***Some where in Orlando***
Shawn slumped onto the stool in the cafe' wishing he could find Marie. He had left home about four days ago to look for answers and Marie. And two days ago he had called to talk to Devon, but Devon squealed on him. *Stupid traitor, see what I do for him now. Dumb punk.* he thought angrily.
"So what can I do ya for son?" the fat old man working behind the counter asked as he dried out a cup.
"I'll have a coffee please."
"Alright, that it for ya?"
"Yeah...that's all." he said realizing he had been living off coffee pretty much for the past four days. He could more than afford any thing he wanted, but food just seemed so disgusting. When he had gone to find Marie at her house her parents told him that she had decided to go visit some friends but refused to give him the address. So instead he found out enough information to know where she had been put up for adoption, and with a lot of work he set up a meeting with the woman who had conducted the procedure. He was supposed to meet with her today...1 hour.
***The McLean House***
Andrea and AJ now lived in California closer to Andrea's family and AJ's mother came for visits regularly. "Alex would you please come in here." Andi called from the foyer. AJ slowly walked in from the computer room.
"Yes?" he asked not trying to hide the annoyance in his voice.
"Look at your Daughter for just a second." Andrea squealed at their child who looked like an absolute whore.
"DENISE, God, go get some clothes on!!" he bellowed. The sight of his only child wearing such trashy clothing disgusted him.
"I have clothes on Dad!" she hissed back. "I'm going out to a party, Don't wait up."
"Oh no you do not young lady. You will not leave this house looking like that! You are my daughter and I will not have you looking like some 2 dollar hooker!" he roared. "Now move your butt up into your room. I can promise you that you will not even OWN any clothes like that again. Your mother and I will be going into your room and taking all of that crap out to the dump!" *What did I do wrong? My little baby girl... I thought I was doing everything alright.*
***Shawn's Meeting***
"Hello, nice to meet you Mr.. Richardson, My name is Megan Torus."
"Hello Mrs.. Torus, I called you hoping that I could find out some information about a case you worked on."
"Yes I pulled up the information on this case that you requested but I have to ask what you might need it for."
"Well it's kind of a long drawn out story but basically I would like to know the story about my 2nd cousin and this child he supposedly was the father to."
"Oh I see, tracing family roots."
"Yeah I guess you could say that."
"Well in this document it says that her mother's name was Megan McKenzie and father was Darnell McKenzie."
"That can't be right, Is there any information on a Brian Littrell?"
"Yes, ah I remember him. Sweet guy he was."
"What does it say about him?" Shawn asked curiously.
"Well it says that he filed for custody of Nicola Marie McKenzie but lost to her mother Megan McKenzie, whom later gave her back up for adoption but Mr.. Littrell never responded for adoption."
"Does it say any reason why Brian would adopt her??"
"It doesn't say anything here...."
"Oh.." he sighed dejectedly.
"But I do remember this case very well because of how tragic it was. Nicola Marie McKenzie had three sisters and a brother when her mother first gave her up for adoption, and the oldest sister took over full custody. Well this sister also happened to be engaged to Brian." Shawn sucked in a deep breath unable to imagine Brian being married to any one but Leigh Anne. "They never got married because the girl was murdered. She was mixed, half-black and half-white, so somebody murdered her because they were racist and didn't like a white man with a black woman."
"They killed her???" he gasped.
"Yes, Your cousin had a hard time after that. Then soon after Megan insisted she have Nicola back, Brian, sure that he would win, and keep his daughter, fought for her in court. The battle did not last long. The judge said that the mother had rights above all else. It was then that Brian realized he had never legally adopted the girl."
"So he didn't abandon her??"
"No way!! He loved her with all of his heart. I remember he was always in pictures and magazines holding her." Shawn was shocked, this was not the story that he had come expecting to hear. Just then he realized how awful he had been to Brian.....to everyone.
***Later***
Shawn walked out of the building, the sun shone so brightly he had to take a minute for his eyes to adjust. Suddenly someone walked into him knocking him and them self over.
"Oh I am so sorry Sir, I didn't see...." she started quickly until she saw his face. The color drained from her face as she turned on her heel to scurry away.
"Marie!" Shawn called catching up to her a long strides. "We need to talk Marie."
"About what Shawn? There is nothing to talk about." she spat. She wasn't angry at him, just angry at how things had been messed up.
"There is, So would you just let me tell it." he demanded knowing that he had to get through to her some how.
"Like what Shawn? When our family reunion is? Don't bother...THAT family can kiss my ass!" She ranted angrily still walking down the street.
"Marie, if you listen you will realize how wrong you are. And when have I lied to you? You need to listen to me please."
"Fine, I was headed to grab something for lunch so let's go to a diner around here. I don't have a whole lot of time. I'm meeting with this guy..." Marie said letting her sentence hang not sure if she should try to hurt Shawn. He hadn't done anything, but yet it was just so much easier to cut all ties to the family.
"Oh, I'll just try to make it quick here then." He said feeling his heart breaking. He explained the whole story but summarized it a little too. "Sorry I took up your time, you'll probably be late meeting that guy. I'm going to get going. Nice seeing you again and congratulations on the new boyfriend." he said almost in one breath and turning to walk away. Marie stood not sure what exactly she should do, all she knew she had made a huge mistake hurting Shawn.
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