ACT 3

Alli has recovered and is doing well, so Amanda returns home, hoping to begin a new life, knowing it would not include Cameron. Josie is still relying on him. Both have tried to make Gary understand how sorry they are and how much he means to them. Gary still cannot get past it, though there were times when a flicker of hope would appear. But then he would revert back to the hurt and the doubt. Cameron has tried to accept the loss of Amanda with quiet resignation, though in his heart and mind, she is always there. He is concentrating on helping Josie get through her continual grief and to ensure the health of their child as they await the birth. To make ends meet, since he and Gary are no longer partners, Tyrone and Joe, out of compassion have been throwing PI (Private Investigator) jobs his way. He is struggling to get on with his life the best way he can, presented with the realization, that it is not going to be the life he had hoped for.

Scene 1: Fade In

Gary is sitting at a bar in town. There is a drink in front of him. He is agonizing with his struggle to not take this drink. It's been another hard day to get through. His business is going badly, mainly because he hasn't had the incentive to move forward with his life. And to make matters worse, this is his and Josie's anniversary. He had gone to their apartment, not knowing what to say but knowing he had to be with her this day. When he had arrived, he looked through the window and saw Cameron with his arms around his wife. He was consoling her yet once again. This was just too much for him to bear. As he was leaving, he bumped into Felicia who was on her way to visit Josie. She could see the hurt and anguish in his eyes. She tried to talk to him, but he just rushed passed her without uttering a word. A bewildered Felicia looked through the window at Josie and Cameron and realized what happened.

"Hey fellow, buy a girl a drink?", a voice whispers in his ear. Gary looks up and sees Amanda, smiling down at him. He smiles back and says "sure" as he turns to order her one. But she stops him by taking his drink, and telling him this one will do just fine. Recognizing what she is trying to do for him, he genuinely thanks her. He stands up, kisses her hello as he offers the seat next to his, and then asks, "What are you doing here?".

"Cass asked me to meet him here to discuss some Cory business. Have you seen him?".

"No, sorry, I haven't".

"I guess he's running late".

"When did you get back, in town?", he asks her as he orders a club soda from the bartender.

"Oh, a few days ago".

"How is Alli? I heard from Felicia that the operation went well".

"She is doing great. She sent me home because she wanted to get back to her friends at school - and didn't want her mother hanging around any more. I guess she's growing up", she amusedly admits.

"Well she had a great mother to show her how".

"Thanks Gary, I needed that today".

"You too?", he asks as she quizzically remains silent. "Sorry Amanda, I'm just having a bad day myself".

"Do you want to talk about it?", she asks him.

"Not really, but I know you're the only one who could understand".

"It's Josie isn't it?". He sadly nods a "yes" and she continues speaking. "Gary, tell me, please. We can't spend the rest of our lives avoiding their names. Did something happened with her and Cameron?".

"Today's my anniversary. Oh, I guess I should have said 'our' anniversary, but that isn't true anymore", he directly states.

"Oh Gary, I'm so sorry. I hadn't realized. Maybe you need to go see Josie today. Maybe it will help".

"I can see that great minds think alike", he grins. "I thought the very same thing and so I summoned up all the courage I could and went to see her".

"What happened?".

"Cameron. That's what. Once again, as usual".

"Cameron?", a somewhat disappointed Amanda asks.

"Yep, he was there with his arms around her, holding her. I just couldn't take it so I left and wound up here".

"Maybe he was just consoling her because it's her anniversary", a wishful Amanda offers.

"Maybe. But does it matter? It's always going to be something. Isn't it Amanda?".

She nods her head sadly. "You're right, Gary. Listen, I need to powder…something", she smiles. "I'll be back in a minute". He smiles back as she leaves.

Cameron opens the door and looking for Gary, finds him sitting at the bar. He takes a deep breath and goes to him.

Scene 1: Fade Out

Scene 2: Fade In

As Cameron approaches the bar, he says, "Gary don't do it".

Gary turns around, look ups and holding the glass, nonchalantly replies, "Don't worry, it's just club soda, not that it's any of your damn business". He glares at Cameron for a moment and then puts down his glass.

"Look, Gary, I know you were at the apartment earlier. Felicia told us what you saw. It's not what you think".

Holding up his hand, Gary stops him and says, "Please. Don't go there. I know you were trying to help Josie get through this day… but".

"That's the truth", Cameron interrupts. "She called me. She was so upset and heartbroken about you. I just felt so sorry for her".

"Stop Cameron. I just don't want to hear this anymore", an increasingly irritated Gary implores.

At this moment, Amanda returns and says "Hello Cameron" catching him off guard. A stunned Cameron, turns towards her, and stumbles out the words "Amanda , you're back".

"Yes, I am".

He blurts out, "I'm just so happy to see you". He forgets for a moment and is about to go and embrace her. But he catches himself and says, "How's Alli? Is she all right?".

"She's fine. Thank you for asking", Amanda politely replies.

"Amanda, I didn't know. If I had known, I would have …".

Amanda quickly interrupts him and says, "Please, don't. I know all the "would haves" you want to explain to me and I understand. I truly do. But that's all behind us now. I don't want to look back on the "what might have beens" in my life. I just want to concentrate on "what is".

"But Amanda", he pleads.

"Just go Cameron, please".

"I can't just leave. Don't you understand?".

Amanda looks away. Gary then tells him, "You heard the lady, she wants you to go…and so do I".

A desperate Cameron turns to Amanda as if to plead his case one more time. He looks into her eyes and realizes that the conversation has ended.

Scene 2: Fade Out

Weeks have gone by. Cameron and Amanda had more fleeting moments, seeing each other across the street, or across a crowded room. Looking but not daring to speak to each other. Meanwhile, Gary and Josie have had a few meaningful meetings and conversations. She has been trying hard to stay away from Cameron, and to not rely on him, because, she is beginning to sense a slight glimmer of hope. The more she stays away from Cameron, the more Gary seems to be coming around to make sure she's all right. So she waits, and hopes for a miracle of sorts.

Cameron struggles to make sense out of his life, while Amanda tarts to move on with hers. She accidentally meets an old high school flame, Dan Jenkins. They keep bumping into each other. Soon they are sharing fond memories of old times, which lead to conversations and the realization that new times can be made and enjoyed as much. They start to date, and Amanda is finally feeling for the first time, that she is moving on with her life. For the first time in so long, she is allowing herself to be happy.

Scene 3: Fade In

Cameron is jogging on the hill. He sees Amanda walking in the distance. He's about to go to her when he hears a voice calling out her name. As he watches, Amanda turns around and sees Dan jogging towards her. She goes to Dan. They kiss and embrace, and then, continue walking, arm in arm, smiling and laughing.

"Oh my god", Cameron tragically says to himself. "It's really over. I've lost her".

Scene 3: Fade Out

END OF ACT 3

ACT 4

More time has gone by. Everything is pretty much the same. Amanda is still seeing Dan and getting closer. But she still can't seem to get Cameron out of her mind. Though she is getting better at it. Dan is making it easier and easier for her.

Gary and Josie have hit a few minor setbacks. When he finds himself getting closer, he pulls back from her, then Josie has to rely on Cameron for help. It keeps being a vicious circle none of them can break, though all three desperately want to escape.

Scene 1: Fade In

Amanda is in the park sitting on a bench. She doesn't know why, but found herself taking a walk and ending up here. She just spent a wonderful day with Dan, and begins to daydream about it. As she is smiling, reliving tender moments of it, Cameron's face keeps flashing in her mind. She becomes angry with herself. The harder she tries to not think about him, the more he penetrates her thoughts. Why can't she get over him, she asks herself. At this moment, she hears voices in the distance behind her. She turns and spots Cameron and Josie, together. She doesn't even bother to notice what they are saying or doing. Just the sight of them together has made all the old feelings of jealousy come back to her. Annoyed, partly with herself, she immediately leaves.

Scene 1: Fade Out

Scene 2: Fade In (The next day)

Cameron is laying on his bed listening to the radio. There is a knock at the door. Upon opening it, he finds Josie on the other side. She tells him that she has to speak with him. He lets her in and asks "What's wrong?".

"I tried asking Gary to go to the Lamaze classes with me as you suggested, but he wouldn't hear of it. He got upset, and told me to go to you. I hate to ask you Cameron, but I need you for this. Will you be there for me, please?".

"Of course Josie. I'm sorry it didn't work out. You have a lot of time before you start them. Maybe he'll come around by then".

"I don't think he will. I just need to know that I can count on you to be there".

"Don't worry Josie. I'm not going to let you down. We're in this together". At this moment, the radio announcer reports a bulletin in local news: "The heir to the Cory fortune, Alli Fowler, is presumed dead in a horrific skiing accident in the Alps. She was skiing with her class mates, when an avalanche hit them. Some bodies of the school children have been pulled from the site. But many are still missing and may never be found. Alli Fowler is listed as one of the missing. We will keep you informed of any further developments".

A stunned Cameron looks at Josie, and then runs out of the room to go see Amanda.

Scene 2: Fade Out

(Note: This is a soap opera, so to those of you who are upset with the death of Alli, remember that 'presumed dead" really means "alive and well" in a future story line.)

Scene 3: Fade In

Cameron, heartbroken for Amanda, arrives at the Cory mansion. He rings the doorbell. The maid answers and he asks to speak with Amanda. She informs him that none of the family members are available to see him at this time, but that she will express his condolences. As he begs with her to let him in, Rachel comes to the door. Upon seeing her, Cameron painfully tries to express his sorrow for her loss.

"Mrs. Hutchins, I am so sorry to hear about Alli".

Rachel dismisses the maid and says tearfully to him, "Thank you Cameron, I will let Amanda know that you stopped by".

"Mrs. Hutchins", Cameron desperately implores, "may I please see Amanda?".

"I'm sorry Cameron, this is not a good time, and I know she couldn't handle seeing you right now. Please understand".

"I do. Please tell her I am sorry. Just so very sorry".

"I will Cameron. I promise. Thank you for stopping by". She then closes the door.

Scene 3: Fade Out

Time has gone by and Alli's body has not been recovered. Amanda begins sinking deeper into despair. She has lost all focus. The center of her life has left her and she can't come to terms with it. Dan has tried to be there for her, but being so new in her life again, he doesn't know how to reach out to her. He doesn't understand what she needs. And neither does Amanda. She is too lost in her pain to see hope.

Cameron is devastated for Amanda. He drops by often, hoping she would be willing to see him one day. He wants to help her through her pain. To give her the strength she can't summon up herself. After all, he has never stopped loving her. But she never does let him in. She never lets anyone in.

Scene 4: Fade In

It's early evening and still light out. Rachel is stunned to see Amanda dressed and announce that she is going out for a drive. She says she needs to leave the house for a while. The walls are closing in on her, and she has to get out. Rachel asks if she can go with her, but Amanda says she wants some time alone and away from the house and the memories. Rachel looks at Amanda and thinks, "She appears to be all right. Maybe she is coming around, and just needs to be by herself". She decides it's okay to let her go and tells her to drive safely. Amanda smiles, kisses her mother goodbye, and leaves.

Scene 4: Fade Out

Scene 5: Fade In

Amanda is driving - for hours, though she has no clue to where she is or how long she has been gone. The solitude of the car makes her want to drive endlessly. She is lost in her thoughts of her daughter and the life she thought they would have had together. It is dark, and raining quite heavily now. Amanda is unaware of what's happening around her. She is only aware of the pain and the loss. It finally hits her that the life before her will be an empty one. One without her beloved daughter, and one without the only man she has ever truly loved. She finds herself alone on a deserted rain-slicked road, and instinctively, turns off the windshield wipers, and lets herself go. She just wants to end the pain.

Her car veers off the road and violently crashes into a tree.

Scene 5: Fade Out

END OF ACT 4

CONTINUE