Autumn in Philadelphia Trilogy

Saudade: Preparations

Jon's Harley, as detailed in this chapter, is from the season 2 episode "Wrong Side of the Tracks". This is the only time we see his motorcycle, oddly enough. Although the Harley-Davidson logo is covered up during the episode, the bike is clearly a Heritage Softail Classic Custom, either from 1990 or 1991.

Other than BMW episodes, referenced in this chapter are my short stories, A Boy and His (Teacher's) Motorcycle and Birthday Wishes and Valentine Kisses.

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Thunder rumbled in the distance as spring storms rolled into the area. The little natural light that came through the small hospital window was now completely gone. Only the fuzzy illumination from the television mounted near the ceiling brightened the few feet in front of it.

Audrey sat at the end of Jon's bed, rubbing his feet as she tried to help him fall asleep. As exhausted as he was, he found it difficult to rest in a place he hated. He couldn't escape the feeling of walls closing in on him. Julia's way of helping him relax was to sit at his side and read aloud Fahrenheit 451, which her mother assigned to her for class. Maya sat in a chair on the other side of the bed with her pinkie linked with his.

Shawn stood just inside the door watching them. Maya, in particular, caught his attention. The young teen sat at an angle that only a fourteen-year-old could find comfortable. She leaned against the bed on one elbow with one leg tucked under her and the other askew over the narrow metal arm of the chair. In her lap was her phone playing a video. Long blonde curls nearly touched the screen as she bowed her head over the device. One arm crossed over in front of her. Absently, she tightened and loosened her grip on Jon's finger.

Shawn inhaled a deep breath at the sight.

She was one of them now.

Fully and completely.

Fear leaped up in him. He wasn't expecting this to happen now. His relationship with her mother, whatever it was, had stagnated, and he still had no idea if it could progress. But he knew somehow this was the way things would be from now on: Jon, Audrey, Julia, Grayson, Jamie, Bella, the new baby, and Maya.

She was forever a part of his world.

The thought rattled him. It wasn't that he didn't want her to be a part of his life. He just wasn't sure how to navigate things in a way that ensured she knew she was important and loved if he and Katy ended up creating families with other people.

Loved.

When did love come into the equation?He sighed to himself as he ran his hands over his face and through his hair.

As he leaned against the door frame, a strange sensation emanated from his right. When he looked in that direction, it didn't surprise him to see Audrey watching him. As always, she knew he needed to talk to her. Without a word, she gently put Jon's sock on his foot and gave him a loving squeeze before she tucked the blanket snuggly around him.

"What is it, honey?" she asked as they stepped into the hall.

Shawn pressed his lips together as he thought about how to phrase his response. He couldn't come out and tell her about the email because he couldn't tell her about the app just yet. "Have you checked Dad's emails at all?"

Audrey shook her head. "No. Why?"

He hesitated. "Just in case there are any loose ends with this stuff goin' on in the schools."

She looked over at her husband as she reached into the back pocket of her jeans. "Would you look through it?" she asked, handing him her phone. "I can't deal with it right now."