Page 25 (1/2)

Woazes, and there was no way out Dizzinessquicken, and she sucked in air faster and faster, which only ood," she said, raising a shaky hand to her sweaty brow

"Oh, shit, Mom, she looks kind of white," Jenna said "I don’t know, but it looks like she’s going to pass out"

"Soet a cold cloth" Tara’s voice sounded like it was far away, as if she was talking froers felt numb She tried to suck in air faster because she couldn’t breathe

"Jenna, close the door Elizabeth, bend over and put your head between your knees"

"I can’t breathe" She wrapped her ar sick

"Elizabeth Pay attention"

She tried to lift her head, but all she could think about was breathing All she could think about was gasping for air And she ht just fall out of the chair

Cool hands pressed onto the back of her neck and shoved her forward She felt so icy cold and wet on her neck

"Breathe slow and easy honey Not so fast That’s what’syou dizzy"

Kathleen’s calm voice penetrated Elizabeth did as requested, and it helped The pins and needles feeling in her hands and feet started to subside, and eventually the nuo away

"That’s it Focus on each breath Not so fast Keep it slow"

She did, keeping her eyes shut so the roo

"Now lift your head Think you can do that without feeling dizzy?"

"I have no idea"

"Try Just try If you still feel dizzy, we’ll lay you down on the bed"

She opened her eyes and looked down at her feet, then slowly lifted her head Still a little dizzy, but not the roller-coaster ride she was on a few o

Tara swiped her hair away from Elizabeth’s face "Better now?"

Elizabeth nodded "Yes"

"Here," Kathleen said, holding a glass of water in front of her "Take a couple of sips"

She took the glass, but Kathleen held it for her while she sipped the water She tilted her head back and tried for a saze to Tara, then to Jenna, who kneeled in front of her "Thank you both, too I’ood old panic attack, is there?"

"Is that what it was? I’ve never had one before" She blew out a breath, then inhaled again, this ti race "Scared the hell out of s out panic in you?"

She looked over at Kathleen "Oh No, not at all Yes Maybe I don’t knoasn’t prepared to answer questions about how I feel about him"

"Obviously," Jenna said with a smirk "Who knew ed a laugh "No, really, it’s not him It’s me"

"I’m sorry," Tara said "I didn’t mean to back you into a corner about Gavin"

Elizabeth leaned back in the chair "You have nothing to be sorry about I’ to you Until the day I die, probably"

"It’s okay, really"

Elizabeth wasn’t sure it would ever be okay with Tara "I really a, so focused on my career and Mick’s career that I was blinded I hurt you and Nathan without thought I would never use a child like that I don’t knohat I was thinking, and there’s no excuse for what I did"

Tara leaned forward and grabbed her hands "Apology accepted Let it go, Liz I have And Nathan holds no grudge"

She shuddered out a sigh "Thank you You’re very generous and hed "Well, don’t go fainting on me every tied a s that you kne I felt all along"

"Well, you were kind of obvious Your feelings for Gavin are written all over your face"

She put her pal her "They are?"

Tara gave her a sympathetic smile "Yes, they are"

"So, you’re in love with Gavin Wow I didn’t see it," Jenna said "You two have known each other for years So is this a recent thing or have you been carrying a torch for a while?"

"For a long tiht?" Kathleen asked

Elizabeth nodded

"Does Gavin know?"

Elizabeth shook her head "No God, no And I don’t want him to know"

Kathleen frowned "Why not?"

She looked down at her hands "This is hard to explain"

"Because a guy has to fall in love with you because it’s what he wants, not out of obligation"

Elizabeth lifted her head and nodded at Tara "Yes"

"Which means, Mom, that we need to butt out and let Elizabeth and Gavin handle their relationship the way they see fit," Jenna said

"All right But I have to tell you, Lizzie, that I love you and I love my son And I don’t want either of you hurt"

Elizabeth reached for Kathleen’s hand "I love you, too And I don’t want to hurt hi to play out I don’t knoe are to each other yet So I’ure it all out"

She turned to Tara "And give Mick soht to be And he and Gavin are at odds over it I’ because of ed "I’ve already decided to step away froood choice Sometimes brothers need to find their own solutions to their problems And when a woman--or women--are involved, it’s best to steer clear They’ll find a way through this They always have before"