"I guess that means you owe your mother an apology for your outburst in the doctors' lounge."

Ash was the consummate actor when he said, "Sunny, you promised me you wouldn't do or say anything to hurt your mother's feelings. Did you break that promise?" He closed his eyes, struggling to take deep breaths.

If he had been certain that Ash wasn't putting on an act for his benefit, Simon would have felt sorry for him. "Now, what, Ash?"

"I don't know, Simon, one day at a time. The boys have been keeping me apprised of what's going on with the construction. Things are almost at a standstill. Did you make a decision yet about Thornton Chickens?"

"I haven't had a chance to talk to Fanny. The last time I mentioned it, she said she wants to keep it in the family."

"Why did Mom give her control, Simon? Do you know?"

"Because she loved Fanny, and she didn't trust either you or me. The account is almost dry. Ash."

"I know. I have some ideas. There are places where I can get financing."

"I know the kind of places you're talking about. Ash. Don't do it. If you do, you'll be selling them your soul. I can lend you some money."

"How much?"

Simon's eyebrows shot upward at his brother's snappy question. "Compared to what you need, a spit in the wind. Two million with a promissory note."

"You got it."

"I'll transfer the money when I get back to New York. When are you leaving here?"

"I was scheduled to leave tomorrow, but since Fanny didn't agree to helping out, we have to make other arrangements."

"Ash, your kids owe Fanny a huge apology. I hate to leave here thinking they were acting on your orders. I was ashamed of them. You might notice I'm not addressing them, because they don't deserve any kind of recognition for what they did. I know you and I have two different views of family life, Ash, but trust me when I tell you those kids were shsimeful. Call me, if I can help in any way."

Sage approached his father's bed when Simon left the room. There was wary speculation in his eyes when he said, "You backed down. Did he or didn't he have an affair with Mom?"

"It got us two million dollars, didn't it? Sunny, where are the pills?" Ash said, ignoring his son's question.

"The nurse said no. She said they can't risk you getting addicted. It's just ten more minutes, Dad."

"It doesn't matter. What does anything matter? We're going to lose the casino, we're just weeks away from filing for bankruptcy. We'll all be out in the street. I'd like it if you'd all leave now. No father wants his children to see him cry."

Outside in the waiting room, the young Thorntons looked at one another. "I'd like to hear someone say something," Billie said. When no one spoke, she said, "I'm damn sorry I sided with the three of you. I must have been out of my mind. Do you have any idea what we all did to Mom? Did you see her face this morning? My God, what kind of people are we turning into?"

"Aren't you forgetting Dad back there in that room? There's every possibility he won't walk again. He's in constant pain," Birch said, refusing to meet his sister's eyes.

"That's not Mom's fault," Billie said. "I feel like crawling on my hands and knees to her and beg her to take me back. I won't do that, though, because I'm too ashamed. I don't know about the rest of you, but I need a job, my savings are almost gone. It's a pretty sorry state of affairs when your family fires you. I'm going to New York this afternoon to look for a job. I don't care what the rest of you do."

"What about Dad?" Birch said.

"What about him. Birch? Didn't you catch that little scene he played out for us. What was it he said, oh yeah, it got us two million, didn't it? My ears snapped open at that. Why are you all looking at me like I suddenly sprouted another head?"

"You're going to New York? You're leaving us here with . .. Dad! That's a pretty shitty thing to do if you want my opinion," Birch said coldly.

482 Fern Michaels "I didn't ask for your opinion. I like to eat. I like a roof over my head. In order to have those things, I need a job. We're old enough to stand on our own two feet and earn a living. You all can keep diddling around with Dad or whatever you want to do. Know this though. Mom is not going to touch that trust. No matter what Dad does. That's what this is all about, and you all know it-^you simply refuse to say the words out loud."

"Like you know everything," Sage blustered. ^Dad was hurt, we rallied around. That's what families do."

"That's what nomw/families do. We are not a normal family. Dad has always had ulterior motives. Mom did her best to keep things as normal as possible. We screwed it up. Well, I'm bailing out, cutting my losses. Someday I hope Mom and Uncle Simon will be able to forgive my part in all of this. I guess this is good-bye."

"Little shit," Sunny said.

"Take off your blinders, Sunny. Dad's using you, he's using all of you. When I get settled, I'll send my address."

"She's bluffing," Sunny sniffed.

"No she isn't. I saw her packed bags in the car this morning. She's leaving this afternoon. Of the four of us, whoever would have thought it was Billie who had the guts. Dad's out of the woods now. He's recovering. I'll be leaving myself next week. I have enough money left to enter the Master's program at UCLA. I can work part-time while I'm going to school. I might even go on to get my doctorate. Whatever I do, I'll do on my own. This might be a good time for me to say good-bye too. Being around you two just reminds me of what we've become. There's no way to make this right. I don't like any of us," Sage said.

"What is this, rats leaving a sinking ship?" Birch blustered. "C'mon, Sage, we can work this out."

"Billie was just upset, she'll come around. Come on. Sage, we need you," Sunny pleaded. "Dad needs you. How can you turn your back on us, on him?"

"The same way he turned his back on us years ago. I just walk away. I'll let you know where I am in case you want to stay in touch. Sorry, Birch, there's no working this one out."

"Wlio's going to tell Dad?" Sunny asked.

"Let's not say anything to him for a while," Birch said. "I'd like to see how long it takes Dad to notice Billie and Sage are gone. Sage and I have never been separated."

"For God's sake, Birch, you make it sound like you and Sage are joined at the hip. He's always been jealous of you."

"Sage doesn't have a jealous bone in his body. It takes guts to do what he and Billie are doing."

"Birch, I'm scared. What are we going to do? Dad isn't going to recover and get the use of his legs again. We both know that. The damage to his back was too severe. When he finds out he's going to be confined to a wheelchair... I don't know what will happen. Mom could make that right, you know. Where can we get money. Birch? I don't want to file for bankruptcy and lose Babylon. Everything got out of hand so fast. I'm really scared. Birch. Are Sage and Billie right about Dad and the trust?"

Birch sat down and dropped his head into his hands. "I'm afraid so, Sunny." Suddenly all his bluster was gone.

"All that stuff he handed us was a lie? I refuse to believe that." Sunny cried.

"Then don't believe it. When did you ever know Uncle Simon to lie? He was always painfully honest. I do think he likes Mom. A lot. I thought you knew what you were talking about when you said he and Mom were ... we all believed you. We've destroyed what was left of this family. Take a damn good look at us. Sunny. You tell me what we're going to do."

"You're blaming me for all of this!" Sunny sputtered.

"I don't see anyone else around here, do you? You conned me, and I fell for it because I'm a stupid jerk. You know what, I'm sick and tired of being a stupid jerk. I'm sick and tired of kissing Dad's ass so he might smile at you or me or someone. I'm sick and tired of those construction guys and I'm sick and tired of the gambling business. And I'm sick to my soul at what we did to Mom. Like Billie, I'm too ashamed to go to her and apologize because I know she'd . . . say okay, I forgive you, and kiss me on the cheek. Jesus, she slapped me. In my whole life she never did that, not even a pat on the behind. I don't deserve one kind word from her and neither do the rest of you."

"You're leading up to something. Birch. Why don't you just spit it out and get on with it," Sunny said.

"I'm going with Sage even though he didn't ask me to join him. I don't want to be a part of this any longer. I didn't think anything could be worse than the day Mom fired us, and then the day I saw that damn iron fence. Today makes both of those things pale in comparison. I want to live with myself. I hope it works out for you. Sunny."

484 Fern Michaels '*What about Dad?" Sunny asked tremulously.

"Mom laid it out this morning. It doesn't matter where Dad gets his therapy as long as he gets it. It isn't even going to start until all three of his body casts come off. That's at least two or three weeks away. Mom doesn't owe Dad anything. There's nothing more I can do for him. If there was, I'd do it. I don't know the first thing about the construction business. And I don't want to learn, either. I'm a CPA. Would you like some brotherly advice?*'

"Sure, why not?"

"You were always Mom's favorite. It's okay, Sunny, we didn't mind. Jesus, you even have a business named after you. Find a way to make it right with Mom. She's probably hurting real bad. If Dad's awake, I'll say good-bye. If he's sleeping, tell him I said good-bye when he wakes up. Look, Sunny, if you really want to know which way the wind is blowing, teU him you're not going to beg Mom to release the trust monies. His attitude wiD tell you everything you need to know. I hope it works out for you. Tell Tyler I said goodbye."

Sunny watched her brother walk down the hall, and then watched him come back. "He's sleeping. See you around."

Tears streaming down her cheeks, Sunny nodded. "This reminds me of the day you and Sage left for college. I felt so lost that day."

"We were kids then. Sunny. We're adults now, we have to take whatever life dishes out. Don't go bawling on me now, okay."

"Okay."

"All right," Birch relented, "a couple of tears won't hurt"

Birch cradled her against his chest, his own eyes wet "Jesus, I'm gonna need my raincoat if you keep this up. If Billie writes or calls, let us know where she is so we can stay in touch. We're family, and don't you ever forget it."

Ash woke four and a half hours later, his face bathed in sweat His eyes were glazed as he looked around the room. '*Where is everyone?" he asked groggily.

"Everybody left, Dad," Sunny said.

"What time is it?"

"Almost six. They'll be bringing your dinner soon."

"I refuse to eat that slop. I don't much care if I ever eat again. What rime is everyone coming back?"

"They aren't coming back. Dad. Billie left for New York this af- temoon. Sage and Birch are going to California next week, maybe sooner. I'm the only one left."

A tear rolled out of the comer of Ash's eye. "I appreciate your loyalty. What brought this to a head?"

"The way we treated Mom. That's not exactly true, it was the way /treated Mom."

"Are you blaming me. Sunny?"

"To a degree," Sunny said, her voice ringing with honesty.

"Do you want to leave your old man too?" Another tear rolled dom Ash's cheek. His mouth was even tighter than before. "This isn't much of a family, is it?"

"No. Most of it's your fault. Dad."

"I know. I came to my senses, though. I thought if we all started over, it would work. I didn't know your mother hated me so much."

Sunny cringed at her father's pitiful tone. "I don't know if she hates you or not. I know she hates what you did to our family. We all hated that. We've gone over this a hundred times. Dad. I'm tired of it. When something's over, it's over. I guess what I'm trying to say is, Birch, Sage, and Billie don't want Mom to release the trust monies. I told them I'd go along with their decision."

"So, you're turning on me too. What do I have to do or say to make you beUeve I'm not that person anymore? Take a good look at me, Sunny. What's going to happen to me? What's my life going to be like? Do you think I don't know my chances of walking are less than slim? That casino is what's kept me going. If I have to work the floor in a damn wheelchair, I will. I waited all my life for this. Now, when I need my family the most, you all cut and run. / might even die!" More tears rolled down his cheeks. "I love you kids more than life itself. If you don't want me in your lives . . . well, I guess you'll have your Uncle Simon to take my place. He's in love with your mother. I had a hard time believing that at first. Now it all fits together. Why would your mother want a cripple like me when she can have Simon?"

There was desperation in Sunny's voice when she said, "Mom's not like that, Dad."

"You're the one who told me something was going on between them. Are you saying you lied to me?"

"I was mistaken."

Sunny stood up.

"Don't go. Sunny. Stay with me, talk to me. I'm scared. I hate to 486 Fern Michaels admit it, but I am. What if I lose . . . what if I never walk again . . . ? What's going to happen to me, to us?"

"I don't know. Dad."

"You're all I have left, Sunny. God, I don't want to lose you too. Help me, tell me what to do."

"Dad, I don't know. You need money to finish Babylon. I hate that contractor you hired. Sage and Birch tried to tell you the guy was robbing you blind, but you wouldn't hsten. You wouldn't take advice from anyone. You must realize every time you make a change the architect has to go back to his drawing board to make those changes. That costs money. Sage pretts^ much summed it all up when he said you think you know more than the builders. You don't, Dad, and this is the result. I don't know where you're going to get the money."

"Your mother could make this right. Babylon would belong to Thornton Enterprises, it's not like she's giving the money to strangers. She'll recoup, and Simon can reinvest the money. I want to see Babylon up and running before I die. I am going to die, Sunny."

It was too much for Sunny. She ran from the room.

Ash leaned back into his nest of pillows, his eyes cold and hard. With his good arm he reached for a bag of popcorn on his night table. One by one he popped the kernels into his mouth. Will she go to Fanny, won't she go to Fanny? The last kernel went into his mouth. Hell yes, she would, and Fanny would come around. Sunny was Fanny's Achilles' heel.

"It's so hard to say good-bye," Fanny said, hugging both Bess and Billie Coleman. "I'd rather say hello anytime. I can't remember ever spending a more restful time. I just know Sallie is up there, beaming down at us."

"And now, back to the real world," Bess said. "Back to listening to John groan and grumble about women who have careers and are never home. He himself is never home, so I don't know how he knows when I'm not home. Oh, well, remember how Devin used to tell us not to sweat the small stufP"

"I remember," Fanny said sofdy.

"Well, it's back to Texas for me and the batde Sawyer is raging to build Moss's dream plane," Billie said. "I'm a phone call away, Fanny. I can be here in a few hours if you need me."

Vegas Rich 487 "The same goes for me, Billie. Just last night when I W2is falling asleep, I asked myself what my life would be like without you two in it."

"And what was your answer?"

"Dreary, Lackluster. Boring. You've both made my life so rich. We'll always be here for one another, won't we?"

"You can count on it," Billie said.

"I'd give up John before I'd give up this friendship," Bess said.

"Be careful driving down the mountain, Bess. Have a safe trip, Billie. Call me when you get home, both of you."

"Yes, Mother," both women said in teasing voices.

Fanny stood in the driveway watching as her two best friends in the whole world drove away. When the car was out of sight and the monster gates closed with a loud clang, Fanny turned to walk back to her lonely life. Her footsteps dragged, and then picked up speed as she headed for the cemetery.

She had so much to tell Sallie.

The following day, Fanny woke with an ominous feeling in the pit of her stomach. It wasn't going to be a good day. She wondered why as she sat down to eat her breakfast. As she chewed her toast she thought about Simon because she thought about him every waking hour of the day. Where was he? What was he doing? What was he thinking?

Today was a workday, a day to get back to the business at hand. The first thing on her agenda was to carry the mail down to the studio and go through it. She needed both hands to carry the heavy shopping bag Mazie had filled with the week's mail.

The ominous feeling was still with her as she pawed through the catalogs, shopping flyers, bank statements, bills, and charitable requests. The first class letters went into their own pile. Only three of them held her attention. One from her daughter Billie; one whose return address read Birch and Sage Thornton. The third letter bore the business address for Simon Thornton. Where, she wondered, was the letter from Sunny? She decided to save Simon's letter till later because she knew it would make her cry. Saving it for later would give her something to look forward to at the end of the day. She decided to read Billie's letter first. What in the world was Billie doing in New York?

488 Fern Michaels Dear Mom, I love you. I want to say that first. The second thing I want to tell you is I'm sorry. I know, it's just a word. Because it's just a word, I couldn't bring myself to call you or come up to Sunrise. I am so ashamed. Mom. Perhaps someday you can forgive me for what I know you consider my betrayal. I decided to come here to New York to get a job. My savings were getting dangerously low. I found a nice apartment and got a job yesterday in the garment district. As soon as I get my nerve and guts together, I'm going to call Uncle Simon and apologize to him. I'm not sure when that vdll be. Soon I hope.