Episode 2.07

Cassie’s Room

Laying on her bed, Cassie flipped through a copy of YM’s prom issue in search of the perfect dress. So far nothing was speaking to her and she was starting to give up. It wouldn’t be too bad, Maggie would be in town later in the day. Shopping would be a great relaxer. If not there was always Ariel. She looked up from the magazine and at the book placed on her night stand with a pale yellow ribbon around it. Dealing with a Miscarriage. Dr. Allison Cramer. Cassie picked up the book and went across the hall to Maggie’s room and left the book on the pillow. Cassie was positive this would help her sister.


Flight 1430

Maggie sighed as she listened to the attendant and began to browse through a copy of an entertainment magazine. It was just one in a bundle that Kevin had gotten for her. She loved Kevin, yet she was starting to wonder if it was the extent and depth needed for a lasting relationship.

Then again, seeing her mother again hadn’t helped at all either. At least once she was back in Durango she would be far away from anything that reminded her of Allison Cramer.


Moonlight Bar

Ciel stared for a moment at the help wanted sign. The ski resort was closed for the season so it was only logical to get another job. Especially if she wanted to break away from her parents and Arnold Kensington. “You can do this Ciel, you can make your own choices. You can be your own person.” She told herself before going into the bar.


JCN Records—Brock’s Office

Brock’s eyes were fixated on the TV screen as he once again found himself lost in a world of All My Children. The door opened and Kevin, along with Jade slipped in.

Kevin stared at his boss, “Um Brock, we’ve got a meeting right now with you.”

Brock looked up, “Oh yeah. Come on in. The shows almost over, just need the previews for next week.”

Jade sat down, her fingers in a twisted knot of nerves.

Kevin smiled, not as much as he normally would. But nothing had been normal since Eddie died, and less so since he and Maggie had lost the baby. “Brock, we’ve got a demo of seven songs. We just need your approval to record them for Jade’s album.”

“Oh thanks. Sorry Kevin, I’m just out of it lately. I got talked into doing one of those reality shows.” Brock leaned back and rested his arms behind his head. “I’ll listen to these after lunch and let you know. Why don’t you two get out of here. Kevin take a break. Go visit Maggie for a few hours.”

Kevin shook his head, “I can’t she’s on a flight to Colorado to visit family.”

Jade perked up, “That’s too bad Kevin. Let me take you out to lunch.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” Kevin insisted, not sure what he believed about Jade’s story about seeing Maggie before she fell.

“Go with her Kevin. What’s the harm? Now both of you get out. I have work to do.” Brock leaned forward, practically crawling onto the desk.


William’s Home

Larry opened the door and helped Maggie in, carrying her bags.

“Welcome home Princess.” He said, kicking the door closed.

“Thanks Daddy.” She looked around, “Where’s Cassie?”

Probably in her room going through magazines. Prom’s next week.”

“Wow, Prom already.” Maggie left her purse on a chair by the door before she began to climb the stairs to her room.

She pushed the door open slowly, and saw the book wrapped in yellow ribbon. She set her carry on bag down before walking to the bed and picking it up. When she removed the ribbon she once again felt a surge of anger. She threw the book across the room and it landed in the hallway.

Cassie came out of her room just then and picked up the book, “Mags, I thought this could help. Dr. Cramer is a leader in her field. Maybe its too soon.” She said looking down at the cover.

Maggie locked eyes with her sister, “You don’t know who this is do you?”

Cassie nodded, “The most respectable doctor on the topic of miscarriages and young infant deaths.” She opened the dust jacket, “See it says she had three miscarriages before she had her first child, and two more before she had her other two children.”

Maggie grabbed the book from her sister, “Three kids?” she whispered softly to herself.

“Yeah, Maggie what’s wrong? I feel like I’m missing something.”

Nothing.” She sat down on the bed, feeling very confused. “Listen Cassie, Dr. Cramer is not someone you should listen to, okay. Just forget about her, alright?”

Cassie nodded, “Okay, whatever you say.”


JCN Records—Brock’s Office

Brock was listening to the CD of Jade’s songs when Wink threw open the door and then tossed a folder down on the desk. “Your future wife is in there.”

Brock looked up, “Nice to see you too Wink.”

Wink sat down, “Look through the pictures. Camera crews are showing up right now to bring the women to you. But you make the first cut before meeting them.”

“What? How am I supposed to do that Wink?”

Wink opened the file and revealed pictures and questionnaires. “These my friend. Then the actual first night of the show you’ll send them away. Then you get to know the remaining 15, then move down to 10, then 5, 4, 3, 2 and the one.”

“People actually watch this stuff?” Brock’s face was filled with skepticism.

Wink nodded, “Yeah, the college crowd eats it up. What’s the harm? You might just find the one.”

Brock shook his head and began to look through the pictures, creating two piles. Trista’s picture and Ophelia’s picture were each on top of a pile. Only one picture and application was left. It felt like slow motion to Brock as he picked it up and saw the familiar face of Joan Vincent. The love of his life, at least he had once thought of her that way. “Joan.” He said with a sound of lost love in his voice.

“I take it you like her?” Wink leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk.

Brock released a slow sigh, “I should, we were once engaged. Then one night I came home from work and she was gone.”

A sheepish smile crossed Wink’s face, “Get her back, pick her for the show.”

“I can do that?” Brock asked.

Wink nodded, “It’ll be a great twist.”

Brock smiled, “Let’s do it then.” He looked down at the picture, “I’ll get you back Joan, I swear it.”


Trista’s Apartment

Trista sat on her bed with her long blond hair pulled back as she was reading a travel guide of France when someone began knocking on her door. She tossed the book down and walked across her studio apartment. When she answered the door she came face to face with a camera crew.

“Are you Trista Silversky?”

“Yeah, why?” she asked stunned and shocked.

A young woman smiled, “You’ve been chosen as one of 25 finalists for the new television show Love and Honor.”

Trista looked stunned, “Is this for real?”

“It sure is. We’ve been sent here to whisk you away to our top secret shooting location, as the show will air live starting next week.”

“But my job, I can’t just leave.”

“We’ve arranged a leave of absence for you. You just need to pack a bag and come with us.”

“Of course, um give me a few minutes.” Trista looked back into the crowd of people emerging and stopped for a moment when she saw Kyle come in from the lobby.

Kyle couldn’t believe it, Trista was really going to do this. He stared at her for a moment before shaking his head and going to the elevator.


Moonlight Bar

Dan walked in, slightly confused as to the message he’d gotten from Ciel. He took a seat at a table and began to look around, taking in the small town bar, with the country music blasting.

“What can I get for you?” asked the waitress.

Dan didn’t look up, “Just a Coors Light.”

“Could I see your ID?”

Dan nodded, taking out his wallet and looking up. Then he fell out of his seat when he saw the waitress was Ciel. “Ciel, what are you doing here?”

She smiled, “Well if I’m going to stick around town I needed a job. So I got one here.”

“Have you told your parents yet?”

“No, I left them a message to come on over. I think they’ll get over trying to make me come back to Chicago and marry Arnold.”

“Is he that nerdy?” Dan asked.

Ciel nodded, “If not worse.”

“How did you get involved with him in the first place?” Dan asked.

“My parents set us up when I was sixteen and he was eighteen. I didn’t know any different, it’s how our world is.” She sighed, “I’ll go get your drink.”


The Java Jet

Abby sipped her mocha soy latte as she waited for Ethan to arrive. She tapped her fingers on the stiff cardboard and looked over her bags, making sure she still had her graduation dress.

“Hey, sorry I’m late.” Ethan said sitting down across from her.

“Its alright, the shopping took a little longer than expected.”

Ethan smiled, “You still want to go see the new Brad Pitt movie?”

Abby nodded, “Yeah, let’s go.”