Erica walked into the section of the hospital where Laura was staying when she noticed her daughter talking to Brooke and of course decided to listen to what they were saying before she entered. The papers she was holding vanished behind her thing draped around her shoulders as she listened.
“...because I get the feeling that Laura doesn’t know everything. I mean, you don’t know something she doesn’t, do you?” Bianca was saying.
“No...”
Erica stifled a smug smile. Brooke was horrible at lying, even from here she could tell she was lying. ‘she needs more practice...’ she thought absent mindedly as she entered the room “Bianca, I thought you were at home. I thought you were doing your homework.”
“Oh, yeah.” Bianca shook her head. “I couldn’t concentrate, I had to check on Laura.”
A spark of anger flared which she quickly extinguished before it got the better of her. “Well how is she?” Erica asked. “Is the procedure finished?”
“Yes. She’s resting.” Brooke said.
“Oh. All right, then let’s go home.” Erica smiled and reached for Bianca’s arm.
“Mom....”
“No, I mean it. It’s late.” Erica said.
“Okay. Hold on.” Bianca poked her head into Laura’s room and said goodbye to her.
“Bianca, wait in the car for me.” Erica said coolly.
“Why are you acting like you’re mad at me or something?” Bianca asked defensively.
“Bianca...look, please.”
The tone left no room for further discussion so Bianca walked off.
Erica turned to face Brooke. “So, now tell me the truth.”
“I didn’t tell Laura everything. She knows she has a heart problem but...” Brooke trailed off.
“No, of course not. It’s very stressful, I know.”
“and Joe said it could be a very long time before, you know, there would be a heart donor, so...” Brooke said.
“I know that’s why I’m here.” The papers Erica had hidden now reappeared. She eyed the papers as she spoke. “Look, I’ve done some research and I’ve found at least three places in Europe that have accommodations that are safe, that are peaceful, where you can wait. In fact, they even have family accommodations so that actually you and Jamie could wait with her.”
“Erica, what the hell are you doing?” Brooke asked her voice full of disbelief as the true meaning of Erica’s words clicked into her mind.
“You don’t care about Laura’s health. It’s all about you, It’s all about you as usual.”
A look of confusion crossed Erica’s face.
“You know, you are so good.” Brooke said, her hatred for Erica flaring up again.
“What are you talking about?”
“I’m talking about...you don’t want to help me help my daughter. You want me to get my daughter as far away from your daughter because you don’t want to face Bianca’s sexuality.” Brooke said.
“That is not true.” Erica said defensively.
“The hell it isn’t true! Do you know what I would give to be in your shoes Erica? How dare you!” Brooke snapped.
“Well you are obviously not thinking very clearly,” Erica said calmly. She raised a hand. “and that’s understandable given Laura’s condition” she gestured her hand towards Laura’s room. “So I’m going to overlook that ridiculous remark.”
“Oh you want to know what’s ridiculous? I -cried- in your arms and I confided in you. Brooke English trusted Erica Kane.” She proceeded her voice coated in sarcasm. “Now how’s that for a laugh?”
“I wanted you and Laura to go to Europe because I sincerely want Laura to have the best cardiac care.” Erica said.
“You wanted my daughter out of town.” Brooke said smugly.
“How can you say that? You know that I understand how serious her heart condition is.”
“You don’t care about Laura’s heart condition! You care about Bianca’s heart, because you know Bianca has feelings for Laura. So you thought ‘out of sight out of mind’ right?” Brooke was getting angrier and more hurt by the moment and she was sure if Erica was in front of her any longer she’d be forced to strangle her.
“This is the gratitude I get? I understand what it’s like to be the mother of a sick child. I couldn’t help but extend my support to you, but clearly you don’t appreciate my support.” Erica started walking off then turned to face Brooke again as she started speaking.
The look on Erica’s face was too much. It was void of any sorrow and it made her mad. “You know what? I don’t -need- your so called support and I don’t care if I ever see you or speak to you again.”
Erica felt like someone had just slapped her and would have reacted harshly had she not heard it.
“Mom?”
Erica looked over to see Bianca and Edmund standing there then glared at Brooke. She forced her eyes from Brooke and walked to Bianca and Edmund. “Honey, I thought you were waiting in the car.”
“We just met in the parking lot.” Edmund said patting Bianca on the back.
“You were just taking so long I got worried. Everything’s all right with Laura isn’t it?” Bianca asked.
Brooke looked down guiltily. “Yes. Leo’s still in there with her, I think they’re having a nice visit.”
Edmund glanced at Laura through the door momentarily. “Okay good. Then can you talk over some Tempo business with me?”
“Sure.”
“All right. I’m going to say good night.” Erica continued icily. “Brooke, I sincerely hope that Laura is feeling better soon and you are both in my thoughts.”
“Brooke? Give Laura my love and let her know I’ll come visit her tomorrow?” Bianca asked.
Brooke forced a smile and nodded. “I will.”
Erica glared at Brooke once again then ushered Bianca out of her spot and on to walking. “Let’s go honey. Good night Edmund.”
“Good night.” Edmund said to Erica as she and Bianca left.
‘The NERVE of Brooke saying something like that!’ Erica bit down firmly and stomped out of the hospital doors with Bianca. ‘why! it’s preposterous! As if I would ever even consider sending Brooke and her family away just because I didn’t want to deal with Bianca’s...issue...’ Erica glanced over at Bianca noting the somewhat hurt look on her face.’
‘Okay. So maybe that had a LITTLE effect on my decision but only because I don’t want Bianca being hurt...and I don’t want to be near Brooke, I don’t like the way she’s been making me feel...it’s almost as if I -want- to be close to her, and to help her, and quite frankly, it’s frightening....but that’s not the reason!’ Erica told herself firmly. ‘it’s because I want Laura better.’ Erica nodded agreeing with herself.
Bianca raised an eyebrow but didn’t say anything, she was used to her mother acting odd anyway.
end.
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