The Long And Winding Road
Disclaimer: I don't own the show, the characters, etc.
Notes: Sorry that it's taken longer than usual to update. To YellyBelly – Don't apologize for the length of your reviews. They're great. I really enjoy writing the conversation scenes between JT & Emma. I'm glad you like those. To cutiepye06655 – It's good that you like the long chapters. There's always so much I want to include in each section. To amricangrl – Thanks for such a nice compliment. I'm looking forward to reading the next update to your story. And now on to the latest chapter. Also note that since I can't recall an instance in the show where we learn the never-seen Mr. and Mrs. Yorke's first names, I came up with my own.
Chapter 17 -- Parent Of The Year
Early Saturday afternoon, JT entered his house as the phone was ringing. He reached the phone by the third ring and answered the call.
"Thank you for calling The Movie Diff -- oops, I mean, Hello?"
"James?" the voice on the other end responded.
"Dad?" JT answered, surprised. "Hi! Sorry about that. I just came home for lunch. After answering a lot of phone calls today, it's hard to pick up a phone without giving the theater name."
"Perfectly understandable," JT's father, Nathaniel Yorke, said. "Sounds like you're staying busy."
"Most of the time."
"And loving it?"
"Most of the time."
"That's as it should be, son. If your employer thinks you like your work TOO much, he'll start to take you for granted. I can't believe you're still JUST the assistant manager down there."
"Well, I'm only there part-time, Dad. Besides, the manager also happens to be the owner. So aside from him, I've got the best position there."
"I suppose that's good. I just hate that word 'assistant'. It's like you're some lesser person. Better than someone who mops the floors but still not where you ought to be."
"I like being Assistant Manager," JT explained. "The 'manager' part of the title shows that I'm somewhat in charge, and 'assistant' shows that I'm helpful and useful."
"I was hoping you'd outgrow that, James, and realize that it's not how helpful you are but how much power you have that counts. Anyway, I got your message yesterday. Sorry I missed you. I was with an important client. Big business. Big money. Not the sort you stop talking with just to answer calls from your family."
"No problem, Dad. Like I told the person answering the phones, it wasn't urgent."
"That's good. I was sure it couldn't be too important. Anyway, I was already planning to call you this weekend. I have some exciting news."
"Oh?"
"James, what would you say to the idea of a permanent move to Winnipeg?"
JT was stunned.
"Winnipeg? Move? Now?"
Meanwhile at the Nelson/Simpson home, Spike and Emma sat down to eat lunch in the kitchen.
"Mom, shouldn't we wait for Archie and Jack to get back?"
"No, I have a feeling Snake was going to take Jack with him to get a hot dog after they left the park. He thinks father/son bonding works better by introducing Jack to the taste of a hot dog rather than coming back here to eat pasta salad with us."
"Never too early to corrupt his child with unhealthy food choices, I suppose," Emma said sarcastically.
"Snake refers to it as teaching Jack about the finer things in life."
"Yeah, like clogged arteries."
Both of them laughed.
"So you mean you actually got JT to dance last night?" Spike asked.
"Don't sound so surprised, Mom."
"I'm not. I'm just curious how much arm twisting it took."
"Not too much. It only took him one broken arm before he finally gave in. But we're even, since his dancing nearly broke a few of my toes."
"All in all, it sounds like you two had quite an evening."
Emma couldn't help but smile.
"The most romantic night of my life," she remarked.
"I'm glad he makes you so happy, Em. I knew he would. In one way or another he always has. I do have a little confession to make, though."
"Sounds interesting."
"More silly than interesting. Before your date last night, I got a little crazed."
"Yeah, I know. I saw you and Archie on the couch, remember?"
"Oh. No, not that. Although that got kind of crazy, too. Especially after you and JT left. Wild and crazy. And hot."
"I'd SO rather not hear anymore about that, Mom, thank you very much."
Spike laughed.
"No, before all that, I started to worry that the better things were between you and JT, the more likely things would fall apart."
"Mom…" Emma said, rolling her eyes.
"I know. I told you it was crazy. I came to my senses moments after I said it. You two hardly fight, at least not about anything major. And you're not me. I know you're not going to get into a complicated situation where you wind up pregnant. NOT that I think you and JT couldn't handle it if something like that were to happen."
"Let's put it this way, Mom – If I find out I'm pregnant, then before I go to a doctor, I'm first going to contact Ripley's Believe It Or Not."
"You mean…?"
"We're not having sex yet, if that's what you're worried about."
"I'm not worried about it. You're not a little girl. You're practically an adult. Just remember that if you do decide to move forward in that direction, be careful."
"Of course."
"And make sure I never have to see or hear it going on," Spike added sarcastically.
Emma laughed.
"But you say that for now you're not…?"
"Not anytime soon. Even though we've been friends forever, being an actual couple is all still so new with us."
"And JT knows all of this?" Spike questioned. "I mean, this isn't just something you decided and haven't discussed with him?"
"He knows, Mom. You should know by now that he and I talk about everything. This decision is mutual. Besides, we've got all the time in the world. We're one of those 'together forever' couples. Neither of us is going anywhere without the other. By the way, I really like how you sounded protective of JT by asking if he got to be in on the decision. It's good that someone's around to do a little mothering on his behalf."
"I've always liked JT. He's difficult NOT to like. Also, I was friends with his mother Jillian for years. I admired how she built up a business while not neglecting her family. Too bad her husband didn't share the same attitude."
"I know. I try not to think about Mr. Yorke too much because whenever I do, I just get mad, and I don't want JT to see that. I really think JT knows what his father is like, so it's not like he's in denial, but it IS his father and JT doesn't want to think bad thoughts about the man."
"I can understand that."
"Still, the way that guy just leaves town for months at a time even if it's work-related, making promises to return that he rarely keeps, it just annoys me to no end. And whenever he IS in town it's only because of work. Mom, JT is the greatest guy I know. Why can't Nathaniel Yorke see how lucky he is to have JT for a son?"
"I can't answer that, Em. Let's just be glad that JT turned out so great anyway, and that his mother lived long enough to help guide him to adulthood. He's got good friends. He knows Snake and I are here if he needs anything. And he's got MY daughter loving him and looking out for him, which automatically makes him the most fortunate guy on Earth."
Emma smiled.
"I can't argue with that logic."
Back at JT's house, his phone conversation with his father continued.
"You want to move? Dad, you can't be serious!"
"Quite serious," his father responded calmly. "Look, I've basically been living here already for quite awhile now. After I first came to Manitoba to help out a former client, I started making contacts with some very influential business leaders and, as a result, I gained a huge unexpected, but profitable, caseload. I think that now it's time I stopped living in hotels and working out of borrowed office space and formalize things.
"I'm closing my Toronto office and starting a law firm here in Winnipeg. I'll still focus on corporate law. After all, that's where the big money is. Mergers, acquisitions, hostile takeovers and the like. There's enough to do that I'm even hiring a couple of associates. I just need to tie up some loose ends back home. I have a couple of longtime clients I'll still go back to help as needed since they don't want to find new representation. In fact, I'll be coming back there in about a week or so to help VCC Chemical finalize a land deal. But I don't want to live in Toronto anymore. It's no longer my home."
"And what about me?" JT asked
"What ABOUT you?"
"Things are going better than ever now. I can't just leave everything behind."
"Who's asking you to?"
"Uh, Dad, you've just been talking about how we're moving out of state for good."
"No, I never said 'we.'"
"Okay, now I'm confused."
"James, I wouldn't think of asking you to pick up and leave so close to your graduation. You've also got that job. Okay, so 'assistant manager' makes you sound like little more than basic hired help, but I suppose it could lead to good things in the future. The way I see it, you're used to being on your own most of the time now, and it's worked out well. You're also about to turn 18 in January. It IS in January, right?"
JT sighed.
"Yes, Dad, my birthday's in January."
"See? So you certainly don't need me there hovering over you as though you were 8. You'll be fine remaining there on your own."
"On my own," JT repeated.
"And like I said, I'll be back there sometimes on business, and we'll see each other on holidays. You can also come here and visit anytime you want. Oh, you really ought to call first. Wouldn't want you to travel here and then find out I'm all tied up in court."
"I understand."
"I've purchased a great condo," the man said, sounding quite pleased with himself. "Ideal for all my needs. I just need to furnish it, then I can move in."
"Sounds…great."
"Then, in a few months if you decide to go away to college, or even if you want to stay in Toronto and live in an apartment while working or going to school, I'll just put the house on the market."
"What about Mother's company?"
"The managers who've been running it can continue to oversee everything. You and I will continue splitting the profits according to the terms of the will, but it's not like either of us was meant to have a hands-on role in running her clothing operation. If things become too much of a hassle, we can always sell it."
"Sell Mother's company?" JT questioned loudly.
"Don't get excited, James. Like I said, we could sell it IF it becomes too much of a nuisance."
"I see."
"Look, with your mother gone, there's no need for us to pretend we're going to be some kind of traditional family. You know that I was never suited to be some parental figure that's always around like you see in those old TV shows. To tell the truth, I never saw myself having kids, but your mother really wanted a child, and I never could refuse her."
JT couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"So becoming a parent was more about you doing Mother a favor?"
"I wouldn't put it exactly that way," his father answered, "but I suppose one could interpret it like that."
"I had no idea about any of this."
"Don't misunderstand, though, James. I'm glad you're my son and that you're a part of my life. But I'm also glad you're such an independent, enterprising young man who knows how to take care of himself. It makes me proud and assures me that I don't have to worry about you. We don't really need each other."
"We don't?"
"Of course we don't. But don't think I'm leaving you out in the cold. You have your own money, plus I can always send you more if you need it. And I'll still handle the regular monthly bills. You're financially secure. You've got your life and I have mine. I think this will be the best thing for us both."
"I guess I understand what you're saying. This is just a lot to take in all at once. It's all happening so fast."
"When it comes to a good opportunity, James, you can't drag your heels. Besides, it sounded like you've got extra reasons to stay in town, apart from school and work. You seemed very adamant about not wanting to move. I believe you said that things were going better than ever. What did you mean by that?"
"Do you remember Emma Nelson?" JT asked.
"Your mother was always better at keeping up with who's who in your school."
"I'm sure you'd remember her if you saw her. You've seen Emma lots of times here at the house and met her family at least a few times, including at the funeral. We had the gathering at their place."
"Oh. Right. Again, I'm sorry I missed that. You know how it is. Business before pleasure. Oops, that came out wrong. What I meant was: business first, personal life second."
"I know what you meant, Dad."
"Nelson. That name doesn't ring a bell. What does she look like?"
"Not very tall, but not short either. Long blond hair. Beautiful eyes that can tell you her life story if you're paying close attention. A smile that would light up a darkened screening room. And I can't believe I'm saying all of this out loud. See the effect she has on me?"
The elder Yorke thought for a moment.
"Now that you mention it, I DO remember some little blond girl coming by the house a lot from the time you were little to even more recent years."
"That would be Emma," JT confirmed.
"Wait. Now that I think about it…I seem to remember this one kid, I think it was…Yes! Career Day when you were in the sixth grade. What a rotten experience THAT turned out to be. I went into that classroom all prepared to talk to you kids about the basics of being an attorney. Defending people. Righting wrongs. What a courtroom is like. All very simple information designed for simple minds. But this one little pipsqueak kept raising her hand to ask question after question. Using legal terminology that nobody her age should know. Then she pulled out a list of various companies I've defended along with all this information she'd somehow gathered about each one and their holdings. She went down the list and asked why I would represent them when they own so much unused land, which she thought should be used to plant trees. I was the lawyer, but this little brat was trying to put me on trial."
"That's Emma," JT responded, trying not to laugh. "She's still very big on environmental causes. She's my best friend and, as of a couple weeks ago, my girlfriend. I've known her forever."
"Emma! Emma Nelson! Yes, it's all coming back to me."
"I knew you'd remember."
"Isn't she the bastard child of that woman with the strange name?"
"Dad, that's a horrible thing to say! Don't EVER call Emma that again!"
"I wasn't insulting the girl, James. Look it up. I didn't invent the term. Bastard…illegitimate…whatever. Let's not quibble over synonyms."
"It's still a disgusting thing to say. Yes, Emma was raised alone by her mother until Mrs. N. got married a few years ago, but there's nothing wrong with that."
"There's got to be SOMETHING wrong with the mother. What kind of sensible adult goes by the name Snoopy?"
"It's Spike, Dad."
"Are you sure? Well, I knew it was ONE of those Charlie Brown characters."
"I don't think she took the name because it was Snoopy's brother's name."
"Snoopy. Spike. Whatever. It's still ridiculous. As I recall, when this strangely named – and obviously very loose – woman got herself knocked up a second time, she finally did the right thing and got married."
JT was growing even angrier but tried to remain calm.
"James, this husband of hers is also one of your teachers, right?"
"Right. Archie Simpson."
"Archie? What nickname does HE answer to? Jughead?"
"Actually, some people call him 'Snake.'"
Nathaniel Yorke sighed.
"I guess you can't expect too much from a school like Degrassi."
"It's been a great place, Dad."
"If you say so. Say, how serious is it between you and this Emma Nelson?"
"Very serious. I can't imagine my life without her."
"Do what you think is best, James. I'm not going to tell you what to do, but I hope you'll take my advice."
"And what's that?"
"Don't let her try to push you into any big commitments. You're young. And she's pushy and obnoxious."
"Dad!"
"What I'm saying is…It's okay to get a little wild and crazy with the ladies at your age. You're a young man. It's expected. And high school girls are as usable and disposable as Kleenex. You seem to be doing okay in school and at work. It's possible that you could have a bright future ahead. So have fun, but don't let this girl bring you down. I can only imagine she's learned from her mother's example about how to get pregnant to trap a man."
"Emma's not like that at all! Promise me you won't say things like that about Emma and her mother anymore. Emma is very special to me, and her mom has been like a second mother to me this year."
"Fine. Take it easy. I wasn't trying to make you mad."
JT sighed. Then an idea came to him about how to make this situation better.
"Hey, when you're back in town taking care of that property matter, spend some time getting to know Emma. I know you'll like her. Mother was crazy about her. It's impossible not to like her."
"Okay, for you I'll keep an open mind. Just don't let her start preaching to me about how we should give all our money away and go live in a tree."
"I know you two will hit it off if you give it a chance," JT said confidently.
"I hope this girl knows how lucky she is. I've never heard you get this serious and argumentative with me about anything. Anyway back to important matters. About my move – you ARE okay with it, aren't you, James?"
"Of course, Dad," JT replied, after a moment of hesitation. "Why not? Like you said, it's not like things are going to change all that much from how they are now. You'll just have a new permanent address, and now I know you don't plan on coming home to stay."
"I'm proud of you, son. Say, I've got to go. I have a meeting to get to."
"That's fine, Dad. I have to eat and hurry back to work."
"I'll talk to you again soon."
Nathaniel Yorke then hung up before either could say a proper goodbye.
'Well that was informative,' JT thought as he put down the phone. 'We aren't close, but I had no idea he never wanted…Anyway, at least I don't have to leave town. Or leave Emma. I can't believe he said all that garbage about her. He can say whatever he wants about me and his lack of interest in fatherhood and disappointment in my very existence, but I won't have him talk that way about Emma. Maybe it's just because he hasn't been around. He'll see. Emma makes everything so much better. Can't wait to see her in a couple more hours. It sounds like Dad now has exactly what he wants. I just hope he won't be too lonely there by himself.'
In Nathaniel Yorke's Winnipeg hotel suite, the man put down the phone and then called out to someone who was in his bathroom.
"Katie, are you ready?"
"Yes, Natey dear," Katie answered from the bathroom, giggling. "But I'm in this bathtub all by my lonesome. You'd better hurry and join me before all these bubbles melt."
"On my way. First, let me get us some additional bubbles, this time courtesy of a champagne bottle from the fridge."
"Are we celebrating something?"
"You bet," Yorke said excitedly. "I'm getting even closer to severing ties with a kid I never wanted and the last remnants of a marriage that, while great in many ways, had gotten too demanding. The kid is almost 18 so, other than financial obligations, there's little reason left to interact with him.
"Don't get me wrong, Katie. He's nice enough. And I try to advise him about business and the ways of the world – things he certainly can't be learning at that inane local school his mother thought so highly about. But a son is simply not what I need in my life. Now that I'm living in Winnipeg full-time, I'm able to work hard AND play hard. Responsible only to myself and to my clients."
"Sounds wonderful, Natey."
"Now remember, you can't call me Natey when we're at the office. You're still my personal assistant and at work things will remain entirely professional. Also, I'm still supposed to be in mourning over my late wife. It hasn't yet been a year since her death. And you're so young. It simply wouldn't look right."
"Of course I'll remember," she replied. "By the way, who were you calling just now?"
"Nobody important. Just my son."