Fran wearily dragged all of her suitcases- all six of them- into the consignment store in Columbus Ohio as her first step to independence, or at least independence from a certain British, gray-streak in his hair- man. The clerk looked at her curiously.

"I'm just curious...how much would you give me for these?"

He started to look around through her stuff. "I'd say about $2000. That is if they are in good shape."

"Good shape? Most of them have only been worn only once! Most are new with tags. Is that the best you can do?"

"I can go $2500 but that's about the best I can do, Miss."

She sighed. She really didn't have much option. She refused to take Mr. Sheffield's credit cards, but by giving up the clothes she really was severing her ties with him. Besides, she needed cash for a place to live, so she would just have to suck it up and take the deal. Her ma would not be proud.

"I see you have exquisite taste," the clerk commented.

"Not with everything," Fran sighed.

"Pardon?"

"Nothing. Just tired...tired of carrying all the baggage."

"Would you like a job? I'm sure we could make room for a woman of your taste and style here at the gallery."

She perked up. A job? Certainly she had wondered what she was going to do to make ends meet, but Fran hadn't expected to be offered one without even trying. Kind of made her miss her beginning days with the...

"You got yourself a clerk!" She brightened up, and held out her hand, which the clerk readily accepted. It was time for a new start, and that was what she was looking for. Maxwell who?

0000

"Good morning Niles. Is the juice freshly squeezed?" Maxwell asked as he opened up the paper.

"If you want to squeeze it you'll have to do it yourself."

Maxwell looked at the kids. "Is it just me or was that out of line?"

No one looked at him. Apparently he was the only one who hadn't noticed that Fran was missing.

"Maggie? Brighton? Gracie? What in the bloody hell is going on in here, and for God's sake old man if you have something to say spill it already. I get dirtier looks from my accountant when an investment

falls through!:"

"I guess you wouldn't notice," Niles muttered.

"Notice what? I'm getting sick of these guessing games..."

"Fran's gone," Maggie spoke up sullenly.

"What are you talking about? She's gone out for a day of shopping. I happen to know there's a huge sale at Loehman's today."

Niles stared at his boss. "No, sir. She's gone."

Now Maxwell was really confused. "Gone? Gone where? To her mother's?"

"Daddy Fran left us," Gracie ran from the room crying.

"What? Is this true? Will somebody please tell me what's going on?"

Niles put down the serving spoon he'd been carrying and turned to face his boss. "Sir, Miss Fine is gone and she's never coming back."

Maxwell scoffed. "That's ridiculous. If she decided to leave I'd be the first to know."

"Permission to speak my mind?"

"When have you ever asked?"

"Mr. Sheffield., Fran's been gone for a very long time. It just took until this morning for her to gather her courage and walk away from the very man she would have given her soul to. And you, sir, are either too blind or too stupid to notice how you've been pushing her away with both hands for years. If she's gone, which I assure you she is, the fault lies completely on your shoulders."

"That's enough Niles! You're dismissed!"

Niles left, leaving Maxwell alone to face the bitter truth. Fran no longer loved him, and the thought made him sadder than he'd ever thought possible.

TBC