My readers ask about my charges, but I do not know how to really answer them. It is a confusing time for many of them. Shannon seems fine, having embarked on a passionate fling with Thomas and pretending that Mark never even existed, but I find it impossible to believe that she is happy or that there will not be consequences for her actions. Meanwhile Mary seems to be doing better, having begun to talk more openly with Natalie and others whom Natalie knows to be going through the same thing. Still, I have thought that she was well before, only to be proved wrong.
As for Brooke and Morgan, both have been deep in dismay long enough, I think. I went to see each of them separately, to speak with them and try to mend the damage that is between them.
I went to Brooke first. She is currently in Dublin, Ireland, a place that she has always wanted to visit, and so she has been able to find some pleasure in her work and her idle moments. I took advantage of this lighter turn of spirit, speaking to her as she rested in her room at the end of the day.
“Your fears rise out of your great love for her,” I reminded her, “and the only way that you have wronged her is with doubt. She will forgive you for that. Be patient, and do not lose hope or let despair turn you away. You have put too much of your heart into Morgan to lose her now.”
She sighed and decided to go to bed early. Before she did, however, she sent Morgan a quick text, typing it quickly before she could lose courage.
You are the best thing that’s ever happened to me
I flew to Morgan to see how she received the message. She was just taking a break in the middle of a grueling rehearsal, but the dance practice wasn’t the only thing that made her heart beat fast.
“You see?” I said. “She does love you. It is only fear that hurt her trust in you, and everyone gets afraid. But wasn’t she brave enough to admit her feelings for you? Now it is your turn to be brave enough to be kind. Soothe her doubts—forgive her.”
Morgan stared at the message for a long moment, longer than I had words for. Then she put down the phone and went back to work, but her aura was pensive, and so I left it at that.
I do not know how this will turn out, but I am hopeful for good things. We will see in the coming days.