A week later…

It was overcast on what usually was a sunny and bright summer day in Llanview but no one really seemed to notice – especially the Buchanans. And it was a big day for Bo Buchanan who was retiring from the Llanview police force. As Bo sat down on the stage of the police academy, in his dress uniform, listening to the mayor speak highly of him, he couldn’t help but reflect upon his distinguished career and his life.

The mayor seemed to drown on and Bo found his wife, Nora, sitting in the front row. She smiled at him and it warmed his heart. His life with her at his side had been rewarding. She made him whole. Complete. Next to Nora was his daughter, Anna. Anna was a precocious teenager who occasionally got into trouble but he chalked it up to Anna just being a teenager. Her highjinxs were nothing compared to oldest son, Brady’s schanagins. His sons. He was proud of both his sons – even Brady, but he knew there was nothing he could do or say to convince Brady of that so he stopped trying, realizing there was nothing he could do now to make up for his missed opportunities with him.

Bo noticed his son, Troy, smiling at him and smiled back. Troy was also wearing his dress uniform and while he wasn’t as decorated as Bo was, his son still looked distinguished. And it was good to see Troy smile. Bo was aware that his son had broken up with his long time girlfriend, Taylor Manning, and while the break up didn’t appear to be bitter, it was obvious his son had been deeply effected and hurt by it.

The mayor finished and invited Bo up to the podium. Bo got up as the auditorium clapped and cheered. So many young and heroic faces. He was truly sad to be leaving the police force. He wanted to keep his comments short and brief but as he gave his goodbye speech, he always found one more thing to say.

Brady Buchanan sat next to his grandfather, Asa Buchanan, as they sat behind his mother, brother, and sister who were in the front row. Brady’s ascension as the head of Buchanan Enterprises was now complete and he was in charge of every aspect of the business his grandfather had built from the ground up. Oh yes, this week had been incredibly rewarding for him. Not only had he assumed control of his grandfather’s company, his brother had broken up with Taylor Manning and Brady was determined to bed her, to finally make her his woman. He had wanted to possess her since high school and now his opportunity to step in and take what was once his brother’s was finally there.

Asa coughed and Brady glanced over at his grandfather.

“You look a little pale, Grandpa,” remarked Brady. “You okay?”

Asa forced a smile. “Yeah. Sure,” he struggled to say.

Brady wrinkled his brow. He was well aware of the fact his grandfather’s health was failing. He made a mental note to himself, the first sign of trouble he was taking his grandfather to the hospital, his father’s retirement ceremony be damned.

His father finished his remarks and everyone politely clapped. Then Troy got up from his seat and walked on stage. Along with the mayor, Troy emotionally presented his father with a plaque. A replica of Bo’s badge was on the plaque and with that, Bo’s badge was officially retired. Again the auditorium filled with loud cheers and clapping. Asa stood up, a tear in his eye as he felt in incredibly amount of pride for his son. He had a fantastic life, God had provided him with healthy, lusty sons and strong grandsons to carry on his name. He glanced at Brady, grimaced and collapsed, gasping for breath. Instantly, Brady stopped clapping and fell to his knees beside his grandfather. Bo and Troy rushed down off the stage when they saw Asa collapse.

“Grandpa!” cried Brady.

“I love you,” choked Asa.

Brady looked up. He was frantic. “Someone get a doctor!!” he cried. Bo and Troy joined Brady at Asa’s side.

Asa smiled at Brady and then his face slowly froze as he died holding his grandson’s hand.

“Paw! Paw!” cried Bo as he felt his tears build.

“No!!” screamed Brady as he arched his back and howled at the auditorium’s ceiling. It was as if an arrow had pierced his own heart and mortally wounded him as well.

Troy gently took his grandfather’s other hand with his own, using his other hand to gently stroke Asa’s face as his silent tears fell on his grandfather’s body.

***********************

Taylor Manning raised her head from the porcelain toilet bowl and she wiped her mouth with a towel.

“Jesus…” she muttered as another wave of nausea overcame her and the rest of her breakfast landed in the bowl. She rested there for a minute as her stomach seemed to calm down. Finally, she arched her back away from the toilet, grabbed the towel and wiped her mouth again.

“What is wrong with me?” she muttered as she sat down and leaned against the bathroom wall.

“Taylor? You okay?”

“Terri?”

“Can I come in?”

“Sure.”

Sixteen year old Terri Manning walked into the bathroom and stared at her sister.

“Taylor, you look like shit.”

“Thanks, Terri. Geez – I’m going to be a doctor – why can’t I figure out what’s wrong with me?” asked Taylor looking up into her sister’s eyes.

“Maybe it’s not as hard as you think,” said Terri sitting down next to Taylor.

Taylor turned her head and looked at Terri. “Oh. You don’t think this is serious?”

“Nope.”

“Okay smarty pants, what’s wrong with me?” asked Taylor seriously crossing her arms.

“You’re pregnant,” said Terri.

“What?!” cried Taylor. “You can’t be serious!”

“And you didn’t pay attention in Mr. Tibbetts sex ed class,” dead panned Terri.

Taylor stood up. “Right. Okay. Troy and I used protection a few times.”

Terri stood up and looked her at her sister as if amazed by her…stupidity. “A few times?! You’ve gotta’ use it all the time! It only takes once! I’m serious, sis. Look, I’ll do you a favor and go buy you a home pregnancy test. Just keep Mom and Dad off my back this afternoon.”

“You want me to take a pregnancy test?” cried Taylor.

“Don’t worry, Taylor, I won’t tell Dad. And I’ll be here with you when you take it,” said Terri. She flashed Taylor a supportive smile revealing a maturity beyond her sixteen years.

“Sure, okay, Terri,” said Taylor realizing that it was a possibility.

“I’ll go to the store now,” said Terri heading for the door. “There’s a storm rolling in and it looks to be nasty.”

“Terri?”

“Yeah?”

“Thanks,” said Taylor softly.

“Your welcome.”

Terri walked out of the bathroom leaving Taylor alone. Gently, Taylor put her hand on her midriff and looked at her pale complexion on the mirror.

“I can’t be pregnant. Can I?” she whispered.

TO BE CONTINUED...

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