BCUH-JOHN'S OFFICE/DAY

MORGAN is ripping a piece of paper to shreds in his hands, while JOHN sits quietly, waiting for a reply.

JOHN
Well?

MORGAN
Well...what?

JOHN
Come on, Morgan, there was a woman, wasn't there?

MORGAN
(with a wry smile)
What, are you a psychiatrist now?

JOHN
No, but I'd hope I'm still your friend. What happened in LA?

MORGAN
What happened with you and Sharlene? I'd rather hear that story than subject you to my boring tales.

JOHN
Man meets woman, man marries woman, man and woman divorce, man and woman rekindle love under an Oklahoma sky. Easy as that.

MORGAN
Easy? You're the only person I know who would call that easy, John.

JOHN
Okay, so maybe it wasn't so easy. To tell you the truth, it was Gregory. After going out to Oklahoma to be with Greg for awhile, Sharlene and I had the chance to spend a lot of time together and really talk. We decided that our son was more important than our pride.

MORGAN
I think you made the right decision, John.

JOHN
Thanks. We have.

MORGAN
You aren't chased by any ghosts here?

JOHN
(laughing)
Other than the ghost of Rita Madison?

MORGAN
(smiling)
No...I guess I mean ghosts of past events. A lot took place at this hospital. I met and fell in love with Courtney here.

JOHN
(with a concerned look)
Is coming back here going to dig up those memories for you, Morgan?

MORGAN
(shaking his head)
No. I came to terms with that a long time ago. In fact, there was someone in LA who helped me come to terms with Courtney's death.

JOHN
The girlfriend?

MORGAN
The FORMER girlfriend. It's over between us. It's been over for months.

JOHN
Tell me about her, Morgan.

Morgan closes his eyes and takes a deep breath.

CUT TO:

BCUH MATERNITY WARD/DAY

LORNA is silent as she digests the news about Tito.

HAYLEY
(nervously)
Would you say something, please?

LORNA
Tito...jeez, Hayley. Couldn't you have picked someone a little less...of a killer?

HAYLEY
(half-angrily)
He wasn't a killer at the time, Lorna.

LORNA
Okay. So tell me what happened. But tell me while we're walking to Dr. Doyle's office, otherwise, we're going to be late for your appointment.

They begin to walk away from the nursery, down the hallway of the hospital. Hayley begins to speak nervously.

HAYLEY
Back in January. I'd just moved here, I was lonely. I hadn't made up my mind to look for you, or to look for Felicia. And one day, I went into this coffee place across town, the Lucky Lady.

LORNA
Etta Mae's place.

HAYLEY
I guess. He was working there. When I went in that day, we started talking. We both came from the same kind of background, he lived in foster homes, neither of us had very much money growing up. And we connected on that level.

LORNA
I guess it's easy to do, isn't it? Especially if you're lonely.

HAYLEY
I was. I was so incredibly lonely. And out of loneliness, I invited him back to my place to watch TV. One thing led to another, and we ended up sleeping together.

LORNA
Just that one time?

Hayley doesn't answer her.

LORNA(cont'd)
Hayley, no matter what you say, I promise that I won't judge you.

HAYLEY
I'm not some town tramp, Lorna. When it happened with Tito...that was the first time for me. I didn't go to my proms, I didn't go to parties in high school, I didn't have boyfriends. And suddenly, I had someone who seemed to care about me---

LORNA
---and sex became love. Honey, I KNOW how that works. I've been there myself.

HAYLEY
You have?

LORNA
Yes, I have. Grant Harrison. He and I were involved a long time ago. And I mistook his selfish motives for love and for acceptance. I almost alienated everyone I loved, and because of him, I wrecked a relationship with someone. Luckily, we salvaged our friendship, but I know exactly how sex can ruin your life.

As they reach Dr. Doyle's office, Lorna puts a hand on the doorknob.

LORNA (cont'd)
Ready?

Hayley nods, unsurely, and follows her inside.

CUT TO:

JOE AND PAULINA'S HOUSE/DAY

REMY looks flustered, but determined to explain to PAULINA about Tito.

REMY
No, he's not a bad guy! He wants to raise this baby, Paulina. He wants to take responsibility. But Hayley wants to give the baby up.

PAULINA
Where do you fit in?

REMY
Just as a friend. He just needs someone on his side right now.

PAULINA
Oh, Remy, why you?

REMY
Because I know him better than anyone. Right now, I'm his only friend.

PAULINA
So what do you want from me, my blessing?

REMY
It would be nice.

PAULINA
I hate this, you know. But I have no right to choose your friends.

REMY
That's a yes?

PAULINA
If you trust him, it's fine.

REMY
Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Remy hugs her.

PAULINA
But if he hurts you --

REMY
He won't, I promise! So, can he come over some time? He's really upset about Hayley. I'd like to cheer him up.

PAULINA
It's your house too. Your friends are welcomed anytime.

REMY
What about Joe?

PAULINA
I'll talk to Joe.

REMY
Okay, I have to go to class. I'll be home tonight for the part.

PAULINA
Okay. We don't want you missing that.

REMY
Thanks, Paulina. I love you.

PAULINA
I love you too, honey.

Remy leaves, Paulina sighs and shakes her head, going back to unpacking.

FADE OUT