Autumn in Philadelphia Trilogy

Saudade: I Never Sang for My Father

Notes: I keep using the phrase "nothing good ever happens to Shawn Hunter" throughout the Return and Saudade but I'm not sure I've ever explained why. If you followed the development of "Girl Meets World" you may know where it's from- Michael Jacobs himself.

In June 2013, during a reunion panel with the cast, Jacobs talked about what might happen to Shawn on GMW.

"Nothing good happens to Shawn, that's all I can tell you. Rider reacting to the hurdles that keep growing is what I think is compelling about Shawn. Rider once said something—and I really take to heart everything that these people say—'I keep Shawn in the cellar, and every once in a while, I'll go down and I'll visit him.' And I thought to myself, 'Boy, even Rider keeps Shawn in the cellar,' so I think nothing good is ever gonna happen for Shawn." -Huffington Post, 'Boy Meets World': Rider Strong Hated Watching Himself Play Shawn Hunter, June 25, 2013

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/boy-meets-world-rider-strong_n_3495718

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The moment that name was uttered aloud, Audrey stopped the story abruptly as a strange rush of unwelcome anger and hurt overcame her.

All the time she had been pushing and prodding Jon and Shawn along to this moment, she had treated it as though she was an observer of events rather than a participant. She and Jon had talked about what happened several times over the years and at some point, she had become numb to the situation where she was involved and was able to discuss it without any emotion at all.

Jon, on the other hand, never got to that point.

Now, with Shawn and Julia sitting in the same room with them, the floodgates were opened, and she felt everything at once. She was stunned by how strong the emotions were as her mind jumped ahead to what happened next.

"Ow! Mom!" Julia yelped in pain as Audrey's once gentle stroking of her hair turned harsh and painful.

Startled, Audrey quickly released her daughter's hair, unaware of what she'd been doing. "I'm sorry, sweetheart."

"Do that to her, not me," she grumbled, rubbing her head.

"I'd love too," Audrey replied, surprising everyone in the room.

Jon took her hand in both of his while Shawn and Julia exchanged concerned looks.

Shawn had not seen Audrey like this before. Worriedly he said, "I think we need a break.

Audrey said nothing.

Losing control of her emotions like that concerned her. Jon and Shawn needed her to be in control as they navigated these memories. They were now entering that territory where she was removed from the situation. They had to deal with it alone the first time around, and they could not do it without her again.

Especially Jon.

Gathering herself as best she could, she glanced at Jon's watch and nodded in agreement. "We need to eat."

"What about Chinese takeaway?" Julia asked, eager to get away from the past for a while. "You guys had it so much when it was just the three of you so maybe we could have while it's just the four of us."

In order to make up for her outburst, Audrey let go of her strict no takeaway during the week and agreed. No one was in the mood to leave so Jon ordered in. While they waited, Audrey busied herself with preparing a sleeping area for Julia. She left the living room to go to Jon's old bedroom and get the bedding for the air mattress.

Shawn watched her go, then got up and followed.

He found her standing in the dark in front of the old dresser with her hands on the top and staring at something he couldn't see.