The Real Sad Adventures of Estella Velsaquez CALL THE MAN song performed by Celine Dion story by Laura Fort Disclaimer: Don't own Jessie, Estella, or Race. I think Sony owns Celine Dion. Song used without permission. Archivers: Have at thee! (Just let me know first!) Categories: Angst I read the fic "What Shall We Do With the Child?" and it inspired me to write about Estella's thoughts about the divorce, since the author wrote from Race's point of view. Call the Man "Mommy," four-year-old Jessica Bannon said. "When will Daddy be home?" Estella Velasquez-Bannon frowned. "Honey, Daddy went to work. He won't be back for a long time." That was not entirely true, Estella thought bitterly. She and Roger "Race" Bannon were getting divorced. She was planning on dropping the name Bannon from her title, going back to Dr. Estella Velasquez. Estella was a world-renowned archeologist, and Race was a top CIA agent. During the first year of their marriage, things were fine. But then Race was called away for a month on an assignment for national security. Estella left a week later for a dig in southern Argentina. A few weeks later, she discovered she was pregnant. Estella wanted to tell Race, but that was out of the question; he was on a top-secret mission and his whereabouts where unknown. So she waited. And waited. Race finally came home seven weeks later. Estella delayed the announcement for another week. But by then, she was showing. Race was shocked and and happy when she finally gave him the news. But Race was soon called away another assignment for a couple of months. He wanted to stay with Estella but duty called. When he returned, Estella had gone into her last trimester of pregnancy. And once again, he was called away to act as the President's main and personal bodyguard. And so Jessica Anne Bannon was born a month earlier without her dad there. Estella's parents, sister, and Race's parents flew in to help her. But they couldn't take over Race's role as husband and father. Over the next few years, fights broke out in the Velasquez/Bannon household. They argued over everything from jobs to friends, to even young Jessie. Estella and race both had jobs which required them to travel at a minute's notice. many times, little Jessie went to stay with her cousins or her grandparents while her parents were away. Estella couldn't take it anymore. One evening, she and race sat down and talked, or rather argued, while Jessie was asleep. They discussed it for three hours, finally deciding on getting a divorce. "Mommy?" Jessie's voice broke into Estella's thoughts. "Yes, mi hija?" "Can Daddy read me a story tonight?" Estella's heart went out to the child. "Honey, Daddy's not coming home." Jessie's eyes were curious and so innocent. "Why?" She doesn't deserve this, Estella thought. "Baby, Daddy and I are getting a divorce." "What's a di-diborce?" Jessie asked, unable to comprehend the word. Estella sighed and gathered her daughter in her arms. "It's when a Mommy and a Daddy start living in different houses when they don't love each other anymore." "But you and Daddy still love each other, right?" "No honey. We don't. But we still love you." Jessie kept asking question after question about the divorce. Estella answered as best she could. Finally, Jessie quit asking and left to watch TV. Estella walked into her bedroom and switched on the radio. A soft piano melody filtered through the room's speakers. Estella had never heard the song before, but the words seemed hauntingly familiar. Close the door Shut the world away All the fight's gone from this wounded heart Estella sat down on her desk chair in the master bedroom. Across the floor Dreams and shadows play Like wind blown refugees Estella's gaze shifted to the queen-sized bed. They had spent so many wonderful night together. Call the man Who deals in love beyond repair He can heal the world Of hearts in need of care Shine a light ahead When the next step is unclear Call the man He's needed here Estella broke into sobs and flung herself face-down on her, their, bed. I close my eyes I remember when Your sweet loved filled this empty room The tears I cry Won't bring it back again Unless the lonely star should fall Estella sat up, looking out the window at the starry night, crying. Call the man Who deals in love beyond repair He can heal the world Of hearts in need of care Shine a light ahead When the next step is unclear Call the man He's needed here Needed in the chaos and confusion >From the plains to city hall Needed where the proud who walk the wire are set to fall Call the man Who deals in once upon a time Estella picked up a picture of their wedding. Maybe he Can mend this broken heart of mine Shine a light ahead Now the future is unclear Call the man He's needed here Call the man He's needed here "Oh, Estella," she said to herself. "How did this happen?" (c) Laura Fort 1997