Lilac Valley

The Mess Amber Left Behind

Amber wears a charcoal blazer and matching skirt. Carter walks over to her and smiles.

"Been a long time," he says.

"Ten years," she says.

"Why do you want to be on the town board for a town you spent four months in?" Carter asks.

"I want to help," Amber answers.

"Ah," Carter says.

"What's wrong with that?" Amber asks.

"You left without any explanation," Carter says. "We thought you were our friend. You broke Eddie's heart. You nearly ruined Con and Eddie's friendship. Autumn thought she found a best friend. And I..." Amber waits.

"And you?" she asks.

"I don't know what it is about you," he says. "Maybe it's your presence. Maybe it's because we're so similar. We were both in student government. We both went to law school. Now we're both on town board."

"You liked me?" Amber asks.

"Everyone liked you," Carter tells her. "What is this really about?"

"The White House," Amber admits.

"You want the magical vote," Carter figures. "Why can't you run for the House like a normal politician?"

"I'd rather make things right," Amber says. "And I think it's time Kyle knows his father."

~

This time Amber and Autumn meet at the Amethyst Café without the guys after work.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Autumn asks. "A son? Why didn't you tell Eddie? His dad left when he was little. He would never do that to a child."

"I know," Amber says. "I made some mistakes. I was seventeen. We don't all have our lives put together at seventeen."

"I didn't have my life put together at seventeen," Autumn points out.

"You're still with Marty," Amber says. "How long have you two been married?"

"Six years," Autumn answers.

"You're an English teacher," Amber continues.

"You knew you wanted to be a lawyer," Autumn says. "And look at you now. On the Lilac Valley Town Board. Raising a son all your own. I couldn't imagine being a single mother. How are you managing the vampire thing?"

"I'm doing my research," Amber says.

~

"Who wants to get married?" Con asks. "Who wants to be tied down the rest of their life?"

"A lot of people want to get married," Carter says.

"What about Amber?" Eddie asks.

"Amber's different," Con says.

"What are your parents more upset about?" Carter asks. "Your sleeping around or your attraction to a human?" Eddie smiles. Con rolls his eyes. "You want to be alone forever?"

"No rules, no answering to anyone," Con says.

"I'm pretty sure you answer to Eddie," Carter says.

"Eddie makes sure I don't do anything too stupid," Con points out.

"What about when Eddie moves out?" Carter asks.

"Eddie's not moving out," Con says.

"One day, he's going to find someone and leave," Carter explains. "What? Did you think he and his significant other are going to live with you forever? You'll get lonely."

"Then I'll move in with you," Con says.

"And Tori?" Carter asks.

"What's wrong with you two?" Con asks. "You shouldn't even think about marriage until thirty-five."

"Marty and Autumn have been married for six years," Eddie points out.

"That's different," Con says. "They're Marty and Autumn. If they weren't together, I think the universe might explode."

~

It was November of '95.

"How could you?" Carter asked. "At least break up with him first."

"How did you..." Amber began.

"Eddie is a good guy," Carter said. "How could you cheat on him? And with Con of all people?"

"We were drunk," Amber said. "I was lonely."

"Eddie was at his grandparents' for Thanksgiving," Carter pointed out. "You really are just some blonde cheerleader."

"I'm not," Amber said. "Con's not at fault?"

"I didn't say that," Carter said. "You're both at fault. I don't know how you're going to explain this to Eddie."

"We're not," Amber said. "You're not going to tell him either or Marty or Autumn. He'll never find out."

"Secrets have a way of getting out in Lilac Valley," Carter said. "I know what it's like to like someone you can't have, but if you broke up with Eddie, you could be with Con."

"You like Autumn?" Amber asked.

"I like you," Carter admitted.