Note: This story was dynamically reformatted for online reading convenience.
 
 Author: SerenaJ
Title: Rachael and JD
Part: Chapter 8
Universe: Reedville and The Davidson Fishery
Summary: Julius confronts Rachael about Wilton
Keywords: nosex

   Chapter 8: Cut Bait

   She would not say anything.  The longer JD drove, the madder he got. 
She had looked him in the eye and lied.  He was a fool, a ridiculous old
fool.  No wonder the whole family was laughing at him.  Rachael was young
and beautiful; what could she possibly want with a worn out little old man
like him?  But she didn't have to lie.  She could have just told him the
truth.  I don't want you anymore - it would hurt but, damn it, he could get
over it.

   He was still slightly sick at the idea that while eating her, he had
eaten another man's seed.

   He nearly passed the turn and almost spun the car wiping into it at the
last second.  A car wreck was a tempting idea - a far more pleasant idea
than getting out of the car and going into the house with her.  He pulled
into the driveway and sat.

   "JD?" her voice was soft.  He used to love that voice.  It made coming
in to work that much better for years.  It used to sooth him.  "What's
wrong?"

   "In all honesty," he said carefully, "I cannot say what is wrong as you
have not officially informed me."

   "What?"

   He continued, trying to keep a multitude of emotions under control,
"Therefore I would ask that you answer a question for me before I answer
yours.  Will you tell me with whom you are having sexual relations or do
you consider that information none of my concern?"

   She was silent.  No denial, no tears.  He felt a knot in his chest
tighten.

   "I see." He said and started to open the car door.

   "You don't understand." She whispered.

   "No, I don't." He waited for her to say something further.  "I did not
ask to understand.  I asked for a name."

   "It was only once and it will never happen again."

   "Oh, did he not suit yo' fancy?" he snapped.

   "I didn't ask for it, Wilton just..." She stopped as JD's face responded
to the name.  "JD.  Julius, it wasn't like that.  Please, just listen."

   He held up his hand.  He knew it was bad.  Wilton.  He looked at her. 
He could hardly blame the boy - she was lovely.

   "Get out of the car, Miss Sullivan." He whispered.  His chest felt tight
enough that he might be having that proverbial massive coronary.  He
ignored her pleas, "Get out of the car and go pack your things.  I would
like you to vacate my house with all due speed." She touched his arm and he
thought her hand would burn through his arm, "Get out of the car, get out
of my house." Slowly, crying, she got out.  As he backed out of the
driveway, she banged on the window.  He rolled it down and she grabbed his
face and kissed him.

   His last kiss.  He pulled her hands into his and let his lips linger on
hers.  How often had Wilton kissed her, he wondered.  He pulled away and
realize that she wasn't the only one shedding tears.  "Not my son, Rachael.
I cannot share you with my son.  I understand about you and Miss Helen and
I imagine I could be persuaded to accept another man if I simply cannot
provide for your desires.  But, but not Wilton.  I'm very sorry.  I hope
you are very happy together.  If you will excuse me."

   He let her go and rolled up the window.  He drove in to DC and found a
room at a hotel near the office.  A week should be long enough for her to
find a new residence.  He sat on the bed and tried to think.  The ache in
his chest kept tightening.  He rubbed it absently as he contemplated
calling Marcus.

   Wilton.

   His cell phone rang.  He looked in its direction but did not get up.  He
could see the clock and realized that he had been sitting for an hour.  He
got up and went down to the hotel restaurant.  They had a bar.  He ordered
a sandwich to go with his bourbon and drank without ever tasting it.

   Wilton.

   He went back to his room, showered and climbed into bed.  When he could
not sleep, he turned on the TV and scrolled aimlessly through the channels.
His phone rang again.  He glanced at the clock; it was six am.  He looked
at the number and breathed a sigh of relief when it was Charles.

   "Morning, son.  Up kinda early, ain't you?"

   "Sorry, Daddy.  I didn't mean ta wake ya, but I want yo' opinion `fore I
sign this contract."

   "What contract?"

   "One I sent over last night.  Miss Sullivan said she left it on yo'
desk. She did tell you, didn't she?"

   JD's mouth went dry.  "No.  But I - I - hold on a spell." He put the
cell down and called the hotel lobby.  After getting their fax number he
picked up his phone again, "Here, son, resend it to this number."

   Charles repeated the number and JD could hear paper shuffling and a fax
whine in the background.  "Alright, it's goin' thru.  Now are you gonna
tell me what the hell is going on or do I have to guess."

   "What is goin' on is none uh yo' god damn business!" JD exploded and
hung up.  He took a deep breath and counted to ten.  Then called Charles
back, "Sorry, son.  You didn't deserve that."

   "'S alright, Daddy.  You don't want to discuss why you not wakin' up at
home at 6am on a Monday morning, it ain't me who got a right ta ask why."

   JD sighed.  He felt old and tired.  "I'm at a hotel so that Miss
Sullivan has sufficient time to pack her belongings and vacate the house."

   Charles was stone silent for a moment.  Then softly he said, "I'm right
sorry to hear that, Daddy.  I truly am.  I know you cared for her deeply."

   JD felt something wet hit his hand and realized that he could not
discuss this, not now, not without an emotional breakdown that he was not
ready to face.  He tried to steady his voice, "Yes, well, I guess that
just--" He had to stop and steel himself.  He refused to cry like a child
in front of his son.  "Let me go get that contract.  I'll get back with ya
shortly, son."

   "Alright.  I'll be waiting."

   He cut the line and spent the next few minutes concentrating on getting
the tears to stop flowing by force of will alone.  They finally stopped but
the knot in his chest tightened.  He dressed, went to the front desk and
started reading the documents in the elevator.  The more he read, the less
he liked the idea.  A joint venture with another charter service - using
Davidson boats and licenses.  He made a cup of coffee and read the contract
again.  It was damn short and just smelled fishy.

   He called Charles.  "Who's idea is this one?"

   "Strikes you wrong, too, don't it."

   "Yeah.  I can't say's I understand Marcus being involved with this."

   "He's not.  This new `empowerment' idea of his."

   "Oh, someone decided to suggest something?  Well, I guess I'll give it
another look."

   "Consider the source, now."

   "Who's idea is it?"

   "Wilton's." JD's vision blurred for a moment and he missed the next part
of what Charles said.  "...so I want to give his a chance, I really do,
but....  I just don't trust `em." JD did not respond and after a minute,
Charles prodded, "Well?  Think we can risk it?  Dad?"

   JD tried to take a deep breath but the knot in his chest constricted and
for a moment he could not breathe at all.  He wheezed and coughed.  His
heart was pounding and his head spun.  `Oh Lord, please just take me.' He
thought.  After a while, he was able to get his breath back and he picked
up the phone from where he dropped it.  He could hear Elizabeth this time.

   "You gonna be ok, Daddy, just relax.  Just try to breathe, Daddy. 
Charles is on his way.  You gonna be just fine, ok?  Can you hear me,
Daddy?"

   "Yes, yes." He said, "I'm fine Lizzie.  Don't ya'll worry.  I just... I
couldn't catch mah wind fo' a moment.  Whayuh is that son uh mine headed?"

   "He's in the car, Daddy.  He'll be up as soon as he can."

   JD laughed then coughed dryly, "Lizzie, he don't know where I am! 
Whayuh is that damn fool goin'?"

   "Well you just tell me whayuh you is, Daddy, an' he'll find you." She
still had that overly calm tone reserved for shock patients.  "Whayuh is
you, Daddy?"

   "I'm fine, Lizzie.  Call him home."

   "I will do no such thing!  If-n Miss Sullivan can't take care of you
then someone has to."

   The tears started again and JD took a breath that ended with a gasping
sob, "Please don't discuss that woman."

   Lizzie went quiet.  Then asked again, "Now Daddy Julius you tell me
where you are." He told her and heard her relay the information to someone
else.  "Now, Daddy, it's just you an' me.  E'body else done left the room.
Now, tell me what happened."

   He could not stop it.  He was falling apart, "She's sleeping with..." he
did not want to say it out loud.

   "With who, Daddy?"

   "With Wilton." He whispered and then could not speak again.  He could
not stop crying this time and felt ashamed of it.  At least it was Lizzie,
not one of the boys.  But he should be better than this, he thought.  It
took him a long time but he finally took control of himself and stopped
sobbing like a broken child.  He found a towel and wiped his face.  Then
realized that the phone was still engaged, "Lizzie?"

   "I'm right here, Daddy."

   "Oh, Jesus!  Darlin' I'm sorry ta put you through that.  I'm - Ima be
alright, ya hear?  Don't you worry `bout me none."

   "I know, Daddy." He could hear a catch in her voice.

   "Oh, now, Lizzie, don't you weep none ova this.  Ya'll was right; I was
a damned old fool to think a young girl like that..."

   "Oh, stop that, Daddy!" She snapped, "You men think you can talk yo' way
outta everything.  But you don't have to!  Hell, Daddy, I know you loved
her.  An' I know that Wilton is a low down rotten snake."

   "Lizzie, now..."

   "If-n she can't see that you a finer man than yo' son will evah be, then
she doesn't deserve you!"

   JD had to smile, "Thank you, honey.  I appreciate that."

   "Now, Charles is on his way up there.  And he is gonna take you out to
eat - `cause I know you ain't had nothing but bourbon an' water since you
left here, have you?  - an' you gonna go with him or Ima come up thar. 
Alright, Daddy?"

   "I'm fine, Lizzie, I just need to take a shower an' get my mind offa
it."

   "I said, alright Daddy?"

   He did not want to see Charles.  He did not want to see anyone or
anything but Lizzie really would be on her way up to DC if he did not
agree. "Alright."

   "Alright.  Now, I've got to go get the baby off to school and dress for
work myself.  You go on an' take that shower."

   "I already have one mother, I need two now?"

   "Yes, you do."

   He started to snap then realized she was only doing this because she
cared.  "Thank you, Lizzie." He was close to tears again.

   "You welcome, Daddy.  We love you.  Ima call you back in just a spell,
alright?"

   "Alright."

   He hung up then sat on the floor and cried for a while.  The knot in his
chest eased.  The phone rang again but he let it go when he saw Elizabeth's
number.  Instead, he showered, dressed for work and drank the coffee.  It
was especially bad and he was not sure why until he realized that Rachael
had made his coffee everyday for as long as he could remember.  She just
knew somehow how he liked it.  He poured it all down the bathroom sink and
called Elizabeth back.

   "I'm dressed and nearly fit for human company."

   "Glad to hear it, Daddy.  Now, if thay's anything you need - I mean
anything, Daddy - I want you ta promise you gonna call me."

   "I'm fine." He lied, "I've gotten ova a woman before." The words
actually hurt.

   "Uh-huh.  Nevertheless, you just call, hear?"

   "I hear." There was a knock on the door and Charles voice calling for
him, "Hang on Lizzie." He opened the door and handed his son the phone,
"Tell yo' woman that I ain't dying."

   He listened to Charles sooth Elizabeth in hushed tones.  The
conversation turned stilted and JD presumed that she told him what and who.
When Charles hung up, he looked grim.  "Somewhere nearby we can have
breakfast?"

   "I imagine so."

   They found a breakfast buffet and ate in silence.  The coffee was
better. Finally, JD cleared his throat.  "I'm gonna work from here for a
few days, I think."

   "Fine." Charles nodded, "I'll take care of anything that comes up."

   "I `preciate that.  I'd, uh, also appreciate it if you did not mention
my personal situation with anyone else at this time."

   Charles face darkened, "I can respect that but I'm gonna have to have a
discussion with him."

   JD did not ask whom he meant, just sighed deeply and tried to stop his
hands from shaking.  He took a deep breath and counted to ten.  He closed
his eyes.  `How could she do this to me?' he thought, `My own son, damn
it.' He felt the knot in his chest again and realized that he was not in
control of his emotions again.  "Let's get out of here." He stood up and
left without waiting for Charles to catch up.

   They walked for a while, eventually finding themselves on the National
Mall.  The day was cool and it was still fairly early so it was not
crowded.

   "This is her favorite spot, you know." JD said as they walked up to the
Lincoln memorial.

   "Is it?"

   "Yeah.  Not the memorial itself, but the view of the monument from here.
Said it always made her giggle." He looked away, "She had a penchant for
phallic humor."

   "Uh." Charles did not know how to respond to that, "Oh."

   "I tell you how she an' I met?"

   "No."

   He told him about the internship program; how he and Paul had screened
the applicants and picked student with good skills and few options.  She
had been the brightest of the lot and, at the end of that summer, he had
initially encouraged her to go to college.  When it became apparent that
she would not - or could not - go, he suggested she apply for one of the
full time administrative positions, never dreaming that she would apply for
the one in his department.  By then, his divorce was in process and the
idea of having a `pretty little young thing' running around the office
appealed to his baser nature.  He was thrilled, however, to find her
competent and resourceful.  He never once regretted the decision to hire
her and never allowed himself to think of her as anything other that his
employee.  When she announced her resignation, he was at a loss to explain
why he found it such a personal affront.  When she confessed her true
feelings for him, he was floored.

   "You know what she did, son?"

   "No, what?"

   JD glanced around to make sure no one could hear them, "She serviced me.
Orally.  In my office." Charles looked a bit stunned, "Oh, I guess no one
wants to hear the details of their old man's sexual activities."

   "I just wasn't expecting you to say she blew you." Charles smile slyly,
"She seemed like the type who don't do that.  Hell, Dad, I'm kinda glad you
can still get it up.  Gives me hope for my own future."

   "Ain't much my little Willow won't do." JD said smiling.  Then it hit
him that she was not his any more and who she had done.  "She likes men of
significant size.  I apparently do not qualify.  I guess Wilton does." JD
wished he had something he could hit.  He clinched his hands and his eyes
and counted to ten.  When the threat of tears did not abate, he counted to
twenty.  When he opened his eyes again, Charles looked murderous.

   "That little cunt'll get what she deserves from him.  He's got more than
a few abuse charges against him."

   JD whirled on him, "Don't you call her that.  I don't care what she done
ta me, I won't hear ya'll degrade her like that." He pulled back, "I'm
sorry.  It's my fault.  I'm a foolish old man chasing afta a child ought ta
be my granbaby.  `Course she went after...him.  Didn't seem right she'd
want me noway." They stood in silence for a little while.  Then JD checked
his watch; it was after lunchtime.  "Come on boy.  Let your old man buy you
a drink."

   Charles made him eat and harassed him into talking to Elizabeth before
he ordered his first drink.  He was midway through the second when he
thought more closely about Charles' comment.  "What abuse charges?"

   "Come again?"

   "You said he had more than a few abuse charges against him.  What do you
mean?"

   "Oh." He shrugged, "He got in trouble once.  Old news, Uncle Marcus took
care of it.  Told him if anything like it ever happened again, he'd fire
him permanently.  Not a big deal."

   "You a right bad liar, boy.  You don't do much courtroom work do ya?"

   Charles looked away.

   "Honestly, boy, how much worse could my day get?  Out with it."

   "He's never been convicted but it's largely because none of the women
involved will press charges.  One would have but there was no way to prove
that it was Wilton what beat her.  So far as we know, he ain't hurt anyone
since Uncle Marcus hired him back but..." he made a empty gesture, "it
ain't like he'd volunteer that."

   "If he hurts her, I'll kill him." JD actually saw red for a moment and
had to put his glass down before he broke it.  "Tell him that.  Tell him
I'll brake his god damned neck with my bare hands if I evah hear tell uh
him hurtin' her."

   Charles' phone rang before he could respond to that and JD ordered
another drink while he answered it.  Shortly, Charles handed him the phone,
"Uncle Marcus."

   "You alright, Julius?" his brother asked when he answered the phone.

   "I've seen better days."

   "Come on back home, Junior.  Ain't nothing for you up there no-way."

   "I..." He could not see them yet, "I got details to finish up here."

   "Well, he ain't here so come home when you ready."

   "Christ almighty!" JD snarled, "Does everybody in Hell and half uh
Georgia know this by now?"

   "Down boy!  Lizzie thought I ought to know seeing as Charles is up there
with you not down here in the office.  An' I ain't told nobody but the boy
hisself when I told him to get his ass offa the property an' keep it off
`til you called him home.  She can feed-n-cloth him for a spell."

   JD was close to tears again.  "Thank you, Marcus."

   "Come home, Julius." Was the last thing he said.

   JD put his face in hands.  Rachael and Wilton.  He no longer cared if
Charles saw him weep.