Janet, Steve and Kelly by Shari,
Donna, David, Brenda by Heather,
Brandon, Dylan and Gina by DC, Clare and Jake by Blanca, Carly And Lexi by Val, Valerie by Jessica
Carly
At the Peach Pit
It was early in the morning and Carly was driving Zach to school.
She stopped at the Peach Pit to get him a bite to eat so he wouldn't be late. When they walked
in there sitting at a stool talking to Nat was Mark. Carly knew she couldn't avoid him forever
so she sat at a booth near to him. Nadine came over to her and took her order.
Mark looked over at her and smiled and brought his cup of
coffee over. "Good morning."
She smiled and nodded. "Hey Mark," Zach said. "How come I
haven't seen you around lately?" He pushed Mark for his response.
He looked at Carly and she looked at him. "Marks, been busy."
"Actually I haven't. I've been doing some things for work and I have a new client."
"Wow, congratulations!" She stood up and hugged him. It
seemed like things were ok.
"Yeah, so to celebrate I was wondering if you wanted to go out
to dinner tonight."
She was so happy he had asked. "I would love too." Suddenly
she just remembered she had plans with Clare and she had to work.
"Great."
"But, I can't."
He sighed. "Why?" He sat down. This better be good, he thought.
"I have to work."
"Oh, ok. Well I'll see you soon ok?"
She nodded. "Bye." He said goodbye to her and Zach but he
seemed somewhat mad. She continued to worry while she ate her breakfast.
Lexi At Sterling Conway "Congratulations, you've got the job," Lexi said to the man that was
at her office five days before.
He smiled. "Wow, thank you, I can't wait to get started!"
She smiled back and began to do some work. "Now go outside, the pool needs some cleaning." He nodded and left. He seemed so interested in a job...it was weird.
She looked through her rent files and noticed Michael was late
on his March rent. "Hmm," she said smiling. "I'll have to see about that..."
She picked up the phone and called Jenn Mancini, since she
didn't want to talk to Michael after the other night.
"Hello," Jenn answered her cell phone while in the car.
"Hey its Lexi."
"Oh hi. What's up?"
"Your brother is unmistakingly being a moron again."
Jenn shrugged it off. "Yeah, so?"
"He is late on his rent and I really didn't have time to walk
all the way over there and see if he's there."
She got confused. "So why don't you just call."
Lexi thought up an excuse quickly. "It's busy. So can you
just tell him his rent is to be in by tomorrow or else."
"Sure, why not. Or else what?"
"Or else you don't have an apartment to bring your guys to,"
she said sharply and hung up.
"Wow," Jenn said and hung up the phone.
Donna At Now Wear This Donna angrily hung some new skirts that had arrived in for the spring
line. If she had hopes before of her and David getting back together, they were gone now. Not
that she actually knew what had happened that night…no one would tell her that, but she knew
something had. She hadn't seen or heard from David either, not that she wanted to. She didn't
care if she ever saw him again.
Donna finished the task at hand and then went and sat down behind the
counter. She had never felt so alone. Tears started to roll down her face. She reached a hand
up to wipe them away. When she looked up, Kelly was standing in front of her.
"Do you need a Kleenex?" she asked.
"Kelly? What are you doing here?" Donna was surprised to see
Kelly, they hadn't talked since before New York.
"I just figured it was time for us to talk," Kelly explained.
"Really?"
Kelly sighed, "Donna, I can't begin to understand why you did what
you did. But I still love you, you're like my sister. If you want to talk, I'll promise to
listen."
Donna started crying harder, "Oh Kel, I've missed you so much. I am so sorry!"
Kelly couldn't help but get tears in her eyes either, "I'm sorry too
Donna." She reached over and they hugged.
Brenda walked into the store at that moment, "Sorry to interrupt
ladies!"
Both Kelly and Donna smiled at her. "Hey Bren. Do you mind if Donna
goes out for some coffee with me?" Kelly asked.
"Of course not." Brenda knew that Donna needed that time.
Kelly and Donna sat at the tables across from Now Wear This. They
talked for a long time. Donna tried to explain about what had happened and Kelly tried to
understand. They didn't talk about David or the phone call that Donna had made that night or
that they both knew that whatever had happened was what had brought Kelly to see Donna that day.
Brandon Brandon and Dylan were driving to the police station. The case was
being transferred to a local detective. They called Brandon in to see what they could tell him
and him them. He called Dylan and they went together.
They hadn’t talked since that night with David. Or
rather, the night they let David leave with Jen. They were both feeling a little uncomfortable
because they knew what they should have done in the situation.
Neither one really wanted to dwell on it, but it did
make things awkward. “What do you think their explanation will be?”
Dylan asked.
“For letting a murder loose on the streets?” he replied.
“No idea, but it had betterbe a damn good one. It just helps to give a safe feeling knowing
that the police are at least pretending to help.”
“Justasking.”
More silence followed after that. Until Brandon asked,
“Have you heard anything from your friends at the FBI?”
“Friend? ”Dylan said in a sarcastic tone. “Christine
Pettit is far from a friend. No, I haven’t heard anything out of her.”
“Well, lets hope the police have more than Christine
Pettit,” Brandon said.
Janet "Well," Mrs. Moore said, "It's nice to finally meet you Mrs. Sanders."
Steve and Janet eagerly smiled at Mrs. Moore, who was sitting across
from them, behind her desk.
"Ohh, call me Janet, please."
Steve chuckled a fake laugh, "And call me Steve," he added.
"I am really glad you two have come down here, together, and have
decided to take this big step into the parental world," Mrs. Moore said happily.
Janet smiled, "Us too!! We already have a daughter. I thought Steve
mentioned that." Mrs. Moore nodded her head no. "Yes, her name is Madeline. She's one and a
half."
"Ohh, that age is wonderful," Mrs. Moore noted.
"You have kids of your own, Miss Moore?" Steve asked.
"Mrs. Mrs. Moore."
"Right, sorry," Steve said.
"Yes, I do. I remember when they were that age. I have two children."
"Then you see where we are coming from," Janet began, "We want Maddy
to grow up in a happy environment. Not that we're not happy already, but we want her to have
siblings and--"
"What Janet means is, we want our family to be well-rounded," Steve
said interrupting, yet getting Janet's point across.
"That's a certainly fine reason for wanting to take in a foster
child. I assume you have many others as well."
"Oh, of course," Janet said right away, not wanting to show any
faults or flaws they may have.
"Well, in that case. Lets get down to business, shall we? First, you
will need to fill out an application. It is quite long and quite in-depth. We take approving
parents to the extreme. We want to give these kids the best home possible, whatever it takes.
The approval process is also quite long and quite in-depth. A social worker will come and
observe you, at work, at home, to see how you and your family work. You will be interviewed as
will some of your family and friends. Therefore, while filling out the application, we will
need you to list references."
"References?" Steve gulped.
"Yes, you will need at least three. If more are necessary, we will
let you know. I suggest you don't take this too lightly. Your references can make or break
you."
Janet smiled uncomfortably. Make or break you?
Mrs. Moore continued, "We ask that you not only choose who will
represent you the best but who will also represent you the worst."
"What do you mean?" Steve asked.
"In other words, lying is always detected. Do not select people who
will lie through their teeth for you. This is a very truthful process. A child's life is on
the line here."
"We know, and we understand," Janet said, "We promise you. You won't
be disappointed."
"Good! That's what I like to hear! So we will need parts A and B
of this form mailed or hand delivered back to us right away," she said handing Janet some
papers. "Then for C and D you have a week to complete. A and B are your references. On those
forms, your three references are to fill out their name, address, some questions, the usual.
Within a couple of days or so, they will be called, and an interview will be set up. C and D
are your forms-- your information. Not to hurry the process, but puncuality is a must. It
shows responsibility. But as I said before, do not enter this too lightly. At the same time,
go slow. You only get one chance."
Mrs. Moore got up from her seat, as did Steve and Janet. "So we'll
be in touch?" she asked.
"Yes," Janet replied.
"Don't hesitate to call if you have any questions," she added,
shaking both Steve and Janet's hand.
Steve smiled, "Thanks."
As Steve and Janet walked out of the room, they let out a sigh of
relief. The tough part was over...or so they thought.
Brenda At the Peach Pit David was sitting alone at the counter at the Peach Pit when Brenda came
in on her lunch break. She stopped for a minute and sat down beside him. "Hi David."
"Hey Bren," he kept looking down at the cup of coffee in his hand.
"I heard that you went over to talk to Donna. How did that go?"
Brenda asked.
David turned to look at Brenda, he really needed someone to talk
to. "Yea, I stopped by to thank her for some flowers she sent me but she denied sending them.
Why would she do that? I mean, it meant a lot to me that she had sent them. I just don't get
it."
Brenda didn't know what to say. She had no idea that the flowers
were what had caused them to argue. She just looked at David with a funny look on her face.
"What is it?" David asked, knowing something was up.
"Umm, David, I think I need to tell you something," Brenda confessed.
"Donna didn't send you the flowers, I did."
"What?!?"
Brenda felt terrible. "I'm really sorry. I just wanted to get you
to talk to each other. Donna didn't know anything about it."
David nodded his head, "Great. Listen, Brenda, I know you were
trying to help, but I would really appreciate it if all of you would just stay out of our
business." David got up and walked back into the After Dark leaving Brenda standing alone at
the counter.
Valerie Val and Jenn were eating an early lunch at a small cafe overlooking
the ocean. Both were pretty quiet and neither of them were eating much.
"Life is so incredibly boring," Jenn said out of the blue.
"I know. The party we went to a few days ago was pathetic, and there
haven't been any more good raves. Something really needs to come up..and fast!"
"I hear ya. But the only good parties come up on the weekends, when
there isn't work the next day. Speaking of work, don't you have to go play good girl at some
shelter or something?" Jenn asked.
"Beats me. I can't even remember my schedule anymore. I'll go in
sometime next week or something."
"Oh my God. I have a great idea!" exclaimed Jenn, suddenly filled
with enthusiasm.
"What is it?"
"We could have a party. Not some silly high school type of thing,
but the real deal. Unlimited drinks and guys."
"Finally you come up with something good!" Val replied.
"Hey! Everything I say is brilliant, but not everybody's minds are
able to function properly," Jenn said, laughing."But where would we have the party? My place is
out."
"Well, the I guess we could have it at the beach apartment. I mean,
what Kelly doesn't know won't hurt her, right?" suggested Val.
"Great. Let's get out of here, we have work to do," Jenn said, as
she and Val paid the bill and started preparing for the party.
Jake At the After Dark Jake went into the After Dark and immediately saw David messing
around in the back with one of the speakers.
"Jake! Hey man, whats up? You usually don't come around here that
much."
"I was going to the Peach Pit to get something to eat...I saw your
car so I just decided to come in through here and say hi. "
"Well I'm glad you came, its getting kind of creepy in here. I'm used
to it being packed."
"Yeah well, sorry to dissapoint you, David but I'm going to go eat!
Don't get too lonely here." he said looking around the place and seeing it completely empty.
"See ya." David said watching Jake walk into the Peach Pit. He
started working on the speaker again.
Clare At the Beverly Royale Hotel Clare had been totally confused about what had happened with Jake
the past few days. She couldn't understand it. The more she thought about it, the more confused
she got. She decided she had to find Jake and talk to him. She couldn't just go on like nothing
had happened. She liked him too much.
She picked up the phone and dialed his home phone number. No answer.
She tried his cell phone next but still no answer. "That's weird," she thought, "He always
answers his cell." With that, she got her keys from the counter and walked out of her room, and
out of the hotel, towards her car.
After a few minutes of waiting, the valet finally brought her car.
She got in the car and started driving away, not knowing where she was actually going.
Jake At the Peach Pit "Hey, Nat! How about a MegaBurger?!" Jake yelled sitting down on one
of the stools in The Peach Pit.
"As long as your paying for it!" Nat joked, getting his MegaBurger ready.
"Ok, I guess you've given me enough 'on the houses'," Jake joked back.
Nat brought him his Mega Burger after a few minutes.
"How've you been?" Nat asked watching him take a bite.
"Good, why?" Jake asked jokingly.
"Just asking, jeez! What kind of world woulld it be if I can't even
ask how my customers are?!" Nat said laughing and walking back towards the stove.
"Thanks for the burger Nat! I'm probably going to the Beat on the
Street to say hi to Brandon later...I'll pay you back, you know I'm goond for it!" Jake said
walking out of the Peach Pit.
Nat stood behind the stove shaking his head and smiling. He really
loved the gang.
Brandon After waiting for the better part of an hour, a very hungry Brandon
and Dylan were finally granted audience with the detective who asked Brandon to come down to the
station.
“Well as it turns out, Mr. Walsh,” the officer started, “you seem
to have stumbled onto a very special case.”
“What do you mean?” Brandon asked.
“It looks like our friend Peter Kanis is a freeman,” he
stated.
Brandon was confused. No fancy lines. Just: “What?”
“He escaped.”
“Why wasn’t he told?” Dylan asked.
“Well, that’s what’s so interesting about it. Your case
against him has disappeared. When they went to notify all the right people your name was left
off the list. That and the fact that you’re a newspaper journalist,” he joked, trying to lighten
up the conversation.