The day at the lake had never been mentioned. It was as if it had never happened and that was one of the hardest things for Jude. He acted like he cared, but it was as if he was scared to let his real feelings show.

"Do you love me?"

"Jude, you know I do. We've been through this before."

"I know. But if you love me why don't you ever look at me or kiss me like you did at the lake?"

"Because I want you to get better before we complicate things with a relationship. That's all."

"Oh," Jude said as she stared out the window.

"Hey, it's not that I don't want a relationship with you. I do, so bad that it hurts. It's just that I don't want to end up hurting you," Tommy said as he stood

behind her and wrapped his arms around her thin, frail body.

"I want to get better Tommy. I really do," Jude said as she leaned back against his arms.

"I know you do Jude and you will," Tommy reassured her. "It'll just take time."

"I know."

"I have an idea."

"That's a first," Jude joked.

"Hey. I'm serious. Why don't we drive into town and go out for dinner?"

"I don't know Tommy. What about all the people?"

"Jude, Greenville wouldn't care if you're the Queen of England. The most recent tabloid down there, if you could even find one, would probably be over a year old."

"Okay, I'll go. Maybe it'll be good to get out of here for awhile. What do I need to wear?"

"Doesn't matter really. Dressy or casual works," he told her.

"Well what are you wearing?"

"Jeans probably."

"Okay, give me twenty minutes."

"You got it girl."

Jude walked into her room and slipped on a dark blue spaghetti strap sundress. Another gift from Sadie. She sat down at her dresser and pulled half of her hair into

a ponytail and left the rest falling down her shoulders. She quickly swiped some pale shimmery eyeshadow across her eyelids.

Tommy gently knocked on the open door. "Jude are you almost," he caught a glance of her in the mirror as she was carefully applying clear lipgloss. "Wow, Jude

you look gorgeous."

"Jude smiled a bit before looking into the mirror. She wasn't sure what Tommy saw but she saw a gaunt pale face that wasn't her own. The curves that had once

been the focal point of her body were no more. "Thanks, but I think I look horrible. I'm too skinny."

"That's the first time I've ever heard that from a girl."

"Well it's true."

"Jude you're beautiful. Sure you've lost a lot of weight but you'll be back to normal in no time."

Normal...the word floated around Jude's mind. She was going to get back to her normal self no matter how hard it would be.

"I'm ready to go if you are."

"Yeah, let's go," Tommy said holding his arm out for her.

They walked arm in arm to the notoroious blue Viper. Jude smiled at the mere sight of it.

"What's so funny Harrison," he asked as he started the car.

"Just how in love you are with this stupid car."

"First it's not stupid. And maybe I am but if you had a sweet ride like this you would be too."

Jude laughed as she buckled her seat belt. "I can think of much better things to be in love with. So when are you going to let me drive it?" she asked, already

knowing the anser.

"Uhh let me think...never. I don't know if you remember but the last time I let you drive we almost died."

"We did not almost die," Jude retorted.

"Sure, whatever you say Harrison," Tommy said.

"They arrived at a quaint little Italian cafe in about ten minutes. It had a homey feeling which made Jude miss her family even more.

They were led to a small candlelit table behind a red checkered curtain. A dozen white roses were laid delicately on the table.

Tommy gently kissed her on the cheek before they sat down.

"What is all this Tommy?"

"It's for you," he said taking a sip of his water.

Jude eyed him curiously as she smelled the fragrant flowers. "I thought you didn't want to jump into this relationship."

"This isn't jumping, it's," Tommy paused for a moment. "It's more like skipping into it."