The plane landed in Genovia and the only sound heard was that of the tires hitting the runway. Mia and Lily had fallen asleep listening to their MP3 players. Dom and Joe played Gin Rummy in silence. Charlotte tried to keep herself focused on a romance novel she was reading. Clarisse pretended to work on some reports but all the while she was bitterly reflecting on Joseph's cruel words/

"You ARE your mother!"

"I don't want you anymore."

"You'll never hear from me again!"

He hadn't spoken a word to her since then and she thought it completely unfair. Her heart was completely his, why wouldn't her head follow?

When they arrived, Joseph said something to Dom and then walked away from the group. A short Hispanic man met him near the terminal and handed him the keys to a motorcycle.

"Where is he going?" Clarisse asked barely audibly.

"You don't want to know."

"Indeed I do."

"Trust me on this one. You don't want to know and as his brother I'm not breaking my jaw to tell you."

Charlotte navigated Clarisse to the limo. The ride back to the palace was again quiet. Dom gave instructions to Shades and then left with Charlotte in tow. Mia and Lily went to Mia's suite to watch movies.

"Grandma, I know what Joe said was cruel and painful but I know he loves you. Things will work themselves out, I promise."

Clarisse bit back the tears, nodded and hugged Mia and then Lily. She went to her suite and tried to relax but it was useless. She put her satin robe over her pajamas and walked out onto the balcony. Through the trees she could always make out the soft glow of his kitchen, though it were faint. Tonight it was dark and the woods looked just as dark and gloomy as if warning her to stay away. Sadly she retreated behind the glass doors. She walked to her radio and turned the music on. Typically she enjoyed classical but the last few months had interested her in the country station. A song was just finishing and the disc jockey came on.

That was George Strait with Run. I'm Genovia's moonlight maestro, Mackie Royal. Are you just getting ready for bed? Maybe you're dancing beneath the stars with that special someone. Perhaps you're wishing that special someone would make his or her presence known. Whatever it is, we've got the request lines open.

Clarisse instinctively took down the number and after several busy attempts she was able to get through.

"G-Love this is Mackie Royal. Who am I talking to?"

"Ramona." She blurted out quickly.

"All right Ramona, who are you sending love to tonight?"

"A man who is very dear to me. I'm afraid I've hurt him terribly and I don't know how to reach him."

"Does he know how much you care about him?"

"I suppose not, but he's loved me for such a long time I don't want to lose him now."

"Looks like we need a special song to help you two out. May I select the song for you?"

"Oh yes please."

"Very well. What is this fellas name?"

"Julio."

"May love find him wherever he is Ramona. This one's going out to Julio."

You look at me and I can see the feelings gone

What happened to the dream we planned our future on

You turn away and try to say what we both know

But baby I can't let you go, let you go away

Cause I don't wanna lose your love

I don't wanna be the one who's broken hearted

Take the only love I've ever known

I don't wanna lose your love

How could you go and stop what we have started

Baby I don't wanna be alone

Clarisse turned the music up and went onto the balcony again. The words were so sad but they were so completely right.

I try to hide the hurt inside's so plain to see

I never could keep secrets from you anyway

So hard to face, I can't erase the thought of you

Baby won't you change your mind

Change your mind and stay

Cause I don't wanna lose your love

I don't wanna be the one who's broken hearted

Take the only love I've ever known

I don't wanna lose your love

How can you go and stop we have started

Baby I don't want to be alone.

Clarisse went to her desk and picked up her cell phone. She sent him a text message before she could change her mind.

Are you there?

She paced nervously and the phone suddenly vibrated on her desk.

Yes

Can we talk?

About what?

About what a fool I've been

No

Why not?

It won't help

Joseph please reconsider leaving

No

I don't want you to go

How can I stay, Clarisse?

I need you

Not good enough

What can I say to change your mind?

Nothing

But…..

What?

I love you, Joseph

The text messages stopped and Clarisse felt sick to her stomach. She finally couldn't wait any longer. She sent him another message.

Are you still there?

No answer still. She walked outside and still the darkness loomed. With all her might she threw her cell phone as far as she could toward him. Then she stomped back inside and cried herself to sleep.

Clarisse awoke the next morning to a buzzing sound. Opening one eye she noticed her phone sitting on top of her desk. Was it possible? Had she dreamed the encounter? Had she dreamed the song? Slowly she made her way to the phone and carefully pulled up her messages. There weren't any messages to or from Joseph. She clicked the radio on and found her usual classic station was already preset. In one instance she was happy because it meant he hadn't rejected her. In another way she was saddened at the fact that she hadn't really confessed her love. A knock sounded at her door.

"Ah come in."

It was Mia.

"Good morning Grandma. I thought I'd come by on my way to breakfast. Are you ok?"

"I suppose I will be after I shower and get dressed. Have you seen Joseph this morning?"

"No but Charlotte said he was eating breakfast with Shades and Demitri."

"Just your average day I guess."

"Speaking of normal events, what are you wearing to the children's benefit tomorrow night?"

"Oh the benefit! I don't know. I have plenty of dresses to choose from."

"Ok well I'll let you get dressed and I'll see you at breakfast."

Clarisse showered quickly and dressed quickly. Her makeup seemed tedious and she felt flustered at having to comb her hair. Finally she raced downstairs with as much grace as she could muster. Her maids were already in the dining room and awaiting her arrival. She was disappointed to see Shades enter alone. Charlotte, never one to miss anything, saw the disappointment.

"Shades, where is Joseph?"

"He went to Lillangrath for the day."

"Charlotte may I see you for a moment?"

"Yes your Majesty."

Clarisse and Charlotte went into the parlor. Mia and Lily looked at each other questioningly.

"So is this how he intends to be? Here but not really here?"

"I don't know what he's planning. You know how private he is."

"What about Dom?"

"Dom is a dead end. He's the only one Joe tells anything to and Dom prides himself on being a Brooklyn Italian bred from Sicily. He won't tell you anything."

"Looks like Grace has a lot to answer for."

"Looks like it. In the meantime I saw this cute little dress in Lillangrath and I was wondering if her Majesty is so bold as to accompany me to see it."

Clarisse smiled knowingly. "Well I suppose I can't have my assistant looking like a harlot. It's probably best that I go."

"We're coming too!" The girls resounded from the dining room.

"The walls not only have ears but loud voices, your Majesty."