Act Three
 

  
        Jacob Braeden and Lauren Monroe…  Two halves of a completely convoluted whole, that in each other, have somehow found both a kindred spirit, as well as a dangerous counterpart.  Once upon a time, Lauren and I were friends.  In another life and time, Jacob and I could have been so much more, though I’d never go out of my way to admit that fact.  The world is equally full of good people misguided into doing the wrong thing, just as it is with those that simply don’t care about the wellbeing of anyone other than themselves.  Jacob and Lauren would each fall into one of these categories… I simply have yet to figure out which one it happens to be. 
 
Lauren:  You’re quiet (she says, noticing as Jacob continues staring into the cup of coffee he’s had sitting before him for the last twenty minutes.)
 
Jacob:  I’m sorry Lauren… what would you like to talk about?  (He questions, the remark dripping in sarcasm.)
 
Lauren:  I was right, wasn’t I?
 
Jacob:  You were right about what?
 
Lauren:  Back at the hospital… I was right when I guessed that you had feelings for Justin, wasn’t I?
 
Jacob:  Lauren… do you even know how to mind your own business?
 
Lauren:  That wasn’t a denial.
 
Jacob:  So what if you’re right?  Say I have feelings for Justin… what difference does it make at this point?
 
Lauren:  Well, aside from the fact that it proves you are actually capable of caring for someone other than yourself… it could make all the difference in the world.
 
Jacob:  How do you figure that?
 
Lauren:  All along, hasn’t Justin’s whole problem been that he’s felt alone in the world since losing Rob.  Don’t you think it would mean something to him, knowing that there’s someone else out there… someone that cares about him, you know… in the same way kinda that he cared for Rob.
 
Jacob:  I wouldn’t go that far Lauren.  These feelings… whatever they are, they’re nothing like that puppy dog stuff he had going on with Rob.  I don’t know, I mean, I can’t really even explain them.  I just know that having Justin in my life… even when we’re fighting… is better than the thought of not having him in my life at all.
 
Lauren:  Don’t you think you’re telling the wrong person all of this?
 
Jacob:  Um, in case you haven’t noticed, Justin’s kind of in a coma right now.  And besides that, you see how his friends reacted to my being at the hospital.  How do you think mama bear Gayle is going to react to seeing me?  There’s no way she’s going to let me near her little cub.
 
Lauren:  Yeah, Justin’s in a coma, but there’s things about people hearing what’s going on around them when they’re in a coma all the time.  How do you know that Justin doesn’t feel the exact same way about you that you do about him?  Maybe he’s just waiting for you to say something.  And as far as Gayle is concerned… find a way.  I know you’ve managed to do far more than sneak into a hospital room.  You’ve got to tell Justin how you feel… before it’s too late.
 
Jacob:  Tell me this Lauren… why do you even care?  There’s no love lost between you and Justin.
 
Lauren:  That may be true, but face it… you’re the closest thing to a friend I’ve got around these parts.  I want you to be happy.  Now go… get your man… or at the very least, try!
 
Jacob:  Thanks Lauren (he says, standing from the table.)  I don’t know what I did to deserve such a wonderful friend.
 
        I never would have guessed it, but if I didn’t know better, I’d think that was a tiny bit of compassion stemming from Lauren at this very moment.  It’s been a long time since I’ve seen it from her, yet a part of me hopes that it isn’t the last.
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Kyle:  Rusty, Gabriella… I don’t mean to intrude (he states, approaching Rusty and Gabriella.)  Son, do you have a minute? 
 
Rusty:  Actually dad, Gabriella and I were about to head out to the hospital to check on Justin.  Can this wait until later?
 
Kyle:  It won’t take but a moment son, please.
 
Rusty:  I’ll be right back (he turns to Gabriella to say, before walking toward his father.)  Okay dad, what’s this all about?
 
Kyle:  Walk with me son.
 
Rusty:  Really dad, is this necessary?  Gabriella’s waiting on me.
 
Kyle:  That’s precisely what I want to talk to you about.
 
Rusty:  What… Gabriella?
 
Kyle:  Son… do you trust me?
 
Rusty:  Of course dad… what’s that have to do with anything?
 
Kyle:  Well trust me when I say that this is in your best interest… but I just don’t think it’s such a good idea for you to be spending so much time with Gabriella.
 
Rusty:  And why is that dad?  (He questions, becoming somewhat defensive.)
 
Kyle:  Look Rusty, I really can’t get into the specifics of it all.  But please, just trust me when I say that I’m looking out for your best interest.
 
Rusty:  You can’t possibly be serious about this.
 
Kyle:  Rusty, I am.  Come on son… there are plenty of beautiful women out there for you to associate yourself with.  Does it absolutely have to be that one?
 
Rusty:  Dad, all due respect, but I really don’t know where any of this is coming from.  Gabriella and I are friends… that’s it.  But even if we were something more, trust me when I say, it’s none of your business!
 
            As Rusty walks away, Kyle watches as he goes straight to him.  He knows he’s angered his son.  Still, he can’t help but hope that a tiny bit of what he’s said to him has somehow managed to sink in.
 
Kyle:  (To himself)  Well that went well, didn’t it?  It was so much easier when they were little and had to listen to you.
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Justin:  I hate you (I repeat once again, my breath gone as we inch closer to one another than before.)  I hate you (I say once more, almost in a whisper, this time leaning closer to him.)  I want you…
 
            We kiss, at first but a moment, looking into each other’s eyes.  Behind them is fury… the kind that can only be found in the heat of passion.  We kiss again, this time longer, with more anger.  Our mouths ravage one another, our lips harsh to the others touch. 
            Jacob releases my wrists, making his way to my jeans, beginning to unbutton them.  I scratches at his back, reaching to pull at his shirt, as Jacob begins nibbling and biting at my neck.
 
Justin:  God help me (I say, falling into the complete throws of passion.)
 
Jacob:  God has nothing to do with this (he says, leaning up to remove his own shirt.)
 
            I reach for Jacob, pulling him to me as we begin kissing once more.  Our bodies collide, pressed against the coldness of the hardwood floor beneath them, as each of us takes from the other something we’ve longed for for far too long.  In an instant, we connect like never before, Jacob tasting the blood of my bottom lip as desire leads our way.
 
Rob:  There you go again.
 
Justin:  Excuse me?  (He says, snapping into the here and now.  He looks around, seeing Rob sit across him from their usual table at The Falls.)
 
Rob:  There you go… daydreaming again.  What was it this time?
 
Justin:  Oh, nothing… (he says, gathering his bearings.)  Just thinking about how great things will be once we’re living together.
 
Rob:  Yeah, me too.  I can hardly wait.
 
Justin:  Hey… I’m going to run to the restroom real quick.  Can I get you anything while I’m up.
 
Rob:  No, I’m good… just hurry back.  I want to show you the information about this place I found off of 5^th.
 
Justin:  Are you sure you wouldn’t want to just move into your apartment.  I wouldn’t have a problem with it you know.
 
Rob:  I know you wouldn’t hon, but this is a new beginning for us.  I want this place to be ours.
 
Justin:  I’ll be right back and you can show me (he says, leaning in to give Rob a kiss before leaving.)
 
            Entering the restroom, Justin finds the room alone.  Walking to the sink, he turns the faucet on, splashing some water on his face.
 
Justin:  Come on Justin… you love Rob.  Why can’t you get these thoughts of Jacob out of your head.
 
            Looking back into the mirror, Justin realizes he was too quick in assuming he was alone.
 
Come now… if you keep on talking to yourself like this, people are really going to start thinking you’re a little bit crazy.
 
Justin:  I should’ve known.  What do you want?
 
I would think it would be clear by now Justin.  We keep going through this, and yet everytime we see each other, it’s “what do you want?”  I’m going to need you to try and keep up.
 
Justin:  Yeah, you want me to make a decision… between Rob and Jacob.
 
There could be worse fates.  I mean, me personally, I think it’s a win-win situation either way.  Both guys are fine pieces of male specimen.  They both seem to be quite smitten with you, though I ask myself the question why all the time.
 
Justin:  And then what?  I make this important decision, and what?  You just disappear and quit tormenting me?
 
Maybe.
 
Justin:  How do you know I haven’t made a decision already?  Rob and I… we’re moving in together you know.
 
You and Rob could move to the moon, and the fact you haven’t truly made a decision would be just as obvious.  I don’t think you’d be having these lovely little daydreams about Jacob if that were the case.  What do you think Rob would say if he knew what it is you were really daydreaming about all the time?  Do you think he’d still look at you the same way… with those sad little puppy dog eyes?
 
Justin:  Leave Rob out of this. 
 
Now, now… no need to get all defensive.
 
Justin:  I know it was you.
 
It was me, what?
 
Justin:  The accident… I remember.  I know it was you that I was envisioning before the accident, not Rob.
 
Then I guess you must also realize that none of this is real.  You know, back in the real world, they’re getting tired of waiting for you to make up your mind too.  Is he staying, is he going?  Come on Justin, pick one.  Time is running out… soon the decision will be made for you.
 
Rob:  Hey Justin… are you alright?
 
Justin:  What?  (He questions, turning to see Rob.  Looking back to the mirror, he sees his other self is gone.)
 
Rob:  You were taking a bit… I wanted to make sure you were alright.
 
Justin:  I’m fine (he says, turning the faucet off as he grabs a paper towel to wipe his hands.)
 
Rob:  Well come on… I want to show you this place before I have to get going.
 
Justin:  Going?  Where are you off to?
 
Rob:  That, my dear, is a surprise. 
 
Justin:  A surprise, huh?  Are you sure there’s nothing I can do to wrestle it from you?  (He questions, wrapping his arms around Rob as he pulls him into a gentle kiss.)
 
            In moments like this, Justin remembers why he’s here… why he’s sacrificed everything to be with Rob again.  The sweet smell of his body keeps him captivated as he leans in to kiss him once more.  Pulling apart, he hardly wants to let go.
 
Rob:  You know, as tempting as that all is, I think I’m going to have to insist on surprising you tonight.  Now come on (he says, taking Justin’s hand.)  Let’s go see if this place is some place we’d be interested in.
 
            As they leave, Justin can hear his other self’s warning ringing in his head.
 
Time is running out… soon the decision will be made for you.
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            I’ve known Angel Hart most of my life.  I know the decision she’s wrestling with right now, and I know it can’t be easy for her.  In a perfect world, such decisions wouldn’t be forced into one person’s hand.  But as time has proven over and over again, we are far from being in a perfect world.  Sometimes we have to be reminded of that the hard way.
 
            As Angel steps off the hospital elevator, she questions once more if what she’s about to do is the right thing.  She’s never wanted to hold someone’s life in her hands, much less her very best friends.  Yet standing outside of Justin’s hospital room, watching her friend lie so lifeless just a few feet away, Angel realizes she can’t let nothing be done.
            The door opens, startling Angel briefly, as Justin’s cousin steps from within the room, shutting the door behind her.
 
Angel:  Vicki…
 
Vicki:  Angel… how are you?  (She asks, as the two hug.)
 
Angel:  I’m hanging in there.  How’re you?
 
Vicki:  About the same.  Hey, I heard about your mom… I’m so sorry.  She was an incredible woman.
 
Angel:  Thanks (she replies, a glint of a smile present at the thought of her mom.)  I was hoping to speak with Gayle for a minute.
 
Vicki:  Actually, is there any way you could come back a little later?  She just managed to doze off for a bit… I really don’t want to wake her again.
 
Angel:  I understand (she says, interrupted by the opening of the door before she can say anything else.)
 
Gayle:  Vicki… who’s at the door?  (She questions before noticing Angel.)  Oh Angel… you’re back.
 
Angel:  Yeah… I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you.
 
Gayle:  It’s quite alright.  I wasn’t really sleeping… just resting my eyes for a minute.  What can I do for you?
 
Angel:  Well, I was actually hoping that I might be able to do something for you.
 
Gayle:  I’m sorry dear, but I don’t quite understand.
 
Vicki:  Hey, you guys seem like you may need a few minutes alone.  I’m going to go find my mom in the cafeteria… I’ll be back in a little while.
 
Gayle:  Alright dear (she says, leaning in to kiss her niece on the forehead.)
 
            Gayle pulls the hospital door shut behind her before giving her attention back to Angel.
 
Gayle:  So what’s this about you being able to do something for me?
 
Angel:  I don’t even know where to begin with this, so I’m just going to give you what I have and let you draw your own conclusions from it.  But I know how hard it is for you to make a decision about Justin right now… I just think this might be able to help you a little bit in understanding how Justin felt, and maybe what he wanted.
 
            Gayle remains confused, as Angel takes the journal from her bag, handing it to Gayle. 
 
Angel:  I know I shouldn’t have taken it, but I don’t think any of that really matters anymore.  What does is what Justin wanted.  The last entry… it may clear up a few things for you.
 
            Turning to leave, Angel prays that she’s made the right decision.  Still, a tiny part of her can’t help but question if she’s just sealed her best friends fate.
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Scarlett:  This is a surprise.  (She says, holding the hotel room door open.)
 
Bill:  I hope that it’s alright… my just stopping by.  I was hoping to see Billy.
 
Scarlett:  He’s napping right now (she states, noticing the disappointment in Bill’s face.)  But I’m sure he’d be up for a visit with his daddy.
 
            Opening the door, Bill enters the suite, adamant in what he is about to say.
 
Bill:  Wait, Scarlett… before you wake up Billy, I was hoping to talk to you for a minute.
 
Scarlett:  What about?
 
Bill:  The custody case actually.
 
Scarlett:  Are you sure that’s a good idea Bill?  I mean, we should really leave that all to the lawyers… the case is in a few weeks.  In fact, you really shouldn’t even be here.
 
Bill:  Actually, I should be.  I mean, we’re both adults Scarlett.  Together, we have a beautiful baby boy.  Do you really think it’s right for us to be fighting over him, like he’s some kind of object?
 
Scarlett:  What are you trying to say Bill?
 
Bill:  Let’s work something out… something that we can both live with, without the lawyers, and without the trial.  Why risk destroying our sons life because we’re being too childish to realize that what’s best for him is having two parents that love him?
 
Scarlett:  I really don’t know what to say Bill… are you serious about this?
 
Bill: Completely (he admits.)
 
Scarlett:  Well, I don’t know what brought about this change of heart, but I must say, I am quite glad that it happened.
 
Bill:  Lets just say that I’ve had a lot of things to remind me just how fragile life can be.  I don’t want to waste anymore time fighting… I want to be a part of my sons life.
 
            Scarlett smiles at the declaration.
 
Scarlett:  Why don’t we go wake up our son.  I’m sure he’ll be quite happy to see his daddy.
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            The Hospital Chapel.  Claire Thomas has never been a woman overly devoted to religion.  Having such a scientific look on life, she’d much rather know that it were she that were in control of both her actions and her life, than trusting such matters to some higher being that may or may not truly be in existence.  Her husband is a completely different story.  Steve Thomas is a man that has always strived to believe in something, never going so far as to say religion was a part of his day to day life, but never quite turning his back on the possibility of it either.  Amongst his many conversations with God over the years, never before has Steve felt his beliefs so strained and questioned as he does this very moment.
            Opening the Chapel door, Claire isn’t surprised to see her husband on his knees before the altar.  When she couldn’t find him posted outside of Justin’s hospital room, it’s the very first place she suspected to find him. 
 
Steve:  I won’t pretend to understand why the things that happen do indeed happen (she hears him say.)  But I know that if anyone has the power to make this right, it’s you.
 
            Allowing the door to close shut behind her, Claire is startled by the sound it makes clasps shut, revealing her presence to an interrupted Steve.
 
Claire:  Mind if I join you?  (She hesitantly questions, kneeling next to her husband.)
 
Steve:  Since when are you the praying type?
 
Claire:  I can try, can’t I?
 
Steve:  Really Claire, I appreciate it.  But don’t you have some patients or something to see?
 
Claire:  You’re my husband Steve… don’t you think that’s more important to me right now?
 
Steve:  I really don’t know anymore Claire.  I really just don’t know. 
 
            Hearing the sound of the door opening, Claire is almost happy for the interruption… that is, until she sees who it is at the door.
 
Gayle:  I’m sorry (she says, holding the door open.)  I didn’t know anyone was in here.
 
Steve:  Don’t be silly (he says, making his way toward her.)  Has there been any change in Justin’s condition?
 
Gayle:  No… everything’s the same (she struggles to say.)  I really shouldn’t have left him… but I just needed a moment.
 
Steve:  No, don’t be silly Gayle.  You can’t stay with him every minute of the day.
 
Gayle:  I’m just scared… scared that if I turn my back on him for one minute, that he’ll be gone. 
 
Steve:  Here… have a seat (he says, guiding her to the bench beside them.)
 
            Claire watches the two together, realizing, not for the first time, that she truly is odd woman out.
 
Claire:  I should probably go and check on a patient of mine.
Gayle:  Claire… I’m sorry.  I didn’t mean to interrupt the two of you.
 
Claire:  You never do (she quickly snaps, immediately feeling a twinge of guilt for the snark.)  I’m sorry… really, it’s fine.  You two should be together right now.  After all, you are Justin’s parents.
 
            Saying the words, it seems to just cement how real this entire situation is.
 
Claire:  Please… let me know if there’s anything that I can do.
 
Gayle:  Thank you Claire.
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            Outside of Room 342.  Adam stands outside the door, not sure if he should really enter.  He watched earlier as Gayle left.  Hearing her ask for directions to the chapel, he knows she won’t be back for a while.  She always did have prayer on her mind, he thinks to himself. 
            Reaching his hand to the door, Adam hesitates, if but for a moment, questioning if he is truly doing the right thing.  Pushing the door open, he prepares himself for the sight before him.
            Looking at the tubes and IV’s connected to him, Adam tries to imagine the little boy that he last saw.  So much had changed since then.  This boy that he’d left so many years ago was now a man.
 
Adam:  Hello Justin… (he says, coming upon Justin.)  I don’t know if you can hear me or not… I don’t even know if you’ll remember me… but I’m your father.  

Continue To Act Four