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When Cassadines Fall ~ The Detour
Jerry's Home
Father Frank is the one that meets the plane when it arrives in Port Charles. Jason is keeping his distance because of Li. Sonny is keeping his distance because of the Feds that are sure to be watching with interest. Sure things fell together quickly, arranged with leverage going this way and that. There are more than a few noses out of joint. Everything had gone down so quickly with the Chows there wasn’t time for finesse... more of a sledge hammer. And there were more than a few organizations in the federal government... specially with those in keeping an eye on the doings in China that would love to have the strings that had been pulled for the Chows by both organizations: the Church and the one run locally by Michael “Sonny” Corinthos jr.
“Welcome! Welcome! It is good to see you.” Father Frank announces to everyone as they disembark into the cavernous but heated private jet hanger that belongs to the Quartermaines. “I brought the van.” Father Frank nods in the direction of the overly long and large van that is used by the Queen of Angels school. “Everything is set over at the apartment.”
It’s been a long trip and too much stress. Yuen starts to lose it as she realizes that the terror is finally over but a new journey is about to begin. Bobbie and Yuen’s sister in law swarm on her gathering her close with her sister in law murmuring reassuringly as she gives her a hug. Bobbie steers them in the direction of the van holding a hand out discreetly for the keys from Father Frank.
“It’s been a long journey to get here. A very long journey.” Harry says simply in accented English.
“I know it’s been one thing after another but I promise I’ll be leaving you alone until oh say – Sunday. And that time difference thing just so you know it’s Wednesday now.” Father Frank makes sure there is a cheerful tone in his voice. “Give you a few days to catch up on your sleep. Broke my leg skiing once. I swear you couldn’t get an hours sleep in the hospital. Now if you are interested there is a girl’s basketball game tomorrow evening at the school.”
“Basketball?”
“Yao Ming?” Father Frank counters names off the internationally famous Chinese basketball player.
“Oh. Basketball.” Harry nods.
“If you’re interested then just knock on the door of the young man, Ricky Robideau, who lives across the hall from you. He isn’t Catholic, well he could be for all I know, but he doesn’t go to mass. He’s good friends with our star point guard. He rarely misses a game.”
“How is little Rita doing?” Jerry asks. While they’d been conversing in this overly social fashion the back of the van has been loaded with the luggage from the trip. Most of it belongs to him and Bobbie but Leilani had hooked Grandmother up with a factory outlet for some wild Hawaiian print fabric. Yuen had some time to collect some luggage as well since she’d been hiding in Hawaii waiting for Harry to be freed from prison.
“Having to work harder for her touches.” Father Frank nods. “The other teams have figured out the only way to stop her from scoring is to keep the ball away from her.” The last of the bags is loaded.
They’d be doing it again on the other end so Jerry had been careful to make sure that the load was not only tight but sorted by passenger so that they wouldn’t have to be digging thru the load to get to another’s stuff. Jerry explains quickly in rough Chinese that Rita is best friends with Harry’s great niece, Meimei.
“Where is Meimei?” Harry asks Father Frank.
There is a silence in the van as the women wait for that answer. Yuen sniffs indelicately as she gets back in control.
Father Frank answers Harry but looks in Grandmother’s direction since Mei-Mei stays with her. “She’s over at the apartment with Rita and the Judge’s wife taking care of last minute details.”
“And my daughter? What of Li?” Harry asks.
Jerry shuts the back door of the van. “We’re still working on that one.”
Father Frank jumps on that statement quickly. It isn’t a lie even though it isn’t quite the truth that Harry is looking for. “Yes, yes– we’re still working on that.”
Jason catches Li looking at the clock. “We could go over to the apartment. They’ve probably landed by now.” He suggests.
Li straightens and she shakes her head with resolve. “No. Everything is fine over there. They don’t need me.”
Jason pretty much figures that is a crock but isn’t going to push it. “Ricky Robideau is across the hall from your parents. Something gets hinky he’ll give us a call.” If he doesn’t call Rita or the attorney first. Robideau is a loose cannon. He couldn’t be counted to do anything in an expected fashion. Just get it done and have everyone groaning at the means. Kinda like Carly but more efficient and quieter about it.
“Hinky?” Li questions the unfamiliar word.
“Not right. He’s the one that found the lawyer, Dara, for you.”
Li nods that is a little bit reassuring even though she has seen that Ricky can get forgetful for days on end. “I made sure everything is ready. The fridge is full. Everything has sign on it in English and Chinese. Carly program the phone like she programmed mine with Auntie’s number and Father Frank. And Maddy she say that Nikolas is neighborhood watch so his name should be in there too.”
Jason snorts at that. Maddy puts great stock in the neighborhood watch. It’s a hold over from the days when Ricky’s father, the big crime boss in the south east, had been the neighborhood watch commander for her neighborhood. Hell for all he knew Pete Robideau is probably still the watch commander. It made for better captions in the media. Better than the one that Sonny always got whenever the Herald ran a story on him– Alleged Crime Boss. Maybe Sonny should look into that neighborhood watch thing.
MeiMei peeks out the curtains of her Great Uncle’s new apartment. “What is taking so long?”
“They probably had bags and stuff.” Rita takes her turn peeking out the curtains. Between the two of them they might as well have the curtains open. “We called so we know the plane landed, and they are on their way. Besides they are driving in Father Frank’s van.”
“Oh man.” MeiMei peeks out the curtain again. “I hope they have a cell phone on them them because that thing is a POS. It breaks down all the time and Father Frank just keeps fixing it. Remember when the radiator hose blew? On the way to an away game? You would have had to forfeit if he hadn’t fixed it.”
Rita nods. “Duct tape. I should tell Mr Corinthos the next time he comes into Porter’s for brunch. He’d get them a new one.”
“No, you won’t.” Cookie demands behind the two of them. Bad enough that MeiMei had started swearing even in abbreviated form. She’d have to take some of the heat for that one although Rita is as foulmouthed as any sailor. “Priorities. Father Frank is the one who decided it is more important to get a new gym floor down rather than getting a new van so he must have figured that it could wait. Respect his decision.”
“Cookie, I’m all for the power of prayer but not when it comes to auto mechanics.”
“Well then maybe you should start checking out books at the library about auto mechanics rather than those true life slasher books you’ve been reading.”
The wheels start turning in Rita’s head. “Really? Hmm.”
Cookie shakes her head in disbelief and wonders what the hell she just started. She glances at the street. “I think they just pulled up.”
“They’re here! They’re here!” Mei and Rita bounce off the couch like they have springs instead of legs and race out the door.
Carly is right behind them moving faster than a pregnant woman should but slowing down for the stairs making sure to keep a good hand on the railing. She definitely wanted to get her side of the story in first. Maybe Ricky would be keeping Lucas too distracted with video games on the Playstation 2 Ricky received for Christmas for the little brat to notice that Jerry and Mama had arrived.
Sure enough it is the sound of feet racing down the stairs that drag the guys attention from the intense video competition they have going. The judge checks the window. “They’re here.”
“They’re here!” Lucas throws down his controller and races out the door. This is his shot of getting off of punishment. He should have never had Thunder moved up to Carly’s stable. Even if it did mean he got to ride Mr Roberts sometimes or even Sheba and the Colonel. Carly could make it so he couldn’t ride at all. Even if he wasn’t on restriction.
Ricky pauses the game. “I guess they’re here.”
“Thank God, they’re back.” AJ mutters. “I don’t know how Jerry does it.”
Michael nods and asks hopefully. “Grandpop? Nana?”
“You got it, Mr. Man. Lets go see Nana.” AJ grabs Michael’s coat and slides it on zipping him into it. Then he heads out to the van as well.
As soon as everyone is outside the introductions start even though it’s February and it’s barely above freezing. It’s finally Bobbie that whistles to get everyone’s attention. “Probably smarter to do this inside?!” She suggests.
Jerry gives her a grin and nod he goes to the back of the van and starts off loading the Chow’s bags. “Grandmother, perhaps you and MeiMei could show your brother his new apartment.” Jerry suggests in Chinese to get the ball rolling. Harry Chow’s older sister and his great niece lead the procession back into the apartment.
“Jerry, I need to talk to you.” Lucas says earnestly as he hands one of the bags off to Ricky who happens to just show up at the back of the van.
“I already heard.” Jerry gives Lucas a look and shakes his head. “We’re not going to get into it here in someone else’s place. Tell you that and told your sister the same. So make nice and take a bag.” He hands one over.
“Fine.” Lucas lugs the bag up the stairs to the apartment.
“Things were interesting while you were gone?” Father Frank inquires politely as he takes a bag.
“Around Carly and Lucas? Things are always interesting.” Jerry tells the priest wryly.
AJ indicates Carly’s SUV. “Might as well get your stuff unloaded too. You”ll be catching a lift back to your place with us later.”
In the interest of efficiency and knowing he isn’t going to be able to postpone the tattle telling even until they get to the house, Jerry starts unloading his and Bobbie’s bags as well. “Bury this one.” He suggests holding up one of the suitcases. “It’s the one with all the presents for those two.”
AJ laughs and shakes his head. “It really wasn’t that bad.”
“Oh so Carly’s made peace with my dad?” Jerry inquires with a raised brow knowing there is no way in hell.
“That would be pushing it.” AJ counters. He takes a couple of bags and heads over to the SUV. He clicks on the remote key to unlock the back. As Jerry shows up with two more and loads them in the back of the SUV. “But I don’t think she’ll be going after him with a hoofpick at the next horse show.” AJ doesn’t add the reason why. Mostly cause she doesn’t want your mother living with you or us.
“That is progress.”
Yuen wanders aimlessly around the apartment not
believing anything. It’s all too unreal.
There is no way this apartment could be theirs. They’d done alright in China
even with saving most of their money for their ministry but everything here is
so... rich. Even though it is freezing outside it is toasty warm in the
apartment. There are insulated curtains on the windows and rugs on the floor.
Even with people in and out the only real cold spot was at the base of the
stairs by the front door of the converted victorian where the cold air welled
and stayed. She stops in the second bedroom and just stands there. Inside the
room is a desk, file cabinent and a good lamp.
“Are you okay, Auntie?” MeiMei hesitates before asking.
“Where is Li’s room? Where is my girl going to sleep? She should have this room.”
MeiMei winces. Lying to her elders is against her nature. But she knows it the same as Li does. Uncle Harry is old school like Grandmother, it would be a toss up on which he would prefer– Li dead or Li living with Mr Morgan. Either is just going to break his heart. Best to just let it ride for awhile until things got calmed down rather than adding more fuel to the fire. “Watch this.” She goes over to the wall that looks like a short long dresser that runs almost the whole length of one wall and she unhooks a couple of latches. Thanks to the good hinges on the murphy bed, the single eases down from the wall already made and ready to go. “It’s all ready for Li. And you’re going to need an office, a study, for your business and for going to school to learn English.” Mei winces again. If Auntie goes to language school here then she is going to be running into Li. Going to have to call her cousin about that. Things are about to get complicated.
Out in the living room, Jerry and AJ have finally arrived after getting all the luggage sorted and are getting acquainted. Harry has one of the good chairs and the Judge is sitting in the other. Figuring that Harry is on medication still, Cookie has brewed up some tea for everyone. Rita makes sure that everyone has a cup. Best thing for a cold day.
Harry indicates with a casted hand toward Lucas. “This is the son you tell me of? Fine boy.”
“He is.” Jerry replies first in Chinese and then in English. “This is my son-in-law, AJ. Carly’s husband. He’s the one with the jet we flew back in. This is the grandson, Michael.” Jerry gives Michael a boost up into his arms and Michael returns the favor with a kiss on the cheek and hug that practically strangles. “And we’ve got another one on the way.”
“You are a rich man.” Harry replies in heavily accented English with a nod. He looks at AJ. “Both of you.”
AJ nods in agreement knowing that Harry isn’t talking about money in the bank.
“And your other daughter, Jerry?” Harry inquires. “The reason that you became involved in helping my family?”
“Actually became involved because of AJ’s brother, Jason. But Maddy is the one who knew all of your family here long before I knew about your situation. I’m sure Maddy will be dropping by soon here or at the store. She’s been working on getting that ready for you. She doesn’t take much after my family in the looks department.” Jerry adds wryly.
“Thankfully.” Bobbie teases. She gets her purse out and pulls out a picture that she managed to snap when nobody was looking. Originally she’d gotten the picture because of Carly and then they’d found out that Maddy was Jerry’s daughter. “Here is a picture of Maddy and Carly. They were probably going shopping. Maddy stays with her boyfriend up the street.” Bobbie starts laying the foundation for the Chows to be reunited.
Harry almost bites his tongue but can’t resist. “You approve of this?” He asks hesitantly not wanting to embarrass or shame his new friend.
Jerry shrugs; he knows what Bobbie is doing. “Girl is over eighteen. In this country that means she gets to make her own decisions. Maddy has her own money, her own business. She plans on going to college. If she asks my opinion I’ll give it to her but don’t have a leg to stand on about most of her decisions.”
“She’s hardheaded like her father.” Bobbie interjects. “You can’t tell Maddy anything. Ask sure. Suggest sure. Tell– no way.”
Jerry does the translation with a roll of his eyes. That has Harry grinning. Hardheaded daughters are a father’s curse and blessing.
Grandmother had heard Maddy’s name and the discussion and quickly fills her brother in on all the business dealings that she’d had with Maddy and the help she’d been when Grandmother and Mei had been brought into the police station. “Her Auntie is a lawyer like Perry Mason. Maddy lives with her rich boyfriend and takes care of his Grandmother and little sister. She is a very good girl, very respectful of her elders. Anything you need you tell Maddy, she get for you or find out how to get.”
“I’m going to head out.” Ricky announces to the room at large figuring he’d done his bit for being neighborly. He finishes his tea and cookies and hands the cup to Rita.
“Hold on a second.” Cookie demands. She pulls Bobbie, Mei and her Grandmother into a private conversation in the kitchen. Ricky pulls up a stool at the breakfast bar waiting for whatever is going on to be settled.
“What’s up?” Bobbie asks curiously with a serious look on her face.
“I’m not liking the looks of Yuen Chow.” Cookie says quietly. “She’s... shell shocked.”
Mei knows that the reason she was pulled into the conversation is for translating and quickly and quietly lets her Grandmother know what Cookie said.
Bobbie nods. “Harry and Jerry bonded in Hawaii and then flying over.” She turns to Mei’s grandmother. “And from what I understand your brother has been writing to Father Frank for years. He has you and Mei. He already has so many ties here. Yuen only has your brother. I think she’s waiting for the other shoe to drop or I don’t know-- thinking all along that everything was temporary but now this is permanent? It’s got to be a hell of an adjustment.”
Cookie, who doesn’t want to step on too many toes but figures she is going to be get her way on this one, says pretty quietly. “Mei can stay with us until the weekend. That’ll give you a chance to get your sister in law settled in. If you want.” Cookie adds at the end as an afterthought so it sounds like an offer rather than an order.
Ricky figures why he is sitting in on the conversation. “Mei, you keep in contact with your grandmother and that way if they need anything we can run a relay of info. Take care of things when I pick you and the munchkin up from school.”
Cookie nods her appreciation of Ricky picking up on the situation. Course she’d given him enough of a clue. “You really weren’t expected back until this weekend or later and Mei is no problem.”
Mei does the translation and then offers her own. “Please Grandmother?! I’ll call everyday. Twice a day. I promise.”
“I am sorry to be such a bother.” Mei’s Grandmother tells Cookie.
“Mei is no bother.” Cookie counters. “Ricky will bring the girls by after school tomorrow.” What’s said is said and she nods in Ricky’s direction.
“I’ll be right across the hall.” Ricky looks at the older chinese woman. “You need anything have any questions... give Mei a call, come knock on my door. We’ll figure things out.” Ricky looks over at Cookie. “I’m out.” It’s a statement but a question.
Cookie nods. “I’m going to be making dinner after Rita’s basketball game tomorrow.” It’s a statement but also an offer.
Ricky nods but doesn’t answer. He goes back into the living room and says his goodbyes again to everyone there. He doesn’t even stop at his apartment before he is down the stairs and out the front. He has some more research to do and it didn’t look like he was going to get any peace and quiet around here. Not tonight.
“Hey Ricky.” A voice calls out to him from down the block.
He starts walking in that direction but as he nears slows way down. “Well Hell. What the **** is that?”
“You like my new puppy?” Maddy teases.
“Puppy. Um... Maddy?” The dog is looking at him with just a little too much interest. Ricky has always thought of himself more as a cat person anyway.
“Mir, this is Ricky.” Ricky relaxes a bit as he sees the dog wagging its tail. “Oh and just so you know. The next time you get the great idea about grabbing me by the arm and dragging me into the van to have a private conversation... ummm. Don’t.”
Nikolas had been delayed by Louise who had happened to see the two of them walking the neighborhood and catches up with Maddy just in time to hear the last comment. “Oh no, Do. Please. Do.”
“He does and you’re paying to get the blood out of the carpet.” Maddy counters to Nikolas sharply. Before giving Ricky additional information. “I already emailed Poppi in case he gets the notion to just drop by. Although I figure no way either he or Granny Sophia is just going to be stopping by until about May or later. Everybody has got to call first from now on-- find out if Mir is home.”
“Louise is going to put it in the newsletter.” Nik adds wryly. “It’s gone beyond just a newsletter now. She’s talking E news with a webpage.”
“Great. You can dump that on Lucky.” Maddy suggests helpfully.
“True.” Nik is already feeling better about the newsletter.
“I have some place to be.” Ricky declares and pulls his keys out of his pocket. This standing around outside is stupid. At least the dog has a fur coat.
“I was just wondering how the Chows were settling in.”
Ricky takes a step closer. “Cookie is worried about Mrs Chow. She’s got a don’t know which way is up look on her face. Heard Mei tell Rita that she just about lost it when she thought there wasn’t a room in the apartment for Li.”
“Ouch.” Maddy winces sympathetically. She looks to Nikolas for a suggestion on what to do.
“What is already being done?” Nik asks.
Ricky shrugs. “Cookie is going to keep Mei a little longer so that her grandmother can stay with her brother and Mrs Chow. I’m sure that as things go on the grandmother will call Mei and Mei will call one of us to help out: Cookie, me, Maddy, Jerry, Jason Morgan– depending on the situation.
Over at the Harborview Towers, Li works on her language homework. Jason reads one of his travel guides and both of them wait for something to happen. When Li’s phone rings, Jason actually relaxes. Now either things would be fine or there would be something to do. But this sitting around and waiting is bull.
“Hello?” Li inquires carefully afraid that maybe her secret was out and it would be one of her parents on the other end of the line.
“Li? It’s Meimei. I’m staying over at Rita’s house until the weekend so Grandmother can stay with your mom.” And that opens it up. Both of them hold the conversation in Chinese so that the people they are with won’t understand. Cookie, The Judge, Rita or Jason– it doesn’t matter. This is family business now.
Li gets up from the table where she is working on her homework and goes into the kitchen. She paces the floor as she listens to everything that had happened since her parents arrived in New York. Going over to her parents wouldn’t make things easier. It would make things harder. Have to come up with another idea. She stops in her tracks as something occurs to her. “Meimei?”
“Wei?” Yes?
“That man that friend of Rita, Ricky, lives right across the hall from them.”
“Wei.” Yes.
“And he is very forgetful.”
Mei doesn’t get it. “Not really. He knows everything going on. What he doesn’t know already-- Rita tells him. He just missed that one basketball game; he’s been to all the others.”
“But at the dinner, you remember, he was in trouble for not remembering to eat... to take a shower for three days because he was working on a project.”
“Okay.” Over at the Judge’s house, Mei hesitates as she draws that one out in English. Rita and Cookie both give her a look. It’s the first english from Mei since she’d borrowed the phone.
“You need to tell Mama about him.”
“How is that going to help anything?”
“Just tell her.”