EPISODE SEVEN
Written By Aaron D. Mullins
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Previously On Autumn Lake:
SCENE ONE – The Gypsy Grille Wendy Harris pulled her hair back into a loose ponytail and unfastened the string to her apron. She gazed at the empty tables of the Gypsy Grille and absentmindedly checked her watch. “Four o’clock,” she mumbled to no one in particular. “I might be able to get about 45 minutes of peace before the dinner rush starts.” She signaled to one of the waitresses that she’d be off-duty for a bit and hid at one of the corner tables, where she had previously set up an adding machine and a box of last month’s receipts. Business had been decent, but only enough to swing a marginal profit. She loved running the Gypsy, but it required a tremendous amount of attention to detail, especially when it came to the budget. Wendy was so focused on the ledger in front of her that she hadn’t noticed her aunt arrive through the side entrance. “Hey, kiddo, what’s new?” Diana chirped, pulling up a chair. “Does your boss know you’re on a break?” Wendy smiled distractedly at her aunt and punched a few numbers into the adding machine. “Hey, Aunt Di. I’m just taking advantage of the silence for a bit to close the books for last month.” “Yeah, it is kind of dead in here,” Diana observed. “Nice, for a change.” “Tell that to my books!” Wendy rubbed her forehead wearily and closed the ledger in frustration. Diana smiled and patted her niece’s hand. “I remember that feeling. The Gypsy’s always been that way. The problem is that it attracts the same people, year after year. I mean, let’s face it, despite the prestige that Drummond Enterprises brings to the town, Autumn Lake is still quite small.” The mention of Drummond Enterprises drew a startled expression from Wendy. She tried to play it off, but Diana noticed the younger woman’s response. “Honey? What was that look for?” “Nothing, nothing,” Wendy fibbed. “Just thinking.” “About your financial status?” Wendy smiled knowingly. “In a way, yes, actually.” “Well, if you’re really struggling, honey, you know I’m always here to help. Financially or otherwise.” “No,” she snapped. Instantly, she regretted her tone and glanced at her aunt apologetically. “No, I really appreciate it but you know I won’t accept that. The Gypsy’s my responsibility now and I’m determined to handle it myself. Sink or swim, remember? Anyway, I’m sorry I mentioned it.” “Oh, Wendy,” Diana said, stroking her cheek, “you’re so much like me. Stubborn and proud to a fault. You could have been one of my own children.” “Thanks, Aunt Di. I take that as a compliment.” Wendy rose from the table and led Diana to the bar, where she poured them both a cup of coffee. “So, where did you get off to so early this morning? You left while I was still in the shower, so I didn’t get a chance to say goodbye.” “I know, I’m sorry about that. I had a few appointments and I didn’t realize how late it was until you had already gone upstairs to shower.” “Appointments? What for?” “Well…” Diana hesitated. “I’m sorry, I’m prying,” Wendy interrupted. “Sorry I asked.” “No, no, sweetie, it’s not that it’s private, I just wasn’t sure how you’d take this.” “Uh-oh. You’re scaring me, Aunt Di. Out with it.” Diana laughed. “No, it’s nothing bad. I was just out looking at apartments. I’ve decided to stay in Autumn Lake for a while.” “Aunt Di!” Wendy exclaimed. “How could I be anything less than thrilled by that news! I’m so glad to hear that!” She reached across the bar and embraced her aunt. “What made you change your mind so quickly?” “Emily, mostly. To be honest, I think there was always a part of me that knew I was back for good, but after I talked to Emily yesterday, I was certain. My going away hurt her so badly.” “Aunt Di, you needed that time away. For yourself.” “I know, but I didn’t handle it well. Ellen helped me to see that.” “Ellen Bowman? Uncle Will’s mother?” “Yes. Ellen’s always had a way of telling it like it is. She gets things down to bare tacks. Maybe I was being selfish.” “No,” Wendy interjected. “You were not being selfish. You were hurt, you needed to get away and think things through. Your marriage had ended and…” “Yes, but Emily was so vulnerable at the time…” Diana’s voice trailed off and she felt her eyes grow moist. “I just should have come back sooner.” Wendy thought back to how Emily had taken Diana’s absence and realized that her aunt had made some mistakes. Surely it was fixable, though. “Just give her time, Aunt Di. She’ll come around. I think if she hears that you plan on staying in town for good, it will change things quite a bit. Why don’t you call her and tell her?” “I will. I don’t want to rush it, though. She said she’d come and see me, so I’ll give her a few days. If she doesn’t make the effort, I will.” “That sounds like a great idea.” Wendy handed Diana a tissue. “But what doesn’t sound like such a good idea is this apartment thing. I mean, I know eventually you’ll want a place of your own, but there’s no rush. I love having you here, and I know Nicky does too.” “Thank you, sweetie. I appreciate that. We’ll see how things go. Hopefully I can get back to work soon, and we’ll go from there.” Just then, a tall, handsome African-American man came through the swinging door that led to the kitchen. He had a towel draped over his arm and was carrying a rubber bin full of clean glasses. “Hey, Whit,” Wendy said, moving aside so he could place the bin under the bar. “When did you get here?” “Shift just started. Seems a little slow.” “Don’t remind me,” Wendy grumbled, rolling her eyes. “Whit, you remember my aunt, Diana Harris?” “Sure! Hey, Ms. Harris,” he said, wiping his hand on the towel and extending it to her. “Long time no see.” “My goodness, Kenny Whittaker,” Diana smiled, shaking his hand. “Good lord, when did you get so tall?” Whit smiled and shrugged shyly. “Good genes, I guess.” “I’ll say,” Diana teased. “You’re the spitting image of your father. Such a handsome man.” Whit’s eyes grew slightly dark for a moment, but he nodded his thanks. “I’ve got some stuff to do in the kitchen. Nice to see you, Ms. Harris.” Diana watched him return to the kitchen and turned back toward Wendy. “Did I say something wrong?” “No, no,” Wendy reassured her. “It’s just that his dad… they don’t get along very well.” “Oh, I’m sorry to hear that. Kenny’s always been such a good boy.” “He still is. He’s in college now and works for me part time, but he’s been a lifesaver with Nicky. He’s always there when I need a babysitter.” “He rents a room upstairs, right?” “Yeah, down the hall from the bathroom.” Wendy grabbed a few of the new glasses Whit had brought out and began wiping them dry and placing them on the glass shelves behind the bar. “No, that’s not right,” Diana mumbled, remembering her encounter with Kyle Marshak the night before. “His room’s the one across from the bathroom, isn’t it?” “No, that’s Alicia’s room.” Diana’s face grew ashen. “Are you sure?” “Of course, they’re the only two on that floor. Why?” He lied, Diana realized. He was here to see Alicia, not Kenny. “It’s nothing, nothing,” she said, with a dismissive wave of her hand. “I was just confused.” Wendy knew her aunt had something else on her mind, but before she could inquire further, the front door of the restaurant opened and a young delivery man brought a long white box to the bar. “Delivery for Wendy Harris,” he said in a deep baritone. “That would be me.” Wendy accepted the clipboard from him and scribbled a signature. The delivery man wished her a good day as she opened the box and found twelve long stemmed roses. “Looks like your date last night was very happy with you,” Diana teased. “At least, I’m assuming they’re from him?” Wendy opened the card and frowned slightly. “Yes. They’re from him.” She placed the card back in the envelope and pushed the box away. “I guess I’ll look for a vase for them.” With that, she disappeared into the kitchen. Diana was puzzled by her niece’s cool reception of the flowers and picked up the card. She paused for a moment, wondering if Wendy would consider it a violation if she read the card. Deciding she wouldn’t, she slid the card from the envelope and read the inscription. Thank you for a great evening. Diana gasped, just as Wendy returned with a tall crystal vase. She spotted her aunt looking at the card and frowned. “I was afraid you would do that.” “Oh honey,” Diana whispered, rushing around the bar and grasping Wendy’s hands. “Honey, your date was Jason Marshak?” “Yes.” “Oh, Wendy, you have to know… you can’t
have a relationship with Jason Marshak.” The office of the Chief Executive Officer of Drummond Enterprises was pristine, thanks in part to the cleaning staff, but due mostly to the perfect organizational skills of its mistress, Olivia Drummond Marshak. Presently, she was on the phone, scribbling onto a yellow legal pad. Behind her and to her left, her eldest son, Jason Marshak, stood gazing out over Autumn Lake as the sun slowly slipped beneath the horizon. “Payton, that sounds fabulous,” she cooed into the receiver. “I’m glad they’re treating you so well over at the Palace.” She watched as Jason impatiently paced the office, checking his watch every few seconds. “Yes, your suite is almost finished upstairs. I’m sure you’ll find the accommodations to your liking, even if they aren't Texas-sized.” She laughed, and pretended not to notice when her son rolled his eyes. “Listen, why don't we meet here at the office tomorrow? I have some things to go over with you and they probably shouldn't be discussed at a place like The Gypsy Grille.” The mention of Wendy’s restaurant caused Jason to cease his pacing and slide into the leather chair opposite his mother’s desk. Was her mention of the Gypsy a coincidence, or had she been prying? Jason wondered. One could never be sure where Olivia was concerned. “Yes, I have a full schedule in the afternoon, so how about early?” Olivia ran her finger down the computer screen, checking her calendar for the following day. “Let’s say… nine-ish? Fantastic! See you then, Payton.” She hung up the phone and snapped her earring back on. “I'm sorry, honey, that went on a little longer than I had planned.” “That was Payton McClaine you were talking to?” “Yes, as a matter of fact. Now that the merger is underway, Payton’s going to be moving here to Autumn Lake. It was part of the deal.” “I see. And was moving into my penthouse also part of the deal?” She glanced at him, a bit surprised by the edge in his voice. “Honey, I realize I probably should have discussed it with you, but you haven’t lived in the penthouse since… well, for a long time. I just assumed you were staying at the house permanently now. Besides, he's paying top dollar and is going to play a very important part in DE’s future, so it’s only fitting he should have something nice.” Jason bit back a retort, but decided to let the
matter drop. “So what's this about the Gypsy Grille?” “Sorry, sorry. Just seems a bit odd. Strange place and time to hold such an important meeting.” “I agree, but it all worked out for the best. Now where were we? Jason checked his watch and exhaled deeply. “Well, I was going to discuss the Foundation's quarterly numbers with you, but apparently you don't have time for that today.” “Honey, don't be that way. I already know that the Drummond Foundation is flourishing under your watch. These monthly meetings are just a formality.” “Then I wish you wouldn't waste my time with them, Mother.” Jason rose from his seat and grabbed his briefcase. “Believe it or not, I am a busy man, and I don't have time for…” “Jason, wait, there's something else I need to discuss with you.” “I hope it's important.” “It's very important.” She smiled slyly and reached into a file drawer behind her. Withdrawing a long manila folder, she slid it across the desk toward her son. “Please take a moment to read through this.” Jason glanced through the papers quickly. “So? This is a memo to staff about George Hearn.” “Yes, announcing his plans to retire from Drummond Enterprises.” “I can see that, Mother. What's that have to do with me?” She continued to stare at him, waiting for the
realization to sink in, but he either wasn’t taking the bait or was
being stubborn. “Oh, Jason, come on… the president of Drummond
Enterprises is going to be stepping down and you don't see what that
might have to do with you?” “Jason, you have to know that the Foundation was just a bone that your grandfather threw at you to see if you had what it takes!” “I resent that, Mother!” “Honey, you were born to run this company!” A hush fell across the office, punctuated by Jason’s deep breaths. “You run the company, Mother,” he said finally. “You know what I mean. You have to know that this is what your father and I have been working for.” “Oh, don't bring Dad into this,” he scoffed. “You know he feels exactly the same way I do. I’m not a corporate suit, Mother, and I never will be.” “Jason, just sit down for a moment and let's at least talk about this.” “That's the problem, Mother, there is no talking to you. You hear what you want to hear. I am not interested in assuming the Presidency from George Hearn, especially when there are dozens of other more qualified candidates.” “Yes, candidates that aren't Drummonds.” “I'm a Marshak, mother!” “You are my son, Jason, so you are a Drummond. All the important people know this. You have the skill, you have the bloodline. Honey, this job is already yours and you’re the only one who hasn't accepted it.” Jason rubbed his temples in frustration. “What about Paul Fitzpatrick or Martin Grayne? Surely they wouldn’t be happy about this? Or Claudia Lucchese? You always worked well with her and she is eminently…” “Jason, none of those people expects to have this opportunity. It belongs to you.” “Mother, that's insane. And, worse, that's corporate malfeasance.” She laughed and waved her hand dismissively. “Honey, you aren't going to change my mind, and I’m not going to give up. It’s the best thing for you and for Drummond Enterprises.” Jason slumped back into the chair and spoke in a hushed tone. “Have you talked to Kyle about this?” “No,” Olivia said, averting her gaze. “What does your brother have to do with this?” “You know how he feels about DE. He loves this company; he loves all the things about it that I hate. He was practically doing backflips when he heard that George Hearn was retiring.” “You’re not suggesting I ask Kyle to be president, are you?” she laughed. “Why not?” “Jason! My goodness! You really think I would hand over this company to someone who's not even out of college?” “Exactly, it’s a ridiculous suggestion, almost as ridiculous as me doing it. I mean, I might have the ‘bloodline’ as you say, but my degree is in social services. Kyle's is going to be in business. I work in the Foundation, dealing with the public, upholding Drummond's philanthropic image. Kyle's been working overtime here in the Executive offices. He knows more about this company, the nuts and bolts, then I ever will, or care to.” “Jason… It’s out of the question to suggest…” “Honey,” she sighed. “Kyle means well, but he doesn't have. . . the stuff to be president.” “Of course he doesn't, Mother! Not yet, anyway! But at least he's got the potential. I don't even have that.” “You’re selling yourself short.” “This is hopeless.” He stood again, preparing to leave. “I don't want to discuss this anymore.” “Fine, but we aren't done with this, we'll discuss it when you are in a more clearheaded mood.” “That really infuriates me, Mother. I can't stand that you don't see any viewpoint other than your own.” “Oh, that reminds me,” she said, snapping her fingers. “I'm finished here, Mother. I’m going back to my office.” “I was just going to ask what your plans were for next week! I was thinking that we might have dinner at the Lavender Room. It's been forever since this family did anything together. Your father and I, Kyle, Emily Bowman, Michael, you and… whomever you’d care to bring.” Jason shook his head wearily. “Very slick, Mother, very slick.” “What do you think I am up to now?” “You always try and ‘accidentally’ snoop into my private life.” “Honey…” Olivia rose and joined her son by the door. “Stop thinking the worst of me, please. It was an innocent question.” “Your questions always start off ‘innocently,’ Mother. It’s what happens afterwards that scares me.” “Scares you? Aren’t you being a bit dramatic?” “Dramatic.” Jason laughed bitterly. “How’s this for dramatic, Mother? After what you did to Rebecca… after you involved yourself in our personal matters… I will never again share any detail of my private life with you.” “Jason!” “Forget it, Mother. I’ve learned my lesson the hard way. My fiancée had to die for me to learn my lesson. You’re like a virus, you can’t help yourself but to interfere.” “Stop it. You’re being cruel.” “And the irony of it all is that you still don’t see my point. You still consider yourself… blameless in the whole affair.” “Jason, you know I was only…” “Skip it,” he spat. “I’ve got work to do.” Olivia flinched as he slammed the door closed. His words had stung, that was a fact, but Jason was wrong. She did blame herself for her actions with Rebecca. She blamed herself for not acting sooner, for not getting involved sooner. She blamed herself for not thinking of the company and the family reputation before letting Jason hook himself to a miserable drug addict. She blamed herself for letting her son down. “Don’t worry, Jason,” she whispered solemnly.
“That’s a mistake I’ll never make again.” “Am I interrupting?” Michael Drummond poked his head into his grandfather’s private study and whispered to Maggie Whittaker. “Of course not, sweetie, and you can lose the whisper. J.D. likes to hear the sounds of his family, don’t you, Old Man?” The nurse playfully patted her patient’s hand, getting (and expecting) no response. “Hey there, Granddad,” Michael said, approaching the bed. He smiled at the lifeless eyes of J.D. Drummond and couldn’t help but remember him as he was. Strong, loud, commanding, proud. Oh how the mighty have fallen, Michael thought sadly. “What brings you around, kiddo?” Maggie asked, pulling up a chair and putting aside the newspaper she had been reading to J.D. Before he could respond, her eyes drifted down to his bandaged hands. “And what have you done to yourself?” He smiled slightly as she gently inspected his hands. “Long story. It’s not as bad as it looks.” “You poor baby.” “I’ll be all right. I was just finishing up a run around the grounds and thought I’d stop in to see how he was today.” “About the same as always,” Maggie sighed. “He comes and goes. Today’s definitely a ‘goes’ day. He hasn’t even spoken since breakfast.” “What do you think he thinks about, laying there all day?” “Oh, you know your grandfather,” she said. “Probably imagining he’s Genghis Khan or Attila the Hun or something.” Their laughter caught the attention of Randy, who was walking down the hall outside. “Hey, is there a party going on in here?” he joked, padding into the room in his bathrobe. “Hey Uncle Randy.” “It’s alive!” Maggie teased, rising to greet him. “I take it that means you’re finished?” “Yup,” he nodded gleefully. “All that’s left to do now is the edits. But it’s finally finished.” “Your novel?” Michael asked. “Yeah, the latest and greatest.” “Congratulations!” he said, rising to pat his uncle on the back. “Wow, that must be quite a story. I can’t wait to read it.” “This calls for a celebration!” Maggie exclaimed. “What do you say the three of us head down to the kitchen and see if we can’t put together something fattening and sickeningly bad for us?” “Hey, I’m always up for that!” Michael laughed. The three of them made their way toward the kitchen just as Kyle slammed through the front door, tossing his coat angrily on the floor. “Damn him!” he yelled. “Kyle,” Randy said, approaching his son. “What’s the matter, pal?” “Jason!” he yelled. “We had a meeting today to discuss the Foundation’s role in the Autumn Lake Charity Ball but apparently Golden Boy was too busy to remember.” “Oh, is that all?” Randy said, putting his arm around his son. “Take it easy, bud, I’m sure there’s a good reason.” “Damn it, Dad, he’s always doing this to me. He knows I have to balance my time at DE with my time in classes, so I can’t just stand around waiting for him to get his act together. He’s so selfish.” He spotted Michael and Maggie standing nearby and immediately stomped toward his cousin. “And speaking of selfish, what the hell happened to you last night? Emily and I waited for you forever. Haven’t you ever heard of a cell phone?” Michael lifted his hands for his cousin to see, but said nothing. “Oh… well, I’m sure there’s a story behind that, but I’m afraid I don’t have time.” “Now who’s the selfish one,” Maggie mumbled. “What?” Kyle spun on his heel. “Did you say something?” Maggie crossed her arms and spoke softly, her gaze firm but loving. “Kyle, your father’s just completed his novel. As you know, he’s been working on it for a long time, and this is cause for a celebration. Why don’t you go upstairs, take a shower, and come back down and join us in a celebration?” “Oh, please,” Kyle scoffed, heading toward the stairs. “Big deal. Excuse me while I go watch paint dry. Maybe we can celebrate that when I’m done!” “Kyle Marshak!” Maggie yelled. “You come right back down here and…” “It’s alright, Maggie,” Randy said quietly. “Kyle’s in his own world. He’s always been that way.” “With all due respect, Randy, that young man needs to be brought down a peg or two!” Randy laughed and draped his arm around her shoulder. “And I think you could just be the one to do it, too, Maggie.” Randy turned to see Michael staring up the stairs where Kyle had gone. “Michael? You okay, buddy?” He didn’t respond. Maggie smiled knowingly at Randy. “I’ll just head on into the kitchen and meet you boys there. Congratulations again, sweetie.” She kissed him lightly on the cheek and pushed through the swinging door to the kitchen. “What is it, Michael?” Randy asked, quietly approaching his nephew. “You okay?” “You’re a really good father, Uncle Randy,” Michael said, still staring at the stairs. “Kyle treats you like dirt.” “I don’t take it personally,” he shrugged. “Kyle treats most everyone like dirt these days. He hasn’t always been that way. It’s Drummond Enterprises. It can eat up your soul if you let it.” “Doesn’t it make you feel… left out?” “How do you mean?” “I mean… they’re all involved in the company. Aunt Olivia, Kyle, Jason… how do you deal with it?” “It’s not easy,” Randy said. “But it’s important to them.” “Yeah. I guess you have more in common with Katie, then, huh?” Randy’s eyes grew dark at the mention of his only daughter. “Katie… yeah, Katie’s a lot more like me than her mother.” “An artist, right?” Randy blinked, distracted. “I’m sorry, what did you say?” “I said Katie’s an artist, right? Didn’t she paint a number of the pieces in your study?” “Yes, yes she did. And then some. They’re here and there, around the house.” “Amazing.” Michael said, shaking his head. “It’s incredible how different siblings can be.” “Do you ever find yourself wishing you had a brother or sister?” Randy asked, noticing the sadness in the young man’s voice. “Sometimes. I just think it would have been easier.” “Easier how?” Michael fell silent for a few moments, and Randy couldn’t help but notice he was staring at his bandaged hands. Finally he sighed. “It doesn’t matter. I’m the only child of Jeff and Amanda Drummond and that’s the way it’s always going to be.” “Well, Michael, you know, family is about more than just titles like ‘mother’ and ‘father.’ I gather you know that, or else you wouldn’t have come here to stay with your aunt and I after the incident at your school.” Michael winced at the memory. “I know you’re right, of course. It just bothers me, I suppose, when I see someone like Kyle squandering the opportunity to have a relationship with someone like you.” “Thank you for saying that,” Randy said, genuinely touched. “And don’t worry about Kyle. He’s mostly bluster. He knows I love him and I know he loves me. We don’t always get along, but I’ve always made sure all of my children knew I loved them.” Michael smiled. “That’s great.” “Now, how about we head into the kitchen and see what we can come up with?” “You got it.” “I’m just going to head back to the study for a moment and make sure I saved the last draft, okay?” “Alright, I’ll tell Maggie.” Randy watched as his nephew went into the kitchen and made his way back to the office. Once he was there, he closed the door behind him and gazed up at the painting that hung over his desk. The last painting Katie had finished before she left Autumn Lake. He took a deep breath and approached the painting, his face growing tight. As he gently reached his fingers toward the painting, he felt dizzy. “Katie…” he whispered, as his fingertips made contact with the canvas. From deep in his subconscious, he heard the words echoing forth, as they had almost everyday since his daughter had left so suddenly. The screams, faceless and without form, became louder and louder. “Daddy! Help me!” The voice was unmistakably Katie’s, but from when? From where? “I don’t understand!” he whispered, trying to silence the screams again. “What does it mean?” And just as quickly as the voices came, they left. It was silent again in his mind. A single tear dripped down his cheek as he collected himself again. Clearing his throat, he walked back toward the door, giving only a quick glance toward the painting as he left. He’d have the answer someday; whenever Katie let them know the real reason why she had left. SCENE FOUR – GYPSY GRILLE Diana had instantly regretted her comment about Jason Marshak the moment the words had come out of her mouth; however, before she could discuss the point further with Wendy, the Gypsy was hit with a mid-afternoon rush. Wendy had obviously been hurt, and Diana desperately wanted a few moments to make things right. It didn’t help matters that Alicia was late for her shift and Diana was pitching in to help Whit run the floor. As if on cue, Alicia pushed through the kitchen door, tying her apron around her waist. “Hello, Alicia,” Diana said flatly as she ran a bill through the register. “Don’t start. I’m only 10 minutes late.” “I didn’t say a word.” “No need to. Your tone says it all. And, I might point out, I am the Assistant Manager, I have earned the right to be a moment late now and again. Especially after the night I’ve had.” Diana blanched. “Yes, I heard about the attack. I’m glad you’re all right.” “I’m sure.” The younger woman rolled her eyes and made her way toward a table. Diana shook her head. I must be getting old, she thought. God save me from arrogant children. Putting aside Alicia’s attitude, Diana made her way back to the office, where she found Wendy continuing her work on the books, while absent-mindedly staring at the flowers she had received from Jason Marshak. “Mind if I come in for a second, sweetie?” Diana called out. Her niece smiled and waved her in. “Honey, we need to talk about what I said earlier.” “I think you made yourself clear. Jason and I can't have a relationship. You’re right, we can’t.” Diana pulled up a chair next to Wendy and gently took her hand. “I think I need to clarify specifically what I meant, honey.” “Aunt Di, I understand what you meant. I am well aware of who I am and who Jason is. We aren't exactly compatible.” “Well, that's not necessarily so, it's just that you don't…” “What? Walk in the same circles, party with the same crowd, go to the same car washes? Yeah, I get it.” “Oh, for goodness sakes, Wendy, he is not better than you!” Diana exclaimed, squeezing her hand. “That’s not at all what I meant to imply.” “Regardless, it’s the truth.” Diana gently grabbed her niece’s chin and forced her to make eye contact. “Now, stop that. Don’t you ever think yourself less than another human being.” “Jason Marshak’s not just another human being, Aunt Di. This is Autumn Lake, I’m reminded of the superiority of the Drummond family everywhere I turn. Drummond Tower shines like a golden beacon to their wealth, making all the rest of us look small and insignificant.” “I’m so sorry you feel this way, sweetie.” Diana stood and began to pace the room. “Listen, let me explain what I meant when I said that you and Jason can’t have a relationship. There’s a few things that I just want to make sure that you’re aware of.” “Like what?” “Honey… has Jason told you about Rebecca Faulkner?” Wendy blinked in surprise. “Well, yes… I’m just surprised to hear you know about it.” "Olivia told me all about it. Jason and Rebecca got together, but Jason didn’t know about her… well..." “History?” Wendy asked. “Yes, exactly. Her history. Specifically, her drug and alcohol history. Rebecca had some problems, and when she turned back to the drugs, well… suffice it to say Olivia had some problems with the… image… this presented to the public.” “That’s awful!” Wendy exclaimed. “Jason told me that Rebecca had been through a lot, but that she just couldn’t beat the drugs. She had an overdose and died in the penthouse apartment.” “Exactly. And Olivia had to go to great lengths to keep the matter hidden from the media.” Suddenly, Wendy’s face grew ashen with realization. “Oh, Aunt Di… I think I see where you are going with this.” “Darling,” Diana said, rejoining her niece. “It’s not Jason I worry about. It’s Olivia. Now, I love her like my own sister, but I’m also aware of her faults. And, honey, she swore after Rebecca’s death that she’d never let something like that happen again. You have to understand, Olivia’s position at Drummond Enterprises was met with some trepidation from the board, and she tries to avoid scandal like the plague.” “Oh my God…” Wendy whispered. “Does she know? Aunt Di, did you… tell Olivia about my past?” “Of course not, darling,” she reassured her. “The only people who know what you went through before coming to Autumn Lake are myself and your Uncle Will.” “Thank God!” Wendy embraced her Aunt and fought back tears. “You had me frightened there for a moment. If Olivia doesn’t know, then there’s no problem, right?” “There could be,” Diana said flatly. “Olivia’s not the kind of person to take things at face value. If she finds out that you and Jason are seeing each other, then she’s sure to do her own… investigation. She could potentially dig up everything, honey, including the events leading up to Nicky's birth.” “Oh God.” Wendy put her face in her hands. “Then it doesn’t really matter, does it? It doesn’t matter if she doesn’t know. She will eventually. She’ll figure it all out and I’ll lose any chance of happiness with Jason.” “I’m sorry, sweetie. I wish I could say it doesn’t matter, but I’m afraid it does. Not even my friendship with Olivia would stop her from getting involved.” “Then I have to end it.” Wendy sighed in resignation, looking somberly at Jason’s flowers. “I have to put a stop to it before it goes any further. I have to tell Jason we can’t see each other anymore.” Don't miss an episode! 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