As time moved on, the light in the room changed. A sudden darkening, caused by gathering clouds outside, brought Emily back to reality. She stood up a...d moved towards the table by the door where Mrs Marsden had left the telegram. She picked it up and read it twice, taking in every word. Placing it back on the table, her hand then moved to her left side, gently touching her dress over the point where she knew a dark bruise was still to be found. She winced. Rolling up her left sleeve, she could. But, anyway, do it now, Chloe, believe me it's the right thing." But, Max. He's like my, well, my brother. And, well, I just couldn't."Syd laughed and pulled me tight for a hug. "Chloe, it's ok. I know you've had a crush on Max. God, it's so obvious. But, you gotta' do this." You know I had a crush?" You may be a fabulous actor, Chloe, but you suck at hiding your true emotions."I broke free from her and sank into the couch. What a jerk I am. I couldn't believe I was that obvious."Does Max know. “Yeah, Mom. He gave us each $1000 bucks. That’s what I used to buy your present and Diane’s present.” John said to his Mom.“You spent all of your money on your Mom and my present?” Diane asked.John hung his head. “Yeah, I blew all of my money. Unlike you, who saved it all.”Diane leaned over and kissed John. Jennifer leaned over and kissed her son on his cheek.I was proud of John. If he was going to spend all his money, buying a present for his Mom and his girlfriend was the best way to spend. . but I wasn't sure what."Why what?" Why were you glad I wasn't there?" I didn't want ... I don't know ... If I was dead, you could move on." I'm ... I understand ... at the time I didn't want to move on. I'm glad I don't have to." Can we talk about something else?" They dredged up the car. The propeller cuts passed before and after the seat." I noticed." I'll bet." Then I was out of the car. The prop wash bounced me along the bottom. I saw something shiny and picked it up."Oh, brother."It was.