Author Anon

Lucy unlocks the door quietly and steps inside. All is dark. As she makes her way upstairs, she is careful not to make a sound that will betray her footsteps. She holds her breath as she passes Blanche’s door. When she reaches her room, she releases a sigh of relief. Moving to her bed, the light suddenly comes on. She whirls around and squeals, seeing Blanche sitting near the door.

“Where have you been?” asks Blanche.

“I-I-I-I took a walk,” says Lucy, nervously.

“Why?”

“I couldn’t sleep.”

“Really? I thought you went to bed because you were tired.”

“I did. Then I woke up and couldn’t get back to sleep.”

“And you felt the need to make your bed up with a dummy?” Blanche asks, pointing to the pile of pillows and blankets under the cover.

Lucy is speechless.

“Where have you been?” Blanche asks.

Lucy is unable to look her in the eye.

“If you don’t tell me, I will call Heavenly Manor and have them come to pick you up.”

Lucy is startled into speech. “Please, don’t. Mama, don’t send me back there.”

“Then, where have you been?”

“I went to meet David Golde at a late-night cafe,” says Lucy.

“What did you talk about?”

Lucy grimaces in fear. “Tom. I told him about Tom.”

“You idiot! You fool! Why did you have to tell him about Tom?”

“Why did you lie to me? Why did you tell me he was dead?” Lucy sobs.

“Because as far as we’re concerned, he is dead!”

“No!” cries Lucy. “No. I’m his wife. He’s not dead to me.”

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“Amanda, I need to talk to you,” says David. “It’s urgent.”

“What’s wrong?”

“I can’t tell you over the phone. Can you meet me tonight?”

“Where?”

“At my place.”

Amanda hesitates. “I don’t know…”

“I promise. This is not a trick. I’m not going to try anything.”

“All right.”

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“Good morning, Ashley,” says Stephanie. “I hear you’re having a ball this Christmas.”

“Stephanie, I’m surprised you would even show your face around here,” says Ashley.

“Well, I’m trying to make things right with Michael,” says Stephanie. “And I thought if I were invited to the ball, I’d have more of a chance.”

“Sorry, the invitations have already been issued and RSVPs have been returned,” says Ashley.

“But you could make room for one more, couldn’t you, Ashley?” asks Stephanie. “You don’t have to worry about me mingling with Dr. and Mrs. Shimmer.”

Ashley gasps in surprise.

“I won’t say anything at all,” says Stephanie.

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“Ummm, it’s good to wake up to sunshine,” says Melanie, stretching out in bed.

“You can enjoy more sunshine later,” says William. “But we’ve got a busy morning.”

“What do you mean?” asks Melanie.

“Take a look outside,” says William.

“Melanie goes to the window. Looking out on the beach, she sees a small table laid with a book and a couple vases of flowers. A few feet away stands a decorated arbor. Beyond that are a few rows of chairs arranged with an aisle in between. She turns around to see William smiling.

“I don’t see why we need to wait,” he says.

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“I hope the snows up in Mount Shimmering are good,” says Tracy.

“If not, there are plenty of other activities to keep us busy,” says Paul.

“I just want to get away and really enjoy my last weekend here,” says Tracy.

“I hope it won’t be forever,” says Paul.

“No. But it will be a while.”

“Are you all set?” he asks. “I want to get there before nightfall.”

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Filed under: All That Glitters