The story so far:
"Baby Daddy Drama" -> (11 skipped) -> "Clean Up Woman" -> "Gives Me All His Love"
Monday came a little too early for Savannah. She had the hardest time getting the boys dressed this morning because of the pain in her hand. Savannah sat in her office, a small ice pack on her knuckles. They were bruised a little and still slightly swollen from hitting Sandra. A small smile crept up on her lips. It felt good to hit Sandra. She knew those thoughts were coming back. If no one else had been around, she didn't know what she would have done to her.
Putting the ice pack on her desk, she stretched her fingers. She was embarassed at her behavior. What's worse, is that all her hard work had gone down the toilet, all because of a man. She couldn't shake the feeling of seeing Dwight there with Sandra. She tried hard to find a good reason for him to be there with her and she couldn't. Every idea she had took a turn for the worst when she realized that he was still there.
'You have another delivery, Ms. White." her asistant exclaimed through the intercom.
Savannah looked around her office at the many bouquets of flowers. Dwight had been calling her since Saturday night, leaving messages, pleading with her to let him explain. Savannah was torn between answering and letting him suffer. Kim suggested that Savannah should have him kidnapped and beat up in the back of an old van. She could not escape her disappointment though. Dwight was supposed to be different. She sighed as the delivery man entered her office, this time with balloons and a teddy bear.
"Thank you." Savannah had no idea what to do about Dwight. But that would have to wait. She was more concerned with the livelihood of her and her boys. She was sure Dean had heard about it by now, Duncan Clarke having pulled out of the deal. No sooner had Dean entered her thoughts than he entered her office.
"I love to hear the latest gossip. It keeps me entertained. But when I hear, and from my sister in law no less, that one of my employees was throwing down in the driveway of one of our prospective clients, I can't tell you how bad that makes me look. And you know I don't like to look bad. Now you tell me what I'm supposed to do here."
Savannah remained silent, knowing that if she opened her mouth, she wasn't sure what would come out.
"That's fine. You don't have to say anything. I want you out of the office by the end of close today. Oh, and Savannah, just think of all the perks you could have had if you had just come down off your high horse and got with the program. Your job would be the last thing to go." Dean paused and looked down at his nails. "Such a shame too. You had so much potential." He slid out of her office. Savannah bit her lip and refused to cry. She also refused to work the rest of the day.
She walked over to her closet and grabbed the same box she used when she first arrived in her new office. Thankfully she had been saving, and that would hold them over for a little while. Surprisingly though, after a few minutes, she didn't want to cry. She wanted to burn something. Rage soared inside of her as thoughts of burning down the office and slashing Dean's tires churned in her head. She thought about filing an anonymous report about his proposal to her and all the other women in the building. But she knew it was too soon. Everyone wold think she did it because she got fired. That would be part of the reason.
Her assistant appeared at her side. "I just heard. He had no right. But you'll be okay. You're smart, you'll make it through." she offered, while grabbing some of the office supplies and putting them in a box.
"Thanks Michelle. You've been really helpful all these years. Make sure you stay away from Dean. He's fishing."
"Knock, knock."
The two women looked up just as Duncan came into Savannah's office. He was carrying her boys' backpack. "I hope this isn't a bad time." He sat the bag on the chair near her desk.
"Oh. No. Not at all." Savannah tucked the box under her chair, but not before Duncan saw it. "Michelle, that will be all, thank you."
Savannah waited until Michelle left the office. "Mr. Clarke. I'm sorry about what happened Saturday. I just felt overwhelmed. I wanted to apologize-" Savannah stopped when Duncan's large hand went up in the air, gesturing for her to stop.
"I didn't come here to lay you out or anything. I could have done that over the phone. But I am here on behalf of my nephew and to tell you why I am glad you came that day." He paused. "You mind if I sit down?"
"No, please." She sat also.
"Dwight has always been booksmart. We never had a problem with him as far as grades go. But he did lack a certain something when it came to common sense. I guess what I'm trying to say is that he made a huge mistake on Saturday and he begged me to come talk to you."
"No offense, but why did he send you? Why not call or come himself?" She crossed her arms over her chest.
"He said he tried to call but you told him to kiss you where the sun don't shine and you stopped taking his calls."
"I did. I'm pissed because the woman he claimed to have nothing to do with, was the very same woman with him at your house. All he had to do was tell me upfront about his relationship with her. But I just felt betrayed."
"I can surely understand your anger and frustration. But you should see him. He's all broken down and he hasn't talked to Sandra since. He swears to me that nothing happened between them. And I believe him. He has always told me the truth."
"I'm sorry Duncan, but I don't want to see him."
"I will not make excuses for my nephew because he's a grown man. But at least hear him out. We all make mistakes." He stood up.
"I guess. Before you go, I wanted to apologize about messing up your party. I just got so mad."
"I'm glad you punched her. She deserved it. I'm sure there will be no more problems from her." He laughed. "What's the box for?"
"I... ummm. I was fired today. My boss heard about what happened at your place and told me to leave before the day was out." She pulled the box from under her desk.
"Oh no. We can't have that. I'll talk to him and see what we can do." Duncan looked around her office. "Do you have a bathroom in here?"
"Sure. That door right behind you."
Savannah continued stuffing her things into the box on her desk. She looked up to find Dean Mitchell walking in. "I've had time to think about some things. My offer still stands. I'll be willing to give you your job back, in fact if you can convince me to, I'll give you that promotion. You'll get a pay raise and a vacation apartment wherever you like in the States." He leaned against the chair that Duncan had been sitting in. "I'd only need you three times a week. All expenses are handled by me. And if you get a boyfriend, then let me know and we can take it down to twice a week."
Just then, the bathroom door swung open and Duncan seemed as if he leaped and landed in front of Dean. "Did I just hear what I thought I heard?"
Dean, apparently shaken, glanced from Savannah back to the large black man in his face. "Mr. Clarke. Glad you're here. You should be pleased to know that I fired her and we'll have someone on your account in a matter of hours."
Duncan wrapped his hands around Dean's neck and added some pressure. Savannah stood still, a small smile creeping up on her face. "I think I heard you disrespect this woman. I don't like it. And just for the record, I'm moving my account. There are a couple of my associates that have accounts here. I'll be telling them about this little incident. I'm sure they'll be giving you a call tomorrow morning. If I were you, I'd be looking for a phone call from BBB. Sexual harrassment isn't too popular with them." He dropped Dean in the chair and gestured for Savannah to join him.
Savannah grabbed the box off her desk and followed Duncan out to the parking lot. Of course, all eyes were on her as she walked and before she turned and got on the elevator, she flipped them all off.
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Savannah stood on the porch, her knuckles pressed against the large wooden door. She hadn't knocked and was unsure if she wanted to. After the debacle at the office, she thanked Duncan and picked her boys up. Knowing that she needed to talk with Dwight about their relationship, she dropped them off at her sister's. He was more than happy to have her over, as he expressed when she callled him. She fixed her hair and knocked softly on the door.
Dwight answered, not at all looking like the man she was used to seeing. He was wearing old gray sweat pants and a beat up white tee shirt. His eyes were puffy. She wasn't sure if he had been sleeping or crying. He wiped his face with his hand and tucked them back in his pocket. "Hi."
"Hi." There was a thick awkwardeness in the air, like they were meeting for the first time. There was something about his apparent vulnerability that she found endearing. He seemed smaller, less sure of himself.
'Im sorry," He moved to the side. "please come in."
Savannah had been to his home briefly, when he forgot his wallet on their way out, or when she came to pick something up. His layout was similliar to hers except that his foyer was bigger. It led into a large living room that required one to step down. There was a chocolate brown sofa set that was large and took up quite a bit of floor space. Underneath of it was a large, red area rug. A nice sized cherry wood coffee table rested in the middle of the space. The furniture was arranged around a marbled fireplace. She had always wanted a fireplace, with the exact same kind of mantle over top of it. There were candles lit on the mantle that cast a soft glow throughout the room. Long red drapes hung off the windows down to the floor, allowing no light to get into the room.
Savannah stepped down into the living room, Dwight behind her. She noticed that all the couch pillows were piled up the largest couch. 'Was he sleeping here?' She thought to herself.
"Sorry." He reached around her and grabbed the pillows arranging them on the couch. He gestured for her to sit down and he sat beside her. "All I can say is that I'm sorry."
"Really, because I think you can say a lot more than that. Start with whether or not you are in a relationship with her." Savannah sat back against the couch.
"No. Well, we were going to try, for Izzy, but then I saw you at my uncle's house and things just seemed clear. I know how it must have looked to see us there together. I didn't mean to hurt you. I didn't think you'd be there. What are the chances that you knew my uncle?"
"So, if I hadn't caught you there with her, would you still be in a relationship with her?
"What difference does that make." Dwight sat forward.
"Because I need to know if you stopped seeing her because you wanted to, or because you got caught. Because the Dwight I know, told me that he wasn't into games like this and I believed him. So I think it will make a lot of difference once you answer the question." Savannah was ready for battle.
"Because I didn't want to be with her. I mean, it's good that she wants a relationship with Izzy, but I honestly can't see myself with her anymore."
"Then why, Dwight? Hmm? Why even go there? You either wanted to have us both, or you didn't want me. Which was it?"
"Savannah, listen, I made a mistake. It's just that she came over the other night and we got to talking about what she went through and how much she missed being a mother and how much she missed me and I guess I got caught up in what could be. Thinking about creating a family for Isabella."
Savannah held her head in her hands. She sighed heavily, knowing the decision she had to make would be a big one. She wanted so much to believe him. Believe his eyes, believe his words. But the fact that he'd done it, despite declaring how much he loved her, made her completely nervous. How he'd made love to her, how he'd held her in his arms like she belonged there.
"Savannah?" Dwight's hands touched hers. "What are you thinking?"
"Dwight, I don't know. My gut is telling me to leave you alone. I'm not sure what to do with this. How do I know that the next time she comes around, talking about being a family, you won't go running back to her?"
Dwight moved closer to her. "Because I love you. It took this happening for me to realize it, but then again, I've never really been smart when it came to women."
"So I hear," Savannah laughed awkwardly. She stood up and adjusted her jacket. "I have to go. I'll think about all this. It's just so much going on."
Dwight stood up slowly, his hand reaching for hers. "I'm sorry Savannah. I want you to know that. Nothing happened between Sandra and I. Not that she wasn't trying but I just kept thinking about that night you and I spent together and I knew that Sandra could not compete with what you and I shared. Just take your time." He walked her to her car and waited for her to get in.
Savannah looked at him, a shell of himself. She remembered that night. She also remembered crying. Not because she was in pain, or because she regretted it. But because she had never had a man make love to her whole being the way Dwight had made love to her. She thought back to being cradled in his arms, his body so close to hers, she thought they would melt into each other. He'd held her all night, and whenever she moved, he followed. She had felt loved then.
"Can you tell my uncle we talked? He threatened to kill me if I didn't make things right with you." He smiled.
'Yea. I can do that." Savannah smiled back. Dwight kissed her cheek and when she pulled off, she could see him still waving in her rearview mirror.
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"Well, at least his apology was halfway decent." Kim yawned into the phone.
"I know. But why did he do it Kim? And you should have seen her, looking all smug standing next to him. I was embarassed." Savannah whispered as she tucked her boys into bed and headed to her own.
"But look, you said you power punched her. Now she's embarassed. And he called you to come over. What did he look like?"
"He had on some wrinkled sweatpants and tee shirt. Some old socks. His eyes were red, and his face was hairier than usual." Savannah crawled into the bed.
"So, he ain't been sleeping right. If your conscience is bothering you, and you really sorry, you are not going to be able to get a good night's rest until you make amends. And that's what he's trying to do." She paused. "And what I'm trying to do is get some from my husband."
"Ewww! Okay. Go, go." Savannah quickly hung the phone up and stared at the receiver. She wanted to call Dwight so bad. She missed him. Though it had only been a few days, she missed their phone conversations and how he sounded when he told her he loved her. But each time she reached for the phone or started to drive by his house, she would remember why she was mad. She sighed and picked up the phone.
"Dr. Scott here." A deep voice filtered through the phone.
"I'm sorry, is it too late? This is Savannah."
"One moment, Savannah." She could hear the creaking of a bed and him moan and groan as he moved around. She held the receiver to her hear, waiting for him to come back on the line. The longer she waited, the more she felt like it was a mistake. Savannah started to hang the phone up when she heard his voice.
"Yea?" She asked.
"I said it has been a while. Is everything okay?" She heard papers rustling around.
"Well, I think I need to see you. I assaulted a man and a woman at a cookout."
Dr. Scott chuckled. "A man? What did you do to that man?"
"I grabbed him by his private area and squeezed them until they almost fell off. Then I popped a woman that I thought was seeing my boyfriend. At least I think he's my boyfriend."
"You don't know if he'sd your boyfriend?" Dr. Scott asked her.
Savannah could imagine him having a field day with his note pad and pencil. She sighed. "It's complicated. We have talked about it and we act like it, but we never really came out and said it."
"And why not?"
"I don't know. I'm waiting for something. I mean, he is a good man and all, but I don't know why I can't say yes."
"Is it possible that you are waiting for him to mess up?"
Savannah started to object, but when she thought about, it felt as if a light bulb went off in her head. She dropped her head and a smile crept slowly across her face. "I think you may be right. But he did end up messing up."
"What did he do?" Dr. Scott yawned again. Savannah found herself wondering if he lived alone. Not that she was interested because the last thing she needed was to add another man to her craziness. She just wondered what kind of woman would be able to live with a man that had to take all kinds of calls from all kinds of patients at all hours of the night. A strong one she assumed. "Savannah?"
"Sorry. His uncle, who I didn't know was his uncle, invited me to his house. I went and saw Dwight there with his daughter's mother, the same woman he said he wasn't seeing like that. They looked mighty snug."
"But he's not your boyfriend."
Savannah was shocked by his reply. She was expecting him to come to her aid and tell her how bad of a man Dwight was. She wanted to feel like her anger was justified. Instead, she felt that maybe she had overreacted. "Hey, that's not why I called you. You're supposed to make me feel better."
"I'm not that kind of doctor. I know some, and if you don't mind paying for help that isn't going to benefit you, I can give you that number. As far as you and Dwight go, not five minutes ago you were telling me that you didn't know that he was your boyfriend. How confusing is that for a man?"
Savannah sighed. Leave it to the shrinks to make everything sound so evil. "But he knew I loved him. I told him."
"Yea, you did. But you also have not made him your boyfriend, which is saying something else. I am not condoning anyone's behavior, but I want you to start looking at situations from a different angle." He paused and she heard more papers shuffling around. "I want you to come in for an appointment. And I really think we need to discuss medication. If you are really bipolar, it's vital that we get you on something that can help you control the manic part of the disease."
"Bipolar? So I really could be sick, huh?" Savannah's head spun in circles. She thought about her father, his abuse, the way he died, not knowing anything that was going on around him.
"Of course, we need to run some tests, but you never know. You could just be tired and all that stuff that you are keeping bottled could be making it's way out. In a very overzealous way." Savannah made her appointment with Dr. Scott and nestled down for bed.


'On The Road Again' statistics: (click to read)

