Hey, guys! Sorry it took so long for me to update. Things have been a bit rough here. For a more detailed explanation, see this letter to my readers.


Ophelia opened her eyes, then frowned. What a weird dream, she thought. If it had been a dream... She shook her head. No, it was nonsense. Of course it was a dream.

Rising from her bed, Ophelia sighed. She knew what she had to do; she was going to act for herself.



“Why won't you believe us?” the curly-haired guy snapped.

“It just seems a little far-fetched,” AJ responded.

“But it's the truth,” the dark-haired young woman spoke up. “He didn't lay a finger on me. These stupid women did!”

“These women beat you so hard, you lost consciousness?” AJ asked, eyebrow raised.

“It's the truth,” the woman insisted. “If Mark here hadn't been there to stop it, who knows what would have happened.”

“When he brought you here, you were unconscious.”

“The band doctor initially said she was fine,” the curly-haired guy replied. “She didn't lose conscious until after.”

“I still don't--” AJ began.

A nurse rapped on the door. AJ opened it and peered out at her.


“Dr. Desjardin,” the nurse said, “I know you're busy, but there's a call for you.”

“Can't it wait? Is it important?” AJ responded.

“It's from... you know... her. Ms. Foley-Cloud. You told me to put her through immediately if something came up.”

AJ nodded. “Tell her I'll get back to her in a couple of minute.”

“Yes, doctor. Oh, and there's someone else in the waiting room, wanting to see you.”

“Yeah?”

“A woman. Red hair... kind of tall. Looks kind of like that model... anyway, she said she wants to talk to you about something you two had discussed.”

“That's fine. Tell Jeff I'll need to speak with him. I think I know what they want to discuss with me.”

“Yes, sir,” the nurse replied.

AJ shut the door, then turned back to the couple in the room. Here was a woman, covered with bruises and cuts, and she was insisting that the man beside her had not laid a finger on her. How many more of these couples did he have to see? It was the same thing, over and over. Enough to make him sick.

Life could be a real pain sometimes.