Chapter 23d: Aftermath

Aftermath

Ah, the last load screen featuring Cleveland's now ex-wife Shelby. Shall we go and see how they're coping with the heartbreak of divorce?

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The youngest ones are always the deepest hurt. Poor Treynor can't even eat his burned muffin, he's so traumatized. As a toddler he'd witnessed his mother flirting with coworkers, but that doesn't seem to matter now.

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Omaha was losing it even before Shelby had left. She might be Daddy's Girl but that doesn't mean she doesn't care about her (cheating) mama.

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Cleveland doesn't seem too concerned at all, however. Almost unmoved even, as he goes about making dinner.

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What I wasn't expecting was how it would affect Waylon and Texas. I was busy getting pictures when I heard this horrible wailing. Bawling old geezer is not a pleasant sound. I'm sorry Waylon, I didn't realize how bad you'd take it (especially since he's been spinning up engaged/married/grandchild wants like crazy)

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Texas hasn't been spinning up those wants (well, other than the grandchild one) but that doesn't mean she's any less moved by the break up.

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Kasson's been on the receiving end of that break up speech before. Even though he and Shelby weren't the best of friends, he's not unmoved.

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Salina too has faced that pointy "get out" finger and sympathizes with poor Shelby. She was lucky enough to find her love again; hopefully Shelby can find new love, in time.

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"Mouse Mistress?"

Did someone say something? I can't hear over the wailing elders.

"Keth!"

Oh, sorry Cleveland. Yes?

"Are you done ruining my life, destroying my family, and making my mother cry?"

Hey, I'm sorry about Texas and Waylon. Really. I didn't know they'd take it as hard, if not harder, than the kids. Still...

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I'm a little concerned about Treynor. The breakup seems to be causing him to develop some issues at an early age. He's a bit young to be developing "self fury" syndrome.

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"Waaaaaahh!!! Mommy!"

Cleveland, shouldn't you do something to comfort your son?

"I'll be lucky if he doesn't hate me for life."

Well, at least Omaha is here to console her little brother.

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"It's okay punkin. I'm here fer ya. An' Gramma's here too. It'll done get better, really it will."

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"Ya'll always have me Treynor, no matter what. I'll always be here for ya."

"Pwomise?"

"I done cross mah heart. That's what big sisters are fer ya know."

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Omaha tries to put on a brave face for her little brother, but occasionally it slips. Listening to her grandparents certainly doesn't help.

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And so begins the awkward phase of trying to move on with life when everyone is still hurting.

"Great job fer done gittin fired from yer job way back when there Dad."

"Er, thanks Omaha. How do you know about it? You weren't born yet."

The Holldum tradition of bad congradulations continues.

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After she finished her lobster, Texas got up and began laughing at Shelby's portrait. Really Texas, think of your grandchildren. What sort of trauma will seeing their grandmother laughing at their mother cause?

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"Salina hun, I sure hope that whene'er ya'll an Cirrus git married, y'all take the time ta work out yer problems afore somethin like this done happens."

"Thanks Mamma. We'll sure try."

"Cuz if it does, I'm gonna done make you so sorry fer breakin this ol' woman's heart again."

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"That there goes fer you too Kasson. If'n ya ever git yer head on straight an' ask that nice Keth-who-ain't-Keth gal ta marry ya, ya better not be thinkin of splittin up either or when I git done with ya, ya'll be hatin life."

"Mom-babe!"

"Both of y'all are my only hope fer granchiles now. Well, Salina, actually yer prolly my best chance. I ain't holding out no hope that yer brother'll be fatherin' any lil ones anytime soon like."

"Whoa!!"

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Amidst all the hub-bub and wailing and lamenting, Omaha tried to sneak out for a little night on the town with one of her stable of boys. Maybe it can help ease the pain in her heart.

"Omaha!"

"Yes Daddy, I'm headed back inside."

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"I'm sorry Angel. This is a hard time for everyone, but we'll get through it, one day at a time. Just remember your mother and I love you and Treynor very much, even if we don't love each other anymore."

*snuffle* "I luv you Daddy."

"I love you too Angel. Now head up to bed. Tomorrow's a school day."

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"Gud mowning bus dwiver wady. My sisser Omahaw says dis is the bus to my new skoo."

"You must be Treynor. Hi, I'm Stacy Phelps. Your sister's right. This is the bus to SSSS. So hop on in and lets head out... ohmigod, did you steal your grandmother's dentures or something?"

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See what I mean about Treynor having issues. We're talking class 5 free roaming gums here.

Quit the creepy smile and get on the bus Treynor.

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Salina, you're not supposed to set the kitchen on fire. That's Euphemia's job. If you insist on making omelets flambé, at least step back a ways before they go up.

I love how Felicia is right there underfoot. She's in as much danger as Salina.

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"Thanks fer savin me Dorian. I was sure poor Felicia and me were done goners with that fire. Hey, yer sure kinda cute. Kin I git yer number ta give to my niece so she can ring ya up when she's lookin fer a man in a few years?"

"Hey, I'm just here to put out the fires lady, not pick up underage girls. That's wrong."

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So Salina decided to take a sponge bath in the kitchen sink. Felicia barked at her the whole time she was bathing. I guess both the dog and the maid have some issues with naked Holldums.

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Off to work Kasson?

"Yep. I'm like starting to totally dig this here whirlybird."

Yeah, well I still have that "quit my job" want locked for you. And you're a political bigwig now, don't you think you could shave before heading off to work? It doesn't look terribly professional.

"Nah, chicks dig it."

SK is the only chick you need to worry about digging anything and she... aw crap, I forgot the scruff turns her on. Never mind.

"Heh."

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Poor Treynor's homework was forgotten in the chaos of the previous night, so Cleveland took a little time before he left for work to help his son learn how to study.

"Can I go pway now Daddy?"

"Brush your teeth first and check to make sure they're not floating around still. You'll freak out your grandmother."

"Awww..."

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Strangetown's newest criminal mastermind rushes out for his first day on the job. Yeah, you'd better run Cleveland. You may be permaplat, but that won't stop you from toasting in the sun like the vampire you are.

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Omaha does a little rushing out to the car of her own.

So who is it this time?

"Um, some friend of Payton's. I ain't recalling his name, but he's blonde."

Is that all that matters?

"Well, I done hope he's a good kisser too."

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Treynor, you're really starting to creep me out. Stop channeling your uncle's dreams. You're too young to develop pink floaty hearts for anyone, much less SK. *shudder*

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Oopsie, looks like the good sergeant Larry Mace caught himself another Holldum. Luckily Cleveland is still at work so Omaha can't get more busted than she already is.

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So how was your first night atop the Throne of Crime? Was it a good night for evil?

"Just because I control the crime world now doesn't mean that I have to be evil."

Don't let Orrin hear you say that. He'd be so disappointed.

"Are you done interrupting my return from work? I'd like to go to bed and cry myself to sleep now."

I'm sorry Cleveland. Really I am. How many times do I need to say it.

"A few hundred more times might be a start."

How about I do something better next chapter.

"Such as?"

Such as doing something about all those wants for Veronica you spun up as soon as you became an eligible vampire.

"Um, what if I've already done something about those?"

Oh really? Please, do tell...

"That will have to wait until next chapter."

Dang it, I'm going to have to go dig out the Wayback Machine again, aren't I?

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