The Honor Roll: Season Finale: Episode 20. Mixed Emotions

   As the afternoon has ended, at Bankhead Medical Center, Eliza and Bill sit inside Thomas' room in the ICU, as the Doctor warns them "Now don't expect a miracle. We've done all we can do. And we're not expecting for him to make..." Eliza slaps the Doctor, and pushes him outside the door, as she screams with tears in her eyes, as Bill sits next to his Son, with tears in his eyes "I hope you are ready for me to sue the living shit out of this damn joke of a hospital, you, and making damn sure each and every damn day you breathe you don't forget this!" The Doctor warns Eliza, as two nurses get Eliza away from the Doctor, as Eliza's enraged "Ms.Sullivan, I can understand your anger, but it is what it...." Eliza screams "You don't know what I feel! You don't know what Bill feels! We have lost our next generation, and now we're losing our Son because of a damn grudge between the best Doctor that's ever graced this place, and you. I won't be able to live with myself if that machine in there, showing me that Thomas is alive, flat-lines!" The Doctor walks away, as the nurses follow him, as Eliza storms inside, and looks at Bill, as he tells Eliza, in a scared tone "I can't do it Eliza. It's too hard." Eliza sits next to her Son, as they look at Thomas, with desperation in their eyes, as Valerie and T.J's spirits are in the room, and Thomas tells his Wife and Son "I'm ready." Valerie looks at her Husband, and tells him "If you leave Thomas, Eliza and Bill won't be able to make it." T.J. looks at his Grandparents, and Thomas looks at Valerie and T.J., and tells them "All I've wanted has been to be with the two of you, and our little girl." Valerie responds "And it's not time yet, but we're always watching over you."
  Outside the ICU, Didi sits, as Erica has arrived, along with Dwight, Alice, Effie, Judy, and Louise, as Erica asks Didi "So what's the latest?" Didi tells everyone "Eliza and Bill's back there right now, and they haven't came out. I heard some yelling earlier." Alice sighs with sadness "I feel like we're here to say goodbye to him." Alice gets emotional, as Effie gives her Sister a hug, and Dwight reminds them "Thomas is tough, and we know he's not giving up without a fight." Missy arrives, as Erica sees her, and Missy tells everyone "Has anyone checked their phones? I got this picture from Erica." Erica looks over to Missy, as she goes "Yeah, your Mother and Corey Horton are joining together." Missy looks at everyone, as she sighs "I got some more news for everyone also." Everyone grows curious, as Dwight, Erica, and Alice asks "What is it Missy?" Missy tells them "Mommy Dearest's been hiding something from all of you, and from Corey also." Erica's eyes widen, as she asks "And what might that be? Since his last name's Horton, she's now into men?" Missy shakes her head and goes "That's not it Erica. Edna is alive. I read the Bankhead Journal and it mentioned a death in the morgue, and..." Erica shrieks "That bitch is still breathing? And Maura knows? Oh my God, is that bitch about to pay for this. I bet Corey knows too and she won't say anything." As everyone checks their phones, as Erica tells everyone "I don't think we should mention this to Eliza." Everyone nods in agreement, as Missy assures Erica "Corey doesn't know, and I do know that if he finds out, he'll be mortified." In Caswellton, Corey and Maura pulls into the parking lot of her apartment, as Corey looks at Maura, and tells her "Next week I'm talking to Anna about Erica, and see if there's something we can do. She's pushing my buttons." Maura snarls "The old bitch's been pushing mine for a long time, and her life's so damn perfect, well I got something planned to end that." Maura gets out of the car, and tells Corey "Come in for a minute. I don't like being by myself." Corey nods, as he parks his car, and gets out, and Maura finds the door unlocked, as Corey and Maura screams in horror, as Carly's tied to a chair, gagged, and Edna stands next to her with a pistol to her head, as Edna looks at Maura, and asks "And where's Melissa?" Corey gasps "Grandma?" Edna walks up to Corey, and tells him "You betrayed me, and this girl shot me. Your friend. Now how will we handle this? Does Carly die, or shall I kill the two of you, and Carly, so nobody feels left out?" Maura's eyes grow with fear, as Corey is frozen in fear, as Edna smiles, and turns the safety off.
    Back at Bankhead Medical Center, Anna arrives with her Mother, Betty Waters, as she wheels herself in and tells Anna "I don't need your help." The staff greets her warmly, as Winnie catches up, and quips "She sure is speedy in that wheelchair." Anna tells everyone "Mama was ready when I came to get her, and Daddy sends his well wishes as well." Alice asks Winnie "Weren't you coming up here with Pat? Before I left the school, she said she was going to bring you." Winnie looks around, and tells them "I told Pat to go home and rest. She's really having a rough time with everything." Betty tells everyone "Pat's a sensitive soul, and we worked together for many years. She's one of our anchors at Waters Elementary." Alice looks towards the door to the ICU, as Dwight sighs "And another anchor's in there and may not make it." Betty looks at Anna, and tells her Daughter "Honey, go up and let them let me in. I want to visit Eliza and Bill and see Thomas. I want to pray with them." Anna tells her Mother "That's sweet Mama, but..." Betty waves her finger at Anna, and aims for the intercom, as Anna goes to the intercom and tells the nurse inside "Thomas Duncan has a visitor." The doors open, as Betty wheels herself inside, and Alice quips "After her stroke, she's still got some fire." Anna tells them "Mama's made a great recovery, though she can't walk, she still has her wits, and I think it's safe to say we all know how she is." Everyone nods in agreement, as Effie sighs "Mrs.Betty always makes things better. She's an angel." Anna smiles, as does everyone else.
    In Thomas' Room, Thomas' spirit looks at Valerie and T.J., as Valerie points to his vitals, as Eliza looks at Bill, and pleads "No Thomas! No!!!" Valerie tells Thomas "We'll be together again my love. And do me a favor and move on." Thomas cries to his Wife "I have been through so much hell after losing the two of you, I don't want to go on anymore." Valerie rolls her eyes, as T.J. tells his Father "You used to tell me a Duncan was strong, and never gave up." Valerie adds "And I saw how you handled things with that kid awhile back, and you are needed. You are here for a reason, and that reason is to help kids, and you are needed more here, than with us." Inside, the nurse walks inside, as she looks at Thomas' vitals, and Eliza is silent, as her eyes show fear, as she clings to Bill, both in silence, as Betty wheels herself inside, and Eliza asks Betty "How did you get here?" Betty tells Eliza "Anna drove me here, and most of Thomas' friends are outside, and I wanted to pray for him. I called him personally after Valerie died, to come down here, and I am a testament to prayer Eliza. Just ask Bill." Bill nods in agreement, as Betty looks at Thomas with sadness, and Thomas' spirit watches, as Valerie asks "Is that Betty Waters?" Thomas nods, as Valerie tells him "I told you nobody's ready to let you go." Betty begins to pray, as she holds Thomas' hand, and Eliza and Bill puts their hands on Thomas, as his vitals continue to drop, and another spirit appears, as it tells Thomas "They all need you." Thomas is taken aback, as he looks at the spirit, and the spirit tells him "It's my time, and I've had a great life, but yours has just begun." Thomas looks at Valerie and T.J., as he hugs his Wife and Son, and he looks at his earthly body, as Betty, Eliza and Bill prays, as Valerie, T.J, and the spirit disappears.
    Back in Caswellton, Maura and Corey are silent, as Edna looks at Carly, as she struggles, and Corey yells at his Grandmother "If you want to kill anybody you crazy bitch, kill me! You sure had no trouble killing my Aunt!" Edna looks at Maura, as she coldly goes "I want all of you to die." Carly screams, as Edna pistol-whips her, and the pistol goes off, as Edna shoots herself in the leg, as Maura unties Carly, and restrains Edna, as Corey calls the police. Back in Bankhead, inside the waiting area of the ICU of Bankhead Medical Center, Betty comes out of the ICU, as Dwight, Alice, Missy, Effie, Anna, Judy, Louise, Winnie, and Didi look at her, as Betty tells them "I have a feeling the lord's going to heal him." Didi meanwhile tells everyone "Erica left in a rush." Missy sighs with dread "I have a feeling she's off to pay my Mother a visit." Anna tells Missy "I don't know how to handle the situation with Erica and Corey, but she's too valuable to the school for us to lose, so I'm going to hope they settle it." Betty looks at her Daughter, and advises her "Well Anna, if I were you, I'd sit them down and have a talk with them." Alice reminds Betty "Erica has never liked Maura, and since Corey's related to you know who.." Betty agrees with Anna. Meanwhile Winnie tells everyone "Pat should be here by now." Judy looks over at Winnie, as Dwight tells them "Mary stayed behind to finish up some work. Maybe we should call down there." Judy pulls out her phone, as Rick arrives, and asks everyone "So where's my Wife?" Dwight tells Rick "She left a little while ago." Rick shakes his head, as he mumbles to himself "Damnit Erica." Meanwhile Judy hangs up the phone, as she tells everyone "Mary's going to check in on Pat. She's still at the school." Winnie sighs "Pat must be catching up on paperwork. She's had a hard time with all of this." Everyone nods, as everyone awaits word on Thomas' condition.
    As the day turns to night, in Caswellton, the police arrive, as Edna's arrested, and the officer assures Maura, Corey, and Carly "Edna Horton won't be bothering anybody for a long time." Edna's taken out, as she limps, and Maura sighs with relief "I hope they put her in the hole." Corey looks at his best friend, and quips "I think you should work better on your aim." Carly yells "There was so many people there, and I got nervous. But I got to get back home before I lose my job." Corey asks Maura "Are you going to be ok?" Maura hugs Corey, and tells him "Now that Edna's taken care of, yes." Carly walks outside and yells to Corey "Ok Corey, enough chit-chat, take me to the airport so I can get the hell out of here!" Corey heads out, as he takes Carly to Atlanta, as Carly tells Corey "I need money for a one way ticket to L.A.." Corey assures Carly "No worries." As Maura sits inside her apartment, and pours herself a glass of wine, Erica walks inside, holding a pistol, and Maura goes "If you're here to kill Edna, don't worry, she's in jail." Erica aims at Maura, cuts the safety off, and tells her "And I've had enough of you, and your lies you damn bitch."
    In Bankhead, at Bankhead Medical Center, in the ICU, Eliza and Bill sits at Thomas' side, as Eliza asks her Ex-Husband "Do you feel like somebody's in here with us?" Bill tells Eliza "It's cold, my Mama used to tell me that meant a spirit's in the room." Eliza goes "Valerie's in here." Outside in the waiting area, Dwight, Alice, Missy, Effie, Judy, Louise, Winnie, and Didi sits in the waiting area, as Anna asks her Mother "Are you ready to go home yet Mama? It's getting late." Betty tells her Daughter "No. Popper's fine, and I'm staying right here." Everyone shares their favorite memories of Thomas. Meanwhile back in the ICU, Eliza and Bill holds Thomas' hand, as Eliza glances over and sees his vitals, as Eliza starts to cry, and Bill looks at his Son, as Thomas squeezes his Mother's hand, as Eliza yells for the Doctor, as he walks inside, and Thomas' eyes open, and he looks around, as he responds in a hoarse tone due to the ventilator "Valerie?" Eliza gently kisses her Son, and the Doctor is in shock, as he tells Eliza and Bill "His vitals are normal, and I've never seen anything like this before in my life." The Doctor puts his hand on Thomas' stomach, as he asks him "Are you sore?" Thomas tells the Doctor "Besides being hoarse, I feel just fine." Eliza hugs Bill tightly, as they cry tears of joy, as Thomas tells his parents "Now one of you go out there and let Mrs.Betty and everyone know I'm fine." Eliza gets up, and heads out, as Bill looks at his Son, and tells him "You defied the odds again boy." Thomas responds, as he takes a drink of water "That's the fighter Dad. A Duncan doesn't give up without a fight, and I'm at peace." Bill and Thomas hug, as Eliza walks into the waiting area, as Dwight, Alice, Missy, Effie, Anna, Betty, Winnie, Louise, and Didi all hold each other's hands, as Eliza tells them "I don't know, nor will I ever understand how it happened, but Thomas is fine, and the aneurysm's gone! My baby's going to be just fine!" Meanwhile Judy returns, as everyone looks towards her, as she tells everyone, as tears start to flow from her eyes, as Alice asks "What's wrong Judy?" Winnie asks "Was that Mary on the phone?" Judy stumbles on her words, as she tells everyone, with her voice trembling "Mary checked in on Pat....and.....she" At the gates of heaven, Pat stands at the gates, as her Husband Willard greets her, and Valerie and T.J. stands by as well, as Pat walks through the gates with them, meanwhile silence fills the waiting area, as Judy tells them, trying to keep her composure, as Winnie screams, as Betty and Anna comforts her, as does Louise, and Dwight shakes his head in disbelief, as Alice and Effie comforts each other, as Judy goes "Pat always said when her name was called, she wanted to be in the classroom, and she got what she wanted. Waters Elementary will not be the same without Pat Barker." Eliza looks around, as she tells everyone "I think she was here, and performed a miracle before going to the other side." Everyone is silent, as they mourn Pat's death. In Thomas' room, Bill sits by his Son, as Thomas tells him "Mrs.Pat came by." Bill goes "No she didn't Thomas. Mrs.Betty came in here and prayed." Thomas tells his Father, "She was with Valerie and T.J." Bill gets up, as he walks into the waiting area, as everyone is in shock over Pat's passing, as Bill looks around, as Alice cries "She really wanted to be here for Thomas." Bill tells everyone "Pat was here, and she healed Thomas. He just told me." Tears flow throughout the room, as mixed emotions fill the air, as they celebrate Thomas' recovery, yet mourn the loss of Pat.
   

The Honor Roll: Episode 19. The Biggest Risk

 As afternoon arrives, at Waters Elementary, Pat sits inside her classroom, by herself as Effie and Alice walks in, and tells her "Pat we missed you at lunch. These days are a good time to have some laughs and enjoy it before the kids arrive." Pat looks at them, and sighs "I can't think about that while Thomas is possibly dying." Alice walks over to Pat's side, as does Effie, and tells her gently "We are both having a hard time too Pat, but we have to keep going for him." Effie tells Pat "My Daughter's a RN in the ICU, and Thomas is in good hands." Pat reminds them "But when my Husband Willard died there from a mere cold, that changed my faith in the only damn Hospital around here besides Newnan and LaGrange. I wish Caswellton Memorial Hospital was still around." Alice sighs "Well even they couldn't help Thomas right now Pat. And with Caswell County politics..." Pat reminds them "Well Eliza knows how things work, and money talks in this county, and name, and who you're related to, like Anna and Betty." Effie nods, as does Alice, and Alice goes "We could use a Hospital closer than what we have." Effie assures them "I bet that Eliza will make sure of that. She's never held back, and from what's been going on, I hear she's ready to go after Bankhead. My Daughter told me that after Eliza threatened her earlier today." Meanwhile in Bankhead, In Thomas' Room in the ICU at Bankhead Medical Center, Eliza sits next to her Son, as she looks at him, with his eyes closed, and holds Bill's hand to her chest, as he holds it tightly, as Bill and Eliza cries, and Eliza tells her Son "We don't want you to leave us Thomas. But please don't give up. Please." Bill starts to cry, as he cries "I can't go on without you boy. Fight like hell. A Duncan's a fighter!" The nurse walks inside with the Doctors, as they look at Bill and Eliza, as the Doctor asks "Are the two of you ready to do this?" Bill and Eliza nod with a scared look in their eyes, as both Eliza and Bill kiss their Son, before the Doctors and nurse takes him to surgery, as he's removed from the ventilator, and Eliza collapses into tears, as Bill holds his Ex-Wife, and they cry together, as Eliza cries "Please God don't take him. Please God, don't do it....NO!" Bill holds her tightly, as both are scared of what could come.
    At The Courthouse Inn, Maura and Corey has lunch, as Maura tells him, as they talk "It's best to keep that private in this town. There's many people here that are backwards." Corey responds "I'm not ashamed of who I am Maura. Are you?" Maura tells Corey "With women, it's different, but men, it's complicated to explain. Your Grandmother and I were complicated to explain. It just happened, and then.." Corey sighs "She went mad." Maura goes "Yep. And then sent to Milledgeville, and well you know all about that." Meanwhile Didi, working part-time at The Courthouse Inn, notices Maura and Corey, and walks over and reminds Maura "Eliza has banned you from her restaurant." Maura snaps "Shouldn't you be at the damn school?" Didi snaps back "Want me to call the police? I could call Eliza, but she has enough going on, and she may just come and kill you the way she's feeling at this point, or send Bill." Maura tells Corey "Next time we do lunch, it won't be here. I refuse to give that bitch my money." Didi quips "So are we ready to pay bitch?" Corey hands a check to Didi, and Didi looks at Maura, and goes "Looks like your friend paid for your meal, now beat it before I call your friend Eliza." Maura looks at Didi, and bluntly responds "She's not my damn friend, and she can go to hell!" Maura walks out, as Corey asks Didi "Why is Maura banned from here?" Didi laughs "Eliza hates her. I've been to her house up the street, and she has a dartboard, and her picture in the middle." Corey asks "You're joking aren't you Didi?" Didi looks down, and responds "Maybe. Maybe not." Corey walks out, as Maura tells Corey "Take me back to the school, and Missy's picking me up. I should have a car tomorrow." Corey takes Maura back to Waters Elementary. Meanwhile back inside The Courthouse Inn, Erica sits in a corner, as she says to herself, as she snaps a photo "Yeah. The two of you will really go over well once Eliza finds out, and she will when it's time."
    Back at Waters Elementary, Dwight sits inside his office, as Mary walks inside, and asks him "So anymore word on Thomas?" Dwight shakes his head, as he tells her with a sad tone "I haven't heard anything from Eliza or Bill." Mary sits down, as she tells Dwight "Thomas is such a good man, and a great Prinicpal, and although he drives me mad, I feel so bad for Bill." Dwight asks Mary "Maybe you should go visit?" Mary quickly responds "The way he and Eliza's been, I wouldn't dare. Knowing Eliza, that'd be a death sentence." Dwight laughs "Very true. But they could always use the support. I'm going to the hospital when I leave school, and some of the staff's going also. You should come with us. They will need all the support they can get." Mary tells Dwight "I have a card, and you can give it to them. I don't do hospitals." Dwight tells Mary "I'm sure Eliza and Bill will understand." In Missy's Classroom, Missy sits at her desk silently, as she has flashbacks, and starts to cry, as she thinks of Thomas, and asks herself in anger "I really hurt him when we were kids. If he dies I can't forgive myself for that. Maybe I shouldn't be here." Alice walks inside, as she overhears Missy talking to herself, and notices the pain in her eyes, as Alice asks "What's bothering you?" Missy tells Alice "I'm just thinking about Thomas. I am kicking myself for what I did years ago for Mommy Dearest." Alice sits at Missy's desk, and tells her "You can't take back what you did yesterday, but make tomorrow better. A wise person told me that years ago." Missy cries "I went to see him, and Mr.Duncan just went off on me. It really hurt my feelings Alice." Alice reminds Missy "He's going through a lot. But in the back of his mind, and although he will never admit it, he is very appreciative you have went to check on him." Missy goes "I think Eliza has forgiven me, but I think Mr.Duncan's got it out for me." Alice sighs "That's Bill for you. What you see is what you get, and remember to never let him substitute your class when you have to go to a convention." Missy responds "I heard about that fiasco." Alice tells Missy "I'm going to the hospital later in the day, and so is most of the staff, except for your Mama." Missy yells "Damnit! I got to take her home!" Alice tells Missy "Dump her out and join us. We're going to support Eliza and Bill, and say a prayer for him." Missy tells Alice "I'll go after I dump Mom out at her Apartment." Alice walks out, as Maura has returned, and walks inside, and goes "Dump me out? Oh no Melissa, I demand you stay with me!" Missy asks her Mother "Why? Because you have such a disdain for Thomas and his family?" Maura sighs "Not exactly that, and I don't want to talk about it." Missy is silent, as she sighs with shock "She's still breathing isn't she?" Maura asks "Who?" Missy yells "Edna! Or as Eliza and Erica calls her, Snowball!" Maura tells Missy "I don't want to be alone!" Missy points to the door, and tells her Mother in a bold tone "Get the hell out of my classroom, and since you are getting so close to Corey, you should let him know, or I will!" Maura asks "How do you know?" Missy pulls out her phone, as she responds "Erica sent this picture to me, and I imagine everyone else." Maura walks out, and yells at her Daughter "Next you'll be calling Eliza Mother." Missy yells back "She's a hell of a lot better than you are!" Missy fumes, as Maura walks inside her classroom, and calls Corey, and his phone goes to voicemail, as she tells him "Can you pick me up?"
   As the staff of Waters Elementary begins to wrap up, as the afternoon comes to a close, Pat sits inside her classroom, as she is quiet, and Winnie walks inside and tells Pat "Just let me know when you're ready to go." Pat tells Winnie "I will." Winnie walks out, as Pat sits at her desk, and finishes her paperwork. In Thomas' office, Dwight, Alice, Effie, Anna, Mary, Judy, and Louise are inside, as Dwight updates them on Thomas, as Winnie walks inside, and tells them "Pat's still down." Alice tells Winnie "I haven't seen her like this since Willard died, and maybe she needs to go home." Winnie sighs "I'd like to go to Bankhead to pray with everybody, and be there for Eliza and Bill." Anna tells them "Well Mama's wanting to go also, so I'm picking her up, and taking her, and Erica said she'd meet all of us there." Missy tells them "Mommy Dearest is staying behind." Everyone shakes their head, as Dwight goes "Wise choice for her." In Maura's Classroom, Corey arrives, as Maura tells Corey "Melissa's going to the hospital, and I decided not to go." Corey pulls out his phone, as he asks Maura "As I drive you home, can you explain this picture to me? It looks like someone around here's setting us up." Maura snarls with disgust "Erica." At Bankhead Medical Center, Eliza and Bill sits in the waiting area, as they hold onto each other, as Didi arrives and tells them "Here's dinner, and any word?" Eliza gets up and hugs Didi, and tells her "I'm not hungry right now, I'm ready to hear what the doctor says." Meanwhile Thomas is being wheeled on a stretcher to his room in the ICU, as he's been taken off Life Support, as he hears a voice that goes "Thomas." Thomas' spirit awakens as he sees his deceased Wife, Valerie, and their Son, T.J., as Valerie opens her hand, as does T.J.. In the waiting area, Eliza and Bill are informed of Thomas' return, and the Doctor tells them "It looks like it's time to prepare your goodbyes." Eliza looks at the Doctor, as she and her Ex-Husband walks into the ICU, and warns him "You should prepare for a damn lawsuit."
   
 

The Honor Roll: Episode 18. The Sound of Silence

   It's the next day and at Sullivan Hill, Eliza sits inside her kitchen, and smokes a cigarette as she goes through her photo album, and pulls out a picture of her Mother, and asks "I wish you were here Mama. I can't handle this." There's a knock on the door, as Eliza heads to the front door, and Erica stands on the other side, as Eliza welcomes her inside, and Erica asks Eliza "Return to change clothes?" Eliza tells Erica "My baby needs a miracle. That damn hospital's so incompetent, and I've got a lawyer ready to sue the hell out of Bankhead Medical Center if Thomas dies." Erica sighs "That place is a joke Eliza. When I had surgery a few years ago, I went to Atlanta." Eliza responds "Thomas wouldn't make it back to Caswellton at this point." Erica asks "How's Bill taking everything?" At Bankhead Medical Center, Thomas is on the ventilator in his room in the ICU, as he's in a medically induced coma, as Bill sits next to his Son, as he gets a text from Alice, that reads "Peanut's staying at my place." Bill texts back "Thank you for keeping an eye on him." A nurse walks inside, as she tells Bill "A visitor's here. Missy Gardner." Bill looks at his Son, as he tells the Nurse "I'll walk out in the waiting room and talk to her." Bill walks out, as Missy stands at the door, and asks "How is Thomas..." Bill yells "How the hell do you think he's doing? He's on a damn vent! When we have to take him off, he may die Missy! Wanna go snitch to your damn Mama?" Missy responds "I'm worried about him also Mr.Duncan." Bill looks at Missy, and tells her with anger in his eyes "Eliza may have softened towards you, but I haven't. You are a damn bitch like your crazy ass Mama! Both of you are a damn like." Missy looks at Bill, and calmly warns him "Now isn't the time for this." Bill yells "Leave! Go to Mommy and tell her that my Son may die, it will make her day! The both of you can join forces and fight for Principal at the damn school!" Bill walks back inside the ICU, as the door shut, and Missy cries, as she shakes her head, and heads to Caswellton.
    At Waters Elementary, Dwight walks down the main hall, as the faculty and staff prepares for the students to return, as he walks inside Winnie's Classroom, as Winnie reads notes from the former First Grade Teacher, as Marian sits inside as they gossip, and Dwight asks Winnie "So how are you enjoying being back in a classroom as a teacher?" Winnie quips "A hell of a lot better than being the warden's assistant." Marian sighs "Now Maura isn't that bad." Winnie looks at Marian, and goes "I think you may be that bitch's only friend in this school." Marian looks at Dwight, and tells him "Send my well wishes to Thomas. Winnie's been on a tear this morning talking about Maura." As Marian heads to her room, Dwight asks Winnie "Have you seen Maura this morning?" Winnie sighs "Unfortunately. I was hoping the school was going to fire her." Dwight reminds Winnie "We know Anna's like Betty, both are forgiving, and.." Winnie goes "Let me call the shots while Thomas recovers, and I'll make everybody's day when I fire her ass!" Dwight looks down, and tells Winnie "There's a chance he won't make it Winnie. Tomorrow we'll know for sure, but right now it's not looking good." Winnie shakes her head, and asks Dwight "He's the best Principal this school's had since Betty Waters, and now he's at death's door, and he's still young." Dwight tells Winnie "Like Anna said last night, we all need to keep him in our prayers, and Eliza and Bill also." Winnie tells Dwight "I am. But when Pat drove me here this morning, she got emotional when she spoke about him." Dwight walks to the door, and tells Winnie "This is hard on everyone right now Winnie. It's not going to be easy, and keep thinking positive for him." Winnie responds "Will do.", as Dwight walks down the hall, and has a flashback, and looks up for a moment, as he heads to his office.
     Meanwhile in Maura's Classroom, Maura gets her classroom ready, as she tells a mover "I want Winnie Johnson's desk taken to her classroom NOW!" The mover responds "She said to keep it here as a reminder for you." Maura snarks "Seeing her every day is enough of a damn reminder. Guess I can let Eliza use it whenever she arrives here to work." The mover walks out, as Maura sits at her desk, as Corey walks inside, and asks Maura "So are you ready for the kids to come back?" Maura looks at Corey, and tells him "I'm glad you did get that promotion over Erica. If that old bitch had of gotten it, she'd went on a real power trip." Corey goes "At least now we don't have to worry about my Grandma anymore." Maura nods in agreement, as she does paperwork, and asks Corey "So are you here to remind me I'm on probation?" Corey tells Maura "No. I wanted to see how you were, and check things out around here since Mr.Duncan's in the hospital." Maura asks Corey "What's the plan if he dies?" Corey sighs "That's Anna's call, and from what I've been told this morning, Dwight and Eliza will be playing a role if that does happen which let's hope doesn't happen." Maura tells Corey "I can't stand him Corey, and his Mother, you think your Grandma was evil, Eliza's worse." Corey calmly responds "She seemed nice to me." Maura goes "Yeah, then she goes crazy. She's out for me, and so's her Son." Corey sighs "Try to focus on the important thing, and prove to them you're looking out for the students, and not for yourself." Maura yells "Now Melissa's grown close to that bitch, and I know she's sticking it to me, and likely when not in the ICU, laughing about it." Unknown to Maura and Corey, Erica stands outside Maura's classroom, as she's arrived, and walks in, and goes "Oh well look at what we have here, Maura and her only ally, and Corey, and his only ally." Maura asks Erica "And what do you want Erica?" Corey tells Erica "You and Maura needs to learn to co-exist, or I will make a recommendation to Anna to give the head teacher of Special Ed back to Maura." Erica shrieks "What in the hell did you just say! Corey Horton, you keep proving yourself more and more to me, and I'm going NOWHERE, and you can kiss my ass, and Maura, I wish you had been shot!" Maura yells at Erica "I saw that bullet hit Melissa, and I know it had to come from you." Erica snides "If I knew you were around, I'd aimed for you.." Corey tries to intervene, as Maura goes after Erica, and Erica delivers a blistering slap to Maura's face, as Corey yells "OK! This is very unprofessional. I want the two of you to work out your differences." Erica looks at Corey, and snarls "You keep kissing that bitch's ass, and trust me when I say, I will make it a living hell for you in Caswellton Corey Horton. Bet on it." Erica struts out, as Corey sighs "What's her problem with me?" Maura responds "She thinks she is better than everyone else." Corey looks at Maura, and tells her "I'm going back to the office, be on your best behavior." Maura goes "Tell that to Erica." Maura stops Corey, as he's at the door, and tells him "Thank you for having my back." Corey goes "No problem." Corey walks out, where Erica stands, and boldly warns Corey "You just declared a war with me, and you won't win." Corey ignores Erica, as he leaves, as Erica mumbles to herself "Damn coward."
    In Pat's Classroom, Pat's silent, as Judy tells Pat "Well I've got everything done, and we're set for the kids to return." Pat looks at Judy, and Judy asks Pat "You're not yourself. Thomas being in the hospital's bothering you isn't it?" Pat looks at Judy, as she goes "It's so sad what's going on, and this school is missing his presence. I'm scared Judy." Judy reminds Pat "It's in God's hands Pat, and remember that it's not good for you to worry." Pat tells Judy "Well I can't help it. I love that young man, and him being in charge has brought life back to this school, and if we lose him...." Judy stops her, and goes "Stop that Pat. Do like Anna said, and pray for a miracle." Pat looks at Judy, with tears in her eyes, as she tells her assistant "I quit believing in miracles when my Husband died, and it doesn't look good for that young man." Judy walks over and hugs Pat, as she tells her "I'm going to check on Winnie, and you try to cheer up. He'll be alright." Pat looks at a yearbook, as Judy walks out, and bumps into Alice, as Alice asks "How's Pat?" Judy responds "Not well Alice. She's not taking this well." Alice asks "Do I need to talk to her?" Judy responds "Just leave  her be for a little while." Judy and Alice heads their separate ways, as Pat goes through an old yearbook, and with sadness in her eyes, says to herself "Why does it always have to be the good people that has to suffer?"
   Back at Bankhead Medical Center, Eliza arrives in the waiting area, as Missy sits in a chair, and cries, and Eliza walks over and asks Missy "What's wrong sweetie?" Missy looks at Eliza, and tells her of her encounter with Bill, and Eliza tells Missy "He's not taking this well, and please understand that. I'm not doing so well myself. I cried all the way here." Missy tells Eliza "I just don't think I can go back down to Waters Elementary right now knowing Thomas isn't there." Eliza looks at Missy, and tells her "Do it for Thomas, and stay strong for him and for me." Missy gets up, as she tells Eliza "I really want to see Thomas." Eliza calmly responds "I know you do, but with Bill in there, and the way he's acting, just go and get your class ready for Monday, and I'll keep you informed." Missy hugs Eliza, as Missy heads down to Caswellton, as Eliza walks into the ICU, and walks into Thomas' room, and Bill asks his Ex-Wife "So did you make the call we discussed?" Eliza looks at her Son, and tells him "The Doctor was banned from here because he fought the board, and then he went to Atlanta. If I'd know this, I'd borrowed a helicopter, or a plane, and took Thomas to Atlanta." Bill tells Eliza "Today's the last day we have to make a choice." Eliza looks at Thomas, and looks at Bill, and asks "Why were you so mean to Missy earlier?" Bill goes "Eliza, I can't handle this. I just can't." Eliza puts her arms around Bill, and looks into his eyes, and tells him "I'm here Bill, and we're going to fight this backwards Hospital in every possible way, and I also made arrangements just in case.." Eliza starts to cry, as she puts her head on Bill's shoulder, and cries "Our baby doesn't make it." Bill looks at Eliza, and tells her "We have each other Eliza." Eliza looks at Bill, as they kiss, and Bill holds Eliza tightly in his arms as they hold Thomas' hand.
 
   

The Honor Roll: Episode 17. The Aftermath

 (As Edna holds Missy by the neck, with a butcher knife to her throat, with guns aimed at her by Eliza and Erica, as Carly hides behind a car, and Maura stands at her door, also aiming at Edna, three shots are fired, and Maura screams, as Edna falls to the ground, as does Missy, as Eliza and Erica has a look of horror come over them, as Missy's shot, and Edna lays on the ground. Maura runs outside to tend to Missy, as Edna's unresponsive, also being shot, and Eliza calls the Caswell County Police.)

   It's a day later, and in Bankhead, Eliza and Bill sits inside Thomas' room in the ICU at Bankhead Medical Center, as Thomas's hooked to a ventilator, and Eliza looks at her Son, as Bill asks his Ex-Wife "So who got Edna?" Eliza tells him "I believe Maura finally got some nerve and killed the bitch, but poor Missy." Bill asks "How is she doing?" Eliza looks at Bill, as she sends a text upstairs, to Missy's hospital room, as Missy's awake, and a Doctor walks inside and tells her "You are lucky Ms.Gardner." Missy responds "Hand me those release papers so I can get the hell out of here." The doctor looks at Missy's chest, where she was shot, and responds "I think something you had on you saved your life." Missy asks "And what could that have been? Oh my phone?" The Doctor nods, as he asks "Do you know who shot you?" Missy doesn't answer, and tells the Doctor "My life was threatened, as the police knows, and it's been taken care of." Meanwhile back inside Thomas' Room in the ICU, Bill looks at Eliza, as they sit by their Son, as Eliza asks "When will that damn Doctor from Atlanta get here? I have a lawyer on standby." Bill sighs "Nobody's even been inside either." In another area of the Hospital, Maura walks into Edna's room, as she finds her gone, and has a flashback, and says to herself "You are better off dead bitch." Maura walks out, as she asks the nurses "So did Edna Horton die?" A nurse nods, and Maura walks to her Daughter's room, as she says to herself "I saved Melissa, and now I can have some peace in my life." Unknown to Maura, Missy, or Eliza, in the morgue, the coroner prepares to tag Edna's toe, as Edna's eyes open, and the coroner is shocked, as Edna weakly gets up and grabs a syringe, stabbing the coroner, and strips her of her clothing, as Edna puts the clothes on, and escapes, as the coroner dies instantly.
   At Waters Elementary, as the staff prepare for the end of Winter Break, a somber tone fills the air, as Dwight sits inside his office, as Alice walks inside, and asks Dwight "Any word from Eliza on Thomas?" Dwight goes "He's on the vent, and the doctor that's supposed to do the operation hasn't arrived." Alice gets emotional, as she starts to cry "He's had so much to endure and this breaks my heart. If he dies, I don't think Eliza or Bill will ever get over from it." Dwight sighs "I know the feeling, my Son was killed in the war in Iraq, and it was hard, but we moved ahead, took time, but with Thomas it's a different story. Eliza and Bill's already lost their Daughter In Law, and Grandson, and now faces losing their only child." Alice asks Dwight "And what's the update on Missy and Edna?" Dwight goes "I just got a text from her, and she's being released, and Maura's at the Hospital. Edna is dead though." Alice responds "Good riddance." Alice returns to her classroom, as Dwight walks into Thomas' office, and looks around, and sighs "Get well buddy, and soon. You don't know how much you mean to this school, and to so many people."
   Inside Erica's office, Pat walks inside, as does Didi, as Pat asks Erica "So what happened?" Erica tells them "The bitch is dead, and I made damn sure of it. Luckily Eliza's money helped us out." Didi quips "Like a soap opera." Pat quips "Edna needed to be put out a long time ago." Erica boldly tells them "Well she's out now, and off to hell. I just hope Thomas survives." Pat sighs "I can remember when he was a young boy, and I taught him with Judy, how much intelligence and strength he had for such a young age. And fearless." Erica goes "You taught him?" Pat nods, and responds "He was my favorite student, and he's now Principal, and I know he'll be back here soon, as he will be fighting as hard as he can to return to his desk." Erica goes "I hope you're right Pat." Didi walks out, as she gets a call from Eliza, and walks back inside Erica's office, as Didi tells them "Eliza just told me the Doctor from Atlanta's not coming to Bankhead over a riff with the CEO or something." Erica and Pat's faces are frozen, as Pat looks at Erica, and Didi tells them "I'll update everyone." Didi walks out with her head down, as she is saddened, as she thinks of Eliza, and sighs "I hope she can pull through this." Pat returns to her classroom, as Judy sits inside and asks Pat "So any word?" Pat looks at Judy, with a despondent look on her face, and tells her "The odds aren't good for Thomas. I'm going to my car and have a smoke." Pat walks out, as Judy starts to say a prayer.
   Back at Bankhead Medical Center, as Eliza and Bill stands outside Thomas' room with the Doctor, as Eliza yells "You mean there's no damn body in this place that can remove that aneurysm from my Son?" The Doctor looks at Eliza and Bill, as he responds "Ms.Sullivan, The bleeding hasn't stopped, and you and Mr.Duncan have two days to decide what to do. According to Thomas' living will, he has stated that if he can't survive, then he wants to be pulled off any equipment keeping him alive." Bill yells "For a damn hospital, this has got to be the worst one I've ever seen in my damn life! None of your asses can't save my Son? Well you son of a bitch, don't stand there looking like an idiot! Answer the damn question! I said ANSWER ME!" Bill grabs the Doctor, with rage growing in his eyes, as Eliza looks through the window, and tells Bill "Our worst nightmares are coming true." Bill pushes the Doctor away, as he warns Bill "That was very uncalled for." Bill warns the Doctor "If you can't find anybody to save my Son, I'll kill your ass!" The Doctor walks away, and Bill yells "That's all? Walking away bastard?" Eliza grabs Bill, and tells him "Look, I know how you feel, but what we will need is a miracle Bill." Bill starts to cry, as Eliza stops him, and tells her Ex-Husband "Stop crying. We need to be strong, and decide what'd be best."
   In Missy's Room, as she is dressed, Maura tells her Daughter "Edna is officially dead." Missy breathes a sigh of relief, as she asks her Mother "Did you kill her?" Maura responds "I don't honestly know. Eliza and Erica both had guns aimed, and I had the one of Edna's aimed, and someone else was there also." Missy responds "Well let's go check on Thomas.." Maura tells Missy "I'm not going down there. I know that I wouldn't be welcomed, and I'm going to the school instead." Missy reminds her Mother "Well my car's here, and remember somebody doesn't have a car." Maura responds "I'll wait outside while you check on him." Missy and Maura heads down the hall to the ICU. Meanwhile in a parking garage, Edna has car keys, as she pushes a button, and says to herself "It's not over yet." Edna gets inside the coroner's car, and drives off. In the morgue security walks inside, as the coroner's dead, and looks around and finds Edna's death certificate, and thinks for a moment, and sends an emergency alert throughout the hospital, as Missy and Maura hears it, as does Eliza and Bill, as Eliza looks at him, and Bill tells Eliza "I hope it isn't who I'm thinking it is." Missy and Maura arrive, as Eliza and Bill sits in the ICU waiting area, and drinks coffee, as Missy hugs Eliza, and Maura warns Eliza "You and Erica nearly killed my Daughter." Missy glares at her Mother, as Missy asks Eliza and Bill "How is he?" Eliza, fighting her emotions, responds "I wish I could say he's going to be fine, but I can't. Now Bill and I have to make the hardest decision of our lives." Maura walks away, as Eliza sighs with relief "Thank God she left." Missy sighs "I have a feeling Edna escaped." Eliza is silent, as is Bill, as all of them have a look of dread. Outside Bankhead Medical Center, Maura stands outside the entrance, as a car pulls up, and Edna rolls down the window, and warns Maura "You'll regret your actions. I've learned a lot in Milledgeville, and I will return to finish the job." Edna speeds away, as Maura rolls her eyes, and waits for Missy, as Missy gets emotional, as Eliza and Bill walks her inside, as she looks at Thomas, and cries "He can't die." Eliza puts her arm around Missy, and with tears in her eyes, responds "None of us are going to give him up, but Bill and I have two days to make a decision, and go back to the school, and be there for everyone for me." Missy tells Eliza "I will do that Eliza." Eliza hugs Missy, as Missy walks out, as Bill asks "So you like her now?" Eliza tells Bill "In times like this, you find how people really are Bill." Eliza holds her Ex-Husband's hand, as they look at Thomas, as his eyes are closed, and is kept alive by the ventilator. Meanwhile in Caswellton, as the school day has ended, the entire faculty, and staff of Caswell County Schools hold a vigil for Thomas, as Anna tells them "Let's all pray for a miracle, because he won't make it without one." Dwight, Alice, Pat, Erica, Effie, and Didi sits on the front row, as each are emotional and has flashbacks, meanwhile Corey sits in the back, as he gets a text from Carly, that reads "I'm going back to Los Angeles. My job's complete." Corey has a thought, as he texts back to his best friend "Thank you."
 
 

The Honor Roll: Episode 16. Hanging In The Balance

   As late afternoon has approached, at Bankhead Medical Center in Bankhead, Thomas lays in a hospital bed in ICU, as he's unconscious, and outside in the waiting area, Eliza and Bill sits next to each other, as they hold hands, and Dwight, Alice, Pat, Effie, and Missy sits inside with them, as Missy tells Eliza "I should have said something about that bitch being at the school earlier." Eliza sighs "You and Erica were trying to protect him. Hopefully the Doctor will come out here and tell us something." Alice and Pat look at Eliza and Bill, as Pat assures them "He will recover from this." Alice sighs "I hope so Pat. He's barely hanging on." Eliza tells them in a paranoid tone "I shouldn't be here, my little boy is in there, and there's not a damn thing I can do for him." Effie tells her "You're here, and actually I did work here part-time before returning to Waters Elementary, so he'll be looked after." Bill meanwhile remains silent, as he gets up, and walks to the desk, and tells the woman behind the desk "I want to see my Son." The woman unlocks the doors, as Bill goes back, as Eliza watches, and sighs "He's barely said a word." Dwight tells everyone "I hope soon we find out what's wrong. Is this even real?" Eliza responds in a despondent tone "When he was young, he had the same thing happen, and he has blood vessels that's all together on the lining of his stomach. He nearly died then, but luckily he made it." Alice assures Eliza "And he'll make it again." Missy is silent, as her phone rings, and she sighs "It's Mom." Eliza glares at Missy's phone, and walks over, as she opens her hand, and Missy hands it to Eliza and answers the phone, as Maura, at her apartment in Caswellton goes "What's going on Melissa?" Eliza snaps in an angry tone "Bitch this is Eliza, and we don't know a damn thing, and if I hear something, believe me bitch, you will know!" Eliza hangs up, as Missy sighs "This is horrible." Bill walks out of the ICU, with the Doctor, as everyone turns to him, as Eliza asks "How is Thomas?" The Doctor looks down, and responds "He's lost a lot of blood Ms.Sullivan, and we can't stop the bleeding. He also has a slight concussion due to a fall." Eliza holds onto Bill tightly, as Alice asks "What's wrong with him?" The doctor goes "He has an aortic aneurysm, and from where it's located, I would suggest preparing for the worst." Eliza is silent, as her eyes are distant, as her voice begins to tremble, and tells the Doctor "Save him." The Doctor responds in sadness "I'm sorry, but we can't do anything until the bleeding stops. Would you consider a ventilator?" Eliza and Bill look at each other, as the Doctor responds "The two of you have the choice, as you are his beneficiaries." Eliza responds "He's made it before, and he'll make it again." Bill looks over at Dwight, Alice, Pat, Effie, and Missy and asks "Can he see anyone before we make this choice." The Doctor nods, and everyone heads into the ICU, as they look through a sliding door into Thomas' room, as Eliza breaks down, and Bill tells Eliza "He's been silent, and I'm scared." Alice holds onto Effie and Pat, as Dwight looks on with sadness, as Missy gets emotional, as Eliza looks over to the Doctor, and tells him "Save my baby." Eliza walks out, as she motions for Missy, and everyone follows, as Bill asks his Ex-Wife "Where are you going?" Eliza tells Missy "Take me back to the school." Missy warns Eliza "You're not in the condition..." Eliza yells "I said take me back to the school! I make good on my vows!" Bill looks at Eliza with tears in his eyes, and asks "What if...." Eliza tells him "Don't say it Bill. I'll be back." Eliza walks out, as Missy follows, as Alice, Pat, Effie, and Dwight sit around Bill, as he tells them "If he were to die.." Alice stops him, and boldly responds "Stop thinking that! He will make it!" Bill cries "From the way it looks, my family may be gone."
    Meanwhile in Caswellton, Erica and her Husband Rick Hand, have dinner at The Courthouse Inn, as Rick asks his Wife "So why are we having dinner in Caswellton?" Erica goes "I may be late returning home tonight." Rick looks at his Wife, as he tells Erica "I think you need to come back home. You're angry, and I know that look in your eyes." Erica assures her Husband "I have paperwork to do." Rick rolls his eyes, as he motions for the waitress, and asks his Wife "And just where's my pistol?" Erica responds "I've been doing target practice with it." Rick tells Erica "I want that gun?" Erica asks "Want date night, then I keep the pistol, you have enough guns." Rick pays the waitress, and warns his Wife "Don't do anything stupid Erica. I wish you'd retired." Erica is silent, as Rick walks out, and Erica says to herself "I may be in a damn jail cell with what I have in mind." As Erica walks out of The Courthouse Inn, she bumps into Anna, as she asks Erica "What's the update on Thomas?" Erica goes "When I last spoke to Dwight, it wasn't good." Anna tells Erica "Mama and Daddy's praying for him. I called Maura and.." Erica takes a deep breath, and tells Anna "When school starts back up, I will stay until a replacement's found. I refuse to work with Corey." Anna sighs "Give him a chance Erica!" Erica snaps "No way in hell! After seeing what I did earlier, and Maura kissing his ass, that speaks volumes to me!" Anna reminds Erica "She would know who has visited Edna and who hasn't." Erica shakes her head, and heads to her car, as Anna looks up, with doubt in her eyes, as Erica speeds off, as Erica gets a text from Eliza, and Erica tells her "I'll meet the two of you at Didi's."
     At Corey's Room at the Rooming House, Corey sits on the couch, as Carly brings him a drink, and smiles "I got something to make you feel better." Carly shows off her pistol, as Corey sighs "Now Carly, I do not believe in violence." Carly responds "But it's so exciting Corey! Corey warns Carly "This isn't Los Angeles, this is Caswellton. I'm already on the bad side of Dr.Elliott and Eliza Sullivan after today, and I'm thankful Anna's willing to give me a chance, but I've heard Erica and Eliza have a strong bargaining chip, and Thomas Duncan being in the hospital, and from what Maura told me earlier..." Carly hands the pistol to Corey, and smiles, and goes "Here's your protection if they come after you." Corey looks at the pistol, as he responds "If I were to use this, it'd be on my Grandma." At Maura's Apartment, Maura sits, as Edna walks into the living room, holding a butcher knife, and laughs "I love kitchenware, and everything sharp." Maura yells at Edna "You damn near cost me my job today!" Edna responds "And you hurt the Bankhead School, and warn your lover, or what you call Daughter if she hits me again, I will kill her like I killed your Husband." Maura gets up, and looks at Edna, as she slaps Edna in the face, and snaps "You have cost me a lot you crazed bitch, and when you threaten my Daughter, that's too damn far!" Edna goes "Your Daughter is a hindrance, and you are breaking the rules." Maura yells "My life's in danger because of you because of today! Eliza Sullivan would jump on the chance to kill me. I may not like Thomas, but I don't want to see the man die." Edna goes "I do." Maura looks at Edna, as she tells Edna "You need to find another place to go. We're done, and I'm about to send you back to Milledgeville." Edna pulls out her pistol, as Maura slaps the gun from Edna's hand, and grabs it, and coldly tells her "No bitch, you don't get your way this time." Edna trembles, as Maura yells "Sit down, as I make a phone call." Edna walks to the door, and goes "I hope you can find me." Edna walks out, and gets inside Whips's car. Meanwhile at Waters Elementary, Missy and Eliza has arrived, as Missy asks Eliza "Are you alright?" Eliza looks at Missy, and tells her "Thank you for being there. You've proved yourself to me today." Missy sighs "I have a lot of making up to do for the past Ms.Sullivan." Eliza is silent, as she walks over, and hugs Missy, and whispers "Call me Eliza sweetie. Go back to the hospital and stay with my Son." Eliza gets inside her Mercedes, and drives off, as Missy follows Eliza. Meanwhile outside Maura's Apartment, Edna attempts to start Whip's car, and the motor's dead, as the gas meter's on empty, and Edna walks back to Maura's apartment, and knocks on the door, and yells "Let me in!" Maura, on the other side, doesn't answer, as she holds Whip's pistol, and looks up and says to herself "Time for redemption."
    As night falls, at Bankhead Medical Center, in the waiting area, Pat looks over at Alice, Effie, and Dwight, and tells them "I need to go back home, before I can't see. I don't like to be out at night at my age." Effie tells Pat "I'm going to head home, and I'll follow you." Pat thanks Effie, as Alice tells them "If I get an update, I'll call both of you." Effie sighs with sadness "He looks so bad. I'm going to pray for him. I don't think Eliza or Bill could handle losing him." Dwight responds "Bill's been in the room with him for awhile now, and no word from Eliza." Alice tells them "I'm staying here." Dwight adds "Me too. Bill and Thomas will need some support, especially Bill." Inside Thomas' room, Bill looks at his Son, as he cries, and says "It's not supposed to be like this Thomas. You were moving down here, and starting over, and now here you are in this damn room and your Mama can't handle this. I can't handle this." Thomas remains unresponsive, as his vitals are low, and the Doctor walks inside, and tells Bill "Mr.Duncan, we've got a decision to make. I can't remove the aneurysm from his stomach, and he's too weak to be sent to Atlanta, and wouldn't make it." Bill yells "Damnit save my Son!" The Doctor asks "Where's his Mother?" Bill goes "She went to get her car." The Doctor takes a deep breath, and sighs "Sir, I can't promise you he's going to make it. We're almost out of blood, and I need both of you to give me the go-ahead to have him on a ventilator." Bill looks at his Son, and pulls out his phone, as he calls Eliza, but gets no answer, and looks at the Doctor, and tells him "Isn't there somebody in this damn place capable of saving my only child?" The Doctor responds "I can ask a friend in Atlanta to drive down here, but it won't be until tomorrow, and I don't think he will make it that long." Bill yells at the Doctor with fear "Well I'll speak for Eliza and myself! Put him on the damn vent! I'm not letting him go without a damn fight, and I won't sit here and watch him die!" The Doctor asks "Would your Ex-Wife be..." Bill gets in the Doctor's face and yells "Put him on it and stop piss-anteing around!" The Doctor walks out, as Bill looks at his Son, and tells him "You'll live. I'm not letting you go." The Doctor, and two nurses walk inside, as they prepare to put Thomas on life support, as Bill walks back into the waiting room, and Dwight and Alice doesn't say a word, as Bill tells them "He's being placed on life support." Bill starts to cry, as he tells them "I can't get in touch with Eliza, and she needs to be here!" Dwight and Alice console Bill, as he cries, and tells them "He's been through so damn much...And he has a full life ahead of him, and he can't go before I do, or Eliza. He just can't!"
    As Thomas is taken to the operating room at Bankhead Medical Center, and Bill sits in the ICU waiting area, with Alice and Dwight, in Caswellton, Eliza has arrived at Didi's, as Didi asks Eliza, as she checks her voicemail, and tears fall from her eyes, as Didi goes "He's not doing well is he?" Eliza is silent, as she looks at Erica, as she pulls out a pistol, and Eliza asks Erica "You know the way to Maura's don't you?" Erica nods, as they walk out of Didi's home. At Corey's room at The Rooming House, Corey walks out of the bathroom, as he looks for Carly, and doesn't see her, and finds her phone sitting on a nightstand, as Corey rolls his eyes. Meanwhile Missy arrives at Maura's Apartment, as Edna walks towards Missy with a knife, and coldly tells her "You've caused your Mother and I to split apart you slut, and it's time you go to hell with your Daddy." Maura stands at the door, as she holds Whip's pistol, and cracks the door open, as Edna chases after Missy. Carly meanwhile hides near the apartment, as she holds a pistol and aims towards Edna. Eliza and Erica pull up, as both walk out of Eliza's Mercedes, as each pulls out a pistol, and Eliza coldly tells Edna with tears falling from her eyes "All you've ever done has caused trouble. You and Maura. And now you pay for it with blood, as my baby may not live you psychotic bitch!" Edna grabs Missy, as she puts the butcher knife at her throat, as Missy fears for her life, as Edna whispers "One yell and you die, and your Mother can watch." Eliza yells "Let her go." Edna yells "NO!" Inside Maura's apartment, the safety's turned off, as she says to herself "You won't kill my Daughter." Carly's safety's turned off, as Eliza and Erica both turns off the safety on their pistols, as they aim at Edna, and she yells "Just know, if I die, Missy dies with me." A shot's fired.
 

The Honor Roll: Episode 15. Dangerous Games

   It's the next morning in Caswellton, and at Thomas' farm, Thomas sits in the living room, as Eliza paces and asks her Son "What in the hell are you trying to do Thomas?" Thomas tells his Mother, as he's weak "I have a school to run, and no damn time to be in Bankhead Medical Center!" Bill meanwhile walks inside, with Peanut, as Eliza yells "You act like you have a desire to die, and I won't outlive my only child Thomas! Do you understand me! I absolutely refuse it!" Bill tells his Son "You are walking on thin ice boy, and do you think that will go away by itself?" Eliza adds "Especially being at that damn meeting, and hearing that bitch's name mentioned, and Maura Carson there?" Thomas gets up, as he looks at his parents, and goes "If it's my time to go, then won't a damn thing stop me. I'm heading down to the school." Thomas slowly walks out, as he tastes blood, and swallows, as he gets inside his car to leave. Back inside, Eliza looks at Bill, and yells "It's your fault he's so damn stubborn. That aneurysm's going to explode, and then I'll explode, and then some bitch with a shaved head will die, and then.." Bill stops Eliza, as he reminds her "Aren't you going down to that meeting?" Eliza nods, and Bill notices a tear from his Ex-Wife's eye, as he warns her "You calm down on him. I don't agree either with him leaving the hospital, but there's nothing we can do." Eliza looks at Bill, and heads to the door, as Bill and Peanut follows, and tells him, with a scared tone "We've both lost a beautiful Daughter In Law, and a Grandson, and a Granddaughter that was on the way, and I won't be able to handle losing my baby. We've already came close to losing him before." Bill takes a deep breath, as he tells Eliza "Go watch after him, and I'll keep an eye on things here in case Edna makes an appearance." Eliza leaves, as Bill looks at Peanut, and tells his dog "It may just be the two of us the rate things are going."
   At Waters Elementary, Corey has arrived, as he walks inside the media center, and Erica sits inside the conference room, as Didi stands inside with her, and tells her "Whip's being sent to New York today. I just called the jail." Erica responds in a distant tone "That's good. Tell everyone I'll join them shortly and send Mr.Horton inside here so we can talk privately." Didi tells Erica "Everyone's in the lounge. Something's going on with Thomas." Erica goes "I know, and it's because of Corey Horton's Grandma." Corey walks inside, as Didi snarks "Dr.Elliott's waiting for you inside the conference room." Corey rolls his eyes, as he walks inside, and asks "Where's everybody at?" Erica tells Corey "Don't worry about that Corey, worry about your Granny." Corey once again sighs "I have nothing to do with her Dr.Elliott." Erica yells "I don't believe you either! How can you explain yourself when you've been seen with the deranged bitch twice in one day? Huh? How?" Corey calmly tells Erica "I hate her, and I can't control her! The reason I got into education was to correct her wrongs..." Erica snaps "And you are a damn liar too. I think you and her are joined together. Likely the only member of her family that keeps in touch with her since the rest moved the hell out of the area to get away from her." Corey stands up, and warns Erica "Don't take your hatred and anger out on me due to your disdain for my Grandmother, and leave my family out of this! I plan to keep my job, and prove you all wrong!" Erica pulls out a pistol, and laughs "Rick likes to hunt, and I asked him if I could borrow this. Just so you know Corey, if I were you, I'd tell Grandma she needs to pray, because if I see her, and she's alone, bye bye Snowball!" Erica puts the pistol into her purse, and whispers to Corey "And you keep your damn mouth shut about this meeting we just had." Erica walks out, as Corey takes a deep breath, and walks out into the Media Center, as he sits down, as Didi takes a seat, and stares at Corey, as meanwhile, at a pawn shop in Caswellton, Corey's friend, Carly tells the owner, as she buys a pistol "A woman has to defend herself." Carly walks out, as she returns to the Rooming House.
    Back at Waters Elementary, Maura and Missy sits inside Maura's classroom, as Missy asks her Mother "So are we heading back to your apartment to run off Edna?" Maura sighs with fear "No Melissa. I can't do that." Missy screams "What! She had you tied to a chair yesterday Mom!" Maura yells at her Daughter "Look Melissa, it's very complicated. I explained myself to you last night!" Missy warns her "The only way I'll take you back to your apartment's if you call the police, and we turn in Edna." Maura snaps "And I can find myself a way back home. I don't need you!" Missy shakes her head, as she looks at her Mother, and asks with sadness "What is it with you Mom? Are you willing to let Edna Horton abuse you, possibly kill you like she killed Daddy?" Maura tells Missy "Leave me alone, and don't bring that up again Melissa!" Missy yells "I believe Ms.Sullivan was right." Maura rolls her eyes, as she warns Missy "And I hope you know she's playing you like a hand of cards." Missy begins to walk out, as Edna walks inside, and in a drugged tone goes "So I see you escaped me Maura? And this girl helped you?" Missy warns Edna "I know you killed my Daddy, and.." Edna smiles "He killed himself, and the world's better off without him." Missy slaps Edna in the face, and storms out, as Edna turns to her partner, and Maura, in a scared tone tells Edna "You can't be here." Edna pulls out her pistol, and tells Maura "You are a liar, and you are cheating on me with her, and she's going to pay for it, as will you. So today you go in there and get things back on track with the Bankhead School, and while you're at it, I want you to destroy Thomas and his Mother." Maura walks out, and warns Edna "You need to leave before the school finds out you are here, and my career's over." Edna sits at Maura's desk, and goes "I got a car, and I'll be waiting for you."
    Inside the Media Center, Dwight, Alice, Pat, Effie, Winnie, Mary, Judy, Louise, Marian joins Didi, and Corey, as Dwight asks "Where's Erica, Maura, and Missy?" Corey tells them "I think Erica had to go to her office." Anna arrives, as she tells everyone "Well Eliza's on her way, and Thomas checked himself out of the hospital, and on his way also." Dwight responds "He's in his office, and isn't well." Alice, Pat, and Effie all shake their heads, as does everyone else, as Dwight goes "From what we've discussed, he needs to be at home." Anna sighs "Well he isn't missing this, and I talked to Eliza briefly and he's still weak." Alice tells everyone with a tone of sadness "I got a gut feeling that this is going to really break him. The other week really got to him, and now this.." Pat assures Alice, as does Effie "He's strong, and he will pull through." Meanwhile in the hallway, Erica stands, as she waits for Eliza, as Maura and Missy walks up the hall, and Erica snarks at Maura "So how does it feel to be below me now bitch? And I saw that psycho you're sleeping with." Maura snarks back "And who are you waiting for Erica? Your new friend?" Erica tells Missy "I just hope you love your Mother enough to protect her once Eliza arrives." Erica turns to Maura and goes "Did Anna tell you she's going to be assisting you?" Maura rolls her eyes with disgust, and storms inside the Media Center, as Missy looks at Erica, and warns her "Edna's here?" Erica screams "WHAT!" Missy goes "Inside Mom's classroom." Erica warns Missy "If you don't say something, I will." Missy tells Erica "She will end up exposing herself Dr.Elliott." Erica goes "That's true. Let's just get this meeting over, and Corey the hell out of the Caswell County School System." Eliza arrives, and asks Erica and Missy "Where's Thomas?" Erica responds "I haven't seen him." Missy tells Eliza "Me either." Eliza, Erica, and Missy walks inside the Media Center, as Eliza asks "Where's Thomas?" Dwight responds "He arrived, and went to his office." Inside Thomas' office, Thomas gets up from his desk, as he feels faint, and coughs up blood again, and swallows it, as he heads to the Media Center, and walks inside, as the meeting starts, and Eliza looks over at her Son, as she shakes her head, as the staff looks at him, and the meeting begins.
   Inside Maura's classroom, Edna cuts paper, as she pulls out her pistol, and gets out, and wanders the hallways, as she smiles "A nice stroll." Inside the Media Center, as everyone has taken their seats, Anna tells everyone "As Superintendent, I need to know from you how to handle the situation regarding our new Director of Special Education, Corey Horton. I've seen him twice already with Edna.." Erica yells "Fire that Son of a bitch! Remember what I said Anna. I'll quit unless you don't do it!" Maura stands up, and tells everyone "Corey and his Grandmother doesn't speak, and he's an excellent choice for Special Ed Director." Anna nods, as Eliza asks "If they don't speak, then why is that crazy ass bitch around him?" Corey yells "She's setting me up everyone! Please believe me!" Erica screams "I don't believe you! And you should resign!" Meanwhile Thomas is silent, as Alice sits next to him, and notices him take a swallow, as Eliza notices, as does Pat, as Pat asks Thomas "Are you ok honey?" Thomas nods, as he is silent, as Anna warns everyone "If Edna Horton steps onto school property in Caswell County, she's to be arrested, as she has a lifetime ban that will never be lifted." Missy looks at her Mother, as Maura looks into her Daughter's eyes, and remains silent, as she knows Edna's in the building, as Thomas excuses himself, and eyes turn, as Thomas walks out of the Media Center, as Anna looks at Maura and tells her "Since Winnie's teaching First Grade, and her certificate's been renewed, you will have a new assistant at the start of the next school year, and for the time being, Eliza will be working with you." Maura yells "I won't be in the same room with the woman that has kicked my ass, and.." Anna goes "Deal with it!" Erica goes "Back to Corey, I want him FIRED! Damnit and while you're at it Anna, also fire Maura since we all know she's really close to Edna!" Corey yells "How many times do I have to defend myself around here?" Anna looks at Corey, and sighs "Well I don't know what's going on, but I'll be watching you, as will Erica. She's too valuable to lose here at Waters Elementary." Meanwhile Thomas walks out of the bathroom, as he takes a deep breath, and holds his stomach, as he holds onto the wall, as he's tapped on the shoulder, as Edna goes "Hello Thomas." Thomas looks at Edna, as she goes with a smile "You don't look so well." Thomas throws up blood, and screams at Edna "Get the hell out of here you bitch or I'll kill you!" Edna watches Thomas, as he falls to his knees, and throws up again, as Edna goes "That's correct. And if you excuse me, I'll be leaving before everyone knows I'm here." Thomas attempts to pick himself up, as he once again falls, and hits his head. In the Media Center, the room is quiet, as Eliza asks "Did I hear Thomas scream?" Dwight looks around, and tells everyone "Well it's safe to say the meeting's over." Meanwhile, Edna gets inside Whip's car, and leaves, as Eliza walks down the hall, as the entire staff follows her with the exception of Maura and Corey, as Corey warns Maura "If you were wise, you'd get away from my Grandma. She killed my Aunt, and.." Maura looks at Corey, and tells him "I have your back, just have mine, because I do plan to take care of her." In the hallway, Eliza, followed by Dwight, Alice, Missy, Pat, Effie, and Erica, as everyone else has left, find Thomas on the ground, as he's unresponsive, and Eliza falls to her knees, and cries "Thomas, wake up. It's Mama." Thomas opens his eyes, as Dwight tells Eliza "He has a pulse, as Thomas opens his eyes, and throws up blood, and looks around, as he weakly responds "Edna...." Thomas' eyes close, as Erica calls 911, as Thomas' pulse begins to drop, and Eliza screams in a blood-curling tone "NO!", as Alice calls Bill, as he's at Thomas' Farm, and Bill starts to cry, and back at Waters Elementary, Eliza, Pat, Missy, and Dwight tries to keep Thomas awake, as Erica runs to the front doors, as paramedics arrive, and Maura watches on, as she asks Erica "What's wrong?" Erica looks at Maura, and warns her "You may have a bounty on you. Thomas is unconscious!" Erica leads the paramedics to Thomas, as they take him to Bankhead, as Eliza starts to cry, and sees Maura, and walks up to her, and goes "If my Son dies, you and your lesbian psycho lover die too." Eliza follows the paramedics, as the paramedics yell "We have to hurry!" Eliza starts to cry uncontrollably, as Alice, Pat, Erica, Dwight, and Missy comfort her, as Missy tells Eliza "I'll drive you to the hospital." Eliza looks at Missy, as Eliza looks at Missy with tears in her eyes, and responds "Let's go!" Missy and Eliza speed off, as Alice, Pat, Erica, and Dwight follows, as in the ambulance, the paramedics look at each other, as one paramedic yells to the driver "Speed up! We're losing him!"
   
 
 

The Honor Roll: Episode 14. Scores, Scorn, And Revenge

   It's the next day, and at Thomas' Farm, Eliza sits inside the kitchen, as she tells the head waitress of The Courthouse Inn "Look, I'm not going to be able to make it down there. The manager should know where everything is." The waitress responds "The manager hasn't arrived, the doors are still locked Ms.Sullivan." Eliza yells "I'm on my way, and you're about to get promoted, and someone's ass is mine whenever she arrives this morning!" Thomas walks inside the kitchen, as Eliza asks her Son "How are you baby?" Thomas responds "I think I'm in a nightmare." Eliza hugs her Son, and assures him "Thomas, the nightmare will be over soon. I have to head down to The Courthouse Inn and handle some things. Will you be ok without me?" Thomas goes "I am a grown man Mama." Eliza responds "I know, but you also have PTSD, and Edna Horton's presence in Caswellton isn't good for you, or anyone." Thomas asks "Don't mention her name Mama." Eliza calls Bill, and tells her Ex-Husband "I'm heading down to check on things. Keep our Son company." Thomas sits at the kitchen table, as Eliza tells her Son "I'll be back later. Bill and his fat friend's on their way, and go into the living room, and meditate." Eliza heads out, as she gets into her Mercedes, and pulls a pistol from under the seat, and calls Missy, as she's at her home in Bankhead, and Eliza boldly tells her "Meet me at The Courthouse Inn in an hour!" Back inside, Thomas has another flashback, as he takes deep breaths, and screams.
   Meanwhile in Bankhead, at Erica's Home in the Lakeview Country Club, Erica sits in her living room, as she has a flashback to her past, and her visit with Eliza the day before, as Erica pulls out a box, and looks through photos, as she pulls out a document, and says to herself "Looks like the Whipper's gotten forgetful in his old age." Erica pulls out her phone, as she calls Didi, as Didi sits in her home in Caswellton, as Whip yells from Didi's guest room "I want breakfast!" Didi yells "Why don't you leave and get some!" Whip yells back "No! I want breakfast in bed, and my damn money!" Didi notices her phone, as she answers, and Erica goes "Didi, I share a history with Whip Morris. But I also have a weapon to use against him also." Didi asks Erica "Jody?" Erica responds "Yes, and Jody's my Sister. Whip and I partied together before I got my degree and I moved down here, and he caused Jody and I to split apart, and he almost cost me my marriage." Didi listens intently, as Erica tells Didi of her past, and Didi tells Erica "He's never divorced Jody, and he did help me get my citizenship in America, and he's not leaving without money." Erica tells Didi "Play a game with him, and leave the rest to me, and he'll be out of the way very soon." Erica hangs up, as she has a look of mischief on her face, as she seductively goes "Whip?" Didi walks into the guestroom where Whip lays on the bed, and tells him "I want to play with you. And I called a friend of mine too." Whip's eyes widen, as Didi walks over to closet, and goes "Now stay still, and I'll give you what Jody can't." Back in Bankhead, Erica's on the phone with her Sister, as she tells Jody "Your husband's in Caswellton." Jody, in New York City, tells her Sister "He's a bastard Erica." Erica agrees, as Jody tells Erica "So what do you need from me?" Erica tells her "Come and get him. He won't last long once I tell Rick he's here." Jody hangs up, and Erica has a thought, and in New York City, Whip's Wife, Jody Morris, makes a phone call, and says "He's in Caswellton."
    At The Caswell County School System, Corey unlocks the door, as he walks inside to start working, as he tells his friend on the phone "I'll be there to pick you up. Just remember where you're going isn't nothing like Hollywood." Corey hangs up the phone, as he opens the door to his new office, as Edna sits at Corey's desk, and goes "Hello my precious Grandson." Corey backs up, as Edna asks in a drugged tone "Do you not want to hug your Grandmother?" Corey, in a scared tone responds "You're supposed to be in Milledgeville, and you're not allowed here." Edna gets up from Corey's desk, as she walks over, and whispers "I am free, and you are going to help me get my job back. You shall do as I command of you. And the first thing you do, is step back, and put me back into my position. You should be having fun." Corey boldly responds "I won't do that." Edna goes "And I want Thomas Duncan fired from Waters Elementary! He's crazed, as is his Mother! He's ruined everything I've set in place!" Corey yells "As far as I'm concerned, he's doing a damn good job Edna, and how about I make a call to Milledgeville and tell them where you are..." Edna pulls out the pistol, as she coldly tells her Grandson "You don't want to test your limits with me, so put the phone down or else you will join others whom upset and disappointed me." Unknown to Corey and Edna, Anna has arrived, as she overhears Edna and Corey, as Edna hears footsteps, and quickly tells her Grandson "I'm proud you are going to help me get the Waters name out of this program, and help Thomas out of the Principal's seat at Waters Elementary." Anna walks inside, as Corey freezes, and Anna boldly tells Edna "You get out of here before I call the police." Corey is silent, as Edna touches her Grandson's face, as Edna looks at Anna, and asks "Did your Mother and Father help you?" Anna ignores her, as she asks Corey in a stern tone "I hope I just didn't hear what I thought I heard in here?" Corey tells Anna "I found her in my office Anna." Anna reminds Corey "It was a risk hiring you for this position due to her, and now that I've heard what I have, I'm going to ask you to go back home and let me think." Corey assures Anna "I have no intentions of helping her!" Anna sighs "Well Corey, thanks to her, Thomas is having issues, and I'm not putting Caswell County Schools at risk with Edna running loose. And meet me later, and we'll discuss this at The Courthouse Inn." Corey goes "I've got to pick up my friend in Atlanta." Anna sighs "Well then, call me when you arrive home." Corey agrees, as Anna heads to her office, and calls the staff of Waters Elementary, and tells them all "Tomorrow a meeting is to be held at the Waters Elementary Media Center." Corey walks out, but unknown to Corey, or Anna, in the shadows stands Edna, as she follows her Grandson out, as he walks back to the Rooming House where he stays, as Edna watches closely.
    At The Courthouse Inn, Missy has arrived, as Eliza tells Missy "Follow me to my Mansion." Eliza and Missy walks out, as Missy asks Eliza "What's there for you to say? I know you learned about my Daddy, and I don't want to hear your point of view." Eliza tells Missy "Well you follow me up the street, and we're having a talk. Just the two of us." Missy sighs "Whatever.", as she follows Eliza. At Thomas' Farm meanwhile, Thomas sits inside the living room, as Bill and Peanut are inside, and Thomas tells his Father "I think I should have taken the job in Atlanta, or stayed in Kansas City. Hell I should have killed myself after losing Valerie and T.J." Bill tells his Son "I'm glad you are home Son, and I don't want to hear you talk like that. Eliza's going to be at the school, which spoils my plans, but it'll be good for you. She's planning something." There's a knock at the door, as Bill answers, and Alice and Pat walks inside, as Alice and Pat gives Thomas a hug, as Alice asks Thomas "I heard you're not handling the news well about Edna." Bill warns Alice and Pat "Don't say the name." Thomas asks "How in the hell did that crazy bitch get out of Milledgeville?" Alice tells Thomas, as does Pat "She escaped from Milledgeville. She wasn't supposed to be released." Pat sighs "I'm going outside to smoke a cigarette. I don't believe Edna Horton's roaming the streets of Caswellton." As Pat walks outside, Alice tells Thomas "Anna's called a meeting tomorrow in the Media Center, and we'll figure everything out. Edna's already making moves." Thomas begins to have another panic attack, as Bill tells Alice "You and Pat need to head back home. This has really gotten to Thomas, and I don't think he can take much more." Alice sighs "Poor man's been through so much, and one thing we can count on, is that he's tough." Bill sighs with defeat "I think it's worn thin. He's in a dark place right now, and Eliza doesn't want him to be alone." Alice asks, as Bill walks her outside, as Thomas sits in his chair, and is silent "He's talking suicide, and Eliza's going to work at the school for awhile, in Maura's class.' Alice sighs with dread "Excuse my french Bill, but all hell's about to explode if those two are in a room together." Bill tells her, as Pat walks over "It's best, and I'm going to hang around as well. My Son's going through hell, and I think this is going to kill him if he isn't careful." Alice asks "Kill him?" Bill goes "He's stressed, and everyone needs to make damn sure to keep him calm, and the stress away." Alice and Pat vows to do that, as they leave, and Bill walks back inside, as Thomas sits in his chair, and pain shows on his face, as Bill asks "Are you ok?" Thomas tells his Father "I taste blood." Bill freezes.
   Meanwhile at Sullivan Hill, Missy sits, as Eliza tells Missy "Your Mama's lover's presence in town's hurting Thomas, and I'm going to be at the school, and I'll be working with Maura, and so you know, and I know, if she makes one move against my Son..." Eliza pulls out her pistol, as she coldly responds "The bitch has it coming, and it's been too damn long!" Missy pleads "Mother's not happy with Edna's return either Ms.Sullivan." Eliza goes "I'd think she'd be jumping with joy!" Missy responds "Edna's more whacked than ever, and.." Eliza changes subjects, and asks "So tell me about how you found your Daddy after he killed himself?" Missy warns Eliza "Please don't make me talk about that." Eliza assures Missy "That's the only thing that prevented me from finding you and kicking your ass the other day getting cozy with my Son." Missy starts to cry, as she explains the horrific experience, and starts to cry, as Eliza goes "Do you believe your Daddy would have killed himself Missy?" Missy responds "He was angry. That's all I remember. Then I found him the next morning, in the floor..." Missy trembles, as Eliza tells Missy "I remember him as a good man, and I don't think he'd killed himself." Missy tells Eliza "Mommy Dearest's said the same thing a few times, but then deny it." Eliza asks Missy "Did he ever stand up to Snowball?" Missy nods....and her eyes widen, as Eliza asks "What?" Missy pulls out her phone, as she frantically responds "Mother's been acting odd." Eliza sits, as Missy calls her Mother, and Maura's phone goes to voicemail, and Eliza looks at Missy, as she tells her "If I were you, I'd go down there and check on her." Missy runs out, as Eliza's phone rings, and she answers, as Bill tells his Ex-Wife "You need to come back to Thomas', he's getting sick." Eliza runs out of Sullivan Hill, and rushes to Thomas' farm, as Bill stands at the bathroom door, as he hears his Son, and tells Peanut "This can't be happening."
     Back at Didi's Home, Didi wears lingerie, as Whip's tied to the bed, as Erica arrives, and goes "You've aged well you old bastard." Didi asks Erica "So what do you want to do with him?" Erica looks at Whip, as he smiles "This looks like fun." Erica goes "Oh yes it is, and I have a surprise for you, but my Husband's not to know." Erica takes off her coat, as she asks "Like it?" Whip grins, as Didi tells Whip "You have what you want now Whip." Erica smiles "And Didi, he loves whips and chains." Didi laughs "And I have them." Erica tells Whip "Now excuse me, as Didi and I discuss how we're going to pleasure you." Didi and Erica walks into the hallway, as Erica tells Didi "Jody knows, and she told me some things as I was coming down here. He's in for a shock, and all you and I need to do is keep him distracted." Didi smiles, as they walk back inside the guestroom, as Erica asks Whip "Remember what we did in Studio 54?" Whip sighs "Ahh yes." Erica seductively climbs next to Whip, and tells him "Didi and I are about to make that look like a fantasy." As Didi climbs on the bed, police cars arrive, as the sirens are off, and four policemen gets out of their cars, as they walk through Didi's door, as they storm inside, and Whip screams at Didi and Erica "The two of you set me up!" The Sheriff goes "Whip Morris, you're under arrest for fraud, blackmail, and you have a warrant in New York, New Jersey, and Illinois." As Whip's unchained, and handcuffed, he asks an officer, as he's naked "May I put on some clothes?" Whip's denied, as he's read his rights and taken to the Caswell County jail, as Didi looks at Erica, and thanks her, and Erica tells Didi "He tried to break up my marriage to my Husband, and I don't know what Jody's seen in him, but she's the one to really thank." Didi hugs Erica, as she goes "Speaking of Husbands, time for me to go meet mine for dinner in Newnan." Erica leaves, as Didi yells "Thank you God!"
    Meanwhile around Caswell County, at Alice's Farm outside Simpson, Alice, Pat, and Effie sits in her living room, as Alice tells them after getting Anna's voicemail "Things are about to get really bad I think. I have a bad feeling something's about to happen with Edna in town." Pat quips "Bad for her. I just hope it isn't true that Corey's not helping her." Alice asks Pat, as Effie tells them "I think tomorrow's meeting will be crazy since Eliza and Maura will be in the same room, and working together to boot." Pat meanwhile asks Alice "Notice anything off with Thomas earlier?" Alice goes "He didn't look well. This is all taking a toll on him." At Maura's Apartment, Missy arrives, as the door's unlocked, and yells "Mom?" Missy looks around, as she looks into her Mother's bedroom, as Maura's tied to a chair, with her mouth taped shut, and Missy unties her, as Maura looks at her Daughter, and tells her "Let's get out of here before Edna returns." Missy and Maura run out. Meanwhile Edna sits outside the Rooming House, looking at a leaf, as Anna pulls up, as does Erica, as Erica gasps "Oh my God, you're out of the nuthouse?" Edna asks Erica "You work for Caswell County Schools?" Erica responds "Yes I do." Corey meanwhile pulls into the driveway, as he sees Anna, Erica, and his Grandmother, as his friend in the car, named Carly goes with excitement "This will be better than watching soaps!" Corey rolls his eyes, as he tells his best friend "And from the look on Anna Waters face, and Dr.Elliott's, I may be screwed thanks to the bitch in the rocking chair." Corey tells Anna and Erica with urgency "I did not invite her here." Erica looks at Corey, as she snarls "A Horton and another Horton helping each other." Erica looks at Anna and tells her "Fire him." Edna yells "He's going to help me get back my job or else he will pay." Anna looks at Corey with disappointment, and tells him "Tomorrow be at the meeting, and I may take too much after my Mother, but I plan to give you a chance." Erica yells "I don't plan to." Erica warns Anna "You have Maura working at Waters Elementary, and now Edna's Grandson, who seems to be in cahoots with his deranged Granny. If you keep him, I quit!" Erica gets into her car and leaves, as Anna looks at Corey, and Edna, and tells him "Tomorrow we'll discuss your future." Anna leaves, as Carly gets out of Corey's car, and Corey yells at his Grandmother "Get the hell away from here!" Edna looks at Carly and tells her Grandson "Make me a Great-Grandchild." Edna walks away, as Corey and Carly heads into his room, as Corey sighs with disgust "She's going to ruin everything I've dreamed of accomplishing." Carly assures her friend "Not with me around." Meanwhile at Thomas' Farm, Thomas sits in his chair, as Bill's across the road, and Thomas grows faint, as he gets up, and walks to the bathroom, as he throws up blood. Thomas gets up, as Eliza walks inside, and yells for her Son, as Thomas walks out of the bathroom, as he collapses, and Eliza calls 911.
 
 
 

The Honor Roll: Episode 13. The Tactics Of Fear

   As the weekend's past, and winter break's started for Caswell County Schools, at Waters Elementary, Thomas sits inside his office, as he works, as Dwight arrives, and reminds Thomas "You know we have the week off." Thomas responds "I was bored at home, so I came here instead." Dwight sighs "My Wife's on the beach for the week, and forgot to invite me. It was a sorority reunion." Thomas quips "There's a logical reason." Thomas asks Dwight "So what's your plans Mr.Waltrip?" Dwight tells Thomas "I think we should go up to Bankhead to this breakfast place I know of." Thomas tells him "Sounds like a plan, The Courthouse Inn's been slammed since yesterday's opening." Dwight tells Thomas "Eliza's hit the jackpot with that mainstay." Thomas laughs "And apparently she and my Dad are hitting it together after he called me from her house this morning." Dwight laughs, as he and Thomas walks out, and heads to Bankhead.
   At Eliza's new home, that she's named "Sullivan Hill", Eliza sits in her living room, as she smokes a cigarette, and thinks of the night before, and goes through a photo album, and has a thought, and then her doorbell rings, as she goes to answer it, and Didi stands on the other side, as Eliza notices fear in Didi's eyes, and asks her "Where have you been this weekend? I thought you were going to help me.." Didi goes "I found some yard sales." Eliza walks over to her chair, and goes "There's no damn yard sales this time of the year. You've acted strange the last few days, and what's going on? Trouble in Albania?" Didi sighs "Not that. I'm going through something Eliza. I don't really want to discuss it." Eliza stares at Didi, as she is unnerved, and asks "What's going on?" Didi tells Eliza "Someone's come to town, and my entire life's at stake." Eliza asks "And exactly what do you mean?" As Didi starts to talk, Bill walks downstairs, as he yells "What in the hell is that crazy foreigner doing here?" Didi tells Eliza "Well, seeing both of you are in your robes, I'll head back home." Didi leaves with a look of dread on her face, as Eliza looks at her Ex-Husband, and yells "Show that girl some damn kindness Bill! And stop being a jackass!" Bill responds "I showed my kindness this morning." Eliza quips "And now if we could only work on your personality." Bill looks down and yells "Hell I'm wearing pajamas!" Eliza smiles, as she tells her Ex-Husband "And much better than the days you just wore underwear." Bill heads upstairs, as he gets his clothes, and yells at Eliza from upstairs "I'm going home now." Eliza yells "Good.", as she says to herself "The perfect relationship."
   Meanwhile at The Courthouse Inn, Edna sits inside, wearing a wig, and looks through the window, where the offices to Caswell County Schools are located, as she has a flashback (Two days earlier, Edna yells at Maura "Thomas Duncan is Principal! And you let Anna Waters and them cut ties with the school I helped build? Maura responds "I had no choice Edna!" Edna slaps Maura, and warns her "I didn't get out on good behavior so you know, and now that I know everything, you will rectify your wrongs, or else." Edna pulls out the pistol, as she smiles "I like this. Nice, and powerful.") The waitress walks up to Edna, as she asks "Need anything?" Edna responds "I'm ok. Who owns this place?" The waitress responds "Eliza Sullivan." Edna's eyes widen, as she tells the waitress "Eliza Sullivan. She owns this?" The waitress nods, as Edna responds "Thank you for telling me." The waitress walks away, as Edna has a thought, and calls Maura, and gets no answer, as anger grows in her eyes. Meanwhile Corey walks inside with Anna, as Anna tells Corey "Breakfast's on me Corey. Let's discuss your new job as the director of Special Ed." Unknown to them, Edna sits, as she says to herself "My Grandson follows in my steps, and shall lead from my example, whether he wants to, or not." Edna quietly leaves, as she walks back to Maura's apartment, as another thought enters her mind and she says to herself "An excellent decision to make."
   In Bankhead, Dwight and Thomas sits on the town square, as Dwight tells Thomas "This is the first step in overcoming yesterday." Thomas sighs, as he takes a drink of coffee "Since I've moved back here, this is the first time I've came here. I hate this town. Just down the road is hell." Dwight reminds Thomas "There'll be no more need for worry with that place for our school." Thomas tells Dwight "Thanks for the breakfast by the way." Dwight shrugs "Don't mention it. It's a nice day, and the town square has some nice things to see." Two women walk by, as Dwight looks, and Thomas goes "I thought you were talking about the old buildings." Dwight quips "That too, but there's some eye candy." Missy meanwhile arrives, as she sees Dwight and Thomas, and asks "Enjoying our two day vacation?" Thomas sighs "A few days rest before I have to see your Mother again." Missy looks at Dwight and Thomas, as she has a look of fear on her face, as Dwight asks Missy "What's wrong?" Missy sits down, and tells Thomas and Dwight "First off, I noticed Ms.Sullivan called me this past weekend, and wants to meet with me." Dwight sighs "She knows Missy." Missy turns to Thomas, as anger grows in her eyes, and goes "She knows about what I told you?" Dwight responds "If you are talking about your Father's suicide, Alice and Effie told her to get her off your back. They didn't mean anything bad from it." Missy sighs with disgust "Everything's going to hell." Thomas notices Missy growing nervous, as he asks her "Something else seems to be bothering you besides my Mama. What's wrong?" Missy grabs Thomas' hand, and warns him "She has returned." Thomas asks "Who has returned?" Dwight's also curious, as Missy goes "Mommy's lover, and our new Special Ed director's Grandmother, Edna Horton." Thomas has a flashback, as he begins to panic, and holds his chest, as Missy and Dwight both tend to Thomas, as he responds with is nerves shaken "Hell no. Hell no." Missy tells Thomas "You need to be careful, and I'm driving down to check on Mommy dearest. The bitch is crazier than she was before, and even Mommy Dearest's acting strange." Dwight tells Thomas, as he takes deep breaths "Are you alright?" Thomas looks at Dwight, and tells him "I think it's time to head back to the school, and I'm going home. I don't believe this." Thomas walks away with anger in his eyes, as Dwight asks Missy "How did Edna get out of Milledgeville?" Missy tells him "Good behavior from what Mom told me, but I don't believe it." Dwight tells Missy "Me either. Just know one thing, Thomas won't take this well, and when everyone finds out..." Missy responds with disgust "I have a bad feeling since that crazed bitch is back." Dwight assures Missy "You, and Thomas will have many allies at Waters Elementary, and if Edna shows up, she'll be on the first paddy wagon to the nuthouse!" Missy thanks Dwight, and walks away, as Dwight walks to his truck, as Thomas sits, and is silent, as Dwight looks at him, and assures him "It'll be ok Thomas. There's nothing Edna can do." Thomas remains silent, as Dwight drives back to Caswellton, as Thomas sits in the passenger seat, with a look of fear in his eyes.
   Back in Caswellton, Didi returns to her home, as Whip sits in the living room, and asks "So you know Erica Elliott?" Didi yells "Have you been going through my things?" Whip laughs "Wife, I am allowed to, and Erica and I had a fling back in New York City before she headed South. Ahh the days of disco." Didi yells at Whip "I want you to go back where you came from you son of a bitch! I don't owe you a damn thing, and you lied to me to start with!" Whip responds "I don't remember lying?" Didi screams "Jody! Your Wife! I was going to be your chick on the side!" Whip yells "And we were separated, I helped you get to the States, and get your citizenship, and you also headed south as well! Didi looks around her house, as she screams something in Albanian, as Whip quips "Remember to speak English in my presence you foreigner. And I hope your friend got you that cash." Didi yells at Whip "Eliza was busy when I seen her, and I want your ass out of here!" Whip sits back, as he laughs "I'm not staying at the Caswellton Motor Lodge, and you're going to have one hell of a time getting rid of me." Didi looks at Whip, and walks into her bedroom, as he follows, as she slams the door, and Whip goes "That's fine. I'll break some more things, and give Erica Elliott a call." Didi takes a deep breath, as Whip pulls out his phone, as he dials Erica's number. Meanwhile at Sullivan Hill, Erica arrives, as she tells Eliza "I had some things to give you for this beautiful old home." Eliza looks at Erica, as Erica's phone rings, and she tells Eliza "Why would Didi Nikos be calling me?" Eliza goes "Well answer the phone. She came by this morning and was upset, and Bill didn't help things." Erica asks "Oh the two of you having beneficial sleepovers?" Eliza smiles, and gets back on topic, as Erica's phone continues to ring, and Eliza yells "Answer it!" Erica answers, as she goes "Hello?" Whip, on the other end goes "Hello Erica, my little disco whore. I'm in town." Erica hangs up the phone, as Eliza looks at Erica, as Erica takes a deep breath, and responds slowly "This can't be real." Eliza yells "What in the hell is wrong?" Erica responds "Didi may be in trouble, and she isn't the only one." Eliza asks "Where are you going with this?" Erica tells Eliza "That was an old fling I had when I still lived in New York. Whip Morris. He's in town, and apparently with Didi Nikos." Eliza is silent, as Erica tells Eliza of her past with Whip, as Eliza tells Erica "Well we're going to help her." Erica tells Eliza "I can't do that." Eliza asks "And why can't you?" Erica tells Eliza "I have to go back home. Tonight the hubby and I are having date night." Erica walks out, as Eliza grows suspicious, as a thought enters her head, and Eliza says to herself "Well whatever's going on, it looks bad." Meanwhile Erica stops at the red light, as she has a flashback, and says to herself "Didi, we're in the same boat."
   At Maura's Apartment, Maura sits in her living room, as she hangs up the phone with Anna, as there's a knock at the door, and Maura answers, as Missy asks "Usually you yell Melissa?" Missy notices a bruise on her Mother's face, as she asks her Mother "Did Edna hit you?" Maura quickly changes subjects, as she asks her Daughter "So Corey Horton's in charge of Special Education now?" Missy nods, and tells her Mother "And Ms.Winnie's returning to teach First Grade." Maura responds "Well that's great news, and now we need to get Thomas the hell out of there..." Missy stops her Mother, and snaps "He knows Mother! I seen him, and told him that psychotic bitch was back in town, speaking of her, where's she hiding?" Maura looks at her Daughter, and sighs with dread "Melissa, you shouldn't have said a word about Edna." Missy asks "What's there that you're not telling me?" Maura yells "Just drop it damnit! I can't discuss it!" Missy tells her "By the way, Eliza Sullivan knows about my Daddy's suicide, and she called to meet with me. I'm planning to do so." Maura pleads with Missy "Melissa, don't say a damn word to her about Edna being back in town. If you do I'll have you fired from Waters Elementary, and your career will be over!" Missy tells her Mother, as she begins to head towards the door "If the police knew about Edna, or Snowball as some call her staying here, your career would be done, and I'll let you know now, and I'll give you some time to consider it before you give your answer, it's her or me." Missy begins to head to the door, as Edna arrives, and asks Maura "So you've been lying to me? This isn't Melissa, this is your lover!" Missy snarks at Edna "May want to stop popping the Xanax you weirdo." Missy walks out, as Edna warns Maura "She's to never be here again." Maura yells "That's my Daughter!" Edna responds "And I don't give a damn!" Edna pulls out her pistol, as she sighs "I saw Corey today, and he's now the new golden boy, but he wasn't home." Maura warns her "He's disowned you, and people know you're here." Edna, in a paranoid tone goes "Who knows I'm here?" Maura goes "Thomas." Edna pulls out her pistol, and tells Maura "And there's a simple way of solving that solution." Meanwhile Missy arrives at Eliza's Mansion, as she knocks on the door, but to find nobody there, and gets into her car, as she drives back home." At Thomas' Farm, Eliza and Bill await, as Thomas pulls into the driveway, as Dwight follows, as Thomas gets out of his car, and takes a deep breath, as Bill and Eliza asks Dwight "What's wrong with Thomas?" Dwight tells them "Edna Horton escaped from Milledgeville, and she's in town." Thomas grabs his chest again, as he has another panic attack, and Bill and Dwight helps him inside, as Eliza gets out her phone, and calls Missy, and tells her "Meet me tomorrow." Meanwhile at Maura' s Apartment, Edna paces the floor, as she looks at Maura, and tells her "I'm going to get help to our problem. And it will put this damn town on notice!" At Thomas' Farm, Eliza sits in a rocking chair, as she too has a flashback, and calls Anna, and tells her "I want to help Maura with her class." Anna, at her Mother and Father's farm, responds "I don't think that's smart." Eliza responds "I think it is, and Snowball's out of Milledgeville, so you have no room to deny me." Anna agrees, as Eliza hangs up, and pulls out a pistol, and responds "Bitch, you're going to pay for what you've done to my Son." Inside, Thomas lays on the couch, as he has flashbacks, and screams, as Bill and Dwight tries to calm Thomas down, as Eliza walks inside, and tells both of them "Welcome me back to Waters Elementary, and Maura will be kept in check!" Thomas starts to cry, as Eliza's eyes grow with anger, as Eliza pulls out her pistol, and Bill tells Dwight "May want to warn the staff a war's about to erupt."