Scene 1: West Lake; Shoreline
Standing on the edge of the water, I look at the cool blue of it, attempting to feel something other than emptiness. I feel so hollow watching those I love and care about around me, wanting to reach out and comfort them knowing now that I cannot. Sometimes it feels like I keep walking the same path over and over, as if it a repeating dream. The water touches my foot as I take the first step in; it is the only thing that I can feel as it engulfs me.
The water is semi warm for this time of year. I remember all the summers spent at the lake in my bathing suit with my friends wondering if we would all stay so innocent. It comes at me in waves of violence as I take a few more steps into the water the belt grips me firm to the seat as my hands flare out to reach for the button. I can feel the warm liquid seep down my face and the cries from the car quickly sound empty and hollow. I look to the driver's side seat and quickly realize that she is no longer there.
Panic sets in as the belt doesn't release from the buckle, that holds it not sure if it is my unsteady hands or just really bad luck. I should have driven when we agreed to go to the police about everything instead she had insisted. Even though I'd had a couple of drinks, I still knew it was a bad idea for her to drive just looking at the car and feeling a pit in my stomach. By now the water is coming in through the gaping hole in the driver side window and my fists are beating against the glass.
They say that when you go there is supposed to be some sort of great silence filled with a bright light at the end of the tunnel. I can remember my eyes going hazy, the water filling my lungs as the air inside the car is ripped from me. I look around and see blood mixing in with blue water and I can feel my body go numb. I have to wonder in my final moments if they had set something up to keep me from speaking out telling after the threats. Only this time it isn't just me they silence- it included my best friend as well who begged me to tell. I feel the last breath leave my lungs and I close my eyes.
Opening them back up I'm at the edge of the lake again looking out at the water. It's the same thing every year, without fail. Sometimes people come and sit at the edge and I watch them to see how much they've changed. Wondering where they are, wondering if she made it out alive to tell the police. People say that when you die you cross over I guess that is true if you are lucky enough to get the chance for me I'm stuck in a never ending dream that repeats over and over again every year.
My name is Hannah Donovan and I may be dead but I certainly don't feel it.
Scene2: 574 Shoreline Dr. Apt #4., West Lake, NY
Austin Alexander knows what awaits him inside the apartment that he shares with his roommate of two years and best friend Jacob Donovan: The living room is going to be strewn with beer bottles, while Jacob is going to be nursing his fifth or sixth beer, absently staring at the television. Then again, he might be in his room, pouring over at the news clippings and photos. Jessica would keep calling and it would be up to Austin to give her another weak, placating excuse as to why Jacob couldn't be reached. Placing a hand on the door, he swings it open to look around. Surprisingly, there are no beer bottles and Jacob is intent on the computer on the sofa.
"Do you want to go out to eat or something? Unless you have plans with Jess?" Austin asks as he sets his leather bag in the doorway, Jacob turns to look at him with a shake of his head, offering no clear answer.
Jacob turns back to the article on the laptop; something that Jess pointed out the night before at her apartment Brian McAllister's picture is splattered over the Alexander Publishing website along with his new book Exonerating Innocents: The Vanessa Harvell Story. The release date and brief description below. He has been staring at the screen for nearly an hour wondering who let it happen and more so why Austin didn't tell him it was happening. He takes a quick glance at a few of the various pictures of Vanessa scattered all over the screen turning at the site of her in her prison garb, resting his eyes on a picture of the mangled car.
"I can order take out if you want? How are your folks holding up today?" Austin asks his voice somehow filtering through to his friend.
There is another pause of silence as Jacob closes his eyes to try to stop the emotions.
"Mom is doing alright. I talked to her she drove up to the lake today. Dad has locked himself up at the office all day. They're releasing her later today, you know. My mom heard that she plans to back here as part of her parole agreement," Jacob finally offers staring at his friend blankly waiting for an answer that he already knows.
Austin makes his way to the laptop and looks at the page before sighing.
"I know we discussed it for Brian's book party. I know this is hard for you especially today," he offers hoping that is enough.
"I'm not sure I can deal with her being back. I know I don't like the fact that some newbie is coming in and she's spinning it along to make money off Hannah that doesn't sit right with me. She confessed, pled guilty and took her sentence there shouldn't be anything else left to dig for.' Jacob says, his tone quiet as he closed the laptop to face his friend. 'I was thinking of meeting Jess later, and I more than likely won't be home after wards."
Austin hated to see his friend like this over the state of Hannah's death. No one expected it-if anything, no one knew that Vanessa was far too wasted that night to get behind the wheel. Having feelings for a woman for two years did things to someone and when that person betrays you by driving drunk and killing your sister there is really nothing let to say. He may not have agreed with how Jacob had handled everything but it wasn't his place to object.
"It's not like that. I can promise you that he was looking to tell her side while combining everything from the case. I'll make sure that Hannah's respected in it. You may not want to hear this at the moment but it's been years Jacob, and it may do some good to talk to her about it. Jess deserves that much, you deserve that much," Austin says quietly taking a seat in the leather chair in the apartment.
"I'm going to go ahead and head on out. Like I said don't wait up." Jacob manages to get out rising from the couch and grabbing his coat off the coat rack.
He wants to get away from the overbearing emotions at the realization of his friends words. He wants to run to what is new and familiar with Jessica Robins, and the last thing he wants to do is dwell once more on Vanessa. He doesn't want to think about the accident, the trial, her begging him to forgive her for Hannah. Just for tonight, for one more day, he wants to forget and as he puts his hand on the door to go Austin speaks again.
"Not saying it has to be right this minute but maybe you could do it before the wedding. She'll be there Liz has insisted. I'll see you tomorrow then for final tux fitting?"
Hand on the door Jacob nods his head as the door opens and closes, leaving his friend somber and alone in the apartment.
Scene 3: Fairfield Enterprises, Cade Harvell's office
The office is dark for still being the middle of the day the mahogany desk reflecting light onto the strew of paperwork in front of Cade Harvell. He has made it his mission to close the final three property deals on the latest project. More so he has to keep his mind off what today is, what today means for his family. Taking a sip of the bottled water on his desk his eyes look up to catch a glimpse of the last family portrait a time when they were all much happier. Resting his eyes in his hands for a moment Marla his secretary comes to his door.
"Ms. Porter is here to see you sir should I send her in?" The elderly woman who has been with the company for years states, he nods his head absently to allow the intrusion.
He looks tired that is the first thing Kate notices as she walks into the office tired and worn down she throws her bag over her shoulder as she sits it down on the leather armchair across from his desk. Leaning over she kisses him briefly in welcoming before taking a look at a few of the papers on the desk. She is supposed to be meeting him for dinner and then heading over to meet Liz and Jess for the final dress fitting. Leaning over him she is sure that dinner has left his mind in the significance that is today.
"I came by after I got off at the hospital to see if you were ready to head on over to the Club for dinner. Paige went ahead and reserved us a table with the works," Kate says, hoping the response is a yes to her request not really sure what she should expect.
Cade is thinking about other things at the moment how the Donovan's are coping with the day if his step mother has holed herself up inside of the firm. Why his twin had insisted that he, Callie and his step mother not be there when she is released later that day. He feels hurt at that alone twins are supposed to share everything together, be there for each other but it has not been like that for them for a very long time. He supposes that he can't bail on Kate given he has blown off their last few dates together perhaps he was again getting bored with her.
"I'm very swamped here today we need to finish these contracts make sure they are turned into the bank on time. I am waiting for calls to make sure that they all go through I can meet you there when that is done."
Kate knows better than to press the issue of dinner she will end up eating alone. She tries not to let it get to her or let him see the tears threaten to fall. She gives his hand a final squeeze of support before walking to the door to leave the office. Once on the other side of the door Kate casts a glance at Marla who is busy typing behind the desk, eyes clouded she puts on her sunglasses to hide the tears as she leaves the building.
Cade glanced out the window as the rain begins to come down for him it seems fitting given the mood and the day surrounding the events. He can hardly believe it has been four years since the accident and another two before his father left town. The phone ringing on his desk breaks him from his thoughts as Marla's voice comes through the intercom to let him know it is a client wanting to close the deal. Focusing on his work Cade Harvell does what he does best as he picks up the phone becoming more like his father everyday.
Scene 4: Club 90, Office
Going over the latest liquor shipment in her hand and checking the evenings reservation list for the club Paige Alexander taps her manicured nails on the desk in front of her. Working seems to be better than focusing on the significance of the day and the event that rocked their community years ago. Focusing on work keeps her mind off her past in the city, it keeps her mind off Hannah and what is more important it keeps her focus on making sure the accident remains just that; in the past. She is sure her parents are at the Donovan's making sure that James and Karen are copping with the anniversary. Her brother is playing best friend with Jacob, who in her mind is a pompous ass. She wonders however, who is helping the Harvell's? Ss someone comforting Sharon? Is Cade locked inside his office with no support? Does Callie have a shoulder to lean on during all of it?
At the thought of her best friend, she lets out a small smile she supposed she stood by the belief that something was off about the accident in the first place based on her insistence and rarely was Callie Morris wrong. The party had taken place up at the Donovan's cabin most of the group was there the drugs had been passed around and drinking had assumed it was a night she wouldn't forget. She often wondered if the roles had been reversed and instead of Vanessa and Hannah in the car it had been her and Callie. How would she react? How would their families react if one were to pass over the other?
The ringing of the cell phone on the desk stirs her from the blur of numbers and information in front of her. Looking at the caller ID she isn't quite sure who it could be, a supplier or a staff member she hasn't programed into her computer? Shane was late as usual as she looks up at the clock to check the time debating on if she should take the call. Deciding in the end that she has the time and could use a distraction from the damp mood that has set in with the memories.
"Paige Alexander speaking," Paige replies, briskly into the phone.
"Lovely to hear your voice my dear," The unknown caller states into the phone.
Fear instantly grips her as her knuckles turn white grasping the phone. Not sure why they are calling now years later when it has all been said and done. She wonders if she is alone in the club and that strikes fear into her. Finding her voice she puts on a cold front.
"What are you calling for?"
"Now is that anyway to greet an old friend? I need a favor," The voice replies.
Paige shakes her head no to the statement no more favors no more running. She hears the office door open and sees Shane give her a slight wave inside she hopes that she doesn't look like scared a lunatic at the moment. She debates on an answer for the caller something that won't give anything away to Shane. Not sure what he has or has not overheard.
"I'm sorry I am quite busy today mother. Perhaps you can call tomorrow and we can do lunch?" Paige asks into the phone, she pretends to nod an answer before she hangs up without giving the caller a chance to answer.
Shane enters the office looking at Paige behind the desk on the phone with who he assumes is her mother. Something that he wishes Paige would just get out and tell her family about, at this point to him sneaking around has become tedious. He knows that he is not the perfect choice for the princess of the Alexander family and given her brother's past with Kate he understands. On the other hand he is tired of making excuses to Kate and his mother about dates and finding someone. He can't tell them until she is comfortable and he knows that. When she hangs up he steps towards the desk to lean down and kiss her forehead seeing her upset over the phone call.
"This would go a lot easier sweetheart if you would just tell them already," Shane attempts, hoping to sway her.
Paige knows that she should be able to tell her family about her relationship with Shane, and perhaps that is what she should do. She closes her eyes as he kisses her forehead, she wonders what kind of favor they could possibly want now. Pushing her thoughts aside, she grabs her purse and cellphone to stand and wrap her arms around his neck. She doesn't want to think about it anymore and not today on all the days to think about something like that.
"I'll tell them just not today. I just finished up so we can head back to your place if you would like," Paige replies, glancing up at him to give his earlobe a tug of encouragement to let it drop for now.
Shane knows better to push the issue than right at that moment, and the tug of her nipping him has his mind wandering to other things. They'll go back to the apartment, fulfill each other for the evening she may or may not stay overnight, and the cycle will repeat itself again. He doesn't mind cause he is crazy about her, but if he vocally pushes her she will leave. It is what Paige is best know for, running away. He lets the subject drop as he wraps his arms around her waist to lead her out of the door to her office and back to his apartment.
Scene 5: Glamour Boutique, West Lake, NY
Elizabeth Jones stares at her reflection in the full length mirrors of the upscale and pricey wedding boutique, the aline solid white gown with a three foot train flowing behind her. It seems fitting that now she and Austin are nearly ready to say their vows in a couple of weeks time. For the most part, the wedding has gone smoothly. Minus the one fight about Vanessa attending the wedding, that had not gone over so well. She wasn't sure that she would be able to until the ruling came in. In her mind Vanessa had paid her debt to society behind the bars of prison, something that she wished could have been avoided all together.
Richard Weston had been more than lenient in past cases of drunk driving in the community. In her mind, the only thing he had been after was to make a name for himself. She supposed that he had gotten his wish in sentencing and getting a conviction. With Garrett Harvell's daughter, something that seemed to draw battle lines. She focused on the more positive point as she turned to see Jessica Robins looking at her in approval she would be married soon. She and Jessica had become friends after Vanessa was sentenced when Hannah was gone and Kate ended things with Austin, the sudden return of the troublemaker in high school seeming to disappear.
"What do you think?" Elizabeth asks, twirling in the light for a bit as the beads and pearls on the gown shimmered.
Jessica looks back at her friend in the mirrors for once actually feeling the joys of the wedding in her mind she should be the one in the dress given what she has put up with. It had all seemed so easy back when she returned to West Lake years ago and the night of the party it was Jacob who been more than willing and if Hannah had lived a very different story would be being told to everyone about different events of that night. Since then she and Jacob had an on and off again relationship that mostly consisted of good sex, mixed with booze. She didn't mind as long as she got a ring on her finger in the end. She supposed that she would have to make a move to solidify that soon.
"You look beautiful and Austin is going to knock over when he sees you coming down the isle.' Jessica offers, taking a few steps up to admire the dress and lean to her friends shoulder. 'I can't wait till it is my turn to stand up in white and walk down the isle either."
Elizabeth is thrown by the statement for the most part, Jacob had not said anything to Austin of the sort, and frankly she would probably beat his ass should he even think it. Jessica was her friend and she didn't want to see her get hurt but she couldn't be stuck on this fantasy that she would marry Jacob. She hadn't asked a lot about her time away or her sudden return but part of her wanted to know. Sighing she turned to her friend and took her hands in her own.
"I don't want you to get your hopes up Jess. Jacob hasn't said anything to Austin about it you know how he is. Not that maybe one day he will or that one day you won't meet the guy...," Elizabeth attempts, only to be cut off as Jessica recoils her hands from her friend.
Jessica looks at her friend in disgust of course she would say that, everyone said that. Everyone was stuck on the events of years before Jacob had moved on, why couldn't everyone else. She would have thought the friendship that they had built over the years out-weighed the ones that seemed to have crumbled. Loyalty in her mind was a funny thing considering the loyalty went with someone dressed in orange for the last four years. She was getting ready to respond, to say something about the statement when her phone buzzes. She reads the text from Jacob asking to met her at her place. A smile of satisfaction crosses her face as she grabs her purse off one of the chairs.
"Trust me it will happen," Jessica says, defiantly to the woman in front of her before turning to exit the boutique.
Something bothers Elizabeth as Jessica said the words as if there is an ulterior motive behind them. She brushes the thought away as quickly as it has come, she was being paranoid. She can't help the chills that run up her spine as she looks into the mirror again and wonder what exactly Hannah would think of it all.
Scene 6: Bedford Hill Correctional Facility, Bedford Hills, NY
It's dim inside the room as she tugs at the black cardigan that has seen better days as the guard pats her down for what she hopes will be the final time in her life. Something that over the past four years Vanessa Harvell has gotten used to. She looks at the gray paint on the walls as the warden goes over her release paper work with her, God she hates gray and prays she never has to look at it, or stare at it for hours on end again. By the time the guard hands her the last of her personal effects and the gate comes open signifying her freedom, she is jolted back to reality. She looks around the parking lot to see Brian McAllister and Greg Forrester. She is glad that Brian agreed to come and relieved her family is not there.
She is in the black cardigan, and the black dress that she arrived in after Hannah's funeral. A leniency the judge allowed as her father begged to let his daughter say goodbye before she was sent to serve her time. She has seen Brian every week for the last two years as he asked his questions wanting to know about the accident. Details of the night even now, years later that are still fuzzy to her. He was looking for a lost cause, she was looking for someone to believe her. She reaches the car and his hand comes to rest on hers. Something that is comforting as she hands the papers to her parole officer.
"I take it that the warden went over all the terms of your parole with you? You understand what it entails?" Greg asks quietly, as he goes to help her into the back of the sedan.
"I understand," Vanessa answers, her voice quiet as she gets into the car Brian sliding in behind her.
Greg shuts the door behind them as he moves to the driver side of the car. Climbing inside she looks different from the bubbly college student from a few years ago. Much different from the girl that he knew growing up much different from Langston's niece. Harder and more defined would be the words he would use to describe her if he could. The silence in the car deafening as he started the engine he saw her close her eyes as Brian pulled her to him. Probably the first physical contact she has had in years with a man. The drive back to West Lake would be long, and he was at least grateful that the judge had allowed her, at the request of Alan Donovan, to do at least that.
Brian has known her for nearly two years, he was the hot shot author looking for some sort of salvage to a past he would like to forget about, or that is how he has always described it. He never expected to actually come to feel for the subject he wanted to rectify the past, find out what the brunette did and didn't know. Instead he found out things he wish he didn't know. Things that he wish he could put aside to finish what he came to West Lake three years ago to do. He's not supposed to feel for her, she is supposed to be a means to an end, nothing more, nothing less.
He can't help but close his eyes as she rests her head on his shoulder, or feel his body tense up at the contact. Before there was a glass barrier between them, now there is nothing. He closes his eyes and focuses on the book coming out. Something that persuading James Alexander to publish, had taken a better part of two years and many favors. He knows that the Donovan's hate the idea of the book, hate the idea of the spectacle, and he still isn't satisfied with the outcome; it doesn't fit the game plan. It left more questions unanswered than answered and left him still in limbo over what he came to do originally. The drive would take a few hours, he reaches his arm out to pull her closer to him, knowing that it’s somehow not supposed to be like this.
"Greg?" Vanessa's sleepy voice filters through the hum of the engine as they hit the freeway.
"Yeah?" Greg asks focusing on the road in front of him.
"Drive safe,"
Police officer Greg Forrester has heard many pleas and many things come out of someone's mouth, but never has a chill went down his spine as Vanessa Harvell utters those words. The car ride is filled with silence for the next few hours. His passengers are fast asleep by the time they pass the lake. Glancing out at the wooden cross on the shore he can't help but wonder about what really happened all those years ago on that night. A case that left more questions than answers, a case that divided a community.
Scene 7: 1962 Parkview Ln., West Lake, NY
Today for the Donovan’s had been a series of lows. His mother had taken heavily to a bottle of wine as Bridgette had made her way over to the house to help his mother cope. It was the same every year she would go down and walk on the shores of the lake and come home distraught. His father grieved a different way, locking himself inside the office and pouring over paperwork. Coming out for dinner, only which of course was eaten in silence. James would come over and ask if they needed anything, the answer would be the same as always they didn't. To say that Hannah's death had left an impact would be an understatement. It had changed everything for them, they weren't the same.
Tyler Donovan had spent the time going over the accident case file repeatedly years later, everything still not sitting right with him. He had been content to sit with what has happened when he was younger, but when Brian came around to do research for the book it seemed to haunt him. Things didn't add up for the most part with evidence in the case, statements from experts or the feeling that Richard Weston had taken such a hard stance on it. Looking up from the desk in his room to the clock, he rubbed his eyes. Two in the morning and he still couldn't sleep.
He turned back to the case file stopping a few of the pictures that the prosecution and the defense had presented. Hannah stood next to Vanessa her arm wrapped around Cade a smile on her face, Vanessa leaning against his brother's chest against his brothers car. Something that Garrett Harvell had insisted be in the sentencing hearing for his case to show that his daughter loved Hannah and her family. Something Richard had twisted to say that despite how much Vanessa Harvell loved and cared about the Donovan's, an example needed to be made. The judge had been harsh seven years with the possibility of parole after three and now it was settled, she was coming home.
He wasn't sure what had made the panel agree to let her out, or allow her to have parole, he is just glad that Vanessa could be home again with her family. Callie had said that Greg would be bringing her home; that her sister didn't want her, her mother, or Cade there. He had went to the prison with Callie twice and the visit was always the same, Vanessa asking if Jacob had forgiven her. It was a question he couldn't answer. Not that he hadn't wanted it to be true, but Jacob didn't talk about it. He didn't ever talk about Vanessa anymore. Sighing, he reached for his cell phone to dial Callie Morris's number.
"Hello?" The sleepy voice asks on the other end of the phone.
"Callie it's me. I can't sleep, I keep staring at the case file, I keep going over everything. It doesn't sit right." Tyler says quietly, hearing her shuffle in bed and mutter.
"You do realize it is two in the morning? I have a case briefing at seven. It's over and done with, Tyler she's coming back to stay for parole, just let it go," Callie says, turning on the night side lamp and sitting up in bed hoping to ease his mind to go back to sleep.
"What if it's not over? Don't you want to know the truth?" Tyler asks, hearing her sigh for a moment followed by silence.
"Come by tomorrow after court, I'll go over the notes and the case again, see what we can come up with. You have to promise that if we don't find anything, you'll let it go," Callie replies as a compromise.
"I promise. I'll see you tomorrow, thanks Callie," Tyler says, knowing that he had just exhausted his last resource to get behind the real truth.
He heard the line go dead and hung up the phone staring out the window and into the night sky.