Felicia went back up to Tops and told Wallingford what happened. And the reception is still going ahead. They pinned their hopes on Cass, the life of the party.
Jamie showed up to give Adam a hard time. He pulled the ring out of his pocket.
Vince complained to Mary about Adam's having broken MJ's heart.
MJ sobbed. Sara sulked. Chad put his own construction on MJ's words and said "You couldn't go through with it, could you?" She set him straight. Chad comforted her while she sobbed on his chest. Sara left, her mouth set mutinously. MJ understands Adam's reaction. She kicked herself. She blames herself for ruining Adam's life. Chad asked MJ to stay with him. She said she couldn't. She said she was going to tell her parents the truth.
Jamie tried to convince Adam that he should marry MJ and make everybody happy. Adam said it couldn't be worked out. Jamie stomped out with Mac in his wake. They ran into Rachel who insisted on going in herself.
Tops was subdued. Felicia told Cheryl Cass would liven things up. They decided to make a "welcome home" sign. MJ wandered through and began crying at the sight of the gifts and cake. Cheryl came up and hugged her. She assured her Mary and Vince didn't blame her. MJ said it was her fault and fled. Cheryl spotted Chad and confronted him.
Rachel told Adam he should let his family support him. He stuck to his story and asked them to go to the reception. Rachel told him he'd regret hiding his feelings.
MJ told Mary and Vince that there would never be a wedding. Vince said she was better off without him. MJ said she loved Adam. Vince told her he loved her and left her to talk to Mary alone.
Cheryl accused Chad of breaking up Adam and MJ. Chad said he wanted MJ to have what she wanted and he had no idea what had motivated Adam. Sara watched them nastily. Cheryl didn't believe him. She stomped off. Sara advised Chad to go after MJ.
Adam told Rachel he'd do anything to change things but he couldn't. She conceded that it was a private matter. (Adam was indescribably heart-rending all through everything.) She suggested though that he shouldn't ought to be so stern and unyielding because one had to give a little. He said something had come between him and MJ. She asked if it was worth ending it forever.
Mary told MJ that she would love her no matter what. She wouldn't let her say she deserved it. MJ told her it was worse than anything she could imagine. Mary said nothing could be worse than what she'd done. MJ said it was. She said she'd gone to Chicago to be on her own and she'd wanted someone to tell her she was pretty. Mary was surprised that no one had. MJ said she couldn't tell her. (She clutched Adam's ring on her finger the whole time.) Mary assured her she would never hate her and begged her to tell her. Finally MJ blurted out that she had been a hooker. Mary refused to believe it. MJ collapsed on the floor clutching her head. Mary held her and said "No," over and over.
Chad told Sara he didn't want to hurt her. She told him to forget it. Lisa and Jamie danced. She withdrew from him. He let her go.
MJ elaborated. It was very like Sharlene to hear her tell it. One night a man told her how much he wanted her, so she went to bed with him and before she knew what was happening he gave her money. Mary refused to believe it some more. MJ told her a videotape had been made of her turning tricks and it had been sent to Adam and that was why he couldn't marry her. Mary said someone must have forced her. MJ said no one had. Mary blamed herself for not having been there. MJ blamed herself. Mary told her Adam would forgive her. MJ said he wouldn't. They thought of Vince.
Lisa took out her journal. Felicia came in to check on her. She reminded her to come up later to meet Cass and Kathleen and went back to the party. Lisa wrote more about the night of the rape. She had gone skinny-dipping in the river and when she came out her mother's boyfriend was on the bank.
Felicia found Wally on the balcony. She smacked him down off his perch on the ledge, talking about how great it would be to have Cass & Kathleen back.
MJ said she had to tell Vince now. Mary advised her to wait. MJ called to Vince anyway. He came in. MJ burst into tears. He comforted her. Mary tried to convince Vince to let MJ talk to him later. MJ let her. Vince left with Mary right behind him. MJ shoved her face in her failed bouquet.
The boyfriend undressed and pursued Lisa into the river and dragged her out. He said he was going to teach her to make love. Lisa slammed the book shut on her fingers.
MJ held the dress up in front of her and looked in the mirror. Chad appeared behind her and said he'd take her home. She let him.