Autumn in Philadelphia Trilogy

The Return: Troubled Waters

We crucify ourselves between two thieves: regret for yesterday and fear of tomorrow.

-Fulton Oursler

Topanga had been scheduled to work but decided to take the day off from her office to enjoy some quality time with the family. However, both Riley and Auggie took off on her to be with friends leaving her alone with her husband. It amused her that things worked out this way- had she tried to plan a day alone with Cory it would have no doubt backfired on her and she would have ended up with a house full of kids. Cory, however, was unaware of this turn of event as he was unable to think of anything other than Shawn. Ordinarily, that would irritate her but their friend was heavy on her mind as well. The only contact they'd had with Shawn was the two short texts he sent Cory the night before. He was unreachable afterwards. They had not heard from Jon or Audrey either and that was very unusual. Cory, desperate for some word on their best friend, tried multiple times to call the Turner house, but Topanga strongly advised against it in case things had gone badly with Shawn. She knew eventually they would hear from Audrey, if Jon didn't get a hold of Cory first. Unfortunately, not knowing what was going on was driving her husband crazy.

Topanga busied herself with unfinished household chores to take edge off of her concern. On her third trip downstairs from the kids' rooms, she caught her husband chewing nervously on the nails of his right hand. Horrified by the damage he was inflicting upon himself, she ran over to stop him. Cory looked up at her, looking more like a lost puppy than an adult father of two.

"Cory, what are you doing?" she asked, grabbing his hand away from his mouth.

"What?"

He really didn't know what he doing Topanga realized at the surprised look on his face when she pointed out it out to him.

"Cory, we'll hear from them...one of them eventually," she assured him, gently rubbing his damaged fingertips. "Just don't freak out. I need you to not freak out."

"I can't help it, Topanga. You didn't see the look on Shawn's face before he left the bakery," he fretted, unconsciously trying to take his hand back. "He won't respond to calls or texts. I don't know what to do."

"Be patient," was all she could say. In truth, she didn't know what to do either but she worried that if she voiced anything that wasn't positive he might completely fall a part on her. If it had been anyone else in the world, Cory would be fine in time. But this was Shawn they were dealing with. If he didn't come around, if he should severe the friendship, that would be the end of life as she knew it. Cory would never recover from the loss. Before she could say anything else to him, the doorbell rang. Topanga silently blessed whoever it was for giving them a much needed interruption as she went to the door.

"Shawn!"

At his name, Cory, with more dexterity than he'd displayed in years, leapt over the back of the couch and was at her side in a flash. It was Shawn at their door but the look on his face froze Cory and he took several steps back to give his best friend some space to enter.

Shawn said nothing as he stepped over the threshold. He gave Topanga a glance before returning his gaze to Cory.

"I'm here for my stuff," he said flatly. There was no emotion in his face.

Cory would have been lying if he said Shawn's appearance didn't scare him just a little. All he could think about was the last time they had seen each other and how that meeting ended. He stuttered out a response that made little sense.

"Everything is Auggie's room," Topanga offered when Cory did not. She hoped it would appease him and that he might stay long enough to make peace with her husband.