"Yes." Veronica said softly. "I thought that by playing bingo I had a safe release for my addiction. And then I met Gloria." Veronica sighed as she gestured at herself. It wasn't long before that craving of rush struck, and struck hard. She fed the junkie in me in just the right ways." Veronica told them and then went on to describe the things that transpired.
Toby sat riveted to his chair watching and listening to every word that Veronica told them.
Ralph Dineen for the most part tried to tune her out the best he could, but hearing the voice he had loved so much, he failed. However he was able to ensure that Ralph ate his dinner.
Happy ate but was obviously interested in what Veronica was telling them since she admitted she was a gambling addict.
Sylvester tried to focus on Ralph as well.
Cabe held a look of contempt on his face at every word she uttered.
And little Ralph was highly inquisitive and found it difficult to eat. He was much more interested in the story.
Toby asked a few questions periodically but tried his best not to interrupt the flow she had going with the story.
For nearly an hour she talked about it, she answered every question that anyone asked. Veronica had planned to do that from the very start, she had just hoped it would be with Paige sitting and listening and being part of it. Her eyes often looked up at the ceiling as she wondered what her little girl was feeling, thinking, going through. From all her research, she didn't think Walter was the best person to be helping her daughter through this but so far that seemed to be the wrong thought.
"So how do you know so much about the gang?" Cabe finally asked as his anger slowly cooled.
Veronica smiled briefly.
"I'd seen a news clip of Walter being shown on the beach back in December trying to save that little boy. And I saw Paige trying to comfort him at one point and I just knew, that was my daughter." Veronica told him with a tear that ran down her face. "I did a lot of digging and searching. I found out all about you guys from the dark web. Walter is quite famous out there."
"That he is." Happy nodded.
"I didn't realize you were here tonight Ralph or I might have decided not to come. I knew it would be almost impossible to talk to Paige, but Ralph…" Veronica looked up at him. "I can't, I knew you would be so mad at me. And you'd have every right to be. I made a terrible choice that broke our family and it forced a very difficult position upon you. It has harmed our daughter in ways I can't begin to guess. All I can say is I'm sorry and I wish I could take it all back. I'd give anything to make it right. I thought I could start with Paige, maybe try to get her to see that as monstrous as my decision was, I didn't do it to hurt her. Or you."
"And just what would you have said to make it better?" Paige said bitterly as she came around the corner with Walter holding her hand. "Daddy did everything he could for me. Even getting Aunt Josephine to help me with the things you should have been here for."
"Sweetheart." Veronica said sadly but imploringly. "Believe me, I didn't want to be absent from your life. But I couldn't take the risk. I couldn't risk you, possibly your Father being used against me in revenge. I wanted to be there for you so bad. But alive and with you I was a threat to you. But dead and forgotten I knew I could trust your Father to help you to grow up and thrive. I knew that one day I might get the chance to explain and apologize, to ask for forgiveness. But the other way, you could have been harmed in so many other ways…badly. I couldn't risk that, couldn't risk my bear being harmed. I had to let you think I was dead."
"It was you who paid my hospital bill after my heart attack." Ralph Dineen said suddenly.
Veronica smiled weakly at him and nodded.
"I was so glad our little girl was home between terms when it happened and she was able to save you." Veronica said with a bit of happiness in her voice.
"I wasn't home between terms Mother. I was home because I made a mess of my life." Paige said bitterly.
Walter's hands came up and gently gripped her shoulders even as Ralph Dineen shook his head.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Veronica frowned.
"Ralph, if you are done eating, please go finish your homework in your room if it isn't done. And take a shower to get ready for bed." Walter told him softly.
"Yes sir." Ralph said regretfully but hugged his Grandpa and then his Grandma before his Mom and finally his Dad.
"Just don't worry about what that means." Paige told her as she sat down at Walter's insistence after Ralph went upstairs.
Walter stepped over and started cutting a couple of servings out of the lasagna for them. He stepped over to the microwave and covered them before slipping them inside.
"I'll answer any question you want. Whatever you need from me sweetheart, just tell me and I'll do it." Veronica told her.
"I need you to just disappear again." Paige told her with stark venom.
Everyone looked shocked, and Veronica gasped as the worst thing she thought came true…Slowly she nodded as she pushed back and stood.
She paused for just a moment and pulled a piece of paper out of her pocket and put it on the table.
"Just in case, if you ever want to reach out to me." Veronica said and blew a small kiss before she left.
"Are you serious?" Happy demanded of her.
"Yes I'm serious." Paige told her.
"My Dad threw me into foster care at two. My Mother died in childbirth with me. Do you know how I wish that he'd have come back to me? I had to go to him. She did a stupid thing, sure. But it was to protect you and your Father. And at least you had a Father stand up for you and protect you. Sure be mad at her, but to kick her out of your life like that? What is wrong with you?" Happy nearly screamed.
Everyone looked shocked at Happy's outburst. Most of them knew her story, but she seldom brought it up.
Ralph Dineen stood up and pulled Happy up into his arms and just hugged her tightly.
Happy was shocked for a moment but then she surrendered. Her arms rose slowly up and around Ralph as she hugged him back. And then they heard her sob before she began crying in earnest.
Ralph rocked back and forth gently with her as he hummed softly.
Paige stared at the pair and Ralph's eyes opened a moment and saw her. His hand turned out towards her and Paige stood up and took his hand as he pulled her in and the three of them stood there hugging each other.
"I suppose I can give her a chance." Paige said softly as they broke their hug.
"I'd really appreciate that if you would." Veronica said softly with Cabe standing behind her.
"I brought her back sweetheart. Don't get mad at her." Cabe told her.
Paige stood staring at her Mother for several moments. Slowly she stepped out towards her.
Veronica had a slightly worried smile on her face. She was bracing for her to possibly slap her. But Paige moved on up and then her arms reached out and hugged her.
"How are you feeling?" Walter asked quietly as they lay in bed later that night.
"I don't know, to be honest." Paige sighed as she snuggled tighter to him. "I was so scared when I first saw her. I don't know how, but I knew it was her from the moment I saw her. But I couldn't accept it…I felt such hatred as I realized she was my Mother, even before she said it. How dare she come back now…after all I've gone through. But Happy had a point. If the person she was talking about was that sick, they could have done some horrible things to me and Dad to get back at her. And it isn't like I was much of a stellar person myself." Paige sighed again.
"Hey." Walter said sharply. "No more talk like that. You are an amazing person. I won't let anyone talk about you like that, not even you." Walter told her with a serious look on his face. "You got it?"
Paige smiled up at him and nodded.
"I guess in some ways I'm happy about it but I'm so worried about her. Can I really trust her?" Paige asked softly.
"If you want I can do some digging through the internet. See if I can find out what she's been up to." Walter offered.
"Yes. Or maybe not. I don't know…I'm so confused Walter." Paige sighed.
"Well if it was just you and me, I could see not worrying about it. But we need to consider Ralph's safety in this." Walter said as he nuzzled her neck.
"That's true. Let me think about it a little." Paige smiled as she felt him bite her neck.
"Damn." Ralph Dineen collapsed back onto his bed as he was breathing hard.
Veronica smiled as she half curled up on top of his chest.
"That's the bear I've missed." Veronica said softly and with a wicked smile.
Ralph Dineen's eye opened and he looked at her and almost retorted but he forced himself not to. He knew this wasn't good or right, but he had missed her so much. Hate and love, or was it anger and love. So closely related in most cases.
"I know Ralph." Veronica sighed as she had felt his body's tension at her word. "But just because it was my fault we were apart doesn't stop me from missing you or this with you. You and Paige were always my world. I'm just ashamed I let a small part of my life get so far out of control that I had to do that." Veronica told him even as she wormed her way up his chest until she was looking down into his eyes from above his head. "And right now, I'm not finished with you yet." She grinned and kissed him deeply.
"That was really something tonight." Toby said as he sat with Happy at the small table outside a cafe. Both of them were sipping a beer.
"Yeah." Happy said noncommittally.
"Do you really wish your Dad would have come back before? Even now?" Toby asked gently.
"At that moment, yes. Now, maybe no…I'd be afraid I'd react as Paige did at first. All my anger would vent out and I'd probably do more damage to our relationship. But then, I was completely vulnerable. I'd have broken down and forgave him instantly. Which might not have been a good thing. Did you learn anything from her story?" Happy asked pointedly.
Toby smirked behind his beer. He knew exactly what she was referring to with that remark.
"Maybe…but I don't have any reason to change. She had reason to stay on the path she was on. Until an outside force manipulated her and dragged her back into the world she had escaped. She had a partner, a beautiful daughter to help fulfill her life. I've got a crappy childhood with crappy parents, a boss that almost hates me, co-workers that would be just as happy if I didn't come back to work. So why change?" Toby decided to poke the bear.
"Bull shit." Happy snapped. And then saw him smile. "Don't think you manipulated me into anything. And don't think I haven't noticed the changes you've been making since Mrs Kovelsky's little speech to you." Happy said before she finished her beer and ordered another. "And don't think I'm going to try and pump up your ego and say anything more."
"I'm just glad you agreed to come out with me." Toby smiled.
"I had to do something, I was still feeling too vulnerable from Paige's Dad." Happy sighed.
"Yeah, I have to admit, he's pretty amazing compared to my Dad. I wonder how he's doing with Veronica right now." Toby smiled.
Happy frowned.
"You think they are together right now?" Happy couldn't believe he said that.
Toby nodded as he laughed.
"Trust me. Thirty years apart and they both still love each other fiercely. Most of his bluster was covering for how he felt deep inside. He's hurt, but he seriously loves her still. He denied himself the love of another partner because of how much he loved her. I'm sure they are sweating up the sheets right now." Toby said before draining his beer.
"TMI Doc." Happy laughed.
"So things have gone well with you and your Dad?" Toby asked softly.
"Kind of." Happy said without much conviction.
"I'd love to see how he is doing." Toby told her.
Happy sat staring at him. Her eyes gazed around him at different parts as she tried to figure him out. She sat her beer down and pulled out her wallet. She tossed two twenties on the table.
"Let's go, he should still be at his garage." Happy told Toby.
Toby nodded and jumped up. He paused and pulled two twenties out of his wallet and sat them on the table and gave her money back to her.
"I asked you to come here." Toby reminded her.
Happy shrugged but nodded before they walked out of the fenced off area and down the street to their vehicles. Her Dad's garage wasn't far and didn't take them long to get there.
"Happy." Patrick said, smiling as she walked into the garage. His smile changed as Toby walked in behind her.
"Don't start Dad." Happy told him. "Toby just wanted to see how you are doing. Paige's Mother showed up, out of the blue, at the Garage tonight. She'd faked her death thirty years ago. So it caused a lot of thoughts and feelings."
"Toby." Patrick said with extreme feelings of guilt. He slowly extended his hand.
"How are you doing sir." Toby replied as he shook his hand.
"Just cleaning up to close actually. Got my AA meeting tonight at the YMCA." Patrick told him as he turned to continue his inventory count.
"That's great." Toby told him with a smile. "I've been going to a gambler's anonymous meeting myself for almost a month."
"You are?" Happy frowned. "I didn't know that."
"Yeah, we meet every Tuesday at the school's community room where Ralph goes to school." Toby nodded.
"Really?" Happy looked shocked. "I knew you were leaving work Tuesday afternoons but I thought you were just picking up Ralph for Paige."
"No, the meeting gets out just before his day ends. So since they afford me the time to go, I just hang out for a few and bring him back." Toby shook his head.
Toby came out of his bathroom and paused as he looked at Happy sleeping in his bed. His initial projections put this event more than six months from now. His projections after making changes based on Mrs Kovelsky's point of view had changed them to about four months. But the appearance of Veronica Dineen had set a whole new series of variables into play. As did Happy finding out he was going to gambler's anonymous meetings.
He had been in love with Happy since shortly after meeting her. And while he knew she had feelings for him, she was not in any position to act on them. But the events of tonight made all the difference for Happy. Maybe they could have what Walter and Paige were building together too.
Greetings! I hope this finds you all well! And sadly we come to the end of this story, for now. Friday we return to "Callan"!
Railman - She did make an entrance...and ended with a bang as well! lol Looks like Ralph Dineen recovered from his shock quite nicely. lol
Lucy - Wasn't it though? I was sitting typing this wondering who this woman was and *bam* my muse certainly surprised me. Well we know of one piece of "mayhem" she created...lol
Marti - So glad you are enjoying it! Well...some horizontal mischief it appears...lol Just hope she doesn't get pregnant like Lady Paige did in "Lady Aine"! Boy talk about awkward...LOL "Paige, meet your little brother. Ralph sweetie...this is your Uncle Emmett." lol
LouBe - When it comes to my muse, you can expect just about anything. lol I have no idea where the muse is taking this. lol That is a good point...she wasn't exposed to a lot of the shadier stuff of Veronica as the prime Paige was! Did I succeed in an optimistic note? hehe I think so.
Pearliegirl - Ummm...I think that would be a resounding yes. lol Please, no fires! Aine was enough of that! hehe Thank you, very kind of you! I certainly would have loved that! lol
JerBr - You're welcome. Here's to one day you reaching a point you can become more active again.
To the Adventure! -Tim
Small snip of the opening of chapter 49 of "Callan".
May 31, 2003, Callan, Ireland:
Paige stood holding Walter's hand as the graduating class began breaking apart. Their eyes locked gazing into the other's. The doorway of their future was now wide open. Walter just grinned as he continued to stare into the eyes of the young woman he loved and who loved him. Before Paige came into his life he never saw this day coming. All the probabilities he ran before meeting Paige had him being alone until he died.
Paige grinned as she saw their future together. She wasn't sure where she wanted to live, Ireland for sure called to her hard. But she had no personal memories of living in America. The home of her birth. She really did have a desire to know more of the country. She was really happy to have won the scholarship to Harvard. She'd be able to experience it, with Walter beside her, through every step and trial.