From Drags to Riches

"Alvin, are you really thinking of taking this on?"
"Kathryn, you know I wouldn't have shown this to you if I wasn't considering it."
Kathryn smiles at her father-in-law and sits in the chair across the desk.
"But, why are you showing me this?" How can I possibly help with a project like that?"
"Well, you can't directly, but I was hoping that you may know someone who can."
After several moments of thought, a light bulb pops in Kathryn's head.
"I have the perfect person. He's worked on a number of similar projects but he's currently back at school. He was a friend of mine during undergrad. I bet he is about to finish up. Let me go call him and see what he has planned over the next few months. I need to catch up with him anyway."
As Kathryn leaves the room, Alvin notices his cell phone flicker as if someone is calling but it stops immediately.

Claire sobs faintly, inaudible to the two boys.
How could he do this to me? He knows how much Leland meant to me.
She turns around quickly and runs back to the entrance of the building. With the halls now empty, Claire continues her run back to her locker. She leans against the uncomfortable metal and sobs as she sinks to the floor.
"I was so stupid. How could I not have known? Ugh, I hate them. I hate both of them."
Claire doesn't notice a classmate watching her from the entrance ot the boys bathroom.
"How could he do this to me?"
The boy hesitantly takes a few steps from the bathroom. He stops to think over his decision again, then more determined walks over to Claire.
"You're not stupid."

"This is Apex."
"Aww, Apex, you were are still so formal."
"Kathryn? Kathryn Allerton?"
"Yes, well, it's Kathryn Stone now. I can't believe it has been that long since we've talked. I was married almost 6 years ago."
"Wow, has it been that long? How have you been?"
"I would say, other than being shot a month and a half ago, everything is going quite well."
"Oh my god, are you okay?"
"Yes, yes, I'm fine now."
"What happened?"
"Well that's a long story for another day. My real reason for calling is a project my father-in-law is working on. I think it's right in you expertise. Come have dinner with me tonight. I know it's far but I think you will love this."
"Just tell me where."

Nicole rubs her eyes after a long day of work and jumps at the knock on her office door.
"Come in."
"Dr. Chase, may I have a few moments with you?"
"Dr. Scott, please call me Nicole so I may call you Weston."
The male doctor smiles.
"I hope everything is working out with you son and husband. I went through the same thing with my son a few years ago."
"Yes, they are working things out. I take it you and your wife did, too?"
"No, my wife disowned my son and since then it hasn't been the same. That's kind of why I want to talk with you. I know you're not a psychiatrist, but I was hoping I could talk to you confidentially about my wife and marriage."
"Weston, I'm your boss. I'm not sure that's a great idea."
"Please, Nicole, I just need someone to talk to that I trust."
"Oh, alright, let's set up a time."

"Alvin, you know, you haven't been yourself lately."
"Hmmm? Oh, I'm sorry Kathryn. I didn't notice you walk in."
"That's okay, how are you? Is anything troubling you?"
"No, no... the divorce is just being finalized and I've also taken on this new project."
"Well, if you're half the man I think you are, you'll be fine."
Kathryn pecks her father-in-law on the cheek.
"Thank you Kathryn, now I want to show you something, but it's completely confidential. I'm hoping you can help me out a bit."
Alvin pull the file, he received from the man at city hall, out of his briefcase.
"What is this?"
"Just take a look at it."
Kathryn begins to browse the file with excitement.

Denver continues to eye the lecturer at the head of the class. Every so often, Apex meets his gaze causing the student to blush and look away. At the end of the lecture, the class gathers at the front of the room to pick up the assigned problem-set. Two girls from the class attempt to flirt with Apex.
"So Mr. Grayson.."
"Please call me Apex."
"Pecs, yes I like yours..."
"Julie..."
"What?"
"Anyway, we don't quite understand this last section of the book..."
"Ladies, I have office hours. Please come to those; they are listed on the top of the paper."
Apex points to the page as the two girls blush and promise to attend the next session. As they slink away, Denver picks up a copy of his assignment. He is startled by the hand that grabs his.
"Denver, I think you need to come to my office hours as well. The few times I've been here before, you've always been in the back corner, and Dr. Pelham has informed me of his concerns on your slipping academic performance."
Unable to say anything, Denver manages to mumble and okay then leave the room.

Skyler begins to dial his phone in the climb to his apartment floor.
Maybe he will actually answer.
He quickly hangs up.
"What the hell am I doing? I shouldn't be calling him and there is no reason I should even be thinking about..."
"Hey Skyler..."
Skyler looks up to find Braxton standing down the hall. Braxton continues as Skyler approaches.
"Who are you mumbling about?"
"Oh, it's no one. What ar... Oh, hello, Mrs. Crandall."
Skyler gives the woman an irritated look as she peeks her head out of her apartment.
"Skyler I was just talking to Lena here and she tells me her granddaughter is coming into town with her great-grandson."
Seeing neither of them react, Braxton continues.
"Anyway, Lena, it was a pleasure meeting you. I hope all goes well with your family."
As the old woman closes the door, Braxton harasses Skyler.
"Apparently you and her don't get along. What's wrong with you? She is a sweet old woman."
"She's always been an ice-cold bitch with me, always watching me too closely. What are you doing here anyway?"
"Well, I was hoping we could go get dinner tonight and catch up a bit."
"Sure, I have another thing I have to do first but I'll meet you around 6?"
"Perfect."

As she rounds the corner, Claire catches a glimpse of her brother leaving the building.
Where the hell is he going? It's almost time for 5th hour.
She cracks the door noiselessly to see where Colby went and is surprised to find another figure walking with him. Claire watches the two boys round the corner so she quickly dashes after them. Approaching the corner of the building cautiously, she looks into the secluded courtyard. Claire becomes furious at the sight. She doesn't find her brother dealing or buying drugs as the first rumor indicates. Claire watches as her brother makes out with the first boyfriend she ever had, Leland Mark.

Skyler leaves the motel room with a disgusted look on his face while putting $500 in his pocket.
That guy was absolutely disgusting. Sometimes this escorting this is just awful, but... it does pay well.
On the way back to his apartment, Skyler can't help but think of Alvin. He had tried a number of times to rid his mind of the middle-aged man with little success. The Stone patriarch always has a way of entering Skyler's thoughts when the depression of an awful job takes over.
Why can't I stop thinking about him? Sure he is handsome, rich, polite... but he is almost 50. And if nothing else, I lost a great source of income.
It has been over two weeks since Skyler has heard from the client. Alvin had ceased contact since the day Skyler nearly outed him as not only gay but as a client of Skyler's.
Man I screwed thins up that day. I need to speak to him. I need to tell him that I can't stop thinking about him so I can get this off my chest.

Denver walks into the classroom with a smile on his face.
Only a month left. I can't believe it. 5 years and I'm finally going to be done.
He makes his way to the back corner of the room where he usually sits. While taking out his notebook, Denver hears whispers and giggling coming from the girls next to him. He looks up to see what they are talking about. Standing at the front of the room is the tall handsome graduate student that taught their class the few times the professor was gone.
"Alright, alright... Dr. Pelham will be gone for the rest of the semester, so I will be taking over and helping you guys prepare for the final."
Denver's heart beats nervoudly and excitedly as his eyes meet the eyes of the man talking.
"My name is Apex Grayson in case you forgot."

Brayen makes his way quickly from his desk to the editor's office.
"Hey Alex, any way I can get you to eat dinner with me tonight?" We'll head over to Babs it's trivia night."
"Brayen... you've got to learn how to knock on that door now. I can't have everyone thinking they can just barge in here. But yes, of course, I'll go, under one condition though."
Brayen gives Alex a look of confusion.
"Well, we have to win trivia!"
The two laugh as they return to work.

Claire closes her locker and watches her brother down the hall behind some of her friends.
"Claire, this is ridiculous. You can't keep hiding from him. You need to just go talk to him."
"No, I can't." We haven't exchanged words since I was snooping around his room. He knows I was in there."
"Who cares... this is so stupid. You two used to be inseparable until this year. Obviously he is hiding something from you that you just don't agree with. So what if he's gay; gay guys are awesome. I wish I had a gay brother."
"Diane, I already have one, my older brother. Don't you remember him from when we were little?"
"Yeah, whatever happened to him?"
"My mom freaked when he came out and kicked him out and disowned him. I don't want that to happen to Colby."
As the other girls talk about her older brother, Claire watches Colby round the corner out of her sight and decides to go follow him.

"What do you mean rumors?"
Claire's two friends look at each other then look down.
"C'mon, tell me."
Hesitantly the first girl looks at Claire and speaks.
"Okay, okay. The first rumor is your brother is heavy into drugs. People have always seen him skipping class and have seen him in random places with strange guys."
"Are you kidding me?"
"Claire I swear I'm telling the truth."
The three girls stand quiet for a long time until the second of Claire's friends finally speaks.
"Well there's also the second rumor."
"You mean there's another one?"
The first girl grabs her friend and whispers, inaudible to Claire.
"Are you sure we should tell her?"
"Yes, I mean she is bound to find out sooner or later."
"Girls, what the hell? Stop whispering!"
The two girls look at Claire.
"Okay, well... there's a rumor going around that your brother is gay."

Alvin is relieve as the Stone mansion comes into view. The sight of his accomplishments has always turned a bad mood good. He climbs out of the car and approaches the house with an unexpected hesitance. As Alvin walks through the door, Rosa greets him and informs of the lunch by the pool.
"Thank you, Rosa."
Heading through the great room he is shocked to find Skyler being supported through the door to the patio by his son Hawke.
"Hey Dad, you remember my friend Skyler, right?"
Alvin stumbles over his words.
"Of course."
Skyler takes a quick look at the Stone patriarch.
"Oh, hey, Alvin... when do you want to get together?"
A surprised Hawke drops his friend.
"What the hell, Skyler? Don't talk to my dad that way. Keep your filthiness to yourself when you're in this house.
Alvin moves to help the drunken Skyler up.
"Hawke, Hawke, it's okay. He has obviously had a rough night. Just take him upstairs to get his clothes, then take him home."
As Hawke escorts Skyler up to his room, Alvin sighs in relief of covering up a close call.

Brayen approaches the apartment building in disbelief that the Bouchet family lives in the penthous.
"Braxton, this is amazing. Your aunt actually owns this building?"
"Yes, apparently she just bought it because we are the only family she has left. She wants to spend as much time with us as she can."
The elevator quickly takes them up the 40 floors. As they exit into the penthouse hall, Octavia throws her front door open.
"Joyce, Braxton, darlings, I'm so glad you're back. Who is this other young man with you?"
"Octavia, I want you to meet Brayen Scott, my other son."
"Ahh, so this is the famed child of Weston."
Brayen blushes as Octavia speaks.
"Well I know we're technically not related, but please, darling, call me Aunt Octavia."
"And Brayen, please come visit any time."
"Yes, darling, my house is a house of family. You are now family, so my house is your house."
Unbelievable amazed and grateful, Brayen hugs his new aunt and mother.
"Thank you so much. This is absolutely amazing."

"No! You two are lying!"
"Claire I swear I'm telling the truth. We have no reason to lie to you."
"No, that's ridiculous... my brother... no."
Claire attempts to go back to shopping but can't get the rumors about her brother out of her head.
"Claire, it's not the end of the world."
Claire stops what she is doing and looks at her two friends with anger. After a few more uncomfortable moments of silence she throws the jacket she had just taken off the rack at her friends. The two girls are shocked as Claire storms out of the store.
Gay?! He can't be gay. Mom will kick him out of the house and never let us see him again, just like Brayen.

“Joyce, let me get the check. It’s my treat.”
Joyce blushes as Weston grabs her hand to move it away.
“Mom, Brayen and I are going to go wait outside ‘cause it is such a nice day out.”
“We ar...?”
Braxton quickly grabs Brayen’s hand and heads towards the door.
“Brayen, I think my mom still likes your dad.”
“You think?”
“Yeah, I also think your dad still likes my mom.”
“You know I was kind of picking up on that. It’s not really a shock to me though. My parents have always seemed unhappy. My, well, adoptive mother has always been a total bitch. Their marriage seems so forced.”
“Well I’m telling you... It looks like after all these years the two in there right now still have a thing for each other.”

“You know, guys, my brother has been acting really strange lately.”
“What do you mean Claire?”
Claire puts down the pair of jeans she was looking and turns towards her friends.
“Well, he has a password on a folder on his computer.”
“That’s probably just porn like every boy our age.”
“Fine, well here’s the strangest thing. The other day, I saw him getting out of some guy’s car. The guy was definitely in college too.”
The other two girls look at Claire for a moment then look at each other.
“Claire we didn’t want to tell you... but there have been rumors going around about your brother.”

As the mended Chase family splits into two groups, Alex and Denver notice Braxton and Brayen while Nicole and Blair walk to their car to head home. The two brothers stop their conversation as the Chase siblings approach.
“Hey, what are you two talking about? Did you just get here?”
“Oh, hey, Alex. No, we just finished, we had like a family get together. Braxton and his mother, well I guess my mother too, my dad and me.”
“Well that’s fun... so why’d you two get so quiet when we walked up.”
Alex grins slyly.
“Haha, nosy Alex, I was just asking Braxton about our mother from when he was a kid.”
With a wink Brayen informs his half-brother they should keep their parents’ interest in each other a secret between the two fo them.
“Hey, you wanna come see the new penthouse?”
Alex and Denver both decline the invitationfor different reasons, but Brayen agrees.

“Skyler!”
Hawke dives in after the naked figure and grabs his ankle. As they both surface Skyler gasps at Hawke.
“Hey, c’mon. I’m just swimming here.”
“Skyler, you need a suit if you want to swim here. Let’s just take you back upstairs. My brother doesn’t even want you here anyway.”
Hawks slowly coerces Skyler out of the pool and wraps the towel around him.
“Come on back upstairs.”
As the two make their way to the house, Kathryn can’t help but giggle at the situation. An irritated Jason glares at her.
“Oh, Buddy, c’mon, that was so funny. How often is someone drunk or hung over enough to actually jump in your father’s pool naked?”
“Okay, okay, on that respect it was amusing, but I just don’t like the guy.”
As Jason continues to ramble, Kathryn slowly unties her bikini top.
“Buddy, what are you doing?”
Kathryn answers as she lies down on her stomach.“Oh calm down, I’m just making sure I don’t have bad tan lines.”

“Brayen!”
Joyce grabs her son and hugs him.
“I guess I should call you mom, huh?”
A tear rolls down Joyce’s cheek.
“After all these years, I finally get to spend some time with you.”
Braxton proceeds to greet the statuesque Weston.
“Dr. Scott, how are you doing?”
“Wha... Oh, just fine.”
Braxton notices the doctor’s slight infatuation with his mother. He relaxes a little when they finally head towards their table.
“Weston, thank you so much for inviting us out for brunch. It’s nice to have a family together.”
Brayen and Braxton exchange glances at the sight of their parents’ eyes while looking at eachother.

The Chase family continues to their table and sits down with the two men still not speaking. The meal is tense and the original purpose of the get together is lost. The awkward silence is broken at the table by Alex’s attempt to remind everyone why they are eating together.
“I’m sorry Alex, you’re right. I’m just having a difficult time dealing with Denver, that it’s taking my attention away from you.”
“Dad, it’s okay, I understand you need some time, but he is still my brother and still your son...”
Alex looks at Denver.
“...and we still lover him.”
Nicole begins to cry silently as Blair speaks to his son.
“Denver, she is right. You are still my son and I still love you.”

Jason and Kathryn tan lazily by the pool in the back of the Stone estate as Hawke approaches.
“I can’t believe it’s so nice out today. It’s only March.”
“I know can... Oh, hey Hawke, how was your night last night?”
“It was fine Kathryn, thanks for asking.”
Kathryn giggles, but Jason looks irritated and says nothing.
“Jason, I’m taking him home as soon as we’re done with lunch.”
“Okay, okay, Rosa will have it out here any minute now.”
As Hawke dives into the pool, Kathryn questions her husband on his mood.
“Buddy, the guy up there right now broke my brother’s heart awhile ago. He was a decent guy when they started dating, but he did something inexcusable that Hawke eventually found out about.”
“Ohh, okay, but Hawke insists they are still good friends, doesn’t he?”
“Yes.”
“Then don’t let it bother you so much. Hawke is a grown man and can make his own decisions.”
Before Jason can reply, the servant brings out their lunch.
“Thank you, Rosa.”

Skyler turns off the shower feeling only slightly better. He grabs a towel from the cupboard, dries off quickly, and wraps it around his waist.
“Hey Hawke, can you just take...”
Skyler is surprised to find Hawke missing from the bedroom. Still in a towel, he wanders from the room and down the hall. Unable to locate the missing Hawke in this wing of the mansion, Skyler proceeds down the stairs to the main level. He pays no attention to the few servants of the house that just stare at him as he wanders through. Skyler reaches the deck off the great room to find he is overlooking the pool. Seeing Hawke leisurly swimming, he makes his way down the wooden stairs to the pool area.
“Well hey guys.”
Kathryn smiles back as Jason answers rudely.
“What are you doing down here? I thought you were staying in Hawke’s room till after lunch.”
Hawke sees Skyler from the pool and confronts his brother.
“Jason, it’s okay... Skyler come here.”
Hawke drags the still wobbly Skyler away from his family.
“I thought I told you to stay up there and I would come get you in a bit.”
“I must have not been paying attention.”
“Well why don’t we head...”
“Since I’m down here I might as well go for a swim.”
Skyler quickly drops his towel and dives into the pool.

"Alex! Why didn't you tell me you were having brunch with Mom and Dad?"
Denver is furious with his sister.
"You know how Dad feels about me right now."
"Yeah, but you two need to work this out sometime."
As they approach their parents, Blair and Denver lock eyes, one in anger, and one in desperation.
"Hey Mom, hey Dad."
Alex hugs her mother but doesn't touch her statue of a father.
"Dad."
"Denver."
As the two women watch, both men's eyes begin to soften in a way of understanding. Nicole decides to step in, to break the seemingly uncomfortable silence, and greet her son.
"Denver, are you excited school is almost over? I suppose you've had to start interviewing."
Before Denver has a chance to respond, they are called to be seated.

"Thanks for picking me up, Dad."
"Brayen, it isn't a problem."
"I'm glad we've been able to work things out. Now, if only your lovely wife could do the same. Why are you still with her anyway? As long as I can remember, you two have never really had any happy moments except for the ones that seemed forced."
Weston is careful to answer. He does not want to reveal that he was forced long ago to marry Isabelle for the debts owed to her father.
"Brayen, deep down I love her and the Kreeland family has always been a big supporter of the two of us, especially in hard times that you were too young to remember and before we adopted you."
Brayen accepts the answer as they shut the car doors and head toward Mary's. As they near the door, Brayen comments on the uncomfortable scene coming from the Chase family.
"Kinda looks like we did in the kitchen almost a decade ago when I came out to you and Mo… I mean Isabelle."
Weston chuckles.
"I am sure they will work things out. In the few weeks that I've known Dr. Chase, she has been nothing but fantastic. I am sure she will be able to talk to her husband and on and get them to talk to each other."
As he follows his son into the restaurant, Weston's heart skips a beat at the sight.

Hawke opens his door to find Skyler crawling on the floor to the bathroom.
"Skyler, what are you doing?"
He walks over quickly to help the guy up.
"I was… I was… jus tryin… to get to the shower. It'll help wake me up."
Hawke slowly escorts the hungover Skyler to the bathroom. Turning on the shower, he worries about his friend's state.
"Are you sure you're okay to be moving around?"
"Yes… I'm fine."
Skyler pulls his clothes off and steps into the shower.
"You were never shy, Skyler. I'm heading down to the pool to have lunch with my brother and sister-in-law. I'll be back in about an hour to take you home."
Hawke hears Skyler mumble from the shower in response as he leaves the steamy room.

"This is Steve."
"Steve, where is Mr. Kreeland?"
"I need to know who is speaking, please."
"Steve! You know who this is. Tell him Jersey needs to speak to him right away."
"Oh… my apologies Miss Knox… I will tell him."
After a few long moments, a deep voice speaks on the other end of the phone.
"Yes, Jersey, how did it go last night?"
"Perfectly, I know exactly who we should use. Not only will he be close to the Bouchet's, it will also help you get back at someone else and keep them under your control."
"Excellent. Once again, Jersey Knox, you have impressed me."