"Nancy, can I have a word?"
It was later that evening, and Topaz, having carefully thought out
the conversation she had had with Copper earlier that day, had decided
to take something of a gamble. At no point during the conversation, she
mused, had Copper sworn her to secrecy, but even so, she felt a little
apprehensive, knowing that she would be breaking her friend's confidence
all the same.
"But I can't just sit and do nothing about this, and Nancy deserves
to know that Copper isn't sick again, at the very least." She told herself
firmly. "I only hope that I'm doing the right thing...if I'm not, Copper
will hate me forever, but I have to try!"
"Sure, come in." At that moment the guitarist's voice came through
the bedroom door, and gently Topaz pushed it open, stepping into the
gentle blue and lavender bedroom which had become Nancy's domain since
she had moved into the Starlight Mansion three years earlier. She cast Topaz
a confused look, noting her troubled expression.
"What gives?" She asked. "Don't you usually go to Syl for your deep
and meaningfuls?"
"Yes, but this one I'm bringing to you." Topaz responded, coming
to sit on the end of the bed. "Listen, Nancy, I found out something today
about Copper and Aaron. I don't know if I should even be talking to you about
it, because even though she didn't swear me to secrecy she did say she didn't
like to talk about it. But I wanted you to know at the very least that she
hasn't had a relapse and it isn't cancer. She's not sick, don't worry."
"That's good news at least." Nancy narrowed her eyes thoughtfully.
"But something tells me you know more than that, am I right?"
"Yeah." Topaz nodded. "I have something of a dilemma, actually, Nance.
I know the reason she turned down your brother, and though I think its
a little screwed, I can see her logic behind it. I mean, a lot more makes
sense now. Normally, I wouldn't even think of mentioning anything like this
to anyone else, but it just struck me...Copper is so miserable and so is
Aaron. I wondered if I might...you know...take a gamble and see if I couldn't
help somehow?"
"Okay, well, are you gonna tell me what this big secret is?" Nancy
asked, settling herself crosslegged on her bedcover and setting the precious
golden saxophone she had been polishing back into it's box. The saxophone
was a family heirloom, once belonging to her great grandfather, and Jetta
had entrusted it to her care. Nancy had used it during the recording of
the Exotic album tracks, and she always took the best possible care of it,
knowing that it was a special instrument and not to be abused.
"I probably shouldn't." Topaz looked troubled. "Look here, Nancy,
how well do you know your brother?"
"Fairly well." Nancy frowned. "Why?"
"Well, how bad would you say he had it for Copper?"
"How bad? He adores her." Nancy responded immediately. "Seriously,
Topaz, Aaron is a fairly laid back guy and if something happens he tends
to hold it together outwardly, it's hard to know sometimes how bad it really
hurts him. But he's gutted that Copper turned him down. Why?"
"Well, do you think there is any reason - in your mind - that he would
change that opinion of her?"
"Only if she was unfaithful, I think." Nancy considered. "Why?"
"I know I'm beating around the bush, be patient with me." Topaz begged.
"I'm trying to tell you without telling you because I dont want to betray
Copper."
"Oookay." Nancy pursed her lips. "Go on then. What else?"
"Has Aaron ever mentioned to you what he wanted to do with his life?
I mean, in terms of ambitions and that stuff?"
"That's an odd question." Nancy remarked. "He's happy at Misfit Music,
I think. What has that to do with Copper?"
"I didn't mean in terms of work. I meant in terms of life."
"Oh, I see." Nancy looked confused. "No, actually, I don't. Can you
help me out a little here? In terms of life?"
"Nancy, quit being dense." Topaz rolled her eyes. "Listen, does Aaron
want a family?"
"Of course, he's that kinda guy." Nancy nodded. Then she gasped. "You
mean...Copper
doesn't? Copper, the most naturally maternal one
of the lot of us doesn't want a family?"
"It isn't that she doesn't. She thinks she can't, and she might be
right." Topaz spread her hands. "Because of the cancer therapy she had.
She's seen several doctors - hence the sneaking out, the changing moods
and the strange calls. All of them have told her that her chances of conceiving
naturally aren't good. That's why she turned Aaron down - because he wants
a family and she doesn't know if she can give him that."
Nancy stared at Topaz for a moment, then,
"Of all the dumb brained, romantic, airheaded nonsense!" She exclaimed.
"Aaron loves her, is she blind? He wouldn't care if she had three heads
and no legs, he loves her! Man, if that's the only reason she broke my
brother's heart..."
"Woah, girl, cool it." Topaz held up a hand. "This really upsets Copper,
she's totally gutted about it and my pregnancy isn't helping. I guess it's
fair to say she's overly sensitive about the whole deal. I'm guessing from
your reaction that you think Aaron would marry her regardless, and wouldn't
care, but you have to realise that this is a big deal to Copper. Maybe
too big a deal. She's become fixated with it as the thing preventing her
from being happy, so don't you go make her feel worse about it. It mightn't
seem a big thing to you, but for Copper it's huge."
"Okay." Nancy sighed, settling back down. "I guess I see what you
mean. What do you suggest we do?"
"I don't know." Topaz admitted. "I rather hoped you might have an
idea, seeing as he's your brother and she;s your best friend."
"Love isn't my strongest point." Nancy admitted. "I dunno. Leave it
with me, huh? I'll think it over."
"Okay." Topaz nodded, getting to her feet. "Don't mention to Copper
that I told you, huh? I just want to help somehow."
"Don't worry, I won't." Nancy promised. "I'll think of something,
too. However long it takes me!"