Chapter XXII

Just Say Goodbye
~ * * * ~

Madra had come home later than evening bone weary. She had stayed at the hospital with Max as long as possible. The house was dark and quiet when she arrived at home. She entered the girl's room quietly to check on them. They looked like such little angels, she thought. I really miss them. I haven't seen quite enough of them since Max' heart attack. She kissed the girls on the forehead and went into her room to take a bath.

While she was dressing, she heard a noise in the hallway. She opened her door to see Glynis, fully dressed with suitcase in hand. "Glynis," she began, "where are you going at such a late hour?"

Glynis didn't even look at her. "I'm leaving," she said flatly. Madra was shocked. "Leaving?!" she said. "Why, where are you going?" Glynis laughed then and said, "Oh, come on, sister dear, you didn't really expect me to stay after the stunt you pullled, did you?"

Madra looked at her confused, "I....I don't understand," she began. Glynis shot her a look and said, "Of course you don't. You never expected Kent to tell me, did you?" "Kent!" Madra said. "Is that what this is all about? Oh, Glynis, I didn't want to tell you - I would never hurt you like that. But, Kent....he's not worth your time. He's not an honorable man!"

"Oh really?" said Glynis, "I guess that's why you tried to seduce him, huh? Oh, he told me all about it...he told me how you tried to seduce him and when he refused you kicked him out! How could you do that to me - your own sister?! I'll never forgive you for this, Madra - never!" Glynis was shouting now. Tears welled in her eyes and she turned to leave.

Madra couldn't believe what she was hearing. That scoundrel had totally turned the situation around to suit his fancy. "Glynis," she began, "please believe me, I would never do such a thing. I hadn't wanted to tell you, but it was the other way around. He took advantage of me. He pretended to comfort me about Max and then he tried to kiss me! I had no choice but to ask him to leave. Please....Glynis, please....."

Glynis refused to turn around, instead she said, "Oh, you would like me to believe that, wouldn't you? After all, you are the beautiful one, right? All men just love you.....you just couldn't stand it that a man actually chose me over you!"

Tears were streaming down Madra's cheek then. "Glynis, please don't leave. Please....I promise that's not the truth. Don't leave me when I need you the most. Please....don't you know I love you? I would never hurt you...please...and what about the baby? Where would you go? Oh, Glynis, please listen to me."

"I should have known," Glynis said. You don't really care about me! All you care about is the baby! You probably thought that poor little Glynis would allow you to raise her child, huh? Well, forget it - there is no baby. I took care of that! And, for your information, I going to Alaska with Kent!" With that she stormed down the stairs and out the front door, slamming the door as she left.

Madra stood in the hallway outside her bedroom in total shock, tears streaming down her face. She felt so totally alone. She loved her sister so very much and always tried to look after the younger girl. To have her leave like this felt like a knife in her heart.

She didn't know how long she stood there like that, just staring out into space.

After what seemed like an eternity, but in actuality was only a few minutes, she felt a hand on her shoulder and a quiet voice, "Madra, are you alright? I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but I couldn't help but overhear..."

Madra jumped and looked up and saw Brianne. "Oh, Brianne," she said, "I didn't know you were home. When did you arrive?" The young woman looked at her with concern, "I came home this afternoon. I would have come sooner, but I just heard about Max," she said. "Madra, why didn't you call me?"

Madra replied that she hadn't wanted to ruin the girl's vacation with her family, especially since she knew that her young man was on leave and spending vacation time with Brianne and her family in Ireland.

Brianne could see the pain in Madra's eyes and said, "Madra, please don't worry about Glynis. She's a very resourceful woman, and she'll come around. Sometimes people just have to find out things the hard way." Brianne was totally honest with Madra. She had truly grown to love her. Madra had been very good to her ever since she came to live with them. She treated her like a sister, and Brianne appreciated that. Madra even interceded for her with Max over her boyfriend and even he eventually came around. Madra was generous and loving with her, always making sure that she was happy and buying her wonderful clothes, and treated her like the big sister Brianne never had. That silly Glynis, she thought, what an idiot - trusting some jerk over her own sister.

Madra touched the young woman's face and said, "Oh, Brianne, what would I ever do without you? You always make me feel better."

Brianne was worried about Madra. She seemed so frail....she had lost weight in the short time Brianne was gone and Brianne wondered how Glynis could be so selfish. "Come, Madra," she said, "let's go have some tea and biscuits and you can tell me how Max is doing."

~ * * * ~
~ * * * ~

Olivia had, once again, left Leila to watch Simon while she went out for the evening. She had heard about this little nightspot where all the important people went to play and decided to try it for herself.

Lauren was seated at the bar when she spotted Olivia. Hymmm...she thought to herself, I think I see an opportunity waiting to happen. With that, she slid off the stool and went over to approach Olivia.

"Hello," she began, "my name is Lauren. I'm an old friend of Leila Jamison." "Oh," said Olivia, "is that supposed to mean something to me?" "Well, it could if you'd give me a few moments of your time," said Lauren.

Olivia looked her over and said, "Oh, I remember you now. You're Leila's old "girlfriend" - the one she dumped for that doctor - you look different though." "Yes," Lauren waived her off, "I had my hair done a differnt color, that's all."

Lauren led the young woman to a quiet spot, which wasn't easy in the crowded club. "Ok, what do you want from me." Olivia said. "Well, I need a little help with something and I think you're just the woman for the job. And, I promise to make it worth your while."

Lauren stood there a moment looking at Olivia and a strange look came across her face. She ran her fingers through the young woman's hair and said, "You're quite pretty, you know." Olivia put her arm on Lauren's shoulder and said, "Look, I'm really not into women, I prefer men, but I'm not adverse to trying something once."

"You've gotten the wrong idea," Lauren said, "but that might be an interesting suggestion. However, I actually have another job for you...." With that she bent down and whispered something into Olivia's ear. An amused look came over Olivia's face.....

To be continued.......

Madra had come home later than evening bone weary. She had stayed at the hospital with Max as long as possible. The house was dark and quiet when she arrived at home. She entered the girl's room quietly to check on them. They looked like such little angels, she thought. I really miss them. I haven't seen quite enough of them since Max' heart attack. She kissed the girls on the forehead and went into her room to take a bath. While she was dressing, she heard a noise in the hallway. She opened her door to see Glynis, fully dressed with suitcase in hand. "Glynis," she began, "where are you going at such a late hour?" Glynis didn't even look at her. "I'm leaving," she said flatly. Madra was shocked. "Leaving?!" she said. "Why, where are you going?" Glynis laughed then and said, "Oh, come on, sister dear, you didn't really expect me to stay after the stunt you pullled, did you?" Madra looked at her confused, "I....I don't understand," she began. Glynis shot her a look and said, "Of course you don't. You never expected Kent to tell me, did you?" "Kent!" Madra said. "Is that what this is all about? Oh, Glynis, I didn't want to tell you - I would never hurt you like that. But, Kent....he's not worth your time. He's not an honorable man!"
	"Oh really?" said Glynis, "I guess that's why you tried to seduce him, huh? Oh, he told me all about it...he told me how you tried to seduce him and when he refused you kicked him out! How could you do that to me - your own sister?! I'll never forgive you for this, Madra - never!" Glynis was shouting now. Tears welled in her eyes and she turned to leave. Madra couldn't believe what she was hearing. That scoundrel had totally turned the situation around to suit his fancy. "Glynis," she began, "please believe me, I would never do such a thing. I hadn't wanted to tell you, but it was the other way around. He took advantage of me. He pretended to comfort me about Max and then he tried to kiss me! I had no choice but to ask him to leave. Please....Glynis, please....." Glynis refused to turn around, instead she said, "Oh, you would like me to believe that, wouldn't you? After all, you are the beautiful one, right? All men just love you.....you just couldn't stand it that a man actually chose me over you!"
Tears were streaming down Madra's cheek then. "Glynis, please don't leave. Please....I promise that's not the truth. Don't leave me when I need you the most. Please....don't you know I love you? I would never hurt you...please...and what about the baby? Where would you go? Oh, Glynis, please listen to me." "I should have known," Glynis said. You don't really care about me! All you care about is the baby! You probably thought that poor little Glynis would allow you to raise her child, huh? Well, forget it - there is no baby. I took care of that! And, for your information, I going to Alaska with Kent!" With that she stormed down the stairs and out the front door, slamming the door as she left. Madra stood in the hallway outside her bedroom in total shock, tears streaming down her face. She felt so totally alone. She loved her sister so very much and always tried to look after the younger girl. To have her leave like this felt like a knife in her heart. She didn't know how long she stood there like that, just staring out into space.
	After what seemed like an eternity, but in actuality was only a few minutes, she felt a hand on her shoulder and a quiet voice, "Madra, are you alright? I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but I couldn't help but overhear..." Madra jumped and looked up and saw Brianne. "Oh, Brianne," she said, "I didn't know you were home. When did you arrive?" The young woman looked at her with concern, "I came home this afternoon. I would have come sooner, but I just heard about Max," she said. "Madra, why didn't you call me?" Madra replied that she hadn't wanted to ruin the girl's vacation with her family, especially since she knew that her young man was on leave and spending vacation time with Brianne and her family in Ireland.
Brianne could see the pain in Madra's eyes and said, "Madra, please don't worry about Glynis. She's a very resourceful woman, and she'll come around. Sometimes people just have to find out things the hard way." Brianne was totally honest with Madra. She had truly grown to love her. Madra had been very good to her ever since she came to live with them. She treated her like a sister, and Brianne appreciated that. Madra even interceded for her with Max over her boyfriend and even he eventually came around. Madra was generous and loving with her, always making sure that she was happy and buying her wonderful clothes, and treated her like the big sister Brianne never had. That silly Glynis, she thought, what an idiot - trusting some jerk over her own sister. Madra touched the young woman's face and said, "Oh, Brianne, what would I ever do without you? You always make me feel better." Brianne was worried about Madra. She seemed so frail....she had lost weight in the short time Brianne was gone and Brianne wondered how Glynis could be so selfish. "Come, Madra," she said, "let's go have some tea and biscuits and you can tell me how Max is doing." ~ * * * ~	~ * * * ~
	Olivia had, once again, left Leila to watch Simon while she went out for the evening. She had heard about this little nightspot where all the important people went to play and decided to try it for herself. Lauren was seated at the bar when she spotted Olivia. Hymmm...she thought to herself, I think I see an opportunity waiting to happen. With that, she slid off the stool and went over to approach Olivia. "Hello," she began, "my name is Lauren. I'm an old friend of Leila Jamison." "Oh," said Olivia, "is that supposed to mean something to me?" "Well, it could if you'd give me a few moments of your time," said Lauren. Olivia looked her over and said, "Oh, I remember you now. You're Leila's old "girlfriend" - the one she dumped for that doctor - you look different though." "Yes," Lauren waived her off, "I had my hair done a differnt color, that's all."
Lauren led the young woman to a quiet spot, which wasn't easy in the crowded club. "Ok, what do you want from me." Olivia said. "Well, I need a little help with something and I think you're just the woman for the job. And, I promise to make it worth your while." Lauren stood there a moment looking at Olivia and a strange look came across her face. She ran her fingers through the young woman's hair and said, "You're quite pretty, you know." Olivia put her arm on Lauren's shoulder and said, "Look, I'm really not into women, I prefer men, but I'm not adverse to trying something once." "You've gotten the wrong idea," Lauren said, "but that might be an interesting suggestion. However, I actually have another job for you...." With that she bent down and whispered something into Olivia's ear. An amused look came over Olivia's face.....