Martin and Melissa stare at the small five by nine cell Julie was locked in; wearing the same clothes she had when captured by the Luna Brotherhood later in the day she escaped the council. They can smell she has not bathed since Thursday morning and see that the breakfast food tray is untouched and stone cold.
“Are you going to talk to us,” Martin speaking up first to his daughter awake yet lying on the cell bed; “or are you going to act all sullen.”
“It’s not as if I can do anything else Martin,” Julie snapping back; “why are you here?”
“Despite what you may think,” Melissa in no mood for Julie’s attitude; “you are still our daughter and we do love you. Despite the hurtful things you wrote in that letter.”
“I meant every word,” Julie huffing before turning around to stare at her parents; “and if you truly loved me, you would be helping me get what I WANT.”
“Still the spoiled princess,” Martin looking at his daughter all stone faced; “look where that attitude has gotten you. Do you not comprehend the gravity of your situation? Do you not understand that you are going to be locked away for a very long time?”
“Like I give a flying fuck,” Julie grouses.
“Language,” Melissa shouting.
“Or what,” Julie snapping back; “you’re going to wash my mouth out with soap? Force me to put a dollar in the swear jar like you do with dad? You can’t do fuck all with me now. No bluffs, threats or ultimatums can get me to change or smarten up, so go fuck yourself Melissa!”
“After I pay the legal bill of your lawyer Bret Smithson,” Martin answering coolly; “I’m disinheriting you. You will not be in any will, trust or beneficiary package. When you get out of whatever prison the council has for the likes of you; you will effectively be indigent. Your mother and I will not be waiting up for you. Nor,” Martin placing a gentle hand on Melissa’s belly; “your future brother or sister.”
Julie seething as she gets up; grabbing the cold food tray and flinging it at her parents; the scrambled eggs and grits hitting both Martin and Melissa, as she rants and raves. Taking a handkerchief and handing it to Melissa; both begin to leave but Julie gives off one last parting shot.
“Before you abandon me to whatever oubliette I’m going to be tossed in,” Julie sneering; “Ask yourself this Melissa. The last time you caught Martin with Alyssa Cooper was roughly six years ago. That makes her son that sheriff Cooper is now looking after about five years old,” Julie now laughing as both of her parents turn around to look at her completely shocked and dumbfounded; “have fun dealing with that, Martin.”
Melissa reeling from what Julie just said as both emerge in the common area of the council building; staring at her husband intently.
“Is what Julie saying true,” Melissa staring at her husband; “did you get Alyssa pregnant?”
“NO,” Martin answering emphatically; “what I said was the truth in that letter of forgiveness Frances had me write. I never had sex with another female that wasn’t on their were-birth control pill. I had no intention,” Martin staring intently at Melissa; “to father a child outside of our marriage. To this day,” Martin looking genuinely scared; “I never knew that Alyssa had a son.”
“Well guess where we are going to next,” Melissa looking at her husband; “to see the Sheriff and this son of Alyssa’s.”
“Fine,” Martin answering; “the sooner this is dealt with the better. But I’m telling you. I’m not the kid’s father.”
“For the sake of our marriage,” Melissa sounding serious; “I hope your right.”
******
Darrell was still on cloud nine with his outing at the Rec Center. Finding out he could both breathe and talk underwater and making a friend who was like him; the little five year old kid was positively giddy, even after his uncle stopped to allow Joan to get whatever was left in a storage locker. Coming back with a box and placing it in the back seat; Douglas drives everyone back to his home. Eager for a quiet relaxing afternoon; Douglas soon soured when he saw two people he thought would be the last to be waiting for him at his small home.
“Great,” Douglas absently looking for a bottle of Aspirin; “what are they doing here?”
“Who are they,” Joan staring at the man and woman with determined looks about them.
“Martin and Melissa Stovall,” Douglas groaning; “Why are they here and where is that dammed Aspirin?”
Getting out of the car, along with Joan and Darrell; Douglas has Joan take Darrell inside while he approaches the Stovall’s.
“Have you two been waiting long,” Douglas speaking.
“Long enough to want to go inside where its warm,” Melissa speaking up; “we only just heard of Alyssa’s child.”
“Shit,” Douglas now really wanting and Aspirin; “You want to know who the father is.”
“As well as conclusive proof,” Martin looking distraught.
“Martin, you’re not Darrell’s father,” Douglas answers; “unless of course you go by the alias of Rick Fernando and are a professional surfer.”
“I don’t,” Martin shaking his head; “but Alyssa has been known to lie to both of us.”
“That’s the name of Darrell’s father on the birth certificate,” Douglas stating; “plus the lady you just seen escorting Darrell inside has met the kids father a time or two. Joan and Alyssa were good friends out in Burbank where they lived.”
“But-“Melissa trying to chime in but is interrupted.
“I know your marriage is on the rocks,” Douglas nearly shouting; “but do not think I am going to have you drag me and that little kid into it. Yes my cousin has done some questionable things in the past,” Douglas starting to growl; “but she was the only family I had up until yesterday. You will not speak ill of the dead.”
“Look,” Melissa realizing that Douglas is still grieving; “I’m sorry. I never-“
“What Melissa is trying to say,” Martin comforting her; “is she understands that you are dealing with a difficult time. But after having a disastrous talk with our daughter at the council building-“
“So that is how you found out,” Douglas sighing; “I had a talk with your daughter yesterday, regarding my cousin. I must have told Julie in a moment of grief.”
So how do we get a hold of this Rick person,” Martin asking.
“He was attacked by a great white shark off the coast of Hawaii,” Douglas looking at the Stovall’s; “he’s dead. Look it up yourself,” Douglas getting exasperated; “If we are done here, I have my cousin’s affairs to set in order.”
Both Martin and Melissa watch as Douglas grabs a large box from inside his car and takes it inside his house.
“Should we pay a visit to Samantha and Frances,” Martin sighing.
“Let’s call them first,” Mellissa getting into the car; “I’m not keen on waiting an hour outside in this cold weather.”