The Theatre: Daveed Diggs

52: The Recovery

A/N: Verbal Abuse, Drinking

Annabella and Daveed were slowly recovering from their sons death. Life as a married couple was taking a toll on them. They had gotten married after Thomas was born. They hadn't had a wedding, just a signing of papers in front of a judge, and a full cast party. Daveed wanted to give Annabella a big weeding, but with a child, they wanted to consolidate costs and focus on paying for Thomas's needs.

Sebastian was visiting one night after the death of DJ, when Daveed got drunk the first and only time.

"Sebastian, your daddy is on his way, he's going to take you and Thomas to his house for the night, okay." Annabella rushed them upstairs, just in time to hear the door slam. "Daveed, honey, is that you?"

"Shuddup, you whore! You're the reason our son is dead." Annabella's eyes were filled with sadness. "Go get me another beer before I make you." Annabella rushed to the kitchen. Daveed had told her if he was to ever get this way to call Oak and don't talk to him, which is a guy signal they made up to say they need help. Annabella called Oak and set the phone on the counter, then ran a cold beer out to Daveed.

"Da, we have a show tomorrow, you can't be drunk."

"You expect me to listen to a child murderer?"

"Daveed, you know I didn't kill him."

"You had to have. I'm surprised the cops haven't gotten you get." He slurred his speech more and more. Their conversation was beginning to get heated, when there was a knock at the door.

"Who is that?" Daveed asked, his speech littered with curses. "Is that your boyfriend?"

"Da, I'm not cheating on you."

Daveed ignored her and opened the door. "You're cheating on me with Oak AND Anthony? I knew you were a whore, but Oak over me? And your own brother?" Daveed let out a string of curses.

"Daveed!" Oak exclaimed. He grabbed him by the shirt and pulled him out of the house. Anthony stepped in and pulled Annabella into his arms. Annabella cried into his shoulder.

"Mama?"

"Ma?" Sebastian asked, his nickname for his second mother prevalent. "Why was uncle Da yelling?"

"Yeah, why was daddy yelling? And why did Uncle Oak just pull in and leave?" For a 6 year old, the child was smart.

"Daddy's having a bad night, Thomas. Mommy has to go away for a little bit, okay? Thomas, you're going to stay with Sebastian and his mommy and daddy."

"Auntie V and Uncle Lin?"

"Yep. Uncle Lin and Auntie V will be here very soon, go sit in the window seat and watch for them." Thomas walked to the window seat, and Sebastian stayed with Annabella, who was crouched to their level.

"Ma?"

"Yes, Sebbie?"

"My other uncle was like that too, mean to my Auntie. He went away, though. Those cars with the flashy blue lights and the cops showed up and we aren't allowed to see my uncle anymore."

"You'll be able to see Uncle Da again." Annabella smiled to the small child. "And you'll be able to see Ma again, but right now I need to take a little break, okay?"

"Okie-Dokie."

"Thanks Sebbie." He ran off to wait for his parents with Thomas, and Annabella left Anthony to watch the children while she packed two weeks worth of clothes.