Whitney sat by Simone’ bedside. She had told her parents to take a break, so they went out for a walk. Whitney went to get water for Simone’s flowers, and while she was in the bathroom, Fox slipped in.

“ I’m surprised that your family has left you alone.”, Fox said, as he placed down his own vase of flowers.

“ They didn’t. I’m here. Who are you?”, Whitney asked.

” Um. I’m sorry. I’ll come back later.”

” I still don’t know who you are.”

” My name is Nicholas.”

” And Simone knows you from where?”

” We haven’t been formally introduced.”

Whitney looked at him with confusion.

” I..um…was the one who pulled her..”

“ Oh! You’re the one. Thank you. Thank you for giving me back my little sister.”

“ I’ll come back later.”

” No. I don’t think I’m helping much. There was…a lot of bad blood between us before all this…Maybe Simone needs to hear from someone friendly. I’ll be back in 20 minutes?”

” Make it thirty and we have a deal.”

” No problem, Nicholas.” Whitney left.

” Hey, Simone. I was wondering when you were going to wake up. I’ve been wondering what you sound like. How do you smile? I have no doubt that you will smile again. I’ve sort of been snooping around on you, so I think I know what happened. And, I can’t wait for you to wake up. You and I need to some talking. I met your friend, Kay Bennett. She’s quite a gal. She definitely has attitude, and she completely loves you. You’re very lucky to have a good friend like that. I should know – I don’t have someone like that. I met your sister. You gotta wake up, Simone. If only to put her through hell. I know you think that she ‘won’ the loser. But, she didn’t. She loves you. I think we have a lot in common. I definitely see your viewpoint. Aw hell, I just want you to wake up so that you can bitch me out about saving you. That should be fun. Do you like movies? What kind of music. “ Fox reached out and touches her face. “ I’ve tried to study your face. I’ve done a few sketches from memory. When you wake up, I’m going to take you to the most beautiful places in Harmony and capture your true beauty…well, at least as my art-school reject self can.

Life is worth it, Simone. Just come back and see.”

Fox sat down and pulled out a book.

“ Where were we? Ah yes, Newland has just announced his engagement to May at the Beaufort Ball. Let’s continue.”

Fox went on with his reading of The Age Of Innocence.

Whitney sat on a bench in front of Harmony Hospital when Theresa came by.

” Whitney! I was just coming to visit Simone. Mama sent these from her garden.” Theresa handed her some flowers.

” Thanks.”

” Is she worse?”

” No. I’m just taking a break while Simone has a visitor.”

” Oh. Whitney, is there something else?”

” Oh Theresa!”, Whitney cried. She sobbed in Theresa’s arms. “ Chad’s gone.”

” Gone?”

” He left for Los Angeles. He wanted me to go with him now. But….I couldn’t. Couldn’t. This is my family. Simone is in that hospital BECAUSE of me. How could he ask me to leave my family now?”

” Because, he loves you..”

” Theresa! Please stop with the diatribes about love. I risked the love of my sister for a man so shallow that he couldn’t wait for her to be well.”

” Maybe it wasn’t that bad. Maybe it’s the extreme of the situation. Chad loves you, Whitney.”

” I know he does. But, how could something that caused such a horrific event? How could that love be any good? No, I don’t know if it was love at all. Not with all this pain.”

Theresa hugged her best friend.
 

Eve and TC were in the kitchen when Liz came in.

” I came to say goodbye.”

” Liz, we told you a couple of days.”, TC said.

” It was best that I leave. You have a family to put back together. I understand it and respect it. “

” So, where are you staying?”, TC asked.

” I’m going to stay at Sheridan and Antonio’s for a few nights. After that, I don’t know. Antonio is waiting for me. I just wanted to return the key.” Liz handed TC the key.

“ Bye Liz. I’ll see you around.”, TC said, then the phone rang. TC picked it up and motioned that he would take it in the living room. When he left the kitchen, Liz went over to Eve.

” Don’t think that I’ve forgotten about you, Sister Dear. I’ll bide my time. Your life IS going to blow up in your face. And, when that happens, TC will be mine.”

” TC isn’t going to be yours, you pathetic bitch. Since you like married men so much, why don’t you offer yourself to Antonio. It would solve Sheridan and Luis’ problems.”

Liz attempted to slap Eve, but was thwarted.

” I don’t think so, Sister Liz. We are finished. I used to feel guilt, but no more. You are a pathetic emotional wretch of a woman. You’re such an emotional cripple. It’s not my fault that you don’t have anything in your life. Take a look in the mirror for that answer.”

” Smug smug Eve. Your perfect little life hangs by a thread. Someday, it will unravel.”

“ Go away. You talk a good game, but delivers no action. Bye you little troll you.” Eve opened the door for Liz and slammed it once she was gone.

“ Bitch. I will get my revenge.”, Liz muttered.