VICTIM of the GAME
( a short story)
By: Goldmoon





Celeste Richardson was just washing the dinner dishes when the phone rang. She grabbed a dishtowel and dried her hands and picked the portable.

Celeste: " hello"

The voice on the other end of the phone was that of her husband.

Kevin: " Hey Darlin, were stuck in LA, working the weekend to get this video shoot done."

Celeste: " Kevin!".." it's your daughters birthday.. you promised her that you'd be home"

Kevin: " If I could be there, I would".." give her a kiss for me,"..."what,.. ok fine.. I told you, I'm coming"..." look baby I gotta go theyre waiting for me I'll call in the morning "
he hangs up abruptly not waiting for her reply..

she stands there starring at the receiver, fighting the sudden urge to cry... " I love you too, Kevin"

she hangs up the phone and look over the 1/2 wall that divides the kitchen from the Family Room, she smiles as she watches Jenna is sitting in her little rocker watching her Sesame Street video tape.. her little head full of chestnut curls bobs up and down with laughter as Snuffuluffagus, her favorite next to Big Bird, of course, does something funny.. the little girl cracks up.. Celeste smiles to herself as she envision the many times Jenna and Kevin sat on the floor with their ball caps backwards intently watching this video.. she is suddenly filled with an overwhelming need to see him.. she picks up the phone and dials her travel agent..

Eileen: "Gateway Travel, Eileen Richardson.. where can we take you today"

Celeste: "hey, Aunt Eileen"

Eileen: "Celeste is that you sweetie"

Celeste: "um hum .. how are you"

Eileen: "Im just peachy.. how are you and that little angle of yours?"

Celeste: "Were both doing really well.. um, I kinda need to go to Los Angeles. the next flight you can get us on"

Eileen: "is everything alright its not your father is it?"

Celeste: "no, everything is fine, actually Daddy is now in New York"

Eileen: "ok, well thats good.. let me see here. She types into the computer.. .."I have a flight leaving in 4 hours"

Celeste: " thats perfect .. one.. oops, 2 tickets .. I almost forgot Jenna is not free anymore"

Eileen: "how old is she now, her party is this weekend?"

Celeste: "yeah, shes 3 tomorrow .. can you believe it"

Eileen: "it seems like yesterday you and Kevin got married and then the baby the woman sighs as she recollects.. ok sweetie, youre all set.. the tickets are at the Con-Air counter "

Celeste: " thanks Aunt Eileen"

Celeste hangs up and walks in the family room, the little girl looks up at her

Celeste: "sweetie, wanna go see daddy"

The little girls eyes light "we go on big plane"

Celeste smiles " yeah, baby.. come help mommy pack"

Jenna jumps up and runs up the stairs.. she beats her mommy up the stairs.. but of course, Celeste had to take the movie out and shut off the TV.. but still the little girl is fast for practically three...

The bags are packed and the little girl debates over which of her stuffed "friends" to bring along.. finally she chooses "Coney" a stuffed giraffe Kevin won for her in New York at Coney Island.
They drive to the airport and are sitting there waiting for the flight.. Celeste is trying to read a magazine and keep an eye on Jenna as she sits playing with " Coney" .

Jenna) " Uncle Bri".." Jenna go see Uncle Bri"

Celeste smiles, at how well the young girl can associate going to LA to see her Daddy with Brian being there, without looking up from the magazine.. she replies yes Sweetie, Uncle Brian will be there, and Uncle AJ and Uncle Nick and Uncle How.." .. she stops mid-word as she looks over at the seat her daughter was just sitting in .. the seat is empty..
Celestes heart jumps into her throat about as fast as she jumps to her feet.. she feels panic overcome her as she searches the crowd for her daughter.. she drops the magazine as she spots Jenna running across the terminal her arms open wide.. then she glances past her and see Brian standing in line to retrieve luggage.. she runs after her as he puts his carryon down and scoops the little girl up in a big hug..

The little girl is giggling when Celeste makes it over to where they are..

Brian: " arent you both a sight for sore eyes"

He leans over and hugs her..

Celeste: "Hi B, what are you doing here"

Brian: " I live here"

Celeste: "I thought y'all had to work the weekend for the video shoot"

Brian: " Kinda pointless without Kevin, so I came home, I kinda miss everyone. But its a surprise Morgan doesnt know Im coming"

he smiles faintly at the look of surprise he knows will be on his wifes face when he walks through the door.. a look that will quickly be replaced by pure happiness he is snapped out of his daydream by the look of absolute confusion on Celestes face.. he stops bouncing Jenna up and down..

Brian: " you mean Kevin's not here"

She shakes her..

Jenna: " we take big plane go see daddy"

Celeste: " he said y'all were stuck in LA, he called me about three, three and a half hours ago"

Brian shakes his head "he left LA two days ago, I dropped him off at the airport"

Celeste, now on the verge of tears.. " then where is he"

A look of sympathy registers in Brian's eyes.. she didnt notice it, her mind was too busy racing with the endless possibilities all of which lead to one conclusion.. her shoulders slumped just a little..

Brian " I am sure he went looking for the perfect gift for his little princess here,.... so why dont you both come home with me and.."

Celeste: " no thanks.. I need to get my luggage and come on Jenna lets go home"

Jenna: " NO!, Jenna go on big plane .. see daddy"

Celeste takes her from Brian and walk away.. she is squirming and trying to get down.. she is crying, Celeste is trying hard not to.. about 8 thousand thoughts are flying through her head at top speed.. everyone around her suddenly looks like they are on fast forward... all of a sudden the airport is extremely hot.. and the lady at the luggage check is a bitch.. . Celeste begin to feel sick to my stomach..

Jenna is still practically moaning : " no.. me go see daddy.. I want my daddy"

Celeste cant seem to catch her breathe... she sits Jenna on the counter about a second before she faint..
Jenna shrieks a blood curdling scream that catches Brian's attention as he is exiting the airport.. he spins around to see Celeste laying on the floor, several people standing there starring at her and Jenna trying to climb down from the counter and the luggage lady on the phone.. he drops his bags and runs back to them..
he gets Jenna down and sits her on the floor. She is crying and trying to climb on Celeste and give her hugs and kisses.

Jenna: " wake up mommy, Jenna sorry.. I be a good girl"

Brian checks for a pulse and breathing and much to his relief Celeste has both she comes to about a minute before the paramedics arrive .. despite her pleading to be fine.. she taken to the hospital..

Medic" are you her husband"

Brian: "I'm her .. cousin".." this is her daughter"

Celeste: " if you insist I go .. I insist they come along or I am not going"

The medic shrugs and as Celeste is loaded into the ambulance, Brian is getting all the luggage and Jenna into his rental. Along the way he calls his house..

Morgan: "hello"

Brian: "hey baby"

Morgan: "Bri Bear?.. where are you

Brian: "Lexington"

Morgan almost drops the phone "Lexington, Kentucky"

Brian chuckles as he pictures her expression.. "look, I am on the way to the hospital, something is wrong with Celeste

Morgan: "what happened"

Brian: "I'll explain later.. can you drop the girls off at my mothers and come to the emergency room, I have Jenna"

Morgan: " I'll be right there"

Brian: "thanks, Baby.. I love you

Mrogan: "I love you too"

An hour later Morgan Littrell runs through the electronic doors of Cedar Grove Hospital .. she finds Brian sitting in the waiting room holding Jenna who asleep.. worrying about her mommy had wore her out and well .. it is near her bed time.. Morgan sits down next to her husband he leans over and kisses her.. she smiles but it is quickly replaced by a look of concern..

Morgan: " is she ok".." what happened"

Brian lays the sleeping girl down on the couch and covers her with his jacket..

Brian)" I have no idea".." they are running tests is all I know.. she passed out in the airport "

Morgan: "is Kevin here"

Brian shakes his head.. "I have no idea where he is.. I called his cell, all I got was the voice mail,.. he must have the ringer off.. I paged him.. nothing so far"

Morgan: "what.. is he still in LA - I could have Dustin (her older brother who lives out there) try to find him"

Brian: " Baby, no one knows where he is.. least of all me.. I get to the airport and Jenna and Celeste were there flying to LA cause Kevin told her we had to work this weekend.. not technically a lie, IF he WAS there, wed HAVE to work.. . but he left two days ago to come home for Jenna's party tomorrow"

Morgan: " where do you TRUTHFULLY think he is".." and remember, I can tell when you're lying"

Brian looks at his wife and she can clearly see what he doesnt want to say.

She gasps:" not Kevin.. I dont believe that.. he loves Celeste so much.."

Brian shrugs.. " it happens, I am not saying that is where he is, but wherever he is.. cant be good if he has to lie to everyone in order be there"

Morgan: " you've been on the road with him.. has he acted weird"

Brian" as opposed to what? .. life on the road in general is strange"

She gives him a look: "Brian Littrell, you are dancing around the question"

Brian gives her a look, she knows he is getting mad.. "don't ask me questions I cant answer.. AND even if I COULD, it is not my place to try to even begin to understand.. I know you love them both, but, Baby,.. this time.. please stay out of it.. and for the love of god, DO NOT pick sides, .. I know you want to help.. but they have to deal with what comes by themselves"

Morgan: " Brian, you obviously know what is coming.. why can.. or should I say , why wont you tell me"

Brian: " I love you and I tell you EVERYTHING .. . But THIS is not my tale to tell.. I am sorry baby"

His sweetness had an undertone.. the look in his eye said enough..

Morgan sighs and sits back in the chair.. they are both silent.. theirs was a successful marriage.. and when a marriage works it is in no small part because a woman and a man have come to recognize within a precise measure when enough has been said

Brian was just walking outside to try Kevin's cell phone again, when Celeste comes walking out of the double door her normal glowing complexion looking dull and ashy.. her hair, which she normally kept looking like she just stepped out of the salon.. was pulled back in a haphazard pony tail.. to put it mildly.. she looked like shit

Morgan stands up : "oh sweetie, how are you"

Celeste gives a half smile as her cousin and very best friend hugs her..

Celeste: " I've been better, my protein is way up.. my red blood cell count is way down, I am anemic and stressed out and tired".." and gave myself a nice bump on the head when I fell"

Jenna sits up at the sound of her mommys voice..

Jenna: " mommy"

Celeste smiles and takes the little girl in her arms and gives her a big hug

Jenna: "I'm sorry"

Celeste smiles at the little girl "it's not your fault baby.. you are a good girl" she kisses her cheek..

Celeste: "thanks for helping us at the airport Brian.. Jenna and I are gonna go home now"

The words were no soon out of her mouth when Brians cell phone rang..

Brian: " Hello".." no, she's right here, hang on"

He hands the phone to Celeste.. she hands Jenna to Morgan..

Celeste: "Hello"

On the other end of the crappy connection is her husband

Kevin: " are you alright"

Celeste: " I fainted...where are you"

- her question is met with silence --

Kevin: " Well, obviously you know I am not in LA"

Celeste: "OBVIOUSLY".." so where are you and why on earth did you lie to everyone"

Kevin: " I am in New York"

Celeste: "why?"

Kevin: " I cant get into that right now".." I'll be home tomorrow, we'll talk then"

Celeste:" dont bother, whatever is THERE is obviously more important than us"

Kevin: " NOTHING is more important to me then Jenna"

Celeste, bits back tears at the bitterness of his remark and his stinging tone of voice.. : "let me re-phrase, obviously whatever is there is more important than ME!".." fuck you Kevin, stay there cause I really dont want to see you"

she hangs up on him and hands the phone back to Brian, she takes Jenna from Morgan and walks out of the hospital.. Brian and Morgan are still starring down the corridor long after she had hailed a taxi and left.. When Brian finally breaks silence..

Brian: " I hate being right"
He looks at his wife who is on the verge of tears
Brian: "I love you"

Brian hugs her and she whispers "I love you, too "

the two of them leave and head to his mom's to pick up their daughters.. when they arrive his mother notes their mood.. but is side tracked by the loud yelling of two little blonde girls who stayed up way past their bed time just to see their daddy Brian is all smiles as he is attacked with kisses and hugs..

Brooke: "I love you"
Shelby: " I love you more"
Brooke: "no, I do
Shelby: "no huh"
Brooke: "yes huh"

Morgan: " girls.. give your father a kiss and hug then lets go home, it is way past your bedtime"

Brian gets his hugs and kisses, again.. and then they say goodnight to Grammy Littrell and run out to the car to go home.. Jackie stops Morgan..

Jackie: "is she alright"

Morgan: "she'll be fine"


Jackie nods.. she noted the under tone of the words.. Jackie pulls her sweater a little closer around her as she stands on the porch watching their cars pull down the drive.. as she is walking inside her phone rings.. she shakes her head.. she can tell already who it is,.. she picks up the receiver and says " hello Ann"

Ann Richardson is pacing around her living room.. "what is wrong.. something is wrong I can feel it"

Jackie: "I dont know but its gotta be bad, no one is talkin"





Celeste got home and paid the taxi driver.. unlocked the door and carried Jenna upstairs.. she changes the little girl into her pajamas

Jenna: " mommy, I love you"

Celeste smiles and brushes a strand of hair off her daughters face.. " I love you too"

Jenna: " can I brush my teeth tomorrow"

Celeste: "I think that will be ok.. but you have to brush really good tomorrow"

she smiles and hugs her animal and goes to sleep.

Celeste turns on the little girls night light and sits in the rocker in the corner watching her sleep.. she mustve fallen asleep herself, because the next thing she knew Jenna is waking me up and handing her the portable phone.

Jenna)" mommy talk on phone"

She takes the phone from Jenna

Celeste: "hello"

Kevin: " where were you"

Celeste: "give me ten reasons why I should continue this conversation"

She gets up and walks out into the hall closing the door softly behind her..

Kevin: " Celeste we need to talk. look I am almost home and I just wanted to make sure you were there"

She squints at her watch.. it is almost 6 AM..

Celeste: "don't you come here".." there has not been so much as a raised voice in this house and I am not upsetting the tranquillity"

Kevin had long ago decided not to try to change her views on Karma ,tranquillity and other beliefs.. he sighs.. "fine, anywhere.. we NEED to talk"

Celeste: "fine, meet me at the clinic in an hour"

Kevin: "call my mom, ask her to watch Jenna.. "

Celeste scoffs: "do you really think I would subject her to this.. unlike you.. I still have some sense of responsibility left, and I really dont think she needs to be subjected to whatever comes to play out"

She slams the phone down..
on the other end he winces at her coldness as he says to himself.. 'what did you expect, Kevin'...
he pulls into a truck stop to make a U-turn and drives in the direction of Celestes veterinary clinic.

After composing herself, Celeste picks up the phone and calls her mother-in-law.. Ann says of course she'll watch Jenna.. she asked what is wrong and Celeste told her some bogus story about one of the horses.

A half-hour later Celeste pulls into the driveway of a simple ranch-style home.. Ann comes out on the porch clad in her bathrobe.. her mother-in-law stares at her dressed in jeans and hooded GAP sweatshirt with her hair still pulled back in the haphazard ponytail from the night before.. in an instant she know that it is no horse to be dealt with.. and it saddens her heart..

Ann, keeping with the story: " you know. sometimes you cant fix everything... . sometimes you just have to shoot the horse.. "

Celeste saw her mother-in-laws heartache.. and tried to smile a reassuring smile "hopefully it doesnt come to that".." thanks for watching her"

Ann nods: "my pleasure" good luck with your horse"

Celeste: "thanks"

The young woman gets into her Jeep and drives to the clinic.. as she drives she looks at her hands.. they are shaking.. and they wont stop.. no matter how hard she grasps the wheel.. she had to pull over to the side of the road twice to compose herself and when she arrived at the clinic.. she saw Kevin's rental car she quickly got out of the Jeep and went inside the building her PRIDE is about the only thing that kept her from sinking to the ground in tears when she saw his face.. she had learned to read Kevin like a book , and she wasnt so sure she wanted to open this chapter..
Kevin was slumped down in one of the waiting room chairs.. he was wearing baggy jeans and a red/gray plaid button down over a gray T-shirt.. he had on a ball cap and he hadnt shaved in probably three days.. but what hurt the most to look at was his eyes.. they shined with misery..

Celeste jumped up on the counter...pulled her knees close to her chest and propped her head on them..
Neither one of them spoke. She sat there biting her lip and he sat there starring at everything but her.. finally after like 10 minutes, which in all honesty had felt like 10 hours, Celeste broke the silence..

Celeste: " you are the one that insisted on this meeting.. what is going on"

Kevin:" I don't exactly know how this all happened..."

Celeste cut him off : " spare me the excuses ok.. Please just tell me who SHE is and HOW serious it is.. because I can read you like a book and I know you are as guilty as hell"

Kevin swallows hard.. and changes his sitting position. He is now leaning forward with his elbows on his knees.. he exhales deeply: "Portia de Rossi"." and its serious"." I fucked up baby what started out as a one night stand, turned into a series of one nighters"

Celeste: "so you were going to miss your daughters birthday to be with her I.. I .."

Kevin: "she's pregnant"

Celestes mouth drops open.. she actually had to will herself not to scream or throw up ,or faint, or some really bad combination of all three...Kevin finally looks at her, there are tears in his eyes and he did look honestly sorry.. but she didnt notice.. the very sight of him made her suddenly feel violently ill.. to stop from saying all the horrible things that were coming to mind.. she bit down so hard on her lip she drew blood. She didnt feel anything however, because numbness slowly took over her whole body..

Kevin: " I am so sorry.. I never meant to do this to you... I dont exactly know what came over me.. you just have to believe that I didnt go looking for this.. "

she just sat there starring through him..

Kevin: " please say something.."

Celeste: "what do you want me to say? I cant even .. NO! she jumps down from the counter and starts pacing around.. you know what?.. you suck...I have NEVER hated anyone the way I hate you at this moment. the very sight of you makes me sick.. ok.. I cant even fathom how you get into the situations you do... how could you?. .. I mean how long has this been going on behind my back.. making me the joke.. all the other guys know, I know they know.. Brian tried so hard not to show me he knew.. she starts to cry.. God, Kevin.. you were with her then you came home to me.. do you have no conscience at all.. .. I am literally crushed ok.. I mean I cant even explain how I feel.. I feel like my heart has been ripped out... you are... an asshole!!!"

She grabs her keys and run out of the office slamming the door behind her.. moments later her Jeep peels out of the parking lot It had begun raining she thinks to herself how appropriate Angels Tears.. .. she drives around.. at top speed.. she had no idea of where she was going.. she was bawling and shaking and screaming and banging her fists against the steering wheel... all of a sudden she sees the red lights flashing in the rearview. .she curses out loud and pulls over.. the cop took his time walking up to her.. he was in shock at who had had pulled over, and had tried hard to cover up his amusement..

Cop: " Miz Richardson, . Maam.. do you know you were doing 110 in an 35"

Celeste, matter-of-factly: " yes"

He shines the flashlight at her.. and notices her bloody lip and tears.

Cop: " Miz Richardson are you ok"

Celeste: " not really, I demand you take me to jail"

The cop laughs " I cant do that Ma'am.. Id loose my job.. Chief Gulesppi would take kindly to that at all"

Celeste: " look Dean.. can you call Morgan or Brian.. can you ask them to come get me.. I dont think I can drive home"

Cop: " it's early Ma'am,... why dont I give you a lift home and I'll get the jeep towed to the house"

Celeste: " thanks"

Cop: "no problem.. about your lip Ma'am.. did someone hit you?"

Celeste: "no, I bit my lip'.is it that bad"

He nods and she looks in the visor mirror.. it is all swollen and red.. her eyes are all puffy ..
she laughs an insane kind of laugh..
Celeste: " I'll pay you 200 dollars to never admit you've seen me looking like this"

Cop: "your secret is safe with me Ma'am.. and if I my saying so.. you are still quite a beauty even with puffy lips and eyes.."

She smiles as she gets out of the Jeep.. "thanks, I think"

When the cop car pulls to a stop in her driveway she thanks him and gets out of the car and makes her way inside.. the house felt cold and alien to her. Everywhere she looked there was evidence of Kevin.. she felt like she was choking on the lump in her throat.. she openly wept as she wandered around the house.. she stopped as she passed her reflection in the hall mirror.. she reached out and touched the image of herself.. suddenly from somewhere deep inside.. lyrics to a song she had long forgotten enter her mind.. they fill her senses.. tears stream down her face as she recites them out loud to herself

WELL, IT TOOK A LITTLE TIME
BUT I GUESS YOU FINALLY LEARNED
THAT PROMISES GET BROKEN
AND BRIDGES DO GET BURNED
YOU'VE BEEN SIFTIN' THROUGH THE ASHES
JUST TRYIN' TO FIND A FLAME
HOLDIN' ON TO NOTHIN'
YOU'RE A VICTIM OF THE GAME

YOU WERE STANDIN' WAY TOO CLOSE
TO SEE IT ALL FALL APART
AND THERE WERE THINGS YOU COULDN'T HEAR
'CAUSE YOU WERE LISTENIN' WITH
YOUR HEART
BUT YOU CAN'T SAY I DIDN'T WARN YOU
NOW THERE'S NO ONE ELSE TO BLAME
THERE'S NO ONE QUITE AS BLIND
AS A VICTIM OF THE GAME

AND IT DON'T MATTER WHO YOU ARE
IT TREATS EVERYONE THE SAME
ALL YOU NEED'S A HEART
TO BE A VICTIM OF THE GAME

YOU KNOW IT'S REALLY GETTIN' TO YOU
WHEN YOU TAKE TO TELLIN' LIES
AND YOU CAN TRY TO FOOL YOUR FRIENDS
BUT YO CAN'T LOOK 'EM IN THE EYE
THERE AIN'T NO STANDIN' TALL
IN THE SHADOW OF THE SHAME
WHEN EVERYBODY KNOWS
THAT YOU'RE A VICTIM OF THE GAME

AND IT DON'T MATTER WHO YOU ARE
IT TREATS EVERYONE THE SAME
ALL YOU NEED'S A HEART
TO BE A VICTIM OF THE GAME

OH, YOU KNOW, WHEN I LOOK INTO
YOUR EYES
I CAN REALLY FEEL THE PAIN
STARIN' IN THE MIRROR
AT A VICTIM OF THE GAME!!!!!