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Continued...

Jonathan Preston looks at his son with curiosity as Rick gazes out the window. Rick came to visit his father just over an hour ago to discuss a particular case at the office. However, little discussion arose about the case today due to Rick's distant state.

"Are you here, son?" Jonathan finally breaks the silence.

"Oh yeah," Rick jumps at his father's commanding voice. "Just have a lot on my mind right now."

"Well, you need to leave your worries at the door. This is business, son. You need to have a clear head."

"Thanks for the heads up, Dad. I can always count on you when I'm going through a rough time."

"Don't give me attitude, Rick. I'm just trying to keep things professional around here."

"We're at the house, Dad- not at work. You can be sensitive to other's feelings."

"Don't be a sissy and start talking about your feelings," Jonathan grunts. "You're a strong man, Rick. I know you have it in you to pull yourself together."

"Well thanks for the vote of confidence!"

"What is so wrong anyway?" Jonathan inquires.

"I'm asking Kayla for a divorce. There...how is that? Your son is a screw up just like you knew all along. He can't even save his own marriage."

Jonathan is taken back and pauses for a moment before responding. "Son, I don't know how I gave you the impression that I think you're a screw up- but I certainly don't. I'm actually very proud of you for persevering. Between us, I don't think that Kayla woman was anything special to begin with. Besides, she is a Landon."

"Look Dad, I don't need to hear anything about how she's a Landon and how she has pure evil in her blood. I've heard that song too many times before."

"Well son, I don't know what else to say. It looks like you've gotten yourself into quite a pickle here. I mean, you do have your daughter to think about. Oh, and by the way, who is the woman with the darker features who keeps coming to see you at the office?"

"I'm sure you mean Liz Bryant. She's just a good friend."

"I see...and does Kayla know about her?"

"Well, yes.that's one of the biggest problems. Kayla is insanely jealous of her." Rick reveals.

"Maybe she has a reason to be, son. You have been spending long hours at the office. Not that I'm defending a Landon, but she is your wife. Perhaps your focus should be on Kayla and that baby. Instead, it seems like you're spending all this time with that Liz Bryant character."

"Look Dad, in all due respect, I don't need your advice. Everything will be fine...forget I said anything."

"As long as you say, son...just think things over and start to prioritize what is important in your life. The number one woman in your life shouldn't be Liz or Kayla for that matter- it should be that beautiful baby girl you have at home."


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Scene: Pacifica Catch- Bar and Grill.

Jason takes a deep breath before grabbing the handle and entering the restaurant. His mind is racing as he tries to still process the call he received from Steve only a few hours ago. He still can't believe that his father called him out of the blue like this, although he suspects that Diane may have had something to do with it.

"Hey Dad," Jason smiles as he instantly sees his father standing near the host. "Have you been here long?"

"No, I actually just got here," Steve replies before extending his arms out. Jason has never known his father to give out hugs, so he's a bit curious as to why he is doing so now.

Jason embraces his father with a hug which seems to last an eternity. The level of awkwardness rises to a dangerous level in Jason's mind as he looks around and notices many guys around his age.

"Shall we sit?" Jason asks before the host takes them to their table.

"It's good to see you, Jason. It's certainly been awhile"

"Thanks Dad, it's good to see you as well. So what's up?"

"What do you mean, what's up? Does something have to be up for me to want to see my son?"

"No, of course not" Jason bites his lip. "I just haven't heard much from you."

"Well, just so you know, I did try calling quite a bit after you found out about Keith. I felt so bad for you, son. I can't imagine losing someone that close to me anyway, your phone was always off."

"We actually weren't that close in the end, Dad. We had broken up last spring. But still, we were working on a friendship and it was still really hard on me when I found out."

Steve nods, slightly embarrassed that he didn't even know the two had broken up. The whole fact just shows that he didn't know much about what was going on in Jason's life at all.

"So why now?" Jason boldly asks. "Why lunch now?"

"To be honest," Steve clears his throat and continues, "I feel like I don't know you anymore. You're my son and I'm always going to love you...I just want to know what's going on in your life. I mean, do you really know how much I love you, son?"

Jason gives a returning nod, still unaware of how to handle his father's words. This is the first time that Steve has spoken in such a way to him.

"I love you too, Dad...and I'm sorry for not calling you either. It should be a two-way street. I've just been going through a lot...a lot of things I can't discuss, but I've been having a real hard time."

"Is it finances? I can help you out, son."

"No, no...I don't need money. I'm going through something right now that no amount of money can fix..."

"Well son, I wish you would tell me. I'm worried about you. Does this have to do with you being gay at all? I know you had a hard time when you came out- and partially I take blame for not handling things too well. I should've been more supportive. I'm so sorry, Jason."

"Thanks Dad, I appreciate that...but unfortunately, it doesn't really have to do with that either. I'm okay with being okay. I'm just not okay with some news I was given a few months back...in fact, it devastated me."

Steve's mind starts racing as he fears the worst. Did his son actually acquire something incurable? He wonders if Jason will have the courage to tell him as they both stare at each other in utter silence.

To be Continued...

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Now your thoughts...

• Will Jason have the courage to tell Steve the truth?
• Will Rick carry on with the divorce?
• How will Liz handle things differently?
• What will Kayla's next move be?
  
  Please let us know your thoughts and any other feedback you have in the Pac Heights Forum!