Chapter 9: Winifred Foster Jackson

"Is this it?" Charlie asked as he and Liz approached Winifred Foster's grave.

"Yeah, that's it."

On it said:

"In loving memory

Winifred Foster Jackson

Dear wife, dear mother

1910-2001"

"She's my favorite grandmother," Liz said softly.

"I'm sorry." Charlie said.

"So tell me," Liz began, "Why did you rescue me from that Nathan guy two days ago?"

Charlie chuckled. "Liz, who wouldn't rescue someone from getting raped?"

Liz giggled. "I just wanted to say...thanks."

"You're welcome."

Charlie reached out to hold Liz' hand, but Liz refused. "Charlie, I don't have any feelings for you anymore." she said honestly.

Charlie nodded understandingly. "Okay."

Liz smiled. At least Charlie was a lot better than Nathan.

"Nathan got sent off to military camp and then he's going to military school. Isn't that great?"

"Yeah," Liz replied halfheartedly. It wasn't that Liz didn't want Nathan to go away to military school; it was that being with Charlie reminded her of Jesse Tuck, her long lost lover.

"I know it's awkward for you to hear this, but...I miss Jesse."

Charlie nodded. "Yeah, I figured that."

"You're not—"

"Jealous? No!"

Liz smiled in relief as she let Charlie caress her arms, running his hands back and forth.

"I know when we broke up, it didn't go so well, but...can we be friends, Chuckie?"

Charlie flashed a sweet little smile. "Yeah, we can be friends."

"Thanks, Charlie." Liz said softly, leaning on his shoulder.

Charlie felt her light breathing brush against his body, and relaxed. It was so nice to be with her...she was so warm...so soothing...if only she was his...

"You're a good friend, Charlie." Liz began again.

"I love you," Charlie said, then stopped himself, "as a friend!" Bad save.

Liz laughed.

"What's so funny? Don't you and your girl friends say that to each other all the time?"

"Well yeah, but that's because we're all girls, and we're all like, best friends."

"Yeah...?"

"Yeah, and we don't say it like that!"

Charlie laughed. "I guess you don't, huh?"

"Anyways, Livingston, we better get going."

Liz got out of Charlie's grasp, and started to walk off, expecting Charlie to follow her. And he did.

Winifred Foster Jackson. That was the only thing in Jesse Tuck's head. Winnie Foster. Winnie Foster Jackson, meaning she was married. He sighed as he nestled in his small bed in his small Manhattan apartment. So why wasn't he thinking about Elizabeth Prescott? If he truly loved her, he would at least be thinking about her, right?

And yes, Jesse felt guilty for thinking about Winnie. It was like he was having an affair with her, even though she was dead. In his dreams was the only place where he could see Winnie, talk to Winnie, and kiss Winnie. He felt like Sir Lancelot, cheating on Elaine with Guinevere, Arthur's queen. And that almost was how it was. He was Lancelot, gallant Lancelot, Winnie was Guinevere, and Liz was Elaine. And Arthur? Arthur was Charlie, Jesse decided.

This is pathetic, Jesse thought. I'm no henchman of Charlie's, and Winnie is long dead.

Tears rolled down Jesse's cheeks. He missed Winnie...and he also missed Liz. They were both equally beautiful...like Helen of Troy, the most beautiful woman in the ancient world, the time of Troy. But Winnie had been so much better...if she was alive and seventeen, Jesse would definitely choose her over Liz. Even now, he was choosing Winnie's memory over his Liz, who had loved him so. And you'd have to admit, lamenting a death for so long isn't healthy.

"I love you, Winnie Foster" he whispered, "I'll love you until the day I die!"

Those were the last words he had said to Winnie, and also Liz (except of course, without the "Winnie Foster" part). Now Jesse Tuck felt that Liz was no longer part of his life, and Winnie was the one he truly loved. "Why did you have to die, Winnie?" he cried, "We could've lived happily ever after! We could've traveled great heights! We could've unlocked the secrets of Manchu Picchu, we could've polished the Sphinx, we could've walked in the streets of Paris, and we could've climbed the Eiffel Tower together, like I promised!"

"Damn!" Jesse screamed, "Damn it Winnie, why did you have to leave me!"

And even though Liz was still alive and only miles away, Jesse Tuck would rather just lie on his bed, and reminisce Winnie's memory.