"I swear I saw her last night," Fox told his phsychatrist, Dr. Sobczak.
"Fox, it's been 5 years now...," he started saying, but was cut off.
"I know, I know," Fox said as he stood up. "I could've sworn it was her though."
"Where exactly did you see her?"
"I saw her outside of the mansion. I was looking out my window when I saw her." He said.
"It could have been anyone. You know that, right?"
"I know, but I don't think it was." He said confidently.
"She's been gone now for 5 years. What makes you think that she'll just show up out of the blue, Fox?"
"Well, her best friend has died. I think she'll return to say goodbye. Theresa loved Whitney. They were very close."
"Wait, you're talking about the best friend that you slept with, correct?"
Fox shot the doctor an angry glance,"Yes, that's the one."
"Let's talk about her for a moment. Did you love her, Fox?"
"No," he said quickly.
"Okay," Dr. Sobczak said as he nodded his head, "let me rephrase me question. Did you [i]ever[/i] love her?"
Fox hesitated what he wanted to say at first, "N..no. I thought I did, but I've realized that she was only an obsession."
"An addiction like Theresa?"
"Theresa isn't an addiction!" Fox shouted angerly. "Don't talk about her like that! Do you hear me!? You don't know her!"
"Calm down, Fox. I'm only trying to help. See, it's good to be optomistic in a case like your's for the first few days, weeks, and [i]maybe[/i] months, but years? Come on, Fox! It's time to move on. She may never return and if that's the case, then you have to prepare yourself for it."
"She's going to return. I know it."
"How do you know it though?"
Fox felt that the doctor was playing games with his mind, trying to trick him into forgetting about Theresa. He didn't ever want to forget about her, no matter if she returned or not. Theresa was the only person who ever really cared for him. She loved him with her whole heart, and Fox broke that by sleeping with her best friend.
"If she was gone for good, I would know it in my heart. It's true that I've felt what you may call a void since she's left, but she's still in my heart and I strongly believe that I'm still in her's. Wouldn't [i]I[/i] know it if she was gone?" Fox asked seriously.
"Fox, I'm not an expert on love at all, but I can tell that you are still feeling guilty over Theresa's leaving. You need to move on. I know it sounds like I don't understand, but I do. The best thing for you to do is move on. Don't you think that that's what Theresa would want?"
Fox wasn't sure. He wasn't exactly sure what Theresa wanted. Did she still want him? Only she knew that. But how could he even move on? He didn't know where or how Theresa was. Theresa's family mostly kept news about Theresa to themseleves because Theresa had asked them to, so it was difficult for him to really know how she was.
"I...I don't know. I really don't know. But the Theresa I knew and loved wouldn't let me give up so easily. She would want me to fight for true love." He said concentrating on Theresa. "Can I ask you something?"
"Of course, Fox."
"Have you ever lost someone that you loved?"
The doctor though for a moment before responding, "Yes. Yes, I have."
"Then you know what I mean. You would give [i]anything[/i] for them to return." Fox said anxiously trying to get through to Dr. Sobczak.
"I would if I could, but I can't. It's impossible." Dr. Sobczak said taking off his glasses and putting them down upon his book.
"Nothings impossible!" Fox said becoming excited that someone understood him.
"Death is." He said sadly. "Death is the possible reason for no return."
Fox looked confused. He wasn't quite sure what Dr. Sobczak what getting to.
"You see, my only child, Natalie, died a few years ago. She was only 11 when a drunk driver crashed his car into the playground." Dr. Sobczak said as he remembered the pain and heartbreak he went through during his loss.
"I'm so sorry," Fox said honestly.
"I went through the same sort of denial that you are going through. I would sit, waiting at the dinner table for her to run in through the front door...from soccer practice." He said starting to choke up a bit. "Everyday for almost a year I would do that over and over again. And yet everyday she wouldn't come. At first I wasn't disappointed, but as time progressed I knew she wasn't coming back. She became worried, my wife that is. So she had me see a phsychatrist. Sounds weird for a phsychatrist to see another phsychatrist, but even we sometimes can't handle devestating losses that we face throughout our lives. And that's why we look for help from other's, Fox. I started to finally accept my daughter's death. Maybe it's time that you started to accept the fact that Theresa isn't ever going to return."
"I'm sorry for your loss, but Theresa is coming back to me. I know it sounds farfetched, but you have to believe me. She will return to me!" Fox became dizzy and had to sit down suddenly.
"Fox, are you okay?"
"Huh?" He said a little dazed and confused.
"Do you want me to get you to the hospital, Fox?"
"No," he said snapping back to him oldself. "I'm fine. There's no need for that."
"Fox, you don't look well. I think we'll end today's session early. Go home and get some rest."
Fox nodded his head and left.
Fox didn't feel good at all. He remembered that people had been telling him that he didn't look good for quiet sometime now.
[i]I must be catching the flu or something. That's all. No need to worry, Fox.[/i]
Although he tried to convince himself that it was the flu, he couldn't help shake the feeling that it was something more. That something scared him, especially since Whitney...
Theresa had woke up early so she could talk to her mother alone without any interrupts from anyone. She needed to talk to her mother about a few things, two of those things being Whitney's death and Fox. She threw on her robe and headed into the kitchen. She could smell a delicious breakfast being prepared already by her mother.
[i]Nothing like Mama's good old fashioned cooking.[/i]
She smiled as the aroma statisfyed her hunger somewhat.
[i]Mmmm. Bacon....and pancakes! Oh and muffins! Freshly baked muffins.[/i]
Theresa remembered how she and Ethan never eat breakfasts like that. They were both always on the go. She never had time in the morning to prepare such wonderful meals. She barely had time to dress herself and take Ethan to school. Things may be easier if she lived in Harmony, but that was out of the question. Fox had betrayed her. There was no way she could stand facing him so much. Harmony wasn't a big city; it was only a small town so it was likely that she would run into him. Theresa walked up behind her mother and gave her a big hug.
"What was that for, Mihija?" Pilar asked as she smiled and continued to mix some pancake mix.
"Oh nothing!" She smiled as she let go and sat down at the table. "I just wanted to show you how much I love you."
"Well thank you, Mihija. I know how much you and your brothers love me. Words aren't needed." Pilar paused once she saw how sad and unhappy her daughter was. "Theresita, mihija, what's wrong?"
"What's not wrong?" She said as she began to cry.
Pilar sat down next to her daughter and put her arm around her lovingly.
"Whitney's dead and Fox....I still can't believe how he betrayed me, Mama." She sobbed.
"Oh mihija, you've been through so much! It doesn't seem fair that all of these horrible things keep happening to you."
"How did she die, Mama?" Theresa asked as she wipped away her tears with a tissue.
"You don't know?" Pilar asked rather surprised that her daughter hadn't heard.
Theresa shook her head no.
"Theresita, she had AIDS."
[i]AIDS...[/i]
Theresa couldn't believe it. Her best friend died from AIDS and she wasn't evern there to help her out through her final days.
[i]What kind of friend have I been?[/i]
"How long was she sick for?" Theresa asked.
"Well, she found out that she was HIV positive only a few months after you left." Pilar informed her.
"How did this happen? Did she get it from Chad? Or...." she couldn't say his name. It would be too horrible if he was the reason for her friend's death.
"Neither of them, honey."
"I don't get it. Whitney was only with them from what I know."
"Exactly, mihija. From what you know, she slept only with 2 guys. Whitney was messed up pretty bad, Theresita."
"What do you mean, Mama?"
"Whitney was known to sleep with a lot of guys after you left town. She sometimes even shared needles with them."
"Oh my God!" Theresa gasped. "I didn't know things were so bad. That wasn't the Whitney I knew."
"She started to show her true colors once word got out why you left." Pilar explained. "She couldn't deny what she did to you."
"I...I can't believe this."
"I know, dear."
"Oh my God! Is Chad or Fox....?" she asked, not really wanting to know the truth.
"I don't know. I don't really talk to Fox much. He's been a mess himself. As for Chad, I don't think so. he and Whitney haven't gone out since before you left. I doubt him."
"What do you mean Fox has been a mess? How so?"
Pilar could see how much Theresa still cared for Fox, so she told her what she knew.
"Once you left, Fox went through depression, Theresita. He balmes himself for everything. He's still convinced that you'll return to him someday."
"He must be dreaming then," Theresa said bitterly.
"Theresita, is there no hope for you two?"
"No, Mama," she tried to say. "Would you take back someone who you loved and cared for after they cheated on you with your [i]best[/i] friend?"
Pilar shook her head no, "I wouldn't. But you two love each other so much. Fox asks about you all the time."
"I don't care, Mama. He hurt me more than Ethan ever did. And you know just as I do how much he hurt me, Mama. I can't ever trust Fox again. I've lost faith in him," she said as tears fell down her cheeks once again.
"Don't give up all together, Theresita. Don't give up on true love."
"I don't believe in true love."
"Oh Theresita!"
"Excuse me, Mama. I'm going to go and get dressed. Would you mind watching Ethan while I go visit the Russell's?"
"Not at all, but aren't you going to eat first?"
"No, I'm not hungry now. Maybe later, but thank you."
Theresa took a quick shower and dressed up. She wanted to go over to the Russell's right away so she could give them her condolences. The Russell's knew what Whitney did to Theresa and they didn't expect to see Theresa, but they were surprised to see Theresa standing outside their front door that early Staurday morning.
"Theresa! It's good to see you!" Eve smiled as she hugged her.
Theresa could tell by Eve's tear-staind, swollen, face that she had been crying.
"It's good to see you too, Dr. Russell."
"Theresa, what are you doing back in Harmony?" TC asked as he entered the room to see who was at the door.
"I heard about Whitney. I'm so sorry," she said as she broke into tears, which only caused Eve to cry more. "I had...no idea. I wish I could've helped her. I've been such an awful friend! I let her down," she told the Russell's.
"No, you haven't Theresa." Eve told her. "Whitney has been the awful friend. We know what she did, and we are so sorry. The drugs and all of the sex just comsumed her. If anyone had failed her it's me. I should've seen the signs."
"Eve, Theresa, no one has failed Whitney. We can't help the path that she took. She would have chose it sometime in her life, even if we were there for her more."
"I guess," Theresa said, "I just want you to know if there's anything you need, anything at all, just let me know."
"Thank you," they both said.
Theresa stuck around for a little while longer, but she left soon because she felt uncomfortable without Whitney. Besides, she wanted to go to the funeral home to talk to Whitney alone.
Theresa felt as though she shouldn't be there, once she walked into the funeral home. She just had a strange feeling that she shouldn't be there. But Theresa ignored it. She wanted to talk to Whitney. It was important that she did it now while they were alone.
"Can you tell me which room Whitney Russell is in?" Theresa asked something she never thought she would ask.
"Follow me," a young woman smiled.
[i]How can you smile at a place like this?[/i]
"Right in here, Ms." She said by opening the door.
"Thank you."
Theresa broke into tears as she saw Whitney's coffin. As she approached it, she could see Whitney lying in there peacefully.
"Oh Whit!" She exclaimed quietly to herself as she covered her mouth with her hand.
Theresa tried to stop the tears that were falling, but it was no use. They were coming too fast as she saw her best friend lying there lifeless.
[i]She's really dead[/i]
Theresa couldn't help, but notice how skinny and frail her body looked. Her collarbone just seemed to stand out, all her bones seemed that way. Theresa felt like she was staring at a whole new person.
[i]This can't be Whitney. It can't be[/i]
But it was. Theresa pulled out a picture from her pruse, and placed it underneath Whitney's fingers.
"I...uh, want you to have this to remember the good times we use to have." She explained to her friend. "Whit, I can't change the past, no matter how much I want to. But if I could, I would've been here more for you when you needed me to. I still can't believe that you slept with Fox, but right now I'm not mad at you. I miss you, Whit. I never got to say goodbye, so that's why I'm here. If it weren't for you, I would have never returned. I just want you to know how much I'll miss you. You were my best friend and I'll [i]never[/i] forget you. I love you, Whit." Theresa finished as she kissed Whitney's forehead.
"Ms, where's Whitney Russell's casket?" Fox asked the lady who worked there.
"This way, Sir. But someone is in there right now so you might want to wait to be alone. It seemed like she wanted to be alone."
"What did she look like?" He asked curiously.
"Let me think," she paused, "oh yes! She had long brown hair, with brown eyes. Oh and she was hispanic."
[i]Theresa?[/i]
"Can you please show me where Whitney is?"
"Yes, Sir. Follow me."
Fox stood by the door, wondering what was on the otherside of that door. Was it Theresa? Fox took a deep breath and opened it.
"...I'll [i]never[/i] forget you. I love you, Whit." He heard Theresa say.
[i]It is Theresa![/i]
Theresa turned her head to see who was there. She quickly turned her head back once she saw Fox.
"Theresa, is that really you?" He asked becoming teary-eyed.
"Yes, Fox. It's me," she said very coldly.
Fox wanted to hug her and kiss her, but Theresa moved away from him and grabbed her purse and coat.
"Theresa, I still..."
"Fox, this isn't the place no the time to discuss old feelings." She said rather bitterly.
[i]She's so bitter[/i]
Theresa walked out of the building and started to run. She didn't know where she was running to, but she just had to get away from him.
Fox watched her walk out of the building, just as he did last time 5 years earlier.
[i]I won't let you get away again[/i]
With that, Fox ran out of the building after her. She tried to outrun him, but he caught up to her once she broke the heal on her boots.
"Just leave me alone, Fox," she said half out of breath as Fox caught up to her.
"Theresa, we need to talk."
"Talk? There's nothing to talk about, Fox! We're over. We've been over for the last 5 years."
"No, Theresa! I don't believe that."
"You refuse to believe it, Fox. It's time that you learned to accept the truth. I don't love you anymore."
"I know you still love me, Theresa. You can't hide your feelings for me."
Theresa wanted to get away, but she couldn't. Fox would only follow her.
"I've thought a lot about you these last 5 years," he said as he got closer.
"Stay where you're at!" She shouted. "Don't come near me!"
"Fine, fine. Theresa, I didn't mean to cheat on you. I never meant to hurt you. You have to believe that."
"I can't and I won't. I caught you and my [i]best[/i] friend in bed together! And the day after we had that incredible night." She smiled weakly. "I honestly thought you lvoed me, but I was wrong. I'm glad to see that Whitney was your mystery woman. Tell me, did she leave Chad for you too?"
"Theresa, it wasn't like that."
"Really? I think it is." She said as she started to cry uncontrolably.
"Please, don't cry. You know I can't stand to see you cry." He said passing her his scarf.
"Oh please! Just like you couldn't stand to see my feelings hurt? That was a bunch of bull shit, Fox! You hurt my feelings after you said you never would! You're nothing but a cheat, a liar, and a hypocrite!"
"Theresa...."
"Just shut up, Fox! You've caused me enough pain to last a lifetime. I hope you realize that you've brought me more pain than Ethan ever did."
"Theresa..."
"No! Fox, just leave me alone!"
"I want to be with you, so bad."
"Well, I don't want to be with you. I suggest you go get tested and find out how many more days, if any, you have left."
Theresa walked away after that comment, leaving Fox feeling even more guilty and scared for his life. Theresa, herself, couldn't believe how cold and rude she was to the man she still loved. She didn't mean to say that last sentence, but it just slipped.
"I'm so sorry, Fox." She cried as she turned back to look at Fox.
[i]She's so cold, and it's all my fault. Maybe I would be better off dead.[/i]
Next chapter....Fox get's tested! Is he postive or not? Stayed tuned to see!
~Mandi~
"Fox, it's been 5 years now...," he started saying, but was cut off.
"I know, I know," Fox said as he stood up. "I could've sworn it was her though."
"Where exactly did you see her?"
"I saw her outside of the mansion. I was looking out my window when I saw her." He said.
"It could have been anyone. You know that, right?"
"I know, but I don't think it was." He said confidently.
"She's been gone now for 5 years. What makes you think that she'll just show up out of the blue, Fox?"
"Well, her best friend has died. I think she'll return to say goodbye. Theresa loved Whitney. They were very close."
"Wait, you're talking about the best friend that you slept with, correct?"
Fox shot the doctor an angry glance,"Yes, that's the one."
"Let's talk about her for a moment. Did you love her, Fox?"
"No," he said quickly.
"Okay," Dr. Sobczak said as he nodded his head, "let me rephrase me question. Did you [i]ever[/i] love her?"
Fox hesitated what he wanted to say at first, "N..no. I thought I did, but I've realized that she was only an obsession."
"An addiction like Theresa?"
"Theresa isn't an addiction!" Fox shouted angerly. "Don't talk about her like that! Do you hear me!? You don't know her!"
"Calm down, Fox. I'm only trying to help. See, it's good to be optomistic in a case like your's for the first few days, weeks, and [i]maybe[/i] months, but years? Come on, Fox! It's time to move on. She may never return and if that's the case, then you have to prepare yourself for it."
"She's going to return. I know it."
"How do you know it though?"
Fox felt that the doctor was playing games with his mind, trying to trick him into forgetting about Theresa. He didn't ever want to forget about her, no matter if she returned or not. Theresa was the only person who ever really cared for him. She loved him with her whole heart, and Fox broke that by sleeping with her best friend.
"If she was gone for good, I would know it in my heart. It's true that I've felt what you may call a void since she's left, but she's still in my heart and I strongly believe that I'm still in her's. Wouldn't [i]I[/i] know it if she was gone?" Fox asked seriously.
"Fox, I'm not an expert on love at all, but I can tell that you are still feeling guilty over Theresa's leaving. You need to move on. I know it sounds like I don't understand, but I do. The best thing for you to do is move on. Don't you think that that's what Theresa would want?"
Fox wasn't sure. He wasn't exactly sure what Theresa wanted. Did she still want him? Only she knew that. But how could he even move on? He didn't know where or how Theresa was. Theresa's family mostly kept news about Theresa to themseleves because Theresa had asked them to, so it was difficult for him to really know how she was.
"I...I don't know. I really don't know. But the Theresa I knew and loved wouldn't let me give up so easily. She would want me to fight for true love." He said concentrating on Theresa. "Can I ask you something?"
"Of course, Fox."
"Have you ever lost someone that you loved?"
The doctor though for a moment before responding, "Yes. Yes, I have."
"Then you know what I mean. You would give [i]anything[/i] for them to return." Fox said anxiously trying to get through to Dr. Sobczak.
"I would if I could, but I can't. It's impossible." Dr. Sobczak said taking off his glasses and putting them down upon his book.
"Nothings impossible!" Fox said becoming excited that someone understood him.
"Death is." He said sadly. "Death is the possible reason for no return."
Fox looked confused. He wasn't quite sure what Dr. Sobczak what getting to.
"You see, my only child, Natalie, died a few years ago. She was only 11 when a drunk driver crashed his car into the playground." Dr. Sobczak said as he remembered the pain and heartbreak he went through during his loss.
"I'm so sorry," Fox said honestly.
"I went through the same sort of denial that you are going through. I would sit, waiting at the dinner table for her to run in through the front door...from soccer practice." He said starting to choke up a bit. "Everyday for almost a year I would do that over and over again. And yet everyday she wouldn't come. At first I wasn't disappointed, but as time progressed I knew she wasn't coming back. She became worried, my wife that is. So she had me see a phsychatrist. Sounds weird for a phsychatrist to see another phsychatrist, but even we sometimes can't handle devestating losses that we face throughout our lives. And that's why we look for help from other's, Fox. I started to finally accept my daughter's death. Maybe it's time that you started to accept the fact that Theresa isn't ever going to return."
"I'm sorry for your loss, but Theresa is coming back to me. I know it sounds farfetched, but you have to believe me. She will return to me!" Fox became dizzy and had to sit down suddenly.
"Fox, are you okay?"
"Huh?" He said a little dazed and confused.
"Do you want me to get you to the hospital, Fox?"
"No," he said snapping back to him oldself. "I'm fine. There's no need for that."
"Fox, you don't look well. I think we'll end today's session early. Go home and get some rest."
Fox nodded his head and left.
Fox didn't feel good at all. He remembered that people had been telling him that he didn't look good for quiet sometime now.
[i]I must be catching the flu or something. That's all. No need to worry, Fox.[/i]
Although he tried to convince himself that it was the flu, he couldn't help shake the feeling that it was something more. That something scared him, especially since Whitney...
Theresa had woke up early so she could talk to her mother alone without any interrupts from anyone. She needed to talk to her mother about a few things, two of those things being Whitney's death and Fox. She threw on her robe and headed into the kitchen. She could smell a delicious breakfast being prepared already by her mother.
[i]Nothing like Mama's good old fashioned cooking.[/i]
She smiled as the aroma statisfyed her hunger somewhat.
[i]Mmmm. Bacon....and pancakes! Oh and muffins! Freshly baked muffins.[/i]
Theresa remembered how she and Ethan never eat breakfasts like that. They were both always on the go. She never had time in the morning to prepare such wonderful meals. She barely had time to dress herself and take Ethan to school. Things may be easier if she lived in Harmony, but that was out of the question. Fox had betrayed her. There was no way she could stand facing him so much. Harmony wasn't a big city; it was only a small town so it was likely that she would run into him. Theresa walked up behind her mother and gave her a big hug.
"What was that for, Mihija?" Pilar asked as she smiled and continued to mix some pancake mix.
"Oh nothing!" She smiled as she let go and sat down at the table. "I just wanted to show you how much I love you."
"Well thank you, Mihija. I know how much you and your brothers love me. Words aren't needed." Pilar paused once she saw how sad and unhappy her daughter was. "Theresita, mihija, what's wrong?"
"What's not wrong?" She said as she began to cry.
Pilar sat down next to her daughter and put her arm around her lovingly.
"Whitney's dead and Fox....I still can't believe how he betrayed me, Mama." She sobbed.
"Oh mihija, you've been through so much! It doesn't seem fair that all of these horrible things keep happening to you."
"How did she die, Mama?" Theresa asked as she wipped away her tears with a tissue.
"You don't know?" Pilar asked rather surprised that her daughter hadn't heard.
Theresa shook her head no.
"Theresita, she had AIDS."
[i]AIDS...[/i]
Theresa couldn't believe it. Her best friend died from AIDS and she wasn't evern there to help her out through her final days.
[i]What kind of friend have I been?[/i]
"How long was she sick for?" Theresa asked.
"Well, she found out that she was HIV positive only a few months after you left." Pilar informed her.
"How did this happen? Did she get it from Chad? Or...." she couldn't say his name. It would be too horrible if he was the reason for her friend's death.
"Neither of them, honey."
"I don't get it. Whitney was only with them from what I know."
"Exactly, mihija. From what you know, she slept only with 2 guys. Whitney was messed up pretty bad, Theresita."
"What do you mean, Mama?"
"Whitney was known to sleep with a lot of guys after you left town. She sometimes even shared needles with them."
"Oh my God!" Theresa gasped. "I didn't know things were so bad. That wasn't the Whitney I knew."
"She started to show her true colors once word got out why you left." Pilar explained. "She couldn't deny what she did to you."
"I...I can't believe this."
"I know, dear."
"Oh my God! Is Chad or Fox....?" she asked, not really wanting to know the truth.
"I don't know. I don't really talk to Fox much. He's been a mess himself. As for Chad, I don't think so. he and Whitney haven't gone out since before you left. I doubt him."
"What do you mean Fox has been a mess? How so?"
Pilar could see how much Theresa still cared for Fox, so she told her what she knew.
"Once you left, Fox went through depression, Theresita. He balmes himself for everything. He's still convinced that you'll return to him someday."
"He must be dreaming then," Theresa said bitterly.
"Theresita, is there no hope for you two?"
"No, Mama," she tried to say. "Would you take back someone who you loved and cared for after they cheated on you with your [i]best[/i] friend?"
Pilar shook her head no, "I wouldn't. But you two love each other so much. Fox asks about you all the time."
"I don't care, Mama. He hurt me more than Ethan ever did. And you know just as I do how much he hurt me, Mama. I can't ever trust Fox again. I've lost faith in him," she said as tears fell down her cheeks once again.
"Don't give up all together, Theresita. Don't give up on true love."
"I don't believe in true love."
"Oh Theresita!"
"Excuse me, Mama. I'm going to go and get dressed. Would you mind watching Ethan while I go visit the Russell's?"
"Not at all, but aren't you going to eat first?"
"No, I'm not hungry now. Maybe later, but thank you."
Theresa took a quick shower and dressed up. She wanted to go over to the Russell's right away so she could give them her condolences. The Russell's knew what Whitney did to Theresa and they didn't expect to see Theresa, but they were surprised to see Theresa standing outside their front door that early Staurday morning.
"Theresa! It's good to see you!" Eve smiled as she hugged her.
Theresa could tell by Eve's tear-staind, swollen, face that she had been crying.
"It's good to see you too, Dr. Russell."
"Theresa, what are you doing back in Harmony?" TC asked as he entered the room to see who was at the door.
"I heard about Whitney. I'm so sorry," she said as she broke into tears, which only caused Eve to cry more. "I had...no idea. I wish I could've helped her. I've been such an awful friend! I let her down," she told the Russell's.
"No, you haven't Theresa." Eve told her. "Whitney has been the awful friend. We know what she did, and we are so sorry. The drugs and all of the sex just comsumed her. If anyone had failed her it's me. I should've seen the signs."
"Eve, Theresa, no one has failed Whitney. We can't help the path that she took. She would have chose it sometime in her life, even if we were there for her more."
"I guess," Theresa said, "I just want you to know if there's anything you need, anything at all, just let me know."
"Thank you," they both said.
Theresa stuck around for a little while longer, but she left soon because she felt uncomfortable without Whitney. Besides, she wanted to go to the funeral home to talk to Whitney alone.
Theresa felt as though she shouldn't be there, once she walked into the funeral home. She just had a strange feeling that she shouldn't be there. But Theresa ignored it. She wanted to talk to Whitney. It was important that she did it now while they were alone.
"Can you tell me which room Whitney Russell is in?" Theresa asked something she never thought she would ask.
"Follow me," a young woman smiled.
[i]How can you smile at a place like this?[/i]
"Right in here, Ms." She said by opening the door.
"Thank you."
Theresa broke into tears as she saw Whitney's coffin. As she approached it, she could see Whitney lying in there peacefully.
"Oh Whit!" She exclaimed quietly to herself as she covered her mouth with her hand.
Theresa tried to stop the tears that were falling, but it was no use. They were coming too fast as she saw her best friend lying there lifeless.
[i]She's really dead[/i]
Theresa couldn't help, but notice how skinny and frail her body looked. Her collarbone just seemed to stand out, all her bones seemed that way. Theresa felt like she was staring at a whole new person.
[i]This can't be Whitney. It can't be[/i]
But it was. Theresa pulled out a picture from her pruse, and placed it underneath Whitney's fingers.
"I...uh, want you to have this to remember the good times we use to have." She explained to her friend. "Whit, I can't change the past, no matter how much I want to. But if I could, I would've been here more for you when you needed me to. I still can't believe that you slept with Fox, but right now I'm not mad at you. I miss you, Whit. I never got to say goodbye, so that's why I'm here. If it weren't for you, I would have never returned. I just want you to know how much I'll miss you. You were my best friend and I'll [i]never[/i] forget you. I love you, Whit." Theresa finished as she kissed Whitney's forehead.
"Ms, where's Whitney Russell's casket?" Fox asked the lady who worked there.
"This way, Sir. But someone is in there right now so you might want to wait to be alone. It seemed like she wanted to be alone."
"What did she look like?" He asked curiously.
"Let me think," she paused, "oh yes! She had long brown hair, with brown eyes. Oh and she was hispanic."
[i]Theresa?[/i]
"Can you please show me where Whitney is?"
"Yes, Sir. Follow me."
Fox stood by the door, wondering what was on the otherside of that door. Was it Theresa? Fox took a deep breath and opened it.
"...I'll [i]never[/i] forget you. I love you, Whit." He heard Theresa say.
[i]It is Theresa![/i]
Theresa turned her head to see who was there. She quickly turned her head back once she saw Fox.
"Theresa, is that really you?" He asked becoming teary-eyed.
"Yes, Fox. It's me," she said very coldly.
Fox wanted to hug her and kiss her, but Theresa moved away from him and grabbed her purse and coat.
"Theresa, I still..."
"Fox, this isn't the place no the time to discuss old feelings." She said rather bitterly.
[i]She's so bitter[/i]
Theresa walked out of the building and started to run. She didn't know where she was running to, but she just had to get away from him.
Fox watched her walk out of the building, just as he did last time 5 years earlier.
[i]I won't let you get away again[/i]
With that, Fox ran out of the building after her. She tried to outrun him, but he caught up to her once she broke the heal on her boots.
"Just leave me alone, Fox," she said half out of breath as Fox caught up to her.
"Theresa, we need to talk."
"Talk? There's nothing to talk about, Fox! We're over. We've been over for the last 5 years."
"No, Theresa! I don't believe that."
"You refuse to believe it, Fox. It's time that you learned to accept the truth. I don't love you anymore."
"I know you still love me, Theresa. You can't hide your feelings for me."
Theresa wanted to get away, but she couldn't. Fox would only follow her.
"I've thought a lot about you these last 5 years," he said as he got closer.
"Stay where you're at!" She shouted. "Don't come near me!"
"Fine, fine. Theresa, I didn't mean to cheat on you. I never meant to hurt you. You have to believe that."
"I can't and I won't. I caught you and my [i]best[/i] friend in bed together! And the day after we had that incredible night." She smiled weakly. "I honestly thought you lvoed me, but I was wrong. I'm glad to see that Whitney was your mystery woman. Tell me, did she leave Chad for you too?"
"Theresa, it wasn't like that."
"Really? I think it is." She said as she started to cry uncontrolably.
"Please, don't cry. You know I can't stand to see you cry." He said passing her his scarf.
"Oh please! Just like you couldn't stand to see my feelings hurt? That was a bunch of bull shit, Fox! You hurt my feelings after you said you never would! You're nothing but a cheat, a liar, and a hypocrite!"
"Theresa...."
"Just shut up, Fox! You've caused me enough pain to last a lifetime. I hope you realize that you've brought me more pain than Ethan ever did."
"Theresa..."
"No! Fox, just leave me alone!"
"I want to be with you, so bad."
"Well, I don't want to be with you. I suggest you go get tested and find out how many more days, if any, you have left."
Theresa walked away after that comment, leaving Fox feeling even more guilty and scared for his life. Theresa, herself, couldn't believe how cold and rude she was to the man she still loved. She didn't mean to say that last sentence, but it just slipped.
"I'm so sorry, Fox." She cried as she turned back to look at Fox.
[i]She's so cold, and it's all my fault. Maybe I would be better off dead.[/i]
Next chapter....Fox get's tested! Is he postive or not? Stayed tuned to see!
~Mandi~