"Where to next, guys?" I ask Sarah, AJ, and Brian as we walk out of Spencer at the mall.
"Hey, I gotta go get something," Brian says to Sarah. " Meet me 20 minutes by McDonalds in the food court?"
"Um...OK," Sarah replies.
"OK." He gives her a quick kiss, turns, and hurries away.
"Wonder where he's going?" I ask Sarah.
"Beats me," she replies. " Let's go to the Gap."
"OK."  Sarah says.
We head for the Gap.

AJ and I browse around. I buy a pair of jeans and a baggy shirt. Sarah is across the store looking at something.
"Hey, check this out," AJ says, tugging at my hand.
He pulls me over to a couple dresses and pulls one off the rack. "Man, you would look gorgeous in this thing."
"AJ, that thing would barely cover anything up," I say.
The dress is midnight blue, really short and has spaghetti straps.
"I know."  AJ says with a sly smile.
I roll my eyes. "Besides, before long I won't even be able to fit in it."

We meet Brian by McDonalds. He is looking at something when we spot him, and when he spots us, he quickly puts it in his pocket.
"What's that?" Sarah asks.
"Nothin'," he answers, slipping his arm around her waist.
She rolls her eyes. "Whatever."
"While we're here," AJ says," can I get something to eat?"
"Gosh, AJ, she's the pregnant one and you STILL eat more than her!" Brian says.
I roll my eyes. " I want something, too. I'll go get it. You guys stay here. You want your usual, babe?"
"Yeah."  AJ says.
"OK. Sarah, you come with me," I tell her.
"Suzy," Sarah asks as we walked up to the counter," do you think Brian's acting a little funny?"
"No. Why?"  I ask.
Sarah waits for me to tell the guy behind the counter what I want before answering.
"Well,...he just left and got something and when I asked him what it is, he wouldn't tell me."  Sarah says.
"Well, maybe it's for you," I say.
 " Maybe," she replies.
"I'm tellin' ya, girl, you guys need to work on your trust."  I say.

"So, what'd you go get?" AJ asks Brian.
Brian reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small black box. "A ring."
"For what?" AJ inquires.
Brian gives a small shrug. "Just something to show her how much I love her."
"You guys are still a little shaky, huh?"
"Kinda. She got over the attention thing pretty much...but there's always something new."
"But you guys seem to be doing pretty good now," AJ says.
"Yeah, I guess. But I dunno if she knows just how much I really do love her."  Brian says.
"Let me see this thing," AJ says, taking the ring out of Brian's hands. After studying it for a minute he says, "It looks expensive."
"It was."  Brian says.
"When are you going to give it to her?" AJ asks, giving the small box with the ring back.
"Tomorrow night. We're supposed to go out to dinner and stuff," Brian answers.

"What do you suppose they're talking about?" I ask Sarah, pointing to Brian and AJ, as we walk towards them.
"I dunno."
"He's got out whatever it was he was looking at before and he's showing it to AJ," I point out.
We watched as he glanced up at us and quickly shoved whatever he had in his pocket.
"Don't be so secretive," I say, poking him in the gut. " What do you got there?"
"Nothing."  Brian says.
"Fine, don't tell me. I'll just find out from AJ later," I say, taking the food out of the 'to go' bag and setting it on a table in the food court.

AJ, me, Sarah, and Brian are watching a movie in Sarah and my apartment when the phone rings.
"I'll get it," Brian volunteers and gets up to get the cordless.
"Hello?" he answers it. There is a moment of silence as he listens to the person on the other end. Then: "Yes. Yeah.  Oh gosh.  I'm sorry.  Yeah, I'll tell her...Thanks. Bye."
He hangs up the phone and hesitates before turning towards us. When he does, he just stands there and looked at us.
"Who was that?" Sarah asks.
"That was, um....Sammy's brother."  Brian says.
"My Sammy? As in the one I spent two months with?" I ask.
He nods.
 "Well, what'd he want?" I ask, worriedly.
"Suzy, Sammy...well she...she passed away last night." Brian says slowly.
I get a cold feeling all over my body; I've never felt so sick in my life.  AJ puts his arm around me; cause he knows exactly what I'm feeling.  Tears start to roll down my face; but I don't make a sound.  It's as though I'm in total shock.
"Baby?"  AJ asks.
"Oh God; I need to call Tiffany and let her know."  I say as I start to get up off the couch.
"No, I'll call Howie and have him do it.  You need to sit down."  AJ says.
"But..."  I say.
"I'll call."  AJ says.
"OK."  I say.
AJ starts to get up; but then Brian nods to him to show that he'll do it.
Brian picks up the phone and dial's Howie and Kevin's number.
"Hello."  Howie says.
"Hey D," Brian says quietly, "um...I have some bad news.  It be best if you told Tiff."
"Oh no," Howie says, "what is it?"
"Well, we just got a call from Sammy's brother.  She died last night."  Brian says.
"Oh God.  How's Suzanna taken it?"  Howie asks.
"She's in shock I think...she's not saying much."  Brian says.
"Oh man, that's bad."  Howie says.
"I'm going to take Sarah and go out for a while.  Suzanna needs to be with AJ I think."  Brian says.
"That's a good idea.  I guess I better talk to Tiff."  Howie says.
"OK bye."  Brian says.
"Bye."  Howie says.
"Sarah, sweetie.  How about we...um...go for a walk?"  Brian asks as he points to the door.
"OK."  Sarah gives me a hug and walks out with Brian.
AJ and I sit there in the silence for a long time.