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."
 
 

 

The Honor Roll: Episode 12. Winter Nightmare

  At Waters Elementary, it's the last day of school before Winter Break, as Thomas sits inside his office, as he finishes up some work, as Anna arrives, and tells Thomas "Erica will be here in a few minutes." Thomas asks Anna "What's going on?" Dwight walks inside, as he tells Thomas and Anna "Here's a note of resignation from Mrs.Wilson." Anna rolls her eyes, as does Thomas, as he asks Dwight "Has Winnie got her certificate renewed?" Dwight responds "She'll be taking the class over when school resumes, and Maura returns." Thomas, and Anna both roll their eyes, as Anna sighs "Well it's good she isn't here for my announcement." Erica arrives, as Anna looks at Thomas, Erica, and Dwight, as the tells Erica "Your friend declined the offer to Direct Special Ed for Caswell County, but we've found a replacement." Thomas and Erica asks "And who's the winner?" Anna goes "Ever heard of Corey Horton?" Erica goes "Doesn't he teach at Corinth?" Thomas rolls his eyes, as he snarls "Horton. Anna don't tell me that's not who I think it is?" Anna sighs "Thomas he's her Grandson, but no worries, he's young, intelligent, and he's going to the college and furthering his career, and last night the board approved him, and also Eliza for a seat, and she even voted for him, after asking a question that made me nervous." Thomas goes "Did she ask if he'd kill his crazy Granny?" Anna responds "That and if it'd be ok for her to do the job. But he told her to feel free to, and Eliza will now be on the board." Thomas quips "For being here for a week, Mama's really gotten involved." Erica asks Anna "Where is Corey Horton?" Anna responds "At Corinth Elementary finishing his last day before he takes the position." Thomas and Erica looks at Anna, as Dwight tells them "It's getting close to time for bus duty, and it's my turn to monitor, along with Missy." Anna tells Dwight walking out "Tell Missy that Pat has called me and informed me of what's going on, and I said to knock it off." Dwight nods, as he walks out, and Thomas tells Anna "I'd like to meet him." Erica agrees with Anna, as she tells them "We're having a meeting this afternoon in the media center, and he'll be introduced."
    One hour later, in the Media Center, Alice, Effie, and Pat walks inside, as Didi screams in her office, as she yells "Don't you dare visit you bastard, and leave me the hell alone you son of a bitch! I owe you nothing! NOTHING!" They turn to Didi, as Pat asks "What's wrong honey?" Didi quickly responds "Nothing, a relative from back home called." Alice looks at her Sister, as Effie quips "I think when Pablo and I take that tour of Europe, we'll bypass Albania." A few moments later, Erica, Marian, and Winnie, walks inside, followed by Dwight, as he asks "Where's Missy?" Inside Thomas' office, Missy looks at Anna, as Anna tells Missy "Let me tell your Mother about this announcement instead of you." Missy yells, as Thomas sits at his desk "Do you think I'm a snitch Mrs.Waters?" Anna responds "Well you are Maura's Daughter, and I know your history, and Eliza told me some things last night at the board meeting." Missy turns to Thomas, as she goes "Your Mother must have it out to make my career at this school hell!" Thomas sighs "Missy, remember when I told you about that filter, well it may be cracking." Anna also adds "And by the way Missy, we overlook Mrs.Pat and Ms.Winnie's "breaks", and so should you." Missy yells "Ok! Damn! Let's get this meeting over!" Missy storms out, as Anna and Thomas walks out of his office, as Mary sits at her desk, with Judy, and they follow, as all enter the Media Center, as Anna tells the faculty and staff at Waters Elementary, as Missy glares at Pat and Winnie, and Winnie makes a hiss at Missy, as Alice tells them "Stop that.", Anna announces "Today we're meeting the new Director of Special Education of Caswell County Schools, and he's Corey Horton. From Corinth." Thomas tells everyone, as Erica whispers to Alice "I may start considering retirement now." The door opens, as Corey Horton walks inside, and greets everyone, and warns everyone "Look, I know you all know and loathe the woman in Milledgeville, but she inspired me to do this, to correct her many mistakes." Thomas goes "Too damn many to count." Anna tells everyone "Corey will do excellent, and everyone, please give him a chance." Alice tells everyone "When I did that one year of traveling to Simpson and Corinth to teach Art when the program was still in place, Corey was one of the nicest people I encountered, and trust him when he says he despises who Eliza calls "Snowball.". Didi's phone rings again, as she grows furious, and screams "Damnit!", as she tells everyone "Excuse me." Everyone looks on, as Corey asks "What's her problem?" Missy responds "She's crazy." Anna wraps up the meeting, as she also tells the staff "Mrs.Wilson has resigned, and Ms.Winnie will be taking her class, and next year it will be officially hers!" Winnie yells "Hallelujah! Out of the warden's chambers!" Anna sighs "And once Winter Break concludes, Maura will be back, but closely monitored." Corey tells them, as he assures the staff "I know Maura, and I also know Missy, and parents can be assured that I'll have Maura Carson contained!" Thomas gets up, as he tells Corey "Well keep your word, and you'll do a great job." As everyone leaves the meeting, Winnie looks at Pat, as she asks "Well, I'm a teacher again." Pat smiles, as she responds "Judy will gladly swap out between our rooms, so you'll have help." Everyone leaves, as Corey walks out the door, as he sees Didi screaming on the phone, and shakes his head with disbelief, as Erica tells him "I know your Grandmother, and I have powers to take you out of your job if you remotely start pulling her type of stunts." Corey sighs "I'm not her Dr.Elliott." Erica goes, as she walks away "That's right young man, Dr.Elliott!"
   Meanwhile at The Courthouse Inn, Eliza looks around, as Bill arrives, and Eliza asks her Ex-Husband "And what do you want?" Bill walks around, with Peanut, as he goes "Looks like you've been busy." Eliza responds "And since I've updated things, want me to feed you?" Bill looks at Eliza, and tells her "I hurt Mary." Eliza sighs "Oh hell, she isn't even into you!" Bill asks "And since she isn't, do you want to reunite?" Eliza goes "See that rock house up the hill?" Bill nods, and Eliza tells him "I bought it today, and I'm naming it, and no Bill, I won't reunite with you, nor will I marry again." Bill goes "What about the other night? You enjoyed yourself?" Eliza smiles "I did, we can be friends, sharing a successful Son, and maybe benefits." Bill sighs "This will hurt Mary." Eliza yells "Mary is not interested in you!" The door opens, as Maura walks inside, and goes "So I see my favorite restaurant in Caswellton's about to reopen?" Bill looks at Eliza, as Eliza asks Maura "Bored?" Maura responds "Mrs.Nell and I always got along, and I wanted to make sure her precious diner's being respected." Eliza walks up to Maura, and goes "Ms.Sullivan would like to throw you into a lake with concrete blocks, and now if you excuse me, I have some work to do." Maura snarks "I heard about the two of you the other night. And you call my Melissa a slut." Bill yells "You heard her, get the hell out of here before Peanut attacks you." Eliza looks at Bill, as she walks over to the grill, and pulls out a knife, and sighs "Since our family's crazy and all, maybe I should.." Maura snaps "Don't expect me to eat here." Eliza laughs "Thank you bitch, and exercise will do you well walking to Bankhead, LaGrange, Newnan." Maura storms out, as Bill looks at Eliza, and goes "I like seeing you so forceful." Eliza walks over to the grill, and asks "And what do you and the dog want to eat?" Bill tells her, and the phone rings, as Eliza responds "Sure Alice, I can arrange that." Eliza turns to her Ex-Husband, and tells him "The staff's on their way over, so this will be to go." Bill asks "Want to come over later and do what we did the other night?" Eliza looks at Bill, and goes "No." Bill picks up Peanut and yells "I'm going home!" Bill and Peanut leave, as Eliza begins to cook and says to herself "He got something good the other night anyway."
     Meanwhile, a car drives down the road, as it pulls off on the side of the road, as a female gets out, and tells the driver "Thank you for picking me up." The driver responds "Thank you for the directions to Caswellton." The driver drives away, as the female walks down a street, as she approaches Maura's Apartment, carrying a suitcase, and dressed in a trench coat. Meanwhile at The Courthouse Inn, Eliza stands at the door, as Thomas walks inside, along with Dwight, Alice, Effie, Pat, Winnie, Mary, Judy, Anna, Corey, Erica, Didi, and Missy, whom Eliza stops and bluntly responds "Toleration fee." Missy goes "What in the hell Ms.Sullivan?" Everyone turns around, as Thomas goes "Mama.." Eliza snaps "Go sit down somewhere, and away from my Son!" Missy looks around, as she finds a seat, and Alice looks around, and tells Eliza "This place looks nice!" Eliza quips "Not much was needed, and I bought myself that rock mansion up the hill." Thomas looks at his Mother, as he asks "When are you going to tell me how much you got out of that divorce from Pedro?" Eliza smiles at her Son, and goes "Baby, it doesn't matter. Mama's set for life, and this is a celebration. Caswellton's oldest restaurant's about to reopen, and I am now on the Caswell County school board. Mr.Horton's the new Director of Special Education as long as he doesn't turn into his Granny." Pat asks Eliza, as she has a cigarette in hand "Ok if we smoke in here?" Eliza yells "It's fine with me! And I'm sure it's fine with Prissy Missy as well." Pat and Winnie light up, as Eliza tells everyone "I have a buffet set on the bar, and we're opening on Sunday after Church." Alice and Effie, along with everyone else tells Eliza "You'll be swamped with business." Eliza quips "Cooler's stocked, and I've already hired some people, and Didi's going to help me. She's my little Albanian Daughter." Didi tells Eliza in a humble tone "That's the nicest thing anyone ever said to me Ms.Sullivan. You have made me feel very welcome in your presence." Eliza looks at Thomas, and asks "Is it ok if we adopt her?" Thomas responds "Alright with me. How will Dad feel?" Eliza goes "We are divorced, and anything that pisses him off leads to great things." Thomas rolls his eyes, as Pat tells Eliza "We got something else to celebrate also." Alice goes "Yeah, Winnie's back at the teacher's desk at Waters Elementary. She's returning to First Grade, and Judy's going to be helping her." Thomas tells Winnie "We're hiring some other assistants, and you'll have one of your own soon." Anna goes "We got an increase in the budget, and we'll be doing great things for the schools, and Corey will do great." Corey gets up, as he tells everyone "I feel beyond blessed, and honored to be here, and I will do my best, and as I said before, not to follow in who some call "Snowball's" footsteps." Missy meanwhile coughs, as Winnie blows smoke towards her, as does Eliza, as Missy snaps "I don't appreciate that!" Alice snaps "Winnie Johnson, straighten up, and you and Pat stop being mean to her!" Eliza laughs "It's alright with me, the girl's a slut, trying to move in on my Son." Missy looks at Thomas, as Thomas asks his Mother with disgust "Are we about to rehash the other night?" Eliza looks at Missy, as she goes "Well Missy, what do you think?" Missy tells Eliza "You can have your damn dinner without me, and you need to back off!" Everyone looks around, and turns towards Missy, as Alice tells her Sister "Effie, this has The Seafood House written all over it." Pat meanwhile looks at Missy, and asks in shock "You're going after a Man that's still mourning losing his Wife and Son?" Missy yells "No I'm not! Screw this, I'm leaving! I won't go where I'm not welcomed!" Eliza snarks "And make sure to remind your Mother as well slut." Missy slams the door, as everyone turns to Thomas, and Thomas tells his Mother "Go apologize to her Mama!" Eliza boldly responds "No!" Thomas walks out, as everyone talks among themselves, as Thomas sees Missy, and tells her "I'm sorry about Mama." Missy looks at Thomas, and warns him "I want to slap her, but I want to keep my job also." Thomas looks at Missy, and tells her "Well, don't let her scare you away." Missy responds "Thomas, my life has scars all through it, and since we're out here alone, I want to tell you something I've always kept to myself." Thomas asks "What is it?" Tears form in Missy's eyes, as she goes "The reason I have a disdain for my Mother isn't for what she made me do to you in school. It's because I don't have a Daddy." Thomas asks "What happened?" Missy fights back her tears, as she tells him "When he found out Mommy Dearest, and the creep Corey Horton has for a Grandma was having an affair, he committed suicide. I found him. It was after you were sent to the Bankhead School." Thomas looks at Missy, and tells her with sympathy "That's horrible." Missy goes "I've never gotten over it, and I know whatever happened to your Wife and Son affected you, but you need to let it out eventually, and I'm here for you." Thomas looks at Missy, as he hugs her, and asks "Please rejoin the party inside, and let's not dwell on our pasts." Missy tells Thomas "I think I'm going to leave, and I know most of the people in that room hate me because of my Mother.." Thomas responds "Not true, I like you, and so does others. Just prove yourself." Missy smiles at Thomas, as she looks into his eyes, as Eliza looks out of the window, as Alice asks "What are you watching?" Eliza snarls "That spawn of Maura's trying to bed my baby, and I'm about to kick her ass!" Dwight, Alice, Effie, Mary, Judy, Anna, Mary, and Corey stops her, as Pat, Winnie, and Erica responds "Go for it!" Didi meanwhile receives a text, and yells "Damnit!", as she storms out, as she says something in Albanian, as Dwight tells everyone "None of you want to know what she just said." Thomas walks back inside, as Missy sits inside her car, and has a thought, and drives to Maura's apartment, as she says to herself "I'm about to let her know how I really feel once and for all!" Thomas walks back inside, as he sees Alice and Effie restrain Eliza, as she asks Thomas "Was Missy offering a proposition to you out there?" Thomas yells "No she wasn't Mama! And damnit just stop with the grudge against Missy Gardner! Everyone in here stop with it!" Alice looks over at Pat and Winnie, as Erica responds "I have no trouble with her." Eliza is silent, as she looks around, and asks "Who wants dessert?" Thomas responds "I'm heading home. Today's been enough, and Mama, you're going to be nice to Missy and I mean it!" Eliza goes "Do I have to?" Thomas snaps "Yes!", as he leaves, and Eliza meanwhile goes "Where's Didi?" Dwight responds "She left, and something's not right with her."
    At The Courthouse Inn, the party ends, as everyone leaves, and Alice, Effie, Pat, Winnie, and Erica stay behind, as they help Eliza, as she cleans up, as Pat and Winnie watches the TV, and Alice advises Eliza "If you don't watch it, you'll lose Thomas if you keep up this rivalry you have with Missy. Thomas definitely has your temper, but more quiet." Eliza responds "I just don't want to see him get hurt, and I will never forgive Maura Carson and Snowball for the years of hell they put him through." Alice goes "Neither will Thomas, and he wasn't happy when he saw Missy, but he's giving her a chance, and you should too." Eliza asks "And why should I?" Erica meanwhile tells everyone "Well I'm heading on home." Eliza thanks Erica, and Erica tells Eliza "I'll be here Sunday at the Grand Opening with a crowd." Pat quips "So will the rest of Caswell County." As Erica walks out, Alice and Effie takes Eliza to the side, as Pat and Winnie yell at the TV, as they fill Eliza in on Missy's past, as Eliza goes "Wow." At Bill's Trailer, Bill pours coffee for Thomas, as he has told his Father what Missy revealed to him, as Bill sighs "Son, your Mama is a classic Sullivan in every term, once you give her the remote reason to hate you, she will do it. Don't expect no miracles from her with Missy. I don't think she's a bad girl, but she does have a mouth, and you need to tell her to back off telling me I can't let Peanut ride with me on the bus." Thomas tells his Father "I actually connected with her today." Bill responds "She does look good Thomas, but don't rush into it. You are still mourning Valerie, and.." Thomas responds "Dad, I'm not looking for a relationship, but she was the first girl I kissed." Bill responds "Mary was the first girl I kissed, in the same school, and I got paddled." Thomas laughs "You got your own dilemma going on. I'm headed home, and may want to take a pill in case Mama comes by later after today." Bill goes "How did you know about that?" Thomas responds "Mama told me." Bill rolls his eyes, as he goes "That damn filter of Eliza's done broke." At a rooming house in Downtown Caswellton, Corey sits inside, as he calls a friend and responds "It's been a hell of a day." His friend, who lives in Seattle, tells him "Want me to visit you?" Corey responds "Sure, I may need some company for awhile." At Didi's house, Didi sees a car parked on the side of the street, as she sees her door open, and screams, as she goes "Whip! Get the hell out of my house you old bastard!" Whip Morris, sitting in a chair, holding an antique plate, and throwing it across the room, breaking it, responds "I'm going nowhere Wife, until you pay me, or else I'll make your life here in this hick town hell!" As for Missy, she pulls up at her Mother's apartment, as she has drove around, and knocks on the door, and Maura yells "Come in Melissa." Melissa walks inside, as Maura tells her Daughter "Look who got out on good behavior?" Melissa gasps, as Edna Horton stands up, and looks at Missy, and looks at Maura, as she goes "Who is she?" Missy walks out, as Maura tells Edna, the former Special Education Director for Caswell County Schools "My Daughter." Edna responds "Well, ok then, I thought you were having an affair." Maura kisses Edna, and tells her "I have longed for the day you'd return." Edna responds "So have I Maura, and now you will answer some questions for me, and I expect the correct answers, or else...." Edna pulls out a pistol, and smiles "This was a gift from a nice man who drove me here, and now that I am here, you will follow my rules, or else, Melissa, or you, will pay the price."
 
 

    

The Honor Roll: Episode 11. The Toughest Decisions

   It's the next morning at Waters Elementary, as Thomas arrives inside his office, and begins to look over files, as Missy walks inside and apologizes for the night before, as Thomas asks "What do you have to be sorry for Missy? My Mama had something planned, and if I was your Mother, I'd move." Missy tells Thomas "I don't know what she has going on inside her head about us, but she doesn't need to take out her hatred for my Mother on me." Thomas takes a deep breath, and tells Missy "I don't know what to tell you about my Mama since everything that's happened, but if I were you, I'd kiss up." Missy responds, as the bell rings "I'll do that. She's fierce for a woman her age." Thomas quips "She took losing Valerie and T.J. hard, like I did, and I didn't even see her when I left, so I hope she hasn't picked up that "Sullivan trait"." Missy goes "What are you talking about?" Thomas responds "After you turn 65, you lose your filters." Missy responds "She definitely doesn't look it." Thomas goes "Keep telling her that, tell her what she wants to hear, and you may make a friend in Mama." Missy walks out, as she says to herself "Likely not since I'm the Daughter of Caswellton's most hated woman." Meanwhile, Dwight walks inside Thomas' office, as he asks "Have you heard anything from Bill? Louise had to pick up his route this morning." Thomas is silent, as he goes "That's odd. This is the first time he's ever been late." At Bill's trailer, Bill wakes up, as he looks at his alarm, and yells "Damnit! I'm going to get fired!" Eliza wakes up next to her Ex-Husband, and assures him "Well I'm sure Thomas will save you from your job." Bill looks at Eliza, as Eliza looks at Bill, as Eliza responds "You were better than Pedro last night!" Bill gets up, as he tells Eliza "That was meant for Mary, but that was the best sex we ever had besides making Thomas in that thunderstorm across the road." Eliza also gets up, and finds a pill bottle, and quips "Nothing like these to get the fires burning Bill." Bill roll his eyes, as Eliza and Bill look at each other, as Bill goes "Let's don't tell Thomas about this." Eliza asks, as she finds a shirt "So you can still work your magic on Mary?" Bill is quiet, as Eliza and Bill both are in shock over the night before.
    Meanwhile in Effie's classroom, as Louise tells Effie, as the kids in the class have play time "I'm glad this year's almost over. That was quite a drive doing two routes today." Effie meanwhile has her attention on a girl in the class, as she asks Louise "Notice that bruise?" Louise looks over, and nods, as Effie motions the girl, named  Mia over, as she asks "Mrs.Vasco, am I in trouble?" Effie gently goes "No. What's wrong?" Mia looks down, as she goes "I fell Mrs.Vasco. I fell in the floor." Effie walks over to the sink, as she tells her "Well let me clean that nasty boo boo." Mia jumps back, in fear, as she screams "Don't touch me!" Effie and Louise look at each other with concern in their eyes, as the girl cries "I fell." Effie looks at her Assistant, and tells Louise "Watch over the class. I'm going up to Thomas' office." Effie walks out, as she bumps into Erica, as she asks Effie "So where's my little star at this morning?" Effie, looking through the door, tells Erica "Something's wrong with her, and it isn't good." Erica asks Effie "And what might be the problem?" Effie tells Erica of the situation, and asks "Has she acted this way with you?" Erica tells Effie "I have noticed some things that has sent chills, and she can't handle yelling, or being touched." Effie snaps "We're going to tell Thomas." Erica tells Effie "If she reacts in a strange tone towards him, we'll have an answer." Effie sighs with sadness "I hope it's not the answer I think it is."
   In Dwight's office, Dwight talks to some students, as he tells them "ISS for today. Ms.Tibbs has ordered it, and maybe the two of you will learn something." One student responds "Well I hate her." Dwight takes the kids down to the ISS room, as he bumps into Erica and Effie, and Effie asks "Is Thomas in his office?" Dwight responds "He's currently in Pat's classroom." Effie and Erica tells Dwight "Well handle what you have to do, and we need to speak to him immediately!" Dwight takes the two students into the ISS room, and tells the ISS assistant "Here's some company.", as he walks out, and Effie and Erica waits, and they head down the hall, as Thomas shakes his head, as he hangs up his phone, and tells Dwight "Well I know where Dad was." Dwight asks "Where?" Effie tells Thomas "We need to have a talk now Thomas!" Thomas, Dwight, Effie, and Erica, walks into the back hall, as he hears his Father, as he cries to Mary "I cheated Mary. Oh God I cheated on you my sweet." Thomas quips "Now I know where Mama went." As Thomas walks inside his office, Effie and Erica fills Thomas and Dwight in on the situation, as Thomas pulls out Mia's file, and goes "Wow. She's Kyle Powell's Daughter. We were friends years ago." Effie tells Thomas "Well he or her Mama hasn't been to the school to a meeting, and something's going on that needs to be fixed now!" Erica tells them "I've noticed a slight delay with her." Thomas listens intently, as does Dwight, as Thomas hears Mary yell from the Secretary's office "Shut up! Why do I care you slept with Eliza!" Thomas' eyes widen, as he looks at Effie and Erica, and sighs "One hell of a morning thus far. I'm heading down there and check this out." They walk out, as Erica looks at Effie, as she asks "What is Bill's problem?" Thomas quips "I know where Mama went last night after that hellish dinner party." Effie quips "And we know what they did too."
   As the day has come to a close at Waters Elementary, Thomas sits inside his office, as Effie and Erica are inside, as well as Dwight, as he tells them "Her parents phone goes to voicemail." Effie tells Thomas "I think we need to call DFCS." Erica agrees, as does Dwight, as Thomas tells Effie and Dwight "Kyle was always very straight-laced in school, and both of you taught him." Dwight tells Thomas "Maybe then, but things change, as we all know. We have to look after that little girl, and make sure she's safe." Erica bluntly responds "Well from her reaction to Thomas earlier, she sure as hell isn't safe." Thomas responds "I don't want to take a child from their home if possible. I have an idea." Everyone looks in the room, as Thomas pulls out Mia's file, and tells them "I'm going to visit Kyle on my way home tonight and check out things for myself." Effie sighs "I wish Alice was here to advise us. She's had some similar situations." Erica tells them "I've had many cases like this over the years." Thomas tells Effie, Erica, and Dwight "I'm going to pay a visit by her home tonight, and then tomorrow we will go from there." Before anyone leaves the room, Pat walks inside, along with Winnie, furious, as Pat tells everyone "If Missy Gardner gives me one more lecture on smoking, I have this cane, and Winnie and I are going rogue!" Everyone rolls their eyes, as Thomas tells everyone "Another time we need Alice." Effie sighs "Bad timing. She went with her class to Atlanta today, and went home." Winnie looks at Pat, and tells her "Let's get the hell out of here before the warden's spawn finds us, and we can watch game shows at my house." Pat and Winnie walks out, as they bump into Missy, as everyone in Thomas' office hears Missy yell at Pat and Winnie "Why the bird? I'm only looking out for you." Thomas walks out, as does everyone else, and Thomas, Dwight, and Effie tells Missy "Mrs.Pat's been here for over 40 years, and take note to never give her, or Winnie grief over their bad habit or else you'll end up in their doghouse." Thomas quips "Also something never to mention to my Mother either." Missy yells "I'm going home! And I fear Eliza the most." Dwight asks Erica "Did Eliza go easy?" Thomas sighs with defeat on his face "She lost it." Erica tells Thomas, as she walks away "Eliza's my kind of woman. I loved it." Effie quips "Eliza's always been a spitfire."
   As evening's arrived, Thomas pulls up at the Whitetail Trailer Park, south of Caswellton, as he gets out of his car, and looks around, as foil's on the windows, and Thomas knocks on the door, as someone from inside peeks through the window, and asks "Who are you?" Thomas goes "Thomas Duncan." The door opens, as Kyle answers and yells "Thomas! What in the hell are you doing here? I haven't seen you in years!" Thomas looks around the trailer, as Kyle scratches his face, and a woman walks out, as Thomas goes "Sasha?" Sasha goes "Thomas Duncan?" Kyle asks Thomas "What brought you here? We're in the middle of something, but we can catch up later." Thomas tells Kyle and Sasha "We need to discuss your Daughter. She came to school with bruises on her face, and she is very timid around people. What's wrong with her?" Kyle and Sasha respond quickly "Oh nothing is wrong with Mia. She's that way all the time. Clumsy and all. Tell Mrs.Vasco to chill the hell out!" Thomas asks "Where is Mia?" Sasha responds "She's at a friend's house. We are expecting someone!" Thomas walks around, and asks "The drug dealer?" Kyle yells at Thomas "We don't do that kind of shit!" Thomas' eyes grows red, as he finds a pipe on the kitchen table, and goes "Oh? And the first response from you was guilt." Sasha yells "Get the hell out of our home you son of a bitch before we call the police!" Thomas laughs "You'd call the police with this kind of stuff laying around here? Smart Sasha, very smart." Thomas tells Mia's parents "I have a feeling she's being abused. Is she in the way?" Kyle yells "Don't look at me! Sasha's a whore, and the little brat's always in the way!" Thomas grows angry, as he throws Kyle against the wall, as he goes "If you make the choice to be a Father to a kid, be a Father. And you should treasure each and every damn moment of it while you have the chance!" Sasha pulls out a knife, as Thomas yells at Kyle and Sasha in disgust "Ok, I'm gone. Be at Waters Elementary in the morning ASAP! And as well, enjoy your damn meth you disgusting bastards!" Thomas storms out, as he walks out to his car, as he hears Mia scream inside, as her parents scream at her, and Thomas pulls out his phone, as he makes a phone call, and drives away.
    At The Courthouse Inn, Eliza's sitting in a chair, as she looks around, and tells Didi "That's it for tonight. The equipment's coming tomorrow, and then I'll be hiring people." Didi asks "So I heard you and Mr.Bill hit the sheets?" Eliza sighs, as she lights a cigarette "Yes, we did, and I promised to keep quiet, but Mr.Personality had to go cry to Mary, and now the whole damn town knows." Didi asks "Why be ashamed?" Eliza goes "My Ex-Husband and had sex! And actually, I think I enjoyed myself, and I think in a way, so did he." Thomas walks inside, with anger, as Eliza and Didi looks at him, and Thomas looks around, and tells his Mother "So this is where you've been hiding? I'd thought you'd be tired from last night." Eliza changes subjects, as she asks her Son "What's wrong baby?" Thomas sighs with sadness "I went to see Mia's parents, Kyle and Sasha Powell. And.." Didi goes "The girl from Effie's class that never returns her books?" Thomas responds "How can she when her parents beat her and God knows what else. Her parents are meth-heads, and I took care of it." As police sirens go by, Eliza looks at her Son, and sighs "It's hard to be a Principal, and you took a risk tonight." Thomas tells his Mother, as Didi looks at plates "I wanted to give the damn family the benefit of a doubt before calling DFCS, and when I heard her scream in that blood curling tone..I had to stop it." Eliza hugs her Son, as Didi asks "And the books?" Thomas tells Didi "Just void it Didi. We'll replace them." Thomas walks out, as Eliza looks at Didi, and sighs with disgust "Sasha Powell came by here today looking for a job, and I told the crackhead to get the hell out of here! Talking ninety miles a minute and so qualified." Didi tells Eliza "I feel so sorry for Mia. If I'd known..." Eliza sighs "Most children who are abused stay quiet, or skittish and timid." Didi heads home, as Eliza looks around, and sighs "What has happened to people in this town? Sick bastards."
    The next morning, Effie and Erica arrives in Thomas' office, as Anna sits inside, as Effie asks Thomas "What happened last night? I heard the police scanner at home saying they were headed towards Mia's?" Anna responds "Her Father and Mother were some of the areas biggest dealers of Meth, and they are in the county jail, without bond, and Mia's been sent to the Southwest to stay with a relative." Dwight and Alice walks inside, as they are filled in on the outcome, and Thomas tells them all "I hope the bastards get what they truly deserve for what they've done." Alice, Effie, and Anna all respond "Caswell County has a bad reputation with that stuff, maybe we've just saved lives, and children most of all." Thomas responds "I hope so."
 
 

The Honor Roll: Episode 10. Showdown On The Farm

  As the day ends at Waters Elementary, and the students have left. Thomas sits in the Media Center, as Dwight, Alice, Pat, Effie, Erica, Winnie, Missy, Marian, Judy, Mary, and Louise are inside as he holds a staff meeting, and tells them "Mama's offered to put some money into the school, and now we can go after a teacher for P.E., and have our own Art and Music teachers, since the ones we have now have to travel around the county." Alice quips "Eliza's really throwing around the cash." Pat sighs with a smile "Sweet Eliza". Erica tells everyone "I apologize for my days off to Florida, but I heard Maura got her ass kicked by this woman named Eliza?" Thomas responds "Yes Erica. My Mother and you have some things in common." Marian looks around and asks "Where's Mrs.Wilson?" Dwight tells Marian "She had a Doctor's appointment today, and since we're here, we need to make some announcements. Mrs.Wilson's leaving at the end of the school year, and Louise is retiring. So we will be making hires." Winnie quickly responds "I'll take her class, since I'll have my certificate." Thomas goes "Well there's one problem solved." Winnie quips "It'd be nice to be out of the warden's chambers, and I enjoyed teaching First Grade years ago." Marian smiles, as she looks at Winnie, as Missy rolls her eyes, as her phone rings, and sighs "Damnit. It's Mommy Dearest." Thomas asks "Texting or calling?" Missy sighs "She needs a ride to Milledgeville." Pat quips "Well call Eliza, she did say the other day she'd pick her up and take her anywhere she wants to go." Missy looks at Pat, and responds "I think after that fight at the Seafood House, Mrs.Duncan would throw her into the river." Thomas smiles "My Mama is so nice, willing to help the needy." As the staff finishes the meeting, as the meeting concludes, as everyone leaves, Thomas stops Missy, and reminds her "If you run into my Mama, call her Ms.Sullivan. And she's been talking about you." Missy asks "Good or bad?" Thomas responds "Just be careful, since you are the Daughter of someone she despises, and grown, she's not the sweet woman who ran the Media Center anymore." Missy walks out, as Alice, Effie, and Pat asks Thomas "So what are you doing this evening?" Thomas quips "Going home to make sure everything is in one piece since Mama's home, and Dad's been staying across the road." Mary laughs "Such a relief for me."
    At Thomas' Farm, Eliza sits in the living room, as Bill and Peanut walks inside, and Bill asks his Ex-Wife "So Eliza, since you've been giving out money, how about you give me some as well?" Eliza looks at Bill, and goes "Didn't we just discuss this?" Bill yells "Alimony! You are rich, and I am a poor man driving a damn bus!" Eliza looks at Bill, and sighs "Aww, poor Bill. And the answer's still NO!" As Eliza walks into the kitchen, Bill asks "I smell food?" Eliza goes "Why you are correct. And let me guess, you're burned out on TV dinners?" Bill tells his Ex-Wife "Well yes. Yes I am Eliza." Eliza responds "Go to Bankhead and get something there. I have something planned." As Eliza finds Thomas' book of phone numbers, and makes a phone call, and goes "Didi Nikos?" Didi, at her house in Caswellton answers "Yes?" Eliza tells her "Care to have dinner with Thomas and I?" Didi accepts, and Eliza goes "Ok, and two more calls to make." Bill asks "Well what about our Son?" Eliza responds "He can stay. I'm inviting Didi Nikos..." Bill sighs "Oh hell, you like that whack job?" Eliza nods, and goes "Remember to turn in those books on their due date, and go back across the road. You know what happens when I'm interrupted." Bill looks at Peanut, as Eliza looks at Bill's dog, and goes "He can stay." Bill yells "Come on Peanut!" Peanut looks at Eliza, and Eliza quips "Looks like the fat dog's tired of TV dinners." Bill picks Peanut up, and tells Eliza "I wish you were still in South America." Eliza responds "And I wish you'd clean your yard." Bill and Peanut leaves, as she makes another phone call to Missy, as she drives home, and goes in a deceiving tone "Missy Gardner, this is Eliza Sullivan. I want to invite you to dinner." Missy, at Maura's apartment, as Maura yells at her Daughter "Visiting hours ends at 9 Melissa!" Missy tells Eliza "Sure Ms.Sullivan, I accept the invitation." Missy hangs up, and smiles "Sorry Mother, I have a dinner date at Thomas' farm." Maura snaps "You were taking me to Milledgeville!" Missy quips "She's so numb she wouldn't know if you were there or not. Bye." Missy leaves, as Maura makes some calls, and all decline, as Maura yells "Damnit! And now my own Daughter's joined alliances with the evil bitch that gave us Thomas!" Back at Thomas' Farm, Thomas arrives, as Eliza hugs her Son, as Thomas notices a table in the living room, and asks "What are you planning?" Eliza smiles "I invited Didi Nikos, Snitchy Missy, and that Speech Therapist over for Dinner tonight baby. Erica sounds like someone I could become fast friends with." Thomas sighs with dread "Mama, you invited Maura's Daughter over here? And two people who also share our hatred for the same person." Eliza smiles "I'm cooking Chicken. And also, I heard the snitch isn't too fond of her Mother either." Thomas nods, as Eliza assures her Son "This will go perfectly." Thomas sighs "And Dad?" Eliza goes "He can stay across the road." Thomas tells his Mother "Well with what you have in mind, maybe it'd be good if he came over." Eliza sighs with disgust "Ok, go get the old mule." Thomas heads across the road, as Eliza sets up the table, and says to herself "Snitchy Missy will know after tonight to stay the hell away from my Son."
    As Thomas stands inside his Father's trailer, as Bill tells his Son "Apparently Eliza has something planned, and I am going down there to the barbecue place in Simpson for dinner." Thomas tells his Father "Mama did say to come get you." Bill looks at Peanut, and looks at Thomas, and tells him "I'm going to Simpson. I'll head over if a war breaks out with her and the foreigner, but then again she likes foreign people." Thomas sighs "Albanian Dad. She's from Albania." Bill responds "She's invited her, Snitchy Missy, and I think that woman named Erica. She's got something planned and I'll remember to keep my phone on me. Mary does go to Pop's Barbecue. I don't need to be at anything Eliza's planning." Thomas heads out, shaking his head, as he tries to figure out what his Mother has in mind." Meanwhile at Thomas' Farm, Didi, and Erica has arrived, as Erica asks Eliza "So how did you get my number? I heard about you at the school meeting today." Eliza smiles "I did, and found out we have some things in common. Does your Husband mind that you are here?" Erica sighs "Well we planned something, but told him it was work related." Eliza laughs "Well it is Dr.Elliott...wait, Erica." Eliza goes "Now where is Missy?" Meanwhile Thomas returns, as Eliza tells her Son "Two of our guests have arrived, now waiting for Missy." Meanwhile Missy drives down the road to Thomas' farm, as she asks "Now where is Thomas' farm?" Maura, in the passenger seat, with disgust on her face, snarls "Melissa Ann Gardner, I thought we were going to Milledgeville?" Missy laughs "I lied Mommy Dearest. Thought you'd enjoy this more." Maura yells "Well we're at his driveway." Missy pulls in, as Maura warns her Daughter "If anything happens to me, you will regret it!" Missy responds "If anything happens Mother, you'll be in Milledgeville." Meanwhile inside Thomas' home, Eliza sees a car, and tells Thomas, Didi, and Erica "Looks like Missy found this place...oh hell." Thomas, Erica, and Didi asks Eliza "What's wrong?" Eliza goes "She brought that bitch with her." Everyone rolls their eyes, as Missy tells everyone "I apologize for bringing Mommy Dearest, didn't know how to get here." Thomas' eyes turn red, as Maura tells her Daughter "Give me your keys!" Eliza asks "Going to visit Snowball?" Erica laughs at Eliza "You call her that too?" Eliza quips "Yes I do." Thomas looks at Missy, as she responds "Ms.Sullivan didn't give me directions." Thomas and Missy roll their eyes, as Eliza tells everyone "Dinner is set for four. And Maura, bitch, you can have scraps."
    As Eliza, Thomas, Didi, Erica, Missy, and Maura, have dinner, Eliza looks around, and goes "Isn't this nice?" Maura snarls "I feel baited. And everyone in this room has it in for me." Erica looks at Maura with pity, and sighs "Poor Maura lost her SUV." Thomas meanwhile sits between Missy, and Didi, as Eliza sits at the head of the table, as Maura sits next to Erica, and Eliza turns her attention to Missy, and asks "So how are you doing sweetie?" Missy tells Eliza "You still look the same as 20 years ago." Eliza sighs with a smile "My sweet Mama taught me how to care for my skin." Maura snarks "But she didn't teach you how to conduct yourself." Thomas takes a deep breath, as Missy glares at her Mother, and Eliza asks "So Missy, whatever happened to that girl, umm, Ashley?" Missy responds "I don't know Ms.Sullivan." Eliza smiles "Call me Eliza." Erica asks "Who's Ashley?" Didi meanwhile tells Eliza "You'll have to give me that recipe on this meal." Eliza sighs "I can't. It's secret." Eliza meanwhile looks at Erica, and responds "She was a sweet little girl Thomas used to go to school with. I just loved her so much." Maura looks over at her Daughter, as Missy asks "So Eliza, why did you invite me, Dr.Elliott, Didi to dinner?" Eliza looks at Maura, and responds "One wasn't invited, but otherwise, I wanted to meet the people who share my and Thomas' disdain for the uninvited." Maura yells "I'm leaving! Give me them damn keys Melissa!" Missy tells her Mother "Go out and sit in the car, and so you know, I'll have you arrested if you try to hot wire the motor!" Maura storms out, as Thomas sighs of relief, as Eliza looks at Didi, and asks "So are you single?" Didi responds "Yes I am Ms.Sullivan." Eliza looks at her Son, and asks "So are you thinking about moving on?" Thomas looks at his Mother in shock, and goes "No! What in the hell would make you think such a thing?" Eliza sighs "Small town, and word travels fast. Someone in this room has the hots for you." Thomas and Missy looks at each other, as Erica bluntly responds "I am happily married Eliza." Eliza looks at Missy, as Didi asks "Why do I feel tension?" Eliza tells Didi "No need to sweetie, but I wanted you to know if you are interested in my Son, you have my blessings." Missy meanwhile rolls her eyes, and tells Eliza "I know Thomas is a widow Eliza.." Eliza snaps "Ms.Sullivan! And don't turn slut and try to move in on my Son!" Thomas gets up and walks out, as he yells on the way out "Mama, we're having a talk later!" Eliza warns Missy "I lost my precious Daughter In Law, and Grandson, five months ago, and I always knew you had something for him, but constantly got him in trouble with that bitch in your car who I DID NOT INVITE!" Didi looks at Erica, as she quips "I was right." Missy looks at Eliza, and boldly tells her "Look, I respect Thomas, and Mother made me do those things, and I have changed!" Eliza snaps back "Really? You done shown your colors to poor Pat down at the school and made her curse, and you brought that bitch to my dinner." Meanwhile Thomas is outside, on the back porch, as Bill pulls up, and hears yelling, and sees Missy's car, and walks to the back, as he asks Thomas "I see the old bitch has awakened." Thomas sighs "I think I know what Mama had planned. And I'm not happy Maura's on my property." Bill asks "Want me to call the police?" Meanwhile a yell's heard from Missy's car, as Bill tells his Son "I'm heading back home." Bill leaves, as Maura gets out of Missy's car, and Thomas rolls his eyes, as inside, Missy pleads with Eliza "I work with him, and we have an understanding!" Maura yells "Don't take out a damn thing on my Daughter you bitch!" Didi and Erica meanwhile looks at each other, as Thomas walks out, and Maura yells at Eliza "I don't want Melissa with your Son!" Eliza snaps "Go back out to the damn car and stay out of this or I'll kick your ass again!" Thomas yells "That's it! Mama I have no desire to date, and you lay off of Missy. She isn't nothing like her Mother, except that she's opinionated like you!" Thomas looks around, and tells everyone "Dinner's over, so everyone can go home." Eliza looks at Missy and Maura, as Maura warns Eliza "Don't you start pulling any stunts on my Daughter bitch!" Eliza quips "And look who's talking." Thomas yells "Party over! Out everybody except Mama, OUT!" Didi says to herself, as she leaves "That was one hell of a dinner party." Eliza stops Erica, and asks "So you live in the Lakeview Country Club in Bankhead?" Erica nods, and Eliza tells her "Call me, and we'll compare bank accounts." Erica accepts, as she leaves, and Missy looks at Thomas, and tells him "I blame this on my Mother." Thomas sighs "My Mama hates Maura." Missy quips "Who doesn't? I am sorry for bringing her." Thomas tells Missy "It isn't your fault, but never bring her back here again." Missy agrees, as Maura attempts to slap Eliza, and Eliza grabs Maura's wrist, and warns her "Don't start a damn fight with someone with more cash that the other will ever see. Money talks in small towns, and now you and your slutty spawn leave before I really lose it!" Missy grabs her Mother, as she snarls "Let's Go!" Missy shakes her head with disgust, as Maura yells at Thomas "Your whole family's crazy!" Thomas responds "And don't let the door hit you in the ass!" As everyone's left, Thomas looks at his Mother, as Eliza tells Thomas "I can understand that you might want to move on, but it sure as hell won't be with Maura Carson's Daughter! I'm old enough to be that lesbian's Mother, and Missy's Grandma!" Thomas looks at his Mother, and boldly tells her "We both hate Maura, but you leave Missy alone, and I mean it Mama!" Eliza asks "Do you have feelings for her?" Thomas yells "No! I'm still mourning Valerie and T.J.!" Thomas heads upstairs, as he takes a deep breath, as Eliza says to herself "You may feel that way, but I know for a damn fact Missy Gardner doesn't, and I am going to make sure she, and her Mother knows not to push my damn nerves!" Meanwhile, as Eliza cleans up, Bill walks inside, and asks his Ex-Wife "That was a hell of a dinner party." Eliza points to the kitchen, and tells Bill "Get your damn plate and head back home." Bill goes to the kitchen, and walks out, and tells Eliza "If you want, you can stay with me since Thomas is pissed." Eliza looks at Bill, as Eliza is silent, and Bill walks out, as Eliza watches Bill head back across the road, and looks around, and leaves, as she locks the door, as Thomas sleeps upstairs.