Sharc-o-mania is laying sedately

'So who is this Trey Vincent guy anyway? Is he single?'

'Chelsea, don't start with me.'

The former lovers were back together once again, this time at Sharc's house. Sharc was laying flat on his couch, staring at the silent television which was tuned to Fox-News. Chelsea was tearing up the room, looking for the remote control so she could change the channel to PBS or some kids show.

'Just saying...he's rather hot.'

'I just went through a match to end all matches with Rune Winters, the last thing I want to hear about are your fantasies of other men, especially Trey Vincent. Somebody hired him to investigate me or attack me. I don't know what the hell is going on. It wasn't you, was it?'

'Me? There it is. How the hell did it get into your coat in the closet?' she asked coming back into the room, showing off his remote. She flipped on some children's afternoon cartoon show. Sharc didn't know what it was. She turned up the volume.

'The idea went through my mind a few times, though I tried to shut it up.'

'Rich, what am I going to gain? I don't even have enough money for something like that. I'm just scraping by with your help.'

Sharc stared at her, a little bit confused. 'Chelsea?'

'What?'

'Why aren't you trying to piss me off today?'

She stared at him. 'Can I ask you something?'

Sharc didn't reply, he knew she'd ask anyway.

'About Lisa.'

'Lisa?'

The dots connected. Chelsea had picked Sharc up at Logan Airport this morning. He was shocked when she said yes. After that match on Massacre, his body wasn't in a very agreeable state and he wasn't sure if he could drive himself home and get there in one piece. So he'd called her yesterday as he watched football like a zombie from his hotel bed, hopeful, since she was basically the only person left in the Boston-area who he kept in contact with, mostly since she was the mother of his baby. She had said yes.

He struggled his way to the airport early today and got on the plane. He had paid for a first-class ticket home since PIW only provided coach tickets. He was not in the coach state of mind, or body. As he stepped out the gate, there she was. Dressed up in a tight white shirt, a red mini-skirt he had always loved on her, and looking the best she had looked in ages. Smiling. Her dirty blonde hair was down straight and had gotten longer since, well, the last time he'd seen her. It had been a while. He couldn't even remember off the top of his head the last time they'd been together. Of course, his swimming lessons and a few other family memories were no doubt lost in that Rune Winters match.

Chelsea had actually carried his luggage to the car for him. It wasn't much, just one travel bag, but, the gesture was, odd to say the least. Then it continued on the drive home. Every Dunkin' Donuts they passed, she made sure to ask if he wanted to stop for food or coffee. Each time he answered with a flat 'no.' And she told him all about Barbara's latest adventures in throwing objects. He found out Chelsea had to baby-proof the lower shelves and tables and now anything breakable is up beyond the little girl's reach. Chelsea told him that Barbara missed him.

And now she was asking about Lisa. She thought something might be developing with her. Sharc shook his head.

'What?' she asked. 'It's not because I'm jealous.'

'Sure it isn't. Tell me. Why is it you only treat me like a man when there is another woman I mention or am hanging out with?'

Chelsea walked over to the end of the sofa where Sharc's head was resting on a pillow. She sat down cross legged beside him on the floor. Sharc took a look at her legs, then her face.

She sighed. 'I don't know,' she laughed. 'I'm an idiot. I was thinking...maybe we could, try again. I want Barbara to have a father. I want her to have HER father. I think...it's partly because of Sept. 11. I was watching all that stuff and it just brought me back. To how much I worry about Barbara. And you. And....I'm sorry. I really am. I admit, I have been brutal to you, and....I'm sorry. I know there's nothing else I really can say.'

'You're serious?'

'Yes.'

'And you're sorry?'

'I am.'

'Go get Barbara up so she can watch some TV. I mean, television.'

'Is that a yes?'

'It's not a no.'

She smiled. 'I'll go get OUR girl then.'

Sharc watched as Chelsea rounded the corner and heard her head upstairs on the creaky steps.

He put a hand over his mouth.

And laughed.

NEXT CHAPTER: Voices From The Past >>

©2002 John Leary