Trust

Title: Trust

Author: A.M. Glass

Rating: PG

Disclaimer: The characters from “All My Children,” belong respectively to Agnes Nixon, A.B.C. and the Disney Co. No copyright infringement is intended or inferred. The story along with any/all original characters are the sole property of the author and cannot be used without expressed permission first.

Notes: This is the tenth story in the “Dear Miranda” series. This one has more direct dialogue between the characters. I’m not really sure this works, it’s been so much easier when I didn’t have the characters speaking to each other. Hmm.

“Thank you again Reggie,” I say as we exit the police department. I looked at him. He has grown into a handsome man

“Nah, to tell you the truth,” he said as we stopped at the top of the steps, “I’m making up for a mistake.”

“What do you mean?” I smile inwardly as he lightly punches his left hand. No matter how old he is, he reminds me of the teenager I met long ago.

“I thought Bianca was better off, you know, after you left...”

This surprises me, I never once believed he had a problem with my relationship with Bianca. I think my reaction prompts him to continue.

“I was wrong Lena, very wrong and I’m not above saying I’m sorry. You two never got a break and when it started looking good, the whole thing with Babe happened and you know, other things.”

I nodded. “Apology accepted.”

“Thanks,” he said, I could hear the relief in his voice as we walked down. “I’m going to look into what Maggie said, about Miranda. I’d like to say it’s a lie...”

“But you can’t.”

“You’re right, I can’t,” he looked away momentarily, “Lena, I want you to know this, Miranda loves you, I’m pretty sure love her too,” he smiles. “You should hear her when she comes back from visiting, it’s “Mama Lena this, Mama Lena that.” You’re good for her and that’s good enough for me.”

I feel the heat on my cheeks. “Thank you Reggie.”

“Lena.”

“Yes Jack.”

“If you’re ready, I’ll take you to the hospital.”

“All right.”

“Hey Dad, I wondered where you went to.”

“Just checking on some things.”

“Good night Reggie.”

“Night Lena, talk to you later Dad?”

“Sure thing. Shall we go?”

As we drove back I could only think of Miranda, it was plainly obvious that she had no idea what was going on. She was as surprised as I was by Maggie’s disclosure. I wondered how she was doing. She was so brave, trying not to cry as I was taken away.

“Lena...”

“Yes Jack?” I replied, thankful for the intrusion.

“No matter what happens, I know you love Miranda and will always be there for her.”

I looked at him. There was no way he could have heard my conversation with Reggie, none.

“Always.” I believe my answer calmed any doubts he might have harbored about my feelings. “Do you have any idea how long it will take for Maggie to get released?” She was still at the police station waiting for her attorney to arrive. I knew she would try to weasel her way out of the charges I pressed.

“No, not yet. I’m pretty sure Reggie will have one of his best assistants working on keeping Maggie locked up until everything’s checked out,” he replied gripping the steering wheel tighter.

Jack, bless his heart never could separate his feelings for his family from his work. It made him the best father, Uncle, but not the best D.A.

We didn’t say much afterwards and I felt my eyes drifting shut. I keep seeing Miranda’s face, thanking God there’s no sign of Michael in her. Be strong, be brave my angel.

“Lena...”

I hear my name.

“Lena...”

I open my eyes we are nearing the hospital parking lot. I must have dozed off. “I’m sorry,” I say as I sit up straight. I see the look of concern on Jack’s face. “I’m fine.”

“When was the last time you got any sleep?” he asked.

“What’s today?”

He sighed, “It’s Thursday.”

“All ready?” Where had the time gone?

“Lena...”

“Jack, I know what you’re going to say. Erica and Kendall have all ready read me the riot act. Before this mess with Maggie, I would have gone to sleep as soon as Bianca had woken up, which could be any moment now. But how could I possibly think about sleeping at a time like this? Miranda needs me.”

“What about what you need?” he asked as he looked for a space to park.

“I don’t understand.”

“I know you don’t have to indulge me and you can tell me it’s none of my business, but when are you going to tell Bianca that you’re still in love with her? This has to be hard on you seeing her this way.”

Was it obvious? How could I ask myself that, why else would I be here in Pine Valley if not for Bianca and Miranda? I hadn’t been back to Pine Valley, not even for Miranda, since the day I left with Mama back to Poland.

After the accidental meeting in Paris, Bianca and I spoke on the phone. Arrangements were made and Miranda was allowed to visit Mama and myself in Poland.

Miranda after I had explained Mama’s illness walked over to her very slowly. “Sit down my child,” Mama had told her while patting the bed.

The first words out of Miranda mouth had Mama and I crying like children.

“Slucham Babcia.” (Hello Grandma)

Since that visit Bianca had been very generous, letting Kendall bring Miranda to New York where I would meet them or Chicago, where we stayed with my family whenever I had to go to the States for business.

“Lena...”

I pulled myself out of my thoughts. “I can’t,” I answer. “I did everything I could to make it work,” I said softly. “I told her I loved her, there was never any doubt in my mind, Bianca, Bianca was a different story.” I turned to look at him. “Do you know the only time she ever told me, not off-handedly but told me directly she loved me was the day she left the hospital; it was before I went back to Poland with my mother. When we spoke on the phone I would tell her before hanging up, “I love you.” Do you want to know what she said, “Me too.” Would it have killed her to have said the words back?” I asked rhetorically.

“I didn’t know Lena, I’m sorry.”

“You have nothing to be sorry for. I’m a grown woman, so is Bianca. I love her, I know I will always love her, but it comes at too high a price. I can’t be the one to put her heart on the line anymore. I couldn’t tell you if she loves Mel...”

“She does Lena...” Jack replied. What have you done to her Bianca?

“From your lips to God’s ear... Miranda?” I leaned forward in the car seat.

“What?”

“Is that Miranda?” I asked, pointing to the figure rushing out of the hospital. “Jack, hurry!”

The car sped up as we approached her. I opened the window, “Miranda!!

Stop!!”

She kept running.

“Jack, try to get ahead of her.”

We skidded to a stop and I had the door open as Miranda rushed by. I reached out and grabbed her arm.

“Let me go!!”

“Never!” I tell her as I hold on as she tried to squirm out of my grasp.

“It’s not fair, it’s not fair!”

“Sweetheart, please stop, you’re going to hurt yourself.”

“How can you even touch me, let alone love me?” she cried.

“You are my daughter, no matter what anyone says.”

Jack is out of the car and I wave him away. I hold on to Miranda and my heartbreaks. My daughter, my beautiful baby has been reduced to tears.

“Mama, please don’t leave me, please,” Miranda cries before sinking to the ground, her legs unable to support her any longer.

“Never, never.”

I feel her grip tighten around me - her body shakes. I kiss the top of her head, whispering to her it will be all right. I look up and see Kendall. “What happened?” I asked.

“Let’s go inside...”

Miranda trembles in my arms.

“Lena, Miranda left before Bianca could explain. Please, let’s go inside,” Kendall pleaded.

“Bianca, honey, you have to go back,” Erica urged as Bianca walked unsteadily towards the group.

I look beyond Kendall and see Bianca making her way over. She’s awake and I wasn’t there, Damn you Maggie Stone.

“Miranda...”

“Keep her away from me!”

“Miranda, you don’t mean that,” I say.

“Baby, please...”

“Don’t CALL me that, Mother.”

I knew Miranda would not do anything as long as Bianca was there.

“Bianca, why don’t you do as your mother asks?”

“But...”

“We’ll be in...”

“Matka, Nie opuszczaj mnie teraz.” (Mama, don’t leave me now!)

“Kigdy cie nie opuszcze, Miranda,” Lena waited until she looked up.

“Czy cie wierz mi? Uwierz mi?” (I will never leave you. Do you trust me? Do you believe in me?)

“Zawsze Matka, zawsze,” Miranda replied quickly. (Always Mama, always)

Bianca gasped as she heard the exchange. She may not be as fluent as her daughter, but she understood enough of the conversation to know what it must have meant to Lena to hear Miranda’s instant response, something she herself wasn’t capable of doing in the past.

“I’ll be waiting,” she said as she turned around and began to walk back to the hospital entrance where she could see a group of nurses huddled at the front. Erica, Jack and Kendall took the cue and followed Bianca.

As they reached the entrance, Kendall took one more look behind her, Lena and Miranda were speaking with each other. “What did Lena say,” she asked.

“I can’t tell you Kendall. Some conversations between a mother and daughter are meant to be private, trust me on this.”