIED. We were as happy as we've ever been. And now, I look over and seeing her holding Maxwell's arm. Like what we shared that night meant nothing. Like what I told her didn't matter. That's it Lou. I'm DONE! I'm not going to allow my heart to be trampled anymore by the woman I love who clearly doesn't care about me anymore."
Without giving Lou the chance to respond, Ty abruptly turned and left the room.
Lou could only stand there dazed from what Ty had said. She began to feel anger; Mounting anger at her sister for so callously casting aside her husband.
Lou's thoughts were suddenly interrupted by the appearance of Amy.
"Lou, why did Ty leave like that? What's wrong?"
"NOW you express concern for Ty? After unfairly treating him like crap the last few weeks?"
Taken back by her sister's unpredicted outburst, Amy responded. "Lou, you don't know what you're talking about."
"I know EXACTLY what I'm talking about Amy! Ty had nothing to do with the death of Spartan. He did everything humanly possible to save him. And you wrongly blamed him and kicked him out of your home. You've refused to answer his calls. And tonight, you callously gave Ty's seat away to a man you've been spending far too much time with these last few weeks. And then you celebrate your award with him instead of your husband. And to top off the evening, YOU TOOK HIS ARM RIGHT IN FRONT OF TY.
Amy only stared at Lou in stunned silence.
"Ty just told me on his way out about the intimate conversation the two of you had the night Spartan died. He told me how much you taking his arm means to him. How he loved knowing it was only for him. How special it was to him. How it made him feel loved. And you just threw that in his face! How could you be so cruel Amy? You don't deserve a husband like Ty!"
Amy staggered back several steps hurt by Lou's stinging admonishment. And for the first time in weeks, she began to consider what she had done. And she couldn't understand why. Tears began to form as recognition crept slowly to her face with the truth of Lou's words.
"Lou," Amy agonized. "I don't know what I'm doing; who I am. I don't…"
Amy's face went suddenly unearthly pale.
"Amy, are you alright?" a now concerned Lou asked stepping towards her sister.
But before Lou could reach her, Amy collapsed in a heap on the floor.
"AMY!" Lou cried.
END OF PART 1
A/N
Some of you have speculated as to Amy's illness. It will be revealed early in Part 2 and I can promise you, it's not what you may think. What I've attempted to do with Resolutions is spin a story different from those written by others and move away from some of the norms of Heartland. I honestly don't know if I'm being the least bit successful. Some of you have been critical of the story's direction as well as other aspects of it and you may be right. I really do appreciate your comments however. Objective and fair criticism is always welcomed. I would only ask that you not draw conclusions from your speculation before all is revealed (Amy has a brain tumor; the mystery guy must be the Prince etc.).
Please give me your comments after you finish this chapter. I always welcome and look forward to them. I will try and write the first chapter of Part 2 soon.