The surgeon departed, leaving Crystal alone with her ex-husband and his father.
"I'm gonna go make a phone call to his mother, I mean, she should know. Check on my kids, get some coffee, stretch my legs. You need anything?" Percival asked.
"No, I'm fine - I've had more coffee than I should have, got me all jittery."
"Okay, call me if he wakes while I'm out."
Crystal could only nod her head. She was exhausted. She'd nodded on and off through the remainder of the night, and was presently fighting the nods curled up as she was in the chair beside his bed. With her head trying to find a comfortable way of leaning to the side, she watched him sleeping with a new conviction.
It was enough. She sat realizing the craziness had to stop. Facing truths that she needed to deal with, one of them being; she'd brought her body back home to him, but not her heart, not her soul and certainly not her mind. While she'd been physically present, her core spirit had been elsewhere. Her heart had been where she left it - with Ben.
If she was going to make things work with Victor - she had to drag, all the rest back to work on, and face being with him - Victor.
No more Ben, no more fantasies of him, no more day-dreaming of him, not more holding on in her mind and heart to survive being back with Victor. She had to shake off all things that made their reunion doomed from the start. After all, 'I loved you once - I did - and even if it kills me, I'll love you again. No more half-way - no more.' She declared, determined this time to do it better. She glanced at her purse, and hanging off the side of it, with her keys zipped inside, the large, colorful flower doily like key-ring holding another ring, an important one. 'You should give it back to him.' Her mind immediately directed. She closed her eyes slanting her head away, it was too much too soon. She couldn't do it - she could not return the ring to him, it was hers. She'd won it along with him that night; just that fast, her mind rebelled against her rule of no more dreaming of Ben. It played from her memory bank, the swirling, swaying and dancing they'd done in the ballroom. It played the picture she'd taken in her mind of his beautiful face, smiling down at her; eyes filled with love and admiration.
Her eyes flooded on her. She thought back to the day she sobbed her eyes out over losing Victor, or so she had thought. Had thought in fact, that he'd walked away from her and not looked back. It had broken her heart - or so she thought. Only to meet Ben, get to know him and find - that her heart was in fact, not broken at all; perhaps a bit battered, beaten, but no - not broken.
She sighed.
"No more fighting it Crystal - no more fighting it. You wanted him back, you've got him back - now play fair. Be his wife, fully and completely, the way you were - be - fore." She whispered to coach herself, and yet, found the effort to finish the sentence, painful in itself. "I can do this, I've been through worse - and I came out all right, so - I'll do it again." She vowed. Reaching forward, she touched his arm, the good one, "I promise you - I'll do better - I'll really try this time. No more, turning you away - making you feel that I don't love you - no more, promise."
In the corridor, Percival walked into the waiting room to find Shawn and Sylvia present, Sylvia texting on her phone. They both looked up, making eye contact with him at the same time.
Sylvia's face, held compassion and empathy.
Shawn's face, closed.
She stood, "Hi, Percival - we got a call from Crystal, telling us about Victor, I'm so sorry, what's happened, how is he?" She asked right away.
Shawn remained seated, watching, listening, present for Crystal.
Pulling his eyes from Shawn, Percival went on to explain, approaching Sylvia; where he sat with his coffee, next to her, "He's out of surgery. Crystal's with him now, just waiting on him to come out from under the anesthesia - we'll know more then, doctor says all went well in surgery."
"Well that's good, how is Natalie taking it?" She asked, looking for her.
"She'll be here a bit later, we're ah, no longer together - I'm filing for divorce." He confessed.
That made Shawn lift a brow.
"Oh, I - uh, didn't know, sorry to hear that." Sylvia sympathized.
"I'm afraid - we'd gone beyond any hope of saving our marriage - sad thing is, my son had to pay the price, their marriage - suffered because of her."
"Typical - blame the woman - when all you had to do, was stand up and be the man in your home!" Shawn finally spoke up.
Sylvia's head shot around to look at him, pleading with her eyes for him to have a heart under the circumstances.
Percival sighed, turning to look at Shawn, as Sylvia sat back, facing her husband, eyes wide, nervously nibbling her lip, praying that he would not show how much he disliked Victor, after all, he was injured, in the hospital with his father sitting next to them.
"I suppose I deserved that..." Percival conceded, "You're right, I should have been - but she-..."
"Look, I don't care - I really don't-..."
"Shawn..." Sylvia tried to intervene.
"Aye, let me speak okay? I'm a man, he's a man, if he can't take it, tough."
Groaning under her breath, Sylvia sank back, bit her lip, dreading what might come out of his mouth.
"As I was saying, you - your wife - your marriage, what happened in it, I care not! All I care about is Crystal - they split up - she came home, and your son had all the time in the world to focus on his family, on her, the boys - he spent that time doing other shit! Found out she filed for divorce and carried it out, now he wants her back. So let's make it clear between us, I don't want her back with him, he's no good for her, he's weak. And I get an ugly feeling, this accident is going to be used to make sure she stays with him-..."
"Excuse me, but - in truth, it really isn't any of your business - is it? I mean, she's not your daughter, is she?" Percival braved.
Sylvia held her breath, Shawn stared at him a moment, fought with himself, breathing deep as heat climbed up his neck to his face; he glanced at Sylvia - stood and walked away, deciding to make those phone calls. He didn't trust himself not to snap; to keep control, he walked away from it.
Percival and Sylvia sat silent to let the awkward moment pass, with Sylvia being the first to break the silence, "Do me a favor, never say anything like that to my husband again; when it comes to my kids, especially Crystal. They love him, he loves them - in truth, he's been the best father to them they've ever known. In his heart, he doesn't see them as "my kids" - he sees them as, "ours". I just want you to know, he walked away to keep from going off on you."
Percival wasn't sure what to say, after a moment more, he thought he should apologize, "I didn't mean to cause any further problems between us, I just - well - I'd like to see Victor and Crystal make it, to be honest, despite all Natalie did to break them up - I just don't want her to win in this, they never had a chance with her constantly coming between them."
"At one time I would have agreed with you on that, but - I can't say that I feel the same anymore. Victor has shown something in himself that I'm no longer sure about, especially with my daughter, I mean, let's face it, he burned your home down." Shaking her head to emphasize her disbelief of his actions, she went on to say, "I come from a time, when it doesn't matter what your parents do against you, as their child, you have no right to disrespect them, period. It's one thing, to approach them in a respectful manner, speak your mind yes, stand for what's right, yes; and if they're wrong, after having your say, walk away and leave them to be wrong, but to take it so far as to do what he's done, no no no - that's way over the top. My point, my concerns, Shawn's point, Shawn's concerns, is this - if he'll go that far with his own parents for wrongs he feels they've done against him - what can he be capable of with my daughter?"
"Sylvia, I'm sorry, but my son has never hurt your daughter; let's face it, she's the one that has struck out at him."
"Which I clearly and emphatically disagreed with and told her so! However, I've learned that he's done some things that provoked it."
"
There's no excuse for hitting, period." He defended.
"Oh so you've never been provoked by anyone who has made you feel like knocking the shit out of them?"
"So you condone her behavior."
"You know what, take that the way you want to! I didn't live in that house with them. You didn't live in that house with them, so neither of us knows what took place there, however I do know, that he left her out of a lot of family outings, why is that? What kind of man excludes his wife from functions where family is gathered? Unless, he's ashamed of her."
"I can't answer that, only Victor can; all I know is, that he lost it when he found out what his mother had done, which clearly shows how much his family meant to him."
"And that doesn't disturb you? That your son is capable of doing something so volatile to his own flesh and blood family?"
"I understand why..."
"There is no reason to turn on your family in that manner! A reason to walk away? To be apart from them? To leave them? Yes, absolutely - no problem, but not what he did, no."
"I think under the circumstances, it's a bit unfair for you to be knocking him down, when he's gone through so much - he's been badly injured - I mean, is this why you came here?"
"No, it's not why - I don't wish to see him hurt, or harmed, but he's not a little boy, he just acts like one. As for his family meaning so much to him, em hm, yeah - he must have cheated just to make sure of it all, huh? Bet you don't know about that either, do you? Em, obviously what he did, is what you do, when your family means so much to you, right?" She couldn't hold back the sarcasm if she tried, "Look, let's drop it, shall we? It is, what it is, we're here as family for Crystal, and to enquire about Victor." That said, Sylvia stood from her seat to go look for Shawn when she ran into Crystal.
"Mama, just got your text that you were here." Crystal approached, looking to the world as if she could use some sleep badly.
"Oh baby, look at you - why don't you go home, get some rest, then come back after a while?"
"I'm gonna have to, haven't had any sleep since yesterday."
"Excuse me - Crystal..." Percival walked up asking, "... he still asleep?"
"Yes, I have to go, get some sleep, will you be with him?"
"You're leaving?" He asked accusingly.
The look Sylvia gave him, would have killed him dead, if looks could.
Crystal was too dead on her feet to catch it, or care, "I'm sorry, but I need a couple of hours, and I'll be right back afterwards."
"And if he wakes up while you're gone?"
"Can't you say that I just left, needed some sleep? That I'll be back." She was starting to feel snappy, but controlled her tone.
He was about to say something else, when he saw Shawn walking towards them, he promptly closed his mouth, turned and walked away to his sons room.
"Hey pum'kin, how you holding up?" He asked, palming the back of her head, kissing her brow.
"Tired, really tired, too tired to drive home, mind if I go by the house, get some sleep there? I don't wanna go home, be there alone."
"Crystal, honestly, you don't even have to ask." Sylvia corrected her, turning to Shawn, "Which one you wanna drive?"
"I'll drive her car, you two go on in the Navigator." Shawn directed. Crystal passed her keys over to him, and followed her mother to the elevator with Shawn bringing up the rear, the doors opened to reveal Natalie, Victor's mother standing there to exit.
All three looked at her, she stared back at them - and had enough decency to turn red, looking away from them, she made her exit to try and visit with her son.
Not saying a word, they all entered the elevator.
Shawn stood tall with his arms crossed over his chest, eyes rolling to his wife, who was staring at him, fighting back a grin, sure of him exercising self-control, because she knew he'd wanted to say something. He gestured with an imaginary zipper, closing it - not a word to say. The doors opened, Crystal stood from leaning against the wall, barely able to stay on her feet.
In the parking lot, they parted with Shawn informing his wife, "I have to go somewhere, pick up something from a club about half an hour from home, I'll see you in an hour." He kissed her on the mouth, winked and walked off.
Sylvia stood a second, feeling something strange about him, as if he wasn't as warm towards her as he usually was - but then remembering the night before, she shook her head at herself - that hadn't been the act of a man no longer in love. Even so, he did seem to be a bit preoccupied. Climbing in the SUV, she found that Crystal was already nodding off to sleep. Heading straight home, upon arrival, Sylvia lead the way with Crystal following, going straight for the boys room, where she walked thru the door and collapsed onto the bed, curling up comfortably - going straight to sleep.
Sylvia went looking for everyone, only to find a note from Mundo, he'd taken the boys off somewhere with him, he'd be back with them later. With little going on in the house, and the workers outside building across the road and above her office, Sylvia sat before her computer, trying to decide what she would do with this time given her. She could write, work on the website for the bed and breakfast, or finish up her menu's? She turned on her computer and decided to go with what struck her fancy. After only fifteen minutes of constant hammering over her head, saws, men talking and yelling back and forth for this or that, she gave up. Turned everything back off, and decided to head back to Vivian's.
Chapter 298
Mundo was smiling, grinning, checking the rearview mirror to see his nephews; he'd just cracked a job for a two night gig in the predominantly white area of Hallowey, Wis. He couldn't wait to cook it there, one thing for certain, white partiers did not hesitate to buy your music if you threw down. He would make sure to have ample discs ready of his mixes for what he'd planned. Granted, he would have to share it with his boys, because he wouldn't be going in alone; that was okay, he didn't mind sharing. Better to have a nice slice of a big, juicy, delicious pie; than a small, almost empty, dry crusty pie all to yourself. Plus, he would get Ben in it with him, practice some moves together - hold him to the bargain to get the girls revved up. He shook his head in glee; if he weren't driving, he'd be rubbing his hands together.
"Uncle gone get down this weekend baby, oh yeah - it's gone get good! I'mo pa-a-a-ar-tay!" He bopped his head, laughing as Isaac in the back seat, bobbed his head, repeating after him, "Paaa'taaay - gone paaa'taay!" He sang with him. Darren sat munching on his chicken mcnuggets from McDonald's, feet swinging and bouncing off the seat cushion, not a care in the world. They were used to being with their Uncle Mundo.
Who, thanks to an acquaintance of a friend, 2Times, that is and Tj - they were back to being friends; Japa-black had apologized to him, they'd been close for too long to keep things silent between them. Even so - Mundo informed him, before he showed back up at the house again, he might have to eat some humble pie, make his apologies to Jake and Vivian. Basically, he'd been avoiding going by, just to keep the heat down. As for the two gigs, the connection came because of the classical music 2Times was taking, he was the hook-up for some rich kids who wanted to throw down that weekend while their parents were out doing a Friday thru Monday excursion, trusting their kids to behave in a manner that kept the police away from their door.
"Yeah right." Mundo smirked, thinking the whole idea ridiculous.
Speaking of the devil, the police.
He heard the short, curt double alerts of a siren signaling behind him; he looked into his rear view, saw the official cruiser trying to get his attention, "Oh man," his eyes glanced down at the speedometer. He was going a little over the limit, not that much, by no more than 5 over, sighing, shaking his head, he pulled over, turning his music down. Taking a deep breath, he opened his glove compartment, pulling his registration out onto his lap; picked up his wallet, got his drivers license out, and just incase, took his proof of insurance out as well, waiting for the officer to come to his window. He glanced back at Isaac and Darren, they were looking around them, out the
window to see where they were, why they stopped and him just sitting there.
"Why you stop, Mundo?" Isaac asked, looking around, full of questions.
"Chill baby, looks like I'mo have to pay a ticket, shit! Whoa, don't repeat that." He warned about the curse word, watching for the officer out of his side mirror who hadn't gotten out of the cruiser right away, Mundo knew he was doing a license check. "Come on man, I ain't got all day."
Finally the officer stepped out of his cruiser, looking Mundo's blazer over as he approached. Mundo started rolling his window down, noticing the officer was looking into the back, inspecting what things were in there before he came to his door. He seemed to pause when his eyes focused on Isaac and Darren, and then finally moved up to the window.
"Where you going in such a hurry?" He asked immediately.
Mundo made a face, "Going home - you want my license and registration?" He asked.
The officer leaned forward to get a better look into the backseat, "Moving kind'ah fast to have young ones in your vehicle, weren't you?"
"Yeah, okay - I'm sorry, lot on my mind, I was speeding a bit, so - can you just, give me a ticket - so I can move on?"
The officer's eyes moved from Isaac and Darren to Mundo, "Let me see your license." he finally requested.
Mundo passed it out of the window to him, he read it over - and added it to the small clip which held his tickets. "Registration?"
Mundo passed that next. He took them both and before turning away, instructed Mundo to, "Stay in the car."
Mundo sat longer, waiting, watching the side mirror as the officer sat in his vehicle and five minutes later, with Isaac asking him one question after another, the officer came back to the blazer.
"Can you step out of the vehicle." He requested firmly.
"Huh?"
"I said, step out of the vehicle."
"What? Why?"
"Did you hear me? I said step out of the vehicle!" He asserted more firmly.
"Man! What the hell..." Mundo mumbled the last part under his breath, unbuckling his seat belt and threw his door open, stepping out.
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