"Shhh, Jas, everything is going to be okay." Aiden sat on the bedside grieved. It was difficult watching Jas that way. He dipped the cloth down in the cool water and gently dabbed it against her forehead. She lay there writhing. The first week of detoxification had gone well. Reducing down to one pill a day didn't seem to cause her body to react. It had gone well enough for Dr. Hayden to approve the second pill be stopped.

But the second week, taking the last pill away had caused the symptoms to come. First, her sleep had become disturbed, next were the unpredictable heart palpitations and nausea. Now, nearing the end of the second week she was confused and sweating profusely. Everything was just as Dr. Hayden said it would be. She'd been taking the pills for four years, detoxing wasn't going to be like a pleasant walk in the park. He leaned down and kissed her cheek. She gave a weary smile and squeezed his hand. "You're doing fine, babe. Hang in there."

Anna came into the room carrying more ice packs. "How is she?"

"I think she's gone through the worst of it."

"Good. I never knew that prescriptions so helpful could be so harmful."

"It's a mixed bag, Anna. The pills did help her with the anxiety. The body just doesn't know how to or want to let go."

"How are you holding up, Aiden?"

"I'm in as much pain as she is."

Anna tussled his hair. "Ted and I are praying for you all."

He smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. Only sadness was there.

Anna kneeled beside the bed and kissed Jas's hand. "Can I get you some broth or tea, dear."

Jas shook her head. "Ice, want...ice," her voice was thin and frail.

Aiden reached in the glass he kept by the side of the bed. He picked up a few pieces of ice and placed them in her mouth. She crunched the ice, then glanced at Aiden, her eyes saying thank you.

"If you need anything else, let me know," said Anna as she exited the room.

"Thanks, Anna."

After Anna left, Aiden pulled back the thin sheet that covered Jas. She was burning up. Meaning, that the detoxification was going fine. Her body was burning off the toxins. Sweat carried them out of her system. He began to lay the fresh ice packs across her shoulders, near her hips and under her feet. He dipped the cloth in cool water again, placing it on top of her forehead. "Love you, babe."

She nodded, then went to sleep.

***

"Arabella, I'm so sorry to be troubling you again. Why is it so hard for me to remember where I put my pill bottle?"

Nanna smiled, "Might it have something to do with you being 85 years old? I'm just glad that seems to be the only thing that you seem to forget. Perhaps because you are tired of taking the pills. I'd call it selective memory."

Major laughed.

"You left the bottle in the lobby yesterday after you read the evening newspaper. I found it this morning and put it on the shelf in the bathroom."

"Thank you, sunshine. It's too late to take my morning pill. I'll just take one after dinner. Are you ready to go?"

"Yes."

They were going horseback riding. Major helped Nanna to put on her heavy coat. They walked out into the brisk autumn evening and took the path to the horse stall. She loved this routine they'd acquired. Most evenings they'd either take walks or ride the horses, normally after dinner. But today they had a late lunch and decided not to eat dinner until much later. The walk to the stall was always so peaceful. Nanna loved holding Major's hand or the thoughtful kisses he gave along the way. Being with him over these last few months was like having a piece of heaven on earth. She was glad to have this time to see how compatible they really were. He was simply a remarkable man.

"Have you heard any more from Aiden?"

"He called me yesterday. He said Jas is feverish and sleeping a lot, but that the drugs are getting out of her system."

"I hate she's going through it."

"I knew that it was coming. I'm just glad that she'll be okay now," Nanna said opening the stall door. Her horse neighed with excitement. Dusty had begun enjoying the routine of the ride as well. Nanna led her from the stall and saddled up.

"Me too. I just hate that it came at the time we were planning on breaking the news to her."

Nanna patted Dusty on the nose. "I am worried about it. We're down to the wire. I hadn't wanted it to be this close."

"It's all going to work out, Arabella."

Major took the reins from Nanna and brought Dusty outside. Nanna looked puzzled. "You're not riding Storm?"

"No," he said mounting the horse. "I want to hold you." He extended his hand toward Nanna. She blushed, taking his hand. Nanna slipped in front of him.

Major shook the reins and took the horse through its paces. When Dusty reached a canter, he had a flash back to his youthful days. Would he dare make a horse gallop again? Major missed the exhilaration of speed. They were already traveling faster than they'd ever gone before. He didn't intend for the horse to canter, it just sort of happened. Suddenly limitations filled his mind – you're too old to even be riding a horse, what are you trying to prove to yourself? He zapped his thoughts. Shut up. Major looked down at Nanna. She was so content, not worried about the speed at all. "Am I going too fast, sunshine?"

"Oh, not at all. I've missed this."

"We could go faster, I'm just not sure of my coordination."

"Then we'll die together very happy, my love."

Major couldn't believe his ears. This woman in his arms was going to bring all the possibilities back into his world. She was his inspiration to believe that their days together would not be filled with growing old, but growing happier. He chuckled, flicking the reins sending Dusty into a gallop. His confidence soared as Nanna's laughter filled his soul.

***

Deanna felt like a caged cat. What else could she possibly do in Atlanta? She been to all the beautiful shops and restaurants along the expansive Peachtree Street and to the nearby malls. She'd taken in a few plays, did the art circuit and visited Piedmont Park. Deanna was doing her absolute best to wait for Troy. It had been two weeks, she was feeling the weight of impatience.

Things were different when she was in New York because her focus was on finding Aiden. She'd done that. She'd seen him at Delmonico's. Deanna had already reluctantly resolved that if she never saw Aiden again, knowing that he was well and happy would have to be enough, though she desperately wanted full restoration. In New York, she wasn't trying to break free from darkness. But in Georgia, she was. Deanna was desperate to deal with her past so that she could be free.

"Darling, they've scheduled my replacement surgeon for next Thursday. That's the best that I can do. Keith has really been helping me out but there is only so much that he can do." Troy had been calling Deanna every single day to keep her calm. He knew that his wife was impulsive. The fact that she was still in Atlanta was a miracle. "I appreciate you keeping your promise."

Deanna sighed. "Troy, that's almost another whole week."

"I'm sorry, but some of the surgeries are scheduled for 6 months or more in advance. I'm a specialist and not easy to replace."

"I know, Troy."

"Darling, just think of it this way – when I do come we will have as much time as we need. The hospital knows that this is indefinite. I've never taken a leave. They know that this is important and they will not bother me."

"All right, Troy. I love you."

"I love you too, darling."

The thought of another week was draining, but for Troy's sake she would contain herself. She curled up on the bed and began sorting through thoughts she'd repressed for decades.

Billy Bob was such a charmer. "I love you," he'd whisper, "You're everything that I want." Deanna couldn't get enough of his kisses and how he made her feel wanted.

All she ever wanted was to feel loved, not like a worker in her own home. But that was the case. Every time Deanna turned around her mother was birthing another child. As the oldest she was expected to care for the younger ones. Her father worked a lot of overtime to feed all the mouths. So, when Billy Bob came along and singled her out, lavishing affection on her that she never got, the ground was ripe for disaster.

"You're the only woman for me, Deanna. I love you."

"Billy, I don't know about this. I'm scared."

She'd never forget. It happened on a spring day. He convinced her to leave school early, the day before spring break. It was his off day. She often skipped school on his off day to be with him. But this was the first time he'd taken her to his trailer in the woods. She could hear her father's voice screaming in her head - He's too old for you.

"You do love me, right?"

"You know that I do, Billy."

"This is what women do when they're in love. It's natural as breathing. You're as grown as you will ever be."

She needed to hear those words. Her parents said that she acted like a child. But she didn't feel like a child anymore. Billy was the only one that understood. He treated her like an adult. They'd been together for what seemed like a long time. Eighteen was just a number. She was almost there anyway. Wasn't it time that she acted like the woman he'd always said she was?

His hands were all over her now and so was his mouth. Sucking and licking her body into flames. He was between her legs rocking her more intensely than he'd done before. Her body was experiencing so many new sensations that she was overwhelmed. "I'll stop if you want me to, Deanna."

She knew that he would. She'd stopped him many, many times before. He never complained. He'd get off of her. But this was the first time he'd brought her home. In her mind this was special. She'd asked where he'd live many times. He'd always find a way around the question. Now she was in his house, in his bed.

"Do you want me to stop?" He breathed, sinking his hand into a place where it had never been. Deanna was being pleasured beyond what her senses could comprehend. She was losing control of herself. Is this why my mother has so many babies? What is this feeling? Everything in her wanted his love.

"You're my woman, Deanna. My only woman. I want you."

The words seeped into her ears, melting something deep in her heart. Deanna found herself peeling her clothes off. I'm his woman. He wants me. This was all the love that she ever longed for. "I love you, Billy."

"My woman," he breathed.

That unleashed something feral between them. Then suddenly she felt pain. "It hurts, Billy."

"It won't for long. Only this time, Deanna. Relax."

She trusted him. Soon she found truth to his words. The temporary pain was replaced by sensations her body could barely contain. Then something happened. She felt like she'd exploded in the most pleasurable way. She was a woman now.

The only thing that Deanna hadn't counted on was how much her body would crave that feeling again. She was starved for love. Billy ravenously sexed her for a while...

Damn you, Billy.

Tears soaked Deanna's pillow. Billy had betrayed her innocence at such an impressionable age that she never got over it. Love synonymously became associated with pain. Deanna shook her head knowing that worse pain was coming.

To this day, she still couldn't figure out how Troy had broken through to her heart. Surely it must have been the grace of God. Deanna's mind shifted to a few months later.

"Why don't you come around anymore, Billy?"

"What are you doing here?"

"What do you mean what am I doing here? You've brought me here all the time."

"Don't come here unless I bring you. Do you hear me. Now get off my property."

Deanna tried to push her way into the house. He held her back. "What is wrong with you, Billy? Why have you been avoiding me?"

He grabbed her arm and dragged her from his front porch. Deanna was shocked. She fought him trying to get away. He held her firm and dragged her kicking and screaming down the gravel road. He dumped her on the ground right in front of the Apple Blossom Inn.

The look on his face was something dark she'd never seen before. It frightened her. "Don't you ever come back to my house. If I want you here I will come for you."