I own nothing the story is from my imagination but, the characters, concept, and plot are owned by Brenda Hampton, & producers of ABC FAMILY CHANNEL.
"BECAUSE OF YOU"
INTERSECTION 5'TH & MAINE ST.
Ben, awoke from the crash with blood coming from the top of his forehead from where he hit the steering wheel when he blacked out. The driver of the semi had hit his car from the side sending the car careening into the other side of the intersection. Fortunately there were no other cars at the intersection, and Ben's car only hit the curb. The driver of the semi, quickly got out of his vehicle and rushed to check on the young man whom he had hit. "Dear God, I am so sorry you came out of nowhere and I didn't see you!" the driver said as he came to the left door of Ben's car. Ben sat up and turned looking at the driver, but could not understand a word he was saying since he could only hear a ringing in his head, and although the intense pain from his first headache had subsided the painful headache he received from his injury was not pleasant either.
"Tell me are you okay?" the driver asked as Ben let down his window. "Yes, I'm fine I just tried to beat the light, and I guess I wasn't fast enough." Ben said as he unbuckled his seatbelt and touched the small gash on his forehead above his left eye. "Are you sure?" the driver asked again worrying about Ben who seemed still woozy from the accident. "Yes, let me get my insurance information, and you should call the police," Ben said as he reached into his glove box. "I already called 911 don't worry everything will be okay, but you shouldn't try to move you might have a neck injury or something," the driver said. It was at that time Ben heard sirens and could see the lights of an ambulance and police car pull up. He also saw several pedestrians walk by to gaze at the accident and wonder what was happening. Also he could see several people taking videos' and snapping cell phone shots. He also saw a news van pull up with a crew inside getting ready to report on the accident.
"Weird," he thought to himself. "I believed that I was done with the drama which had been brought into my life when I met Dylan, and it seems that now the soap opera of my life just brought on a bigger audience. He laughed to himself, bringing a smile to his lips. Funny how when you try to avoid all the attention, it just gets bigger. "It was then that a fireman came to his door and began to take his vital signs. A policeman also came by asking if he and the driver questions about what happened. Once all was taken into account, Ben was allowed to get out of his car and produce his license, registration, and insurance. He recanted what had happened save for the part where he blacked out. The police men also cornered off the accident as several reporters came with cameras asking whether or not Ben had been under the influence when the accident occurred. When he heard that question it reminded him that some months ago he had been broadcast online as a drunk shortly after his incident with Adrian about the nursery.
CONDO OF ADRIAN LEE (BOYKEWICH)
"Adrian, what's wrong with you?" Grace asked her friend as she seemed angry as she sat at the counter fuming. "Nothing Grace I'm fine. I'm just thinking about stuff." Adrian said as she looked through her mail and saw an envelope. "Really about what?" Grace said as she noticed Adrian's expression change as she opened the envelope. Inside she found what she had been both dreading, and anticipating all at the same time, her divorce paper's. "So its' finally official Ben and I are no more," she said to herself. At that moment her doorbell rang and in front of her stood her new boyfriend Omar with a broad smile on his face. "Hey I was in the neighborhood and thought I would stop by to see if you wanted to get some coffee or something?" "No, but I am glad glad you are here.'" she said hugging him and kissing him passionately. "Well i should get going have to see my mom, and new brother" Grace said as she left not wanting to interrupt Adrian and Omar's kiss. Adrian clung to Omar's neck, and slowly pulled him into the apartment let the letters she was holding drop to the ground, and pulled him into the bedroom.
BOYKEWICH IND (LEO'S OFFICE)
Leo, I think you need to take this call, Nora said as she put the phone down pressed his buzzer and transferred the call. "Car accident, what is going on with that kid," Nora thought to herself as she heard the policeman on the other end say "Yes, I am Calling for a Leo Boykewich, to let him know that his son Benjamin Boykewich is being taken to the hospital for test, and injuries. He is alright but he was involved in an accident with a semi truck. Apparently he was speeding, trying to catch the light and he didn't make it." "Speeding, Nora thought to herself. " I never would have figured Ben to break the law, but then again I never would have expected him to get a girl pregnant, get married at seventeen, and then divorced." I also never would have expected my son to ask the mother of his child to marry him on stage at his high school graduation, in front of the entire graduating class, so what would I know about anything,"she said to herself in a humorous tone.
"Nora, hold all my calls and cancel all my appointments for the rest of the day, Leo said as he rushed from his office toward the elevator. "Boss, is there a problem, because I'm sure Ben didn't meant to wreck his car, Nora said trying to calm her boss whose face was turning red from anger. "Nora, this is not your concern. "Ben is my son and I will see to this, as I see fit." Leo said as he pressed the button on the elevator and headed down trying to figure why his son for some reason was acting so much out of character. Leo then remembered that ever since his granddaughter's death Ben had been this way. At first he was shy and distant, still trying to cope with the loss of his child, and Leo understood that. When they all went to therapy everyone tried to learn to accept the loss as an act of God." But Leo just could not grasp why God would do such a horrible thing to his son and daughter in law. He knew that Mercy's conception was not something to be proud of, but still Ben and Adrian tried to do the right thing almost everyday afterward.
When Ben told him that Adrian might be pregnant he was in total shock from the news, and did not know how to handle such a delicate situation. But, he was proud of how Ben instead of hiding it from him, or just sat back and wait for Adrian to get an abortion he actually manned up. He was not as supportive at first as he was with Amy, but he was there for her from the moment she told him. But, he had to admit he was a little ashamed of how Ben was trying to keep the pregnancy a secret from Amy while letting Adrian bare the burden on her own. However, he was still there for Adrian even if he had to do it in secret.
Leo could never understand Ben and Adrian's friendship, when they first decided to be friends. Adrian was Ricky's lover or girlfriend, while Ben was Amy's boyfriend during the pregnancy, and for some reason both decided best to be there to support the other during the crisis. At first he thought they were just doing this as some way to keep both Amy and Ricky apart, but then when he sent Ben to Bolonia he was surprised that when he got Ben's cell phone bill he found that he called Adrian more than he called him, Henry, and Alice, or even Amy. He even told Adrian about his relationship with Maria before he even told him. Then there was the moment he finally met Maria. He was shocked that although Maria possessed many of the attributes of an rich Italian girl she also bore a striking resemblence in both style and personality to Adrian.
He realized then that there was much more to Ben, and Adrian's friendship that even Ben didn't understand. But, he would sometimes ponder to himself if it was just his imagination. Then when Ben told him that he slept with Adrian he and Betty actually had a conversation about the incident that shed some light on the situation.
January 18 2010 (BOYKEWICH ESTATES)
"I just don't understand Betty, if he was so in love with Amy, and he wanted to get back with her. Why, why would he lose his virginity to of all people Ricky's girlfriend in the backseat of his car?" Leo asked angry at the situation. "Leo, if you don't understand then I think you might be more oblvious to things, than I am," Betty replied. "Ben, might not have intended to lose his virginity to Adrian the way he did, but there is no doubt that he definitely wanted to have sex with her." "But, I dont' get it Betty he said that he loves Amy, and he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her, if that were true how could her kissing Ricky make him do something so selfish like this." "I mean Adrian, I can understand, sleeping with people is how she deals with pain, I don't approve of it, or that she used Benjamin like that, they were suppose to be friends, and this is low for both of them, under any circumstances." All because of a stupid kiss." Leo said still frustated and disappointed in Ben's actions.
"Leo, that kiss was just an excuse that both Adrian, and Ben used to be together without admitting to themselves that they might have feelings for one another, Betty said with a slight smile." "Ben and Adrian have feelings for each other, Betty that's ridiculous. Both of them are head over heels in love and obsessed with Ricky and Amy." Leo said chuckeling from Betty's last remark. "Leo, if that were true then why did they sleep together if all Amy and Ricky did was kiss." "Adrian might be a girl that uses sex to deal with her emotions, but she wouldn't do that with someone who she cares about." "It would be too risky." "Adrian likes Ben as more than a friend, but she doesn't want to admit to it." "She wanted to know what it feels like be with him, and she used the kiss to hide behind her real intentions.
"Then explain Ben, Betty? Why would he sleep with Adrian if he loves Amy so much? "Leo, I think that Ben does love Amy, but at the same time he cares deeply for Adrian. When Amy told him that she kissed Ricky, he was hurt and in pain. Also at the same time he realized that he was free." Betty said looking at him deeply. "Free of what, I thought he was free when he and Amy broke up." Leo said still confused. "Leo, he and Amy might be broken up, but he is anything but free. Ben, still feels bonded to Amy because she was his first love, and when Amy told him that she kissed Ricky he realized that she didn't feel for him what he felt for her. That night Ben finally felt that he was allowed to accept what he felt for Adrian without guilt." Betty said with a smile. "But, now he knows that he did that for the wrong reason, and he doesn't know how to handle it." Maybe, but that still doesn't excuse either of their actions." Leo said.
PRESENT DAY BOYKEWICH IND.
At first Leo took what Betty said and unconsciously, and let that night they spent together be just another one of Ben's mistakes. If he did have real feelings for Adrian, then he wouldn't have gotten back together with Amy so easilyhe thought to himself. But, then came the night when Adrian showed up at the house after her fight with Reuben looking so upset, and sad. Ben, immediately asked her to him and she fell into his arms almost as if they were used to comforting each other like that. When he went up to check on them they were both lying in Ben's bed with their clothes on holding one another's hand. They seemed so at peace with the other, even despite the situation I just couldn't deny that for some reason there was a connection between them, and it wasn't the pregnancy.
LEO POINT OF VIEW
I just could not understand how they could be so different from one another, and at the same time understand each other so perfectly. It was one of the reason's why I insisted that Ben marry Adrian when she decided to keep the baby. I knew that Amy would break up with him when she discovered the pregnancy. Amy may have strong feelings for Ben, but I always doubted her love for him. She was such a nice girl but there was something about her that I just didn't trust, especially after Ben told me that it was her idea to get married to keep Ricky from the baby. I thougth that it was wrong of her to want to enter into a marriage with the sole purpose to keep the father from his child. It was that one action which made me start to wonder about the type of person Amy was. Sure she seemed like a nice girl, but unlike George mentioned about how Amy was a good girl he forgets one rule. Good girls' don't get pregnant at fourteen, and have baby's at fifteen. They also dont have sex with older boys at a summer camp, who they have only known for less than a day.
But, even though after meeting Ricky and I discovered he was a good kid who just had a bad past, I could not get over the fact that Amy was so easily manipulated by him. So I decided to intervene in the situation between all of them so I could see for myself if Amy loved Ben for who he was, or was she with him because of the situation, and what he could offer her. It's why I gave Ricky a job at the butcher shop, and the apartment. I knew a one bedroom apartment was not as big as a mansion, but it was a start. I was raised there, and I thought I would give it to Ben one day if he chose to go to the local college, but for the situation at hand I thought it better for Ricky. When I gave Ricky the ability to be the man capable of supporting her, and forced Ben to be his friend as a means of Ben's good nature and attitude to rub off on him, Amy soon took to him.
I hated that, having to decieve not only my son, but to use Ricky like that. But worst of all to learn that Amy didn't feel as deep for Ben as he did for her. In order to help the situation I thought it best to send Ben away, in order to both allow Amy and Ricky time to get closer, and let Ben discover there were other fish in the sea. Which actually worked out for him, Amy and he may have stayed together, but it was only for a while. When they finally broke up, I have to admit I was sad that they broke up but I was relieved at the same time. I thought now Ben can finally find a girl that is not complicated and would like him for the great young man that he is. But, then he told me that he just couldn't stop being in love with Amy, I should have known that it would not be that easy.
But, when Adrian revealed that she was pregnant that ended the situation. When I saw the connection that Ben and Adrian had during the pregnancy Rueben and I both agreed, and believed that perhaps that thier union was fated. Ben and Adrian had been friends, and out of all the boys Adian had been with it was my son who got her pregnant after they used not only protection, but birth control as well. When we saw this we thought marriage was best, for the baby and for them. But, I didn't think we should rush them. When they started dating despite all that was happening, my son was actually happy. He was happy to be with Adrian, and even to becoming a father. With Amy there were so many complications, from how she really felt about him, to Ricky being the baby's father. Then there was how her son would accept him, and how he and Ricky would deal with the situation.
But, Adrian and Mercy were different she was pregnant with his baby' not Ricky's, and even though they were together under questionable circumstances, they were happy together. I didn't know Adrian that well, but I have to admit she had such a great influence on Ben. Adrian seemed happy to be around Ben, and during the time they were together I learned so much about her. She was an excellent cook specifically of Mexican dishes, and sandwiches. Which worked out perfectly since I owned a chain of deli shops. Adrian from what I could tell loved spending the night with Ben, and Ben liked it as well. Most parents would be concerned with their son sleeping with a girl in his bed, but she was already pregnant with his child so there was little I had to worry about.
But, they never fooled around like that. Sure I caught them making out on more than one occasion, but they were teenagers. Not only that they were having a baby together and it made the situaton easier for them to tolerate. But, from what Rueben and Cindy told me Adrian just wanted to be held by someone, which is why she liked being with Ben. Unlike others Ben was there for her not himself, like other boys. He never asked Adrian for anything, and allowed her to control the situation. He let her know he was going to be there for whatever she needed.
But then came the day of the wedding I knew, that Ben was far from ready to being a husband and father he was only seventeen, and still in highschool I knew he enjoyed the benefits of being married to Adrian, she was a very beautiful woman with lots of experience in that area. However, I don't think that he truly understood the emotional fortitude, and responsibility that went along with being married. But, when Mercy died I saw that he and Adrian both became two broken people and no matter how hard any of us tried, we could never put them back together the way they were. I was so proud of Ben for being there for Adrian for so many months after Mercy's death. But, I never realized how much of a toll her death had taken on him. Its why I was ashamed of his actions of wanting to be divorced, but I was no help since I wanted a divorce from Betty as well. So when Ben told me that Adrian had kicked him out of the condo and she wanted a divorce as well, I allowed it. I figured if both now wanted a divorce why keep them together.
Now, I am sitting here in the back of my limo being driven to the hospital because my son wrecked his car. I am dealing with him bringing drugs into my home because his best friend slept with his wife. I am dealing with the woman I love telling me, in my attempt to help my son I may have inadvertently hurt him even more. I am dealing with so many things and I can't get a grasp on what I am going to do, in order to fix my family. "God, Sarah why aren't you here to help me with this." "You would know what to do, and I need you to tell me what it is. Because I honestly don't have a clue as to how to help our son and save him from himself." "Mercy my precious little grand daughter why did you have to die, and leave your parents so broken like this." All of their pain and sadness are because of you."
THE NEXT PART OF THIS CHAPTER YOU MUST USE YOUR IMAGINATION & BEST TO READ WHILE LISTENING TO "BECAUSE OF YOU" BY KELLY CLARKSON.
SCENE:( Adrian lying next to Omar)
I will not make
The same mistakes that you did
I will not let myself
Cause my heart so much misery
I will not break
The way you did, you fell so hard
I've learned the hard way
To never let it get that far
SCENE: (Ben sitting on an exam table, being examined by a doctor shining a light in his eyes, as he has bandaged cut over his left eye.)
Because of you
I never stray too far from the sidewalk
Because of you
I learned to play on the safe side so I don't get hurt
Because of you
I find it hard to trust not only me, but everyone around me
Because of you
I am afraid
SCENE: (Adrian kissing Omar goodbye as she closes the door, she bends down to pick up the divorce papers, wearing a purple gown.)
I lose my way
And it's not too long before you point it out
I cannot cry
Because I know that's weakness in your eyes
I'm forced to fake, a smile, a laugh
Every day of my life
My heart can't possibly break
When it wasn't even whole to start with
SCENE: (Leo gets off hospital elevator, is attacked by flashing camera lights and reporters. Ben watches from his exam room door way)
Because of you
I'll never stray too far from the sidewalk
Because of you
I learned to play on the safe side
So I don't get hurt
Because of you
I find it hard to trust
Not only me, but everyone around me
Because of you
I am afraid
SCENE: (Adrian walks into her bedroom with the divorce papers and looks at her wedding photo to Ben, and picks it up and rubs it lovingly)
I watched you die
I heard you cry
Every night in your sleep
I was so young
You should have known better than to lean on me
You never thought of anyone else
You just saw your pain
And now I cry
In the middle of the night
For the same damn thing
SCENE: (Ben takes out his wedding ring from the chain around his neck, and looks at it remembering his wedding with Adrian)
Because of you
I'll never stray too far from the sidewalk
Because of you
I learned to play on the safe side
So I don't get hurt
SCENE: (Adrian picks up the sonogram photo of Mercy and holds it and begins to cry before throwing down both her wedding photo and sonogram)
Because of you
I tried my hardest just to forget everything
SCENE: (Ben walks out of the room from the entire scene and goes to the stairs, rubs his forehead from his headache before taking out the sonogram photo from his wallet and balls it up and throws it on the floor.)
Because of you
I don't know how to let anyone else in
Because of you
I'm ashamed of my life because it's empty
Because of you
I am afraid
SPLIT SCENE (Adrian & Ben both pick up their sonogram photos and begin to cry reminiscing of their time together and the loss of their child.)
Because of you
Because of you
