Part 13 - Chapter 1 - Crisis Mode

Before leaving the hospital, Lawrence made a few phone calls and headed to the office. If they were going to keep this company from going under, they had to act quickly.

When he arrived at the office, Hector was already there waiting.

Hector stared silently with narrowed eyes. He was absolutely furious.

Lawrence noticed, but he said nothing about it. "Is anyone here yet?"

"I can't believe old man Townsend left you in charge," Hector ranted, ignoring his question. "What did you have to do convince him of that idea?"

"That's exactly what I was wondering," Andrew said as he and Amanda entered the building.

Lawrence frowned, but remained silent as Hector took a step back and Andrew took his place.

"It makes no sense. You haven't been here as long and you don't have as much experience. What was Mr. Townsend thinking?"

"I don't know why he chose me, but he did," Lawrence said calmly, but in a firm tone. "It shouldn't matter who's in charge and who isn't. It's going to take all of our efforts to save this company from going under."

As Andrew and Hector looked skeptical, Lawrence glanced towards the doorway at R.J. who had just come in. "It looks like everyone's here except for Ms. Burroughs and Mr. Keller. We'll give them a few minutes to get here before we start."

As the group reluctantly followed Lawrence into the boardroom, R.J. pulled Hector aside. He waited until the others were safely out of earshot before speaking. "Have you given any thought to the idea I mentioned?"

"Not really . . .I've been more concerned with other things, lately."

"Well, you'd better think quick, because I need your answer now. This place is history and I'm not going to stick around and watch it die when I should be getting my own company started. The time to strike is now."

Hector nodded thoughtfully.

"Look, the only reason I'm even here right now is to ask you this. Are you in or are you out?"

The seconds seemed to tick by slowly in the boardroom as everyone waited. Jerry and Reese had arrived, but Hector and R.J. hadn't made it to the boardroom yet.

"Does anyone know where Hector and R.J. are?" Lawrence asked. The others looked at him blankly and shrugged. "Amanda, would you go look for them, please? We need to get started."

"Of course," Amanda replied as she rose from her seat.

"We'll start without them. Jerry -" Lawrence started, but he paused when the boardroom door opened.

"Sorry to keep you waiting," Hector said with an unapologetic smirk.

"Where's R.J.?" Lawrence asked.

"He's not coming. R.J. has decided to leave the company and start his own business elsewhere."

As Andrew and Amanda exchanged surprised looks, Lawrence eyed Hector critically.

"And you?"

Hector pulled out an empty chair and sat down heavily. "I'm here, aren't I?" He gritted his teeth, turned to Lawrence, and asked in a voice that was strained with bitterness. "So where do we start, boss?"

Part 13 - Chapter 2 - Crisis Mode

She ran through the dense forest, her feet pounding with the rhythm of her own pounding heart. Her once fine garments were reduced to tattered rags and the sandals on her feet were worn thin. She had been running for so long. The forest path seemed to be endless, but she couldn't stop running. She didn't want to stop running because she was, at last, finally free.

She was free from the man she had bound herself to out of desperation and free to be with the man she had loved all along.

She ran and ran, until she started to feel like she would never get anywhere. Her legs suddenly felt so heavy, too heavy to lift another step.

When she stopped and looked up, there he was, standing right in front her. Her heart filled with happiness and relief and she collapsed into his arms.

"I'm so sorry," she sobbed. "I've been looking for you for so long. I've been so wrong and so stupid. But it's ok now, because I'm free of him. Now that I've found you, we can be together . . ."

She let the last words trail off as the air around her suddenly grew cold. The arms that had been wrapped so warmly around her seemed to disintegrate.

"What's happening?"

When she looked up, another figure appeared before her. The figure was that of a beautiful woman, exquisitely dressed. She walked towards the man with one hand rubbing her very pregnant belly.

Eileen turned to the man with pleading eyes, struggling to speak, but was unable to find any words.

He casually placed his arm around the pregnant woman's waist, before turning to Eileen.

"You're too late."

An alarm seemed to go off in the distance. No, not an alarm, Eileen realized as she slowly began to wake up. It was the telephone.

Eileen blinked and tried to chase the last remnants of sleep from her brain. She was tempted to stay in bed and go back to sleep, but since the phone call could be news from the hospital about her father, she got out of bed and hurried downstairs to answer it.

"Hello?"

"Eileen? It's Veronica. I wasn't sure you were going to answer. Is everything ok?"

"I'm fine. I was just sleeping. How's Daddy?"

"He's doing better. I'm going to stay here with him for awhile. I just wanted to check in. You can go back to bed now."

"If only," Eileen thought as she hung up the phone. It had taken her long enough to fall asleep in the first place. Too many thoughts had been swimming around in her head and still were.

She went into the living room and stared out the window as her mind drifted to the day before in the hospital waiting room with Lawrence.

"God, why did I say that?" she scolded herself and leaned her forehead against the cool glass of the window pane.

She wasn't sure how long she stood there reliving her embarrassment by replaying that moment over in her mind before she was startled by a knock on the front door.

"Hey Chloe," she greeted her friend with pleasant surprise and invited her in.

"Hi. I just came by to find out how things are going with your dad."

"Better. The doctors think he's going to be ok."

"That's good news," she said as they walked into the living room and sat down. "I'm sorry you missed the rest of the wedding though. It was a really nice ceremony . . . once they got started. The reception was a blast."

"So, she went through with it, then?"

"What?" Chloe asked, startled. "Of course, she did. Why wouldn't she?"

Eileen just shrugged and looked away.

"Hey, are you alright?" Chloe asked.

"I'm so stupid!" Eileen cried out. "I did the dumbest thing last night."

"What?" Chloe asked in a flat, reproachful tone. "What did you do?"

"I told someone I loved him," she mumbled, avoiding eye contact.

"Don't tell me you're getting back together with Hector."

"No, it wasn't Hector . . .it was Lawrence."

"What?" Chloe exclaimed, practically jumping out of her seat. "Wait, you love Lawrence? Since when?"

Eileen hid her face in her hands. "I told you, I was stupid!"

"Well, what did he say?" Chloe asked somberly. By Eileen's tone, she already knew it was bad news.

"He said that he's dating someone else," Eileen said and collapsed onto the sofa.

Chloe stared at Eileen a moment before trying to coax her to get up. "Come on, let's go out to the mall or something." When Eileen looked doubtful she added, "I'm not going to let you sit here all day and feel bad about yourself."

With a sigh, Eileen resigned herself to Chloe's plan and went to her room to get dressed.

"Good morning," Audrey greeted her brother as he entered the kitchen. "I was just about to boil an egg. Would you like one?"

"No, thank you. I've already eaten." He lingered in the kitchen as Audrey placed a pot of water on the stove. "How was the wedding," he finally asked, trying to make his tone sound light and casual. But he couldn't hide the strain in his voice.

Audrey sighed. "Aside from some problems at the beginning, where someone crashed the wedding and my date left because his boss had to be rushed to the hospital, it was actually a very nice wedding."

"Did she seem happy?"

"Oh, Justin, why torture yourself?" she rolled her eyes and turned away from her cooking to face him directly.

Justin looked away and said nothing, so Audrey continued.

"Yes, if you must know, she seemed happy. Look, I told you to fight for her when you had the chance, but you didn't. Now it's too late, so you have no choice but to forget about her and move on."

"I know," he said sadly.

Audrey softened her tone and turned back to the stove, "Good."

Just as Audrey turned to her left to get a spoon out of the cabinet drawer. Something smacked firmly against the window in front of her. She let out a yelp of surprise and jumped back.

Justin, who was just leaving the kitchen, turned back at the noise. "What was that?"

"I don't know. Something hit the window."

Justin stepped forward and looked at the window. The outside was splattered and dripping with a thick, red liquid. He leaned closer to examine it. "It looks like paint." He peered out the other window, but the sidewalk and the street outside was empty.

Outside, Lauren ducked around the corner of the building and paused a moment to catch her breath.

"Consider that your last warning."

She reached into her backpack and produced another paint-filled water balloon. Carefully she tossed it in the air before catching it again. "Now to deal with R.J."

Part 13 - Chapter 3 - Crisis Mode

"Stuart-Townsend Corporation. Amanda Martin speaking," Amanda answered in a weary voice. All morning she had been answering phone calls from the media who was desperate for the inside gossip on the company's scandal. She was ready to answer with the usual response, "no comment" and hang up, when a familiar and cheerful voice responded.

"Amanda? Hi! I didn't expect you. This is Vanessa. How have you been?"

"Busy," Amanda answered tersely. "I don't have time to talk."

"I understand. I didn't call to bother you at work, hun. I actually called to speak with Lawrence Arrendale."

"Mr. Arrendale is very busy right now."

"Then, can you give him a message, hun?"

Amanda gritted her teeth. The woman just got under her skin with that patronizing voice of hers. "Of course."

"Tell him I'd like to meet with him to discuss his uncle. Have him call me at his convienence."

Amanda jotted down the message and Vanessa's phone number. "I'll give him the message, but I don't know when he'll find the time to return your call."

"There's no hurry," Vanessa replied patiently. "But since I have you on the line, Alma and I are planning on going out to dinner tonight. I'd love it if you and Andy could come along."

Amanda cringed at the nickname for Andrew. Where did she get off calling her husband "Andy?" "I don't think we can make it."

"That's too bad. If you change your mind, just give me or Alma a call, ok?"

After saying a quick goodbye, Amanda hung up the phone. "Andy," she mumbled sarcastically. And since when did Alma become best friends with this woman?

Amanda didn't have much time to worry about her family issues, because just as she sat down at her desk, the front door opened. She stepped forward immediately to greet the man who had just walked in.

"Can I help you?" she asked, curtly stepping in front of him. If he was a reporter, she didn't want him to get inside.

"I'm here to see Hector Burgess."

"Do you have an appointment?" Amanda asked, knowing very well that he did not.

"No, but could you ask if he will see me? I'm Chad Vanderburg."

"Oh," Amanda said, suddenly remembering the name and face. "I'll ask." After making a quick call on the intercom, she nodded to Chad. "Mr. Burgess will be with you in a moment."

Amanda had barely finished speaking before Hector emerged.

"Chad! It is you! What happened to you? Where did you disappear to?" Hector asked asked enthusiastically.

"I had to lay low for awhile . . ." Hector looked confused, but Chad didn't give him time to comment. "I'm sorry I bailed before, but I wanted to know if that job offer is still good."

"If it was up to me, sure. But you'll have to ask Lawrence," Hector said with a frown.

"Yeah, I heard," Chad replied. "I know you've got a lot happening here right now, but can you spare a few minutes. I've got something to tell you about. Maybe Lawrence should hear it too."

Hector rapped lightly on the door to the front office, but didn't bother waiting for a reply before entering. "Hey, Lawrence, you've met my pal, Chad, haven't you? He's interested in working here. Townsend was going to interview him, but something came up."

Lawrence frowned, "I'm not sure we should hire anyone new without Mr. Townsend's approval. Besides, we have more important things to worry about right now."

"I heard. That's why I'm here actually," Chad replied, unwilling to be dismissed so easily. "Whether you offer me job or not, I think there's some things you should know about the scandal."

"Like what?" Hector asked curiously.

"Like who leaked the information to the public . . .It was R.J. Majors."

Lawrence eyed Chad suspiciously, "How do you know that?"

"R.J. and I have known each other a long time ago. We were going to go into business together, until I-" Chad looked embarrassed, "ran off with the money."

Hector was shocked, "You did what? Why?"

"I-," Chad hesitated, "I owed some people . . . But that's all in the past now. I've been trying to avoid R.J. ever since, that's why I bailed out on my interview and why you couldn't get in contact with me. I would have left town completely if he hadn't dragged Audrey into this too. I had to make sure he didn't hurt her, so I've been keeping an eye on the both of them."

Lawrence wanted to ask about Audrey, but he stayed focused on the matter at hand, "And what did you find out?"

Chad hesitated, "It's not so much what I found out, but what I know about R.J. When we were partners we did a lot of research before we got started. This company is in the prime location for this kind of market and there's a good profit to be made if someone can get rid of the competition. This is exactly the kind of thing R.J. would do. And I know for a fact he's already renting out the office space to start his own company."

Hector turned to Lawrence soberly. "He tried to convince me to partner with him before he left."

"I just wanted to let you know, in case it would help you out," Chad said with a shrug. "Whether you'll hire me or not is up to you, but I know that if you would give me a chance I could help. I know how R.J. runs a business and how we can outcompete him. I don't want to let him get away with this. . . not after the way he used Audrey to get back at what I did."

Lawrence paused a moment in thought and then slowly nodded. "Ok, I'll give you a chance. This is just on a trial basis, Mr. Townsend has the last word. Do you have a resume on file?"

"Yes, I should have. If not, I'll get one. Thank you."

"Come on," Hector said, leading Chad out of the office. "I'll get you set up at your own desk."

Lauren stormed into the rented office where R.J. was setting up for his new business.

"R.J!" Lauren screeched. "You told me you had taken care of this!"

R.J. mumbled something under his breath and reluctantly put his work aside to attend to Lauren, hoping that she could be dealt with quickly. "What is your problem?"

"My problem is that you haven't held up your end of our bargain. You told me you'd get Audrey to stay away from Lawrence. I thought you'd said you'd taken care of it, but then I opened up the paper today and found out that you haven't done anything at all."

Lauren reached into her pocket and produced a newspaper clipping. She unfolded it to reveal an article about the Stuart-Sexton wedding. At the top of the article was a picture of the ceremony with Audrey and Lawrence in the background among the guests. "What do you have to say about this?" Lauren asked, shoving the paper in R.J.'s face.

R.J. pushed Lauren's hand and the clipping aside. "Look, you were there when I was on the phone with Audrey. I told her to stop seeing him. What more do you expect me to do?"

"You could do something!" Lauren shouted as she wadded up the newspaper clipping, tossed it on the floor, and stomped on it.

R.J. crossed his arms in front of his chest and stared at Lauren skeptically. "What is with this thing you have about Lawrence? The guy isn't anything special. And the way you're acting about him is insane."

Lauren's face flushed red with rage. "Don't you talk to me like that! Did you forget what I know about you?"

"So? Who are you going to tell? I'm working for myself now and if anyone brings up my past, I'll put the blame where it belongs." He poked a finger forcefully at Lauren. "If you want in on this you're going to have to straighten up and stop flying off the handle at every little thing. If you can't do that than go, now!"

Lauren stared at R.J. with wide eyes. His outburst had caught her by surprise. He was so forceful and take-charge. A slow smile spread over her face and she said sweetly, "Ok. I'll try."

Part 13 - Chapter 4 - Crisis Mode

Eileen and Chloe walked through the campus on their way to the student center.

"See, now isn't this better than sitting at home alone feeling bad about yourself?"

Eileen shrugged. "I guess so," she agreed, smiling slightly despite herself.

"Hey, look it's Amin and Randy," Chloe said pointing towards a group of students standing up ahead. When the guys turned towards them after hearing their names, Chloe waved to them and hurried forward, leaving Eileen to follow behind. Since Chloe immediately sidled next to Amin and started chatting with him, Eileen approached Randy.

"Hey, Eileen. Where have you been hiding?" Randy asked. "I haven't seen you around lately."

"I haven't been around much," Eileen replied lightly. "I've had a lot going on."

"That's too bad. It's nothing serious, is it?" he asked with concern. She didn't seem like her usual cheerful self.

"Not really. Just trying to juggle my love life and keep from failing out of school."

"Aren't we all?" Randy laughed. "At least the semester is nearly over . . . Hey, you're going to find some time to spend with me before I leave on break aren't you?"

Eileen grinned, "Sure. I'll see what I can do."

"Eileen, I thought that was you," Cassandra said as she approached the group.

"Hey Cassie, what are you doing here?" Eileen greeted her friend with a hug before introducing her to Randy.

"I was going to meet my sister for lunch, but she had to cancel. I'm glad I ran into you," Cassie said, studying Eileen. "We really need to catch up."

"I know," Eileen agreed. "We were talking about going over to the student center, do you want to join us?"

Cassandra was about to say yes, when the building in front of her caught her attention. She had the sudden overwhelming urge to go inside. "No thanks. I'm just going to stop in here for a cup of coffee before I go home. I'll give you a call later, ok?"

Cassandra didn't wait for Eileen's reply and instead walked into the coffee shop almost as if she was being guided by a force other than her own.

She paused in the doorway and looked around the room as if she had gone in looking for something in particular. She blinked a few times as if her eyes were adjusting to the darkness of the room before focusing on one person. Although there were other people in the room and he was sitting with his back to the door, she noticed him immediately.

She took a deep breath and tried to focus. Then she walked over to the counter to place her order.

The few extra moments waiting at the counter was enough to help Cassandra calm her nerves and feel like herself again. With a cup of espresso in hand she walked over to his table.

"Hi," she greeted him. "Is this seat taken?"

"It is now," Blaine replied, returning her smile. "Have a seat. So how have you been?"

"Good. How about you?"

"Not bad. How are things with your mom? Is she doing ok?"

"Yeah, she's adjusting. We all are," Cassandra answered slowly. "I'm glad she's back in my life, but I'm not used to having a mom around. It's a little bit annoying at times, but mostly it's really nice."

Blaine laughed lightly, "I'm glad to hear it. I've been meaning to stop by and see how things were going."

"Oh, you don't have to do that," Cassandra said sweetly. "You've already done so much for us and I can't thank you enough for it . . . But maybe you could come over some evening for dinner. I'm sure Mom would love to see you again."

"Ok, sure. Just let me know when."

"Anytime whenever you're not busy is fine with me."

"We'd better wait until after finals week. I've got a lot to do before the end of the semester. Besides Reese is going to be busy for awhile. She's got a lot going on with work right now and I'm sure she'd like to come too." Noticing Cassandra's expression go blank, he added, "That's ok, isn't it?"

"Sure," Cassandra said, the words barely making their way out of her throat. "So, I guess you two are like a couple."

Blaine looked thoughtful. "Not yet, but I hope we will be. It's still kind of new."

Cassandra nodded slowly before changing the subject, "So how's school going?"

"Not bad. I'm getting to the end now. I just have one more semester before I graduate."

"Good for you. What are you going to do when you're finished?"

"I want to go into computer programing. I'd kind of like to find something local, but if I have to relocate that's not a big deal. What about you? What do you do? Are you a student?"

"No, not full time. I've been taking a few courses here and there at the community college. I've never been able to stick to one thing for too long . . .for the most part, anyway. I'm always trying something new. So I really admire anyone like you or my sister, Zara, who can go to school and stick with it."

They continued chatting long after their coffee mugs were empty.

Eventually Blaine glanced at his watch and stood up. "It was nice talking to you, but I've got to get to the computer lab. I'm working this afternoon."

"Oh, ok," Cassandra said, standing as well. "I'm glad I ran into you."

"Me too . . .I'll walk you to your car," he offered.

Cassandra grinned. "Thanks."

As they walked towards the front door, Cassandra glanced at the posters and bulletin boards in the hallway. One of them caught her eye. She stopped in her tracks and gasped, "Look! It's Searing Indifference!"

Blaine turned and looked at Cassandra like she was crazy, "What?"

"Searing Indifference," Cassandra repeated as she pointed to one of the posters. "They're one of my favorite bands. I can't even tell you how many times I've been to see them. Oh, and they're going to play here on campus. Are you going to go?"

Blaine looked surprised and shrugged. "I wasn't planning on it."

"You really should go. They're great."

"Then maybe I go if I have time."

"You should make time. Next semester is your last, right? You should have fun while you're here."

Blaine couldn't help grinning at her enthusiasm. "I'll see."

Part 13 - Chapter 5 - Crisis Mode

The buzz of the office intercom awoke Veronica abruptly from her nap. Wearily rising from the sofa, she answered the call.

"Dr. Townsend. You have a patient waiting."

"Thank you. You can send them in," Veronica replied. She took a moment to smooth back her tussled hair before shifting through the files on her desk.

When the office door opened, Veronica stepped forward to greet her new patient. "Hello, you must be Serena Barrett. I'm Dr. Townsend. Veronica, if you prefer," she said, offering a handshake.

Serena eyed Veronica's outstretched hand, skeptically. Then reluctantly took it in a limp handshake.

"Have a seat," Veronica replied. She paused at the desk to pick up a file folder and then sat down herself. "I have to apologize in advance if I seem a little bit off today. I've been here at the hospital all night with my husband who's recovering from a stroke."

"I'm so sorry," Serena said, her voice cool and detached.

Veronica opened the folder and skimmed through the papers inside, "I'm just going to review your records . . . Barrett. Are you related to Cassandra Barrett?"

"Yes. She's my daughter."

"Oh, really?" Veronica said with interest. "I've met with her before. She and my stepdaughter know each other from school, I believe. How has she been?"

"Well," Serena replied, seeming to give the simple question much thought. "Very well."

"Good. I'm glad to hear it," Veronica wished she could say more about Cassandra, but she was bound to confidentiality. Instead she focused on the patient that was in her office. "So tell me how you've been doing? How are you adjusting to being back home?"

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you that information sooner, Lawrence," Arthur spoke into the phone at the hospital's reception desk. "I hadn't said anything about it for Lucy's sake. But now that everything else has come out, I think this is the only way to save the company."

"Mr. Townsend!" a shrill voice called out. Arthur looked over to see an angry nurse approaching him. "You shouldn't be out of bed!"

"One moment," he said to the nurse and then spoke into the phone. "I've got to go now. You know what needs to be done. If you need anything from me, just call."

As soon as Arthur hung up the phone, his nurse helped him back into his wheelchair and wheeled him back to his room, despite his protests that he could manage on his own.

After he was back in bed, there was a quick rap on the door before Dr. Wilton walked in.

"Hello, Mr. Townsend," Edward greeted his patient in a cheerful, professional tone. "How are you feeling today?"

"What are you doing here?" Arthur glared at Dr. Wilton. "Where's my regular doctor?"

"He has the day off and I'm filling in for him."

Arthur sat up straighter and scooted back away from the doctor. "Oh, no you're not. Get someone else in here, because you're not laying a finger on me."

Edward exchanged confused looks with the nurse. "I'm sorry. Do you have a problem?" he asked slowly.

"Yes. I'd like to get out of here alive," Arthur replied. "Don't think I've forgotten, like everyone else, that my partner, Clifford Stuart, died under your negligent care."

Before Edward could recover from his shock of the accusation, Sally spoke up. "Mr. Townsend, I was the nurse on duty when Mr. Stuart died. I can tell you that Dr. Wilton was anything but negligent. He did everything in his power to save Mr. Stuart's life. His death was no fault of Dr. Wilton or anyone who works at this hospital."

"Thank you, nurse," Edward said coldly as he looked over Arthur's file. "Has Mr. Townsend been having any problems that you've noticed?"

"Aside from his difficult attitude?" Sally asked. When receiving a stern look, she answered, "No, doctor."

"Fine," Edward said, returning the file to its place. "Your regular doctor will be back tomorrow, Mr. Townsend, and I won't bother you anymore."

Edward turned and walked out of the room with as much dignity as he could muster. But when he stepped out into the hall and found himself face to face with Mrs. Townsend it found it very hard to maintain that composure.

"What were you doing in my husband's room?" Veronica asked accusingly. "You aren't the doctor in charge of his case and I don't want you anywhere near him."

"I'm just doing my job," he said sternly, his patience wearing thin. Before Veronica could say anything else, he pushed past her and retreated to his office, glad that his shift was nearly over.

Alma followed Vanessa into the restaurant. As Vanessa approached the podium, Alma looked at the elegant surroundings in awe. She had never been to such a fancy restaurant.

"It will be a few minutes until our table is ready," Vanessa said to her after speaking with the host. "It's a shame we couldn't convince your roommate to come with us. Bernice seems like a nice lady."

"She is, but she's not very friendly. I don't think she really likes going out . . ." As Alma finished speaking she happened to glance over at the bar. Seeing someone she thought she recognized, she forgot what she was saying and let her voice trail off.

Vanessa followed Alma's stare with her own eyes. "Do you know that man at the bar?"

"Yes. That's Dr. Wilton. He was Mother's physician," Alma replied coolly.

"Let's go over and say hello," Vanessa suggested. "I'd like to meet him."

Before Alma could protest, Vanessa was making her way across the room. Reluctantly she followed.

"Hello," Vanessa said, walking up behind Edward.

He turned, startled from his thoughts. Not recognizing Vanessa, he looked at her with confusion, but when he saw Alma, a slow smile crept across his face and he rose from the bar stool. "Hello."

"I'm Vanessa Summers," she greeted him with a handshake. "Mona May's daughter. Alma told me you were our mother's doctor, so I wanted to meet you."

Edward looked confused a moment, before he remembered that Mrs. May had a daughter that no one knew about until recently. "Oh, yes. It's nice to meet you."

"I'd love to talk with you some time about our mother, but I'm sure you're here with someone."

"Actually I'm on my own tonight."

"Then why don't you join us?"

Edward glanced over at Alma, who looked away shyly. "I'd like that."

"I'm glad you decided to join us, Dr. Wilton," Vanessa said warmly, once they had been seated and an extra chair had been brought over for the doctor. "I didn't get to meet my birth mother, so I'm always excited to meet anyone who did know her. I'm surprised Alma's put up with me after all of the questions I've asked about her."

"Alma would be the one to ask," Edward said affectionately. "She took excellent care of your mother for many years. I'm sure she knew her better than anyone."

Alma blushed at the praise and focused on the plate in front of her. "There was a lot I didn't know."

"Yes," Vanessa admitted. "But without you I wouldn't have known anything at all about her." She turned to Edward. "My adoptive parents and I haven't been close for years. I don't want you to get the wrong idea. They were wonderful when I was growing up, but we've since become estranged and I was an only child, so it's been nice to have family again."

"I take it you're not married?" Edward asked.

"I'm . . .recently divorced," Vanessa replied. "And after the way things turned out, I'm done with dating and done with men for good. I don't think I could ever fall in love again."

"Surely not," Edward said. "It may feel that way now, but I'm sure you'll get a second chance."

Vanessa smiled weakly, unconvinced. "Have you ever been married, Edward? You don't have to answer that if I'm getting too personal. I've gotten used to talking about other people's personal lives from my bartending days."

"No, it's fine. I've never been married. I almost was once, but it didn't work out."

"And there was no one else?"

"There was someone."

Vanessa noticed a brief glance pass between Alma and Edward. When an awkward silence fell over the table, she decided to change the subject, "Alma, how is school going?"

After dinner, Edward waited with Alma by the front door while Vanessa stopped by the ladies' room.

After an awkward, silent moment, Edward smiled. "This is familiar, isn't it?"

"Yes," Alma agreed.

"You look well."

"Thank you."

"Well," Edward said and took her hand in a farewell handshake. "It was nice seeing you again. Keep in touch, Alma."

"I will," she promised. As he started to turn away, she added, "We should do this again some time soon."

He paused and looked into her eyes, "Do you mean that?"

"I do," she replied firmly.

He grinned. "I'd like that very much. Shall I give you a call?"

"Yes."

"Ok, then. Goodnight," he hesitated, wanting to take her hand again or kiss her cheek. Instead he turned and started out the door, watching her as he walked out onto the sidewalk, his step much lighter than it had been when he came in.