I watched as my mother took a page from my father's book, pacing around the living room. Every so often she glanced at the phone. Tyler and Taylor were on the couch, randomly flipping through channels on the TV. They both looked a little stunned from the events of the evening.
After my dad had left with Starr, Amy and her dad had left. Amy was gonna be in a lot of trouble, but she would be okay....she's tough.
"Mom," I said, "why don't you sit?"
She gives me a tired smile. "Wish I could, TD."
"Can I ask you something?"
She nodded, sort of absently.
"Who's Vincent Reyes?"
She stopped pacing. Tyler and Taylor look up from the TV, awaiting her answer.
"I guess you wouldn't remember him...you were just a baby. Vincent and I went to law school together. After you were born, and before I knew your father was alive, Vincent came to Llanview and we sort of renewed our friendship. He was a good friend to me...but he wanted it to be more. But I didn't...if I couldn't have your father....I didn't want anyone," she smiles softly, and continues, "Anyway, your dad came back, and we were getting back together. Vincent was ...jealous...very jealous. When your father went to Berlin to tie up his loose ends before he came home for good, Vincent kidnapped him. He hated him because he thought your father was ruining our chance together. He just didn't understand that he and I never had a chance."
"So why would he frame Dad now, I mean after all this time?"
Mom shakes her head. "I don't know TD....I just don't know."
The phone rings, and Mom jumps. She races over to the phone.
"Hello?....Bo...you did...oh my God is he okay? Okay..yeah I'm on my way," she hangs up and begins searching frantically.
"Mom?"
"TD, Tyler, Taylor....you're Dad's in the hospital....I mean..he's okay...but I've gotta go...I need you guys to stay here and watch Terri."
"Mom, what happened?" Tyler asked.
"I don't know Ty, apparently your father and Vincent got into it....Vincent's in the hospital too. Don't worry, Bo said it's not serious. I'll call when I know more, okay?"
She grabs her coat and heads for the door. Turning around, she looks at us.
"Love you guys," she says softly. She races out the door.
Tyler, Taylor and I look at each other. What a night. First, all those secrets, now this.
Ty runs his hand through his hair, a gesture he picked up from my father.
"Man, nothing like another night at the Mannings," he says.
"I hope Dad's okay," Taylor says quietly.
"Me, too," I replied.
"TD, what do you think about all this?" Tyler asked.
"About what?"
"About what..about Dad's past...about all the stuff Mom and Dad told us."
I stood up, walking to the other side of the room.
"You know...I gotta say it was pretty confusing. When you guys went upstairs before, I was watching them.
The way that they look at each other...you know how they do. And I couldn't believe that they would hurt each other like that. I couldn't believe that Dad did those things." I walked over to an armchair, and sat down across from them.
"But, I was thinking. I mean...knowing all that stuff doesn't change what we saw growing up. I mean...all that stuff happened before we were born. I'm not saying it's easy to hear...or to deal with. But they worked on fixing their problems..you know? For them and for us. So maybe we should accept that."
"I don't know if it's that easy," Tyler says. Taylor reaches over and squeezes his hand.
"No, it's not easy. But...TD's gotta point. I mean...all that stuff doesn't change that they've been great parents to us."
"Yeah," Tyler says, "I know. But it doesn't mean that I'm just gonna accept it and be done with it. It's gonna take time."
"For all of us, Ty," I said. "It's not easy stuff to hear, but if we can try and accept and deal with it...instead of being angry over something we can't change, maybe it'll be easier."
Ty gives me a look like he's not thoroughly convinced....but he's trying.
The phone rings. I turn and grab it.
"Hello?....Mom...how's Dad....he must be fine I can hear him yelling in the background...okay..yeah...see you soon."
I hung up the phone and looked at Tyler and Taylor.
"Dad's fine, some stitches and a slight concussion. That Vincent guy is much worse off. Anyway...Mom said they'd be home in a little while."
"Good," Ty said, "As soon as they get home, I'm going to bed. To say this has been the day from hell is an understatement."
I smirked at Ty. He was right....a day from hell. But now that it was out in the open...maybe we could all deal with it and move on.
The End