“A fight?” Valo repeated. Grant nodded. “You’re telling me that all this mysterious apology stuff was about a fight?”

“Yeah. A disagreement about Charise, to boot,” Grant added.

“Figures. That does seem like where they disagree most. But why’s she so protective and clingy with S, but doesn’t seem concerned about you?”

Grant sighed and thought for several seconds. “I guess because she and S are so close in age. They grew up together, always doing everything together. I guess, in a way, it’s understandable. We all kind of grouped up in pairs-- me and Lissie, Theodora and Madeline, S and Cassie. Maybe Cassandra just didn’t want to lose her best friend…”

Valo smiled a little. “I wish I could have been close to my brothers like that,” she sighed. “My older brother is eight years older than I am, and my younger brother is eleven and a half years younger than me. I swear, it seemed like when one of us was going through puberty, the other was going through potty training! No wonder I’m such a loner-- I didn’t have anyone around my age to play with until I was five and started kindergarten!”

“Yeah, but you essentially got all of the benefits of being an only child,” Grant pointed out. “No having to share your room or have parents dividing their attention or anything like that. By the time you came along, I bet your older brother was more or less independent, at least to some extent.”

“Well, he was gifted, and I was also. My poor little brother, though. He was the first kid my mom actually had to raise, rather than just pass off to the kid’s grandma or dad. She lets my little brother do whatever he wants, doesn’t really enforce any rules, and so forth. He’s been allowed to eat whatever he wants, and, as a result, he’s now obese, under exercised, undereducated, spoiled, and probably has a get undiagnosed learning disorders. I feel for the kid, really. I mean, I had a hard enough time growing up, without all those factors. Can you imagine how bad things will be in about five or ten years?”


Cassandra hummed to herself as she painted. Someone, perhaps one of the few truly insightful workers at the asylum, had directed her to the arts and crafts room. Cassandra, whose family hadn’t been able to afford most of the items in that room, was delighted.

Cassandra dabbed her paintbrush into the paint (high-quality, but still non-toxic, of course). She peered at the canvas and slowly ran the brush over a blank space.

Dr. Long, who was in charge of the arts and crafts room (she specialized in art therapy), peered over Cassandra’s shoulder. “That’s lovely,” she said approvingly. “Perhaps you’ll be the next Van Gogh.”

“You mean the crazy artist guy who did Starry Night?” Cassandra replied. She grinned. “No thanks, doc. I think I’ll keep all my body parts.” Dr. Long chuckled, and Cassandra added, “I wouldn’t mind being artistically gifted like him, though.”

“Cassandra, anyone can be an artist. Some people are better suited towards abstract work, some to landscapes, and so forth. My point is, dear, don’t doubt yourself. Besides, I think this will be a good outlet for your thoughts and concerns.”

Cassandra shrugged. “I don’t know about all that,” she replied. “But it’s nice to be allowed to paint and all. The most I got to do at home was draw. We couldn’t afford luxuries like actual painting supplies.”

“Well, you’re welcome in here whenever you want. I’ll leave word with Dr. Ross-- he also works in here-- so that he’ll know to expect you. He knows a great deal about art, and he might be willing to teach you a few things. He’s a nice guy, and he absolutely loves when anyone shows an interest in art,” Dr. Long said. She patted Cassandra on the shoulder. “I have confidence that you’ll overcome your problems, dear.”


Charise sobbed, hot angry tears streaming down her face. Tacita and S, she thought. I can’t believe they’re a couple now! Why, damn it? Why? Of all people, why Tacita? What does she have that I don’t? I bet right now, they’re fooling around!

There was a sudden loud, sharp rapping at her bedroom door. She lifted her head from her pillow, sniffling.

“What?” she yelled. “Gideon, I already took the trash out!”

“It’s S,” S called. “Can we talk?”

“Go away!” Charise snapped. “Go back to your girlfriend!”

“What girlfriend?”

“Tacita!”

“Tacita’s not my girlfriend!”

“Stop lying to me!” Charise yelled.

“I’m not lying!” S yelled back. “You can call her yourself!”

Just then, there was a knock from one of her walls. “Look,” Sheridon yelled from his bedroom, “either talk face to face, or go outside and yell! I’m trying to sleep!”

“Sorry!” Charise and S yelled back.

“Don’t be sorry; be quiet!” Sheridon snapped.

“Okay!” Charise and S yelled back. “We’re sorry for yelling!”


Charise sighed and slowly opened the door. S’s eyes widened, surprised. “You’ve been crying,” he said slowly.

“Allergies,” Charise lied. “Damn dust and pollen.” She wiped self-consciously at her face. “I’m fine.”

“No, you’re not,” S responded. “You’ve been acting strange for well over a month, and I’m worried. What’s been bothering you?”

Charise shook her head. “Nothing. Really, I…” She trailed off, her voice straining not to reveal any emotion. “I… I just…”

The deluge of tears that she was trying to fight back finally came forth. She turned away quickly, trying to hide her tears. “Go away!” she choked out.

S stared at her for a few seconds, concerned. “No,” he said finally. “I’m not going anywhere.” He placed his hands on her shoulders and turned her around to face him. Charise bowed her head, trying to hide her face. S shook his own head and tilted her face up, so that he could wipe her tears away. Charise hugged S tightly and sobbed on his shoulder.

“It’s okay,” S whispered. “Everything’s going to be okay.”


“Hey, Tacita, your friends made the news again,” Benny remarked, passing a celebrity gossip magazine to her as she entered. “The guy’s the one you were with the other day, right?”

“Yeah. But don’t expect him in here with me for a while,” Tacita replied. “Let’s just say I had to be the bigger person and make a sacrifice for the sake of general sanity.”

“The chick who came in here and busted up my sculpture liked him, and you let her have him?” Benny asked incredulously.

“Well, that’s the Cliff’s Notes version. I’d like to think I did something heroic.”

“Well, I think you may have made them both very happy,” Benny replied. “To me, that’s pretty heroic-- giving up something you want to make others happy.”

Tacita smiled warmly. “Thanks, Benny. I’ll be by in a few minutes for a drink.”

“Tell me what you want, and I’ll bring it over while you’re reading.”

“That’s why I like you, Benny. You’re a good guy. Kodie’s lucky to be married to you. I’d like some ice raspberry tea, please,” Tacita replied, hanging Benny some money.

“I’ll be back with your drink in a bit,” Benny said cheerily. “Read that article! It’s on page eight.”


Tacita sat at a table and began reading the article:

Retraction:

We recently published an article about Julianna Delorice and her daughters, Charise Marlow and Cassandra Verona. It has been brought to our attention that we were given lies and half-truths. Here are the facts, as verified by Ms. Delorice herself.

1. The photos depicting a wedding between Charise Marlow and Samuel Verona. According to Ms. Delorice, there was no wedding. “I just wanted to see Charise married before I died,” Delorice stated. “She posed for these pictures to placate me. Though I would like for Charise and Mr. Verona to marry, my daughter has made it abundantly clear that she will not marry anytime soon.”

2. Cassandra Verona. “She is my daughter,” Delorice said. “Joel [Harris] and I are her blood parents, and she was adopted by the Verona family. Thus, Cassie is not blood related to any Veronas, nor is Charise. Were Charise to ever wed anyone in that family…"

Tacita read the article, smiling to herself. Benny placed the mug of tea on the table and began to count out her change.

“No, keep it,” Tacita said firmly.

“Thanks,” Benny replied. He nodded at the magazine. “Good article?”

“Great,” Tacita replied. “Looks like everything is going to be fine.”

Author's Note: One more update left for this chapter, so don't get excited just yet...