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......

Past Loves

Life. You just never know where you're going to end up. You never know how the choices you make will affect you later on in your life. Arlen and I have settled into a comfortable existence in our new apartment together. Little did I know it was about to get shaken up by some people from our past.

We've been making out and making love more now than we did when we were younger! I'm so glad that we're here. Together. I'm 67 years old and I feel like my life is just beginning. How crazy is that?

I've talked to Damien about it and he says that he and Jordan are exactly the same. Not exactly the type of thing you want to hear from your brother-in-law about your sister, but oh well! I'm really glad we decided to move into the same building as them. It's been great hanging out again......

I went to Amelia's Closet looking for some new outfits and ran into Kendra Louie. Kendra is the woman I left Arlen for. She's also the woman who ran off with Arlen's ex-husband Kevin Siew. I was fully intending to walk by her without speaking but she wouldn't hear of it.

"So you can't speak to an old friend AJ?" she asked.

"You're no friend of mine Kendra."

"Look AJ, I don't know what you're upset about. You were about to leave me to go back to that hag so what does it matter if I got together with Kevin?"

"And how is the snake these days? I hope he hasn't been bothering Eliza. She doesn't want anything to do with him. "

"And who's fault is that? She's his daughter AJ, not yours," she said.

"He was an abusive ass, Kendra. I wouldn't be surprised if he was smacking you around."

"Don't you start that AJ. You and Arlen are the reason why he's that way. He's been crazy with anger every since you two had him arrested. He just recently got out again. His temper is just awful and it's all your fault!" she yelled.

"My fault? Do you even know why Arlen divorced him? I was over visiting when he came home and he flew into a jealous rage and slapped her. He slapped her Kendra. The man is a control freak with no respect for women."

"He wasn't always that way AJ. I'm actually glad I ran into you. AJ, he blames you and Arlen for the downhill slide of his life. He has vowed to get revenge on you guys. It's all he talks about," she said.

"Kendra I am not afraid of Kevin. He's all hot air."

"I don't think that's the case this time AJ. I was really hurt when you got back together with Arlen. But I got over it and moved on with my life. Kevin never has. He really has it in for you guys. He just got out of jail a few days ago."

"Thanks for the concern Kendra, but I'm not worried. Me and Arlen will be just fine. Kevin knows better than to come sniffing around our home. Anyway, we've moved so he wouldn't be able to find us anyway."

"Really? You're AJ Taylor. Everyone knows where you are. Just watch yourself. Don't underestimate Kevin."

"Yea, whatever Kendra. You need to get away from him as soon as you can," I said walking off.

Damn. When would that loser ever leave us alone. I feel pretty responsible for all of this. Arlen would never have married him if I hadn't left her for Kendra. When will I finally pay for that mistake? How long will this just hang over my head?

I get home and Arlen has already heard about Kevin's latest stint in jail.

"I can't believe he landed himself into jail again. I can't believe I was so wrong about him," she said.

"Arlen, you couldn't have known what kind of person he was. There's no need to blame yourself. You should blame me," I said.

"Oh, AJ it's not completely your fault."

"Jail is actually probably the best place for him. I ran into Kendra today and she said that he's been saying that he wants to get revenge on us. That it's our fault his life is a mess."

"Our fault? Kevin messed up his own life. He did it all to himself. I really can't believe......" she started but was interrupted by our doorbell.

And in walks Kevin Siew himself. I can't believe this guy actually has the balls to come into our house like this. I've never really seen what Arlen saw in him. Guy looks like a monkey's behind if you ask me.

Before I could say anything Arlen jumps up yelling.

"What the hell do you think you're doing, Kevin?"

"Good to see you too Arlen. How have you been?" he asked.

"I'm not going to ask you again. How did you even find us?"

"Well hell, Arlen, you're married to the world famous AJ Taylor, rockstar extraordinare! Didn't take much," he said.

"What the hell do you want?"

"I want you to stop turning my daughter against me. Eliza won't even answer my phone calls anymore. I know it's because you're telling her not to," he said.

"I'm not telling her anything. Maybe it's the fact that she remembers how you use to talk to me. How you use to belittle me right in front of her. Or maybe it's how you use to yell at her. Tell her that she wasn't trying hard enough. Maybe it's any one of those things," Arlen said.

"Now I remember why I treated you the way I did. You're nothing but a spoiled little self involved wench!"

"Hey, don't you talk to my wife like that! I kicked your ass before Siew, and I'll do it again," I stepped up and said.

"Your wife? That's laughable! You want to talk to me about your wife? This is the same wife who you left for someone half her age. The same wife who you left to raise two twin terrors on her own. The same wife who I had to help pick up the pieces of her broken life," he said.

"I was wrong. I don't deny that. But I never laid a hand on Arlen. I never touched her in anger. You're just a coward who would rather hit on women than a real man. Probably hitting on Kendra too huh?" I asked.

"Kendra is no longer your concern."

"Oh, really? Is that why you went back to jail Kevin? For hitting her?" I asked.

"I have never laid a hand on Kendra. She knows her place. Unlike that freak of a wife you got there," he said.

You know what Kevin? Get the hell out of my house. And don't come back or I'm going to call the police," I said.

"Oh don't worry, AJ. This is the last time you'll see me. But don't think for one second that this is over. If it's the last think I do, both you and Arlen are going to pay for what you've done to me," he said walking off.

"Mark my words, AJ Taylor. You and that no good wife of yours are going to pay."

I watched his retreating back and felt a chill go down my spine. Kevin Siew was bad news and I had hoped that he would eventually get over this and move on. I guess I was wrong.

I went upstairs on the roof because I knew that's where Arlen had run off to. I grabbed her silently in my arms and whispered that things would be ok.

"It's never going to be over is it, AJ? We're never going to be able to live our lives without a constant reminder of our past are we?" she asked.

I didn't answer her because I honestly don't know. I don't know what's going to happen to us......

I fixed myself a glass of brandy and silently prayed that one day, we would be able to move on past these shadows of our past.

* AJ Taylor, Arlen Taylor, Gabriella Elise Erikson, and Taj Erikson's lives are going to be interwined for the next couple of posts. I know this is more story like than I've been doing, but sometimes I like to insert some of the stories I've written in my head into my legacy to keep things interesting. The next events for all four of these sims will be connected somehow. But all the rest of the family is going on with their lives just as they were before. These four are the only ones directly linked to my story. On a lighter note, AJ and Kevin really do hate each other! When AJ and Arlen first got back together, AJ and Kevin fought almost everyday because Kevin was constantly showing up!