Ch.17

"I'm really engaged Whit? Can you believe it?"

Teresa showed her friend the ring.

"Wow, Teresa that's beautiful," Whitney said examining.

Teresa could tell she had more to say.

"What's wrong? Aren't you happy for me?"

"Of course I'm happy for you Teresa…it's just that…"

"What?" Teresa questioned. "Come Whit, you can say it…what?"

"It's just that I think we should work on a way to get you out of here first you know…I think that should be you're top priority."

Teresa laughed.

"Whit, you're such a worrier."

"Teresa, I'm serious! Have you completely forgotten that you're in jail? That you're locked behind bars?"

Her face grew solemn.

"Of course I haven't forgotten whit…I mean, look at me," she said referring to her orange jumpsuit. "I'm not stupid."

"I know that." Whitney said quietly. "I'm just concerned about you, that's all."

Teresa hugged her friend.

"I love that you are so worried about me," she said smiling. "But don't you see? This gives me hope," she said flashing her ring. "Knowing that when I get out of here that I am going to be with the man of my dreams gives me strength to survive in here. This keeps me from getting really depressed Whitney."

Whitney looked at her friend, understanding Teresa's underlying message.

~ This keeps me from hurting myself again ~ Whitney thought.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Fox walked into the mansion a changed man. He was now the happiest guy in the world.

Ethan saw him walk in.

"Look Fox, we need to talk about something."

Fox went over and hugged him.

"Whatever you say brother," Fox said beaming.

Ethan pulled back, staring at him in shock.

"What are you so happy about?"

Fox said nothing, just strolled into the living room, plopping down on the sofa.

"Fox, what's going on?"

"Oh nothing," he said casually. "I'm just the happiest, luckiest, and most in love man on the face of the earth, that's all."

Ethan stared at him skeptically.

Fox smiled.

"I proposed to Teresa today."

"YOU DID WHAT?"

Ethan was furious.

"Ethan, what the hell is your problem?" Fox jumped off of the couch. "You could at least congratulate me…"

"Fox, what the hell were you thinking?"

"Ummm I was thinking that I am in love with Teresa and want to spend the rest of my life with her…so I asked her if she felt the same way….

"Fox, this was the worst thing you could have done."

"I don't get it," he said. "Please explain to me how my engagement to the light of my life is a bad thing?"

Ethan sighed.

"You're giving her false hope man."

Fox was stunned.

"What are you talking about?"

"You know how her mind works Fox…your proposal is going to fill her head with the notion that she is going to be released soon…"

"Well she is…"

"We don't know that Fox," he interrupted. "Look. I'm working my hardest but I got to be honest…I'm not having any luck."

"Well don't you think that this is better for her? Now, she has a reason to be strong…"

"She was severely depressed a few months ago Fox…"

"I know that Ethan." He snapped. "Jesus, do you think I forget seeing the scars on her arms? Spending all that time in the hospital with her while she got better?"

"Well hoe do you think she is going to handle being let down? IF we can't get her out, this is going to kill her Fox."

"Ethan, listen to me for a moment."

Ethan stared at him.

"I am going to marry that girl one day…I don't know when, whether it be now or 50 years from now…but I will marry her…she is going to get out eventually and when she does I will be there with open arms and a one way ticket to the nearest chapel."

"You would really wait around that long for her Fox?"

Fox smiled.

"I would wait forever for her."

Ethan looked at the ground.

"I'm glad to hear you say that Fox…because with the way things are going…

"You just might have to…"