It's early afternoon, same day as last time. Paul Harper has come home on his lunch hour to spend some romantic time with his wife Tess. The couple is on the living room couch making out, and as Paul reaches for the buttons of Tess' blouse, there's a loud knock at the door. Paul quickly looks up, startled.

Paul: Who could that be?

Tess: It sounds urgent. Probably family.

Paul (getting up to answer the door): They sure picked a great time to visit. (Paul opens the door, and sees Larry and Loretta) Hi Loretta. Hi Larry. What's up?

Larry: Something awful has happened. May we come in?

Paul: Sure, go right ahead. Loretta, you're shaking. What's the matter?

Loretta (sitting down on the couch, trembling): I was at the park this morning and Victor Pearce came over to me. He began saying all these things, making me really uncomfortable. Oh God, I never felt so scared!

Tess (rushing to her side): Mom, it'll be okay. You're safe now. (To Larry) Larry, what did he do?

Larry: He grabbed her and starting groping her that's what. He told her she forgot what a man felt like.

Tess: That's pretty creepy! What did you do Mom?

Loretta: I pushed him away and threatened to call the police if he touched me like that again. Then I ran to the bus stop. Luckily the bus came before he could come after me again. I got off near the diner and told Larry and Dorothy the moment I got there.

Larry: Victor Pearce is a first class jerk. He thinks he can get what he wants by manhandling people.

Paul: I've never heard of this guy. Has he been in town long?

Loretta: He came here in 1972. I remember because that's when Patrick's father died and we took over the diner. He lived downtown in an apartment building near Patrick and I. The girls were very little and Larry wasn't even born yet. Victor would come onto me occasionally, until Patrick set him straight. Then he met a pretty young woman and they got married and moved to another neighborhood.

Larry: Roark and I became close with his son Brody. Brody was abused by him a lot. His grandparents came and took him for a while but sent him back when we started high school. I still think Victor is abusing him.

Tess: So Brody's mother is the woman that Victor married?

Loretta: Yes, I think so. She was a beautiful young woman who was planning to attend college. I didn't know her that well, only from what I read of the wedding announcement in the paper. She was blonde though. Victor likes blondes. Maybe I should dye my hair. (Laughs nervously)

Larry: This is no joking matter Mom. Victor is really disturbed. He could snap at any moment, and I don't want you to be there when it happens.

At Eliza Braxton's house, Suzanne Haines and Janet MacDonald are sitting on the living room sofa. Eliza brings out a tray of grilled cheese sandwiches and iced tea and sets them on the coffee table.

Eliza: Help yourselves girls. Deanna made the sandwiches before she left for class.

Suzanne: Thanks.

Eliza: So Janet, how's everything going at the station?

Janet: It's much slower paced than L.A., which I like a lot. I was tired of the atmosphere there.

Eliza: But why come all the way to Breckenridge?

Janet (becoming nervous): Well, I---(the sound of Melissa crying interrupts her, for which Janet is very grateful for).

Eliza: I'll be right back. (Goes upstairs)

Suzanne: Maybe she'll bring the baby down. You should see her Janet. Melissa is so cute.

Janet: It's been so long since I---(She stops before revealing anything else)

Suzanne: Since you what? Held a baby?

Janet (relieved): Yes.

Eliza comes downstairs with Melissa, who has stopped crying. Eliza walks over to Janet and places the baby in her arms.

Eliza: She loves to be held Janet. And she likes you to look at her too.

Janet looks at Melissa, who begins cooing. Instinctively, Janet holds the baby even closer and begins rocking her.

Eliza: You're a real pro at that Janet. Do you have any children?

But Janet's mind is somewhere else. She is picturing herself holding a baby in a rocking chair in a small bedroom looking out the window watching a thunderstorm. She is singing to the baby, rocking it to sleep. Janet doesn't notice a large figure looming over her. A man yells out.

Man: Julie! Where is my dinner?

Janet turns around and looks at him in fear, then defiance.

Janet: I have to take care of our baby. You're not helpless. Fix your own dinner for a change. (She gets up and places the baby in a crib).

The man becomes enraged and grabs Janet by the throat. Janet begins struggling.

Man: Dammit Julie! When I tell you to fix dinner, I mean fix dinner! (He begins choking her, but Janet manages to wrestle free from his deadly grip. She rubs her throat, furious).

Janet: You brute! I'm sick of you grabbing me, choking me, and beating me because I don't do things you can damn well do yourself. I'm this close to taking our baby and leaving. Now, there are cans of chili in the kitchen cabinet. Go make some of that. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a baby to take care of. (Janet and the man exchange glares, then he storms away. The baby begins to cry. Janet goes to the crib and begins rubbing the baby's stomach).

Janet (soothingly): It's alright my sweet baby, it's alright. Mommy will be getting you out of this hellhole soon...

As Janet begins to snap out of her flashback, Suzanne and Eliza are calling for her.

Eliza: Janet! Hey Janet, you're holding Melissa too hard! (Janet finally snaps out of it and eases her grip on Melissa, who's still quiet).

Suzanne: Did you space out there for a minute?

Janet: What? (She looks down at Melissa, but sees her own baby and she becomes scared) I'm sorry, I'm so sorry! (She hands Melissa back to Eliza and stands up) I need to get some air. I'll be right back. (She hurries to the front door and goes out).

Eliza: Suzanne, what was that all about?

Suzanne: I don't know Eliza. All I can tell you is Janet hasn't had it easy since she came here. She's been having terrible nightmares. When we ask her what's wrong, she says it's the adjustment to all the changes that's causing her stress, but I think it's more than that.

Janet is outside, taking in the mild, fresh air, the flashback still haunting her.

Janet: I can't lose my mind now. I have to get myself together if I'm ever going to put the awful memories of this town behind me and move on with my life.

At Cordelia and Everett's house, Lance Grimes has just entered the living room to have lunch with Rosamond Tucker. He is very nervous but he's not sure why. Maybe it's the fact this might be the last time he shares a meal with the woman he loves more than life itself.

Lance: I wonder where Cordelia and Everett are. (Goes to the staircase) Cordelia! Everett! Rosie! (He waits a few moments, then begins looking around downstairs).

Lance: Why would Rosie invite me here when nobody's home? Maybe something came up. Or maybe she chickened out. (He walks back into the living room and heads for the door when he hears his name being called. Lance turns around to find Rosamond walking down the staircase, wearing a white sundress and no shoes).

Lance (thunderstruck): You look so beautfiul. (She holds out her arms, and Lance rushes to her and wraps his arms around her). I love you Rosamond.

Rosamond: That's the first time you've called me by my full name. I like it. And I love you too Lance.

Lance: There will be plenty of more times for me to call you Rosamond---if you'll let me.

Rosamond: Can you ever forgive me for my behavior the past few weeks?

Lance: Oh Rosie, I was never angry with you to begin with. (He caresses her cheek, then begins to kiss her. Rosamond breaks it off, and takes his hand, leading him upstairs).

Rosamond: Come on Lance. Lunch awaits...

Next on Come Nightfall:

Larry and Roark are ripe to confront Victor, but somebody else beats them to it.

Lance considers a very important step.

Ingrid pays Kane a visit.

THIS HAS BEEN COME NIGHTFALL

BY BREE PERRY

COPYRIGHT 2001