The next couple of days were a complete blur to Baby. It's like she was in a trance. She and Patrick stuck close to Jackie as she made all the final arrangements for Amanda. It was still too hard to soak in. Nobody wanted to come to terms with it.

The funeral was held at the First Baptist Church in Boston. It was a very pretty ceremony with dandelions which were Amanda's favorite and bright yellow lilies. Amanda's sister Jessica sung "I Will Remember You", followed by that was a speech giving by Patrick. Jackie had asked Baby to present a speech but she knew it would be far too difficult for her.

Baby and her family sat with Jackie and Tom. Jackie held on tight to Baby's hand through out the ceremony. She felt a sense of Amanda holding Baby's hand.

Following the funeral there was a graveside service in the Oakdale Cemetery. It was there that Baby finally realized her friend was gone. Patrick felt he needed to stay close to Baby as he watched her fall apart. She just couldn't help it. As everyone was heading to their cars Baby took a moment and walked over to Amanda's casket.

"I like to think that I am not saying goodbye to you." Baby started as she looked toward the sky. "I will miss you so much. I couldn't have asked for a better friend. I wish you were still here. It just won't be the same. I know you will be with me with every breath I take." Baby wiped the tears from her eyes. "I love you."

As Baby finished she felt someone's arms slip around her. "Come on honey, its time to go."

Baby buried her head in her dad's chest. "Why daddy why?"

"It was just her time Baby. There was nothing anyone could do. She is with God now." Jake said as he escorted Baby to her car.

"Maybe going to Kellerman's for a couple of days will do me some good." Baby said placing her kleenex back in her purse.

"That's the spirit." Jake told his daughter. "Everyone will get through this hard time."

Baby knew her father was right. Everyone would heal and get over this treacherous hump in life. "Your right."

"Here is my house key. The cat food I keep under the kitchen sink. I usually fill her bowl up half way. She really doesn't eat much." Baby said as she handed Patrick her key.

"I will take good care of Mitzi I promise. Don't worry about her. You just concentrate on having a good time these next couple of days." Patrick returned.

"I am going to try. It will be hard." Baby told him as she headed toward the door. "You don't need to be working."

"Got to keep my mind occupied." Patrick said smirking at Baby. "I just throw myself into work."

"Thank you for giving me this time." Baby said as she hugged Patrick.

"No problem." Patrick said returning Baby's hug. "I think you need it."

"You are so good to me." Baby said smiling at Patrick.

"Yeah, but I just screw things up for you huh?' Patrick said back to her.

"Hey, it's alright. Now get your butt home yourself, workaholic." Baby snickered.

"Aye, aye captain." Patrick said grinning.

Baby glanced down at her watch. "Eww, I have to meet my parents in ten minutes. Bye!"

Baby hurried out of the news room and headed to her car. From where her car was parked she could see the theater parking lot and seen Johnny's car parked there. She wondered at that moment what was he doing and how had he been. Had he thought about her? He was probably so made at her that he put her completely out of his mind. She wished things were different. How did things get so messed up?

She couldn't help but long for Johnny's sweet touch. Her body done summersaults when he was near her. She knew he wouldn't talk to her. He made that clear that he wanted to be left alone. There was nothing else for her to do. Which that rendered her helpless and she didn't like that feeling at all.

"I guess that is everything." Baby said as she loaded her suitcase in her trunk.

"Well, then I guess we are all set." Jake said as he motioned Marge to the car. "Sure you don't want to ride with us?"

"I plan on leaving to be back here Monday." Baby told them.

"Okay then. Lisa will meet us there" Jake told his daughter.

"You know the way?" Marge chimed in

"Yes, I can get there. Ya'll go ahead and I will be right behind you. I just have to run back up to my apartment real quick." Baby said as she fiddled with her keys.

"Honey you sure?" Marge said.

"Marge if Baby said she can get there then she can get there." Jake took up for Baby.

"I know, I just wanted to make sure." Marge said with a smile.

"I will probably be fifteen minutes behind you." Baby told them.

"Ok, be careful and we will see you there." Jake said as him and Marge entered the car.

Baby had to run back up and check on Mitzi one more time. She hated to leave her but she knew that Patrick would take extra good care of her. She made sure she had plenty of food and water because it would be tomorrow before Patrick came by to feed her.

"Be good kitty. See you in a couple of days." Baby said as she pulled her apartment door shut.

"Where you going?" Baby turned around to see Johnny standing before her.

"Johnny? What are you doing here?" Baby asked completely shocked.

"I was hoping I could catch you at home. I called the office and they told me you took a couple of days off." Johnny had this hurtful look on his face. "I heard about Amanda."

"Oh, yeah. The funeral was today. It was quite difficult." Baby told him as she checked her door one more time to see if it was locked.

"I can imagine. I just wanted to come by and say how sorry I am for you loss." Johnny said sweetly.

"Thank you, I appreciate that." Baby told him.

Why was he here? Was he really here about Amanda?

"Looks like you are going somewhere." Johnny observed.

"Yeah, actually heading down to Kellerman's." Baby returned.

"Ah, good ole Kellerman's. Tell old Max I said hello." Johnny said winking at Baby.

"I will do that." Baby told him.

There was an eerie silence between them now. Baby finally had to break it. "Johnny why are you here?"

"I told you to tell you how sorry I was about Amanda." Johnny explained again.

Guess Baby got her hopes up. Stupid fool. He is not here for you. She just let her mind wonder in the wrong direction. "Well, I guess I need to be going."

"Yeah, okay." Johnny said softly.

"Thanks for stopping by." Baby realized that sounded cold-hearted about the time she said it.

"Have a safe trip." Johnny told her as he started to walk off.

Baby watched Johnny reach the elevator and stop. He turned around to look at her one more time. It's like he had this "come heather" look on his face. Now all Baby wanted to do was run up to him and kiss him and just tell him how much she loved him.

She slowly walked to him as he watched her every move. She had no idea what to do at this point. She was willing to find out why he didn't board the elevator.

"I just wanted to tell you-" Johnny stopped as he looked up at Baby now standing directly in front of him. "I am so confused."

"Over what?" Baby asked as she reached for his hand.

"You." Johnny said as he squeezed her hand tight.

"Johnny I have wanted to say this and now I am. I love you." Baby said smiling into his eyes.

"Those words cut through me like a knife." Johnny looked toward the floor. "We are so different now."

"What do you mean?" Baby asked.

"I know you didn't want to kiss Patrick. He came up to the theater and told me. That is how I found out about Amanda." Johnny replied.

"Patrick is a great guy." Baby told him.

"Maybe it was for the best." Johnny said.

"What's for the best?" Baby asked confused.

"Us, not making it." He returned.

"Not making it?"

"Yeah, we are too different now like I said. I don't know you and you really don't know me." He said letting go of her hand.

"I know how I feel." Baby said with a stern voice.

"See, I can't even be around you now with out wanting to touch you or kiss you. But, then I have to realize that we were left in the past." Johnny now seen the cold expression on Baby's face.

"You come all the way over here to tell me it is over even after it's over. What sense does that make?" Baby said angry.

"That is not why I came down here." Johnny defended himself.

"Oh, sorry you came to give your condolences." Baby smarted off.

"Look I better go." Johnny said as he mashed the elevator button.

Baby took a step back from him. She couldn't believe where this conversation was going. Now she wished he had never come to see her. She would have been a lot better off emotionally.

Baby turned and walked back to her apartment as she heard those words she had wanted to hear from Johnny for years. "I love you and I always will."

Baby whirled around. "Why are you making this so hard on me?"

Johnny never answered her. The elevator door opened and he stepped on to it. As the doors shut Baby leaned up against the wall and took a deep breath. What sense did it make for him to come by? She had to pick up her heart and head down to Kellerman's. Again there was no other way.