***Willow Pond***

It's been a couple days since the Manley's moved in, and Max left. Jennifer has enjoyed the yummy meals that Mrs. Manley has prepared, but something doesn't feel right.

Jonathan is still having business issues. There was going to be a vote today, to remove him as CEO. She was attending the business meeting at 11.

They had moved back into their bedroom, and she was really enjoying it. The blue color was very calming.

She was taking a bubble bath, trying to relax before going to meet Jonathan.

Just as she got out, she got a horrible headache. She took some aspirin, but it didn't go away. It was still there when she was getting dressed, as she put on her makeup, and as she was leaving. She got in the car and headed to Hart Industries. She still had a headache when she arrived.

Meanwhile, back at Willow Pond….

"Sweetheart, did you put the cloth in her car, too?"

"Right under the seat, like you suggested".

"Perfect. It should begin to take effect in no time".

"I agree. And just to make sure, I am going to go do some touchups in the master bedroom and bath".

***Hart Industries***

Jennifer parked and came inside. She went straight to Jonathan's office.

"Hi, darling. You are a sight for sore eyes".

He came to her and hugged her.

"Are you alright?"

"I just have this horrible headache".

He buzzed his secretary and had her bring Jennifer some cold water. They went and sat on the couch in his office and he started rubbing her shoulders for her.

She was starting to relax and the cold water was really helping.

"Mr. Hart, they are waiting for you in the conference room".

"Tell them I will be there as soon as Jennifer is feeling better."

"Yes, sir".

She started to feel more like herself a few minutes later, so they headed to the boardroom.

"Well, thank you for joining us Mr. Hart."

"I'm sorry, ladies and gentleman, my wife wasn't feeling well".

"Can we get down to the business at hand?"

"Yes, let's do".

The chairman of the board explained that Jonathan had made a series of business ventures that were risky and had the potential to bankrupt Hart Industries.

"A man of Mr. Hart's impressive background should have seen that these companies weren't worth the risk. Now, do we really want someone who cannot spot a risky business deal leading this corporation?"

Jennifer stood up to speak.
"I don't normally speak at these meetings, or even attend them. But I wholeheartedly support my husband, and I think it's important that you all know why. I realize that some of you are new to the board, so please, hear me out. My husband is a man of integrity. For as long as I've known him, he's always done the right thing regardless of what that is or how hard it is to do it. And, he doesn't do the right thing because of what he gains from it. He does it because it's the right thing. If there's one thing I know about him well, and I know him better than anyone, that's for sure, it's that he does his homework. He isn't going to enter into a business deal without first researching everything he can about the company and those he is going into business with. So, if he was told something was a good idea, I can promise you he researched it. And if it turned out to be a bad idea, then I can also promise you that didn't come up in his research, which he is always very thorough on. If there is one cornerstone to my husband's character, it's that he will always treat others with dignity and respect, and that goes double for his employees. So, as a member of this board, you can always expect him to treat you with kindness, dignity and respect, characteristics that are hard to find these days. And yes, we were late to this meeting because of me. I wasn't feeling well. That should show you how much he cares- he didn't want to leave me in a room down the hall until he knew that I was ok. Can you say that about anyone else in this room?"

She sat back down and he squeezed her hand, and leaned over and kissed her cheek.

They put it to a vote. He narrowly escaped being removed by 3 votes.

Everyone shook hands with him, and then he stood up to say a few words.

"Thank you for your votes of confidence. If you voted against me and are disappointed that I am still here, I won't be holding anyone to their contract on being on the board. If you want to leave the board, that's fine. Otherwise, I will see you at the next board meeting".

He and Jennifer headed back to his office.

He closed the door behind them and they walked over to his desk.

She embraced him.

"I know that was hard for you, honey. I'm sorry they put you through that".

"I'm so thankful you were there with me. You are the best cheerleader anyone could ask for".

He kissed her.

"Do you have time for lunch today, darling?"

"No, I have to go over these contracts and see what I can do to fix all of this. I'm going to just order something in".

"Ok, well I will see you at home. I love you".

"I love you, too". She kissed him and left.

By the time she got back home, she could feel another headache coming on.

***Willow Pond***

Jennifer pulled up and parked. She went inside and went to the kitchen, and was going to get herself something to eat. Mr. Manley came in behind her.

"Ma'am, what are you doing?"

"Hello, Mr. Manley. I am getting something to eat. Would you like something?"

"Ma'am, Mrs. Manley doesn't like people going through her refrigerator. She takes great offense to that". He took her arm and basically pulled it away from the fridge as he was speaking to her.

Jennifer couldn't believe what he was saying. Was she not allowed to be in her own kitchen? This was insane.

She went over to the cabinet and got out a tea bag.

"Mrs. Hart, Mrs. Manley makes the tea. That is her duty and she takes it very seriously. Please, if you would like a cup of tea, all you have to do is ask for one".

"I would like a cup of tea. I prefer chamomile, and my husband prefers orange peko. I was simply making sure I had the right bag".

"Mrs. Manley brews her tea, she doesn't use bags. Now, I am sure you will find it just delightful, if you will please leave her to it".

She slowly nodded and went to the den. She couldn't help but feel unwelcome in her own kitchen. She would normally speak to Jonathan about it, but he had so much on his plate right now. She would just simply deal with it herself.

***San Francisco***

Max was simply miserable. He couldn't believe how this had turned out. Anna didn't have a sister, and she didn't really love him. Ever since they had moved here, she had become very distant and cold-hearted.

He wanted to break up with her and return to the Hart's but he couldn't. Every day, she locked him in the apartment, and he couldn't leave. And there wasn't a phone here, either. He hadn't been to the track or to a poker game in weeks.

He simply didn't know what to do. He thought about breaking a window, but they were up on the 5th floor. After he broke it, how would he get out? The landlord would just call Anna and then she would know he had been trying to escape.

He was bored out of his mind and missing the Harts terribly. And he was running out of cigars.

***Willow Pond***

After being kicked out of her own kitchen, she went and tried to relax on the couch. Mrs. Manley brought her a cup of hot tea, and she drank it. She really enjoyed it.

"Mrs. Manley?"

Mrs. Manley appeared from the kitchen.

"Yes, ma'am?"

"This tea is excellent. Would you mind telling me what's in it?"

"It's my own secret recipe, ma'am. Kind of a mix of several different kinds".

"Well, it's very good. I am enjoying it a lot".

"Thank you, ma'am".
"Is lunch ready yet?"

"Almost, about 10 more minutes".

"Very well".

She finished her tea, and closed her eyes and tried to relax.

Next thing she knew, she had been asleep for several hours. It was almost time for Jonathan to come home.

She got up and went to the kitchen.

"Mrs. Manley, why didn't you wake me for lunch?"

"I did, ma'am. Honest. You and I had a lovely lunch out on the patio. Don't you remember? You ate, and then you got a headache, so you went to lie down".

"I did? I guess it was so good I forgot about it. My apologies"

She still had a slight headache, but she felt rested.

She went to the study to work on her article, and Jonathan came home a little bit later.

"Hi darling, are you feeling better?"

"Kind of. I had the strangest day".

"What do you mean?"

He sat down in his chair in the study, and she sat in his lap.

"Well, I came home from your office, and my headache was back. So, I went to the kitchen to get a snack and Mr. Manley was going on about how Mrs. Manley doesn't like people in her refrigerator, and how she is the one who prepares the meals. And he basically pulled me away from the refrigerator. And then I went to the cabinet to get some tea bags, thinking some hot tea would be nice. And Mr. Manley started going on about how it's Mrs. Manley's job to make the tea, how she brews it and doesn't use bags, and if I want some all I have to do is ask. So, I retreated to the den, and they brought me a cup of the most wonderful tea I have ever tasted. I asked her for the recipe and she wouldn't give it to me, but she did say that she mixes several kinds together. So, I thanked her for it and told her I really liked it and then she left and I fell asleep for a few hours, right there on the couch. I never do that, darling. You know I can't sleep during the day. But I did- in fact, I just got up about a half hour ago. And when I asked her why she didn't wake me for lunch, she says she did wake me and that she and I had a lovely lunch on the patio. But I swear to you, she didn't".

"Maybe you were worn out from the headache you had this morning, darling".

"Maybe. It's just strange. I don't like being told that I cannot go in my own fridge, though."

"I wouldn't either. Do you want me to say something to them?"

"No, I don't think so. Maybe it's just their ways. She is a very good cook, though, so it's not like we are going hungry".

"That is true".

She kissed him a few times, and then they headed to the kitchen to see what time dinner would be.

"It's ready now, ma'am. Steak rolls with fresh spring vegetables, and consomme rice".

"Sounds wonderful".

They sat down and had a lovely meal, and the Manley's insisted on cleaning up the kitchen for them.

Jennifer and Jonathan headed to the living room to have a brandy.

They were sitting on the couch, kissing and snuggling when the Manley's came in.

Mr. Manley cleared his throat.

"Excuse me, Mr. and Mrs. Hart, wouldn't you be more comfortable doing that in the privacy of your bedroom?"

"Perhaps we will". Jonathan had an irritated tone of voice.

They got up and went upstairs.

Once they got into the bedroom, Jonathan practically exploded.

"I cannot believe that guy! Who does he think he is?"

"I know, darling. Calm down."

"This is still our house, is it not?"

"Yes, it is. But they live here too. And if we were making them uncomfortable…"

He saw that she had a point.

He nodded, and calmed down a little.

"And there is one good thing about it…"

"What's that?"

"He got us to come to bed…"

"Good point".

***Middle of the night***

Jennifer woke up around 3:15. She had a splitting headache. She got up and was trying to get some aspirin, but she was very unsteady on her feet, and fell and banged her shoulder on the counter. Jonathan heard it, and went to help her.

"Darling, are you ok?"

"I have a splitting headache and I am very unsteady. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to wake you".

"It's alright. Come on, let's get back to bed, and I will get you some aspirin, and then I will go down and get you an ice pack".

"Ok, thank you".

He got her back in bed and covered up, and he got her some water and aspirin. He went downstairs to the kitchen to make her an ice pack.

Mr. Manley came out of his room.

"Excuse me, it's the middle of the night. What do you need?"

"I'm making Jennifer an ice pack. I got it, you can go back to bed".

"Mr. Hart, Mrs. Manley doesn't like it when people don't respect the sanctity of her kitchen." He pushed Jonathan out of the way and made the ice bag himself.

"I'll remind you just this once, that this kitchen is MY kitchen. I didn't ask for your help because I am perfectly capable of making my wife an ice bag."

Jonathan grabbed the ice bag and headed upstairs.

He walked into the bedroom, and gave it to Jennifer.

He leaned over and kissed her and then wrapped his arms around her and went back to sleep.

***A few hours later***

Jonathan woke up and got ready for work. Jennifer was still sleeping.

He knelt down to kiss her goodbye, and she woke up as he did so.

"Morning, darling".

"Morning. I am headed to the office. I was just going to give you a kiss".

'I love you".

"I love you too. How are you feeling?"

"Better, I guess".
"Do you remember waking up in the middle of the night?"

"No".

"Let me fill you in. You woke up with a splitting headache, and were unsteady on your feet, and you fell against the counter and hit your shoulder and I found you in the bathroom crying. I got you aspirin and water and then had to fight Mr. Manley for an ice bag".

"What do you mean fight him?"

"I was making you an ice bag and he came out of their room and told me that me getting something out of the fridge interrupts the sanctity of her kitchen".

"That's what he said to me too!"

"Well, I reminded him that I paid for the kitchen, and that it was ours, not theirs".

"Good job, darling".

"I gotta run. Have a good day, sweetheart. I love you".

"I love you too".

She went back to sleep after he left, and slept till almost noon.

When she sat up and realized what time it was, she instantly felt sick at her stomach. Something was wrong. She didn't know what it was, she just knew that it was.