The silence hung heavy in the air as Barnabas drove back home, watching
her by the corner of his eye, Noting Vickie was oblivious to the scenery
of the woods that are a part of the estate, owned by the Collins family.
Vickie at last breaks the silence. "Barnabas, would you mind if I took
a tub bath when we get back to the Old House?" Responding. "Of course
not, I think that a nice long bath would do you good." Vickie sinks
deeper into the seat of the car. Barnabas would love to reach out and
take her hand in his but is worried that if Vickie should pull away he
wouldn't know if it were out of guilt or pain, he could comfort her
pain, but if Vickie felt any guilt for Elliott's death Barnabas knew he
would most likely say the wrong thing, making matters worse.
The car pulls up to the Old House, Barnabas opens Vickie's door and
helps her out... ever the gentlemen Barnabas sees to Vickie's comfort
and wishes first. "I will start the bath for you." Vickie small smile
makes Barnabas hopeful that she will be all right. As Barnabas makes
sure that the temperature of the water is perfect he adds a little
bubble bath that Willie had given him for Christmas. Just then Vickie
walks into the Master bath, she is wearing one of Barnabas robes, its
over sized sleeves make her look small. Barnabas stops to look at her
bare feet as she stands on the tile floor. "There you are, your bath is
ready, I hope you don't mind a few bubbles." Vickie smiles again.
"I'll leave you to your bath." Vickie watches as Barnabas goes to the
door. "No! Barnabas, please don't leave me alone." Barnabas turns, he
nods his head... "If you want me to be here, I will remain." Vickie
waits for Barnabas to sit on the divan by the tub. She then removes the
robe, Barnabas sees her nude body, he can't help but feel wonderful.
Seeing Vickie step into the water Barnabas wishes he could join her but
knows she must have her space, "She just lost her husband, it doesn't
matter that they were going to divorce Vickie is a widow, not a
divorcee... this changes everything." Barnabas' thoughts race.
Barnabas watches as Vickie lies under the bubbles, when suddenly she
sits up... "It's my fault Barnabas! all my fault!" Barnabas goes to
her, his hands rest on her shoulders. "No Vickie its not your fault...
none if it is your fault." Vickie covers her face with her hands. "I
should have been a better wife Barnabas, that's why he left me for her!"
Barnabas reaches for the bath sponge, as he washes Vickie's back
Barnabas tries to console the grieving woman. "I don't think you could
have been any better a wife than you were Vickie, it was inevitable,
Julia and Elliott were more than friends a long time ago, it just took a
little longer for them to realize they wanted each other, you hand
nothing to do with how they felt.. please believe me" Vickie allowed
Barnabas to help her bath. Standing up in the tub Barnabas drains the
water, places an oversized towel around her and helps Vickie to Josett's
room.
As they reach the bedroom door Barnabas hears Carolyn's voice. "Hello,
Barnabas?" Barnabas calls after her. Carolyn rushes up the stairs, she
stops at the door. "Carolyn could you please help Vickie get dressed?"
Carolyn hugs Vickie. "I called the hospital, they told me about
Elliott... I'm so sorry Vickie." Looking at Barnabas Carolyn takes
Vickie into Josette's room. The door closes. Barnabas looks down,
feeling so sad.
Going into the kitchen Barnabas makes a fresh pot of coffee. walking to
the freezer he takes out some pastry rolls and puts them into the oven
to bake. Barnabas is pipping on the topping when Carolyn comes into the
kitchen. "I didn't know you could bake." Barnabas looks at Carolyn.
"I've learned to do a great deal since modernizing the Old House." He
says in a humorous way. "I hope you won't mind Barnabas but I gave
Vickie something to help her sleep." Barnabas looks up concerned. "What
do you mean? you've giving her drugs? Carolyn how could you?" Shaking
her head. "Vickie is more upset than you know Barnabas she needs to
rest right now, she will only sleep for about two hours, when she wakes
up bring her to Collinwood, I've talked Tony into reading the Will at
8:30 this evening, Vickie and you are mentioned in the will so its
important you both be there." Barnabas agrees to be at Collinwood at
8:00 pm. Carolyn takes a few of the pastries and leaves. "See you
later tonight." Barnabas sits at the table, looking up to Josette's
room.
TO BE CONTINUED
The Ghost of Sarah Collins (1784-1795)
Sister to Barnabas Collins
"That evil is wicked is well understood,
the wicked are punished so you must be good." (Sarah to Barnabas)
(All the Characters are property of Dan Curtis)
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