Whispers Turn to Whimpers: Could He Ever Change?

"Ms. Gomez!"

Two burly bodyguards, standing like sentinels, moved to block her path.

"She's a friend!"

Sherilyn brushed past them, gathering her costume's hem, and rushed over to Joyce.

"Joy!"

She spread her arms wide and enveloped her in a warm embrace.

Joyce grinned widely, her face lighting up with a cheerful smile. "You're this happy to see me?"

"Of course."

Sherilyn released her, still smiling. "I honestly thought you'd stay in Crestwood, and then who knows when we'd see each other again."

"But here I am," Joyce said, wrapping an arm around Sherilyn's shoulder.

"What brings you here?"

"Oh, you know, just had some free time."

"Have you eaten?"

"Look at the time! Yeah, I grabbed something nearby. Just found a local diner."

"Was it good?"

"Not bad." Joyce chuckled. "Honestly, after so many years, any Sunhaven food tastes divine to me."

Sherilyn nodded, "Next time, I'll take you to Blue Plate Diner. Their food is authentic."

"Sounds great."

They chatted as they walked inside and settled in Sherilyn's dressing room.

Sherilyn handed Joyce a coffee Naomi had just bought, "Here, your favorite, iced Americano."

"Thanks."

Joyce took it without hesitation, watching Sherilyn dig into her takeout. "Looks like you've been busy. Busy is good."

After a moment, she asked, "So, you and Jenna's dad, patched things up?"

Sherilyn paused mid-bite, slowly raising her head. "How did you know?"

"Your brother told me."

Joyce laughed, "He painted quite the picture of your proposal party."

"Hmm..."

Sherilyn frowned slightly, nodded, and hesitantly asked, "Do you think I'm being foolish?"

While others might not understand, Joyce knew all too well the hardships Sherilyn had endured in Crestwood. "Not at all."

Joyce was taken aback for a

moment, then shook her head.

"You've been through so much that others haven't. I trust that your decision is thoughtful and heartfelt."

Reassured by her friend's words,

Sherilyn felt calmer. Sh

set

thought for

a moment and said, "He's been really

QUMS

kind to me now, and Jenna too."

"The most important thing is..."

Joyce teased with a knowing smile, "You still like him, don't you?"

Sherilyn flushed slightly, her lips parting. Finally, she nodded. "Yeah." She couldn't deny it.

At fifteen, she'd fallen for him. Her first and deepest feelings were for him.

There was a time when those feelings seemed dead.

But over the past year, after everything they'd been through...

The feelings had reignited.

"Then it's all good."

Joyce smiled warmly,

bet

encouragingly. "You're marrying the man you love, not just for Jenna... Sherilyn, I'm genuinely happy for

you

She winked playfully, "In this world, those who marry for love are truly lucky."

Sherilyn laughed softly, gratitude in her voice. "Thank you, Joy."

Having her friend's blessing meant the world to her.

"So..."

Joyce remembered something, asking, "Does he know about what happened in Crestwood?"

Sherilyn hesitated, then shook her head. "I haven't told him."

She tapped her temple.

"He's got some shadows... still in therapy. The doctor advised against any stress."

She sighed deeply, reflecting.

"It's been so many years... maybe one day."

She added, "There might come a time when I can tell him everything without any worry."

It was Saturday evening, seven o'clock.