Note: On September 17, 2010, we were told that the cameras shut off in the town of Oakdale, Illinois and the reality show known as "As The World Turns" ended its record-breaking run. However, the inhabitants of that fair city didn't notice the absence of the crew. They kept right on living their daily triumphs, tribulations and tragedies. I hope to share with you some of these goings-on. It's time to set the record straight. (Cue Music and Opening Titles)

SEPTEMBER 20, 2010 episode

"You'd think there was something in the water, with the way everyone's acting around this town," said Lisa Miller Hughes Eldridge Shea Colman McColl Mitchell Grimaldi to her friend, Barbara Ryan Stenbeck St. Clair Munson Dixon Montgomery Coleman, over lunch at the Lakeview. "With the exception of you and Henry, I swear the whole town has gone loco. Look at Ole' Lucy and Johnny Boy." She nodded her head in their direction, where Lucinda and John were drinking champagne and snuggling in the Lakeview lounge. "Acting like they're teenagers. At their age." She glared at them.

Barbara smiled coyly. She knew that it stuck in Lisa's craw that Lucinda Walsh had landed John Dixon and was parading him around under Lisa's nose every chance she got. "I don't understand why they're staying here. Lucinda has a mansion that they can live in. And if they get tired of that, they can go rough it in the pool house for a while."

Lisa shrugged. "At least she pays her bills." She straightened up in her seat. "Enough about them. Tell me what's new with you over at Metro. And may I add that I'm delighted you would come over to the competition," she looked around the Lakeview, "for lunch."

Barbara laughed. "For my oldest friend, I would do just about anything! " She took a swig of her wine and grinned at Lisa. "I love Metro and I love working with Henry. I couldn't be happier!"

Lisa grabbed Barbara's hand and squeezed it. "That's wonderful, Barbara. I'm so happy for you." Lisa raised her glass. "I propose a toast to you and Henry and Metro. May you find great success and happiness." They clinked glasses. "I have to say I'm still shocked that you'd give up BRO like that. I was just thinking the other day, I should be scheduling BRO's trunk show, and then I remembered, oh no, I can't. I miss the beautiful clothes you designed. You had quite a following at Fashions."

Barbara gave Lisa a tight smile. "I know, but I felt like it was time to devote more of my life to the people I love most and to working with Henry at Metro. I'm only one person. "

"I know. It was just wishful thinking. Pay me no mind!"

Barbara's phone rang. "Excuse me, Lisa." She opened the phone up and held it to her ear. "Henry!" Barbara beamed from head to toe. "I was missing you already…oh….really? Everything ok?...Oh, I'll be there in a few minutes." She closed the phone and threw it in her purse, as she stood up from the table. "Lisa, I'm so sorry, but I really need to go." She kissed Lisa's cheek.

"Is everything alright?"

"I don't know. I'll call you. I've got to run." And Barbara fled the hotel as Lisa looked on in bewilderment.

*******
Lily was in the kitchen pouring herself a cup of tea when Ethan came bursting into the room with Holden right behind him. "Mom! We went riding this morning and Elmo let me hold him! And he didn't scratch once!"

Lily hugged her son. "That's wonderful! I know you've been trying to tame that kitten for the past two weeks."

"Do you think I can bring him home?"

Lily was a bit thrown by this request. "Don't you think he'd be happier out on the farm, with all the other animals, including his mommy?"

Ethan thought about this for a moment or two. "No. I think he'd be happier here with us."

Holden laughed. "Hold on there, Ethan. He's too little to take away from his mama. Why don't we all think about it for a while and talk about it another time."

In the way that only four year olds can quickly shift gears, Ethan agreed, "Ok! I think I'll go play a computer game" and he ran out of the kitchen to go upstairs to his room.

Lily laughed. "Thank you. I'm not sure I'm ready to have a kitten around here. I'd like him to be a little older before he gets a pet. Otherwise, it will all fall on me."

Holden smiled. "I know. And at the end of the day, I think he's more excited about his computer games, at least right now."

Lily crossed her arms and hugged herself as she sighed. "Holden, have you seen Luke lately?"

"A week or so ago. Why?"

Lily sat down at the table with her tea. "I don't know. I'm still very worried about him. He's very quiet, withdrawn. He doesn't eat much and I think he's lost a lot of weight. He looks really tired, and he's working himself to death between the Foundation, Grimaldi Shipping and planning the new wing at Memorial. I don't know what to do."

Holden slipped into a seat beside her at the table. "I'm not sure there's anything that you or I can do, except love him and be there for him." He sighed. "Luke is a very sensitive soul and his heart has been broken quite badly. And you know that everyone is different about how they handle such grief."

"I know. I guess I'm still astonished that I never noticed that he was so in love with Doctor Oliver. I mean, I knew that he was attracted to him, but…."

"I didn't know that they were in love, either, but they were, and this is going to take time, Lily. We need to keep as close as we can to him." He looked down. "I wish there was more that I could do or say."

Lily frowned. "Me too."

Holden tried to brighten up. "I think I'll call him and ask him to help me check the fences out at Mama's this afternoon. He used to love to do that when he was little, and it would be good to spend some time with him, just the two of us."

Lily looked gratefully at Holden. "I think that's a good idea, the two of you together."

Holden stood up. "I've got to go. Let me know if you see any changes in Luke, especially if you think he's getting worse. We need to be vigilant. I don't want him feeling so desperate and lonely that he'd…"

Lily nodded. "I know. I got rid of all the alcohol around here a month ago."

Holden nodded. "Good. No use putting temptation out there for him when he's so sad and depressed." He turned to go. "And thanks for letting me know that Luke's still having a hard time. Let's keep working together to be there for him."

Lily smiled. "Okay."

*****
As Holden drove in his pick-up out to Emma's, he called Luke, who picked up. "Hey son, I've got a favor to ask."

"What's that, Dad?"

"I need to check the fences out at Mama's this afternoon and was wondering if you'd come help me. You used to love to do that, remember?"

Luke chuckled. "What's up, Dad? You haven't asked me to do that in, uh, a very long time."

"Do I need a reason to spend the afternoon with my son?"

"No." Luke hesitated. "You know, it is a nice day out and for once, I don't have any meetings this afternoon and I could use some fresh air. So yes, I'll take the rest of the day off and come meet you at Grandma's."

"Great! See you soon!" Holden hung up and smiled to himself.

*********
Carly was washing dishes in her kitchen when her teenage son, Parker, came barreling in. Carly was astonished, "Parker? What are you doing here? Why aren't you in school?"

Cue: Closing credits