It's mid-morning. Tess Sherwood and her family have just been told by Doctor MacDonald at Alexandria Memorial Hospital that Quentin Michaels is awake and wants to talk to Tess.
Tess: Why does he want to speak with me?
Doctor: When he awoke after surgery, he was saying "Tessie, I want Tessie" over and over again. When we asked him who Tessie was, he answered Tessie Sherwood. We know what he's done Miss. I'll tell him you don't have to see him.
Tess: No, that's alright. I'll talk to him.
Loretta: Honey, what on earth for? After all the terrible crimes he's committed?
Tess: I want to tell him he's never going to hurt me or my family again. I want to do this. For closure.
Dorothy: This is what you really want Tess?
Tess: Yes. Doctor, I'm ready.
Doctor: Follow me.
Meanwhile, Joanna Harper has gotten off I-95 and is traveling down a deserted dirt road just outside of Alexandria, Virginia. Two cop cars are following her. The road is one way, so Joanna has no choice but to stay straight. But she doesn't see the bump in the road, and she hits it hard going over it. She loses control of the police car and it heads right for some trees....
At the same time, Eliza Braxton is sitting in the hospital cafeteria, drinking a mini carton of orange juice and staring ot the big glass window at the bright blue sky. Lance Grimes enters the room and spots her.
Lance: Mind if I sit down?
Eliza: No, not at all. (He sits) What a night huh?
Lance: Yeah.
Eliza: I'm glad you're uncle is okay.
Lance: Me too. I don't know what Mom and Paul would have done if we lost him.
Eliza: I still can't believe Paul is your cousin.
Lance: Believe me, it was a suprise, but a nice one. I'm known him practically all my life, and to actually be related to him is really great. How are you doing right now?
Eliza: Fine. The morning's been such a blur, I almost forgot to eat breakfast.
Lance: You need to eat something. Especially now since you're in the family way. I want our child to be healthy.
Eliza: You mean that?
Lance: Eliza, no matter what happens between us, I will be here for you and for our baby. A child needs two parents. (He covers her hand in his) This baby will have both his mother and his father in his life. Or her life.
Eliza: That's what I needed to hear. (She leans over to kiss him on the cheek. Just then, Rosamond Tucker enters the cafeteria to witness this intimate moment....)
Tess and Doctor MacDonald enter Quentin's room. He is lying in bed, blue eyes wide open, tubes attached to his body. He sees Tess and smiles. She cringes a little.
Doctor: I'll be right outside if you need me.
Tess: Thanks, Doctor. (He leaves) (Tess turns to Quentin) What did you want to tell me Quentin?
Quentin: I'm sorry Tessie.
Tess: Sorry? Well, Quentin, it's a little too late for apologizing don't you think? You kidnap me, try to kill my fiance, and you almost killed his father. And don't forget about that poor nurse Lora. And you're sorry. Do you really expect me to forgive you?
Quentin: No. But I hope you would understand why.
Tess: Okay Quentin. Why?
Quentin: Every time I tell somebody I love them, they reject me. My parents, Lora, now you. And I can't take this rejection. You don't know what it's like not to be wanted or loved.
Tess: So I'm supposed to believe you murdered Lora and tried to murder my fiance and his father because of that? I don't buy it.
Quentin: But you will buy that I wasn't alone in all of this. Your fiance's mother---well adoptive mother---was the mastermind. She wanted you out of the way. And she didn't care how. I was only following her orders.
Tess: The first part is true, but she had nothing to do with Lora. That was all you.
Quentin: I know that. And I'm truly sorry for everything. After I get out of here, they're going to put me in jail. That won't be too bad I guess. I know I'll probably find somebody to love in there. Those guys that have been locked up forever like pretty boys like me. (He begins to laugh demonically. Tess looks away, digusted.)
Tess: You're sick Quentin. Sick! I'm glad my family and I won't ever have to worry about you again.
Quentin (in a sing-song voice): But there's Jo-ann-a.
Tess: She's escaped from jail.
Quentin: A-ha! Joanna can't stay in a place where she can't get a pedicure.
Tess: The police will find her. Maybe you two will share a cell.
Quentin: We've been together before. At Wakefield. She really needs to go back there you know. She's crazy! (Begins to laugh again)
Tess: Goodbye, Quentin. (She leaves Quentin to his laughter, ignoring him tell her he loves her one last time.)
At that time, cops have invaded the dirt road where Joanna Harper has crashed the stolen car. Russell Gault is there, after being called to come to the scene. An ambulence has been summoned. Joanna is alive, but she has lots of scratches and cuts and bruises. She keeps crying out for Paul, Stephen, and Zachary. Russell slowly realizes with horror she's going to be admitted to Alexandria Memorial....
End of Episode 23
Next on come nightfall....
Everyone learns Joanna is at the hospital.
Cordelia and Everett have an important discussion.
Joanna goes over the edge.
Soap News
Episode List
The Cast
Character Bios
Around Breckenridge
Other Online Soaps
Home