Chapter 119 – Tensions Boil Over (long)

Tommy got up to leave when Gran let out a sharp whistle. Everyone froze.

"Thomas Andrew Thornton." Gran said. "If you aren't doing the dishes, you better sit down."

"I don't have to listen to you." Tommy huffed, taking a step toward her.

Rob and Chris were quickly on their feet and pulled Tommy back.

"Let go of me!" Tommy hollered. "You are going to regret touching me."

"Shut up!" Chris snapped.

"I thought I laid out the rules clearly." Gran said. "I told you all that I didn't want any more discord in my house. I said that those who cause it will be asked to leave."

"You can't be serious." Charlotte said.

"I am very serious." Gran said. "This is still my house and I make the rules here."

"Dad." Charlotte said.

"I agree with your mother." James said. "She clearly laid out the rules and the consequences of breaking them."

"You can't seriously be kicking us out." Charlotte said.

"Yes." Gran said. "You can apologize and mean it. Then you can show that you can respect the rules that have been laid out or you can leave."

Gran turned from Charlotte, looked at John who gave her a small nod and then looked at Rob and Chris.

"Please take Tommy down to the bunkhouse." Gran said. "Ed will be down there. Since Thomas and Charlotte can't control him, James and I are officially stepping in and taking control."

"You can't do that." Charlotte huffed.

"Yes, they can." Peter said.

Peter pulled out another folder and handed it to John.

"This is an order signed by a federal judge." John said. "It is granting James and Margaret temporary custody of Thomas Andrew due to the lack of parental control that has led to the physical danger of others. James and Margaret will have the final say in what happens to Tommy until he is twenty-one or a judge can determine that he is no longer a threat to those around him and he can follow the rules laid out. Rob, Chris please take Tommy down to the bunkhouse."

"Ed will be there to meet you." Peter said. "Tell him the other two will be around within the hour."

"Okay." Chris said.

Chris looked at John and then James, who both nodded for him to go. Chris and Rob took Tommy out the back door, stopping only long enough for Chris to grab Tommy's boots.

"I am going to fight you on this." Thomas said.

"Do so at your own peril." John said. "You fight me on this and I promise I will remove you from receiving any and all benefits from Thornton, Inc other than what my father legally laid out for you. That means that I don't pay for your household staff in Astoria. That means Charlotte will no longer receive a monthly allowance from the Thornton trust. It means that I will no longer pay for the car service that you both like to use. That means no more helicopter rides using my name. That means no access to my private jet or the shared private airlines since that is all controlled under my name. It means no access to any of my properties overseas or in Florida. You will need to live on Thomas' salary and the monthly allowance he receives.

There will be no more money from me other than that. It also means that using my name for your gain will cost you. I will instruct people that they are not to give you favors or special treatment because you drop my name. If you decide to fight me on this, no only will I win, but you will be the one that will lose. Just because my father left Thomas certain things, doesn't mean that I have to give him another dime above and beyond what was laid out in my father's will. Also don't forget that even though it is Thomas' law office, it is officially listed as property of Thornton, Inc. That means I have the final say in all things related to that office. Keep pushing and I will have Thomas removed as the head of the law firm. Don't think I will, keep it up and find out.

I am also taking control of the trust for Tommy as well as the account that his shares of Thornton Thoroughbreds goes into. He will not have access to them until I deem it. Keep pushing and I am sure that JP told you he is willing to team up with me. We will buy you and Tommy out and run the company as we see fit. JP is the future of Thornton Thoroughbreds as well as Coal Creek. Over the past year or so as I have gotten to actually know him and not just what you have told me, I can see that he will do very well as the head of Thornton Inc, when I am gone. And yes, if you haven't figured it out, JP will be inheriting the vast majority of my estate."

"You can't be serious." Thomas said. "You have to give me more than just a few days. This isn't my fault."

"I am very serious." John said. "I told you two years ago to get your house in order and yes, it is very much your fault. Thomas you are the man of the house and anything that happens or doesn't happen in your house, is your fault. You have failed as a father and that is completely on you. You and Charlotte have not stood as a united front when dealing with your children. Instead of dealing with Tommy, you piled more responsibility and pressure on JP. You continued to let Tommy run wild, while behind your back JP came to me. It didn't take me long to realize what was going on. So I told you again to get your household in order."

Everyone just sat there as Jack walked back into the dinning room from the kitchen. When Jack walked over to his grandfather, everyone at the table just looked at him.

"Yes, I went to Grandpa." Jack said.

Jack looked at Gran who gave him a small nod.

"I went to him." Jack said. "Because neither of you would listen to me about what I wanted for my life. All you wanted to hear was that I was doing exactly what you wanted me to do. Anytime I tried to tell you that was not what I wanted, you wouldn't listen and continued to try and push me to do what you wanted. Grandpa John listened to me and talked to me. When I told him what I wanted, he asked me more questions to get to know me better. Grandpa John was the first adult in this family to really listen when I said what I wanted for the future. My talking to Grandpa John, helped me to talk to Grandpa James about what I wanted.

They listened to me and took time to get to know what I was really like. What I really wanted out of life and where I saw things for my future. They started to understand the bond that I have with Doug and Lee. They also realized that I would never be what everyone else wanted me to be. They treated me like my opinions and thoughts mattered. Other than Doug and Lee the only other person who had taken that time was Laura. You wonder why we were so close. We literally knew everything about each other until she started going with her last boyfriend. I could talk to her about you, Ma, and she would understand because she saw the same things that I saw with you. I could talk to her about the jumping and wanting to take over Coal Creek, because we shared that vision. It is also part of the reason that I have since gotten close to Father Mark. I can talk to him about things without judgment. I mean, I could before, but it was different. When I really started talking to him after Laura, we bonded over something that really hurt both of us. It brought it closer.

Yes, I could talk to Doug and Lee, but they didn't always see what Laura saw. Dad and Ma, for the longest time you put on an act around Doug and Lee. It took a long time for them to see you as I saw you. Once they saw those things, they understood why I said and did the things the way I did. There was almost a year thereafter Laura started going with that jerk that I felt so alone. Doug and Lee tried to be there as much as they could for me, but it took about ten months before they started to really see the people that you, my parents were. Just as Doug, Lee and I were getting to that new level of understanding about my life, Laura got hurt and my life went into a tailspin for several more months.

I was so lost. There are three people and only three people who are the reason that I am here today. It was Doug, Lee and Father Mark who were there for me after Laura. Even if I didn't always talk to them about everything, I knew that they were there for me no matter what. I will be honest, there was a time after Laura was hurt that I didn't want to go on living. I didn't think that there was a way to go living without the one person that I was the closest to. It was at that time, even as I tried to push others away that Father Mark, Doug and Lee refused to leave me alone. They were there for me, even if I didn't want to talk about what was going on. They helped me to see that I could have a life and helped me to really find myself again. They showed that as close as I was to Laura, that there were other people there for me. They showed me that I still had a lot to offer people.

I couldn't and still can't talk to you guys about Laura. Because you don't want to hear the truth. There are only two people on this earth that I have been able to talk to about my true feelings about Laura and that has only happened in the last little bit. Yes, you lost a granddaughter or niece. I lost so much more than that. I lost my partner. I lost my closest confidant. I lost my training partner. I lost the one person who I could talk to without explaining things. Ma, you know what you told me after Laura's accident? Do you remember? Do you remember what you told me when I tried to talk about my feelings? Do you remember how you treated me when I was at my lowest?"

Jack just looked at his mother. Charlotte just sat there staring at her son. She wasn't sure what to say, because she wasn't even sure what he was talking about.

"Well I do." Jack said. "You told me to suck it up, at least she was still alive. You didn't even care what I was going through. When I was at my lowest, all you could do was call me a spoiled brat for sulking. You told me I was a Thornton and I needed to suck it up. You told me to quit crying and move on. You wonder why I started pushing back even more. I knew at that moment that you would never understand me and only wanted someone who would do exactly what you said. That is the day that you ceased to be my mother and just became another adult who was trying to control me."

While Jack was talking, Chris and Rob came back to the house. They weren't alone, they had Father Mark and Matthew with them. Gran saw them and went to greet the new guests. Charlotte sat there slack-jawed looking at her son. She couldn't believe the words that he was saying. Father Mark was proud of Jack for standing up for himself. He wasn't sure what Jack was talking about when he said his true feelings about Laura, he tucked that information away to talk to him about it later, but in the moment, he knew that he needed to find a way to comfort Jack and get him to calm down.

"Are either of you hungry?" Gran asked.

"I am okay." Father Mark said. "But if there is some coffee, I would take that."

"I will get it." Elizabeth said.

"I am fine, ma'am." Matthew said.

"JP." Charlotte said. "I can't believe that you would say those things. I am your mother and I have always wanted the best for you."

"No." Doug said. "You haven't always wanted the best for Jack. You have wanted him to be the best and pushed him to one up your snobby friends. In the years that I have known Jack, I can count on one hand the times that you did what was actually the best for Jack. If he wasn't doing exactly what you wanted, when you wanted him to do it, you would tear him down and tell him how disappointed you were in him."

"I did not." Charlotte retorted.

"You did." James said. "I have gently tried to tell you over the years, but you only hear what you want to hear."

Gran looked at Matthew who was still standing there.

"Please have a seat." Gran said.

When he didn't sit down, Jack turned his glare from his mother to Matthew. Jack was pissed and he wasn't about to listen to someone who should know better than to speak out of turn.

"Matthew, is there something that you need?" Jack asked.

"I was just wondering when we are heading back to the hotel." Matthew said. "It has been a long day and we have to be sharp tomorrow. I mean we have to be at the track all day and then work again tomorrow night. We weren't even told the details of what the assignment was. I have spent the afternoon in the security office and I have heard things that I think Devin needs to know."

Jack let out a harsh breath, closed his eyes and slowly counted to ten under his breath. Doug and Lee were watching Jack, because they knew that he was going to explode on someone real quick. Father Mark also noticed and even though he had sat down with his mug of coffee, he was kept watch as he prayed.

"Really." Chris said. "Who were you in the office with?"

"He was down there with Brandon and Andy Cutter." James said.

"Tell me what happened at the office." John said. "And yes, your job depends on it."

"Brandon was talking about Adam and Michael." Matthew said. "He was also mad that Kevin was made team leader."

"You are the most junior member of this team." Chris said. "Didn't Devin tell you to keep your mouth shut and do as you're told. If you can't handle the long hours, I can have you replaced."

"Andrew." John said. "Please have the two backup members of the team I picked please come up tomorrow as well. Two cars please. Matthew, you will be sent back to the city tomorrow morning. I will personally call Devin and tell him that this arrangement didn't work out."

Matthew stood there staring at John. It was almost a full minute before anyone realized what had just happened.

"I agree with Grandpa John." Jack said. "I also think we need to think about keeping Brandon if he is going to be causing trouble. I have had issues with him before this, but this is the last straw. Grandpa James, you can keep him if you want, but I don't want him near me. I will be talking to Devin and he will not even be on follow security for me anymore and if he isn't gone, he will be when I take more control of Coal Creek and am here more. I can't trust him and I don't want him here."

"I agree." John said. "We need to nip this in the bud now. Things have gotten too far out of hand. Chris, at some point I think you need to call a meeting with ALL of the security here and very clearly lay down the law. I will be there if you want, but you as Devin's chosen team leader need to be the one to speak."

"Do you think we can do that tomorrow?" Chris asked.

"I have messaged Devin." Peter said. "I have also let the team know to bring the other two. I told them two cars and not the large van. I am currently composing a message to all security here in Saratoga that there is a meeting at nine tomorrow morning at the small arena and attendance is mandatory if they want to continue working here."

"Thank you." John said.

Peter nodded.

"Works for me." Chris said. "We will come over and stay here until we leave for the track."

"That is fine." James said. "If there is stuff that you need to do, you are more than welcome to use the meeting room at the arena."

"Thank you." Chris said. "John and James, I would like you both to try and be at the meeting tomorrow. If you can't, I understand, but I would like you to try."

"Remind me in the morning." James said. "I will be in the office at the arena until closer to when we have to leave."

"I will call you when we are on our way here." Chris said.

John looked at Jack and then at James. He then rubbed his brow.

"Rob." John said. "Can you and Katie take Matthew back to the hotel? Tomorrow morning before heading this way, please put him on the bus and from there he is completely on his own."

"Understood." Rob said.

"You are free for the rest of the night." John said. "Andrew and Peter will bring Chris back."

"No problem." Rob said. "Let's go, Matthew."

Katie got up, gave Gran a hug and then said goodbye to Jack, Elizabeth and their friends. Jack ran downstairs and got the polo shirts.

"Here, Katie." Jack said. "Take these with you. They are all there other than one for Matthew and the one for Grandpa John."

"Thank you, Jack." Katie said. "Sorry about the difficulty. Keep your head up, things will get better."

"Thank you." Jack said.

After Katie left with Rob and Matthew, Jack let out another harsh breath. He closed his eyes and flexed his hands a few times. Both Doug and Father Mark saw Jack's reaction. They were both on their feet and at Jack's side.

"Jack." Doug whispered. "Look at me. You don't need to do this. They can't drive you out. We got your back. Chris and your grandfathers will deal with the security."

While Doug was talking, Father Mark put his hand on Jack's back and started quietly praying. Jack continued to flex his hands and Doug knew that he needed to get through to Jack or he was going to lose it on someone.

"Focus." Doug continued to whisper. "I know that you are upset, but we got your back. So what if your mother posts a few pictures. We can squash them. Elizabeth's location has already been compromised. We will do everything to keep you both safe. Marcus and Director Quinlan have said that they are are dealing with things. You don't need to fight every fight. Let your grandparents deal with it. We have your back, no matter what. The things that are going on with your parents – just let John deal with them. He has your back, same as us. You said that you trust him and he trusts you. Prove right now by walking away and letting him deal with things."

"Jack." Father Mark said. "Listen to Doug. I know that you are upset, but you need to take a deep breath and a step back."

Jack closed his eyes again. He took a couple of deep breaths and then he looked Doug right in the eye.

"Please take care of Elizabeth." Jack said. "I need some space."

"We got her." Doug said.

Jack then walked over to Elizabeth who was rinsing dishes in the sink.

"I am sorry." Jack said. "I love you, but I need some space tonight. I don't want you to go, but I can't sit here and listen anymore."

"I understand." Elizabeth said. "Gran said to give you space if you asked for it. I know that you have had a lot going on and jumping tomorrow is a big deal. If you want time, I will give you time. However, I am not going to stay here and listen to your mother anymore either."

"You don't have to." Jack said. "If you want to go downstairs, you are more than welcome."

Elizabeth leaned forward and gave Jack a quick kiss.

"Don't forget to say goodnight." Elizabeth said.

"I promise." Jack said.

Jack turned and walked back to the table.

"Grandpa John." Jack said. "You know how I feel about this. Please deal with things. I need some space so I am in the right headspace so I can jump."

"Okay." John said.

Jack then turned to his grandmother.

"Gran." Jack said. "I am not asking you to choose between your family members. I am, however, asking you to think about the agreement that we signed and remember that tomorrow is business. I am sorry that you are in the middle of this. I never wanted that."

"I know." Gran said. "Go, take Father Mark with you. You need to deal with your emotions so that you can jump tomorrow."

Jack nodded. Gran motioned for Father Mark to go with Jack. Jack and Father Mark turned to walk out the back door.

"John Parker." Charlotte yelled. "I am not done talking to you."

Jack didn't even react, but continued toward the door. Charlotte stood up and took a step toward Jack and Father Mark. Nathan immediately intercepted.

"Don't even think about it." Nathan said.

"I don't have to listen to you." Charlotte sneered. "You are just an employee. You do what I say."

"I don't work for you." Nathan said calmly. "I work for Jack and he has asked for space, so I will give it to him. He is safe on the farm and if wants to talk to Father Mark, I am going to allow it. Especially since I was the one that called him."

Nathan stood his ground until Jack and Father Mark were out the door.