Thursday - 7/7
JAVA CAFE
Cassie sat at a table, drinking a cup of coffee. Nicholas, with a cup in hand, sat down across from her.
CASSIE: Thanks for joining me.
NICHOLAS: No problem. So, what’s on your mind?
CASSIE: Oh, I think you can guess. I’ll give you a hint, though. It has to do with last night.
NICHOLAS: Ah, you mean-
CASSIE: That’s what I mean. I wasn’t quite ready to talk about it last night, but now that we’ve both recovered and I’ve had time, I think I’m ready.
NICHOLAS: Recovered? It’s not like either of us had that much to drink.
CASSIE: True. But there were a lot of emotions last night. And I’m a very different woman than I was when I was younger. If you knew me fifteen, twenty years ago, we most definitely would have made it all the way to bed. But, the new me, the new me likes to think things over.
NICHOLAS: Nothing wrong with that. So, now that you’ve had some time to think things over, what are you thinking?
CASSIE: I’m thinking that that was one hell of a kiss last night under the fireworks. I haven’t felt anything like that in a long, long time.
NICHOLAS: I’m glad you enjoyed it. I did, as well.
CASSIE: Good. And I’m thinking that I might like there to be more of those. More dates, more kisses.
Nicholas smiled.
NICHOLAS: I think I’d like that, as well.
Cassie and Nicholas took each other’s hand.
NICHOLAS: There’s just one thing.
CASSIE: What’s that?
NICHOLAS: If we’re to make this official, there needs to be an understanding between us. It’s about Aunt Viv.
CASSIE: Oh. Do we really need to discuss her?
NICHOLAS: Yes, I feel we must. Cassie, I know you don’t like her, and you’ve every reason not to. I don’t approve of some of the things she does, either. But the fact is, Aunt Viv has been and always will be a big part of my life. Until I was nearly a preteen, I thought she was my mother, and even after I found out the truth, she and I have always been close. Despite her flaws, Aunt Viv has always been good to me. Depending on how the rest of this conversation goes, I’ll be having a similar one with her, but for this relationship to go further, I need you to understand that Aunt Viv is a very big part of my life. Is that something that you can accept?
KIRIAKIS MANSION
MAGGIE: Are you sure you have to go back already?
Melissa was bringing her suitcase downstairs. Sarah and Elle followed closely behind.
MELISSA: Oh, Mom, I wish I could stay longer. I really do. But I have to work, I’ve gotta get back to Baltimore.
MAGGIE: I know you do, dear, it’s just been so nice having you back, even if it’s just for a weekend.
MELISSA: Next time, I promise, I’ll come when I can stay longer.
SARAH: You’d better.
Melissa and Sarah hugged.
MELISSA: You know, you could always come visit me in Baltimore again, like you, Hope and Jen did last Thanksgiving. You too, Elle.
ELLE: Thanks.
SARAH: You know, that’s not a bad idea. Next time I have some time off, I just might have to take a trip up there.
MELISSA: Awesome.
MAGGIE: It’s been good having you back together again. My girls. That goes for you, too, Noelle, you’re part of this family, as well.
ELLE: Thank you so much.
Maggie hugged Melissa.
MAGGIE: Drive safely, and let me know you got home okay.
MELISSA: I will. Love you, Mom.
MAGGIE: I love you too, dear.
Melissa hugged Sarah and Elle again.
SARAH: Say hi to Nathan for us.
MELISSA: I will. See you guys later
Maggie, Sarah and Elle followed Melissa out and watched her drive away. Maggie took a deep breath. Sarah put an arm around her.
MAGGIE: So, what are you girls up to the rest of the day?
SARAH: Work for me. Speaking of which, I should be getting ready.
ELLE: I need to be getting ready, as well. Not for work, though. I have a date this afternoon.
SARAH: A date?
MAGGIE: That’s wonderful, darling!
SARAH: Why am I just now hearing about this? Details, please.
CEMETERY
Roman knelt in front of Bo’s grave.
ROMAN: Sorry I didn’t come to see you yesterday, little brother. Things got super busy. Then again, I guess it really doesn’t matter what day I come to visit, but I know the Fourth was special to you. I’m glad to hear Ciara and that girlfriend of hers came to see you, though. We had a heck of a party yesterday, wish you coulda been there. I know you were in spirit.
Several graves over was a figure in a black hood. It was the same figure that Ciara and Trix had seen on the Fourth of July. It knelt in front of a grave and put a hand on the stone belonging to Fay Walker.
Nicole, carrying flowers, walked through the cemetery with Daniel.
NICOLE: Thanks for coming with me.
DANIEL: No problem.
NICOLE: I wasn’t even sure that I wanted to come. Places like this normally give me the creeps, but I figured I had to stop and see Mom at some point.
Daniel put a hand on Nicole’s shoulder. As they drew closer, they saw the figure kneeling in front of Fay’s stone.
NICOLE: What on earth? Who’s that?
DANIEL: I have no idea.
NICOLE: Hey! Hey, what are you doing?!
The figure heard Nicole and quickly got up and began to run.
NICOLE: Hey, I’m talking to you! Get back here!
DANIEL: Nicole…
Roman got up and was turning to leave when he literally bumped into the hooded figure, who fell over.
ROMAN: Sorry about that, I-
FIGURE: Hey, watch where you’re goin’...Roman?
Roman blinked. That voice was so familiar to him. The figure dusted itself off, stood up and lowered its hood. Roman’s mouth dropped open.
