Chapter Four Three days later, Dr. Russell gave them all good news. Grace’s condition has turned for the better. They were able to move her to a different ward of the hospital. But even though Grace will survive, she still will need a lot of help. She is going to need physical therapy and that doesn’t even guarantee that she will walk again. She also will have to have plastic surgery on her face. But she has to wake up first. Four days after her arrival, Kay went to the hospital in her rental car she picked up. She didn’t want to be depended on Noah or Simone when she wanted go someplace. She headed to her mother’s wing and as she entered the room, she saw her father who hasn’t left her side since she came into the hospital. Kay nodded at him. “How is she? Has there been any sign…” she pulls up a seat next to him. “No,” said Sam. He glances over towards his daughter. Kay is magnificent looking. She made her tomboyish framework for her. On her face she wore enough make-up to accent her eyes and the shape of her lips, nothing more. It did the trick and Sam noticed on more than one occasion men gawking over her. The attitude she has helps her look. She has come a long way from the Kay that ran away from him one faithful night when all the kids were camping in the mountains. However, he notices the guilty look Kay has in her eyes whenever she visits her mother. He wishes that she didn’t feel that way but he knew that the look wouldn’t go away until Grace wakes up and they had a chance to talk. He likes when Kay comes around because when she talks to him he is sure Grace can hear it. Grace has been dying to know about her oldest daughter’s life but Kay keeps both her parents shut out, especially Grace. If it weren’t for Noah and Simone, they would barely know anything. Grace collects everything that has to do with Kay. Whether it is a magazine article or a poster board, no matter how small or useless, if it’s connected to Kay she owned it. She even joined a mailing list to learn things about her daughter. But deep down, Grace is hurt because she had to learn about Kay in the same way as the general public. So when Kay comes in, he asks her about her life and she tells him. She tells him things that no one else would know. Kay doesn’t mind and she understands why her father asks. She hopes that her mother is listening too. She wanted to tell her about it and get a response. But for now she is willing to just tell her stories in the hopes that she will wake and ask for clarification. “I told you that I have a part as a spy, right. Well I got a call today from the guy shooting the film. I figure it’s my walking papers but instead he is telling me that he wants me in the part bad enough to push shooting my parts until later. I was shocked. Most of the time they just let you go and get somebody else. I guess I have something they want,” she smiles at her father. Over the past few days, she began talking to him like she use to before all the drama occurred. It felt good because it is hard work to be distant towards a person you want to love. The only way to do it is to stay away from them. “That’s great sweetheart. I’m sure you’re worth it. I know I’d pay to see you,” Sam said. “I don’t know Dad. There is a sex scene in it that I have to do,” Kay glanced at him from the corner of her eyes. Sam turned to her appalled, “You mean that you will…” Kay smiled, “Basically. I mean I have to remove my clothes but it’s a back shot. Then I get in the bed and roll around with this goodlooking actor.” Sam choked a bit and Kay laughed. “Calm down Dad its no big deal.” “Do you hear this Grace? Our daughter is going to have sex on the big screen. I can’t believe it!” Sam looked at her cross and shocked. “Dad, relax. Like I said, it’s no big deal. I’m not advertising my chest or anything,” Kay rolled her eyes. “You better not,” he threatened, “Sit with your mother, I’m going to get something to eat.” “Good, cause you could use the food,” said Kay grateful that her father finally gets out once in a while and relieved himself from the stress of watching his comatose wife. “Geez Mom. If I knew he would reaction that way…” Kay noticed Grace’s mouth moving. Shocked she stood up and bent over to listen. Sure enough her mother was trying to talk. “Mom? Mom can you hear me?” said Kay hoping for additional signs of life. Grace’s eyes squeezed together for a moment. Finally her eyes opened and she blinked for a moment. Kay jumped back covering her mouth. Then she let out an excited yelp. “Oh, Mom!” she reached over and rang for the nurse. “Mom I’m so glad to see you awake.” Her mother kept trying to talk and Kay leaned over to hear her. Finally she was able to hear her. “Charity? Where’s Charity? I need to see Charity,” she whispered. “But Mom I can help you. What do you need?” said Kay horrified. “Charity,” whispered her mother and the nurse came in followed by her father. Two hours later everyone was there seeing Grace. Grace was still tired but she had enough strength to talk. When Charity arrived, Grace burst into tears telling her how sorry she was to scare her. She told her how worried she was about her. That’s as much as Kay listened to before she left the room. Kay headed towards the exit and would have made it out if Simone hadn’t of stopped her. “Kay where are you going?” she asked confused. “Home. Back to New York. My mother is fine now and she has what she needs,” Kay spat. Taking a deep breath, “I’ll leave the key in your mailbox and call you when I get in.” “Kay why are you leaving? Now that your mother is awake, she needs you now more than ever…” “She doesn’t need me. She needs Charity and that’s what she got,” when Simone started to protest Kay held up her hand and cut her off, “No Simone, I have to go. Now that I know that she is alright it is time for me to go back into exile.” “An exile of your own making,” said Simone angry. “Maybe so. But it’s better than having to relive this hell again. Look I’ll call you okay,” and Kay ran and hugged Simone who hugged her back. When Kay moved away, Simone could see that she is clearly upset. “Kay what happened to make you want to leave now?” she wanted to understand her friend. “It doesn’t matter. Take care of yourself,” Kay leans over and kisses her cheek, “Bye.” Kay hops in the car and drives off. When Simone gets back on the floor, she bumps into Miguel. “Where is Kay? Her father is looking for her.” “She left.” “What?! When did she leave?” Miguel is stunned. He is also surprised by how hurt he felt that she left without saying goodbye. “Just now. She went back to my house to pack and she is taking the first plane out. Excuse me. I have to tell Noah,” she stepped aside him. Miguel stood there for a moment and then he ran. Simone turned and watched him go. I hope you can give her a reason to stay because nobody else can, she thought. Miguel started slowly at first but by the time he hit the parking lot he is racing. He jumps into his car and speeds off to Noah Bennett’s house hoping to keep the woman he loves in Harmony once and for all. Simone entered Grace’s room and whispered in Noah’s ear. When Noah started to leave, she told him about Miguel. They gave each other a knowing look and turned their attention back on Grace. After friends of the family stopped by and left, Grace has kept talking to Sam, Jessica, Noah, and Charity. “I’m so glad that you guys are here. I don’t think I could have made it without you,” she said, “I heard all of you calling for me to come back. Keeping me entertained with your stories and praying for me. I thank God that I’m alive to see all of you again. Especially Kay. I never thought you would tell me about your life but you did. I loved the stories you told me. I…where’s Kay?” Sam looked at Noah because he always knows where his sister is located. Noah shrugged and said, “Maybe she went to get something from the house. I know she said that she wanted to give something to Mom when she woke up.” Even as he said it he knew it sounded lame. Whatever she wanted to give her mother could have waited. Sam glared at him. “Noah this isn’t the time. Where is your sister?” “I don’t know, dad,” he lied because he didn’t want to hurt Mom. Grace looked over at her son and knew that he was lying. He knew exactly where Kay is but he is keeping it to himself to protect her. Grace then knew herself. Kay left for New York and Grace knew why she did it. She managed to push her daughter away again by accident. “Hey she’ll be back. I’m sure of it. Could you guys give me some time alone with your father?” they all nodded and left the room. “She left didn’t she Sam?” the sorrow etched in her face made Sam angry as he nodded. He knew his son was dodging the answer because he didn’t want to hurt his mother. “I don’t know why she left, Grace. Before you woke up I could have sworn that she was just as excited as everyone else to see you awake and talk to you. Now she just upped and left without warning. It doesn’t make sense.” “It does to me Sam,” she sighed a bit tired from all the activity, “When I woke up I kept asking for Charity. When she asked me what I wanted so that she could help me, I told her Charity.” A tear ran slipped from Grace’s eye. “So what. You were just waking up and groggy. You didn’t know what had happened and you thought something happen to Charity…” “Yes I know that but Kay didn’t. She thought that once again I chose Charity over her. In her mind, she felt that no matter what Charity will always take precedent.” “If she stayed around she would have found out that you meant something else. Hell she just ran off.” Sam threw himself into a chair. Just like she did before. He thought rubbing the bridge of his nose. “Sam, she did stick around. I’m willing to bet she just left. She did give me a chance to explain but I still didn’t. So she gave up on me again.” Grace began to cry harder, “Sam please get my daughter back. I need to talk to her.” She didn’t think that she could handle Kay running from her again. Sam kisses his wife’s cheek and promises that he will. When Grace calmed down she said, “I can’t believe she going to do a sex scene in a movie.” Sam smiled and said, “You heard that? Yeah well, she won’t if she doesn’t come back here and straighten things out with you.” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Kay threw her things into her bag. She had just finished packing the last if it when there is a knock on the door. She grabbed her bag and stormed down the stairs. When she opened the door, her eyes bugged in amazement. “Miguel, what are you doing here?” she stood back and let him enter the house. “Going somewhere Kay?” he asked with attitude. Sensing his attitude Kay responds in kind, “Yes, as a matter of fact I am. I’m going home. Back to my life in New York. So if you will excuse me, I have to…” “What about your mother,” he said taking a seat. “What about her?” Kay said quietly. “She needs you. She is still going to need your support in the weeks to come.” Kay stares at Miguel and recognizes that he isn’t going to move anytime soon. So she drops her bag by the door and takes a seat on the couch. “Miguel why are you here? Shouldn’t you be with your little fiancée?” she said in a mocking voice. Miguel felt the intolerance of her words and winced but he had no intention of backing down. “Kay, I’m here because I can’t believe that you are that cold as to leave your mother at a time like this. She might not be able to walk again for Christ sake and you’re running off to do what! Hang out with your famous friends in NY.” Kay’s face flashes with anger, “How dare you. You don’t know anything about me and what I do. And as far as my mother’s concerned, she has Charity to take of her just like you. So why don’t you get back there before little Miss Perfect misses you.” She stands up and heads for the door. Miguel gets up also and in three strides catches her. He grabs her arm and forces her to face him. “Miguel let me go. You have a nasty habit of grabbing on me,” she tried to jerk away but he held fast. “Kay, I’m not going to let you run away again. This time we are going to talk and I mean talk about everything. We both owe it to the friendship that we once had to do it. Now is the time.” When Kay struggles in an attempt to leave, Miguel grabs her other arm and shakes her. “Kay! Kay stop it!” Kay manages to pull herself free and say, “You don’t understand, do you! I finally am somebody. I’m finally around people who care about me. I am in a position where I don’t HAVE to accept second best; not clothes, rooms, or men. I am not going to stay in this awful place where everyone hates me and thinks that I only deserve second-best… what’s left after Charity has her fill!” Kay drops her head and she takes several deep breaths. “Kay,” Miguel gently places his hand on her shoulder. When she didn’t look at him he gently shakes her, “Kay, look at me.” Kay looks up. “Kay do you really believe that we…that I think you deserve less when it comes to you and Charity? How could you think that? The whole time I was with Charity, I truly believed that you wanted Reese. I believed that you thought that he was best for you. I would never expect you settle for anything less than what you wanted. I wanted you happy.” Kay just stares into his eyes wishing she could see love there instead of pity but she knew that he couldn’t love her. There is always Charity. She has him lock stock and barrel and Kay isn’t in the mood to deal with it. But as she looks into his eyes, her mind fantasizes about kissing him and making love to him. She looks away because she grew tired at gazing into the eyes of man she can’t have. “And for some reason you thought that Reese made me happy,” Miguel nods and Kay sighs. It figures. Kay started to say something but changed her mind saying instead, “It doesn’t matter. Once I leave, the problems will be solved. Everyone can go back to their happy lives in Harmony without me,” She blinked and a tear slipped from her left eye. “Kay, I don’t think the problem will be solved by you running away…” he gently places his hand on her cheek, using his thumb to wipe away her tear. Kay stared into his eyes, “Why are you so concerned about me? I mean I did threaten your fiancée and tried to break the two of you up. Why don’t you hate me?” Miguel gazes into her eyes and he let his eyes drop to her lips. He has dreamed about kissing her for so long. He is so close that he can if he wants to but instead he whispers, “I can’t hate you. We were friends for as long as I can remember. We shared so much together. I can’t throw those memories away. And although you did all those things, when you left I missed you. I missed having you around. I missed having my best friend there for me. Even thought I dated Charity, in the back of my mind I also knew that you would always be there for me. When you left, any anger I might have felt left with you and what replaced it was loss.” Kay drops her head for a moment. She looks up and says, “Miguel, you forgot I even existed when Charity came into the picture. And what was most painful and still is, is the fact that you never even considered me. It was like I wasn’t good enough for you. I wasn’t the perfect girl like Charity. I was just your sidekick, tomboyish friend. I couldn’t compete with her because nothing I did impressed you. All Charity had to do was breath and you were in awe. So when I left, I sought out to prove that I could have that effect myself. After a while I realize that it didn’t matter because the only man I wanted to feel that way about me was and is you.” she steps away from his hand and turns her back to him, “And it wasn’t just you, it was everybody. I just didn’t matter anymore to my family. Simone was the only one who didn’t seem too impressed by Charity. Simone and my brother,” she turns and faces him again, “And right now my mother is asking for Charity, you are about to marry her, and my sister doesn’t even want me here at all. I will not stay here and live like I did before I went to NYC. I can’t. It took me too long to put myself together. I am not going to stay here and be reminded of everything that I lost,” she pauses, “or am about to lose.” Her eyes stare at him. Her gaze pierces his soul. In two strides he is directly in front of her again, causing her to tilt her head slightly to look at him. “Kay, you can’t run every time things get uncomfortable. Sometimes you have to face the music and demand to know why things happened. You owe it to yourself to find out. And if you go, you’ll never know. You have the right to know.” “If I’m entitled to an explanation then tell me why did you choose Charity over me?” she asked quietly. Miguel opened his mouth and closes it. He didn’t know what to say at first but then he figured it out. “I met her and she was different from everyone I knew. I thought she was the most beautiful woman on this earth. I just loved being with her. I thought everything about her was perfect…” “Oh, I see,” Kay is blinking rapidly and turning her head to avoid his gaze, “I guess I was just the plain girl who lives next door not worthy of your attention.” She turned around and picked up her bags, “Well, I am sooo glad to know why you chose her. I feel so relieved now,” she said sarcastically, “However, I have no attention of feeling this good for long. I rather be miserable in NYC.” She reached for the door. “Kay, don’t go,” he reaches out and places his hand over hers on the door handle. She stops and Miguel slips his arm around her waist and pulls her close, “I don’t want you to leave.” He slips his other arm around her waist and tightens his hold, enjoying the feeling of her body against his. Kay begins to shake and says in a quivering voice, “I wish you wouldn’t hold me like this. You don’t know what it means to me…” He turns her so that their faces are only millimeters apart, “Yes, I do. I think it means the same to me,” his voice is husky. “What…what about perfect Charity,” she says barely above a whisper. “She doesn’t compare to you, imperfect Kay,” and he leans down and lets his lips finally touch hers. Kay’s mind tells her to stop it because Miguel can’t want her, but her body instantly rejects her brain and she leans into the kiss making it more passionate. Miguel uses his tongue and lightly parts her lips, deepening their kiss, as his hands slide down her back and touches her behind, pulling her closer. Kay drops her bag and wraps her arms around Miguel. They are locked in a deep, passionate, and powerful kiss for what seems like eternity. The place in Miguel’s soul that has always love Kay has now become dominate and pushed away any feelings he thought he had for Charity out. For the first time in eight years he feels alive and truly in love. Kay feels as if the world has finally spun on course. She is right where she belongs and she knows that Miguel feels the same way. Then she thought about Charity and her mother, Grace, and she started to pull back just as Miguel realized that Charity is waiting for him at the hospital. When the kiss ended they stared into each other’s eyes. On the way back to the hospital, Kay kept thinking about how it felt to kiss Miguel. Her whole body was on fire. Even now, she feels the spark that ignited when he kissed her. It felt so right and perfect, like they belong together. She can’t believe that it happened but it was enough to keep her in Harmony to find out if what happen was just a fluke. God she hopes not. Maybe while she is here she could settle things with her mother and family. What Miguel did say made sense. She deserved an explanation for the treatment she endured. Miguel is driving ahead of her. Kay wondered what is going to happen between Charity and him. Will he take one look at Charity and think that he made a mistake kissing her (Kay). The thought scares Kay because she knew that she loves Miguel more now than ever and she might not be able to stand being rejected by him again. As the possibility gained popularity in her mind, Kay decided to build defenses within herself. She swears to herself that she will not allow herself to have any intimate type of contact with Miguel until he decides who he wants. However, the promise to herself did not ebb her nervousness and the closer to the hospital she gets, the worst it became. So when she parked the car, she had to take a moment before getting out. Miguel’s thoughts are also focused on the kiss. He has been wanted to kiss Kay for years and now that he finally has, he knows that he wants and needs to do it again and again. Charity, in their whole relationship, has never made him feel the intensity that he felt with Kay in a few seconds. As soon as his lips touched hers, a searing current flew through his body, opening all his senses and making him want more. The intensity of the passion almost overpowered him and if they had continued a moment longer, he would have picked Kay up and taken her upstairs to make love. But he knew that he couldn’t. He couldn’t because of Charity. Although the kiss with Kay made him feel alive and in love, he still felt slightly guilty for it. He betrayed Charity and the idea of their relationship. It made him feel subtly sick. He knew that he had to resolve his issues with Charity and figure out what he wanted. Once at the hospital, he watched Kay sit in her car. He got out and tapped the window. She waved him ahead. He hesitated but he left. It is for the best anyway. He didn’t want to come in with Kay because he probably wouldn’t be able to keep his hands off her. This way when she comes in, he will already be with Charity and that will distract him. When he got upstairs, Charity saw him and rushed over. She hugged him and pulled away. “Where did you go?” her eyes are tired and totally trusting and it makes Miguel feel guiltier about his moment with Kay. “I went to get Kay. I tried to convince her to stay for your mother. Since we were friends a long time ago I thought she might listen to me.” “Did she?” Charity said searching his eyes. She could sense something is wrong. Something is different about him. “I think so,” he said looking over his shoulders. A second later Kay appeared. She walked right passed him and Charity and went straight to her mother’s room. Charity let’s out a long breath, “Thank God she came back. Aunt Grace was so upset, thinking Kay had left for NYC.” “Yeah, I figured she would be,” Miguel notice the bags under her eyes, “You look tired. Why don’t I take you home?” “Yeah, I was about to ask you to. Let me just tell aunt Grace,” she left him and went into her room. A second later Kay steps out. Miguel and Kay stare at each other, both longing to touch but realizing that they can’t. A couple of minutes later, Charity steps out. “Aunt Grace wants you Kay. Please be nice to her,” said Charity with pleading eyes. Kay just looks at her and then enters the room. Charity walks over to Miguel. “What was that all about?” he asks. “Well, aunt Grace told me why she thought Kay may have left and I just didn’t want Kay to upset her. There will be plenty of time to discuss family problems when aunt Grace is better.” “Where is everyone else?” “Uncle Sam is in the room with Grace. Simone, Noah, and Jessica went to the cafeteria to eat. But I just waited for you. Now all I want to do is gets some rest,” Charity had not slept well over the passed few days. “Okay, let’s go,” said Miguel. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Kay came into the room the first time to see if her mother was still awake. When her father saw her, he looked at her with disappointment in her eyes. For the first time in years, the look actually had an effect on her. She felt bad about leaving suddenly without saying goodbye. “Is she okay?” she asks quietly. Sam studies his daughter a moment and decides that later would be a more appropriate time to let his anger out about her almost leaving, “She’s fine, just tired from all the excitement. She’s sleeping.” Just then Charity steps in the room. Kay takes one look at her and leaves. Charity stares at the door that Kay exited for a moment then diverted her attention back on Sam and Grace. “What happened?” she asks. “Nothing. She asked about Grace and when you came into the room she left,” said Sam. “Well, I won’t delve into that right now,” she shakes her head annoyed and then smiles at Sam, “I’m just coming in to say that I am going home to get some rest and I’ll be back later tonight…” Grace happens to wake up and notices Charity, “Charity…” Charity steps closer to her aunt, “Yes Aunt Grace. Is there anything you need? I’m heading home to get some sleep but I’ll be back later tonight…” Grace smiles at her, “Charity you don’t have to come back tonight. I’ll feel better if you went straight home to get some sleep. You look like you need it. And since I can’t convince your uncle to leave me, I think I’ll be okay until you come back tomorrow.” “But…” Charity started. “No buts,” said Sam, “Grace is right. You look exhausted. Go get some rest, okay.” Charity smiles. She gives Sam a hug and leans over and kisses Grace on the cheek, “Call me if you need anything, okay?” “I will,” said Sam, “Could you send Kay back in for me please.” Sam glances over towards his wife. “Kay is here?” she asks and he nods. “Sure,” said Charity as she is leaving but she hesitates and decides to caution her aunt. “But aunt Grace, remember this is time for healing. Please don’t let Kay work you up.” “I’m sure everything will be fine Charity. I just want to see her for a moment,” said Grace. “Besides, I’ll make sure she doesn’t upset your aunt,” added Sam. Charity nodded and left the room. A minute later Kay re-entered. Kay and Grace just stared at each other. Neither one of them knew what to say or how to make the first move. Finally Kay slowly walked over to a chair located on the bed opposite her father. She takes a seat and then lowers her head. “I’m sorry Mom,” she mumbles. Grace looks over at Sam, “Could you give us a moment alone Sam?” Sam started to protest but the look Grace gave him made him acquiesce. He gave Kay a threatening look, “Please don’t upset your mother. She doesn’t need it right now.” Kay reacted without thinking by sneering at her father and saying, “I’ll try to remember that, Dad” spitting out Dad with venom. The stared at each other for a moment longer and then Sam left. Kay leaned back in her chair, regretting that she didn’t wait until later to talk with her mother. Grace just watches her daughter. Kay can exhibit so much anger and hurt. Her hostility towards her family really upsets Grace because she believes she has failed her daughter. Instead of her daughter feeling like her family is a place that she can come to when she needs support, Kay sees the family as a place to remind her of all her faults. A place that treats her offhandedly and without compassion. Grace lost her daughter almost nine years ago and she has decided that it is way beyond time that she got her back. So when she speaks Grace doesn’t mention the fact that Kay almost left without saying goodbye. “I’m so glad you’re here, Kay. I wanted so very much to hear about your new movie,” Grace tries to smile but her face hurts when she does it. Kay noticing that her mother is trying to be nice decides to do the same, “There really isn’t much to say. I like the co-star and it will make doing the love scene easier.” “Well who is the co-star?” Kay smiles a little, “This guy named Tony Page. He is a famous Aussie actor. He’s real cute and has a nice sense of humor. I met him once at a benefit.”