xx


........................................... ............................................ ..


The dinner party at Steven's and Beth's was a success. Beth was so out-going...the perfect hostess. Steven stood with his arms around her waist as they bid goodnight to the guests. One of Steven's co-workers and his wife remained behind to discuss a business matter and when they got into their car to go home, they discovered it wouldn't start. Steven refused his request to call a cab, insisting he would drive them home. Steven kissed Beth saying he would be right back.

On the drive back, he passed by Tamara's house and seeing a light in her bedroom window, he decided to stop and see if she and the children were all right. It was quite late. As he let himself in through the front door with his key, he called softly to Tamara, hoping he wouldn't startle her. When she didn't respond to his call, he walked down the hall to the bedroom. In the soft glow of the lamp light, he saw Tamara lying on top of the bedclothes. All seemed to be in order so he turned to go, not wanting to awaken her. As he took one last look around the room, his eyes alighted on an empty pill bottle lying on the carpet beside the bed. Realization dawned on him and an expletive escaped his lips. With a loud groan of despair, he said, "Tamara, what have you done?" He ran to where she lay. Her face was deathly white, her breathing shallow. He slapped her face several times and shook her but to no avail. Reaching for the telephone, he picked it up and called an ambulance, urging them to hurry.

The ambulance arrived within minutes although it seemed like hours to Steven. It was as he opened the door to let the attendants inside that he remembered the boys. "My God," he uttered, "I forgot all about them!" After directing the attendants to where Tamara was, he went to check on the boys, desperate to keep them from seeing their mother like this. He was relieved to find them both fast asleep, oblivious to the drama unfolding around them. "I'll have to take them home with me," he thought. And hoped Beth wouldn't be too upset.

Tamara was placed into the ambulance and on her way to the hospital. Steven had explained why he was unable to accompany her to the attendants, saying he would be there once the children were settled. When he awakened them, they were delighted to see him, throwing their arms around his neck. "I'm taking you home with me for a while," he told them. "Your mother has to go away for a few days." The boys, so young, were thrilled at the idea of spending time with their dad and wasted little time scrambling into their clothes.

Beth wasn't too pleased when Steven arrived with his children in tow, but managed to hide her displeasure. Steven told her what had happened and Beth's disgust with what Tamara had done simply reinforced the feelings she had always had for her. She considered her a clinging leech, unable to accept the marriage breakup. Now she was burdened with her kids. She didn't voice her feelings to Steven...she would deal with him later!

When Steven arrived at the hospital, he was informed by the doctor that Tamara's stomach had been pumped and that she was now resting. He suggested he go home as she would sleep for most of the night...that he should return in the morning. As Steven entered the room where Tamara was, he noticed how tiny and vulnerable she looked. Guilt surged through him but was quickly replaced with anger. "What right did she have to do this?" he thought. "What kind of a mother was she to do this while her children were in the next room?" He wanted to shake her but turned instead and walked from the room. "I can't trust her with the boys again, God knows what she might do next time! I'll file for custody of them tomorrow!"

............................ .......................................... ... 



HOME  EMAIL       EPISODE 18  EPISODE 20 
 





Hosted by www.Geocities.ws





        






1