Sorry this took so long but I had a lot of schoolwork to do.  In addition, I wasn’t sure 
which way I wanted to go with this story. In the end, I used some of the ideas that you, 
the readers gave me.  Thanks again for the suggestions and enjoy the finale.


Chapter Six

Kay silently curses herself.  She is in the middle of some deep sh--  and it is of her own 
doing.  Although she doesn’t regret anything she has done with Miguel, she didn’t really 
want Charity to find out about them like this.  But here she is standing in Miguel’s 
bedroom looking at Charity’s face move from sorrow to anger back to sorrow.  Miguel is 
still standing there dumbfounded.  Somebody is going to have to say something thought 
Kay.

Charity looked back and forth at Miguel and Kay.  She didn’t know whom she wanted to 
yell at first.  Her eyes rested on Kay for a moment.  The women studied each other and the 
look of pity that Charity saw in Kay’s eyes made her snap.

“You get out of my house.  You get out of my house right now!” she yells at Kay.

Kay started and then turned and looked at Miguel.  His head is bowed and he seems to be 
breathing deeply.  Kay looks at Charity and then says, “Charity look, we need to talk…”

“About what?!  How you tried to sleep with my future husband?  How after all these 
years, you still want to sink your teeth into getting Miguel?  How it is more important that 
you have what you want over everyone else’s feelings?”

“Charity you are being melodramatic,” Kay said through gritted teeth.

“Don’t you DARE!  You…you bitch!  GET OUT!  Get out of my house!”

Kay fought the urged to hall off and slap Charity up side her head.   She understands that 
Charity is upset and has every right to be.  So she just takes another step towards Miguel 
and reaches out to him but he jerks away from her.  The move upsets her but she keeps 
her poker face and drops her hand.  Instead she speaks to him.

“Miguel I…”

“Don’t speak to him,” Charity steps to Kay and pushes her away from Miguel.  

Kay almost moved her hand to slap Charity but she resists and looks at Miguel.

“Miguel, look at me,” Kay insists. Charity looks at her as if she could kill Kay on the spot.

Miguel looks over at Kay.  Although the situation could be worst something in his eyes 
gives her reassurance and she fights not to smile in relief.  Instead she turns to Charity.

“Charity, I’m sorry…”

“Sorry!  Sorry!  You have been after him all along.  Your intention for coming back was 
not for Grace but for your own sick need to take Miguel away from me!”

“Look Charity, that’s not fair.  I came back for Mom and…”

“GET…THE…HELL…OUT…OF…MY…HOUSE!!!!!!” her voice is so loud Kay swore 
that the walls shook.  She looks over at Miguel and he nods at her.

“Kay, leave.”

Kay gives Charity a wide berth and goes into the living room and gathers her things.  She 
walks over to the door and opens it.  She looks back towards the bedroom and then she 
leaves.  Just as she closes the door she hears a resounding smack.  If she had turned 
around she might have seen Miguel stagger.

On her way back to Simone’s house, Kay kept replaying the moments that lead to disaster.  
She knows that everyone is going to blame her, treat her like crap for ruining the perfect 
relationship, and making Charity suffer pain.  Jessica for sure is going to claim that Kay 
needs to be committed.  

“Damn,” she says under her breath to no one in particular.  She just felt a rush of fear and 
it annoyed her.  She knows that she is in limbo and she doesn’t like it very much.  Her 
annoyance is worsened by the fact that there is nothing she can do about it.  She has come 
to realize that it is up to Miguel how things will turn out.  Like it always has been and all 
she could do is help him know his choices.  It is up to him to come up with a decision.

Kay’s knuckles turn white from the grip she uses on the steering wheel.  Her dread is 
increase with every passing moment.  She keeps having flashes of Miguel falling to his 
knees, groveling for Charity to forgive him and telling her that he will always love her.  
The images make Kay sick but it doesn’t freak her out as much as the image of Miguel 
telling her to go to hell for destroying the one that he wanted the most and that is a life 
with Charity.  The scene plays over and over in her head until finally Kay pulls over into 
the parking lot of the Lobster Shack.

She parks her car and gets out. Okay, Kay, you have been acting too much and your 
overactive imagination is about to drive you crazy.  Miguel did not say that to you and 
surely after what he and I experienced, he would never want Charity back. Surely.  But as 
she thought it her heart didn’t believe it.  Miguel has made it his past time to sell out Kay 
for Charity and she can hardly expect it to change just because of their one hot steamy and 
most important experience together.

She pushes the door open to the restaurant.  Looking around the place, she smiles at the 
fact that it hasn't changed much since she last had been in it.  It is still the same cheesy 
New England seafood place.  She found comfort in the sameness and heads toward a 
table.  She barely sat down when several people came over to her demanding an 
autograph.  It made her smile wider and she gladly obliged.  For twenty minutes, she is 
able to think about something else besides Miguel.  After she signed the last autograph, 
she agreed to a photo op with the store employees.  Finally, she is able to sit and return 
back to her thoughts.

By the time her food arrived, Kay managed to push herself into the biggest funk.  Her 
nerves were becoming frayed with anticipation.  She can’t seem to ease her fears.  She 
keeps thinking that Miguel will come into the conclusion that they don’t belong together.  
In the end, she just tosses a few dollars on the table and she leaves.  I need to talk to 
Simone.  She gets into her car and she heads to the only place where she knows she’ll be 
heard without being judged.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Miguel rubbed his face and stares at Charity.  She looks like she wanted to kill him.  He 
knew he deserved whatever she dishes out but he wants to calm her down so that they can 
talk.  Charity glares at him a moment and then storms out the room.  He stays in there for 
a minute listening to her bang the dishes together in the kitchen.  Finally Miguel went to 
face the music.

When he reached the kitchen door he notices that Charity is holding a knife in one hand 
and the wine bottle in the other.  There is an expression of disbelief on her face.  She slams 
the bottle on the counter and storms to towards the back door.  She is too upset to undo 
the locks.  Miguel goes over to her and tries to help but she turns suddenly and the knife 
cuts his arm.

“Ouch, dammit,” he snatches the blade from her and tosses it into the sink.  Still swearing 
he goes to the bathroom to examine his wound.  Minutes later Charity comes in to help.  
She opens the medicine cabinet and pulls out some antiseptic.  The cut isn’t very deep and 
after she wipes it clean, she wraps it up and then quietly leaves the bathroom.  A moment 
later Miguel follows.

Charity is sitting on the sofa.  Miguel takes a seat in a chair across from her.  He watches 
her for a moment and then tries reach out to her.  Charity jerks away from him and he 
pulls back.  She leans back on the sofa and raising her head she lets out long deep sigh.

“Why Miguel?  Why did that happen?” she lowers head so that she is eye level with him.  
Her eyes bore into his making him feel worst.

Miguel knew the time for lies and false beliefs are over.  He began shaking his head saying, 
“I…I love her, Charity.  I love her very much.  Today was just the day that I had to face 
that fact and deal with it.”

Angry she said, “How can you love her after all that she has done?  How can you love her 
when she hasn’t been around for eight years Miguel?  Count them, eight years with only a 
visit here and there.”

Miguel lowers his head and says, “I know it sounds absurd but it is true.  I love her 
regardless of the fact that I haven’t seen her for eight years…”

“Miguel!  You don’t even know her!” Charity jumps up from the sofa, “Even when you 
thought you knew her you really didn’t!   She has done nothing but hurt you and her 
family and now suddenly she’s back and you’re in love with her?  How can that be?  You 
know nothing about her now.”  She walks over to his desk.

“Charity, I do know her.  I know that she is capable of love like everyone else.  I know 
that she would do anything for me.  I know that she loves me…”

Charity spins around gasping, “What…What I don’t love you?  Is that it?  You think I 
don’t love you?”

Miguel threw up his hands and stands up, “I know you love me Charity but I love the way 
Kay loves me,” he said harshly.

“Oh and how is that?” she raises an eyebrow.

“Her love for me is strong and demanding.  She loves me in all my stupidity in not seeing 
her before. I love how she demands me to accept my love for her.  She loves me because 
she can see my faults and she accepts them while at the same time try to help me improve 
myself.  She loves me in spite of all that has happen. She ignites a fire in me that I don’t 
want to go away.  I can’t help but love her. She has always been there for me ever since 
we were kids.  She has always been honest with me…”

“Honest!  Honest, Kay?  Miguel how can you say that?  You know what I think?  I think 
that you collected too many pictures and watch too many movies and created this myth 
about Kay, making her out to be a misunderstood person seeking love.  She became a 
distraction because you were getting close to marriage.  You got scared and you went to 
her because she represented the opposite of what you want.”

Miguel shakes his head, “No, Charity that’s not true.  I felt like this way before Kay 
became famous but I lied to myself.  I didn’t realize what she meant to me or how much I 
lied to myself until she started popping up all over the place.  But at her brother’s 
wedding, I knew it.  I wanted her like I never wanted anyone including you but I tricked 
myself into believing that what I felt wasn’t real just a crush.  Today when you caught us, 
I wasn’t as upset that you caught us as I was worried that Kay, who has no reason to have 
faith in me, will think I will sell her out to live a lie.  To live the lie that I want to be with 
you.  When I realize what I felt, I knew then that my love and heart belonged to her and 
always will.”

Charity is shaking her head saying that he is wrong because he loves her but Miguel keeps 
talking stepping closer to her, “Yes I loved you.  But my heart belonged to you only 
temporarily. And you never had all of it.  A part of my heart always belonged to Kay.  And 
as time passed more of my heart wanted to feel the extraordinary thrill of loving Kay and 
the more I wanted it the more you were moved out of it until I realize that although I care 
about you I don’t love you.  Not anymore.”

He touches her lightly, lifting her face by her chin so that she can look into his eyes, “I am 
so sorry Charity because I broke the most important promise I ever made to you.  I 
promise not to have any secrets from you.  I should have told you long ago about my 
feelings and let you decide what you want but I wasn’t ready to deal with it. I should have 
told you when I came back that day from Noah’s house where I kissed Kay and felt like I 
was alive for the first time in my life.” Charity gasps but Miguel continues, “That my 
feelings for her are strong and that I can’t imagine a life without her but I didn’t. You 
shouldn’t have to find out like this, I had no right to disrespect and hurt you in such a way.  
But understand that I do care for you and I’m sorry this happen.  I’m sorry for both us 
because of the lie I told myself I hurt too many people.  But now I’m ready to rectify the 
situation and you Charity have to move on.”

Miguel pulls Charity into an embrace and kisses her on the forehead.  He steps away and 
she looks at him with a calm expression.

“Leave Miguel.  Please get out,” she said quietly.  Miguel nods and heads to the bedroom.  
He grabs a few things and places them into a gym bag.  He goes to his desk, picking up his 
files and heads for the door.

“I’ll be at Luis’s.  Call me if you need anything,” Miguel said softly.

Charity kept her back to him until he closed the door.  She covers her mouth to stifle a sob 
and rushes to the phone.  She dials the numbers blindly and when the phone is answered 
she cries in Jessica’s ear unknowing that Grace picked up the phone and heard the whole 
conversation.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kay parks the car and gets out slowly.  She didn’t know how to begin her story but she 
figures that when she gets in she’ll have an idea.  She takes out the key and sticks it in the 
lock.  A second later she has the door open and she has entered the house.  She smiles a 
bit at the warmth she feels in the living room.  The normalcy of it made her wish for it 
herself but she knew she isn’t going to have anything remotely similar to Simone’s lifestyle 
at least for a while.

“Simone are you here?” she calls out afraid that her best friend wouldn’t be.

Simone waddles into the room from the study and smiles at Kay, “Where the heck have 
you been dressed like that?”  Simone takes a seat and watches as Kay does the same.  The 
expression on Kay’s face worries Simone and she leans forward.

“Kay, what’s wrong?”

Kay felt like she could just scream but instead she gives Simone a weak grin.  Simone feels 
a moment of dread.

“Kay…what happened?” Simone said slowly.

Kay drags the chair closer to Simone.  She plops back into the seat and sighs heavily.  
Then she shakes her head, stops, and her hands begin to rub her temples.

“Simone, so much has happen that I have kept from you,” she began.

“Like what?”

Kay smiles a bit, “Well, the fact that I kissed Miguel in your living room for one.”

Simone is surprised and then she actually laughs, “Kay, no.  You’re kidding!”

Kay shakes her head with a solemn expression and tells Simone the details.  Simone stares 
at her in shock.

“I can’t believe it.  Kay what..what…” then she looks at her friend again, “Kay why are 
dressed like that?”

“Well this is the best part.  I decided to seduce Miguel only Charity walked in on us,” she 
went into details and Simone eventually fell back onto the couch.  She shakes her head in 
amazement.

“Girl, Kay you still got the touch,” she said unable to mask the admiration in her voice.

Kay however springs up, “Simone!  Don’t you get it?  He will beg for Charity’s 
forgiveness and say that I tricked him with alcohol or something.  Then he will tell me 
how much of a mistake it was for me to think that he could love me…”

Simone rolled her eyes, “Kay, stop being a drama queen.  If Miguel says he loves you then 
he does.  Hell Noah has been saying as much for as long as we have been together.”

“What?!” Kay turns to Simone to ask for clarification when the front door opens and 
Noah comes in with a grim expression on his face.

“Speak of the devil,” murmured Simone.

“Kay you really stepped into it this time,” said Noah in a distant voice, “You know what 
happened Simone.”

“Sure do Sherlock.  Baby like always you are a day late and dollar short,” she teased but 
from the look on his face she wished she hadn’t, “Noah sweetheart what’s wrong?”

He approached Kay and rests a hand on her shoulder, “Everyone knows.” His eyes bore 
into hers.

“What do you mean?” Kay whispers.

“I mean that everyone at Mom’s house knows that Miguel and Charity broke off their 
engagement because of you.”

Kay paled and sat down. It’s about to happen again.

Noah and Simone look at each other then back at Kay.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Luis let his brother in the house.  He wonders what could have happen that made Charity 
kick him out.  Whatever it was he hoped that Miguel and Charity would resolve it.  He 
couldn’t think of any reason why they shouldn’t get married.  They appear to be so in 
love.

Miguel is glad that his brother let him stay here.  He really didn’t want to be in his 
mother’s house because she would rise to many questions that he wasn’t ready to answer.  
At least with Luis he could think for a moment without being pampered.  Luis had 
Sheridan and the baby to occupy his time.  Miguel considered going to his sister’s place 
which has more than enough space for him but he didn’t want to hear her romantic pining 
about how he and Charity belong together.

He went into the guestroom and places his files on the top of the drawer and after 
dumping his bag on the floor, Miguel flung himself on the bed and closed his eyes. 
Ironically, he can’t feel depressed about his choice to leave Charity.  It had been the right 
choice.  He felt bad about leading her on for so long but not for ending the lie.  He shakes 
his head and starts to focus on his new problem Kay.  Being involved with her will piss off 
a lot of people including his brother who can’t stand her.  Aside from that there is bound 
to be a lot of anger in the Bennett household towards him.  However, none that mattered 
as much as the fact that no matter how much he loved Kay, she will never settle down 
here in Harmony with him.  In his heart he knew that he would never ask her to.  But he 
can’t stand the idea of living without her.  He sighs heavily and starts to take a nap when 
his door bangs open.

He shot up, eyes wide and stares at his brother, “What the hell…”

Luis appears slightly angry, “I just got a call from Sam.  He tells me that not only have you 
broken off your engagement to Charity but that you were trying to have sex with her 
cousin Kay.  Stop me at anytime when this sound like a load of…”

Miguel raises his hand, thinking maybe he should have went to Theresa’s place.  He forgot 
that Sam and Miguel are buddies. “It’s true Luis.  Charity and I are over.  And I mean 
completely over.”

“Why?  Why would you throw away your chance for marriage to the most wonderful 
person in the world?”  Luis came into the room and leaned against the wall.

“Because I don’t love her,” Miguel stands up rubbing his head, “I don’t love her and I 
haven’t loved her in a while.  I’ve been lying to myself and everyone else this whole time.”

“What are you saying?  You mean to tell me that you have no feelings for Charity and 
never have?  And what’s this with Kay?”

“I am saying that I had feelings for Charity but I always had feelings for Kay too and I 
realize that I love her and not Charity.  Today seeing Kay just made me face the feelings 
that I have held for a long time.”

“Are you saying you’re in love with Kay Bennett?”

Miguel looks his brother in the eyes, “Yes.  Yes that’s exactly what I’m saying.”

Luis stared at him in disbelief, “How can you love that crazy, mean spirited, dishonest 
woman.  After all she has done…”

“Back off Luis!  Don’t you say another bad thing about her because you don’t know her.  
I do. I do know her and I still don’t care.  I love her regardless of what she has done in the 
past.  I love her regardless of what she has down now and in the future. I love her and 
because I love her I can’t marry Charity no matter how wonderful Charity may be!” 
Miguel flops on the bed pissed.

Luis studies his brother for a moment and then he sits next to his brother.

“So what you gonna do little brother?”

Miguel shrugs, “I don’t know.  I know even in the best of circumstances, Kay can’t stay 
here,” he laughs slightly, “She too much a part of the world for it.  I have to figure out 
how I can be a part of her world.  I can’t ask her to stay here.  Hell, I don’t want to stay 
here myself.”  He stares at the wall thinking hard.

Luis nods in understanding, “Look man, I think you’re making a mistake,” Miguel starts 
to speak but Luis cuts him off, “But I think that you have to follow your heart.  I kind of 
suspected that there might be something more going between you and Kay.  But unlike 
Beth and me, you and Kay have something deeper and stronger.  In sense you are just like 
her.  You don’t belong in Harmony anymore.  This isn’t for you.”

Miguel looks Luis like he grew a third eye but Luis is almost out the room.  He turns to 
Miguel and says, “You still got that camera.  I remember you saying that you wanted to 
take pictures and being a famous photographer at one time.  Well maybe now is the time 
for that career change.”  He leaves the room seed planted.

Miguel thinks about it a little more.  And the more he thinks about it, the more his smile 
increases.  He gets up and begins planning.  At the top of his list he writes Charity’s name.  
He has to talk with her again.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kay sits there until the phone rings snapping her out of her thoughts.  Noah goes and 
answers it.  Simone glances over towards Kay.

Kay.  Kay girl look at me.”  Kay turns to Simone.  Simone smiles, “We are here for you 
okay.  You are not alone.”

The statement brought a weak smile on Kay’s face.  Just then Noah calls Kay.  Kay turns 
slowly and faces him.

“It is your agent.”

Kay frowns, momentarily forgetting her problems.  She gets up and takes the phone.  She 
speaks with the man briefly and then hangs up.  The expression on Kay’s face makes 
Simone think that the situation is about to get worse.

“That was my agent.  They need me to come back tomorrow so that I can leave out the 
next day for shooting.”

“You can’t go Kay…” started Noah.

“I know, Noah, I know but this IS my job. Damn!  I can’t leave now.  Not when the sh—
is about to hit the proverbial fan. And Miguel…” She looks back and forth between the 
two of them and is about to say something else when the phone rings again.  Noah goes 
for it again as Kay takes a seat by Simone.  Two minutes later Noah is back with a grim 
expression on his face.

“That was Mom.  She wants to talk to you.  She wants you to come over as soon as 
possible.”

“Great.  I don’t get any time to think,” she gets up slowly and heads upstairs to change.

Simone twist in her seat as much as her body will allow to ask Kay a question, “Kay, when 
are you leaving?”

“My flight leaves tomorrow afternoon at one fifteen,” and she continues upstairs.

After she disappears Noah takes a seat next to Simone.  They gaze into each other’s eyes 
and then a smile slowly develops on both their faces.

“It’s about time,” he says.

Simone leans forward and kisses him.  Then she giggles, “I know but the hard part is 
coming up.  Think she can do it?”

“You dare question?  She’ll handle this and still have enough time to shop at the airport 
before leaving.  I just hope everyone else can.”

“Me too,” said Simone as she glances towards the stairs.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jessica has been talking to Charity for twenty minutes.  Her anger growing by the second.  
She couldn’t believe Kay did that and Miguel…she hopes the bastard burns in hell.

Charity came over twenty-five minutes earlier after Jessica told her to come.  When 
Charity called, Jessica was in the middle of getting ready for a date.  She had to cancel 
because of this crisis.  What made it worst is that her mother overheard Jessica and 
Charity’s phone conversation and freaked.  Jessica had to tell Charity to come over so that 
she could calm her mother.  Grace was so shocked but she couldn’t speak after her initial 
shout of disbelief.

Now Charity is in the housing looking like death and Sam is trying to comfort Grace and 
all of them are waiting for Kay to come.  Jessica knew that her brother would back Kay up 
because he always believed that Miguel belonged to Kay.  So Jessica would have to be the 
support for Charity because she understands that her mother has to be semi-neutral in this 
situation.  The phone rings and Jessica answers.

“Bennett residence.”

“Jessica, hi.  May I speak to Charity.”

“Miguel?  Don’t you think that you have done enough damage?” she says in a nasty voice.  
She hears him swear under his breath.

“Look, Jessica, just ask her if I can talk with her a moment.”

Charity walks into the room and looks at Jessica.  Jessica extends the phone, “It’s Miguel.  
He wants to talk to you.  Shall I hang up?”

Charity smiles a bit, “No, I’ll take it.”  Jessica hands Charity the phone and leaves the 
room thinking how much she wants to hurt him for hurting Charity.

Charity takes a deep breath and places the phone on her ear, “What do you want Miguel.”

“I am calling because I want to know if we can meet and talk about things.”

“What things?  You made it perfectly clear that you don’t love me.  What more is there to 
say?”

“A lot more.  Look I have to discuss some things with you.  Can you meet me tomorrow 
morning?  Please?”

Charity grins evilly, wheels turning in her head, “Sure Miguel. I will meet you. But it has 
to be tonight.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kay is driving to her parent’s house.  She told Noah and Simone not to come with her 
because she needed to handle the situation herself.  They were reluctant but eventually 
conceded.  She got a hug from both of them and left instructions Noah to call her parents 
to inform them that she is on her way.

As she drives she thinks about all the possible scenarios that could happen.  The one most 
prominent is her family calling her evil and dragging her to a mental institution.  Kay 
quickly rids her mind of the stupid thought and flips on the radio.  Nothing is on and she 
turns it back off again.  She notices a street and turns on it.  It is a street that leads to the 
more prominent neighborhoods in Harmony.  She decides that she needs more time to 
herself before going to her childhood home.

As she drives she thought about what it would be like to live in one of the homes on this 
street.  She actually has the money to do so if she desired but she knew that at this 
moment that she didn’t.  This neighborhood and the lifestyle associated with it are more of 
Theresa’s fancy and not hers.  Just as she thought about Theresa, she realizes that she has 
passed her house.  After a moments thought she hits the brakes, puts the car in reverse, 
stops and then turns into Theresa’s driveway.

The house she lives in isn’t as big as Crane mansion but it is still very old and very nice.  
Kay didn’t know what she hope to accomplish by coming over Theresa’s house but she 
didn’t care.  She parks her car and gets out, slowly walking towards the door.  Kay 
notices that she has been dragging her feet lately.  She instantly blames it on being in 
Harmony where everything here is slow and dreadful for her.

She pushes the door bell and steps back a bit from the door.  A second later, Theresa 
answers.  She greets Kay brightly and welcomes her into the house.  Kay laughs making a 
comment about the lack of a maid.  Theresa jokes back by saying that the maid went on 
indefinite leave.  Kay looks around the house and can’t help but gawk in delight.  It is a 
beautiful house.

Theresa led her to a room with several sofas and chairs.  It looked like a family room.  She 
shows Kay a seat and offer’s her something to drink.  Kay declined and takes a seat near 
Theresa.

“I’m so glad you stopped by though I am surprised.” Started Theresa.

“I…well I wanted to see your place.  Especially now that I have to leave town tomorrow.”

“Oh really?  I thought you might stick around a little longer,” Theresa actually looks 
genuinely sad that Kay is going. Kay is mildly shocked.

“Well, my job is calling. They need to shoot and if I want the check from this gig I got to 
be there.”

“I understand.”  Theresa smiles, “It must be cool to have such a job.  You get to go 
everywhere you want, meet a lot a famous actors, oh!” Theresa becomes excited, “Can 
you get an autograph for me from your co-star.  I think he is so hot, well after Ethan of 
course.”

Kay shakes her head laughing at Theresa, “Um, sure.  Not a problem.”

“Thanks,” Theresa says laugh at herself.  Then she notices the wary look in Kay’s eyes.  
“Kay, what’s going on?  You look worried about something.”

Kay contemplates Theresa for a moment then she says, “Theresa, how did you deal with 
everything after you got Ethan?  I know that many people didn’t support you guy’s 
decision to be together.”

Theresa felt like there is a lot weighing on her answer so she speaks carefully, “Well, first I 
realize that my love for Ethan is more important than what other’s thought of me and of 
us.  Second, we did an ‘in your face’ approach.  We told they world that we loved each 
other and either you can deal with it or not.  But most importantly we made sure that it 
was what we wanted.  Knowing that it was made it easier to deal with everything else.  Of 
course there was tension.  Especially for me because I am so close to my family.  But we 
showed them that our relationship was and is pure and right and that we are willing to do 
anything to keep it and eventually they came around.  Even Luis.”

They both laugh at her last comment.  Then Kay looks away, “You know that I’m in love 
with your brother and have been for a while.”  She faces Theresa again, “I have done some 
pretty foul things to get his attention.”

Theresa waves her off, “Oh please.  You and me both, girl.  So what!  That’s all in the 
past.  You just deal with it and forgive and forget.”

“Yeah I know but…” Kay leans forward and says, “How do you feel about it?  Do you 
have a problem with Miguel and I get together?”

Theresa snort, “Pa-lease, I have been waiting for it to happen for a while.  Especially after 
I saw the way he looked at wedding.  He never looked at Charity that way.  Then he told 
me about that shrine he has of you and to this day I still laugh about it.  Kay dear, I think 
you and Miguel belong together just like Ethan and me.  Don’t get me wrong, I like 
Charity and I don’t want to see her hurt but fate sometimes can take a funny turn.  Maybe 
you and Miguel needed space to change.  And maybe now you guys are ready to be with 
each other.”

Kay smiles at Theresa’s statements and then glances at her watch.  She jumps up, “Oh 
man, I have to go,” she says getting her coat.

Theresa stands and walks Kay to the door.  Kay turns and then just hugs Theresa.  They 
both laugh and Theresa wishes Kay luck.  Kay thanks her.  After Kay leaves, Theresa goes 
to the phone and tries to call Miguel.  When she hears the machine turn on she leaves a 
message and hopes that he gets it before the night is through.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Charity is waiting on the sofa plotting.  She wants to hurt Kay as much as Kay has hurt 
her.  The feeling makes her slightly uneasy but then she thinks about what she has lost and 
her anger blocks any queasiness.  She just sits there calmly waiting.  She hopes Kay arrives 
before she has to leave to meet Miguel or her plans won’t work as well.  She wants the 
satisfaction of seeing Kay’s face when she tells her about her meeting with Miguel.

She is so deep in her thoughts that she didn’t hear Sam until he said that Kay is leaving.  
Charity’s ears perked up with interest.

Grace looks over to Sam, “What do you mean?”

“I got a call from her Agent looking for her.  He told me to tell her that her flight leaves 
earlier than he thought.  She is going to be on the eleven o’clock plane back to New 
York.”

“What!  How can she leave after starting so much trouble?” asks Jessica disgusted.  

“I can’t believe it,” said Grace, “She can’t go, not now.  We have to work this out and it 
will not happen tonight.”

“I know Grace but I think she is.” said Sam annoyed.

Charity didn’t make a comment at all.  She just thought about this new development.  She 
almost smiles at her brilliance.  Just as she changed her game plan, they all hear a knock on 
the door.

Sam opens the door and lets Kay in.  Charity notices that Kay has changed her clothes.  
She almost sneered at the sight of her.  Instead she decided that it was time to make her 
exit if she wanted her plan to work effectively.

Kay and Charity stared each other down for a moment and then Charity starts to move 
around Kay.  Kay steps into her path.

“Charity, look I’m sorry.  I didn’t want to hurt you like that.”

“Sure Kay, considering that you have been chasing Miguel since we were in high school.  
Considering that you have been plotting and scheming your whole life to insure that 
Miguel is not in my life but in yours.  Yeah, I’ll believe that you didn’t have any intention 
to hurt me.”  Charity walks around her and opens the door.

“Where are you going?” asks Jessica confused that Charity would leave now.

“Oh.  I’m sorry.  I failed to mention that,” she steps back into the house, “I am meeting 
Miguel.  We decided to try and work things out.  That’s why he called.  He needs to talk 
to me to resolve our problems.”  Charity notices the look of horror in Kay’s eyes and 
secretly delights in it. “With you leaving tomorrow, I’m sure that the process will happen 
faster.  Bye.”  Charity walks out the door, closing it behind her.  Once in her car she 
laughs. Now all I have to do is make sure that Miguel doesn’t know about Kay leaving 
until after she is gone and I’ll have a fighting chance to get my man back.  She starts the 
ignition and races home.  She needs to beat Miguel just in case Kay tried to contact him 
about her impending departure.

Kay stands in the living room feeling devastated.  But she builds her resolve and walks 
over to a chair.  Jessica notices the split second look of deflation on Kay’s face and for the 
first time in her life she felt sorry for her sister.  The feeling surprises her because she 
never thought about the situation from Kay’s perspective.  The feelings didn’t ebb her 
anger towards Kay but it made her a lot calmer.


Kay sits there for a moment and finally she looks up at everyone, “What!  You asked me 
here.  So get on with it. Tell me what a horrible person I am.  Tell me that I’m crazy for 
still loving Miguel.  Gone on!  Tell me how much you hate that I hurt your precious 
Charity.” Her anger flows through her managing to cover up the pain of the betrayal she 
felt.  She couldn’t believe that Miguel still wanted Charity.

They all stare at Kay a moment and then Sam and Jessica takes a seat on the sofa.  Grace 
moves her chair closer to Kay.

“Kay.  Kay we did not ask you here to talk about Charity.  We…I want to understand 
you.  Why would you do something like that?” said Grace in a soft voice.

Kay stares at her mother wary.  But the look on her mother’s face is genuine.  She is upset 
about the circumstances but she really wants to understand her.  Then Kay looks at the 
others.  Sam has the same expression as Grace.  Jessica is just cool looking.

“I wanted to finally know the truth.  I wanted to know if he really didn’t love me because I 
felt that he did.  That he does even now.  My intention was to get the truth from Miguel.  
Not to have Charity see us in a compromising position.” Kay stands up and begins pacing.  
“I am in love with Miguel.  I always have been and probably always will be.  When I went 
to see him, I really wanted to talk to him.  I’ll admit that I wanted more but if I just got an 
understanding of his feelings that would have been fine too…”

“But you ended up in his bed.  And tomorrow you’ll be leaving, how convenient,” said 
Jessica.

Kay faces her sister for a moment and then says, “How the hell do you know I’m leaving 
tomorrow?”

“Your agent called.  He wanted to let you know that your flight leaves at eleven,” said 
Sam.  “Kay how can you leave?  How can you do something like this and just hop on the 
plane like nothing happened?”

Kay throws up her hands, “I’m an actress.  That’s my job and they need me.  I didn’t plan 
it!  I didn’t call them up and say ‘hey I just screwed up my life and a few other people’s 
and now I’m ready to leave and shoot.’  They need me and that’s the way it is.  I signed a 
contract and I have to go.  And since Mom is fine I don’t have an excuse.”

“Kay, don’t you understand.  You have started something here.  You need be here to 
work things out.”

“Work out what.  You heard Charity.  Miguel wants to work things out so everything will 
be back the way you all think it should be.  And once I’m gone, there will no longer be the 
reminder that I tried to get the man that some how Charity is entitled to.”

“That’s not what Mom means.  Kay you never talk to us.  You always start by sneaking 
behind people’s back to get what you want.  Why didn’t you talk to Miguel out in the 
public instead of trying to seduce him in his own house,” asked Jessica.

“What are you talking about?  I have tried talking to everyone about my feelings but no 
body cared to hear what I said.  Until recently Miguel had the same opinion but he 
changed his mind.  He finally listened to me and he understands.  He could have told me to 
go but he wants and loves me as much as I love him.  He was the one that told me I have a 
right to know why people always defer to Charity.  So why?  Why is it that when she 
stepped into this house I became inconsequential?”  She looked at each of them and 
waited.  Jessica spoke first.

“Kay, we always fought and that sad because when we needed to finally get passed that 
sibling rivalry, you were gone.  And as far as Charity was concerned, you never liked her 
because of Miguel and no other reason.  It bothered me and I felt like Charity needed 
support.  I guess I thought I was trying to help her.  But that didn’t mean I didn’t care 
about you.  I just didn’t like that you wanted to hurt Charity.  Charity never did anything 
to you to deserve your hatred.”

Kay almost rolled her eyes, almost.  She sighs and rubs her temples, “Jessica, we were 
teens okay.  I didn’t hate her per se.  But just for existing she got every thing I ever 
wanted.  Mom started acting like Charity was her daughter, you acted like she was your 
sister and Miguel made her his best friend and for some reason everyone in here that I was 
suppose to jump up and dance a jig for her.  Sorry, not me.  I have wants also and I had 
no desire to always play second fiddle to Miss Perfect.”

“You really believe that’s what happened don’t you?” said Sam quietly.

“Yes I do.  Even now it’s the same.  Everyone protects Charity and her feelings over 
mine.  I’m tired of it.  Nobody in this house cares if I get hurt as long as it means keeping 
Charity safe.  Even now the fact that Miguel is about to reunite with Her doesn’t make 
you upset that it pains me.”

Everyone is quiet and then Grace said, “I’m sorry sweetheart.  I know how hard it was for 
you to come back here and for you to come to this house after what just happened.  I 
guess I never realize how much you felt slighted until you were gone.  And then it was too 
late.  Now you feel the same way and I…I love you Kay.  You are my daughter and I’m 
proud of you.  No I can’t say that your behavior with Miguel pleases me because 
regardless of what you think she is your cousin.  But I don’t want you to ever think that 
you can’t come to me again.  So if you want, I’m willing to listen.  Please tell me about 
your feelings for Miguel.  I want to know.”

Kay stares at her mother in disbelief and then she gets up and hugs her mother.  A second 
later her father hugs her and then Jessica.  After a moment, Sam, Kay, and Jessica takes a 
seat and Kay starts talking about her life feeling a burden being lifted from her shoulders.  
She was there until two in the morning and then she left to get a little sleep before packing 
to leave.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When Charity reached home she check the message machine.  She heard a message from 
Theresa asking Miguel to call her.  Charity had a feeling that it was about Kay so she 
erased it.  Tonight she needs to have Miguel to herself to win him back.  She looks around 
the house and starts cleaning it up.  Then she goes into her room and puts on her nice 
jeans that hugs her hips and a soft blue sweater.  She didn’t want to be obvious in her 
efforts.  She then goes into the kitchen and prepares a nice, light meal.  She sets the table 
and lights a candle.  Miguel wouldn’t suspect a thing because they always ate by 
candlelight.  Then she goes back into the living room and unplugs the phone.  She takes a 
seat on the couch.

Miguel arrived twenty minutes later.  He is wearing his jogging pants and a sweatshirt.  He 
casts a wary look over at Charity and then takes a seat in the chair by the desk.

“How are you?” he asks.

Charity works her mouth for a moment before answering, “What do you expect?” she 
takes a deep breath, “I’m fine Miguel.”  She gets up and heads toward the kitchen, “I’m 
eating dinner, you want to join me?”

Miguel contemplates her for a moment and then gets up.  He takes a seat at the table and 
watches Charity serve him and herself.  Then she takes a seat and begins eating.  He picks 
up his fork and starts eating.  They eat in silence for a while, every so often catching each 
other’s eyes.  Suddenly, Charity starts talking about the past.

“Do you remember when we first moved in here?  We were so excited about having a 
place by the beach.  I remember you telling me that you could watch the water forever.  
You watch it moods change from clam to torrid, cool to warm.  You said that the way the 
water moves made you think about the way the world moves.  That it is ever changing.”

Miguel smiles from the memory of that day.  It was a great day.  He was excited about the 
move because he would be living with his two loves, Charity and the beach.  Thinking 
about what he said about the beach reminded him of Kay.  She is like the beach, 
unpredictable but constant in her unpredictability.  The thought may him feel strong in 
what he is about to do now.

Charity is chatting on and just as Miguel is about to start the serious conversation about 
what to do with the apartment and the things in it, Charity suggests that they take a walk 
along the water.

“Charity, it isn’t exactly warm out,” he said.

“I know but if this is the last time…Well I want to walk the beach like we use to.  Please 
Miguel.  What can it hurt?” she begged.  Miguel finally agrees and they get their coats and 
leave.

They walk for twenty minutes in silence and eventually Miguel forgot about the cold 
weather and enjoyed watching the water move.  After a while Charity takes his hand and 
he let’s her.  Now that he knows his heart, it doesn’t make him uncomfortable.  No matter 
what, Charity will be special to him and he hopes that in time they will be good friends.

Charity is secretly in bliss.  She thinks that her plan is starting to work.  He has forgotten 
about Kay. Her moment is shattered when he takes about moving out.

“Charity, I wanted to talk with you about moving out.  I don’t know if you have the 
money to pay the rent for the place but I can help out until the lease is up.”

Charity almost jerked her hand away from him but she decided to remain calm.  She has 
plenty of time to work with him, especially after Kay leaves.  Her main objective is to keep 
him away from Kay at all cost.  Once Kay is gone. Miguel will have more time to evaluate 
his thoughts about Kay without Kay’s influence.  Then he’ll realize the mistake his is 
making by leaving Charity.

“You keep the furniture but I need the desk and the laptop.  You can keep the desk 
computer.  I can move my clothes out by tomorrow,” he continued.

“So soon?” Charity said through gritted teeth.

“Well, I don’t know want to keep coming in and out the apartment…”

“If you’re still going to pay half the rent then you can come and go as you please.”

“Charity, I’d rather not,” he turns and faces her, “I just rather take all my stuff as soon as 
possible.  It will make it easier for both of us.”

“No, Miguel you mean easier for you,” Charity finally jerks her hand away from his. She 
takes a couple of steps forward and stops, “Anything else?”

“There is the wedding,” he begins.

“What about it?” She said bracing herself.

“We need to call it off.  We already sent out the announcements and reserve the place.  
We need to cancel those…Charity.  Charity!”

Charity ran back to the apartment.  Miguel watches her for a moment and he follows.  
When he gets into the apartment, he finds Charity sitting in the corner that he use to sit in 
when he was thinking.  Miguel starts towards her but decides against it.  Instead he takes a 
seat at the table, pushing away the plate in front of him.

“I’m sorry Charity but we have to deal with this.  I know that it hurts you…”

“What do you know?” she said bitterly, “You don’t know anything.” She faces him, “I 
have spent the better part of nine years in love with you, loving you, caring for you.  I 
have never felt this way for a man before and I don’t think I will again.  And after all this 
time you come to me at the time when we should be about to celebrate a union of a ten 
year relationship by telling me that you are in love with the cousin that try to destroy our 
love.  You tell me that you are in love with the woman who tried to drive me crazy and 
threaten to kill me.  How do you think that makes me feel?  I am not just hurt Miguel I’m 
devastated because for almost ten years I gave you my love and now you tell me that it 
wasn’t enough.  For more than eight years, you had nothing to do with Kay and now you 
tell me that she is enough.  She is the one that you love.”

“Charity please understand…”

She jumps up, “Understand what Miguel?” She pulls off her jacket and puts it over the 
back of a chair and then sits in it, “Understand how you are willing to throw away 
everything we have worked so hard for.  Sorry, but I can’t understand that quite yet.”

Miguel stares at her.  Charity looks beautiful in the soft candlelight.  Her face has changed.  
It has suddenly lost all of its innocence and has become more mature.  Miguel likes the 
look and he begins to feel his love for her returning.  He reaches out and touches her face.  
This time she doesn’t move away but looks into his eyes while leaning into his hand.

“God, I love you Charity,” he said and Charity’s face lightens a little.  Miguel continues, “I 
remember the first time I saw you and how there was nothing I wouldn’t do for you.  And 
these past nine years…I will never regret a moment of them with you.  You gave me so 
much joy and happiness.  But my love for you is not the same as my love for Kay.  The 
way I feel about her is indescribable.  It took nine years away from her for me to 
acknowledge the fact that I have always loved her.  Even though she did do those things 
to you, I now know I was much angrier by the fact that she never told me how she felt 
until she snap.  It did piss me off that she did those things to you but it didn’t make me 
hate her at all.  It just made me see her faults and I realizes that even with her faults I still 
loved her.”

Charity looks away saying, “I don’t want to hear this again Miguel.”

“I understand but I just wanted you to know that this does hurt me because I’m afraid that 
when I leave you I will leave yet another good friend.  And I do want to be your friend 
Charity.”

“Why?”  She turns back to him.

“Because we have been through so much.  I think that if it all ended because of my sorry 
ass way of handling my feelings that would be a great waste.”

Charity stares at Miguel and then she starts to cry.  Miguel gets up and holds her close.  
They hug for a long time and then they began to talk about their feelings and his feelings 
for Kay.  Miguel stayed so late that he decided to spend the night.  That night is the first 
night that he dreams about Kay and no feelings of guilt ever crosses his mind.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kay tried to get in contact with Miguel but she couldn’t get through.  Finally she left a 
message on his brother’s machine.  

“Miguel, I’m leaving.  I have to shoot this film and they can’t wait for me any longer.  I 
just wanted to tell you that I love you and I didn’t mean hurt you or Charity.  I wish you 
both the best.  I guess we’ll never know if our love could have made it.  Remember me in 
your thoughts.”

She sadly packs with Simone’s help.  After a few seconds she decided not to make her last 
moments with her best friend sad ones and she began to joke with Simone.  Noah joined in 
and they laughed and talk.

Flash…

Miguel wakes up on the couch.  It is nine forty-five.  He rubs his head and then reaches 
for the phone.  He is going to call Kay.  He wanted to tell her how much he loves her but 
the phone doesn’t seem to work.  He is about to check the phone but decided to have his 
coffee first.  He goes into the kitchen and begins making it.  The smell of the coffee wakes 
up Charity who looks at the clock.  She notices the time and realizes that there is still time 
for Miguel to see Kay before she leaves.  She sits there for a moment and then with a set 
jaw and a brave face she goes into the kitchen.

Flash…

Kay finishes packing.  Noah takes her bags and carries them to the car.  Simone and Kay 
follow behind him.  they all pile in and Noah drives to his parent’s house so that Kay can 
make a quick final goodbye.

Flash…

Miguel is pouring himself a cup of coffee when he notices Charity.  She has a strange look 
on her face.

“What’s wrong?  You want some coffee?”

Charity takes a deep breath, “Miguel…”

Flash…

Kay gets out the car and knocks on her parent’s door.  Jessica answers and hugs her sister. 
Kay’s father approaches and hugs her.  Kay goes over to Grace and hugs and kisses her.  
Then she hands Grace a package.

“I figured that you should get the first copy of the book based on my screenplay.  You 
might get to understand me a little better,” said Kay.

Grace smiles brightly and grabs her daughter and hugs her fiercely.

Flash…

Miguel is out the apartment, in his car, and racing down the road.  He can’t decide 
weather to go to Simone’s house or to the airport.  He looks at his watch.  It is ten-fifteen.  

Flash…

Kay is staring out the window thinking about Miguel as they approach the airport.  She 
hopes that he is happy with Charity.  The thought makes her sad but it also empowers her.  
She has never been able to want that for them before.  She guesses the reason she is able 
to do so now is because her love has matured.

Flash…

Miguel is in his brother’s house grabbing his things.  He heard Kay’s message and it made 
him a man with a purpose.  He threw his stuff in his duffel bag.  On his bed is his camera 
and a letter.  He grabs it and shoves it in the bag.  Then he races downstairs without 
speaking to his brother or Sheridan who are watching him from the kitchen.

Flash…

Kay checked her bag and head towards the plane.  She had said goodbye to both Simone 
and Noah ten minutes earlier.  She bought a magazine and some fruit.  Now she is ready 
to experience the dry plane ride back to the city.  She turns toward the airport terminal 
and spots Noah and Simone waving at her through the window.  Kay waves back.

Flash…

Miguel tore through the streets of Harmony.  In ten minutes he managed to get to the 
airport.  He parked his car, grabbed his things, and ran clumsily to the terminal.  He hoped 
that Charity got that ticket for him.

Flash…

Kay takes a seat and gets comfortable.  She looks out the window as a lone tear slides 
from her eye.  Oh Miguel.  We didn’t even get to say goodbye.

Flash…

Miguel runs at a break neck speed through the terminal.  He has only five two minutes 
before the plan taxis off.  He gets to the gate and hands the woman the ticket.  She takes it 
and then lets him through and called the plane to tell them about another passenger.  In his 
efforts to get through the gate, Miguel doesn’t notice Simone and Noah watching him.

Flash…

Kay blew up her cheeks and then slowly let’s the air out.  She then opens the magazine.  
After a moment she slams it close, looking at her watch.  It is five after eleven.  Why 
haven’t we left yet?  She sighs, rolls her eyes and looks at the stewardess.  The woman is 
talking with somebody.  Kay strains to see who it is and finally the stewardess moves and 
Miguel appears.  Kay’s eyes get big and she is in a state of shock.  Miguel is approaching 
her with a camera around his neck and a shy smile on his face.  He got to her aisle and 
takes a seat next to her.   She just stares at him and he leans forward and kisses her lightly.

“Wake up, baby,” he says softly.

Kay chuckles a second, “What…What are you doing here?”

“I going to New York and then New Zealand with my girlfriend.  What else.”

“But I thought…”

“Charity told me what she did.  And she bought this ticket so I forgive her.  Especially 
since I made this flight.”

“You mean you want me?” she couldn’t believe it.

Miguel notices the look of shock and disbelief in her eyes, “I want you and I am going to 
make sure that you never have that look of doubt on your face again.”  He touches her 
face.

“I love you Miguel.”

“Not as much as I love you,” he said and then they kiss.

Later Miguel reads the letter he found by the camera.  It is from Luis and it wishes him 
luck.  There is also a photo in it.  A picture Miguel took of the beach a long time ago.  
The picture makes him smile because he realizes that it is a good picture.  Maybe I can do 
this.

Two Years Later

Harmony newspaper styles section

Kay Bennett, writer, director, actress married the famous photographer Miguel Lopez-
Fitzgerald at a small reception on Saturday.  They have been together for two years 
working on projects and traveling the world.  They finally decided to tie the knot three 
moths ago.  When asked why they decided to get married Bennett said “Because I love 
him and I want to and I work to damn hard to get him, not to.”  Lopez-Fitzgerald, who 
was present laughed and remarked, “I agree.  That’s why I want to marry her.”  Although 
we didn’t understand their point it was obvious that they are crazy in love with each other.  
The following pictures are from the wedding…

He lifts her veil and stares into her dark eyes.

“You may now kiss the bride,” said the Priest.  And they kiss.

Everyone in the room watches the perfect union of two very much in love people. But the 
people present there that are most important to Kay is her family; Charity with her current 
boyfriend, next to Jessica and her man,  Noah and Simone with their daughter,  and finally 
a standing Grace and Sam.  

Noah and Simone smile as Miguel kisses Kay.  “Everything seems right in the world 
again,” said Simone.

“It sure does,” said Noah. And they applaud as the young couple walked down the aisle as 
man and wife.

The End


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