Don't Let Go (Sweet Valley University(R)) - Softcover

Pascal, Francine

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0553492659 ISBN 13: 9780553492651

Publisher: Sweet Valley, 1999

Synopsis

Can Jessica find a way to go on without Nick?

The shocking murder of Nick Fox has left Jessica Wakefield shattered.  After enduring the burial of her lost love, she must face the pain of going on without him.  No one really knows how badly Jessica's hurting--not even her twin sister.  And no matter how loudly she cries for help, no one seems to hear her.  Will Jessica decide to drop out forever?

Elizabeth Wakefield wishes she'd never heard about the passionate night Tom Watts spent with Dana Upshaw.  Now, as she cares for her devastated sister, she realizes what little passion there is in her own life.  Will Elizabeth abandon her worrywart ways and show everyone at SVU--especially Tom--just how carefree and sexy she can be without him?

About this title

From the Inside Flap

ssica find a way to go on without Nick?

The shocking murder of Nick Fox has left Jessica Wakefield shattered. After enduring the burial of her lost love, she must face the pain of going on without him. No one really knows how badly Jessica's hurting--not even her twin sister. And no matter how loudly she cries for help, no one seems to hear her. Will Jessica decide to drop out forever?

Elizabeth Wakefield wishes she'd never heard about the passionate night Tom Watts spent with Dana Upshaw. Now, as she cares for her devastated sister, she realizes what little passion there is in her own life. Will Elizabeth abandon her worrywart ways and show everyone at SVU--especially Tom--just how carefree and sexy she can be without him?

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Sunlight streamed through stained-glass windows and made exquisite patterns on the cool, marble floor.  The gentle strains of a string quartet floated through the vestry.  Giant vases of lilies had been placed beside each pew.  The air inside the chapel was fresh and cool.  A butterfly flew in through the open doors and fluttered up toward the rafters.

Jessica Wakefield sat regally in the front pew.  She looked beautiful but pale.  Her porcelain complexion contrasted dramatically with her severe black dress.  Her posture was ramrod straight.  She stared ahead unblinkingly, as if she were oblivious to the sobs and groans surrounding her as she listened to the funeral oration honoring the too-brief life of her boyfriend, Nick Fox.

The chapel was packed to capacity.  Chief Ernest Wallace, Detectives Dub Harrison and Bill Fagen, Officer Graham Stevens, and the entire Sweet Valley precinct filled the pews to overflowing.  Lila Fowler, Denise Waters, and Alexandra Rollins stood respectfully with the rest of Jessica's sorority sisters at the back of the church, among countless other faces familiar from the campus of Sweet Valley University.  Older people whom Jessica didn't recognize were crowded against the walls, openly weeping.

They weren't the only ones.  Tears streamed down Chief Wallace's weather-beaten cheeks.  Dub swiped at his eyes with the back of his hand, while Lila Fowler dabbed at hers with a Belgian-lace handkerchief.  Jessica was dimly aware that the women sitting on either side of her--her twin sister, Elizabeth, and Nick's mother, Rhoda Fox--were crying.  Everyone was crying.  Everyone except Jessica.  Throughout the whole of that packed congregation, her eyes alone remained dry.

Jessica idly counted the candles on either side of the altar.  She flicked a piece of lint from the deep black crepe of her long skirt.  She traced the gold lettering on the cover of her prayer book.  She stared at the American flag that had been draped over Nick's casket.  It annoyed her that one of the corners, the one on the right, was curling upward, as if the flag hadn't been ironed out properly.

She knew that people must be wondering why she wasn't more openly upset; she could feel their questioning gazes upon her.  But Jessica was beyond tears.

Don't they understand? she wondered miserably.  Don't they realize I've dried up inside?

After a moment of silence Chief Wallace was called up to deliver his eulogy.  He made his way slowly toward the podium, his shoulders hunched, his steps heavy.

Jessica jumped slightly as Elizabeth took her hand.  Jessica squeezed her sister's hand in return, but for once Elizabeth's touch failed to comfort her.  Even Elizabeth couldn't understand how she was feeling.  Elizabeth, who had been able to read Jessica's every mood for the past eighteen years, seemed light-years away from her now.  How could Elizabeth possibly understand what it felt like to lose Nick?

Jessica turned to look at Nick's parents.  Normally the Foxes were a distinguished-looking couple, but today the only remarkable thing about them was the pain etched in grim lines upon their faces.

Impulsively Jessica grasped the sleeve of Mrs.  Fox's black suit jacket.  Mrs.  Fox turned in surprise, but her expression softened slightly at the sight of Jessica's pale face.

"Mrs.  Fox, I can't understand what it must feel like to lose your only son," Jessica whispered hoarsely.  "But you have to know how much I loved Nick .  .  .  how much I share your pain .  .  .  ." Jessica trailed off, unable to continue.

"I know how much you loved each other," Mrs.  Fox replied.  "It meant so much to Ben and me to see Nicky so happy." She gave Jessica a watery smile.  "Nicky dated a lot of girls over the years, but it was obvious that you were his true love."

Jessica nodded silently, her chest tightening.

"You were perfect for each other," Nick's father, Ben Fox, joined in.  His hand shook slightly as he reached around his wife to give Jessica's shoulder a soothing pat.  "You're so feisty and independent, so adventurous.  Just like Nicky was."

"He was so proud of how brave you were," Mrs.  Fox concurred.  "So proud.  He was impressed by your determination to join the force."

"He'd get so furious with me every time I brought it up," Jessica protested with a small, bittersweet smile.

"That's only because he loved you so much," Mr.  Fox said.  "He was so protective of you.  Deep down, he admired your fearlessness.  He just never wanted you to be exposed to danger."

"He couldn't bear the thought of anything happening to you, Jessica.  He would have given his life for you--" Mrs.  Fox's voice cracked.  She turned away from Jessica and sought the comfort of her husband's arms.

Jessica stiffened as if she had been slapped.  She knew Mrs.  Fox had only meant to be kind, but her words hammered painfully at Jessica's conscience.  Nick had given his life for her.  If Nick hadn't testified in Jessica's place at Clay DiPalma's trial, he would still be alive.  He wouldn't have been shot in cold blood on the witness stand.  He wouldn't have died on a stretcher surrounded by strangers who had no chance of saving his life.

Do the Foxes know Nick took the stand to protect me? Jessica wondered guiltily.  Do they know this is all my fault?

She glanced uneasily at the Foxes.  Their faces were fragile and mournful, but Jessica could have sworn that for a moment, incrimination flashed in their eyes.

They know, she realized.  They must know.  They blame me, and I blame myself.  I blame myself.

Jessica buried her face in her hands.

Edition details

• Publisher: Sweet Valley
• Publication date: 1999
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0553492659
• ISBN 13: 9780553492651
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• Number of pages: 240