Post by STLUEE on Mar 6, 2014 19:15:46 GMT -5
Soap central
In the waiting room at the hospital, Jordan informed Rafe that she was leaving Salem -- for good. She explained that she'd gotten a great job offer on the West Coast. A bemused Rafe pointed out that Jordan already had a good job that she liked a lot in Salem. Jordan feebly maintained that the new place really needed her. "I really need you," Rafe said. Jordan explained that she had struggled with the decision.
"I care about you so much, but I realized that staying here wouldn't be right for either of us," Jordan said. Rafe wished that Jordan had discussed it with him before making her decision. Reminding Jordan that she'd said she was tired of moving around, he begged her to stay in Salem with him. He pulled her close and stroked her hair, but Jordan pulled away.
"I know this is sudden and you're hurt, and this is probably cold comfort, but I'm hurt, too, because I do care about you so much," Jordan admitted tearfully. Rafe didn't understand why Jordan was leaving if it was hurting her, as well. She explained that she knew she would regret it if she didn't take the opportunity.
"Not just for my sake but for everyone's. You can't begin to imagine how sorry I am," Jordan added miserably. "Me, too," Rafe concurred. Not knowing what else to do, Rafe left, with a last, mystified look at Jordan, who broke down as soon as he'd closed the door.
When Ben showed up after getting Jordan's message, Jordan glumly informed him that she was leaving Salem the next day. "Wow. You are that determined to get away from me?" Ben said, hurt. Jordan insisted that it was the way it had to be because things couldn't go back to the way they had been. "Right. Because of him! [...] It wasn't supposed to be this way!" Ben complained.
Ben assured Jordan that he hadn't gone to Salem to ruin her life, but she assured him that she knew why he was there. "It's probably better this way. I was actually letting myself believe that I could have a life here, but I was just fooling myself. I probably would've ended up hurting someone even more if I stayed," Jordan admitted before leaving the waiting room.
Later, Jordan sat at her dressing table in her bedroom, remembering the first night she'd spent with Rafe. She gazed at a New Jersey ID with the name Joan Cooper that featured a picture of Jordan in a blonde wig. When Arthur meowed, Jordan told him that like him, she had thought of that place as home.
In the park outside Horton Square, Lucas overheard Kate on the phone with Ortiz, ordering the investigator to look into a possible connection between Jordan Ridgeway and the Ozarks. As soon as Kate hung up, Lucas accused her of being unable to bear the thought of Rafe and Jordan being happy because she wanted Rafe for herself. Kate insisted that she was simply trying to protect Rafe from Jordan, who was clearly hiding something, and Kate didn't want to see Rafe -- a genuinely good guy -- get his heart broken again.
When Kate said that no man had ever treated her with as much respect as Rafe had, Lucas wanted to know why she couldn't respect Rafe's relationship. Kate explained that it would be her fault if Jordan hurt Rafe because Kate had been the one who'd insisted that Kayla hire Jordan. Kate promised to back off Jordan if Ortiz turned up a legitimate reason behind Jordan's fake IDs -- and to keep Lucas and Sheryl out of it if Ortiz found a lead with the Ozarks association. "I really hope you know what you're doing," Lucas warned his mom before walking away.
At Club TBD, E.J. warned Nick, "Your blatant pursuit of Gabi, under the circumstances, is unseemly, if not downright reprehensible." Nick claimed that he was simply trying to do something nice for Gabi after all the mistakes he'd made -- and the two of them were getting closer with no manipulation on his part. E.J. didn't buy that for a second. Nick asserted that he and E.J. were actually a lot alike.
Although E.J. took offense at that idea, Nick explained that E.J. had fought to win Sami, just as Nick would do everything he could to get the life he wanted. E.J. guessed that Gabi was a big part of the life Nick wanted. Nick admitted that he wouldn't object if Gabi wanted to give their relationship another shot, because they'd once had a very happy life together. E.J. pointed out that Nick and Gabi's relationship had blown up because Nick had lied to her repeatedly.
Nick insisted that he was being completely upfront with Gabi because he wanted her to be happy. When E.J. alluded to Gabi's past actions, Nick remarked, "I guess she's lucky that she has me in her corner a hundred percent, because I can get whatever I want now that I'm in a position of power -- and I think you know better than anyone what a great position that is to be in."
When Kate arrived, E.J. cautioned her that Nick Fallon was a "loose cannon" who shouldn't be provoked. Unruffled, Kate reminded E.J. that she'd been forced to hire Nick and his "odd-duck assistant." E.J. warned her against underestimating Nick.
A forlorn Rafe wandered through town, remembering how Jordan had told him that she was the happiest she'd ever been. "This doesn't make any sense," Rafe said to himself. Rafe meandered into Club TBD, where Ben was tending bar, and sat at a table by himself. When Kate spotted Rafe and said hello, Ben began to clean a nearby table so he could eavesdrop. "I'm glad that I ran into you. I thought we should talk about Jordan," Kate said.
Nick met with Lucas at the Brady Pub to review Nick's product proposals. Lucas said that although the company was excited about Nick's lipstick prototype, they would have to change the formula to make it more affordable. Nick calmly insisted that the formula couldn't be changed because lipstick had to remain completely organic. Lucas argued that he had the final say, but Nick countered that as CEO, Kate would have the final say -- and Nick was certain that Kate would be on his side.
As Nick rose to leave, Lucas demanded, "What the hell is your deal? Who the hell do you think you are, anyway?" Nick replied nonchalantly, "Your mother's most valued employee."
Brady answered the door at Theresa's and was stunned to see his father on the doorstep. Quickly deducing that John was the one who had been following him, Brady demanded, "What are you doing back in town? What the hell do you want?" As John ambled into the apartment, Brady maintained that it wasn't a good time.
Theresa emerged from the bedroom after changing into a skimpy nighty, but as soon as she spotted John, she grabbed Brady's jacket and covered herself with it. "Who the hell is this?" Theresa asked, nervously ducking behind Brady. The two men explained that John was Brady's father. When Theresa introduced herself, John smiled and shook her hand as he told her that he was good friends with her parents.
John wanted to speak to Brady in private, so the men went into the hallway. "I'm worried about you, son. I want to help," John began. Brady insisted that he was fine. John knew about Brady's cocaine use and recent drinking binges. "You spent the better part of yesterday going in and out of bars," John noted. Brady maintained that he hadn't touched cocaine since New Year's -- and he did not have a drinking problem. Brady wanted to know why John had been tailing him.
John explained that he'd been trying to find the right time to approach Brady, but Brady had been drunk or angry or both ever since John had gotten back. John asked why Brady hadn't been responding to phone calls or emails. Incredulous, Brady said that he hadn't wanted to hear John say, "I told you so," about Kristen.
Meanwhile, Theresa had gotten dressed and returned to the living room, where she eavesdropped on John and Brady's conversation in the hallway. Brady urged John to get on with the lecture about how he'd warned Brady about Kristen. John gently stated that he'd wanted to reach out as soon as he'd heard what had happened to Brady, but John hadn't wanted to make matters worse -- but perhaps he should have returned sooner. Insisting that he didn't need John's help, Brady ordered John to go back to Europe.
"Don't push me away; we're family," John pleaded. "Not anymore, Dad," Brady said coldly before going back inside the apartment and slamming the door in John's face. Inside, Brady apologized to Theresa and complained that his father had a hero complex. Theresa admitted that one of the best things about living in Salem was not having to deal with her irritating parents on a daily basis. Brady suggested that he and Theresa do something before she had to go to work, so they headed out.
Sami arrived at St. Luke's Academy and presented a container filled with cupcakes to Hope, who was setting up the table for the school bake sale. Hope lashed out at Sami about the expensive earrings that Sami had bought for Ciara. Sami tried to apologize, but Hope wondered whether living at the DiMera mansion had warped Sami's values. Sami apologized if she had gone overboard, but Ciara had insisted on going to Baron's. Hope pointed out that Sami was the adult in the equation.
"I was trying to be nice. I mean, I was just trying to get her to cheer the hell up!" Sami insisted, noting that Ciara had been scowling a lot. "My daughter does not scowl," Hope argued. Sami pointed out that Hope had grown up with expensive things, but Hope maintained that she was not raising her daughter that way. She implored Sami, "If you are going to spend time with my daughter then please respect the values that I, her mother, am so desperately trying to instill in her." Her irritation boiling over, Sami suggested that Hope should take some responsibility for her daughter's behavior and greediness.
"I should be grateful, you know? I mean, I could've ended up at Tiffany's, for God's sake!" Sami complained as she whirled around to storm out -- and she ran right into an entering Aiden, knocking over the tray of cookies he'd been carrying. Sami apologized to Aiden, adding, "I'd offer to cover it, but it would give her another reason to yell at me." After Sami had gone, Aiden remarked that Hope certainly seemed to have a way with people.
As Hope helped Aiden pick up the cookies, she offered to make a donation to cover the loss. Aiden insisted that he would pay the difference if they didn't reach their goal. Hope expressed her sympathy for the death of Aiden's wife, noting that it had to be very hard on Chase. Aiden said that his son was doing all right -- especially since certain kids at school had stopped bullying him. Hope became indignant at Aiden's perceived criticism of her parenting skills.
Father Louis arrived just then and asked how things were going with Aiden and Hope. Hope cheerfully informed the priest that everything was going fine. After Father Louis left again, Hope informed Aiden that they would price every item at four dollars. Aiden protested that there were entire cakes for sale, but Hope said that she'd learned from experience that some of the parents would be offended if their items sold for less than the others.
Hope got a text message just then and explained to Aiden that an old friend had returned to town and urgently needed to meet with her. Aiden grudgingly agreed that he could handle things while Hope was gone. Promising to return shortly -- and reminding Aiden of the pricing -- Hope hurried out.
As the children entered the lobby on their snack break, they crowded around the bake sale tables, shouting excitedly. Although flustered, Aiden patiently instructed everyone to line up single-file. The kids obeyed, but Aiden scowled when he overheard Ciara complaining that it was taking too long. Father Louis asked if Aiden needed any help, but Aiden assured the priest that he had things under control.
When it was Ciara's turn to order something, she insisted that Aiden had given her the wrong flavor cupcake. "You said vanilla," Aiden reminded her. "I would never ask for vanilla," Ciara maintained. When Aiden handed over the correct flavor, Ciara grumbled, "I hope you're a better lawyer than you are a salesman." Father Louis returned to check on Aiden, who admitted that things would have gone more smoothly if Hope hadn't bailed on him. Father Louis said that in time, Aiden would see what a kindhearted person Hope was. The priest took a cookie and wandered away without paying for it.
Sami was walking through Horton Square when she ran into Theresa and Brady. Taken aback, Sami admitted that she hadn't been aware that the two of them knew each other. Theresa explained that they'd met in A.A. Sami asked to speak to Brady in private, so a petulant Theresa headed for the movie theater to check the show times. Sami warned Brady that her cousin was "trouble with a capital T."
Brady told Sami that he'd already had his fill of lectures that morning from his dad. Immediately recognizing that John was the reason for Brady's foul mood, Sami apologized for overreacting about Theresa. Sami admitted that having both of her brothers involved with the wrong women at the same time made her crazy. She asked for Brady's help in nipping Eric's relationship with Nicole in the bud.
"If Nicole's gonna break Eric's heart -- which she probably will -- I basically don't give a damn," Brady declared. Sami reminded Brady that they were family -- and what had happened with Kristen hadn't been Eric's fault. Brady quietly but firmly warned Sami that he didn't want to discuss it any further.
After Sami had gone, Theresa returned with a couple of Bloody Marys for the two of them. "I didn't see a movie I wanted to see at the theater, so I found a better way to pass the time," she explained as she handed a glass to Brady. They toasted to not running into any more family members.
E.J. returned to the DiMera mansion and found an obviously irked Sami working furiously on the couch. When he asked about his fiancée's mood, she complained that people were stubborn and judgmental. E.J. took the work from Sami's hands and put his arms around her, guessing that she'd seen Hope. Sami admitted that she'd also run into Brady. E.J. said that he had run into Nick earlier and cautioned Sami, "I daresay he may be more trouble than even you and I bargained for."
Hope met John in the park outside Horton Square and happily threw her arms around him. He explained that he'd just gotten back to town, and he would appreciate it if Hope didn't tell Marlena that he had returned. John added that he had a message for Hope from Bo, whom John had seen briefly in Europe. John said that Bo had been lonely for his family, although Hope was skeptical. John explained that Bo's undercover work had initially been aimed at the DiMeras, but it had turned into a case involving an even larger international crime syndicate.
John advised Hope that Bo's case could take another year or longer. Hope became upset, especially when John warned her that she might not hear from Bo at all during that time -- and if she did, it probably wouldn't be directly from Bo. "How am I even going to know if he's alive or dead?" Hope fretted. "Well, you won't," John cautioned.
Hope worried about how she would break the news to Ciara, who already missed her daddy a great deal. John tried to reassure Hope that Bo felt very confident about the case. He produced a letter from Bo and instructed Hope to destroy it after she'd read it. John kissed Hope on the forehead and left.
Sniffling, Hope opened the letter and read aloud, "'Dear Fancy Face, I know you must be pretty upset right now, but please try to understand. I have no choice; I have to see this to the end.' No, Brady, there is always a choice! 'I am so sorry to put you, Shawn-Douglas, and Ciara through this. I miss you all terribly. I'll be thinking of you every second of every day until I return. I love you and the kids more than anything in this world, and I promise I will do everything in my power to come back to you as soon as possible. Love you always, Bo.'"
Later, Hope paused to compose herself before going back into the deserted lobby of the school, where Aiden was straightening up. Hope apologized to Aiden but noted that he'd handled things well. When Aiden stepped outside to take a phone call, Hope sat down behind the table to reread Bo's letter. She began to weep. She ripped up the note and envelope, walked over to the trash can, and hurled the torn paper in. "Damn you! Damn you," a hurt and angry Hope cried, just as Aiden returned.
In the waiting room at the hospital, Jordan informed Rafe that she was leaving Salem -- for good. She explained that she'd gotten a great job offer on the West Coast. A bemused Rafe pointed out that Jordan already had a good job that she liked a lot in Salem. Jordan feebly maintained that the new place really needed her. "I really need you," Rafe said. Jordan explained that she had struggled with the decision.
"I care about you so much, but I realized that staying here wouldn't be right for either of us," Jordan said. Rafe wished that Jordan had discussed it with him before making her decision. Reminding Jordan that she'd said she was tired of moving around, he begged her to stay in Salem with him. He pulled her close and stroked her hair, but Jordan pulled away.
"I know this is sudden and you're hurt, and this is probably cold comfort, but I'm hurt, too, because I do care about you so much," Jordan admitted tearfully. Rafe didn't understand why Jordan was leaving if it was hurting her, as well. She explained that she knew she would regret it if she didn't take the opportunity.
"Not just for my sake but for everyone's. You can't begin to imagine how sorry I am," Jordan added miserably. "Me, too," Rafe concurred. Not knowing what else to do, Rafe left, with a last, mystified look at Jordan, who broke down as soon as he'd closed the door.
When Ben showed up after getting Jordan's message, Jordan glumly informed him that she was leaving Salem the next day. "Wow. You are that determined to get away from me?" Ben said, hurt. Jordan insisted that it was the way it had to be because things couldn't go back to the way they had been. "Right. Because of him! [...] It wasn't supposed to be this way!" Ben complained.
Ben assured Jordan that he hadn't gone to Salem to ruin her life, but she assured him that she knew why he was there. "It's probably better this way. I was actually letting myself believe that I could have a life here, but I was just fooling myself. I probably would've ended up hurting someone even more if I stayed," Jordan admitted before leaving the waiting room.
Later, Jordan sat at her dressing table in her bedroom, remembering the first night she'd spent with Rafe. She gazed at a New Jersey ID with the name Joan Cooper that featured a picture of Jordan in a blonde wig. When Arthur meowed, Jordan told him that like him, she had thought of that place as home.
In the park outside Horton Square, Lucas overheard Kate on the phone with Ortiz, ordering the investigator to look into a possible connection between Jordan Ridgeway and the Ozarks. As soon as Kate hung up, Lucas accused her of being unable to bear the thought of Rafe and Jordan being happy because she wanted Rafe for herself. Kate insisted that she was simply trying to protect Rafe from Jordan, who was clearly hiding something, and Kate didn't want to see Rafe -- a genuinely good guy -- get his heart broken again.
When Kate said that no man had ever treated her with as much respect as Rafe had, Lucas wanted to know why she couldn't respect Rafe's relationship. Kate explained that it would be her fault if Jordan hurt Rafe because Kate had been the one who'd insisted that Kayla hire Jordan. Kate promised to back off Jordan if Ortiz turned up a legitimate reason behind Jordan's fake IDs -- and to keep Lucas and Sheryl out of it if Ortiz found a lead with the Ozarks association. "I really hope you know what you're doing," Lucas warned his mom before walking away.
At Club TBD, E.J. warned Nick, "Your blatant pursuit of Gabi, under the circumstances, is unseemly, if not downright reprehensible." Nick claimed that he was simply trying to do something nice for Gabi after all the mistakes he'd made -- and the two of them were getting closer with no manipulation on his part. E.J. didn't buy that for a second. Nick asserted that he and E.J. were actually a lot alike.
Although E.J. took offense at that idea, Nick explained that E.J. had fought to win Sami, just as Nick would do everything he could to get the life he wanted. E.J. guessed that Gabi was a big part of the life Nick wanted. Nick admitted that he wouldn't object if Gabi wanted to give their relationship another shot, because they'd once had a very happy life together. E.J. pointed out that Nick and Gabi's relationship had blown up because Nick had lied to her repeatedly.
Nick insisted that he was being completely upfront with Gabi because he wanted her to be happy. When E.J. alluded to Gabi's past actions, Nick remarked, "I guess she's lucky that she has me in her corner a hundred percent, because I can get whatever I want now that I'm in a position of power -- and I think you know better than anyone what a great position that is to be in."
When Kate arrived, E.J. cautioned her that Nick Fallon was a "loose cannon" who shouldn't be provoked. Unruffled, Kate reminded E.J. that she'd been forced to hire Nick and his "odd-duck assistant." E.J. warned her against underestimating Nick.
A forlorn Rafe wandered through town, remembering how Jordan had told him that she was the happiest she'd ever been. "This doesn't make any sense," Rafe said to himself. Rafe meandered into Club TBD, where Ben was tending bar, and sat at a table by himself. When Kate spotted Rafe and said hello, Ben began to clean a nearby table so he could eavesdrop. "I'm glad that I ran into you. I thought we should talk about Jordan," Kate said.
Nick met with Lucas at the Brady Pub to review Nick's product proposals. Lucas said that although the company was excited about Nick's lipstick prototype, they would have to change the formula to make it more affordable. Nick calmly insisted that the formula couldn't be changed because lipstick had to remain completely organic. Lucas argued that he had the final say, but Nick countered that as CEO, Kate would have the final say -- and Nick was certain that Kate would be on his side.
As Nick rose to leave, Lucas demanded, "What the hell is your deal? Who the hell do you think you are, anyway?" Nick replied nonchalantly, "Your mother's most valued employee."
Brady answered the door at Theresa's and was stunned to see his father on the doorstep. Quickly deducing that John was the one who had been following him, Brady demanded, "What are you doing back in town? What the hell do you want?" As John ambled into the apartment, Brady maintained that it wasn't a good time.
Theresa emerged from the bedroom after changing into a skimpy nighty, but as soon as she spotted John, she grabbed Brady's jacket and covered herself with it. "Who the hell is this?" Theresa asked, nervously ducking behind Brady. The two men explained that John was Brady's father. When Theresa introduced herself, John smiled and shook her hand as he told her that he was good friends with her parents.
John wanted to speak to Brady in private, so the men went into the hallway. "I'm worried about you, son. I want to help," John began. Brady insisted that he was fine. John knew about Brady's cocaine use and recent drinking binges. "You spent the better part of yesterday going in and out of bars," John noted. Brady maintained that he hadn't touched cocaine since New Year's -- and he did not have a drinking problem. Brady wanted to know why John had been tailing him.
John explained that he'd been trying to find the right time to approach Brady, but Brady had been drunk or angry or both ever since John had gotten back. John asked why Brady hadn't been responding to phone calls or emails. Incredulous, Brady said that he hadn't wanted to hear John say, "I told you so," about Kristen.
Meanwhile, Theresa had gotten dressed and returned to the living room, where she eavesdropped on John and Brady's conversation in the hallway. Brady urged John to get on with the lecture about how he'd warned Brady about Kristen. John gently stated that he'd wanted to reach out as soon as he'd heard what had happened to Brady, but John hadn't wanted to make matters worse -- but perhaps he should have returned sooner. Insisting that he didn't need John's help, Brady ordered John to go back to Europe.
"Don't push me away; we're family," John pleaded. "Not anymore, Dad," Brady said coldly before going back inside the apartment and slamming the door in John's face. Inside, Brady apologized to Theresa and complained that his father had a hero complex. Theresa admitted that one of the best things about living in Salem was not having to deal with her irritating parents on a daily basis. Brady suggested that he and Theresa do something before she had to go to work, so they headed out.
Sami arrived at St. Luke's Academy and presented a container filled with cupcakes to Hope, who was setting up the table for the school bake sale. Hope lashed out at Sami about the expensive earrings that Sami had bought for Ciara. Sami tried to apologize, but Hope wondered whether living at the DiMera mansion had warped Sami's values. Sami apologized if she had gone overboard, but Ciara had insisted on going to Baron's. Hope pointed out that Sami was the adult in the equation.
"I was trying to be nice. I mean, I was just trying to get her to cheer the hell up!" Sami insisted, noting that Ciara had been scowling a lot. "My daughter does not scowl," Hope argued. Sami pointed out that Hope had grown up with expensive things, but Hope maintained that she was not raising her daughter that way. She implored Sami, "If you are going to spend time with my daughter then please respect the values that I, her mother, am so desperately trying to instill in her." Her irritation boiling over, Sami suggested that Hope should take some responsibility for her daughter's behavior and greediness.
"I should be grateful, you know? I mean, I could've ended up at Tiffany's, for God's sake!" Sami complained as she whirled around to storm out -- and she ran right into an entering Aiden, knocking over the tray of cookies he'd been carrying. Sami apologized to Aiden, adding, "I'd offer to cover it, but it would give her another reason to yell at me." After Sami had gone, Aiden remarked that Hope certainly seemed to have a way with people.
As Hope helped Aiden pick up the cookies, she offered to make a donation to cover the loss. Aiden insisted that he would pay the difference if they didn't reach their goal. Hope expressed her sympathy for the death of Aiden's wife, noting that it had to be very hard on Chase. Aiden said that his son was doing all right -- especially since certain kids at school had stopped bullying him. Hope became indignant at Aiden's perceived criticism of her parenting skills.
Father Louis arrived just then and asked how things were going with Aiden and Hope. Hope cheerfully informed the priest that everything was going fine. After Father Louis left again, Hope informed Aiden that they would price every item at four dollars. Aiden protested that there were entire cakes for sale, but Hope said that she'd learned from experience that some of the parents would be offended if their items sold for less than the others.
Hope got a text message just then and explained to Aiden that an old friend had returned to town and urgently needed to meet with her. Aiden grudgingly agreed that he could handle things while Hope was gone. Promising to return shortly -- and reminding Aiden of the pricing -- Hope hurried out.
As the children entered the lobby on their snack break, they crowded around the bake sale tables, shouting excitedly. Although flustered, Aiden patiently instructed everyone to line up single-file. The kids obeyed, but Aiden scowled when he overheard Ciara complaining that it was taking too long. Father Louis asked if Aiden needed any help, but Aiden assured the priest that he had things under control.
When it was Ciara's turn to order something, she insisted that Aiden had given her the wrong flavor cupcake. "You said vanilla," Aiden reminded her. "I would never ask for vanilla," Ciara maintained. When Aiden handed over the correct flavor, Ciara grumbled, "I hope you're a better lawyer than you are a salesman." Father Louis returned to check on Aiden, who admitted that things would have gone more smoothly if Hope hadn't bailed on him. Father Louis said that in time, Aiden would see what a kindhearted person Hope was. The priest took a cookie and wandered away without paying for it.
Sami was walking through Horton Square when she ran into Theresa and Brady. Taken aback, Sami admitted that she hadn't been aware that the two of them knew each other. Theresa explained that they'd met in A.A. Sami asked to speak to Brady in private, so a petulant Theresa headed for the movie theater to check the show times. Sami warned Brady that her cousin was "trouble with a capital T."
Brady told Sami that he'd already had his fill of lectures that morning from his dad. Immediately recognizing that John was the reason for Brady's foul mood, Sami apologized for overreacting about Theresa. Sami admitted that having both of her brothers involved with the wrong women at the same time made her crazy. She asked for Brady's help in nipping Eric's relationship with Nicole in the bud.
"If Nicole's gonna break Eric's heart -- which she probably will -- I basically don't give a damn," Brady declared. Sami reminded Brady that they were family -- and what had happened with Kristen hadn't been Eric's fault. Brady quietly but firmly warned Sami that he didn't want to discuss it any further.
After Sami had gone, Theresa returned with a couple of Bloody Marys for the two of them. "I didn't see a movie I wanted to see at the theater, so I found a better way to pass the time," she explained as she handed a glass to Brady. They toasted to not running into any more family members.
E.J. returned to the DiMera mansion and found an obviously irked Sami working furiously on the couch. When he asked about his fiancée's mood, she complained that people were stubborn and judgmental. E.J. took the work from Sami's hands and put his arms around her, guessing that she'd seen Hope. Sami admitted that she'd also run into Brady. E.J. said that he had run into Nick earlier and cautioned Sami, "I daresay he may be more trouble than even you and I bargained for."
Hope met John in the park outside Horton Square and happily threw her arms around him. He explained that he'd just gotten back to town, and he would appreciate it if Hope didn't tell Marlena that he had returned. John added that he had a message for Hope from Bo, whom John had seen briefly in Europe. John said that Bo had been lonely for his family, although Hope was skeptical. John explained that Bo's undercover work had initially been aimed at the DiMeras, but it had turned into a case involving an even larger international crime syndicate.
John advised Hope that Bo's case could take another year or longer. Hope became upset, especially when John warned her that she might not hear from Bo at all during that time -- and if she did, it probably wouldn't be directly from Bo. "How am I even going to know if he's alive or dead?" Hope fretted. "Well, you won't," John cautioned.
Hope worried about how she would break the news to Ciara, who already missed her daddy a great deal. John tried to reassure Hope that Bo felt very confident about the case. He produced a letter from Bo and instructed Hope to destroy it after she'd read it. John kissed Hope on the forehead and left.
Sniffling, Hope opened the letter and read aloud, "'Dear Fancy Face, I know you must be pretty upset right now, but please try to understand. I have no choice; I have to see this to the end.' No, Brady, there is always a choice! 'I am so sorry to put you, Shawn-Douglas, and Ciara through this. I miss you all terribly. I'll be thinking of you every second of every day until I return. I love you and the kids more than anything in this world, and I promise I will do everything in my power to come back to you as soon as possible. Love you always, Bo.'"
Later, Hope paused to compose herself before going back into the deserted lobby of the school, where Aiden was straightening up. Hope apologized to Aiden but noted that he'd handled things well. When Aiden stepped outside to take a phone call, Hope sat down behind the table to reread Bo's letter. She began to weep. She ripped up the note and envelope, walked over to the trash can, and hurled the torn paper in. "Damn you! Damn you," a hurt and angry Hope cried, just as Aiden returned.
