Sacrifices of the Soul, Chapter 49
 
 

" What did you say, Julian?", Sheridan asked.

" I said that they said that Eve requested to see me." Julian broke out in a big smile. " Sheridan, do you know what this means?"

" That she's turned a corner." Sheridan hugs Julian. " Oh Julian, I'm so happy for you."

" Me? This isn't about me, Sheridan. It's about Eve."

"Yes…I know."

" Well, I'm going to see her now."

" You do that."

Julian left the library, and Sheridan looked at a picture of Julian.
" Oh, Julian, I don't think you want to admit to yourself how much this does mean to you. "
 

Chad and Theresa were putting up the equipment at the Youth Center.

" Thanks for helping me, Theresa."

" It's no bother. I know Miguel usually helps you, but, he has a cold."

" How's he doing?"

" Well, it seems to be in that really bad stage. Where you can't move without being in pain."

" Ugh."

" I know." Theresa fingered a basketball. " So…wanna play a little one-on-one? A little HOUSE?"

" Theresa, come on. Don't joke."

" Who's joking? You think I can't play because I'm a girl. Puleeze. I have two brothers, and Hank Bennett - they taught me all I need to know." Theresa had her hand on her hip, and Chad thought she looked so cute. So, he would humor her.

" Sure..Theresa Lopez-Fitzgerald, Miss Fashion Plate, can play basketball too. Uh-huh."

" Ok…since you don't believe me, I'll raise the stakes. Loser has to the winner's laundry for 2 weeks."

" You can't make that bet."

" Why not? I'm not going to lose."

" Awe, trash talk, Lopez-Fitzgerald? Ok, I will have no mercy for you. You start.", Chad said, throwing her the ball. He and Theresa went round the court, and then outta nowhere, Theresa got past him and the next thing he knew, the basketball was in the hoop. Theresa smiled at him.

" So…it's like that?", Chad asks.

" It's like that."

He and Theresa go back and forth, until they are tied, and on the last point. It's Chad's ball, and he has a plan. But, Theresa is equally determined. They go back and forth, and then Theresa plays dirty, strips him of the ball, and winds up getting the winning basket.

" That's HOUSE…and you lose."

" You cheated, Resa."

" Whatever. Want some cheese with your whine?", Theresa laughed.

Chad smiled at Theresa, and then grabbed her and began tickling her. They wound up on the floor, and after they had a good laugh, Chad reached out to move hair out of Theresa’s face. He tenderly stroked her face, and then leaned in to kiss her. She had no objections. Their kiss grew more passionate and involved, and when they came up for air, they bashfully looked at one another. Chad backed off of Theresa and went, " Wow."

" You can say that again."

" I don’t want to rush you, Theresa."

" I know, Chad. We don’t want to rush one another. It’s ok. We’re ok."

Chad pulled Theresa up off the floor, and they left the Youth Center, hand in hand.
 

Pilar walked through her front door and was immediately confronted with a wonderful smell floating throughout her house.

" Theresa? What are you cooking?", Pilar said, walking into her kitchen. " Kay?"

Kay Bennett was standing at the stove, stirring two pots. " Hi Mrs. Lopez-Fitzgerald."

" What are you doing here?"

" I knew what Miguel was sick…and, I came to fix him dinner. "

" Kay…Charity offered to bring him dinner. He told her not to come. He didn’t want her to get his germs."

" I know…Miguel is so thoughtful, but, I knew how bad he felt. Plus, I’m actually fixing this week’s lessons in Cooking Class. So, in a way, I’m helping Miguel keep up with his classwork. Plus..", Kay runs over to the counter and pulls something out of a paper bag., " I stopped by CVS to pick this up. "

" A mask.."

" Yes, to protect me. So, see, I can help Miguel. After all, we are best friends. Now, I’m going to give him some dinner."

Before Pilar can object, Kay is out the door. Pilar arched her eyebrow remembering Kay’s line about them being ‘best friends’. She knew exactly how Kay felt about her son. She didn’t know what to think. Charity was a wonderful girl, but Kay had loved him all her life. Pilar decided to stay on the sidelines and be there to support Miguel. Taking a spoon, she tasted the dishes that Kay fixed. To her surprise, they were very good, and she prepares a plate for herself.
 

Kay knocks lightly on the door before going in. She opens the door to a darkened room, but, she could still make out Miguel. Kay’s heart broke to see Miguel look so helpless in the bed. She didn’t think he could look any cuter, but, sick Miguel was definitely cute. She put the tray down on the nightstand, and sat on the edge of the bed. She leaned in and moved the wet hair from his forehead. Feeling someone touch him, Miguel's eyes slowly opened.

" Mama?"

" No, Miguel. It's me."

" K…Kay?"

" Yeah."

" What are you doing here?"

" I fixed you something to eat."

" Kay..I told Charity not to come."

" I know. But, you didn't tell me, and besides, when did I ever listen to anyone?"

Miguel smiled. " Never."

" Exactly."

" K..Kay….I'm so hot. But, the alcohol seems to help. Will you rub alcohol on my chest?"

Kay had to stop herself from screaming with joy. Before Miguel could say another word, Kay had pulled back the covers, and had the alcohol in her hands. She  was rubbing it all over his chest.

" Hmmmmmm….ooohhh", Miguel said.

Kay loved running her hands over his toned chest. He's definitely been working out, Kay thought. Kay wondered how it would be to kiss it. She closed her eyes and thought about it. She dreamed of the lingering kisses all over her chest. When she opened her eyes, she found Miguel looking at her. She couldn't help but turn her eyes and look away. The odd thing, though, Kay thought to herself. She could swear that Miguel knew what she was doing. What she was thinking. They seemed to be on the same wavelength, but, that's impossible. Miguel can't know about her romantic feelings towards him….could he?
 

When Julian got to Eve's hallway, he was met by Kevin Collins.

" What happened?"

" I came for a session, and this time, she had a note written."

" Let me see it."

Kevin handed Julian the note.

" She's said nothing?", Julian asked.

" Nothing. But, this is still a major breakthrough. Definite communication. She's thinking for herself, and she knows what she wants."

" Why hasn't she spoken?"

" I don't know. I still think she has many issues to work through, Mr. Crane. So many issues."

" Well, I don't care. I want to see her."

Julian walks into Eve's room. She's dressed in street clothes, and has a suitcase packed on her bed. Dr. Collins looks at the room, and comments, " She's in no way ready to leave here. She's made little progress in her therapy."

Eve looks directly at Julian. " I want to get out of here."

Julian was stunned. It had been so long since Eve had said anything. Since he had heard her voice. Since she had looked like she knew what was going on in the outside world. He smiled and turned to Dr. Collins.

" Get your boss down here. Dr. Russell is going to leave."