Author Anon

“I want us to be friends,” says Amanda. “Rick was a good friend to me when I was younger and I can’t forget that. So I want to be friends with his wife.”

“Then why do you insist that I tell Rick about Eileen?” asks Lisa.

“Because I think that telling him the truth now will help you build a better relationship with him in the long run,” says Amanda.

“Really?” asks Lisa. “You’re sure you have no designs on Rick yourself?”

“Absolutely positive,” says Amanda. “Yes, I admit I adored him when I was a kid. But we haven’t seen each other in ten years and I’ve outgrown that.”

“I still think it would be stirring up trouble to mention the affair,” says Lisa. “It was foolish of me and when I realized it, I ended it.”

“Unfortunately, it did not end there,” says Amanda, getting up to pace around the room.

“No, but that’s where I’m leaving it,” says Lisa.

“What about Eileen?” says Amanda. “What happens when she grows up? If you’re still in this town, she’ll probably grow up with her own cousins without realizing it. What if she becomes involved with them? How will you avoid that situation?”

“We’ll deal with it when we get there,” says Lisa.

“But-” says Amanda, turning around and swinging her arm out, knocking down a picture. She stoops down to pick it up and notices the picture. “Where did you get this picture?”

“Rick’s had that picture there for years,” says Lisa.

“This is me in the picture,” says Amanda.

“Yes.”

“And I haven’t changed much.”

“No, except for the weight.”

“So you knew who I was in the hospital.”

“Of course,” says Lisa. “I recognized your face and your name confirmed it.”

“Then why would you have confessed your infidelity to me?” asks Amanda.

“I guess I was jealous of the special place you held in Rick’s heart,” says Lisa.

“How dare you!” says Amanda, approaching Lisa.

“That’s enough!” says Blanche, entering the room. “I think you’d better leave.”

Amanda straightens up and leaves the house.

Blanche turns to Lisa. “Why in the world did you tell that girl about Eileen? How do you know she’s not going to blab it to Rick?”

“First of all,” says Lisa. “I think I understand Amanda’s character better than you do. She wouldn’t tell him, but she’d want me to tell him. Apart from that, she has her license to protect. She cannot reveal anything told to her as a medical confidence. If I didn’t tell her and she found out through other means, there would not have been anything to prevent her from warning Rick somehow. If Rick should find out through her, believe me, Nana, I would make her pay for it.”

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“That’s a beautiful horse, Mr. Diamond” says Tara.

“Well, hello, Tara!” says Phillip. “Haven’t seen you around for a few days. I didn’t mean to drive you away when I said I didn’t need you anymore.”

Tara laughs. “Actually, I’ve been busy. I’ve taken over administrative duties at the stables.”

“Oh,” says Phillip. “So the rumors are true. Your family is expanding their business.”

“Yes. So I’ll have to run our stables while they’re focused on that.”

“Hi, Tara,” says Alex, coming out of the stables. “Where have you been hiding out?”

“Sorry I haven’t been around,” says Tara. “I do enjoy coming out here, but now duty calls. I won’t have much time in the future to spend here, unfortunately.”

“That’s a shame,” say Alex. “We’ve missed you.”

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“I had a wonderful time last night,” says Melanie.

“Yes, I haven’t felt this light in a long time,” says William “It was a very unhappy time while Julia was sick.”

“Well, we don’t need to dwell on that anymore,” says Melanie.

“No, I think I have a lot to look forward to now,” says William.

“But how will your children react to our relationship?” asks Melanie.

“I don’t think they would like it too much,” says William, “especially coming so soon after Julia’s death.”

“Does that bother you?” asks Melanie.

“Not really.”

“I’m glad,” says Melanie. “But, perhaps, we should keep this a secret for a while.”

“I agree.”

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Filed under: All That Glitters