No Turning Back

This is the conclusion (kind of) of my first mini-story within my legacy. The events of this will of course have an effect on on the lives of the family, but after this, I will go on with their lives as I was doing before.....that is until the next itch to do another mini story comes along! For this to make sense, click on the mini-story 1 category and start with "Opening Up the Past".

Today I had my first fight ever with my wife. And it shouldn't have even happened. I've been staying out late after work to plan a job with my brother Rodney. What kind of job? Rodney and I used to be paid assassins. We worked for a guy named 00 who we were never allowed to even see. I never really had a problem taking out other people. It was just a job. Then we got a call about Skip Broke. I never see the aftermath of one of our hits. But when we did that, we didn't realize that he had a family. Or a pregnant wife. I couldn't deal with it after that so I left and Rodney had to leave as well. I thought that was all behind me until Rodney told me that 00 wanted us to do one last job for him. And when 00 requests something, he gets it. Tonight is the night that we have to take care of this last job. And I don't even know who it is yet!

After work, I headed over to Rodney's crummy apartment. We made alot of money before we got out, but Rodney still chooses to live like this. I don't know about him sometimes. I get to his apartment thinking that we would get right to business.

"Ok Rodney, who is the mark?"

"What? No hey Rodney how you doing? Hey Rodney how's life?"

"Rodney who the hell is it?"

Rodney looks down at his hands as if they hold the answer. What the hell is going on?

"Taj, you love your wife don't you? And your kids?"

"What does that have to do with anything? You know I do," I said.

"You know that 00 expects this to be taken care of tonight, right? That he doesn't give exceptions. That he doesn't allow any failures."

"My God, Rodney, who is it?"

"This isn't a movie Taj. We could lose our lives if this doesn't go perfectly. Or worse, we could end up in jail. We've never left any evidence behind. Never had a problem before. This can mbe no different. It's just a job."

I walk off and look on the table at the assault rifle he has laid there.

"Damn, no silencer? You do realize this is an apartment complex don't you?" I asked.

"This is the worst part of Pleasantview. Gunshots are common. Come sit down Taj."

"I'm going to tell you who the mark is. Before I do, remember who you are doing this for. Your life isn't the only one at stake if this goes bad. My life is too. And so are the lives of your family."

"Rodney, with will stop with all the drama and just tell me who we have to kill!" I yelled.

"AJ Taylor."

"Have you lost your fucking mind? My father-in-law? You want me to kill my father-in-law? No, no way Rodney. I can't do that to him. To Gabby. He's never done anything to anyone!"

"You don't have to kill him Taj. I will. You just need to get him over here. He's going to die either way. Now either you can watch Gabby and those kids get killed too, or you can suck it up and get this done so you can go on with your life."

"Get on with my life? You think I can look Gabby in her eyes every day from here to eternity knowing that I was responsible for her father's death? I can't do this," I said. How could he expect me to kill AJ? He's never been anything but kind to me.

"This isn't up for debate. You're going to get on that phone and ask him to come over here. Tell him that you're having problems with Gabby. Whatever it takes. Then you're going to act normal and talk to him until I can take care of this. I'm not going to die because you suddenly got a conscience! Are you that stupid? You think all those other people we did didn't have families too? You think Skip Broke was the first? No one told you to go play daddy! No one told you to throw away what we built because you suddenly felt guilty. It's over Taj. We're doing this. Now pull out that damn phone and dial!" he yelled.

He was right. There was no way out of this. If 00 wanted it done, it was done. If we didn't do it, AJ would still die and 00 would hunt both me and Rodney down. It had to be done.

"Hello, AJ? Hey it's Taj, how are you doing? Me? Well I'm not doing so good. Yea, me and Gabby had a fight and I'm over to my brother's house. I was wondering if you could come by so we could talk. That's great, let me give you the address," I said, telling him where Rodney lived.

I stared out the window and soon saw AJ walking up to the building. He had a worried look on his face and my guilt ate more and more at me. This man honestly cared about me. And I was about to kill him and possibly endanger the life of his daughter.

AJ greeted me with a hug like he usually does. A hug. That's the kind of man AJ Taylor is. I should never have gotten with Gabby. I should have just left this life and enjoyed an existence that held no killing. But I was selfish. I wanted someone to spend my life with. As if I ever deserved her.

"I've been hanging out with some of my friends and Gabby doesn't like it. I mean it's not like I come home all hours of the night. She wants me to spend every waking moment with her and I just can't do it," I lied.

"Taj, she's a woman. They need love and attention. Take it from me, I know. Just take her out for a really nice dinner. You know get all dressed up. That new division PV Heights has a really nice restaurant. You should try doing that. Just show her alittle attention," he said.

Rodney walked to the back room. I knew he went to get the rifle.

"Sorry old man. I don't think Taj will be taking that advice," Rodney said.

AJ jumped up and looked at me with a terrified look in his eyes.

"Taj, what's going on? What are you doing?" he asked.

"He's not the one holding the gun. Don't make this harder than it has to be AJ. This isn't Taj's fault. It's not my fault. It's your fault for pissing off who ever you pissed off to end up in this situation," Rodney said.

"Taj, please don't do this. If it's money you need, you know I'll give it to you. However much you need," he said.

"I'm so sorry AJ," I said as Rodney began firing.

After Rodney fired several times, AJ's lifeless body fell to the ground. I couldn't believe it. I sat with my eyes facing forward the whole time. I couldn't bear to watch . Rodney shook me when it was all over and we worked quickly to clean up the scene. The plan was to take his body and the shells and dump them both behind a nearby club. Someone would soon find the body and call the police. And Gabby and her family could give AJ a proper burial.

We came back to Rodney's apartment and neither one of us could say anything. I burst into tears. I'm an awful person. I always have been. Rodney was right. I never thought about the families of the people we killed. It never crossed my mind. How can I go on? How can I go back to Gabby, knowing what I did?
I change back into my work clothes at Rodney's and take a cab home. It's late and I know Gabby is going to want to fight about it. But I'm in no mood for that. I don't even know what I could possibly say to her. I can't even look at her.......

"Where the hell have you been Taj Erikson? And don't give me that shit about the hospital. I called Kyoshi and I know you weren't there," she says.

"You're checking up on me now? How long am I going to pay for the mistakes that jackass Clay made? I'm not him, Gabby!"

"No, you're not. And you're not the man I married either. I don't know what's going on with you, but I'm not going to put up with this Taj."

"Put up with this? Are you even serious? That's laughable Gabriella. I've been putting up with your son taking shots at me every since we started dating! I've done everything I can with that boy and he still treats me like the scum of the earth! So don't tell me what you won't put up with!" I yell. I don't know why I'm doing this to her. She has every right to be mad at me. But I have to keep up appearances.

"No, I won't put up with you lying to me. Coming in here with that dumb ass hat on that you didn't have on when you left. Where have you been Taj?"

"Out. I was out Gabby. I wasn't with another woman, I wasn't out drinking. I was spending time with my brother."

"Your brother? Is this the same brother who you've spent years telling me is no good? Is this the same brother who you yourself said was nothing but trouble? And what the hell is wrong with your cell phone that you couldn't call me to let me know you were ok?" she yelled.

"I don't have time for this shit, Gabby."

Matthew ran out of Kayden's room and started yelling at me.

"You bastard! Don't you ever yell at my mother like that again! You don't go out all night and not call her. See, I could care less what happens to you, but she does. I always knew you were no good," he said.

"Look, Matt. I'm sick of this. You're always on my ass about something, but where is your dad? He left your mom because he didn't want her and he didn't want you," I said. As soon as the words were out, I wished I could take them back.

"I can't believe you just said that. Matt, go get in bed. You have school in the morning. Taj, please get out of my room. I can't stand looking at you right now," Gabby said.

"But, Mom......"

"Go to bed Matt!" she yelled.

Matt walked out after shoving me aside. I followed behind him, no longer wanting to see the hurt I had caused her. And I knew it was only the beginning of her pain.

I changed out of my work clothes and laid down on the couch. My life is over. There's no way that I can go on after this. Gabby hates me. Matt hates me. I'm sure Madison hates me too. I don't know what to do anymore. I figured it would take a few days for them to discover the body. But I was wrong.

I knew it the moment I heard Gabby downstairs screaming.

"Oh, my God no!"

He's Just not the Same

How pathetic is this? I've been falling sleep on the loveseat in mine and Taj's bedroom the past few nights because Taj has been coming home so late. I guess it could be possible. But something is telling me that he isn't working late every night. I can't take this. After Clay, I was so afraid to fall in love again. But then Taj came along and made me feel safe. But if this doesn't work out, if he's not the man I thought he was, what am I to do? I'm getting older and I don't need this shit. He better have a helluva good reason for these late nights. And I'm not accepting that he's working late!

I have to admit that I've been pretty distracted lately. Madison has been wonderful with Kayden and her and Matt are really helping me out. I just need to confront Taj and get this over with. I need to know what's going on........

He's been on his cell phone more and more the past few weeks and anytime any of us come around, he ends the call suddenly. I don't know what to do. I can't take another man not wanting to be with me. My heart can't take it.

So I confront him one morning before he goes off to "work".

"Taj, what's going on?"

"What are you talking about? I'm getting ready for work," he said.

"Taj, where have you been the past few night?"

"Gabby, what the hell is wrong with you? You know I've been working. For Sim's sake, I work at a hospital! What do you want me to do? Go into a patient's room and say, I'm sorry I can't treat you, my wife wants me home?"

"Don't raise your voice at me Taj. Don't you dare raise your voice at me! You were keeping regular hours and then all of a sudden, Rodney comes for a visit and you're staying out all night!" I said.

"Oh, is this what this is about? My brother? What do you think we're doing, Gabby? Picking up women when I get off? Hitting all the bars around town?"

"Don't patronize me Taj. Don't do that. I know you aren't just working late. You use to be home. You liked being home with me and the kids. Now Madison is having to help raise her little brother. And so is Matt. They're teens, it's not their job. It's our job!"

"Gabby, I'm not going to do this with you. I said that I'm just working late and that's the truth. End of discussion," he said walking off.

End of discussion? Does he think I'm a child? Oh, no. This is NOT the end of this!

He got dressed and walked by me without so much as a good-bye. No hug, no kiss. Taj is changing and I don't know why. And the more he changes, the more Matt resents him. I don't want my family to fall apart.

I sit eating fruit salad that I can't even taste because I'm so upset. I know Taj isn't working. He was due home over an hour ago and he still hasn't showed up. I know this is going to be another one of those nights. Wait, Angela! My cousin Angela's husband Kyoshi is the chief of staff at BGMH. He'll know if Taj is actually at the hospital.

"Hey Angie, what's up?" I say.

"Gabby! I haven't heard from you since KD's wedding! How have things been?"

"Oh, things are good.....I mean Kayden's growing like a little weed. How is Rayne?"
"Rayne is a handful! But we love her so much. How is Taj?" she asked.

"Taj is......great. I was actually calling to see if Kyoshi knew what time he was suppose to get off. I wanted to do a surprise dinner for him."

"I think he and Kyoshi work about the same hours and Kyoshi is home already. Hold on I'll ask him. Baby, what time does Taj get off? What? Oh, ok thanks sweetie. Yea he's been off for about an hour now. I'm sure he'll be pulling up soon, she said.

"For an hour? I mean, I hope nothing has happened to him. Do you know if the hospital staff has been short lately?" I asked.

"Short? Girl, they have TOO many doctors and nurses! It seems that all the young adults now want to go into the medical field. Gabby are you ok? Do you want me to come over?" she asked.

"No, no, I'm fine. I'm sure he'll be here any minute. Let me get started on this meal. I'll talk to you later."

"You know I"m here if you need me," she said.

"I know Angie. Thanks," I said hanging up.

I went downstairs and jumped right into a bubble bath. Taj had been lying to me. I don't even know who he is anymore. But he's not the man I married......

Opening Up the Past

My name is Taj Erikson. I know I usually don't say much, Gabby talks enough for the both of us. But this is about something that she doesn't know anything about. And if I have my way, she never will.

It all started with a visit from my older brother Rodney. I knew when he popped up unannounced that it would be bad news. I agreed to meet him later on in the week and today he called me saying that it was important that he meet today. I thought I had left all this behind......

My life started over again when I met Gabriella Elise Taylor. She was a beautiful woman who had been hurt by a jerk who made her forget what she was worth. She had two beautiful kids who let me into their life, although Matt fought hard against me. I think he can feel that I wasn't always a good person. And now we have a son together named Kayden.

And they are my world now. But it wasn't always this way. I have a past that I was hoping I could run away from. But I think it's about to catch up with me.......

I met Rodney downtown at this seedy little restaurant he picked out.

"What the hell do you want Rodney? And why are you showing up at my house unannounced?" I asked.
"I can't come and see how my little brother is doing?"

"No, because I know that's not what you want. So what is it Rodney?"

"I told you that you wouldn't be able to just leave the life. That they wouldn't let you do it. We've got a slight problem. You more than me."

"Just tell me what is it," I said.

"I talked to 58 a few weeks ago, and he isn't happy with the way things ended."

"I don't know why not. We finished the last job we were assigned. Then we walked away."

"That's the thing. We never told them that we were walking away. They aren't happy about it," he said.

"Well they can kiss my ass. I have a family now, Rodney. A legit job and a good life."

"Doesn't matter. They don't care. I was out at a nightclub when these goons came up to me, pushing me out of the club. They said that 00 had been looking for me and you and that he needed to speak with us immediately. I told him that I didn't know where you were, which was true at the time, and I went to see him on my own."

"What did he say?" I asked,

"Let's go inside," Rodney said.

After we were seated, Rodney continued with his story.

"00 was pretty pissed. He said that the payment we received was for more than the one job we did. He says we owe him."

"Owe him? He only wanted the one job done. Why has no one said anything else? It's been years Rodney. Why now?"

"He's calling in the debt."

"What? Come on Rodney that's ridiculous! It's been years since our last job."

"Doesn't matter. He either wants us to do this for him, or we have to pay back the money. Plus interest."

"Interest?! Rodney, by now we would owe him a million dollars! A piece!" I yelled.

"Yea, I know."

"How can you be so calm? I can't believe this. I don't have a million dollars! And neither do you."

"No, but I'm willing to do this last job."

"I don't live that kind of life any more. I have a son, Rodney. I can't do it."

"You can't do it? What do you think 00 will do to you AND your family when he gets neither the money nor the job done? We don't have a choice. Just because you all of a sudden got a conscience doesn't mean that anyone gives a damn about it. I'll do this on my own if I have to," he said.

"Who's the target?"

"You're not going to like it when you find out. I think I better save that for later. We need to start planning asap. 00 is waiting on the call from me saying that we'll do the job.

"What choice do I have? I can't put Gabby and the kids at risk because of how I used to live my life."

"Good. We can meet in a few days to discuss the particulars. And Taj, remember who you're doing this for. Don't get caught up in who it is. You never used to and you can't now."

At that moment, Brandi Broke walked in and Rodney's mouth fell open. We both remember how bad our last job was. How hard it was to see her struggle with raising her kids, knowing that we were the reason they no longer had a father. It was what made me walk away from it all. And now I was forced back into it.......

I looked at her as she walked out and wondered what she would do if she knew that I was responsible for her husband's death. What she would say if she knew that I was the reason that her life had spiraled downhill. Her face still haunts my dreams at night. I can never make up for what I took from her......never atone for that sin........

I can't believe that I'm doing this again. I can't believe that I've put my family at risk. I hope that I can do this without it touching their lives. That Gabby will never have to know that her husband is murderer............

* I know this is more like a story than a legacy, but sometimes I get bored and use the stories I write to give my sims' lives an interesting twist. So be prepared to hear more on Taj Erikson and his past that has slowly caught up with him. I think you'll find it pretty interesting........I hope so anyway!