Part Six When Linda arrived home later that evening she found that all of Ginger's boxes had finally made their way to the attic. It had only taken about two weeks. She also discovered that Ginger's day at work had done nothing to help her mood. "Evening, Ginny!" "Hmph…" "Well that's a lovely way to greet me after the day I've had." "Yeah, well, I'm sorry you had a bad day, but we all have those from time to time, don't we?" "Ginger! What is wrong with you? I know you miss Jeff, but--" "Don't even mention your brother's name to me. I'm not in the mood." "What could he have done, Ginger? He's not even here." "That may be true. But I'm beginning to wonder more and more if I ever want him to come back." She turned away to avoid Linda's shocked gaze. "I'm - I'm not feeling well. I think I'll go lie down." "But Ginger…Judy and Gina are supposed to come over tonight." "Which is why I'm going to lie down," Ginger snapped, barely holding back the tears. "I've been looking forward to it all day. It keeps my mind off things." "Fine. I'll wake you before they get here." "Thank you." Ginger turned, the tears beginning to fall down her cheek and ran right into Charlie. "Watch where you're going, buster," she managed to say to him before continuing up the stairs to her room. "What's she so sore about?" "Oh, you know. She misses Jeff, that's all." Linda knew she was lying, but until Ginger told her the truth, she wasn't going to push the situation. "Well, alright then. I'm off to spend some time with Gina before she comes here. You know this every Thursday thing is a little annoying." "If men can have their poker nights, Charlie Hailey, we can have our fun nights too," Linda said, smiling after him as he went out the door. Ginger was lying face down on their bed in the attic, sobbing uncontrollably. Slowly, she turned over and reached into her pocket, pulling out the gold locket which had made her so miserable

She'd found it two days ago. It had been at the bottom of one of Jeff's drawers. She had been clearing it out to make room for some of her things and it had just been lying there, a cold piece of metal, open and face down, on a chain. And then Ginger had picked it up and flipped it over to see her husband's gorgeous face smiling warmly at her. To say she was surprised would be an understatement. While it was true that she and Jeff had only been close for the past two years, she had known him for almost all of his life. She had always thought that she was the first woman he had loved. And yet here in her hands was proof that there had been someone else before her. She knew, of course, about his liaison with Caroline and had accepted it, but she did not believe he had bought this for her. So why hadn't he shared this part of his life with her? Who could this woman have been and why had he kept the locket? Ginger heard a quiet knock at her door. "Linda, just a second." Ginger got up from the bed, placing the locket back in her pocket and grabbing a tissue to wipe her face. She walked down the stairs and unlocked the door. "I'm sorry I took so long." "Ginger, I'm worried about you," Linda said, as she followed her friend up into the attic. "Oh, Linda, you know I'm just emotional. There's nothing to worry about." "Nothing to worry about? Less than a half-hour ago you told me you didn't want your husband to come home. Ginger, look at me…I know this has been rough on you, but you must know you can come to me about whatever is troubling you." "I know," she paused slightly. She knew she had to ask before she lost her nerve, so she quickly said, "Did your brother have any girlfriends before me?" "What?" "Don't 'what' me. You heard what I said." "Yes, I heard you, but I fail to see the relevance or why it has come up now - after you married him." Ginger pulled the locket out of her pocket and showed it to Linda. "This is the relevance. Have you ever seen this before?" Linda touched the locket carefully. She had seen one like this before, but for some reason, she couldn't place it. "I don't know, Ginny. It looks familiar, but I don't know why." "Well, it has Jeff's picture inside. And I know he never gave it to me and I'm fairly certain he didn't date that British tramp long enough to give her such a gift, which only leaves a woman before me." "Ginger, you're jumping to a million conclusions at once--" "God, Linda sometimes you are so dense. Why shouldn't I jump to these conclusions? She obviously meant something to him, if he would give this to her in the first place and then to keep it after they broke up." "I just think that you should wait until he returns and talk it over with him." "But Linda…" "Ginny, do you or do you not love my brother?" Ginger nodded her head yes without a moment's hesitation. "That's what I thought. So wait until he gets home and then ask him about it…calmly." "Linda, what would I ever do without you?" she asked, tears falling again. "Well, honestly, you'd be a wreck." They both laughed. "Now why don't you go and get ready for tonight." Ginger walked her sister-in-law out of the attic. Before Linda left, Ginger grabbed her gently by the arm and turned her around. She gave her a big hug and whispered, "Thank you, Linda." "Any time, Ginger. You know I love you both more than anyone in this world, other than Mom or Hank. I'd do anything to keep you two happy." And then she went out the door, leaving a tear-stained Ginger to freshen up. To be continued...