* * * Starring * * *
Manuela "Manny" Lopez
"The Bad Girl"
Kody Kershaw
"Kody bear"
Anastacia "Stacy" Volkova
"Neighbor/New Friend"
Amanda Kershaw
"'Hillbilly' Best Friend"
Derrick Parks
"Amanda's 'Scumbag' Boyfriend"
Love of My Life
"Pictures"
Episode Two
Copyright © 2008
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters created originally by TV and are copyrighted to him, any reposting or archiving without written permission is an infringement on the copyright of this series. So in other words You damn well better ask before you steal it.
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Summary: In the ALL NEW 2nd episode of 'Love of My Life', Manny and Stacy enjoy a few nice moments in the hallway after the aborted painting of Stacy's apartment. Which leads Manny to wonder if her 5 year long obsession with Amanda is coming to a close as she feels herself growing closer to the new girl in her life. Later, with Stacy still on her mind, Manny gets some news that explains a recent mystery and threatens to change her and Kody's life forever.
Original Airdate: Wednesday, March 25, 2009 @ 8:30 p.m.
(following an ALL NEW 'Slash TV')
Story Codes: no sex
"I can't get the paint out of my hair, I've washed it like three times already" Kody announced from the bathroom where she stood with a towel around her and looking so cute with her hair dripping wet. "It's still like blue in spots, I look like a friggin dork."
"It's not that bad" I said as I came over and moved behind her and ran my fingers through her hair. "Let it dry and if it looks that bad you can stay home today and we'll go to the salon downtown."
"Thanks" She said as she hugged me. Stacey appearing at the door to my bedroom at that moment and watching with a proud smile. One which I gladly returned.
It didn't look that bad to be honest but knowing how horrible 9 and 10 years olds can be with their teasing I decided to keep her home for today so we could figure out something that would remedy the problem.
Now you're probably asking how she got paint in her hair to be begin with. Well that came from Stacy and Kody's paint fight during the three of us attempting to paint her apartment. I had just dipped out to get some soda's for the three of us and got back just as the fight was in full swing. Giggling and squealing could be heard all the way down the hall and of course both got covered in paint. The apartment got a good part of the over spray too. Sooo much fun. Though the best part was later in front of my own apartment as Kody was inside showering...
"You owe me about 50 bucks in paint" She said with a poke to my stomach as I grinned. "Kody started the paint fight."
"And you're how old?" I asked as she grinned. "You couldn't stop her?"
"Well not after I pushed her into the paint first" Stacy said as I laughed. Leaning against the door laughing harder as she imitated Kody's actions after she had in fact started the fight. "Stop, stop you're killing me."
"That Kody is a million laughs" She commented a few moments later. "I really like her just so you know."
"She likes you too" I said honestly. "She's always talking about you. Stacy does this or Stacy says this. It's cute."
"Yeh well...too bad Manny don't like me that much" She said with a pooched lip and the best puppy dog eyes I'd ever seen. Melting my heart.
"Hey I never said that" I replied. "I'm just sort of gun shy about getting involved with someone else. I'm kinda of 0 for 2 already. And both blame me for loving Kody too much."
"Already knew that, you're little Kody bear is really chatty" Stacy said as I blushed and smiled. "And just because you got with two jealous bitches don't mean I'm like that."
"Jealous bitches?" I asked and thinking about it and knowing I'd never heard her talk like that before.
"My Russian temper coming out" She said. "I can be brutally honest if you get in my face."
"Marsha was too" I said nervously.
"I don't mean hit" She said. "I just don't let people run over me. And I call them like I see them. Fact is if they left you because of Kody then their jealous bitches. I'm not that jealous, I know where I stand and won't ask for more than you wanna give."
"You're so hot" I said in awe of her. She looked at me in surprise and I knew in that moment that she could seriously be talking a good game and later turn out to be another Marsha. But it sure didn't feel that way as I leaned in and hesitated before I kissed her. She smiled and touched her lips as our eyes met again. "Tell me if that was...out of line."
"Yes it was" She said as she curled my shirt collar around her fingers and pulled me closer and whispered, "Now do it again."
She is so sweet, smart and funny and a completely different kind of girl than I am used to dating. We kissed for a long time that day in the hall way and it was just so nice. I don't know any other way to describe it. But this whole kissing thing does bring me back to the current day and Stacy wiggling her way into mine and Kody's plans for the day. We took Kody to the salon and within an hour they had her all fixed up, while Stacy and I stood tucked away in the corner outside by the Coke machine, kissing. My cell phone ringing being the only thing that stopped us.
"What?" I asked as I flipped it open. Thinking it was probably Amanda needing another rescue or Barb and Rich needing me to run some errands. It was actually neither of them. It was my Grandpa Dexter, soon to be known as 'Grumpy Pa'. He laid into me about not coming to see him like I had promised and a number of other things. Fortunately or unfortunately (depending on the circumstance), he's rich and is paying for my college education as long as I pull a B or better and don't piss him off (that's almost a magic trick). But old bastard is all mouth really, I love him just don't wanna live with him. Long story short he demanded that I come visit him.
"Look Kody if he says anything to hurt your feelings just walk off OK?" I asked an hour later as we stood outside of his house in Grant Park, the place in town where all the rich folks live. Kody shrugged and seemed worried as she hugged me.
"You mean to tell me you're gonna let him mouth off to Kody and not say anything?" Stacy asked as she emerged from the passengers side. "I don't think so."
"Yeh" Kody said in agreement as she ran around the car and hugged Stacy.
"He pays my rent, and for my College education" I said in frustration. "I can't afford to."
"Then fine we'll stay out here" Stacy said. Grandpa Dexter coming onto the porch in his wheel chair at that moment and looking down at us with a questioning eye.
"You coming up?" He asked. Stacy, Kody and me all three slowly making our way up to the porch. "How you doing my girl?"
"Your girl? Do you have a fever?" I asked as he gave a hearty laugh.
"No I feel fine" He said. "If I didn't raise a stink on the phone like that you'd never come and visit me."
"You're mean to her" Kody said as Dexter looked back at her. "You heard me."
"Who is this little darling?" Dexter asked as I again wondered if he had a fever. "Didn't know you had a daughter Manuela."
"My name is Kody"
"Well nice to finally meet the famous Kody" Dexter said as Kody grinned. "And please give me a second chance now that you're here. Me on the phone is trying to get Manny to do something and I have to be a hard as...rude."
"That's for sure and I'm Stacy, Manny's new girl toy" Stacy said with a determined grin towards my Grandpa. I gasped at her boldness and wanted to run away and hide or hope that this was all a bad dream and maybe I'd just wake up. I did neither.
"You are not my girl toy" I said in shock as Stacy gave me a victorious smile. Dexter enjoying a good laugh at my expense.
"You remind me of my late wife Annie, such a spitfire and the mouth of a sailor" Dexter said to Stacy as Kody laughed. Stacy hugging Kody proudly from behind as I shook my head and wondered what I had gotten myself into. "You also didn't tell me you had a girlfriend Manny. Or anything about the fact that you are what...gay?"
"Because I knew how you'd react or what I thought would be your reaction" I said as he wheeled around to face me. "And believe it not, I got major stuff going on and I need the money you give me."
"Well I don't like it one damn bit" He barked.
"Yeh I knew that" I said.
"Well who cares what you think Grumpy Pa" Kody said as she ran over to me and hugged me tightly. "You're mean for not loving her just because she's gay."
"I don't like it that you didn't tell me a long time ago" He said. "And now you are here, you and Kody and Stacy is it?"
"Yeh" Stacy said as she walked over to join me and Kody.
"All three of you are gonna stay for dinner and catch me up on every thing going on in your lives" He said. "Don't wanna hear a word of protest either."
"Maybe I don't wanna stay" Kody said with hands on hips.
"Well..." Dexter said as he pulled a single bill out of his pocket and held it up as Kody's eyes went wide and her mouth dropped open as she looked at the hundred dollar bill. Handing it to her as she took it and looked to be shocked. "...how does that suite your big mouth?"
"OK I'll stay" Kody said as the porch erupted in laughter. That day turned out to be such a nice experience as me and Stacy hung out by the pool for the longest time as 'Grumpy Pa' showed my Kody bear around the house, which takes a while believe me. He really, for whatever reason, was making an effort to get into her good graces. Dinner was nice too and the best part honestly was having Stacy to hang out with the whole time.
I thought after that incredible day with Stacy that I was falling in love with her. But every time I started getting to far into her I'd get jerked back and reminded of my 5 year long obsession with Amanda. One that would threaten to destroy what I had just really started with Stacy as a few days later I made a discovery that changed my life forever. Leading to my latest rescue of my best friend.
This is the day (of the Barb and Rick convo) that I made the discovery that changed my life forever...Thanks to my Kody bear. It all began innocently enough...
"Are you taking me home to get my stuff?" Kody asked from the bedroom.
"Up to you, K" I said as she bounced out of the bedroom happily.
"Well if I'm not bugging you. Mom and Dad said it's cool I can come by anytime" Kody said as I smiled and said, "You always bug me. You know that?"
"But you love me" Kody said proudly. "And don't deny it."
"Damn straight my Kody bear" I said as she ran over and hugged me as we both fell to the floor laughing.
"Rose isn't coming back is she?" Kody asked a few long moments later as she helped me do the dishes.
"No she's not" I said as Kody laid her head against my shoulder. Just as an interesting point of fact, Amanda doesn't know that I'm gay and for that matter neither does Barbara and Rich. Not that they would mind, I don't think. It's just it never came up and my 'Kody Bear' can keep a secret. So we're content with each other. Kody saying softly after a long moments silence, "I liked her."
"Me too" I said as she leaned into me and I know she was trying to make me feel better. "Just me and you now."
"I wish you could be with Amanda like you want" Kody said and I felt my heart jump as she looked up at me with a knowing smile. Nothing gets past her and I mean nothing. She's only 9 and already more mature than me.
"Now how do you know I wanna be with Amanda?" I asked as she smiled proudly.
"It's me" She said with a smirk, "I know you better than me."
"Yeh, you sure you do" I said as she laughed and threw some bubbles at me.
"You sooooo love her" Kody said teasingly as I blushed, wiping the bubbles away, I lunged at her as she screamed and started laughing as I tickled her. She escaped from my grasp and ran for the bedroom as I marched after her.
"Come on my little Kody bear, you're the one I want, let me make you a lesbian" I said as her jaw dropped and froze her long enough for me to grab her in a hug and kiss her cheek. "MMMMMMMM you're sweet."
"Damn straight" She said with a giggle as she hugged me and looked up. "I love you anyway. You're my best friend."
"And you're my best friend too" I said as she grinned and didn't know that I was being totally serious. Hearing the phone, I asked, "Get that for me?"
"K" She said as she bounced over to the phone as I rejoined the soaking dishes in the kitchen and heard her bark at me, "IT'S FOR YOU."
"What's wrong?" I asked as she dropped the phone and went running into my room and threw herself on the bed. I picked up the phone and I swear I could smell beer and whiskey before the scumbag even slurred a word.
"Put her back on the phone now" Derrick slurred and my blood ran cold. "Her sister wants to talk to her."
"GO TO HELL" I screamed into the phone and started beating it on the table and hung it up. Then pulled the plug out of the wall to keep the drunk stupid bastard from calling back.
"What's wrong Kody bear?" I asked as I laid down behind her on the bed and pulled her into my arms as she cried. "What's bugging you?"
"No one believes me" She said in a sob. "No one, not even my stupid sister."
"I will" I said with an honest smile. "Try me, OK?"
"Derrick touched me bad" She said as I looked at her, stunned to complete and utter silence. "Like a year ago. And Amanda said I was lying so I could break them up. I'm not I swear on my heart Manny."
"Seriously?" I asked as her tears came down her cheeks and I knew she serious. OHMIGOD, that's it, that's why she's so terrified of Derrick. I felt her slip from my arms as she reached for her bag and pulled out a manila folder. Silently she turned her head away as she spilled the contents on the bed as my eyes went wide with shock and disgust and my stomach immediately turned inside out. The images on the bed were of Derrick and Kody and I knew he had saved them as a memento of his conquest of an 8 year old.
"Ohmigod" I said as I rolled over to the side of the bed and puked in the floor. "He's sick."
"You OK?" She asked as she collected the photo's and put them back in the folder.
"No I'm not OK Kody" I said before I puked again and that was followed by a case of the dry heaves as Kody collected my hair into a ponytail and tried to make sure I was OK. I coughed and dried heaved a few times more before I settled down and rolled back onto my back and wondered for a long moment what could possess someone to do that and how stupid did Amanda have to be not to believe her own little sister. Kody slipped back into my arms as I rolled back over and at that moment I know she needed so bad to be protected. I hugged her as tight as I could as she relaxed in my arms. "I feel safe with you Manny."
"I love you so much" I said as she smiled. "You're first in my heart, you know that?"
"Above everybody?" She asked softly.
"Above everyone in this world" I said as she seemed amazed by that.
"You're number with me too" She said.
"He touched you since then?" I asked gently and tickled her as she giggled and made it seem not so important.
"No, you big bully, I leave when he comes around" She said as she fought to get lose.
"I believe you my baby" I said as I held her as she giggled. A long moment of silence that followed turning my mind to working on a plan and my rage to building as I laid the ground work for Derrick's ultimate demise and along with it the end of his and Amanda's relationship. I just honestly needed the right opportunity and fortunately it was just around the corner, literally.
"I swear to god, Derrick Parks, you will pay dearly for this" I said under my breath. Kody rolling over in my arms as she asked, "You say something?"
"Yeh I said are you OK?"
"Uh huh" She said with a bright smile. "I get to be with you all the time."
"Damn straight" I said as she grinned and stuck out her tongue. That smile always melts my resolve to stay mad. "Where did you get these at?"
"I stole them" She said as I smiled as she pulled her pack over by us and dumped out some cd's and a bank envelope with money in it. "There's a thousand bucks there."
"But how? The pictures I mean"
"I was over at Amanda's with Mom and I know where drunk hides his stuff and I found them and put them in my bag" She said as I pulled her back into my arms. "You can have the money."
"Noooo" I said as I hugged her tighter, "You are gonna spend every penny of that on you."
"Me?" She asked.
"Yeh we're going to the mall" I said as she grabbed the money and then reaching into another pocket of her bag pulled out some more bills.
"What? It's only a hundred bucks" She said with a smirk. "I was gonna keep it for myself."
"Just for that I changed my mind, it goes in your college fund" I said as she laughed and ran off. I caught her and the money flew everywhere. We laughed till our sides hurt. We did make it to the mall and she spent every penny of it on clothes and toys, she got everything she wanted and even bought me a playstation 2 (I swear, I love that girl!).
It wasn't too long after we had gotten back from the mall that the phone rang and I instantly had that sinking feeling as I looked at the caller i.d. and didn't recognize the number. Kody stopped as she came out of the bathroom and listened as I picked up the phone.
"Hello?"
"Can you come pick me up?" Amanda asked. "Hello?"
"Let me guess..." I said. "Derrick again?"
"Yeh" She said simply. "He said someone stoled his video tapes and the bill money and he blamed me."
"Where at?" I asked.
"Corner of Peach tree and Martin Luther King?" She asked. "I'm a little dizzy can you please hurry?"
"Be there in a minute" I said as I hung up.
"I hate her" Kody said as I breathed a deep sigh. "I do."
"And I hate him, and tonight if you will let me I'm gonna lower the boom on him" I said as Kody smiled.
"He won't try and hurt me?" Kody asked as I hugged her.
"Never my baby" I said as I kissed her forehead and she smiled. "Can I have the pictures?"
"In my bag" She said. "You gonna be gone long?"
"Probably, I'm gonna take Amanda to the cabin where she has no other way out but to listen" I said as Kody leaned up and kissed my chin. "What was that for?"
"I love you Manny" She said as I hugged her tighter. "Maybe you and sis can be...wait, noooo, what about Stacy?"
"I dunno" I said as Kody gave me a worried look. "Let me do this and then me and you will sit down and figure this whole mess out OK?"
"Me and you?" She asked with a huge smile.
"I gotta discuss it with my best friend" I said as she grinned victoriously.
"You're my best friend too" She said.
"I love you too Kody bear" I said as she hugged me again. So it was set and in just a few minutes I'd set into motion a plan that would seriously alter mine and Kody's future. This was gonna be a long night indeed.
Written by
TVM
Wednesday Night on...
(SPRING 2009)
* * 8:00 * *
Slash TV
* * 8:30 * *
Love of My Life
* * 9:00 * *
My First Time
* * 9:30 * *
Unsung