Author Anon

“You will have your own office in this house,” says Alex, showing Tara around. “Just take your pick of rooms and we’ll have it refurnished for you.”

“I’ll just need a small room with a desk and a few chairs,” says Tara.

“I’ve seen your office,” says Alex. “Remember? You’ll need space for your files. And I want you to feel like it is your second home.”

“What about work hours?” asks Tara.

“You will set that,” says Alex. “After all, you’ll be running everything.”

“These new responsibilities are so overwhelming, I’m feeling a little giddy,” says Tara.

“I’m sure you can handle it,” says Alex.

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“Dad, I’m going to be straight-up with you,” says Tracy. “We’ve seen you with that woman out there, so don’t try to deny it. What we’d like to know is, how serious is it?”

William sighs. “When I tell you it’s none of your business, I mean it’s none of your business.”

“Why do you have to be so secretive?” asks Tracy.

“Because I don’t want gossip-mongers, like all of you, to be talking about it,” says William between gritted teeth.

“There’d be a heck of a lot less talk had you been more upfront about the relationship rather than being caught sneaking around,” says Tracy.

William grunts and turns away.

“Is it serious?” asks Tracy.

“I don’t know,” says William. “You can’t just expect…”

“Expect what?” asks Tracy.

“I don’t know,” says William, shrugging.

“Are you in love with her?” asks Tracy, incredulously.

William looks hard at Tracy. “I think I might be.”

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“Lucy seems to be quite enamored of David,” says Amanda.

“That’s only because she originally thought he was Rick,” explains Blanche. “Lucy is quite child-like, so she takes to people quite easily.”

“She’s very interested in his family,” comments Amanda.

“Who wouldn’t be?” asks Lisa.

“Actually, Lucy and I lived in Brighton for a time while she was growing up,” says Blanche. “She remembers some of the family quite well, having gone to school with them.”

“Really?” asks Lisa. “You never told me that.”

“It’s better left unspoken,” says Blanche, warningly.

“Why did you move?” asks Amanda.

“You see, Lucy had a breakdown after Lisa was born, and I couldn’t take care of her anymore. I had to have her placed and I moved away to make a new beginning.”

“Are you planning to keep Lucy here?” asks Amanda.

“We’ll have to wait and see,” says Blanche. “I’ll be staying to help Lisa until Rick returns. Lucy will be an extra burden but as long as she remains stable, I won’t force her to go back to the home.”

“You’ll send her back if she becomes psychotic?” asks Amanda.

“I suppose,” says Blanche. “Unless we can get some help.” She looks at Amanda meaningfully.

“I don’t know much about psychiatric illness-,” says Amanda.

“Oh, I’m not asking you to take care of her,” says Blanche. “She just likes company and the more, the merrier for her. She missed that when she was in the home. I think new and different faces each day helps with her mental outlook.”

“Since I may be coming here more often to help Lisa out, I guess it won’t be too much to visit with Lucy as well,” says Amanda.

“That would be very helpful,” says Blanche.

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“I’m inviting some of my personal friends to our Christmas ball,” says Ashley. “I’m sure at least one of them could turn your head, loosen you up a bit.”

“Really, Ashley,” says Michael. “You know your friends and I would probably have very little in common.”

“It’s Christmas time, you’ll be making merry,” says Ashley. “Maybe, you could learn to relax a bit. If a girl chooses to give herself to you, why don’t you take advantage of it.”

“Because I’ve learned that that kind of girl doesn’t interest me,” says Michael.

“So you’re looking for a prudish girl?” asks Ashley.

“I didn’t say that,” says Michael. “If I had to choose between my sisters, I’d choose Belle.  Does that clarify it?”

“I give up,” says Ashley. “‘Even if she isn’t downright prudish, she is the moral stickler and is constantly out saving strays.”

“But she has a good head on her shoulders and her heart in the right place,” says Michael. “If one of your friends is like that, I’ll consider her.”

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Filed under: All That Glitters