Fisher Family Follies
At the club, Ash explains her dilemma regarding Abby and work - she feels she's being pulled in two directions. John's fine with her taking time off from the lab - your daughter needs to be your first priority. Ash promises not to let things slide - but she may need more than a couple of hours. (In the background, Kevin arrives, his ear to his cell). Ash and John discuss Gloria - John's grateful she's trying to accept her. Ash admires her persistence - she's a fighter. She had to be to survive her two ex husbands. Ash pities anyone who gets in Gloria's path.

Back at the Abbott home, Gloria waves the poker at Tom: He was a child for God's sake. You were his mother, Tom snaps back: If I'm a monster, what does that make you? Gloria SHOULD have stopped him and lives with that guilt. I was so scared and weak - just the way you wanted it. You have no idea what it means to be a father. John's children are devoted to him - it's NOT about money. There's real love in the Abbott family - something the Fisher's never had.

Kevin manages to get through to his Mom: Mom! Mom! What's happening - Tom's there isn't he? Gloria's voice is calm: Nothing for you to worry about. I'm handling it - I have everything under control. Kevin sees (and reports that) John and Ashley are leaving. Keep them there, Gloria orders: just do it!

Kevin approaches Ash and John - We were just talking about you. or rather, what a difficult time your mother had with your father. I need to talk to you please, Kevin begins. Hearing that Gloria feels she should have stopped the abuse, Kevin doesn't think his Mom should blame herself. My father was a bastard - the reason I was so messed up. Mother needn't feel guilty - I've hurt a lot of people. I was hoping you'd give me a second chance (like you gave my mother). Not forgiveness - but advice - from both of you. I have so much respect for you. He rambles on about his resume If you know of anyone who might be looking... Wanting to leave, John grows impatient - if you want to discuss this further, come by the house.

Lauren's relieved when Mike finally gets home: I've been calling you for hours! I was worried sick! Mike explains his cell phone battery conked out. All hell has broken loose, Lauren reports: Your former stepfather is back in town - it gets worse. He's seen the legal notice and knows something is going on. Lauren feels they should have been honest with her - imagine how blown away I was to learn the man I befriended is Kevin's father! If you kept this from me - what else are you hiding from me?? Funny, Mike was thinking the same thing. Mike's pacified when Lauren says she spoke to Scott - and they'll soon go to Toronto to meet him. Kevin arrives - Tom is with Mom!

Back at the Abbott home, Gloria gets it: You came to tell me we're still married - to blackmail me. This is a beautiful home and John has tons of money - but none of it is in my name. You take me for a fool? Tom snarls: You're living on easy street - it's time to share the windfall - with me. What you spend on shoes alone could buy me a condo. You do NOT want me having a conversation with your husband. Gloria's confident in her relationship with John: He'd just help me divorce you - so we can remarry. If you're so convinced how strong your marriage is, let's put it to the test - right here - right now, Tom challenges as he sits on the sofa. As Gloria tries to show him the door, she's horrified to see John's home!

Building A Case
At home, Nick opens the bag of Cassie's personal effects - removes the green skirt and holding it to his cheek, remembers.... How do I look? This is my favourite skirt. You're so dolled up - I thought you were going to see a movie. We are, Cassie smiles: I thought it'd be fun to dress up. Thanks for letting me go out. I love you too Dad. Nick stands to go to her - but Cassie's gone. She soon reappears: Don't cry Dad - you're so sad all the time now. Don't cry anymore. Let me see you smile. Nick tries. Now that's my Dad, Cassie smiles. Please don't go, Nick pleads as Cassie fades away. Returning home, Sharon immediately notices the bag of clothes. I don't want to see them - not now. I don't want to cry another bucket of tears. They hug. Sharon has news about the trial. They've moved up the court date. Maybe once it's over, we can move on with our lives. You think we can do that? Nick asks. We HAVE to, Sharon replies. Nick hopes they can. We CAN - together, Sharon's sure. We have a son who needs us - I'll be there for him, and you too, Nick promises. Sharon cries as she hugs him. It means so much to hear you say that.

Meanwhile, Chris and Paul discuss the evidence: Cassie's prints were found on the keys, driver's door and steering column - but they're partials - not admissible in court. We're back to square one. Chris has spoken to 25 people - everyone she spoke to was surprised to hear Cassie was there. Her and Ally were the only freshmen there. Ally left before Cassie. She was excited to get her license, but there's no indication she knew how to drive. It seems it was Cassie's first time behind the wheel - I have to talk to Nick and Sharon about that. The trial's on the fast track - only 1 to 2 weeks away.

When Nick thinks it a bit late for Chris to be visiting, she apologizes. Did Cassie know how to drive? she asks bluntly.

Walkin In A Winter's Wonderland
At the Winter's condo, Neil and Dru argue with Lily over her devotion to Daniel (a boy who's ruined her life). She apologizes for being a pain - I'm sorry for the trouble I've caused. That means a lot to us, Neil says (although the apology is a bit late in coming). Lily declines going along to the airport (Dru's off to do some business regarding 'Seasons'). She's hoping Daniel can call her. I just want to hear his voice, she whines. You can't put your life on hold for this boy! Dru decides she's not getting on that plane. Neil persuades her - he'll take care of Lily. You're out of control, Dru accuses Lily as she hurries Neil out. Bye - have a safe trip, Lily says.

Over at the county jail, Phyllis is horrified to see Daniel has bruises on his face. You can't fight my fights for me, Daniel tells her. I've had a lot of time to think. Even if they find the evidence to clear his name, a girl's still dead because he was drinking. How could I think beer would solve everything? Stop thinking about the accident, Phyllis tells him. Daniel can't help playing it over and over in his head. Phyllis has a question: Why'd you get drunk? Because of Lily, Daniel explains. I dumped her - and was really mean to her. I felt horrible because I hurt her - and because we couldn't be together. Daniel laughs and cries at the same time: I thought drinking would fix my problems - now Cassie's dead. It was my car - whether they lock me up in jail or not, I still have to live with that. Time's up - Daniel has to go to the juvenile facility. It's going to be over soon - stay strong, Phyllis encourages with a hug (then looks devastated as he's led out).

Phyllis pays Lily a visit: actually Daniel's not OK - he could use a friend. Lily's not able to see Daniel - there's no way. Maybe there is, Phyllis' mind begins to plot.

Secret Son
In the office, Mike confides to Chris that he went to visit Lauren's son. You saw Scotty? Chris smiles in amazement. Mike's surprised to hear he's her nephew - and feels Lauren should have told him that Scott's father was her half brother. Mike fills her in - the handsome Scotty now goes by Scott - he's in grad school in Toronto. I've missed his entire life, Chris pouts: I would have kept in touch but didn't know where he was. Mike needs to find out why Lauren doesn't want him at the wedding. He can't just let it go, he says as he hurries out: see you tomorrow.

Lauren gets a call from Scott: Do I trust Michael? What kind of question is that? What's he like? He's nice. Mom - you can do better than that, Scott prompts. He's incredible - wicked sense of humour - sensitive and romantic. Happy now? Lauren asks. Is he a stand up guy? Scott wants to know. He's completely respectable, Lauren assures: You know I'm very careful. Don't worry about me. I want to come to Toronto to visit you - so you can see for yourself. It's not a good idea you come to GC. I need to come to Toronto - I love those funky stores on Queen St. I love you honey. Same here, Mom, Scott replies as he hangs up.

** In the darkened law office, a thug installs a bug under Mike's desk: Hey it's me - you picking me up? Louder? He fiddles with it a bit - how's that? Vinnie - I'm outta here, he says as he exits.

My Thoughts
Today's show rates a 7.5... John's right - Abby should be Ash's first priority - but how about finally getting around to explaining to John who Abby's father is - and exactly how that happened?? I'm really interested to see how 'my beauty' justifies that ... Oh yeah - there's a lot of 'real love' in the Abbott family - so much so that Jack slept with his stepmother - and both sisters have been Mrs Brad Carlton ... I really wish the writers would make up their minds on the financial status of the Abbott's - are they a family bordering on bankruptcy (as is so often mentioned) - OR, are they a wealthy family with 'tons of money'? I understand business and personal lives are separate, but if Jabot's in such dire straights, why is Gloria spending recklessly on shoes? And if they have 'tons of money', why isn't some of it being funneled into the business they all love so much? .. Was Cassie an apparition? A ghost? A memory? I dunno - but she should have told him that she was driving (cause then we could see Nick get mad all mad - furrow his unibrow and and try to ground her - and then Cassie could say sumthin' like: You can't ground me dumbass. I'm a ghost! I can walk through walls n' stuff - see?) ... I don't quite follow why Daniel has to be 'brought over' - doesn't juvie have it's own visitation area? ... I think Lauren's stretching it a bit in saying Mike's 'respected' - hasn't he claimed numerous times that the town dislikes him? Even his employer Victor Newman will only go as far as calling him 'somewhat' of a friend (or maybe he meant to say he's somewhat of a fiend) .... Why would Vinnie have the law office bugged - and not the loft? (where surely he'd get more info - since JT and Brit both reside there) ... OK - so Chris, though being either married or involved with the (arguably) the best PI in town, managed to lose track of her nephew for two decades?

Next: Mike vows: For once in his miserable life, Tom is going to pay! ... Chris drops the bomb: There's evidence to prove Cassie was behind the wheel that night.

Thanks for your most generous support. I still have a few emails to send out - and names to add to the subscription list.

*****

For those who were members of the message boards - and therefore, no doubt, a friend of 'Leafy's' - Amy Kay has created a very touching tribute. http://dump.grendosa.com/Leafy.wmv . Just added: my own eulogy or sorts. My thoughts: From the heart - Leafy.