Tag: African American

Beyond The Gates Updates

Update written by Suzanne

Martin naps on the couch, having a nightmare. Smitty wakes him up, so he jerks awake, sweating.

Anita looks out the window. Vernon comes in, wondering what she’s thinking so hard about. She was remembering their early days of marriage, when times were simpler. They thought they could change the world. It’s much harder to deal with the problems that arise from having children and grandchildren. Anita concludes, “They hurt, we bleed.” She vents that she could kill Bill with her bare hands. Vernon says they don’t have a choice on how to go forward. Martin must be protected. She laments that Dani will pay the price – again.

Meanwhile, Dani threatens Bill with his golf club, so he tells the others to leave and close the door. He wants to know what she wants and if she feels better, having gotten that out of her system. She says that she doesn’t yet, but then she slaps him, hard.

In Nicole’s office, Ted praises Kat’s marketing skills. Her ideas have increased his bookings by 10% (he’s a plastic surgeon). Andre is impressed and notes that her talents will take her far in life. Nicole asks him where he’s shooting the video bio. He replies that he’ll shoot tin her office, and also on Ted’s grounds. He jokingly asks Ted if he’s camera shy. Ted says that he’s not and he’ll be there to support his beautiful wife, who’s getting an award. Ted and Nicole hold each other in their arms. Kat and Andre agree that the couple should talk about how they met and the rest of their story. Ted praises Andre and says that it’s good to see him. Andre points out that they all saved him. He thanks them, saying he can never repay them. He and Ted hug warmly.

Naomi and Chelsea watch one of Chelsea’s social media videos and talk about it. Naomi doesn’t know how Chelsea can live such a public life – always being judged. It doesn’t bother Chelsea. She tells her sister about the purse line that she and Kat are working on. Naomi thinks it sounds great but wonders how their mom, Dani, will feel. Chelsea hasn’t told Dani yet about her plans, or that she’s quitting modeling.

Bill picks up chairs, making fun of Dani for threatening him and slapping him. She says that beating him to death would be fun, but she demands answers. How dare he move his whore into her community, she asks. He bristles at that, saying that Hayley is no whore. They like it there in Fairmont Crest. He sold his house and has been living in a suite at the Ritz. She suggests, exasperated, that he find another house, outside of their community. He says that it’s the best address in Maryland. She reminds him that it was marrying her, and getting help from her family, that moved him into their community in the first place, and it was her father’s connections that jump-started his career. He laughs derisively, telling her to get over herself. He states that he would have gotten to the same place, with or without their help. They didn’t make him; he made himself and brought her along for the ride. She looks at him like he’s crazy.

Leslie, AKA Dana, sits with Jan and Mona at the diner, Orphy Gene’s. Jan notices that Leslie seems down. She says that the guy sitting nearby reminds her of her late husband, Alan. They know she lost him not too long ago, but she’s still processing her grief. Leslie brightens up and asks to hear about the rich folks gossip. Mona tells her about Dani punching Hayley, and also about how Vanessa saw her throw the coffee cups. She asks Mona for more, but Mona says that things go smoothly at Ted and Nicole’s. They are in love. Leslie admires Nicole, so Mona says that Nicole is amazing and inspirational.

Andre recalls his first year after the plane crash that killed his parents, Stan and Ira (I guess Ira is a girl’s name here). Nicole tells him that she and Ted haven’t flown together since. Andre hates to think how his life would’ve turned out if not for them and Martin. Kat hugs him. They’re happy to have him home. Kat wants to take his photo, but he won’t let her. He doesn’t want to be on social media. He takes a photo of the three of them, instead.

Naomi advises Chelsea that both she and Dani are adults, so she can do what she wants and not have to worry about Dani. Chelsea just wants to do her own thing. Naomi can relate because she moved away, married Jacob and opened her own firm. Dani also did that she was young, ignoring her parents’ wishes. Chelsea feels that Dani is very fragile right now and that being her manager is all she has. Naomi reminds her of when they were younger, always waiting to see what mood Dani was in. They still do that, and she thinks Chelsea should move out, to get away from all that. Chelsea feels guilty, but Phoebe tells her that there’s only one life, and that Dani is a survivor. It’s not easy, but she has to create a distance of her own.

Dani and Bill argue. He says that his marrying Hayley is not about her. He fell in love. She knew he was unfaithful, but she ignored it, to keep the family together. He says that he can’t do this with her. He says that people change and move on. He postulates that maybe one day, she can wish he and Hayley well. She replies, “Never.” and hopes that he has a long life of misery. She would put a curse on him if she could, and she calls him a selfish, heartless bastard. He warns her never to touch Hayley again. She storms out of his office, but Hayley is outside, so she figures she must have heard everything. She sneers at Hayley that she’s not special and warns her that “Past is prologue.” Once she gets in the elevator, Dani breaks down, crying.

Vanessa is in a bar called Upswing (at the country club?). She’s sitting in a booth, wearing sunglasses and a scarf, like she’s in disguise. A handsome man comes in and takes the other seat. He flirts with her and grabs her knee under the table, which she enjoys. Dani arrives, orders a drink and wonders what’s going on. She can tell that this is not Vanessa’s husband, Doug.

Doug is sitting in his car when a man named Randy Parker gets in. Doug hands him some kind of paper or packet. They shake hands, and Randy leaves.

Kat lets Andre know that she’ll bet at the photo shoot tomorrow. He agrees that she can be his assistant. She warns that things will be tense between Dani and Chelsea. She asks him how he’s doing, so he tells her that he’s been photographing a new resort in Bali. They laugh about how tough that must have been. She feels bad that he lost his parents in a horrible accident, even though it was 10 years ago. She admires that he lives his life on his own terms. He reminds her that he lives off his parents’ inheritance, which makes him feel uncomfortable, but she thinks it balances out, since he gives so much to charity. He asks what she’s been to and whether she has anyone. She shares that she’s been working a lot and has no time for romance. She’s been learning about business. She declares that she and Chelsea will do big things, but she swears him to secrecy for now. He agrees, and they do a brother-sister type of secret handshake, which is cute.

Anita and Vernon look at a photo of Dani as a baby. It kills them that they have to add to her pain, as well as give in to Bill and help Hayley. Vernon suggests that they call his bluff, but Anita doesn’t want to gamble with Martin’s future. Vernon tells her that she’s not telling Martin about any of this, and she agrees. She notes that they’ve never spoke about “that night,” and he adds that it’s for good reason. They don’t admit their choices, so they’ll move forward as planned. Then they hug.

Mona leaves her friends at Orphy Gene’s to go back to work. She complains about having too much work and overtime. Leslie points out that she’ll be glad to get that in her paycheck. She has missed Mona at choir practice.

Smitty tells Martin that he thinks he should talk to someone about the nightmares he’s been having. Martin doesn’t react well to that suggestion. Martin gets a text about a sudden family meeting with his grandparents, so he has to leave.

Naomi and Chelsea hug. Chelsea decides that she’ll wait until after the wedding, and Dani’s feeling better, to tell her the news. They both the text, too.

Nicole, Ted and the rest also get the text. Nicole hopes that Dani didn’t do something she shouldn’t.

Vanessa tells Dani that she hired the guy for some role-playing. She’s Incognito Taylor and he’s her biggest fan. Dani looks shocked, so Vanessa laughs and says that she’s joking. She introduces the guy to Dani as Zeke from her office. She thanks him for dropping off her keys, and he leaves. Dani notes that role-playing with him might not be such a bad idea. She tells Vanessa about her visit with Bill (leaving out the golf club and the slap). Dani vents to Vanessa that she can’t reach the man that she was married to for her over 30 years. It just makes her hurt and more angry. She’s decided to go to Paris after Chelsea’s photo shoot tomorrow. Vanessa thinks that’s a great idea. Dani gets the text. She says that if Bill has done one more thing to disrespect her, she can’t be held responsible for her reaction. She leaves.

Mona gets a bracelet from Laura as a thank-you for her previous advice. Nicole walks in and admires it. Laura tells Nicole that the smaller country club room is available for both nights. Nicole just has to choose which night. She tells them both to take off early. When Laura brings up Maui again, Nicole mentions that she met Ted at a medical conference there.

Naomi spills her guts to Chelsea about how angry she is at their dad. She despises him for the affairs and the way he treated their mom. She no longer feels any love toward him. Chelsea is shocked by what she said because they used to be so close. Nicole declares, “Never again,” saying that she has no father.

Bill and Hayley pick up debris in his office, including a photo of them (now the glass is cracked). She’s sad that they both lost their relationship with Naomi. She misses her. She hopes that she’s worth his losses. He agrees that she is worth it. He was going through the motions before meeting her. She jump-started his heart. He tells her that he’ll never regret being with her, and he kisses her.

Naomi plays piano and sings a little, at her grandparents’ place. Chelsea is on her phone nearby, on her live social media feed. She tries to take a video of Naomi, but Naomi waves her off. Nicole and the rest of her family arrive. Kat suggests to Chelsea that she’s eating too much meat (before the photo shoot tomorrow). She apologizes for acting like Dani and urges Chelsea to eat it, quick, before Dani arrives. It’s too late because Dani arrives and takes the plate away from Chelsea. Chelsea seems used to this, so she doesn’t even resist. Dani fixes her a plate of vegetables instead. Naomi suggests to Dani that she let Chelsea live her own life, but Dani doesn’t want to hear what she says. She says that eating healthy food is just as easy as eating junk food. Martins asks Nicole quietly how he can help. Nicole says that Dani needs someone to listen to her. Vernon and Anita arrive.

They tell their family that there’s been a change of plans, and they won’t like. Dani tells them, first, that she’s going to Paris tomorrow, but Vernon says that won’t do because they need everyone there to go to the wedding as a family. Dani, shocked, says, “No!”

Laura tells someone on the phone that Nicole likes option #3 for the Lynch brunch menu. She heads out from the office, alone.

Anita reminds them all that they’re Duprees – they don’t cower or hide. She says, “If Bill has the nerve to marry that heifer in our community, then he’ll do it looking at their pissed-off faces.” Vernon says that it’s not just their family; he needs to get people from the community to turn out for it, too. Dani can’t believe they want her to support her ex, who’s marrying again. Martin says he’s all in for making Bill and Hayley as uncomfortable as possible. Dani refuses, but Anita tells her that she needs to be there. Naomi also likes the idea. Dani storms off. Vernon follows her and asks her to attend, saying that he has a good reason that he can’t tell her. He asks her to trust him. She agrees, reluctantly. He kisses her on the forehead and thanks her. Vernon goes back and tells Anita that Dani feels betrayed all over again. Anita assures him that they’ll make it right.

Later, Naomi and Chelsea ask Dani if she’s okay. They don’t understand what’s going on. Dani figures that Bill got to her parents somehow. They think of ways that they could ruin the wedding and sympathize with Dani’s feelings. They tell her, “We got you,” and they all huge.

Laura drives home, but someone behind her comes up, fast, with their brights on, and she’s run off the road. Leslie arrives at home, all dressed in a black motorcycle outfit. She smiles after taking off the helmet.

Back to the BTG Updates Page

Back to the Main Daytime Updates Page

Beyond The Gates Updates

Update written by Suzanne

In Nicole’s office at the hospital, her young assistant, Laura, asks if she’s picked a recipient winner yet for the Dupree Heritage Foundation Scholarship. Nicole hasn’t yet. She’s having a hard time deciding between all of the wonderful young people. Her other assistant, Mona, who’s older, asks her to choose a menu for the upcoming Lynx brunch. Nicole asks her to email them to her, so she can decide later. Her husband, Ted, comes in and compliments her on her beauty and youthful good looks.

Martin and Vernon discuss Dani punching Hayley. Vernon thinks that physical violence is never the answer, but he understands how Dani feels. He can’t understand how Bill can treat her so badly in their divorce. Martin notes that Bill isn’t a decent man, which Hayley will no doubt find out.

Hayley and Bill chat briefly on the phone. She tells him that it’s “been a morning.”

At home, Dani watches photos of her and Bill on a slideshow. Anita walks in and wonders what she’s doing. Dani is remembering the good times she had with Bill She doesn’t understand how he could just throw their life away. Anita sits down near her. Dani hugs her mom and cries on her shoulder.

Vernon wonders whether everything is okay with Martin because he mentioned wanting more. Martin replies that his homelife is solid. He’s just wondering what his next challenge will be. Vernon promises to help him, and Martin mentions that Vernon has already done so much for him. He owes him everything.

Dani pulls away from her mom, saying that she doesn’t want to cry because it makes her weak. She expects that Anita is going to give her a hard time for punching Hayley. Anita tells her that she wasn’t thrilled about her display of temper. Dani rants some more about Hayley’s betrayal; she says that it felt good to punch her. Anita assures her that she’s human and that sometimes folks deserve a sucker punch. She worries that Dani will make it a habit. Dani confides that she thought she was okay when they signed the divorce papers, but Bill and Hayley having their wedding at the country club and then moving in to Fairmont Crest made her angry all over again. Anita lets her know that she didn’t do anything to deserve this treatment. She urges Dani to let go of her anger, or it will eat her alive. She reminds her that she’s a Dupree, so she needs to find her inner strength and not let the losers get the best of her.

Nicole tells Ted that Bill bought the house on Marigold, so Dani went ballistic. She fills him in on the punch. She sighs that she tries to be the voice of reason with Dani, but she’s angry at Bill and Hayley herself. Ted is sympathetic. They hope Dani can move on. Ted has to get to the hospital, so she asks him if he can come by for the video bio for their awards ceremony that Andre is filming. He replies that he’ll try to be there. She reminds him that he’s Andre’s favorite uncle. He suggests that they plan a family gathering while Andre is in town, so she agrees. He kisses her neck, saying she smells good. She chuckles and sends him off.

Nurse Ashley’s mom, Jan, shows up to bring her a healthy lunch at work. Leslie and her daughter, Eva, are also there with Jan. They’re very supportive of Ashley’s new career. Eva wishes she had done something more with her life than be a hairdresser. They all assure her that there’s nothing with that, and that women always needs their hair done. Ashley thanks Jan for being such a great single mom to her and sacrificing for her. They hug.

Martin and Vernon discuss the woman in the diner yesterday that was grateful to Vernon’s years of service as senator and civil rights champion, and who also appreciated Martin. Martin compliments Vernon and how much he admires him. He remembers watching him when he was young, demonstrating, and how he was committed to non-violence, even though he was behind bars sometimes. Vernon reminds him that he was just one of so many, like Dr. King and John Louis before him. Martin worries that he hasn’t always lived up to his grandfather’s standards, but Vernon is proud of him.

Dani, still with Anita, looks at Bill and Hayley’s wedding invitation. She wishes she could stop thinking about them, like Nicole suggested, but she gets upset every time she sees their wedding preparations, etc. She wonders if she should move. Anita tells her that would be unacceptable because she belongs there. She reminds Dani that her grandfather designed and built Fairmont Crest, and she’s not going to be chased out by these interlopers. She promises that this will all pass. She just needs to get through it. Dani doesn’t know how she could have been so blind about Bill and asks her mom if she ever suspected Bill was cheating on her with Hayley. Anita lets her know that she had no clue and reminds Dani that Bill and Hayler are expert liars. Dani tells her that she plans to put all of her time and energy into making them pay. Anita looks worried.

Hayley drops by to see Nicole, who’s not happy to see her.

Back at the hospital, Eva tells Ashley that she envies her job and her relationship with hot firefighter Derek. Ashley assures her that this was all careful planning, and things are working out the way they should. She hugs her mom. Jan, Leslie, and Eva go to the elevator. Ted walks out as Leslie watches him carefully, like she knows him.

Nicole’s two assistants chat. Laura is going to Maui with her boyfriend, David, and hopes he might propose. Mona suggests that she enjoy being young and free. She points out that she hasn’t known him very long. Laura agrees and asks if Mona ever regretted not getting married or having kids. Mona replies, “No, not even for a second.” She shares that marriage is not for everyone. Laura is happy to get advice from her and says she can be like the daughter she never had. Mona gives her a strange look.

Nicole can’t believe that Hayley is there. Hayley brought her some homemade cookies. She admits that Dani’s assault at the country club was mortifying. She’s willing to forget what she did, for the sake of peace. She wants Nicole to help her assimilate into the community because she used to like Hayley. Nicole is shocked that Hayley would think she would side with her over her sister. Her loyalties always lie with Dani, especially after the double-betrayal of her and Bill. She knows that Hayley used her friendship with Naomi to steal Bill. Hayley swears that she didn’t plan to fall in love or hurt anyone. She says that she “fell in love with an inconvenient man.” Nicole replies that she’s going to have to deal with the consequences. Hayley seems oblivious to what Nicole’s saying. She goes on to declare that the damage is already done, but her support could help her. She hopes that Dani will decide to accept her. She tried apologizing already, she pouts, but Dani can’t get past her anger. Nicole tells her that Dani is hurt. She tells Hayley to take her cookies and go.

At the hospital, Nicole welcomes Ashley to the hospital. Ashley meets Shanice Johnson, her preceptor AKA her trainer. They shake hands. Shanice is impressed that Ashley knew what a preceptor is. She says that she’ll be teaching her many things, to take notes, ask questions and ask for help. Ashley follows her.

Vernon rants more to Martin about how Bill has trashed his family. He states that Anita had the right instincts about Bill. She kept him at a distance, whereas he gave him the benefit of the doubt because Dani loved him. He helped him with his practice and shared his connections with celebrities. Martin talks about Bill’s ego and how he’s a control freak and narcissist. Vernon is happy to see the end of Bill and his connection to their family.

Hayley goes to Bill’s office. He notices that her cheek is red, so she tells him that’s from Dani’s fist. Shocked and angry, he takes out his phone, but she tells him to let it go. It’s her battle, not his. She recovered from the slap with her head held high. Dani needed the win, she says graciously. He agrees, reluctantly. She pouts about her morning, which she thought would be great, since she was picking up the keys to their new home. First Vanessa gave her an earful, then Dani, and then Nicole. He can’t believe that she went to see Nicole. She thought that Nicole, being a psychologist, would be more objective. He guesses that didn’t go well. She tells him that Nicole sent her and her cookies packing. She wonders if they should elope or go to Vegas rather than have their wedding at the country club. He asks if she wants to have it there, and she does, but she doesn’t want it to be just work friends and people he knows. He thinks he can fix it.

At home, Dani gets dressed to the nines in a beautiful blue dress. She looks at the photo of her and Bill, which is cracked. She takes a shot for courage and then does her makeup.

Martin’s husband, Dani, Smitty, is on the phone with someone as he carries a basket of laundry down some stairs. He tells the person on the line that he has to make a decision. He thanks them for checking. Martin comes home, and they hug.

Andre flirts with Ashley again at the hospital. He asks if she’s still with the firefighter who stole her away. She chuckles that they were never together and makes fun of him for flirting. He takes some photos of her before he leaves, which she doesn’t see. Shanice warns Ashley against Andre, saying she doesn’t want to end up as another notch on his belt.

Vernon answers the doorbell at home when it rings. He sees Bill and tells him that he’s not welcome. Bill says amiably that he heard about the incident at the country club. He thinks this was “not cool” of Dani. Vernon asks him impatiently what he wants. Bill wants a favor from him – he wants Hayley to have guests at her wedding. He knows that Vernon can get his family and others to attend. Vernon tells him that the Dupree women want nothing to do with him or the wedding, so he can’t help him. Bill reminds him that he’s done many favors for him and his family when they needed help. Vernon glares at him as he leaves.

Eva and her mom, Leslie, are at home, plotting something. Leslie offers to do this thing without Eva being involved. Eva tells her that she’s already involved and they need to do this. She insists that Leslie deserves better.

Martin’s husband, Smitty, massages his shoulders on the couch. Martin is frustrated about how long things take in Congress. He tells him that he’s enjoyed spending time with his granddad. It reminds him of his legacy. He mentions that they adopted Samantha and Tyrell. Smitty can’t believe they’re teens already. He tells Martin that Tyrell passed his calculus test. Martin wonders if that is good enough. Smitty thinks that’s the best he can do right now. That makes Martin wonder what’s going on, so Smitty informs him that Tyrell is going through something right now… He’s been more standoffish and quiet. Martin also asks him if they should allow Samantha, who’s 16, to date. Smitty thinks that giving their permission is better than her sneaking around. Martin suggests half-jokingly that he tag along.

Vernon greets Anita when she returns home. He tells her that they have a problem.

Ted and Nicole are in her office. Andre arrives and compliments the warmth of her office. He wants to capture it on film. He also likes Ted’s practice, which has nice grounds. After Andre leaves, Ted says wistfully that Andre reminds him so much of his late brother. He’s also very glad to be with her.

Vernon fills Anita in on what Bill said. They agree that they have to protect Martin as they clasp hands.

Dani marches into Bill’s office, ignoring the receptionists that try to stop her. She grabs one of his golf clubs, sweeps everything off his desk with it, and then waves it at him threateningly. (The other people in the office scurry out of the way as she does this) She calls him a sorry S.O.B.

Back to the BTG Updates Page

Back to the Main Daytime Updates Page