The Prodigal Daughter

The Prodigal Daughter - Chapter 5

A/N - I just put a video to this chapter. This is one of my favorite groups and later on in the chapter, something happens that this song goes with. I just had to share it.

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Chapter 5

Waking up at six o’clock, MaryBeth did not understand how her stomach could be tossing and turning when she did not eat anything the day before. She rushed to the bathroom and threw up. She brushed her teeth, got in the shower and let her stress and worry of the day before flow away. She could never go back to Richard, she could not believe those words when they came out of her mouth. Not now, not ever could she return to that life.

After getting dressed, she went to the kitchen, made the coffee and poured a cup, made some toast and sat down at the table to figure out what is next. Grabbing a pad of paper and pen she began to make a list, she always worked best with a list. First things first, she needed to find a doctor. She could stay in Inverness, there were good ones here, but she wanted to talk to her mother about possibly going to Ocala, that might control some of the gossip. Then she needed to contact a realtor to sell the condo and contents. ‘Richard is not going to like that!’ she thought. But, he gave it to her and put her name on the deed. She was glad she thought to go by the safety deposit box and get her important papers.

“I am glad to see you are feeling better today,” her dad said as he poured a cup of coffee and sat down next to her. “Are you feeling better?”

“Somewhat. I can’t lie around forever.” MaryBeth said, “I am sorry for worrying you.”

“Just as long as you stay and don’t leave again, we can get through this.”

There was a knock on the door, Joshua stood up to go and answer it as Ann came into the kitchen.

“Good morning. I am glad you are up today.”

“Yeah, me too.”

At the door, Joshua was greeted by a man who was about his age. He was tall, sophisticated looking, wearing an expensive suit and carried himself like he owned the world. Richard had dark hair at one time, but it now had was salt and pepper hair with streaks of white.

“Hello, I am looking for Elizabeth? I mean Mary Beth?” Richard said remembering her families nickname he heard her mother call her over the phone two days before.

“May I tell her who is here?”

“Yes, Richard Middleton.” Richard held out his hand offering to shake Joshua’s.

Joshua looked at him and stood firm in the doorway. “Sir, I am asking you to leave my property.”

“No, you are not. Your daughter will want to talk to me. Has she told you about her life in LA, her job in particular.”

“Sir, I will be calling the police, I am asking you to leave. NOW!” Joshua who normally was calm, cool and collected was allowing his temper to show. There was no way that he was going to let this man anywhere near MaryBeth.

“Elizabeth!” Richard yelled. He knew she would come to protect her father from finding out about her life in LA.

MaryBeth’s heart fell when she heard Richard’s voice. Panic struck her face and Ann saw it. “Richard’s here.” She stood to go stop him from talking to her father. But Ann stopped her.

“Your father won’t let him see you. Sit.”

“No Mom. Daddy can’t find out what I was like. I have to stop Richard.”

Ann reached for the phone, but in doing so, she could not stop MaryBeth from leaving the room. Ann dialed two numbers.

“Get over here NOW!” She said to the first call.