"I'm alive, Carrie.."And he stepped forward and grabbed hold of me. His grip was hard as ever, he was solid and real and tears stung my eyes with reli...f. I couldn't believe he was really here again."Annelise made me say I loved her! She made me say those things on the phone to get rid of you, as soon as she knew I needed her help she started putting conditions to it - she even threatened to call the police, she blackmailed me!" But the crash.." I was out of hospital in six weeks. She told you I. .Chapter 2"Well?" Shane asked, with a hint of impatience. "Did you get all that?"I wanted to tell him to shut it, but I found myself looking down at thenotepad in my hands. I couldn't control myself."Yeah, hun. That's a large Bobby-Joe supreme, hold the onions. Side offries." It was my handwriting I was reading. I couldn't believe it, but Icontinued, "A medium chicken sandwich house special, with sweet potatofries, a Coke and a vanilla milkshake. Is that everything?" Perfect. Thanks a lot...". “So like where did your uhhh son umm go, Cynthia?” I asked as I tried bringing the conversation back to its original intention. She just smiled and wore those eyes of hers as she, what I thought, was caressing of my leg. “Ohhhhhhh dear, honey,” she said as she looked up from my knee to my eyes. “You and I can always,” and she paused a moment then said “talk about him, me, and other stuff later on. Right now,” and she stood up and took my hand in hers and I let her “we should Oh…my…God, I. Go ahead, Lauren." Chandra, you know that, despite the fact that we've known each other only online, I truly care about you. And I have for a long time. And I know you've really cared about me."It was her turn to nod."I just want to tell you two things. First, I'm truly sorry if what we did tonight was hurtful in any way. I ... I'm an idiot sometimes. I only wanted the best for you and I still do." Another nod."And the other thing is, despite how tonight turned out, I still care about you so.