As Time Flies.....Chapter 26
Last time: Sam interrupts Bo and Nora after learning Lindsay tried to kill Nora a second time. Sam suspects that Bo and Nora have rekindled their relationship. Bo, Nora and Ben have breakfast together.
Llanview Hospital - Room #416
Sam heard laughter as he was coming down the hall. It occurred to him that lately he was always on the outside. How did this happen? It had been he and Nora against the world, with their beautiful son as reinforcement. What had gone wrong? Bo Buchanan, that's what. He never even thought about Lindsay.
Sam opened Nora's door and went in. He was surprised to see Ben sitting with Bo and Nora. They were all eating bagels and drinking coffee. He was irritated that his own brother would be eating with the enemy.
"What's going on here?" Sam went over and put Matthew down next to Nora. She put her bagel down and covered him with kisses.
"Hey, tiger! I missed you, honey. Want some bagel?" Nora picked up her bagel and offered Matthew a small piece. Matthew took it greedily and proceeded to smear cream cheese all over his face. Everyone laughed, and everyone ignored Sam's question.
Sam noticed Bo was perched on the bed with Nora. His face darkened and he sat down in the remaining chair in the room. He licked his lips furiously. He watched Ben eat and it suddenly dawned on him that his brother was a patient here, not just a visitor.
"How are you feeling, Ben?" Sam chucked him on the arm.
"Fine, Sam. Thanks for asking." Ben didn't mean to be sarcastic, but he was a little upset with Sam. He had been hoping that his illness would give Sam something else to think about, but he could see that Sam was only focused on Nora and Bo.
"Sure, buddy. Has Larry been in yet?" Sam licked his lips again. He didn't even notice.
"No, Sam, not yet. I'm sure he'll be in as soon as he knows something." Ben smiled wearily. He couldn't wait for all of this to be over. At that moment, Viki poked her head into Nora's room.
"Good morning, everyone. May I come in?" Viki smiled at Nora.
"Of course, Viki. Come on in." Nora waved Viki into the room.
"Hey, Blondie." Viki walked in and kissed Ben. She was so happy to see him. She had been surprised to go into his room and find it empty. Her first thought, however irrational, had made her heart leap into her throat. Thank God he was okay! Leave it to Ben to find the food. She smiled to herself and walked over to Nora. Viki kissed her friend on the cheek and said hello to Matthew. Nora took Viki's hand.
"How are you today, honey?" Viki asked. "I heard about Lindsay, and I just want to say, way to go, girlfriend!" The room exploded. Everyone guffawed except Sam. He just sat there, no expression registering on his face.
"Thanks, Viki. I don't think she'll be bothering us for quite a while." Nora smiled and squeezed Viki's hand. Viki kissed her friend on the cheek again and went back over to Ben. He put his arm around her and she perched on the arm of his chair.
Viki could see there was a glow in the room, that Bo and Nora were positively radiant. Viki smiled to herself. Things were going to be all right. She was sure of it.
The conversation turned to Ben's condition, and everyone was hopeful that Larry would have good news. At that moment, there was a knock on the door. Everyone looked at everyone else. This was it.
"Come in!" Nora practically shouted.
The door opened and a collective gasp was uttered as Asa walked in followed by Renée. Asa's expression changed from a smile to a frown when he saw Ben and Sam in the room. He noticed Ben was in a hospital gown and Sam was fuming. Asa ignored them and went over to Nora.
His voice boomed. "Nora! How's my favorite daughter? I'm glad you decided to come back to us! We missed you, honey!" Asa bent down and kissed Nora on the cheek. He gave her a giant bear hug. Nora was shocked.
"Hey yourself, Asa. It's good to see you!" In spite of herself, Nora hugged Asa back hard. She loved the old man, even though he was an ornery old cuss. They had had a very special relationship, and the fact that he had called her his daughter instead of daughter-in-law spoke volumes, especially with Viki in the same room. Nora thought she saw tears in Asa's eyes, but they vanished as quickly as they had come.
Renée walked over behind Asa. She was crying openly. Viki squeezed her hand as she went by. Renée hugged Nora, and Asa stood by them. It was an intense moment. Bo was watching them. He knew Asa and Renée had loved Nora very much, but he was praying that Asa wouldn't start trouble with the Rappaports. He knew Asa had no idea about Ben, but as soon as his attention was off of Nora he was bound to notice that Ben was in a hospital gown.
Unbeknownst to Bo, Viki and Ben were having the same thoughts. Viki questioned Ben with her eyes, and he shook his head in silent answer. He wasn't going anywhere, and if Matthew wasn't a match then he'd need to talk to Asa anyway. He had decided during the night that his love for Viki was more important than hiding his real parentage. If Matthew wasn't a match, then he'd have to tell Asa and Renée the truth. He couldn't let Viki down. He wouldn't.
The room was loud as everyone caught up on the developments of the night before. Asa was visibly disappointed that Nora hadn't killed Lindsay. Renée admonished him and everyone except Sam laughed. As the excitement died down, the room suddenly seemed even smaller. Asa seemed to take up all of the space in the room, which had been crowded to begin with. Asa tried to behave himself, but the old urges were just too powerful.
"So, Benji, did you forget to get dressed this morning?" Asa sneered.
"Asa! Out of respect for Nora the least you could do is not be rude!" Viki snapped at Asa. She knew what was coming and she didn't want Ben to be put into an awkward position.
"Just calm down, Viki. I'm not being rude, but it's kind of hard not to notice that Benji here is in a nightgown." Asa laughed snidely.
"It's none of your business, Asa!" Sam shouted. "Nothing my family does is any of your business!" Sam jumped to his feet. His face was turning red and his dentures began to clack.
"Pipe down, Slime! Oops, I mean Sam." Asa sneered. It was very obvious that he'd meant to say the former. "Nora is my family and this is her room. I'd say that you're the one who doesn't belong here. You or your varmint brother!"
"Pa, watch it, will you? This is Nora's room, so we should all be on our best behavior, okay? Please!" Bo sighed. Asa couldn't be trusted for five minutes.
"I will not watch anything, Bo. You should be watching the way the Rappa-Davidsons are trying to destroy our family! Have you forgotten what this ambulance chaser did to you?"
"Pa, this isn't the time or the place..." Bo started to diffuse Asa, but Sam cut him off.
Sam's face was beet red and his dentures were going a mile a minute. "Listen, old man, you have no idea what real family is! You do nothing but hurt and destroy everyone in your path. How can you live with yourself? Look what you've done to my son and your own granddaughter. You should be ashamed of yourself!" Flecks of spittle flew from Sam's mouth.
Asa stepped back to avoid the spray. "Say it, don't spray it, if you don't mind!" Asa pretended to dust his jacket off.
Sam got up from his chair and advanced toward Asa. He pulled his fist back and aimed at Asa's face. It didn't seem to matter to Sam that Asa was several inches taller than he was.
Asa laughed when he saw Sam's stance. "What girl you gonna hit with that limp wrist, Rappaport?"
Sam growled like a lion and tried to punch Asa, but Asa deftly stepped out of the way. Bo jumped in between them just as Ben did the same. Bo blocked Asa and Ben stood in front of Sam. The four men watched each other warily, all eyes blazing.
Nora, Viki, and Renée looked at each other in horror. My God, what was happening to their families?
Sam started to push Bo out of the way so he could hit Asa. He wanted to hit the old man more than he had imagined. All eyes in the room were riveted on the scene between the four men. No one noticed that the door had opened and Larry had pushed his way in.
"What the hell is going on in here???" Larry thundered.
Everyone stopped and looked at Larry. Sam's fist was frozen in midair.
To Be Continued...
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