Episode 062: THE GUIDING LIGHT
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The Guiding Light: Episode 062
Sunday, April 22, 2007
IN the LIGHT: Roger Thorpe's Memorial Service
Written By: Josh Hawkins & Dan Gobble
Sunday, April 22, 2007
IN the LIGHT: Roger Thorpe's Memorial Service
Written By: Josh Hawkins & Dan Gobble
This episode features the music of Keith Urban. The song used goes hand in hand with the episode and will make your reading pleasure a little more enjoyable. The link to the song is provided below.
**********
The clouds were hanging low and black as Amanda Spaulding-Thorpe placed one black high heel and then another onto the pavement in front of St. Luke’s church.
“Mrs. Thorpe.” She was greeted once inside, “Father Jamison, I’m so sorry that we weren’t able to meet yesterday. My sincere condolences on your loss.”
“Thank you, that’s very compassionate of you. I don’t think it is going to be something I hear that much of today.”
“Well…” he searched for the right words, “I’m sure there are many who join you in mourning.”
Amanda smiled, “No there’s not. You must not have known my beloved and vindictive husband Roger.” She paused, “Has anyone else arrived yet?”
“No you’re the first. Would you like me to take you to your seat?”
Amanda shook her head no, “I would like a few minutes alone however.”
Father Jamison opened the doors, she saw the coffin and walked towards it. “My darling…” she ran her index finger along the top of it. “Always knew it would end here, in Springfield, not death. I made myself believe that the great Roger Thorpe was indestructible and you have to show me up and die!”
Amanda turned away from him as she usually did when they spoke of Holly. “Even in death you picked her over me. You went our entire marriage loving her, wishing I were her. I felt you resented me at time because I wasn’t Holly. I knew you wanted to leave me, but I looked past that and I gave you my heart.” She turned back to face the casket, “And I’ve never regretted that decision and until the day I am laid to rest next to you, I will never regret it. I may not have been the love of your life Roger, but you were the love of mine.”
Amanda heard the doors open at the back. Without looking Amanda kissed her hand and in then placed it on the casket, “Goodbye my love, may you finally rest in peace.”
A single tear raced down Amanda’s cheek as Blake announced her arrival, “Good morning.”
“I’ll leave you alone.” Was all she said as Amanda headed back down the isle and exited the sanctuary.
**********
Alexandra poured herself a vodka-tonic and downed it within one drink.
“Ready for the fireworks? I’ve waited along time for this.”
Alexandra recalled life with Roger years earlier. Some of their best confrontations were held at the country club.
“And that’s before we even get the divorce. Oh I forgot to tell you Roger and I are getting a divorce.”
“And none to soon. You’re insane if you think I’m sticking around for this.”
“Oh come on Rog…you’re still smart aren’t you? Don’t you want to hear everything I have to say?”
She finished off her second drink when a knock came at the door.
“Your attire from the boutique downstairs ma’am.”
“Thank you.” Alex spent the next several minutes drinking and putting her assemble on. It was a black pantsuit, a white scarf around her neck and sunglasses to hide her eyes. The truth had been buried for her to long. It was time she set it all straight and let the chips fall where they may.
“I have a second chance.” She told herself before one final drink, “Okay Alexandra.” She looked in the mirror and stumbled a bit before heading out the door to the waiting car below.
*********
And Now "The Guiding Light"
**********
“I never understood what you saw in that woman.” Blake announced, “But then I was my father’s daughter. I married two Spaulding men, you married two Spaulding women.”
Blake took a seat on the front pew and looked at Roger’s casket, “I can’t believe you’re in that cedar box. I don’t know what to say to you…I’m angry that you’re not going to be around to see my kids grow up…and I’m sad because…” she choked up, “that I won’t be able to call you whenever Ross and I have a fight, because God knows we will. I actually thought a few months ago that Mom and Ross had rekindled some long lost love affair before I spoiled it all those years ago. And the first thing I thought of was, what would Roger do.”
She stood and placed her hand on the top of the casket, “No matter what I do from here on out, no matter who I am, whether it’s Mrs. Ross Marler or Blake Lewis,” she laughed at the thought, and “I consider myself blessed and lucky beyond words to be Roger Thorpe’s little girl I love you daddy.”
**********
Springfield assembled in the sanctuary of St. Luke’s. It would appear that the entire town had shut down. Everyone was there. Holly, Amanda, Blake and Ross sat on the first row opposite of those who come to pay their respects to the family.
Father Jamison took to the podium, “We are here to mourn and to celebrate the life of Roger Thorpe…”
“Apparently he never met Roger.” Ed whispered to Mike and they both chuckled.
“I have something I want to say about Roger.” Billy stood up from his seat. Mindy reached for his hand.
“Sit down daddy.” She warned, “Don’t make a scene.” Mindy told him in a whisper, “Please.”
“Now darlin’…” Billy spoke, “I have to speak my mind because if I don’t I’ll never get the chance to say this again.”
“Daddy!”
“All of these people know what type of bastard Roger was.”
Amanda bolted from her seat, “All right either sit down and shut up Billy Lewis or you get the hell out.”
“Amanda don’t act like you’re surprised at this.” He reached into his coat and pulled out one of HB’s old pistols.
“Daddy?! Is that a gun?” Mindy questioned, “What is going on?”
“Just doing the world a favor and making sure the bastard is dead.” He announced right before firing three holes into the casket, sending the sanctuary into a tailspin.
“JOSHUA!” Amanda irrupted once more as Blake called out as well, “ROSS!”
“Joshua you get your brother out of here right this minute.”
“Billy,” Ross lectured, “that was uncalled for.”
“Still defended the old son-of-a-bitch?” Billy questioned as Josh took his arm.
“Marah stay here with Mindy, we’re leaving.”
Marah shook his head, “I just done it for good measure.” Billy yelled out, “If Roger is really in that box then I know he’s dead for sure.” Before hitting the doors, “You all should thank me for having the guts to do it.”
Once the doors slammed shut Mindy spoke from her seat, “I am so sorry…”
“Mindy you are welcome to stay,” Amanda treaded cautiously, her nerves shot, “but do not open your mouth again. And one more outburst from anyone here and I’ll clear this church in a heartbeat and deprive you all from finally seeing what you’ve wanted for years, Roger dead.”
Blake took over the podium, adjusted the microphone and spoke softly, “Thank you all for being here, despite everything my father has done.” She unfolded a piece of paper and began to read, “Roger Adam Thorpe, successful businessman, father, grandfather, son died last week of a massive heart attack at his California home. His wife Amanda Spaulding of the home survives him. One daughter C. Blake Marler of Springfield, his father Adam Thorpe, five grandchildren…” she paused, “typically this where one would say and a host of friends and family, but that would be wrong. Consider all of you are not my father's friends. None of you were, he just had his casket shot out of God's sakes.”
“But here you are mocking his memory...you’re all fake and at least my father let you know where you stood with him. If he didn’t like you he let you know it…”
Her words trailed as the back door burst open and the father rolled his eyes.
“Am I too late?” A female voice asked, “God I hope not.” Alexandra ripped off her sunglasses, “Roger wouldn’t want me to miss this!” She purred shocking the entire congregation.
“Alexandra!” Lucy gasped under her breath, “She’s alive.”
Alex made her way down the isle, “I have a few things I want to say Chrissy…”
“You’re alive?” Blake replied as she stepped aside.
“That’s right, I’m alive. Did you all really think hell was ready for both Rog and I?” Alex tapped the microphone, “This is still on right? Good! Roger Thorpe…I was ex-wife… number three was it? And my relationship…” her speech was slurred, “my relationship and my marriage with Rog was a love-hate marriage. I loved to hate him and hated to love ‘em. Because, I did love him…you hear me Roger…I loved you for all of about ten minutes…” she leaned against the podium, “He was always trying to one up me…staying one step…ahead…of me in everyway…even in death. See I’m really dead, or at least that’s what everyone thinks…I guess the afterlife just didn’t know what to do with both of us there so I was spared. I guess I oh Rog some gratitude.” She laughed as Blake approached the podium, “You…step back Blake…I’m done here. I brought this man back into lives when I died the last time, I have right to speak my mind. I was in a plane accident, you remember that don’t you Alan…with Fletcher…” Alex cut her eyes toward Holly, “I was one of the lucky ones, wasn’t I Holly. I managed to get away. It seems to me that we are kindred spirits. Sadly, we also have the same taste in men. I just don’t know why you sit there and mourn the man who raped you!”
Alex looks around the room.
“Amanda…where are you? I haven’t forgotten you honey. My sometime sister."
“Perhaps you should go home Alex, be with your family.”
“No…” Alex waved her hand in the air, “I have a point to make. You all know Roger’s grieving widow Amanda, my half-sister. It was Roger who uncovered the deep, dark family secret that she was Brandon’s daughter…I knew all along…I know lots of things and I’ve had many, many secrets. Rog brought to us our gold digging, black sheep sister…he did. And I got scared back then after the truth was exposed and in typical Alexandra fashion I ran away.” She nodded her head, “I ran away again recently, because of secret…and I almost…ALMOST!” She raised her voice, “Almost paid the ultimate price…” Alex stumbled away from the podium down to Roger’s casket and slammed her hand down on it, “Save a hot spot for me Rog, maybe in hell we can be friends…” Holly lowered her head in disgust as Amanda approached Alexandra.
“We’re all very relieved that you are alive and well Alexandra, but I will not allow your tirade to continue. This is my husband’s memorial service, not your own personal soap box.”
“Shut up Amanda!” She spoke loud and harshly, “Roger is eating this up. And besides if it weren’t for me coming back all those years ago to confirm what I always knew, you wouldn’t even be here. And that’s what I’m about to do, right now…” she pumped her fist into the air, “confirm what I’ve always know…ladies…gentlemen…Rog…my son is here!”
Mindy looked around her for Nick but no sign of him.
“Not Nick you little bitch!” Alex shouted at Mindy, “He wouldn’t give you the time of day anymore and I swear to God in Heaven Melinda Lewis you keep your crummy little hands off of him…” she paused to build the suspense even further, “my son…” she shouted, “who I gave up for adoption on my terms, not Brandon’s or Alan’s, but mine…Mr. Gus Aitoro!”
Gasps swept through the church as a shell shocked Gus froze, Lucy by his side. “Well go on Gus, stand up, and make your presence known. And thank Roger for it…”
Almost like she had ordered Gus stood up and exited the sanctuary, with Lucy quickly behind him. Alexandra looked across the church at their faces, “What?” She questioned, “You’re all sitting there shocked…don’t be.” She turned back to Blake, “Carry on with your mourning. I have a family to reunite with.”
**********
“Are you okay?” Lucy finally caught up with Gus in the parking lot.
“How am I supposed to answer that?” He fired back…
“Gus…” Alex caught up with them, “This is not my fault,” she stumbled, “this is not my fault. You wanted the truth and I gave it you.”
“Alexandra. I think you should have your drive take you back to the mansion.” Lucy suggested, “Let me talk with Gus.”
“What the hell are you going to do Lucy? Scream my name some more? Because that worked so well the last time.” Alexandra fired off.
“That’s not fair…” she was hurt, “Don’t you dare, not even for one second place that guilt on me.”
“She’s right. This is all your doing.” Gus told her, “I’m out of here.”
“Wait, you don’t want to talk?” Alex asked, “You’ve asked for the truth, you’ve begged for the truth Gus…this is it.”
“Maybe I only thought I wanted the truth.” He slammed the car door and spun off in a heat of anger.
“Welcome home Alexandra.” Lucy sighed, “This solved everything, congratulations!”
“Lucy…”
“What?”
“Harley?”
Lucy stopped mid-step, “Barely Alexandra. And just so you know, until she recovers fully I hold you responsible. Her blood is on your hands. Go have another drink and get the hell out of my sight.”
**********
Holly felt the cool air hit her bare legs and she dropped Blake’s hand, “I want to be alone with your father, one last time please.”
“Okay.” Blake kissed Holly’s cheek. “I’ll ride back with Amanda to the Spaulding mansion, and leave you the car.”
“Thank you honey.” Holly looked intently at Roger’s final resting spot. “Make sure and tell Ed not to wait on me.”
“Are you sure? Mom, Ed really is concerned…”
“Christina!” Holly warned, “I want to be alone with Roger.”
She stood in silence and waited until she heard the last limo pull away, “She is your daughter, through and through.”
“I never expected this Roger. Damn you. Damn you. Why is it that whenever I try to put my life back together, you always come to tear it down again? Even in death. Death. Roger, I always thought that you were going to go out in a blaze of glory not quietly into the night. Yet here you are. Not a bang but a whimper.”
“Well here we are…sorry that your service wasn’t normal, but I think you enjoyed it. You always liked to be the center of drama in this town, gunshots and Alexandra…it’s nothing new to you.” Holly smiled for the first time in a very long while and almost laughed, “I thought Amanda was lying when she said you were dead. I just struggled with the fact that you fell to your death in Santo Domingo and survived. Yet in the end it was your heart that finally gave way. That’s irony for Roger.”
“I don’t know what to say. I don’t know how to make peace with you, with us or even myself lately. For so long you were a part of me, almost defining who I was. Roger you violated something that was so precious and I’ve never truly recovered from that. You’ve caused so much pain and hurt so many people over the course of your life: me, Ed, Alexandra…and despite it all, despite every flaw that you had, despite you raping me… in spite of our twisted relationship I managed to love you. No one understood you and they never understood us or why you had this hold over me, but that’s okay, because we understood. Our love for one another was ugly, you said it yourself but it was ours…” Holly pulled a single rose from atop the spray, “it was our love and it was okay that no one understood.”
“You kissed me once at the cliff house and said that I could love you at the end of the world. That’s where we are Roger, at least the end of our world. I love you, maybe not the way you wanted me to, but I did and I will continue to in my own way.” She leaned down to kiss the casket and then placed her hand in the same spot, “Angels persist Roger. Clouds persist, they become showers, they become lakes, and they become clouds again and they persist as we persist. I’ve never forgot those words…and no time soon will I ever forget you.” She stood at the foot of Roger’s casket and ran her hands up to the top, “Goodbye my love.”
:Fade to Black:
Next on “The Guiding Light!”
- Roger's will is read!
- Alexandra forces Alan to face their demons!
- Shayne betrays the Lewis family.
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