Saturday, July 11, 2015

The Whole Truth (Photo Story)

Tony’s been hanging out with best friend, Matt for most of the morning. Meanwhile, Amber has been waiting to get him alone to grill him about his whirlwind engagement.

I’m heading out. Tell my beautiful nieces I’m sorry I missed them. (Tony)
Whoa, wait a minute. I need to talk to you. (Amber)


What’s up? (Tony, taking a seat on the sofa)
Alright, spill it….what’s the story with this sudden engagement? Will the bridal shower be followed closely by a baby shower? (Amber)


Is that really what you think? (Tony, laughing)
Why else would you be in such a hurry? You hardly know this woman. (Amber)


I know my fiancée better than you think I do. I know that she’s smart and kind and beautiful. I know that she imagined herself married, most likely with children, by this point in her life… (Tony)
So, is that it? She gave you an ultimatum, didn’t she- told you that if you didn’t plan to put a rock on her finger, then you should go kick rocks? (Amber, interrupting)


Nah, she didn’t give me an ultimatum. She didn’t have to. She has a lot going for herself, and she knows what she wants. I’m smart enough to realize that she’s probably not going to wait around for me to become the man she wants. So, I’m going to be the man she wants- the man she deserves- now. (Tony)

Amber looks thoughtful.


What is it now? (Tony)
I’m not sure what to say. I’m relieved…and proud of you…and genuinely happy for you. (Amber)
Well, thanks. Your blessing means a lot to us. 


I really gotta get going. (Tony)
Where are you headed in such a hurry? (Amber)
I’m supposed to meet a friend...a girl...an old girlfriend from when I was stationed in California… (Tony)


Seriously, Tony?! How is hooking up with an old girlfriend giving Brandy the man she deserves? (Amber, interrupting again)
It’s not like that! She emailed a few days ago to say she was in town and needed to talk to me about something important. Of course I told her about Brandy, so there would be no misunderstanding. (Tony)

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Tony walks into Tastries bakery and spots Lea at a table.

Tony! Hey. Wow, you look great. (Lea)
Thanks. Umm, so do you. (Tony, awkwardly)


So, what brings you to Dollton? (Tony)
I live here now…just moved here not too long ago, actually. It’s sort of complicated. (Lea)
You moved here? Alone? (Tony)
Not exactly. That’s the complicated part. (Lea)


Ohhh, I get it. (Tony, assuming Lea has a live-in boyfriend)
No, I don’t think you do. (Lea)


Lea, what’s this all about? (Tony)


Okay, before I say anything, I’m going to ask you to be patient and just try to hear me out. If you interrupt, it will just make it harder for me to say what I came to say.  I asked you to meet me so I could tell you the whole truth to your face. I’ve rehearsed this a thousand times trying to figure out the best way to say it. (Lea)


To say what? Lea, whatever it is, you can tell me. (Tony)


Lea takes a deep breath and musters all the courage she can.

Okay, here goes. When you left California, I had something I needed to tell you but I was too afraid. We had decided to end things, on good terms I think, several months before that. Tony, I promise you I didn’t know beforehand. You’ve got to believe me… (Lea)


Know what, Lea? Just tell me. (Tony)


Tony, I was 18 weeks pregnant when you left and I’d just found out a few days before. I swear I didn’t know. (Lea)


What?! How could you not know something like that? (Tony, shocked)


I’d been to the doctor a few times trying to figure out why I wasn’t getting my period. Two different pregnancy tests, taken quite a few weeks apart, had come back negative. Finally, after a third test was inconclusive, my doctor ordered a blood test which came back positive. And when I had the ultrasound to date the pregnancy, they estimated I was 18 weeks. I wanted to tell you, but I was scared of what you would think and what you would say. Besides, you were headed back to Georgia. I really am sorry for keeping this from you. (Lea)


So, then what happened? (Tony)
I had the baby. She was born a little early at 36 weeks, but she was perfectly healthy. (Lea)
She? (Tony)
Yes, her name is Kayla Hamilton. She’s three years old. (Lea)


I had to postpone finishing school so I could look after Kayla. I was a year away from my bachelor’s degree. And that’s part of what brings me to Dollton. I want to finish school for myself and for her, and I’m going to need help. Plus, I decided I’d kept this from you for long enough. I hope that in time you will forgive me. (Lea)
Have you been taking care of her all by yourself? (Tony)


No, my mother was helping in the beginning. But at some point- I’m not sure when- she fell off the wagon. She started drinking more than ever, and eventually it made her incapable of helping. (Lea)
Is she here, too? (Tony)
No, she’s still in California, but she’s getting treatment. I asked her to come with us, but she didn’t want to. (Lea)


I don’t know what to say. Is Kayla here? (Tony)
She’s with a sitter. I thought you might need time to get over the shock before meeting her. (Lea)


It’s okay if you want to wait until after the paternity test. (Lea)
Paternity test? (Tony)
I assumed you’d want one. I sure as he!! would want one if it were me sitting in your place. And then there’s your fiancée…she’ll need proof even if you don’t. (Lea)


Tony goes silent for a long time. His mind is reeling with the information he just heard. This definitely changes things.


Thanks for reading!

24 comments:

  1. Wow........Will Tony still marry Brandy, or.......Lea??? Mmm... If Kayla is his child. I wasn't expecting this turn of events. Good one

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    1. Tony's feelings about Brandy haven't changed...yet. The question is, will Brandy's feelings about Tony change once she hears this news?

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  2. O-oh!!! What a difficult situation! I hope everything will turn out well for everybody! Great story!!!

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    1. Thanks, Linda! Yes, a difficult situation indeed. This twist was inspired by real-life events. When my hubby and I were dating, an ex resurfaced claiming to have had a child by him several years earlier. He actually wasn't the father, but it was touch and go there for a while as to whether our new relationship would make it.

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  3. Oh, what a strange twist of events! I think Tony should definitely help Lea out, but that should not change how he feels about Brandy. The big question is how Brandy will take this news. However, it has been quite a few years and he did not know about the child, so hopefully, Brandy will be understanding. Can't wait for the next installment!

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    1. Phyllis, you are absolutely right about the big question. And if Brandy takes the understanding route, they will need to determine a level of involvement for Tony to have that is comfortable for everyone.

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  4. Brandy shouldn't worry. This is his past. The only problem would be if one of them still has or develops feelings and feel like a family. Time will tell us!

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    1. Right on, grandmommy! We know that Tony has moved on, but we don't yet know about Lea. If she falls for Tony (or the other way around), that would definitely complicate things.

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  5. I would say Brandy shouldn't worry too but they ended things on a friendly note...so I'm a bit worried. Yikes...this is going to be juicy.

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    1. Good point, Tracy India- the fact that they ended things on a friendly note might be cause for concern or better yet vigilance on Brandy's part.

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  6. Oh my gosh, this is all so exciting! If I was Brandy, I would definitely be worried. He might decide to "do the right thing," and hook back up with Lea "for the sake of the baby." Stuff happens. We shall see. Good story!

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    1. Thanks, Muff! And you made some good points. Here Tony is trying to do right by Brandy, and now he finds himself in a situation where the pressure to do right by someone else might end up hurting Brandy.

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  7. Wow, what a twist! I didn't expect any of this. Great story Jewell!

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    1. Thanks, billa! I must say that writing drama is rather fun. This twist is nothing compared to the stuff that's coming up with Walter and Deirdre.

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  8. I kind of guessed what the old girlfriend wanted when it was revealed Brandy wasn't expecting LOL. I still feel like if the terms were so good why wait 3 years to tell him or get the paternity test? I hope Brandy will be able to handle the situation especially since it's brand new to the engaged couple

    Next installment puhleahse ;O)

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    1. Thanks, Dollz4Moi! I love that your guess was spot on. Lea was afraid that Tony would think she was trying to trap him with the news of her pregnancy. She let that fear prevent her from doing the right thing. I imagine the longer she waited, the harder it became. If she didn't need his help, she might have never told him the truth.

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  9. I do think I will make a difference to Brandy, even if he Tony just found out. What a shocker! Now there's a child in the picture and the baby's mother. Lea should not have popped into town three years later just to drop this on Tony.

    Wow! And here I thought Brandy was pregnant.

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    1. I think you're right, Janainah. I don't see how it couldn't matter at all to Brandy. She and Tony are preparing to spend their life together, and now that life must include a daughter and an ex-girlfriend. She's bound to feel some kind of way about that.

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  10. Great story!!!! Tony has to tell Brandy so that the two of them can decide together how to handle this. I love your sets as always! Looking forward to seeing how this drama will unfold. :-)

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    1. Thanks, Georgia Girl! Yes, the two of them have some important things to discuss and decide. And I know these decisions won't be as easy as picking wedding colors.

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  11. I hate to be a debbie downer, but this could change things dramatically. First of all, shame on Lea for not allowing her daughter to know her father. I detest parents who do that to their kids. Tony seems like a good guy. I think once he starts spending time with the daughter, Lea will start fantasizing about the perfect little family they could be, and she will want him back. Poor Brandy. This will be difficult either way.

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    1. Vanessa, I think you're being a realist. This changes things, and we will have to wait to see just how much. Tony is a great guy, so it could be hard for Lea to think of him as off-limits when they've got a ready-made family . And I feel the same way about moms and dads who exclude the other parent from a child's life.

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  12. Hmmm, I would want to speak from experience so....yeah...good story.

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