Previously on Midway Prep
-Allan walked away from Francesca
-Adrienne explained to Mel that they had to travel to Germany
-Trace came to terms with Kim's death

Episode Fifty-Two
July 4, 2001

Trace paced back and forth down a hallway branching off from the Arboretum. Ever since the previous night when he had finally come to the harsh realization that Kim was indeed dead, he had felt a sickening hollow feeling in the pit of his stomach. He had constantly paced without any reason to. He was nervous, extremely nervous.

"Are you trying to set your shoes on fire from pacing so fast, Trace?" a deep voice called down the hallway.

Trace, who was in the middle of biting a fingernail, turned around as he began to recognize the voice. "Forrest? Is that you, man?"

"Darn skippy it is! I decided I'd drop by and see my lil' bro on this glorious Fourth of July!" Forrest Quincy's jovial voice boomed down the hallway as he walked merrily down the bright hallway. His bright hazel eyes greeted Trace's as he wrapped his arms around his little brother and picked him up into the air.

"Hey! You'd better freakin' put me down! Put me down!" Trace hollered, laughing and smiling all at the same time. He was surprised that he'd let himself do such a thing. When Forrest finally put him down, he added soberly, "I'm glad you came, man."

Forrest noticed the sorrowful look in Trace's eye. His smile dimmed a bit and he put a hand on Trace's shoulder. "Is everything okay? Nothing's gone wrong, has it?"

Trace turned and began walking away from him, a mysterious moisture forming in his eyes. He wiped his face and asked, "You remember Kim from my letters, don't you?"

The smile popped back on Forrest's face. He threw an arm around Trace's shoulders. "Havin' girl problems, little man? Don't tell me she's dumped you already!"

Trace lowered his head as he shook it. His eyes focused intensely on the ivory-tiled floor beneath him as he fought to control his emotions. He attempted to put on a smile for his older brother, but failed miserably. A tear trickling down his cheek, he looked up and said simply, "She's dead, Forrest. Kim's dead."

Episode 52: Scene Two