Sarah sat at the kitchen table, across from her mother. She lit a cigarette, and her eyes flitted around the room, restlessy. She couldn't look at the sympathy that was on her mother's face. She had told her nearly everything that had gone on and now she was waiting for a reply. She felt her eyes tear up again and she wondered how she had any tears left, she had been crying so much in the last twelve hours. It had been twelve hours since she had left Sam. That thought hit her and she felt the cold, hard pain in her chest. It still seemed unreal.

Jane set her cup down, slowly, as she thought of what she wanted to say. She took Sarah's hand in hers and spoke in a low comforting tone.

"I was worried that this would happen because you are so much like me. We do things on impulse."

"Mom, I fell in love. When I first met him, he was everything I ever wanted."

"Trust me, when I tell you this. I know you had your heart broken. I know what that feels like. But it will heal, Sarah. Time goes by and your heart does heal."

"Have you had your heart broken before?" Sarah asked, sadly.

"Yeah, honey, I did. And I went through everything that you're feeling. But after awhile, I met your father and he filled my heart with so much love that it was whole again. It will be ok, you'll see. Now, I think you should go lie down. You've been up all night and you have to get some sleep."

Jane crossed over to her daughter, helping her up from her chair. She wrapped her arms around Sarah, who put her head on her mother's shoulder and cried.

"C'mon, honey. Get some rest." Jane led her up the stairs to her room and onto her bed. Tucking in the covers around her, she kissed her cheek. "We can talk more when you wake up." She left the room and closed the door quietly behind her.

Jane ran into her bedroom as she heard the phone ringing. She quickly picked up the receiver and answered, whispering so Sarah wouldn't hear.

"Can I speak to Sarah, please?" Sam's anguished voice came through.

"No, Sam. Do not call here anymore! She doesn't want to talk to you." Jane hung up the phone, then sat on the bed. Immediately, it started ringing again. With a determined look, Jane picked up the receiver and put it back down, hanging up on the caller that she suspected was Sam. Then she picked it up again and set it beside the base. Taking the phone off the hook was the only solution to the problem.

Sarah listened from the door to her room. She had gotten out of bed and crept over to open it a crack when she heard the phone ring. The pain in her chest flared hot as she realized it was Sam on the other end. All she had to do was go take the phone and she could hear his voice. But she didn't think she could bear to hear what he had to say, so she had hid behind the door listening as her mother talked to Sam, then hung up.

She knew when it rang again that Sam was not giving up. Now Sarah saw her mother take the receiver off the hook and set it on the table. She closed her door, then went back to her bed. Sitting on the side, she reached into her bag and pulled out the pill bottle, shaking out the last two pills. She popped them in her mouth and swallowed them dry, then lay back down, pulling the comforter over her head.

Sam stood at his window and watched the other members of the band, gathered around in the pool. He knew, from the occasional glances towards his window, that they were talking about him. And Sarah.

He had given up on trying to call her anymore; he knew that the phone was off the hook. And he had, at last, calmed down, with help from Trish and her little pills. He felt like a zombie, unable to eat and unwilling to sleep anymore.

Georgie had informed him that he had better get his shit together, he still had a show to do tonight. Sam knew that Georgie was only doing what was best for him, keeping him on track with the show, and away from thinking about Sarah. And as he thought about it, Sam thought that maybe it would help to see the crowds and hear them as they called his name. Then he realized there was only one person that he wanted to hear call his name.

Sam walked away, shaking his head, and dropped down on the bed, picking up the phone. One last try, he thought to himself. He hung up when he heard the busy signal.

TUESDAY - JUNE 22, 1976

Sarah heard the doorbell ring as she stood at the kitchen counter, drinking her coffee. Her heart skipped around in her chest and she gripped the counter to hold up her shaking legs. She looked over at her mother, who had jumped up from the table.

"It's probably Midgie. She said she was coming over." Jane had seen the panic flare up in her daughters eyes and her own heart ached. "Stay here, I'll get the door."

Sarah heard Midgies voice as her mother opened the door and she blew out the breath that she didn't realize she was holding.

She had spent last evening with her parents, who had both tried their best to make her feel better. Her mother had made a roasted chicken for dinner, Sarah's favorite, and during dinner, her dad had talked about her coming back to work, doing the books at the restaurant. They talked about her getting ready for college in August. Sarah had pushed the food around her plate and listened, half heartedly.

Midgie had come to take Sarah shopping. Tomorrow was Pete's birthday and they needed to get him a gift. They were all getting together at his apartment tomorrow to help him celebrate. Sarah wasn't sure how much celebrating she would be able to do. But for Pete, she would try to enjoy it and make the best of it. Her friends were trying to help her and she knew she had to show them that she appreciated it.

Sarah and Midgie were on their way to the mall. Midgie had been talking non stop, while Sarah looked out the windows. Finally Midgie ran out of things to say and the silence fell thick in the little car.

"Sarah, honey." Midgie started out reluctantly. "I understand how hard this is for you. But you are strong, you will overcome this and come out at the end that much stronger."

"When is the end, Midgie? I don't know if I can take this pain." Sarah said, quietly. "It hurts so bad, sometimes I can't breathe."

"You'll get through it, girl. Just lean on us." Midgie assured her.

"I miss Sam." Sarah choked on the words. "I think maybe I should see him and talk face to face."

"Whoa there!" Midgie swerved into a parking spot and hit the brakes, sharply. She turned in her seat, looking at her friend. "Do you need me to remind you about things? I know you are hurting, but when you feel yourself caving, I want you to think about all those bad times you had. They will tear you up, I'm sure. But hopefully, they will also remind you of just why you came home!"

"They weren't all bad! I have a lot of good memories too. Sam and I were in love!" Sarah protested.

"I know you were. I know you still love him. But, honey, he did you wrong! And don't you ever forget that! "

Sarah hid her face in her hands. "I know." She said, quietly.

"I'm sorry." Midgie hit the steering wheel with the palm of her hand. "But damn it, Sarah! I get so pissed off when I look at you. You are suffering, and it shows on your face. He's the fucker that caused it! Him and that French bitch! You are my best friend, I've known you forever. I won't let you suffer like this! Do you understand?" Her voice softened. "Let us help. But you have to try too. And saying that you want to see him again, well, that's not going to help. The more distance you put between him and you, the quicker the pain will heal. He would only talk you into going back with him. Could you do that? Could you go back and face her?" Midgie demanded.

Sarah sat, quietly thinking about it. "No, you're right. I couldn't handle seeing them together. I don't want to see her and know that she's carrying Sam's baby."

"That's what you want to remember whenever you think about going back to him."

Sarah gave a dry laugh. "If I ever say that I want to see him, you can remind me!"

"You got that right, girl!" Midgie opened her door. "Let's go shopping. What should we get Pete? Any ideas?"

They shopped all afternoon, but couldn't find anything. When Midgie saw Sarah stop outside the record store, she looked in to see what she was staring at. Sarah was watching as they were setting up a display of Blood Brothers albums by the check out.

Midgie grabbed her friends arm and pulled her away. "C'mon, girl. Don't torture yourself. You know what I just thought of? There's a head shop over on Drury St. It just opened up a couple weeks ago. I think Pete mentioned that he'd like a new pipe."

***

Sam walked into his hotel room, and went straight to the bed, falling into it. His body was in Boise, but his mind was divided in two places, Paris and Breezewood. He knew that Gisette had gone to the doctors today and he was waiting for the call. He couldn't think farther ahead than that. If he even considered the possibility that she was pregnant, he would fall apart again. He couldn't imagine a future for him that would include a baby. He wasn't ready to be a father and he knew that Gisette was in no way ready to have a baby. But he couldn't wrap his head around the options they had.

He groaned and closed his mind to those thoughts, centering instead on Sarah. Lifting the phone, he dialed the number he knew so well by now. He hung up as soon as the irritating busy signal started. He threw the phone receiver and the phone went crashing off the night stand. How long was she going to punish him?

He heard the knock on the door and Georgie calling his name and he climbed wearily off the bed.

Georgie was leaning on the doorjamb, he looked at Sam and cocked his eyebrow.

"Do I have to sit here and babysit you again?" Georgie asked, nodding towards the phone on the floor.

Sam rubbed his hands over his face. "No, I just lost my cool for a second. Sarah still has the phone off the hook."

Sam looked at the phone, luckily still intact. "And I'm waiting for Gisette to call. This waiting is driving me fucking crazy!"

Georgie held up the joint he was holding. "I'll wait here with you."

"Thanks, man." Sam went over and put the phone back on the table.

It was an hour and a half later, Georgie and Sam had been talking about the concert the night before.

Sam had tried his best, but it still wasn't like the stellar performances he had always given. Georgie was trying to bring him back to the level he had been before, giving him a pep talk to boost his confidence again.

When the phone rang, they both froze and looked at each other. Then Sam grabbed it up, almost dropping it in his nervousness. Georgie watched Sam's worried face turn to one of complete relief.

Sam hung up the phone and punched at the air.

"She's not pregnant!" He grinned at Georgie. "Now I can go get Sarah!"

Sam walked in circles around the room, talking as he walked. His face showed his excitement and he was happier than Georgie had seen for days.

"I have to go see her. I can fly out and still make it back for the show. No, it's too late now. I need to check the flights, maybe I can go tomorrow."

"Hold on a second, Sam." Georgie cautioned. "I hate to burst your bubble. But Sarah is pissed at you, not just because Gisette could've been pregnant, but because you never told her. I'm not sure if she's ready to forget that. Maybe you should give her some time. She's going to have to put that phone on the hook sooner or later. When she does, then you'll know that she's ready to talk."

"No, Georgie! I need to talk to her now!" Sam was getting frustrated. "If I can tell her, I know we can work things out."

"Trish had an idea last night. She has put together an album for Sarah of all the pictures she has taken of you two. She suggested sending it to her. Maybe once Sarah looks at all the pictures, she'll change her mind."

Sam stopped and thought about it, then nodded. "It might work! Can she get it there fast?"

"Yeah, the hotel clerk said he can do something called Federal Express. They can get it there overnight if you want."

"Fuck yeah! She will get it tomorrow and be here by the end of the week! That would work out great!"

Sam could hardly contain his excitement. "Let's go see Trish!"