Elizabeth walked into her apartment, closing the door with foot. The keys were in her mouth and she spit them onto the table since her hands were full at the moment. She carried two paper bags filled with groceries into the kitchen. Shawn had offered to take her shopping and although she had let him, she refused his help when he asked if she wanted him to carry one of the bags inside. Elizabeth had been too afraid that Graceila would be home. She knew she wouldn't have been able to deal with the fallout of that meeting.

"Gracie? Are you home?"

She strained her ears for a sign that her friends was home. Elizabeth softly sighed, disappointed when she realized she was the only one home. She had hoped to tell Graceila about the tour and Shawn. She knew her friend wouldn't exactly want to hear it but Elizabeth felt like she had to tell someone. She was afraid she might burst from her excitement and she hated keeping secrets from the people she cared about most.

She began unpacking the groceries, setting aside whatever she needed to make dinner. She was glad that there was something she could busy herself with in the meantime anyway. Elizabeth glanced at the clock on the wall as she put a loaf of bread into the bread box. It was after five o'clock. Graceila should have been home from work by now. Elizabeth started for the phone when she heard the door open.

"Gracie?"

There was a sigh as the door closed.

Elizabeth stood in the doorway between the kitchen and living room, leaning against the frame. She watched Graceila kick off her shoes and flop onto the couch. "Tough day?"

Graceila shook her head. "No, we were slow today," she said in an even tone. There was no emotion whatsoever in her voice. "What's for dinner?"

"I figured I'd throw together a salad and make us some spaghetti. Unless you'd rather order take-out from somewhere."

"Whatever."

Graceila's glibness bothered Elizabeth. It wasn't like her friend to not say what was on her mind. "What's your deal?"

"How was your tour?"

Elizabeth shook her head and turned away, waving off the question without a word. She could feel the disdain coming off of Graceila in waves. She pulled a pot from the cabinet and filled it in the sink. She couldn't answer such a loaded question even if just five minutes ago Elizabeth wanted to tell Graceila everything.

"Well? How was it?"

Elizabeth put the pot on the stove to let the water boil. While she waited, she started to chop some of the vegetables for the salad. She didn't looked up as Graceila walked into the kitchen. She just wanted to do something so she didn't have to think, didn't have to feel right now.

"Lizzie, why won't you talk to me?"

Elizabeth set down the knife and turned to look into Graceila's dark brown eyes. "Because you don't want to know the truth."

"Yes, I do. I want to know how your tour was."

"It was nice there," Elizabeth admitted. "It was beautiful and tranquil and nice."

"Nice enough for you to stay there, to join them?"

Elizabeth had been thinking about that ever since Shawn dropped her off. She sighed, knowing her decision was half-made already. "I don't know. I'm going to some charity event with Shawn next week Friday. I'll probably decide after that."

"After Collier throws money at you, you mean."

"Why are you being like this?" Elizabeth asked, not bothering to mask her anger now. "Why can't you be happy for me and support my decision no matter what it is?"

"Because you're going to leave me and I'll never see you again!"

Elizabeth finished chopping the vegetables for the salad without another word. She knew there was nothing she could say to make Graceila feel better about her decision but Graceila's reaction made Elizabeth's final decision for her. She was surprised to admit it to herself but she already knew where she belonged. Elizabeth just didn't know how she was going to tell everyone without hurting too many feelings.