Here's Looking at You Kid WCWC #2

Thomas: "Susie, what do you think you're doing?"


Susan: "Getting away from this place, there's too much sadness and too much bitterness here."

Thomas: "It sounds more like you're running from your problems and you that solves nothing."

Susan: "Maybe I am, but it's more than just that TJ and you know it. I haven't been happy here since I was 12. I don't belong here. When I think about the future, my future; I see city lights, people in coffee shops reading and working on papers on their laptops, and so on and so forth. This town is too....small, too....run of the mill. I feel if I stay here that I will end up in some dead end job, unhappy. I can't stay here. I need a fresh start. Can you really begrudge me that?"

Thomas: "No, Susie Q...I suppose I can't. But, it just seems too...sudden for this. And what about us? We just discovered...."

Susan kissed him and then buried herself in his embrace.

Susan: "Yes, TJ I know...we were only just beginning. And, I do...I love you. Why don't you come with me? We could both make a brand new start, together...." she trailed off

Thomas: "Do you have any idea how tempting is? Running away with you and not looking back.....but, I can't leave. After my dad died, my mom was left to raise us alone. She did that so well for a long time, but you know...you know how it is now, since she's been sick. I can't leave while Daniel and Rose are still so young, well Rose anyway. Daniel is so...independent, so self-sufficient. I think he'd be fine, no matter who was with him. But Rose...she's not been doing so well. It was hard to handle everything when Dad died, we all felt so lost at first. In time, we began to function...except Rosie. She never seemed to get past it and now with Mom dying, I can't just up and leave her....." He was trying not to cry in front of Susan, couldn't let her see him break down....

Susan took his hand and then said: "I do understand, sweetie, I do. And, I love you even more because of your devotion to your family. You will be in my heart, always. Do you have any idea how wonderful you are? I just wish I could say I was able to stay. But, I have an audition in New York City....my dreams are slowly coming true. If you ever find yourself in a place to get away, come visit me...."

She wanted him to come with her more than anything, but she knew that wasn't going to happen. Their lives were going in two separate directions. Maybe someday things would change, though in her heart; she didn't think that was ever going to be the case. She knew that once she left Cross Creek, that this part of her life would be done and over. The very thought broke her heart. Am I selfish, she wondered to herself? Is my dream really worth throwing away a wonderful man like Thomas Joseph? She'd known him her whole life, though they hadn't been friends till they reached the sixth grade. And then in ninth grade, his sparkling green eyes and goofy grin started to appeal to her in a different way; though they didn't find their way to one another till this past spring break....when the....accident happened. He'd been there for her during her roughest times since the sixth grade and here he was again. The memories flooded to her so clearly as if they were yesterday, how he'd held her hand when she was sobbing when her parents died....it was all her fault, if she hadn't have been so careless, so stupid....but he saw past her mistakes and helped her. And when she was at their grave site, putting flowers down...he held her hand. She looked at him and saw the love and concern in his eyes. There was something in his face that showed he loved her every bit as much as she loved him. He saw it too and dropped her hand, only to take her in his arms. That kiss woke something up in her. She'd kissed a few boys, okay more than just a few. But, no one ever made her feel this way. Her blood was rushing to her face, she was blushing. She twisted her hands in his sandy blond hair and clung to him. She knew then she'd never love anyone like she loved TJ. Now there were tears in her eyes as she remembered the day he gave her his class ring, at the prom. He pledged to love her forever that day. She cried then, knowing she felt the same way. Can I really throw all of this away? She pondered her Broadway dreams and weighed them against her fierce love for the beautiful man standing there, staring curiously at her. He didn't interrupt her reveries. He was always so patient with her. I am such a monster, she thought. Because I know that I will leave and I know he will have a broken heart. I am never coming back and I don't think he'll ever be able to leave. I can't blame him for being here for his family? What is wrong with me, God? Why can't I let go of my dreams and be here for TJ?

Susan: "TJ....I love you. I love you more than I have ever loved anyone or anything. You light my world, no matter how dark it is. Holding your hand brings peace to my troubled heart. Kissing you...well kissing you is one of the best feelings ever! The way your lips feel on mine, the way I feel when your hands are in my hair....and it's more than that. When we sit there for hours just talking, about nothing and everything...you understand me. Never once do you judge me. I don't know why you stuck around me so long, I am...such a lost cause. Why you love me, I will never understand. But, I am grateful. You are my best friend, the closest person to me in the whole world. So, you must think me selfish then...for running away from here, for running away from my memories...and for running away from you...." she started to cry.

He took her face in his hands, "Susie, please don't cry. You know why I can't leave, but I know why you feel you must. And, if our love is meant to be, we will find a way to be together. Don't feel selfish for following your dreams. You have been talking about Broadway since I have known you and probably before that. And, I have heard you sing and seen you dance....WOW! You have talent, sweetie. I encourage you to follow your dreams. At first when I thought you were just running away and not towards something great, well...yeah, I was mad. But, don't beat yourself up...follow your dreams. I love you and I want this for you...."

Susan: "How in the world did I deserve someone as great as you? After all I have done, you are here. I will miss you more than I can say. When I sing on stage, I will sing for you...."

Thomas: "I'm counting on that." He smiled her favorite smile.

Susan: "You believed in me when no one else did."

Thomas: ""Well, to quote your favorite movie; "Here's looking at you, kid.""

She smiled through her tears and kissed him like she was never going to see him again, the fiercest, most passionate kiss they'd ever shared...a kiss that lasted all night long. And, when he woke up; she was gone.