"Hi mom."

"Annabelle."

"Look, before you say anything….I love her."

"Don’t start with this Annabelle."

Annabelle closed her eyes in frustration as she leaned further back into the plush leather seats of the limo. Had it had only been an hour ago that she had watched as they took Simone away…away from her? The young woman eyes filled with tears as she heard her own voice in her head singing the words…‘I will shelter you, through the storm.’

She sat up straighter. "I don’t care what you think Mom. I love her and I will do whatever it takes to make sure she is okay. I will stand in front of every camera I can find and say that I seduced her. I will…"

"Oh Annabelle, don’t be so dramatic." Her mother said wearily. "It’s taken care of already. Your…..friend, is free and was dropped off at her house a little while ago."

Annabelle was quiet for a moment as a surge of relief coursed through her body. "Thank you," she whispered.

"Yes, well…you now have to do something for me…."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Simone took in a deep cleansing breath and stared out at the ocean, watching the undulating waves make their way to shore…so sure, so reliable in their destination. She had looked out from this vista so many times in the past, and knew from experience that when you look out at the ocean, depending on what you are experiencing in your life, you could see either infinite possibilities…or a vast emptiness. After Amanda died she spent hours staring out…feeling deep in her bones an emptiness so stark, so vast even the line of the horizon couldn’t contain it.

She started to think about Annabelle and what had happened during the last 24 hours and….

"Simone."

She heard her name floating along with the wind. Turning, she felt the warmth return to her body as she watched Annabelle run down the beach towards her.

Running into each other’s arms they just stood there in silence taking in the feel…the essence of the other.

Finally Simone leaned back, and gently wiped the tears from Annabelle’s cheeks with her thumb. "Why am I not in jail?" She asked quietly, with a smile on her face.