After washing her face with cold water, Ivy Braddock looked at her reflection in the bathroom mirror. Her eyes were still puffy and bloodshot from crying. Not even makeup was going to fix it, which is just as well as she wasn't that into wearing makeup. She had done her best to restrain herself when Jim told her that he was going to return to New Jersey for a few weeks. But now that he was gone she had no reason to continue her brave front. She had cried for hours after he left before she finally fell asleep.

She already missed the scent and feel of him…the sound of his voice and his touch.

Glancing at the clock on the dresser she tried to calculate how far away he was. A tear welled up and fell down her cheek. She had felt as if her heart would break when he hugged her before he left. She didn’t want to let him go and to watch him walk out the door and drive away had to be the hardest thing she had ever done.

Now here she was in the room they shared for their honeymoon and she was alone and would continue to be so for the next few weeks. Looking around the room it seemed so different without his things around. Trying not to let her loneliness overwhelm her she decided to get dressed. Maybe Jeffrey Wigand will be downstairs she thought to her self, thinking of their last conversation, as she checked her reflection in the mirror one last time.

Downstairs the dining room and bar were deserted. No one catching a late breakfast or early lunch she thought to herself. Andy popped his head out of the kitchen.

"I thought I heard someone in here. You need anything?" he asked giving her a wide smile.

She tried to muster a smile in return but only managed somewhat of a grimace. Tears began welling up again and she reflexively reached out for a chair to steady herself.

Andy hurriedly came out of the kitchen and helped her sit down; he then got her a glass of water.

"You Ok? Do you need me to call the doc or something?"

She shook her head no then took a sip of the water. Andy produced a napkin so she could dry her tears. She managed a weak smile of appreciation.

"I'll fix you some tea and toast then OK? Give me a few tics."

Ivy watched as Andy headed towards the kitchen. She wondered how he remembered what she ordered for breakfast. He is a good guy she thought to herself.

After breakfast Ivy felt a little more herself, but she didn't think she could face going back to her room. Heading outdoors she walked around the grounds where Toni and Richie's wedding would be.

Jim will be back by the wedding she thought. She crossed her arms, hugging herself. She felt an aching loneliness she had never before known. Jim felt so far away. It was almost of if he wasn't real. As if she had dreamed their wedding and honeymoon.

Suddenly not wanting to be outside anymore, she turned and headed back towards the boarding house. She started at a fast walk but broke into a full run about halfway, feeling panic and grief grip her.

Tears in her eyes she rushed up the stairs literally running into Jeffrey Wigand on the landing, loosing her balance she fell down sideways landing hard on her right hip.

Jeffrey helped her up and offered to see her back to her room. Seeing her tears start anew he offered his handkerchief.

"Ivy I'm sorry if I startled you, or hurt you or offended you in anyway. I..."

Ivy raised a finger to his lips quieting him. Drying her face with his handkerchief she looked at him considering him for a few seconds.

"It isn't anything you've said or done Jeffrey. Jim, my husband, went back to New Jersey last night. "

Ivy paused briefly and swallowed hard.

" He will be back in a few weeks. But I miss him. That's all."

She tried to smile at him to alleviate any fears he might have of him causing her grief.

Pursing his lips together he looked at her. He had no idea her husband had left the night before. He had only briefly met him at lunch a few days earlier. He only felt concern for the young woman standing before him, her eyes full of tears. She made him think of Meggie. Meggie, whose tears flowed the last time he had seen her, all because of him.

"Ivy, I'm only here for a short time but if there is anything I can do for you. Please don't hesitate to ask."

Ivy managed a small smile this time as she looked at him and squeezed his handkerchief in her hand.

"Thank you, Jeffrey" she said and then she gave him a heartfelt hug and a brief kiss on his cheek. She knew he had meant what he had said. "You will make her happy one day" she whispered to him.

His eyes followed Ivy as she opened her door and slipped inside. He had forgotten he had mentioned Meggie during their conversation.

Once back inside the room her loneliness seemed to amplify. Why did she think she would feel somehow closer to Jim back here? With his things gone the room seemed empty.

It was then that she noticed his green shirt hanging on the hook on the back of the door. She reached for it and hugged it to her chest. Catching his scent she lifted it to her face. Yes he had worn it a few days before and must have forgotten where he put it.

Somehow having his shirt made him seem less of a fantasy. He again became concrete. He hadn't left her. James Braddock was real. He was her husband and he would be coming back for her, she had only to wait.

Draping his shirt over his pillow she lay down on the bed resting her hand upon it.

"Oh Jimmy." she whispered remembering their last embrace.

"Jimmy why did you have to say goodbye?" closing her eyes Ivy drifted into an exhausted sleep.