Chapter 6:
---Mary-Kate---
Zac had pleaded with me to stay at the hotel and not meet him at the airport, but staying in the confining hotel room was making me more and more nervous. I asked the concierge to order me a taxi and figured it would drop me off right at the door, airports were always crowded and there must be some form of safety in that.
To my surprise the airport was eerily quiet; perhaps due to the fact that the flight arrived early in the morning.
I nervously paced the length of the international arrivals lounge, always making sure airport security were in sight. This fear thing isn't any fun.
Finally after a half hour wait, during which my heart was in my throat the entire time, I spotted Zc's familiar curly hair through the crowd of arrivals ccoming through customs.
I stood up to wave at him when out of the corner of my eye I spotted what looked like Marcus pushing his way through a small crowd by the door.
He was facing away from me so I couldn't see his face but he was the same height and build and had the same colour and style hair as Marcus. I watched him flag down a taxi and didn't even notice Zac approaching me.
"I thought I told you to stay at the hotel" He said.
I jumped at the sound of his voice and whirled around to face him, all thoughts of Marcus instantly gone from my mind.
"You're here!" I said, throwing my arms around his neck.
---Trent---
I watched Larraine laughing with her friends as they walked down the path from her school to the outside gate. All around me mothers (and the occasional father) were greeting their children. I saw Larraine's eyes flicker a little as her friend Lucy ran over to hug her mother.
"Hi Dad" she said as she swung her backpack over one shoulder and gave me a quick hug "How was work?"
"Fine. How did you math test go?"
She shrugged a little "I think I did ok. We've got a Science test tomorrow and I think Mister Smith is about due for a pop test in geography" She wrinkled her nose in disgust "I can't wait for summer."
"How about dinner at McDonalds? Then we could hire some movies. Now Zac's gone to meet Mary-Kate we've got the place to ourselves!"
She instantly brightened "Can we get Free Willy?"
I smiled. "Whatever you want honey."
---Taylor---
I was sitting in front of the TV watching an old black and white film 'Port of New York' but no matter how much I tried I couldn't pay attention. It seemed like weeks since I'd last seen Lizzie. I'd thought of calling but wondered if that was out of place. The movie we' d seen was pretty much the only time we'd spent together.
I kept reaching for the phone then chaning my mind. I was a little uncomfortable too, about the 7-year age gap. Lizzie was still a teenager, after all.
I reached for the phone one more time and was startled when it rang the moment I touched the receiver.
"Hello?" I said picking it up before it completed the first ring.
"That was quick!" The voice on the other end of the line was distinctly Lizzie's.
"Would you believe I was just walking past?" I said in my best confident voice.
"Not really" Came the response; I could hear the smile in her voice. "Hey, I've been thinking of joining a theatre group at school and they're doing a production tonight. I was thinking of checking it out but hate going to these things on my own Would you like to come?"
I smiled.
---Ashley---
I'd finally got William to sleep after a two hour screaming fit (He's also inherited his father's temper) when there was a loud insistent knock at the door. I cringed but no sound came from William's crib. (Perhaps I should add his father's selective hearing to the list of things he's inherited.) I tiptoed to the door so as not to wake him. Standing there was a woman I recognized but couldn't place.
She looked me up and down taking in my dishelved hair and milk stained T-shirt. I'd thrown on some socks this morning but no shoes. Baby rearing saps the energy and inspiration for dressing up. She smirked.
"Is Josh here?" She asked. She looked the total opposite of me, her hair in a tidy French braid with a few curls loose around her face, she wore a pretty floral sundress over a pair of jeans with a leather jacket for warmth.
I shook my head "He doesn't live here anymore" I felt no desire to offer any more information.
She glanced behind me, almost as if she didn't believe me "Oh" she tapped one foot but didn't make any motion to leave.
"Well, bye" I said and started to close the door.
"Bye.. Ashley" She said loudly as the door clicked shut. I barely had time to wonder how she knew my name when William started wailing loudly.
Fantastic.
---Josh---
I was sitting in my office at the paper, working on my article on Alyssa Lynnae when one of my coworkers stuck his head in the door.
"Hey Josh! There's this gorgeous blonde here asking for you" He said with a goofy grin.
My heart lept in my chest "Ashley?"
"Nah, says her names Judy" He grinned again before returning to his desk.
I walked out to the reception room and sure enough there was Judy flipping through a copy of PEOPLE; an unflattering picture of Ashley a few weeks before William was born graced the bottom corner.
"Josh" She smiled and put the magazine down "Hey" She walked over and kissed me on the cheek. "I just went by your apartment but your ex said you didn't live there anymore" She frowned.
"I moved a few weeks ago. I told you remember?"
She frowned "Did you? Silly me, must have forgotten" She smiled and unconvincing smile.
"So, you free to go out to lunch?"
"With you? Most definitely!" Reality was I really needed to finish this article. It was due later tomorrow morning. I figured I'd just have to pyull an allnighter and determined to enjoy my lunch with Judy.
"Great! Come on!" She led me from the room. I noticed as we moved past the desks to the exit all my male coworkers staring at her.
Chapter 7:
---Taylor---
Lizzie and I were desperately trying to stifle our giggle. “Ok, this guy is really terrible” I whispered in regards to the talentless star of the play. He’d already walked into the table, knocked over a prop and forgotten countless lines.
A person in front of us turned to glare “Shhh!” they said loudly.
Lizzie cupped a hand over her mouth to hold back laughter.
I leaned in to whisper in her ear, quiet enough so as to not disturb the irritable guy in front of us, this close I could smell her perfume, the most delicious smell “You’d do so much better!”
She smiled at me then whispered in my ear “How do you know? You’ve never seen me act!”
I was so distracted by how close she was I barely heard what she said, all I could think about was how deliciously her breath tickled my neck.
Zac showed me a home video from one of your high school plays” I responded “You were great”
She smiled a big, genuine smile at me. She leaned back in her chair just watching me for awhile “Thanks” She finally said.
---Zac---
Mary-Kate and I caught a taxi back to the hotel, I noticed she sat closer to me then she normally did. I must admit I really liked it. It’s been awhile since we’ve shown much affection to one another. I don’t remember the last time either of us hugged or really kissed. When it first started I didn’t notice but now I really miss being close to her.
Though we’d covered most of it in our e-mails; Mary-Kate recapped everything that had happened since she’d gone to Italy.
“I should call Marcus when we get to the hotel” Mary-Kate said, “I’m sure you’ll want to meet him”
My wife has been spending time with a handsome charming Italian? Yeah! I want to meet him!
---Ashley---
I sat, fuming, on the sofa. Josh was supposed to take William and Anna for the night so I could go to a fashion show but he was already half an hour late. The show started at 7 and it already 10 to.
I guess this is adding injury to insult as I’m still more then a little irritated by that woman’s visit earlier today. It took me half an hour to get William back to sleep. I’d thought it over and over trying to work out where I recognized her from. I finally remember she was the woman Josh was talking with at our disastrous group dinner. The night we… kissed.
There was a knock at the door that snapped me from my reverie. I raced to the door to find a goofy looking Josh standing there.
“Where the hell have you been?” I yelled.
“Well hello to you too!” He said, and floated, yes, floated into the apartment.
“I don’t have time for this. I’m already late” I grabbed my jacket and slipped it on. Unable to let it go, I frowned “Where were you?”
”At lunch, with a… friend” He answered elusivey.
“Lunch?! It’s 7pm!”
”It was a long lunch” He said with a shrug.
I rolled my eyes and picked up my purse, I was walking out the door when Josh called after me.
“Ash? You look really nice tonight”
I paused. “Thanks” I turned around to smile at him but he’d already gone back into William’s room. I frowned, then hurried for the elevator.
---Lizzie---
I arrived at school late for my first class that Monday. I was racing down the hallway when a guy walked around a corner directly in front of me, I couldn’t stop in time and the two of us crashed into one another, knocking each other over.
“Hey! Watch it!” He yelled.
“Me!? You were the one not looking where you were going!”
He looked at me for the first time and his expression changed, the way guys expressions always do when they realize a girls pretty “My mistake. Sorry. I’m John” He extended his hand and I shook it.
“Lizzie” I said.
“Here, let me help you Lizzie” He gathered my books up and handed them back to me.
“Thanks. I’ve gotta go” I started to walk away but he stopped me with an insistent hand on my arm “Wait, can I get your number?”
”My number?” I was dumbfounded at first but didn’t have time to stop and think. Besides, John was cute and seemed nice enough, ‘cept for the whole yelling at me thing. “Sure” I scribbled my number on a notepad he handed me before running down the hall.
“Bye Lizzie” He called after me.
---Trent---
She was beautiful. Her auburn hair shone in the fluorescent McDonald’s lighting, her smile lit up the room. Each move she made was full of grace and dignity. When her 6-year-old son spilled ketchup all over himself she didn’t yell as some mothers would do but simply handed him a napkin and patted him on the head “It’s ok, honey” I heard her say.
“Dad?” Larraine said “Daddy? Why are you staring?” She waved her hands in front of my face and finally caught my attention.
“Sorry. What did you say honey?”
She smiled and glanced over at the woman I’d been staring at “She’s pretty” She said.
I nodded in agreement.
“He goes to my school” She said, pointing at the woman’s son “I’m going to go say hi”
Before I could say anything she’d got to her feet and was walking over. I stayed where I was.
“Hey Jacob” She said to the boy.
“Hi Larraine” He said shyly, looking at his food.
Not one to be shy, or put off by lack of enthusiasm Larraine smiled and turned to Jacob’s mother. “Hi, I’m Larraine” She said.
The woman smiled, her gorgeous smile “Hi Larraine, I’m Suzanna”
”I love that name!” Larraine said “We were learning about names and their meanings in school last week. It means ‘graceful one’ right?
Suzanna nodded. I couldn’t help thinking how perfectly her name described her.
“That’s my Daddy” Larraine said and pointed to me.
I waved uncomfortably.
“He thinks you’re pretty” Larraine said loudly. Suzanna blushed and I wished the floor would open and swallow me.
---Ashley---
I posed for the paporazzi on the red carpet all the while despising the flashing lights and screaming. Finally with relief I walked over to the media where I had an interview set up with someone from the New York times.
“So, Ashley. Looking forward to seeing tonights new designs?” The woman asked.
“I’m totally excited. I said. Brianna’s a fantastic designer. We went to college together you know.”
”So tell me. How are things with Josh?”
”That’s my personal life. I don’t speak about it in the press”
”Oh really?” The woman took something out of her purse “Our reporters snapped this picture today” She showed a picture of Josh sitting with the woman who called in earlier today, eating lunch “It was taken earlier today. We’re thinking of printing it. Now’s your chance to get your word in”
I smiled a smug smile “What’s there to comment on? We’re divorced he can see whoever he wants. Thanks for your time” And with that I walked away, waving away the other people I’d agreed to do interviews with.
How could he? I’m not seeing anyone! What gives him the right to? And her!
Chapter 8:
---Lizzie---
I’d been studying for an exam all weekend when Taylor called and suggested I needed a celebratory outing on Monday; a celebration for the completion of the exam. Never one to pass up a fun outing with a cute rock star – I mean friend, (especially when they’re shouting) I promptly agreed.
Monday rolled around and the exam went better then expected, though I breathed a great sigh of relief when it was over. I kept watch for boys suddenly rounding corners directly in front of me as I made my way back to the parking lot. Not that I’m disappointed or anything but that guy I ‘ran into’ still hasn’t called. It’s been a week so I don’t suppose he will.
I reached the spot where I’d parked my car only to find it missing and a man in a black suit standing in its place.
“So, what IS the matrix?” I couldn’t help asking. Everything about him made me think of one of the agents in the film.
“I’m sorry?” He asked, with a perplexed frown.
“Never mind. Where is my car?”
“Your car is safe. A Mr. Taylor Hanson has arranged for it to be driven back to your apartment and I am here to escort you to the commencement of your evening. Please follow me.”
“No way” I said in shock.
Taking my response literally he responded “I can call Mr. Hanson if you don’t trust me.”
“Oh, no. I didn’t mean no way as in ‘no way’. I meant this is just… no way. You know?”
“No… way” He responded with a smile.
I smiled. I followed him round a corner only to stop dead in my tracks when I found a white limousine standing there.
The dude in the suit smiled at my reaction. “Let me guess. ‘No way’?”
“You took the words right out my mouth” I said with a laugh.
---Josh---
Once I’d got Anna and William to sleep last night I’d finished up the article on Alyssa Lynae, confident it would be a success and deserved to be on the front page or at least the second.
I had to run Anna and William back to Ashley’s then get into work by 10am to the get the article to print.
Is it possible for a baby to be depressed? Cause ever since Zac and Mary-Kate went to Italy Anna’s been really down in the dumps. It’s strange; she’s usually a really cheerful kid…
“Ashley” I called as I pounded on the door “Ashley? Are you in there?” I tried the door but it was locked “Come on Ashley, I’ve got a deadline to meet”.
An elderly woman down the hall stuck her head out the door and glared at me “People are trying to sleep in you know” She said.
I sighed and leaned my forehead against the door, just as Ashley finally opened it.
“Josh!” She yelled as I nearly fell on her “What are you drunk or something?”
“No” I gritted my teeth “Just short on time. Here” I handed her William’s baby carrier and carried Anna in to the kitchen. “I’ve got to go” I said turning to leave once Anna was happily seated and drinking from her bottle.
“Fine” Ashley said, in a tone all too familiar.
I turned around and opened my mouth to ask if she was ok, then shook my head and started for the door.
“Have you seen today’s issue of In Touch?” She called after me.
I paused “No, Ashley. I don’t read tabloids”
“That’s so ironic; considering you’re in it.” She raised an eyebrow and continued to glare at me.
I sighed again “Where is it?”
She picked up the magazine which Anna had already managed to spill some milk on and handed it to me.
I flipped through the first couple of pages till I found a picture of Judy and I sitting at a table eating lunch.
“Ashley-“ I started, not really sure what I was going to say.
“You could have told me you know” She said, her expression changing from anger to sadness.
“I didn’t know how…”
“Forget it. I don’t want to talk to you right now” She turned her back on me and not having the time to do anything else I turned and left the apartment.
---Taylor---
I sat on a park bench waiting for Lizzie to arrive. Isaac, who along with Amanda, had accompanied me as servant for the night, smiled.
“You’re nervous” He said accusingly.
“Why would I be nervous?” I responded “This is just a surprise for a friend who’s been having a hard time lately!”
Isaac glanced at Amanda who smiled knowingly and nodded.
“You like her” He said to me.
“I don’t like her!” I responded quickly “Well, yes, I like her. She’s a great girl and a good friend but I don’t like her. She’s…”
“Here” Amanda finished for me, pointing a hand behind me.
I watched the limo pull up and before it had even completely stopped Lizzie lept out and ran to me “Thank-you” She said, throwing herself into my arms.
I savored the hug. When she pulled away she smiled at Amanda and Isaac “Are you guys a part of this too?”
“Oh, no” Amanda responded. “This is all Taylor’s doing. Just think of us as your humble assistants for the night”
Lizzie smiled at me again. “You are such a great friend.”
Friend?
At the time I didn’t think much of it but in retrospect I should have taken that as a sign of what was to come that evening.
---Trent---
I was waiting for Larraine outside her school when I noticed Suzanna – the woman from the McDonalds – hugging her son Jacob. She spotted me and waved, I waved back.
“You’re Larraine’s ‘daddy’ right?” She asked as she and Jacob walked over.
I nodded “Right. Sorry, Larraine’s not the best with names. It’s more job descriptions that matter to her. My names Trent; Trent Olsen.”
She smiled “Nice to meet you Trent. So what do you think of this school trip the kids are taking to the Ice cream factory?” She asked, she smiled down at Jacob who made a face and looked away “Jacob thinks it sounds great but I’m thinking I might have a hyper kid on my hands afterwards.”
“Muuuuum” Jacob whined.
“I think it sounds great” I said. “Heck, I want to go too.”
Suzanna’s eyes lit up. “Fantastic. We really need some more parents to come along and help watch the kids. Would you like to volunteer?”
I thought for a second “How many other parents are going?”
“About four at the moment” She said.
“Including yourself?”
She nodded. “I can’t pass up free Ice Cream.”
“Me either. I’d love to come.” I told myself it was really the free Ice Cream I wanted to go for, the idea that I wanted to go for Suzanna was something I wasn’t quite ready to deal with yet.
---Lizzie---
“Congratulations Lizzie. You’re really good at this” Amanda said with a grin.
I glared at her. So far I'd managed to hit two pins while Taylor was in the lead with 10, Isaac had 8 and Amanda followed with 7.
Amanda sat next to me as Isaac took his turn. "Come on Lizzie! The guys are kicking our butts!"
"Bowling has never been one of my talents" I told her. We cringed as Taylor got a split or whatever it's called.
"We are so dead" Amanda sighed. She grinned evily "I'm going to go psych out Ike" She scampered past Taylor who walked over and sat next to me.
"Having fun?" He asked.
"Loads" I smilled "Thankfully I'm not a sore loser"
Glancing over his shoulder I spotted a guy smiling at me. I frowned, knowing I recognized him from somewhere. Finally it struck me. The guy I ran into at school!
Taylor was talking about a new song he was writing but I had difficulty concentrating on what he was saying.
John started walking toward me.
"So what do you think?" Taylor asked "...Lizzie?"
"What? Sorry?" I asked.
Taylor frowned.
"Lizzie right? John had reached us. Taylor shot him a glare and I smiled.
"Hi" I said.
"Sorry I didn't call" He said. "I've been busy studying for an exam"
Taylor rolled his eyes.
"No problem" I said.
"So, you like bowling?"
"Kind of. I'm pretty terrible at it..."
"Ha. Well it just so happens I'm a bit of a pro"
"Talk about blowing your own trumpet" Taylor muttered under his breath. I glared at him.
"Maybe I could give you some tips?" John continued.
---Josh---
I was researchinbg my new article when my boss stuck his head in my office and knocked on the wall.
"Excuse me Josh. Can I talk with you for a moment?"
"Sure. What can I do for you?"
"It's about your lack of focus these last few weeks."
I gulped.
"Now I know you've got a young baby" He continued "But if the quality of your work value continues to decrease" He trailed off, not needing to finish.
"I understand sir. It won't happen again."
Great...
---Taylor---
"This is sickening" I muttered to Isaac. I was sitting with my arms crossed, watching Lizzie and pretty boy giggling and doing very little actual bowling. Though it had turned out, much to my frustration, that pretty boy was true to his word and in fact a pro at bowling.
Isaac glanced at me then smirked.
"I know what you're thinking! I don't like her ok!"
"Whatever, little brother."
Pretty boy was demonstrating how to hold and swing the bowling ball. FIrst he demonstrated then he held his hand over hers and helped her to do it. (Total excuse to put his arm around her.)
"This is a total disaster" I muttered.
Isaac opened his mouth to comment.
"Don't even!" I said, before getting up and stalking away.
---Zac---
I was watching CNN at our hotel room when the phone rang. "Can you get that?" Mary-Kate called from the shower.
I answered the phone and assumed it was a wrong answer as there was silence on the other end of the line. Just as I was about to hang up the person finally spoke.
"Are you the American looking for Melanie Brown?" The manon the other end of the line asked.
"Yes, who wants to know?" I asked.
"That's not important. If you want to see her again be at the Colliseum at dawn tomorrow. No police."
Before I could say anything the person hung up.
"Who was it?" Mary-Kate called.
I thought for a second. "Wrong number" I called back. There was no need endangering Mary-Kate. I'd go to the Colliseum alone. No police, no wife.
---Michael---
Josh walked in with a frown, throwing his jacket down on the sofa then collapsing on top of it.
"So," I said, holding up my copy of In Touch Magazine "You made the tabloids. Congrats man"
Josh sighed again.
"So this girl. Things are getting pretty serious?" I continued.
"I don't know. She's fun... I enjoy her company. I dunno, somethings not right"
"She's pretty gorgeous" I observed.
Josh got up and paced. "She's just... she's not..."
"She's not Ashley?" I asked, meeting his eyes.
He didn't answer.
We were silent for awhile. I prepared a coffee in the kitchen area which opened off from our lounge while Josh watched some TV. I came back into the room and handed him a cup.
“Thanks” He said. “So, what’s been new with you?” He asked.
“Works kind of unfulfilling at the moment” I said with a shrug “I was kind of thinking of going abroad for a while”
“Hmmm” Josh said, his eyes still on the TV.
“I was kind of thinking of maybe going to Rome”
Josh turned back to me, raising an eyebrow “Rome, huh? And we thought you didn’t care when Melanie went missing”
My temper flared “I cared!”
Josh smiled “I get that now. It’s so sweet you’re going to go help find her.”
I chewed on the inside of my cheek then took another sip of my coffee “Yeah…” I said vaguely; my mind on something, and someone, else.
Chapter 9:
---Zac---
I shuddered as I walked inside the Colliseum; something about the circumstances of the visit and the locations history mixed together was truly horrifying.
I glanced around for a creepy figure in a trenchcoat or some other action filme cliche villain. There was nothing but happy tourist families.
Sighing I found myself an out of the way spot and waited, not really sure what I was waiting for.
Within the next 10 minutes a man in a baseball cap and jeans came in and stood beside me. He was silent for awhile then asked in a -surprise- American accent. "Are you Zac?"
I nodded, trying not to look nervous.
"You flew in on United Airlines flight 803, seat 20b?"
I nodded.
He glanced over at me before pretending to take a photo of the wall in front of him. "You had the chicken for dinner."
I felt my blood run cold.
"We" He put emphasis on the word, "Know a lot about you. For this reason I suggest you tread carefully."
"What do you want for Melanie?" I asked.
He was silent for a long time "20 million" He finally said.
"You've got to be kidding?"
"Melanie is a successful popstar with a wealthy circle of friends. Mary-Kate and Ashley certainly can aford it, as can you and your brothers, though perhaps not so much after the incident. Even Joshua Thomas stands to inherit a few million"
"He does?" I nearly asked but stopped myself. Josh never struck me as the wealthy heir type.
"We'll be in touch" The man said, with that he disappeared into the crowd.
---Lizzie---
I glanced out my window and down onto the street nervously. It had been a week since Amanda and I had last seen the stalker. I wasn't sure if I should feel relieved or scared. The phone rang, making me jump.
"Liz, it's for you!" Amanda called.
I took the cordless from her and sat down on the sofa "Hello?"
"Hey girl" A rich male voice said "It's John"
"John! Hi!" realizing how overly enthusiastic I sounded I decided to tone it down a notch "What's up?"
"Well I had such a great time with you last night I was wondering if you'd like to get together and do something tonight"
I grinned "Sure, like what?"
"It'll be a surprise" He assured me "Pick you up at 7?"
I gave him my address, hung up then lept to my feet with an excited squeal.
---Josh---
Things were pretty tense with Ashley when I went round to pick up Anna and William after work.
"Did you hear Michael's going to Rome?" I asked; anything to break the awkward silence.
She glanced over at me in surprise "You're kidding? When? Why?"
"Melanie of course" I said "I guess he's not as over her as he lets on"
She frowned "Yeah, I guess.."
I strapped William into his babycarrier and handed Anna her favorite teddy bear. I was about to leave but stopped and glanced back at Ashley. She'd been watching me and glanced away quickly. In that moment I missed so much the time when we could talk to one another, back when we were close in every way. I missed her, even though she was standing right in front of me.
I considered telling her about how I was scared I was going to lose my job, how I was worried about Michael, how being a Dad required so much more effort then I'd ever imagined it would but I couldn't..
Vindicated I am selflish
So clear
(Lyric credit: Dashboard Confessional: Vindicated)
---Mary-Kate---
Zac walked into our hotel room and hung up his jacket.
"Where have you been?" I asked. "The Concierge said you got a taxi to the Colliseum?"
"Oh, you were still asleep and I just felt like doing a little sightseeing"
I frowned "You could have woken me up"
"Sorry" He didn't meet my eyes and instead went to have a shower.
Something was wrong with this situation...
---Trent---
"Dad?" Larraine asked, looking at me impatiently.
"Yes honey?"
"What do you think" She asked.
"About what honey?"
She put her hands on her hips "I just told you twice. My science project! Do you think I'll get an A?"
I smiled "I think you'll get an A Plus" I reached out and ruffled her hair "But first I think you need to check your spelling.. here" I pointed to the first sentence where she'd spelt explosion as 'splosion.
She smiled and scamped off happily. I glanced out the window, watching silver rain drops slowly streak down the window pain. It was a dull, gray day and the air was heavy and oppressive. I'd felt strange ever since I went out for Ice Cream with Suzanna. It had been a pleasurable outing, the kids had enjoyed it immensely and were fast becoming best friends and Suzanna and I... our relationship was as good as you could hope for for two adults forced to spend time together while their children were on a play date.
I frowned, recognizing the lie. I'd told myself over and over that it had simply been a play date, but the more I thought about it the more I realized it was immensely close to a real date. I couldn't sleep last night as I felt so guilty about that fact. I kept thinking about Rebecca. I could see her crying and throwing things at me like that time when she found out I'd kissed one of my coworkers and come close to having an affair. No one knew about that dark time in our marriage, but it had almost destroyed it. I'm confident to this day that Rebecca never truly forgave me. We were able to recover the majority of our relationship, we were happy together and we loved each other as much as we had the day we'd married but a little bit of the faith was gone, a little bit of the trust. And that made all the difference.
Why was it that now months after her death I felt like I was cheating on Rebeca again?
---Taylor---
I raised my hand and knocked on Lizzie's door then with a sigh let my hand fall to my side. Last night had been a total disaster. Sure, Lizzie had had fun, but the fun was had with that John fellow and not with me, which by definition qualifies an absolute disaster.
Amanda opened the door, looking somewhat surprised to see me "Taylor, what are you doing here?"
"I, uh, came by to see Lizzie"
"She's not here" Amanda said matter of factly, then softening "I'm sorry Taylor. She went out with John about half an hour ago."
"Oh, that's ok, sorry to bother you" I turned to leave.
"Taylor" Amanda called after me.
I turned.
"I'm sorry" She said sadly.
I nodded "Yeah, me too"
And as I start to leave he grabs me by the shoulder and he tells me
(Lyric credit: The Format: On your porch)
---Taylor---
Michael was sitting at the computer in the corner of our lounge, booking his ticket to Rome. Josh was sitting on the floor playing with Anna and William but mostly sulking. He'd been in a bit of a funk ever since he got back from picking up the kids from Ashley's. Personally I felt no different.
Honestly, I don't care that I arranged a fantastic date for a girl I really like and she ended up finding herself another boyfriend that night. I hardly cared about her anyway. It was just a little crush. The age difference was too complicated anyway...
Totally...
There was a knock at the door and I went to answer it. It was Amanda, looking somewhat distressed and more then a little annoyed "Hi Taylor" She said, walking past me "Is Michael here?" She must have spotted Michael at that point cause she stormed over to him "What's this I hear about you going to Rome?"
Michael quickly minimized the screen so she wouldn't see he was ordering the ticket then swiveled around in his chair with an angelic look on his face "Where did you hear that?" I had to admire how calm he was, I think I'd be a little nervous at this point.
Amanda threw up her hands "Oh Michael! Just stop!" She yelled "Why didn't you tell me?"
Josh caught my eye as he scooped up William and motioned for me to get Anna. I did so and the two of us quickly left the room.
---Amanda---
What am I? Chopped liver! Sure, our relationship hasn't been much of anything latey but I'd expect him to at least tell me when he plans on leaving the country for an unspecified amount of time!
"Look Manda, it's a kind of recent developement you know?"
I put a hand on my hip "No Michael. I don't know. From what Ashley said you've been planning this for a few days."
"Ashley? How does she know anything about it?" He frowned.
"Not the important factor right now" I sighed. "Ugh, this is pointless. Just forget it. Go to Rome, have the time of your life. Do as the Romans do, or whatever the saying is. Just forget sending any postcards to ME!"
I stormed out of the apartment.
"Come on Manda!" He called after me but he never followed. Ha, why am I even surprised?
---Josh---
"That was rough" Taylor said with a sigh as we heard the door slam shut behind Amanda.
I nodded, "Only I feel sorry for Amanda"
Taylor nodded "Me too. I don't really get what's up with Michael at the moment"
"I'm worried it's to do with Mary-Kate" I admitted. Taylor raised an eyebrow and I wished I hadn't said it. I'd forgotten Taylor was Zac's brother and Mary-Kate's brother in-law. I'd just been thinking of him as my friend "Never mind Forget I said anything"
"Josh, what's going on?" Taylor asked.
"Look, you can't say anything to anyone about this because, quite frankly, I'm not sure but I've been noticing the way Michael's been looking at Mary-Kate lately. You know they dated before she and Zac met up again right? I'm just wondering if he really is over her..."
"I was certain this was about Melanie"
"Then why didn't he go to Rome when she went missing? Why now?"
"You really think he'd do something to break up Zac and Mary-Kate?"
I gulped "No. I don't think so. He respects marriage, that it's for life. I just think he wants to be there for her. We've all noticed she and Zac haven't been overly happy together lately..."
---Ashley---
I'd just stepped out of the shower and was wearing a robe with green face mask all over my face when the phone rang. I sighed and walked down the hall to answer it. I was expecting Amanda and Lizzie over in half an hour. Lizzie had called and told me about the break-up and advised that Amanda needed some serious cheering up.
"Hello" I said as I precariously held the phone to my ear and attempted not to get green goo on it.
"Ashley?" It was Josh.
"Who else would it be, Josh?" I asked, instantly going on the defensive. What did he expect I had some guy over? But then obviously I wasn't a guy when I answered the phone. Maybe he thought I was having a party? And shouldn't he know my phone voice by now?"
"Sorry" he sighed dejectedly.
"Are you ok?" I knew the tone in his voice and instantly felt concerned.
"I'm fine, don't worry about it. So what are you doing?"
I frowned. Josh and I weren't exactly on the level where we called just to chat. "Um, Lizzie and Amanda are coming over. We're going to have a girls night, hire a few chick flicks-"
"Let me guess... Sweet Home Alabama, Kate and Leopald and... Hitch?"
I smiled, "Yeah. You know me so well" I said the last big sarcastically but it was true.
"You've only subjected me to them a million times"
"Thank-you very much! You love Hitch and you laugh your head off at Sweet Home Alabama. Kate and the Leopald is the only one I truly view as torture for you"
"Oh! So you knew how much I suffered?"
"Well duh I knew. That was half the fun."
We laughed.
I glanced at my watch, "Look, the girls are going to be here soon and I need to get dressed"
I could imagine him nodding on the other end of the line, "Sure, Ashley. Sorry to bother you."
"You didn't. Have a nice night Josh"
"You too"
Looking back at me I see that I never got it right
(Lyric Credit: Crossfade: Cold)
---Zac---
"Honey, do you want to go down to the restaurant for dinner tonight?" I asked as I stepped out of the bathroom.
Mary-Kate had been flipping through a magazine as she lay on the bed. She frowned, "I was thinking maybe we should just get some room service and... talk."
Gulp. That was a variation on a guy's four most dreaded words 'We need to talk'
"Sure, Um, what did you want to talk about?" I asked as I sat down on the edge of the bed.
"Try everything?" She asked as she threw the magazine down on the bedside table. It hit the table with a loud slap and I had to keep from cringing, "I don't like being lied to. You think we'd have established that by now. You've been her like, one day and you're already taking over this operation and completely omitting me. I'm not a child you know? And I don't need protecting!"
"What makes you think I'm keeping anything from you?"
She raised her eyebrows and put a hand on her hip, "Don't insult me any more then you already have"
Right...
Chapter 9:
I am wrong, I am right
I swear I'm right,
Swear I knew it all along
And I am flawed, but I am cleaning up so well
I am seeing in me now the things you swore you saw yourself
Like the diamon on your ring
Cut to mirror your intention
Oversized and Overwhelmed
What's left to lose?
You've done enough
And if you fail well then you fail but not to us
Cause these last three years
I know they've been hard
But now it's time to get out of the desert and into the sun
Even if it's alone
Chapter 10
I never stopped to think of you
I'm always wrapped up in things I cannot win
You are the antedote that gets me by
Something strong like a drug that gets me high
What I really meant to say
Is I'm sorry for the way I am
I never meant to be so cold
Never mean to be so cold
...Maybe in different light
you could see me stand on my own again
Cause now I can see
You are the antedote that gets me by
Something strong like a drug that gets me high
Read Chapters 11-15