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"You sound just like Robert and Aaron," Melissa says. "I just found out I'm pregnant, not that I'm an invalid."

"Uh huh. Congratulations, by the way."

"Thank you for that," Melissa replies. "I know it must be hard for you?"

Darren raises an eyebrow in confusion.

"You and your sister are very close to Felicia."

"Yes, we are. But I like to live neutral these days. Whatever makes my aunt and uncle happy."

"Well, you know what will make me happy? Coming in to work," Melissa insists. "I need to get my mind off –"

Melissa stops speaking as the door opens and Jack Atlas enters the office.

Darren looks up at him. "Jack."

"Hey Darren," Jack says.

"Can I have a second in your office, Melissa?" Darren asks.

Melissa smiles. "Oh, of course. Go ahead."

Darren walks down the hallway into Melissa's office, with Jack following him. He closes the door as he follows Darren inside.

"What's up? You were gone when I woke up this morning," Darren says, sitting on the edge of Melissa's desk.

"I needed to clear my head," Jack replies. "There's something...something I think I'm finally ready to tell you."



Melissa sits down at Darren's desk, opening a magazine lying on the edge of the desk and flipping through it. As she does, she fails to notice the man who walks into the office and stands before the desk.

"Hello. I'm here to see Melissa Maddock?"

"Oh," Melissa says, closing the magazine. "That would be –"

Melissa looks up at the man and finally notices who he is...Victor Lopez.

"Riley."

"Morning, Vince," Riley replies.

"I've been meaning to find you."

"You have?"

"Yes," Vince says, removing a spoon from one of the drawers and returning to the tub of ice cream. He opens the tub and digs into it. "I need a favor."

Riley smirks. "I see."

"Don't worry, it's a relatively tame favor, I promise."

"And what is it?"

"This guy at school, Mark Zane. He's like, dirt poor. And lately he's been riding to school in limos and whatever," Vince says, shoving a spoonful of ice cream into his mouth. "I need to find out where this latest influx of cash is coming from."

"That's it?"

"Yeah. Told you it was easy."

"Relatively," Riley says, laughing. "I'll see what I can do."

"Told me what?"

"Rocky Road makes everything better."

Jessica twirls her spoon around in her bowl of ice cream. "Oh. I hadn't noticed."

"I'm sorry. I thought that –"

"Ice cream would make me feel better?" Jessica demands. "Sorry to disappoint."

"It's fine," Kelli insists. "I mean...it's perfectly fine. You just found out you're pregnant. That's hard news to accept."

Jessica sighs. "Tell me about it."

"And I mean, when Alec finds out –"

"No!" Jessica cries. "Alec can't find out. Nobody can find out. I want to deal with this on my own."

"Jessica, deal with this on your own? Are you going to get an abortion?"

"I don't know," Jessica replies. "I don't know. But please, don't tell anyone. Please."

Kelli forces a smile. "I promise."

"I can't believe I'm doing this," Felicia mutters. "I am not an alcoholic."

"That's what everyone says. The first time."

Felicia turns to find Joel Kincaid smiling at her.

"Joel!" Felicia cries. "What are you doing here?"

"My name is Joel, and I'm an alcoholic," Joel said. "Well, sort of."

"Sort of?" Felicia asks.

"I'm attending these meetings to appease Anna," Joel replies. "She thinks I need it in order to be a better father to Julia. It's apparently the root of all my problems."

"So you don't think you have a drinking problem?"

"God, no," Joel replies. "Do you? I heard about that trial. It just seems like your husband was trying to stick it to you."

"You're not wrong," Felicia replies.

"So...how about we try and get through all of this together, huh?" Joel asks.

"Sure," Felicia says, smiling.

She had to have imagined the entire thing. "What the hell is wrong with me?" Melissa cries.



"So what is it, Jack?" Darren demands. "The suspense is killing me."

Jack tries laughing, but it comes out forced. "Funny you should mention that. Something dying."

Darren frowns. "Is there something wrong with your health? Are you sick?"

"Well, it's sort of a two-part problem," Jack replies. "One...I no longer have an apartment. I've been evicted."

"Evicted?"

"I stopped going to work after I became depressed, and no work equals no money, equals no...place to live," Jack says.

"Depressed?" Darren asks. "Jack, what's wrong with you? Please, tell me."

Jack steps forward and takes Darren's hand. He leans forward and kisses him, and then he pulls back, wiping away a tear.

"I'm sick, Darren," Jack says, turning away from him. "I'm..."

"You're what? Jack, just spit it out!"

"I tested positive for HIV, Darren," Jack finally manages to say. "I'm HIV-positive."