Herman''s voice sent Sandy and Ashley''s hearts racing like they were on a roller coaster.
Hearing themotion, Tavon turned toward the staircase, grumbling, "Pretty boy..." With the stairs blocking his view, all he could make out was a man descending, his face hidden from sight.
Sandy froze, her mind nk. In a desperate move, Ashley grabbed the ashtray from the table and smacked it over Tavon''s head. Tavon staggered, stars dancing before his eyes, then hit the floor, out cold.
As Tavon copsed, Sandy felt a mix of shock and relief wash over her. Herman strolled over from the staircase, hands in his pockets, watching the scene unfold with a calm detachment.
Ashley stood there, ashtray in hand, Tavon sprawled on the floor, and Sandy, as pale as a ghost. Just then, Sean walked in with takeout.
"Sis..." Sean''s words trailed off as he took in the chaos, leaving him utterly bewildered. Ashley was trembling, Sandy was too stunned to speak, and only Herman seemedposed, observing like an outsider.
"What... what happened?" Sean demanded urgently.
Sandy quickly thought on her feet, "Dad and Mom were fighting. We tried exining, but Dad wouldn''t listen, then Mom lost it. Sean, please, get Dad to the hospital."
Sandy swiftly shifted the me onto Ashley.
Ashley didn''t argue, epting the me. "Your dad''s been fooling around and used me of having a lover. I won''t stand for such baseless usations."
Sean was still dazed, but now wasn''t the time to dwell. He rushed to get Tavon to the hospital.
Ashley hurried after him, her words harsh, but deep down, she feared for Tavon''s well-being.
With everyone gone, only Herman and Sandy were left.
Sandy nced at Herman, trying to exin, "My parents'' marriage is rocky. Dad just misunderstood. George, are you okay? Don''t worry about this. Let me take you out for dinner."
"Your dad''s hurt. You should go to the hospital first," Herman replied. "We can do dinner another time."
With that, Herman left.
The situation was a mess, and Sandy was losing her grip. Herman hailed a cab and left, neither going back to the mansion nor heading to the hospital.
The taxi driver asked, "Where to?"
"Just drive around," Herman said, gazing out the window at the city that felt so unfamiliar.
As the cab moved from one district to another, Herman reflected on the day''s events at the Morton household.
He had known Tavon was outside and saw through Ashley''s attempt to send him away. He''d gone upstairs to see what Sandy and Ashley were really up to.
Hearing Tavon''s angry words, Herman had deliberately made his presence known at the top of the stairs, watching Sandy and Ashley''s reactions closely.
The mother and daughter seemed terrified of him running into Tavon.
This wasn''t just about avoiding a misunderstanding over him being a stranger.
If he were George, the caretaker''s son, why would it matter if he met Tavon?
Herman had lost his memory, not his intelligence. He was sure Tavon recognized him and knew things he needed to learn.
Herman chose not to go to the hospital to let Sandy rx her guard.
The cab driver suddenly interrupted his thoughts, "Sir, we''re running low on gas. Should I drop you off somewhere?"
The driver''s voice snapped Herman back to reality. Looking up just in time to see a ne flying overhead, he said on a whim, "Take me to the airport, please."
With the airport just a couple miles away, the driver nodded, "Sure, no problem."
The driver headed toward the airport, and Herman got out at the entrance, paid the fare, and walked inside.
Herman used George''s ID to buy a ticket to Riverdale. He was determined to find his true self there.
Just before going through security, Sandy called. Herman hesitated for a moment before answering.
"George, where are you? You didn''te back to the house?"
"I''m at the airport, about to board," Herman replied. "Sandy, please look after my dad for me."
"You''re going to Riverdale?" Sandy''s voice turned urgent. "George, you can''t leave. Wait for me at the airport. I''m on my way."