Chapter 765: King of Pain
Sunday, March 26th, Morning
Sitting on the bench, he looked through the chainlink fence at the open-air skate park. He leaned forward, cupping his chin with his hands and elbows on his knees. With a sigh, he let the mist of his breath drift off into the chilly air.
The bench shifted as someone took a seat next to Noah. It was a smaller person, and the bench barely moved as the person took a seat. Slowly, Noah turned to face the new person sitting next to him. His eyes widened slightly when he saw Shannon sitting next to him.
"Hi," Shannon said.
"Hi, how did you know to find me here?" Noah asked.
"Where else would you be? The big surprise is, why aren't you skating inside?" Shannon asked.
"Chase had me banned, remember?" Noah said.
"I remember something, vaguely," Shannon said.
Noah nodded, "So, what brought you here?" he asked.
"I was bored and wanted to check on you," Shannon said.
"Why me?" Noah asked.
"You're my friend," Shannon said.
"That ghosted me three years ago," Noah said.
"I told you why," Shannon said.
Noah nodded, "That you did," he said.
"I'm trying to make up for it," Shannon said.
"Yeah, I guess," Noah said.
"Why are you shutting people out?" Shannon asked.
"That's what I do; it's called survival," Noah said.
"Why?" Shannon asked.
"My life isn't normal; I can't bring someone home because of my dad," Noah said, "My life, that's it, I don't know."
"It's more than that," Shannon said.
"No, it's that simple," Noah said.
"Something you want to ask me," Shannon said.
"No," Noah said.
"Noah?" Shannon asked.
"Fine!" Noah said.
"Ask away," Shannon said.
"Why is it so important for Lexi that you're the pretty and popular cheerleader?" Noah asked.
"Oh, that? That's easy because I'm the only girl of this generation," Shannon said.
"Oh," Noah said.
"Yeah, oh, she wanted daughters and only got my cousins," Shannon said.
"Hmm," Noah said.
"It's not all bad; I get my own bathroom," she said.
Noah shook his head and laughed.
There's a little black spot on the sun today
It's the same old thing as yesterday
There's a black hat caught in a high tree top
There's a flag pole rag and the wind won't stop
I have stood here before inside the pouring rain
With the world turning circles running 'round my brain
I guess I'm always hoping that you'll end this reign
But it's my destiny to be the king of pain
Sunday, March 26th, Morning
The lyrics poured through the speakers and into her ears. The words black spot, tree top, and pouring rain painted a picture of confusion and turmoil. But she lay on her couch, water bottle in her hand, a cat curled up at her feet, and she listened. The words of a Northumbrian Englishman filled her ears.
Bobbi-Lee looked at her feet to see Custis sleeping peacefully. She reached out and put the water bottle on the table. Finally, she rolled over to look up at the wall. The box looked back at her, the simple triangle wooden box with the folded flag in it, Johnny's flag and box. It seemed to keep watch over her.
Closing her eyes, Bobbi-Lee leaned back and slowly inhaled and exhaled. She crossed her hands across her chest and tried to relax. That was what Sundays were for relaxing; that's what everyone told her: relax one day a week. That was something she found hard to do.
Reaching over to the coffee table, Bobbi-Lee grabbed her smartphone. She scrolled through her apps and started to open a music streaming app. She looked at the page of the song that was playing. The vocals of a man from the North of England filled her ears. The rhythm beat like a metronome. The voice delivered as if they were living through pain.
Bobbi-Lee closed her eyes and listened to the London-based trio. She could hear the sound of a creative force being torn apart from the inside out. The song was slow and driving. The album was named for two simultaneous occurrences that appeared related but had no causal connection, which seemed odd as they were falling apart.
The wind picked up outside. Bobbi-Lee closed her eyes as the burst of wind died down, and the first raindrops hit the window pains. They sound like they were large. A storm was probably blowing in from the Atlantic.
A rainy, windy day wouldn't do anything to improve her mood. Bobbi-Lee listened to music and the wind. Her cottage shook a bit from the wind. It was too early in the year for hurricanes, but that never stopped Mother Nature. Like God, you wanted to make Mother Nature laugh; tell her your plans.
A loud crash broke the music and wind sounds. Bobbi-Lee shot into a sitting position and looked around. Custis picked up his head and looked around. Bobbi-Lee swung around and scanned around her great room. Finally, she got up and looked around the room.
She found Johnny's flag had fallen off the wall. There was a scar on the wall where the flag box once hung. Bobbi-Lee walked over, picked it up, and dusted it off.
"What are you trying to tell me, Johnny?" Bobbi-Lee asked as she put the flag box on a nearby table.
Shaking her head, she returned to the couch and laid back down, pulling a blanket over her, closing her eyes, trying to fall asleep.
There's a little black spot on the sun today
(That's my soul up there)
It's the same old thing as yesterday
(That's my soul up there)
There's a black hat caught in a high tree top
(That's my soul up there)
There's a flag pole rag and the wind won't stop
(That's my soul up there)
I have stood here before inside the pouring rain
With the world turning circles running 'round my brain
I guess I'm always hoping that you'll end this reign
But it's my destiny to be the king of pain
Sunday, March 26th, Morning
The morning came early; she got up and showered. After dressing, she went down to the family dining room. Going to the buffet, she made herself a plate and found a place at the table.
Callie looked up to see Brooke was up, early as always, and sitting at the head of the table. Brooke was looking at her tablet and drinking her coffee. Callie shrugged and went to eat her breakfast. After a moment, Callie heard the tablet rest on the table. Callie looked over to see Brooke looking at her.
"Good morning, Callie," Brooke said.
"Morning, Brooke," Callie said.
"We've not had a chance to talk since you moved in," Brooke said.
"Sorry, I've been busy," Callie said.
"As have I," Brooke said.
"I'm not worried," Callie said.
Brooke nodded, "So, how are you settling in?" Brooke asked.
Callie shrugged, "Well, I guess there's a lot to get used to; this place is so big," she said.
"It is," Brooke said, "But other than finding this place a maze, how are you doing?"
"What do you mean?" Callie asked.
"How are you feeling? Considering what I was told about what happened to you, I would be considering you might, I don't know, not feel well," Brooke said.
"What?" Callie asked.
"The backstory of why you came to live here," Brooke said.
"What about it?" Callie asked.
"I can't assume to know what you went through, but if you need someone to talk to or help, my door is always open," Brooke said.
Callie nodded, "Thank you," she said dismissively.
"Callie, I want this to be your home and us to be your family," Brooke said.
"I have a family, and they abandoned me," Callie said.
"I won't abandon you," Brooke said, "Be who you are."
Callie closed her mouth, nodded, and ate her breakfast.
There's a fossil that's trapped in a high cliff wall
(That's my soul up there)
There's a dead salmon frozen in a waterfall
(That's my soul up there)
There's a blue whale beached by a springtime's ebb
(That's my soul up there)
There's a butterfly trapped in a spider's web
(That's my soul up there)
I've stood here before inside the pouring rain
With the world turning circles running 'round my brain
I guess I'm always hoping that you'll end this reign
But it's my destiny to be the king of pain
Sunday, March 26th, Morning
The light came through the loft's windows. She sat up in her king-size bed, holding the covers to her naked body and looking out into the glare of the New York City Sunday Morning. She sighed and pulled the covers tighter to her.
Fallon turned away from the window to the sleeping Grant next to her. Turning back to the window, she sighed again. The world was crashing down, but no one would notice; the sounds of the city outside wouldn't change.
"How long have you been awake?" Grant asked, from laying position next to her.
"I don't know," Fallon said.
"You're still troubled?" Grant asked.
"Never stopped. I've been thinking about the meeting with the US Attorney," Fallon said.
"What about it?" Grant asked.
"The way they handled it. I felt like they already considered quality; I felt like they wanted to take me right to room one oh one," Fallon said.
"Very Orwellian of you," Grant said.
"Well, I'm thinking like I'm Winston Smith; I know they'll come for me one day and put a bullet in my head," Fallon said.
"Dark," Grant said.
"I feel I am in a dark mood," Fallon said.
"I see," Grant said, "It's not that bad."
"The world is collapsing around me," Fallon said.
"What's this tattoo?" Grant asked, wisely changing the subject.
"You've never seen that one?" Fallon asked.
"I've rarely seen you from behind," Grant said.
"We'll have to change that before I go away," Fallon said.
"Stop it," Grant said, "What does the tattoo mean?"
"I got it on my sixteenth birthday," Fallon said.
"How did you manage that?" Grant asked.
"You have enough money and know people with no scruples; it's amazing what you can get in this city," Fallon said.
"I know," Grant said, "What does it mean?"
"The five rings stand for who were my closest friends in high school; they are interlocked to show the family we created together," Fallon said.
"Who were they?" Grant asked.
"Me, Candi, Izzy, Chase, and Christy," Fallon said.
"Aren't two of them your sisters?" Grant asked.
"Yes, and Candi is my sister-in-law," Fallon said.
Grant sat up, took Fallon into his arms, and kissed Fallon on the side of the head.
"What do you want for breakfast?" Fallon asked.
"I don't know, surprise me," Fallon said.
"I will," Grant said and kissed her again.
There's a king on a throne with his eyes torn out
There's a blind man looking for a shadow of doubt
There's a rich man sleeping on a golden bed
There's a skeleton choking on a crust of bread
King of pain
Sunday, March 26th, Morning
The light came through the window of the bedroom. Each window bent the light slightly and gave off small halos of rainbows. The king-size bed was filled like it never had been. She looked over and saw two young brunettes, a girl and a boy, cuddling with a dirty blonde-haired man.
Izzy smiled as she looked at the three most important people in her life. Keith laid on his back, with Nomi cuddled up on one side and Ellis on the other side. The night she had planned didn't go down because the kids didn't want to let their dad go. Izzy leaned over and pushed a stray bang from Ellis's closed eyes.
The image warmed her heart. As tough as it had been the last year, it paid off when the kids first saw their dad. The steady breathing of the two young ones, their bodies covering Keith's own breathing movement.
Getting out of bed, she put on her robe. Looking back at the bed, Izzy smiled, pulled her robe tighter, and then tied the sash. Izzy crossed the room to the bay window and looked at the privy gardens.
It looked like it was going to be a warm but wet day. There were dark clouds on the horizon. There were also the first flowers that were starting to bloom. The scenes of the gardens at Beaulieu were always amazing in the summers. Leighton had beautiful classic gardens, and Izzt had spent many nights wandering around the gardens. The scents were different, and Izzy loved the nights out in Leighton's gardens, but Beaulieu's gardens always had a special place in her heart.
There was movement from the bed. Izzy turned to see Keith waking up. He turned his head to his right to see Nomi sleeping, then turned to his left to see Ellis. Keith sighed and leaned his head back.
"They were here all night?" Keith asked.
"Yeah, I spoiled them; they wanted to be next to their dada," Izzy said.
"It ruined your plans for last night," Keith said.
Izzy shrugged, "It doesn't matter; there'll be other nights," she said.
"You can't guarantee it," Keith said, "Tomorrow is never promised."
"You can't think that way," Izzy said.
"I have to," Keith said.
"Why?" Izzy asked.
"We need to take advantage of life," Keith said, "Especially since I've missed so much time with these two." Keith kissed the top of Nomi's, then Ellis's head.
Izzy nodded, "What do you want to do today?" she asked.
Keith sighed, "I just want to be present," he said.
Izzy nodded and watched her family just as the wind picked up and the first drop of rain hit the bay windows.
There's a red fox torn by a huntsman's pack
(That's my soul up there)
There's a black-winged gull with a broken back
(That's my soul up there)
There's a little black spot on the sun today
It's the same old thing as yesterday
Sunday, March 26th, Morning
She rolled out of bed and held her plushie husky dog. Looking around the bedroom, she sighed, then went through the shared bathroom to her bedroom. She hopped onto her bed and bounced up and down for a second. The plushie ended up by the pillows, and she stood on the carpeted floor.
Sawyer looked around and saw through the window and the falling rain the first springtime buds on the trees of the Privy Garden. For the first time in weeks, she felt good. But the darkness was still on the edge, and she could feel it coming back.
In a moment of pure joy and impulse, she grabbed her smartphone. She opened the camera and moved the phone around until she was stratified with the angle. After making a face, she snapped a few pictures of herself. After looking for the best one, she posted it on her social media.
Throwing her smartphone onto the bed, she bounced over to her closet. She pulled out some clothes to wear. She started the shower in the shared bathroom; once it was the right temperature, she climbed in. The hot water loosened her up and cleared her head.
After washing up, she shut off the water and wrapped herself in a towel. Sawyer wrung her hair out, then grabbed another towel. She returned to her bedroom, patting her hair down. Sitting at her makeup table, she started to blow dry her hair. While she blew out her hair, she brushed her curly blonde hair.
Once she finished her hair, then she applied subdued makeup. Getting up from her makeup table, she went to her laid-out clothes. Sawyer changed into the clothing. She checked herself in her full-length mirror and reached for a hair brush. She started brushing her hair again, feeling and hearing the snaps and pops as she brushed out the tangles and knots. She looked in the mirror and thought about the joys of having her long, curly hair. Once satisfied with her hair, she put it back with a black headband.
Sawyer spun around in front of the mirror. Her black pleated skirt spun around and lifted a bit. Once she stopped, she looked at herself again. Sawyer smoothed down her blue sweater; she smiled.
Looking over her room, she wondered what shoes she wanted to wear. Sawyer walked over to her bed and pulled out her well-used Doc Martens; she pulled on her socks and put on her boots.
Bouncing to her feet, she walked to the full-length mirror. Sawyer looked into the mirror and studied her dull, cold, empty green eyes, her mom's eyes.
"Okay, you can do this; don't make him worry about you," Sawyer said.
Sawyer took a deep breath, shook her head, and left her bedroom.
I've stood here before inside the pouring rain
With the world turning circles running 'round my brain
I guess I'm always hoping that you'll end this reign
But it's my destiny to be the king of pain
Sunday, March 26th, Morning
After breakfast, she grabbed her jacket and keys to a car. She arrived at the east range parking lot and ensured she had her gym bag. She threw the bag into the back of one of the SUVs and got behind the wheel. She started the engine and headed out of Beaulieu Manor in the rain.
The mid-morning light looked like it wanted to slowly cut through the clouds and blooming trees. The rain seemed to be slowing down. Candi looked through the windshield with the waking world. Candi needed to escape Beaulieu; it was Sunday, so it was somewhat of a day off. Candi decided to let Keith have more time with his kids before having her talk with him.
Candi parked at the River Court got out of her car, and walked onto the court in the rain. She looked out across the river at the rain-soaked downtown Tree Hill. Many nights and mornings, Candi would be doing drills on this court with teammates or would do her own drills. Candi dribbled the ball a few times in the rain; catching the ball, she turned to look at the basketball hoop.
Starting to dribble the ball as she sized up the hoop. Pulling up, she took a shot and hung her wrist. The ball drained and bounced on the hard top. Candi walked over to the ball and picked it up.
Candi started bouncing around the key and moving around, loosening up her joints. The cold, wet air burned in her sinuses and lungs. She found her spot, planted her foot, pivoted, and fired off another shot. A perfect bank shot, Candi smiled; the cold and rain affected everything about shooting, but she seemed to, by nature, adjust and keep going.
"That which had pleased me once, troubled by spirit," a voice said from out of sight.
"So, you come here," Candi said, "In the rain."
"I came here and thought about the old ballet The Hanging Tree," the voice said.
"What do you want, Winter?" Candi asked.
"To call in my mark," Winter said and came into Candi's view.
"Your mark?" Candi asked.
"My pound of flesh," Winter said.
"Be like Elisa, Winter," Candi said.
Winter shook her head. "I will not let it go," she said.
Candi nodded, then shook her head. Finally, she turned and walked away.
"Don't walk away from me!" Winter yelled.
Candi held up her hand and waved. She got into the SUV and left. Winter stood on the court in the rain, staring. In her rearview mirror, Candi saw Winter screaming.
King of pain
King of pain
King of pain
Sunday, March 26th, Afternoon
She was again sitting in Rerun's Bar & Grill, watching a basketball game. It was easy to let the kids be watched, and she won't be disturbed. It was better this way, and she could be around adults, as crazy as it may seem. She found herself sitting at the bar watching the game on a front television.
Ashlyn looked across the bar and saw the game on the screen. Miami was in Boston, trying to save their season, and Ashlyn was glad she didn't travel like she had done a few times. Boston was one of the worst places to go as an away team. Boston fans were passionate, to say the least. Ashlyn remembered visiting Boston and seeing all the retired numbers, including the number she used to wear nineteen. Later, looking it up, she found out the number belonged to Don Nelson, a forward like Ashlyn. Don Nelson was a good company to be associated with; he was a winner.
Watching the game was not how she wanted to spend her Sunday. Ashlyn, if anything, was a good wife, so she watched the games. She took the phone calls and listened to James brag or bitch, depending on the game. But she couldn't bitch or brag about the games she coached. It was uneven, and James sometimes wouldn't even let her talk.
"Is there anything I can get you?" Rerun asked.
"A new life, 'cause my old one isn't doing it for me," Ashlyn said.
"What's wrong, Ash?" Rerun asked.
Ashlyn shrugged, "Thinking about life, the universe, and everything," she said.
"Forty-two?" Rerun asked.
"I'll bring my towel," Ashlyn said.
"Yeah, so anyway, what's the issue?" Rerun asked.
"It's Sunday; I'm sitting in a bar, watching a basketball game," Ashlyn said.
"I do appreciate that you chose my bar," Rerun said.
"Where else would I go?" Ashlyn asked.
"There are any number of bars around here," Rerun said.
"True, but I like this one," Ashlyn said.
"Thank you," Rerun said, "Also, talk to him about how you feel."
Ashlyn watched Rerun walk away, shocked. Shaking her head, she watched Miami lose 108 to 112.
I'll always be king of pain
I'll always be king of pain
I'll always be king of pain
I'll always be king of pain
I'll always be king of pain
I'll always be king of pain
I'll always be king of pain
Prayers can be answered. The world seems to be righting itself. My brother is home.
RavenHussar
T3 Collective
Author's Notes
Thank you for reading; sorry for the delays for finishing this. I had initially suffered from burnout, then the holidays. Also, got very six over the New Years. Hope you enjoyed.
The Annus Horribilis Secrets
1) Carson Murphy has passed away. (Episode 2)
2) Spencer Churchill "Church" Grady was killed in action as a US Navy Seal and buried in Arlington National Cemetery (aka The Garden). He is also Jessica Ashlyn Scott's Dad. (Episode 4)
3) Constance "Connie" Garland is in a permanent vegetative state. (Episode 6)
4) Brian Durham Scott died of a heart attack at the age of Twenty-Seven, becoming a member of the infamous 27 Club. (Episode 19)
5) Gabrielle "Gabi" Vincent is living in long-term care from damage done during a suicide attempt causing permanent brain damage. (Episode 20)
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