Page 110 of Creed

“Alis, no. I have no desire to make a good man sound like a…” She searched for the words.

“Pedophile?” I asked and her eyes grew.

“God no, he was no such thing. Times were different in those days.” She said.

“Bullshit Nicole. They were not that much different in the nineties.”

She looked disappointed. “Regardless of what you think of the age difference, he was a good man. He lost the love of his life, and I took advantage of that, but he never stopped the good things he did for this world. He was a good father to you,and that’s what matters. This wasn’t supposed to be about him. It was supposed to be about you. This is over a decade too late. I should have told you when you became of age. I should have come to speak with you then, but I didn’t want to disrespect your father, because he was the one that raised you. I guess I hoped you would come to me when you were ready, and I have a gift of putting things that hurt out of mind. It was better for me to go on with my life and try to forget my baby boy. I realize now that none of it should have been about us, your father and me. It was about you. I realized my selfishness probably made you feel like I thought you were unworthy, when it's the other way around. I realized that I might not survive this disease, and I couldn’t go to my grave with these secrets. I’m asking for your forgiveness, not for my benefit but yours. I’ll always have this guilt, but even if you walk out of here and never speak to me again, that’s fine. I deserve that, but you do not. The young woman that gave birth to you hardly exists anymore, and you suffered most for that. Your father was right, you deserved a mother like Elizabeth would have been for you. I can never be that kind of mother. I’m owning up for my mistakes, not just to you but to everyone. I learned of my cancer right before I saw you at the funeral. If I would have been a good mother I would have fought for you. I would have stayed in that marriage, but I was selfish and demanded too much. To be honest, as I look back at it now, your love was all I ever needed. I was a silly girl that believed I deserved more, but Alis, you were all I needed all along. I didn’t just cheat you out of a mother, I cheated myself out of the truest love of my life. He was born thirty two years ago come this September.”

I sat back and crossed my arms. “So let me guess, this selfishness is now behind you?”

She gave me a guilty smile. “That selfish young lady grew up to be a spoiled woman. I have more amends to make, but I know me. I know I’ll always wonder what’s in it for me. Mostly attention, I guess. I always have an overwhelming need to matter, and I’ve not quite figured out how to let that go, it’s somehow embedded in me. It always has been, and I suspect it always will be, and I’m just trying to be honest. Speaking of that, I need to speak with Morgan.”

I shook my head. “That’s not a good idea.”

She sighed. “I may have taken advantage of her, and I’d like to apologize. She’s a darling young woman and she didn’t deserve what I did to her. The girl may be an amazing actor, but she was never meant for Hollywood. She is too pure of heart for this cesspool of greedy and shameless people like myself.”

“And what about Jonathan? He was a part of it as well.” I asked.

“He’s not exactly remorseful. He’s also a little preoccupied with his next movie and the boys. Your brothers aren’t doing that good, Creed. We haven’t been the best parents.” She paused then reached into her purse for her wallet, then eventually pulled out two pictures. “Weston got arrested two days ago.” She laid his photo down then pinched the bridge of her nose before mumbling something.

I leaned forward. “Sorry, I didn’t catch that last part.”

She sighed then glared down at his photo. “It was indecent exposure and assault. Thank God he is a juvenile and won’t need to register as a sex offender.”

“Jesus, what the hell did he do?”

She cleared her throat. “He took a dare when he was with friends and spotted Justin Bieber.”

I leaned forward. “Go on.” I knew it had to be good.

“Your brother managed to get close and proceeded to moon the man and ask Mr. Bieber to suck his ass. Then got the bright idea to pass gas, except Weston suffers from irritable bowel syndrome. Needless to say, more happened than just breaking wind. He was charged with indecent exposure and the unfortunate little IBS surprise landed him with assault charges.”

I leaned back in my seat. “You’re telling me, my little brother shit on Justin Bieber?” Maybe I was having a good day after all. That gave me bragging rights, correct?

“I wouldn’t say he did it on him per se, but more like projectiled and landed right in front of his feet.” I could see she was still angry.

I burst out in laughter, but she was obviously unamused.

“Karter is another story.” She changed the subject. “He wanted to be an actor, but getting a girl pregnant at sixteen hinders those plans.”

I froze. “Wait, he’s having a kid?”

“She’s fifteen and due in October.” She rolled her eyes. “Do you know how bad this looks for me?”

I lost all my amusement and glared at her. “Are you serious? You just told me how you struggle with selfishness then say that to me? He’s a child and it’s his life that’s ruined. You’re going to be a grandmother, and you have cancer. I’d think you would be more concerned with his future than your reputation. What about the kid, can he take care of a child?”

She sighed. “You’re right. It’s not about me…well at least not as much as it’s about them. Anyway, I seriously doubt it. The boy is more concerned with his vanity than anything. He’s a handsome kid, but his priorities better change real quick. Put it this way, Weston has the higher GPA out of the two.”

I shook that off then changed the subject to her prognosis and treatment plan.

Handsome

Morgan

I couldn’t help but feel nervous. Not just about attending a premier where Creed would have to watch intimate scenes I made with other men, but about Nicole. I hoped and prayed Creed kept his cool. I was also silly enough to hope Nicole could give Creed some closure.

Addie played next to me as my hair and nails were being done. One of Creed’s men was on the balcony and two more were standing outside the suite doors. Melissa was out sightseeing and due back anytime.

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