"Yeah?"
Zac sat down next to him on the lounge and looked at Isaac.
"She really hates him doesn't she?"
"Who really hates who?"
"Babsie. She really hates Harry."
"Yeah, I would say so."
"I mean, you saw the way she looked at him right? You could see the hate in her eyes."
"Yes, you could." Isaac gave Zac a look. "What's all this about?"
"I don't want any one to look at me like that." Zac continued, ignoring Isaac's comment.
"I don't think any one does Zac."
There was silence for a moment.
"Do you, do you think, I don't want Hope to look at me like that Ike. If she ever did... Ike, if she ever did I swear it would kill me."
Isaac studied his face for a moment. Zac looked really upset.
"Well, she was with Rita last I saw her. Why don't you try being her Dad?"
"But, but, but she scares me Ike!" Zac whimpered. "She looks so much like Cassie did at her age. I know, I have baby pics to prove it. I miss Cassie so much."
Tears started trickling down his cheeks.
"I loved Cassie. But now she's gone and Hope just, she reminds me of her and that I don't have her with me any more."
"Maybe you should have been the one who got amnesia." Isaac said. "Cause I don't remember Cassie at all. Maybe, if you lost those memories of Cassie, you'd be able to accept Hope."
"No!" Zac almost shouted, looking alarmed. "No, I never want to forget Cassie. I, just, I just, I just want her back."
He was quiet for a moment.
"Every time I see Hope, I remember those few weeks in between Hope being born and Cassie, Cassie's death. She was so sick then." He said. "Especially during the last few days, she couldn't even get out of bed."
Zac looked up at Ike.
"Damn it, I'm just like Harry. My wife dies and I abandon my daughter." Zac sobbed. "But I don't know what to do."
"Zac, no, no you're not like Harry. Harry left while Ebony was still alive. You were with Cassie until the day she died."
"I wanted to put Hope up for adoption."
"Did you?" Isaac asked. "I don't remember. But you were probably really upset at the time - just like you still are now."
There was silence while Zac wiped away at the tears.
"Why don't you try looking at Hope and thinking of all the good times you guys had. I'm sure there were plenty, for you to miss her so much now. And if that doesn't work, I heard Mom say Hope looks like you too. Why don't you try looking for yourself in her? Hope is just as much Cassies' daughter as she is yours. Either way, I think you should go up there and finally accept your daughter."
For a long time Zac didn't say anything. Then leaned over and gave his brother a hug.
"Thank you Ike." He said, then took off.