"But Dad…It's so unfair…" sobbed Mary Anne Spier on to her dad's shoulder. "I love him, he loves me. How could his parents be so cruel? I'll never see him again."
Richard Spier hugged his 17 year old daughter close to him and met the sympathetic eyes of his wife Sharon who was gently rubbing Mary Anne's back.
"Honey," began Sharon as she bit her lip. As awful as the situation was for her step-daughter, it was one that was far too familiar. "Don't you think that maybe with Howie, I mean you've known him since kindergarten right? Maybe you and Howie can make it work."
Mary Anne lifted her tear streaked face from her father's shoulders and took in a deep shaky breath. "How will we make it work when he's in Michigan and I am here? It's all because his mom hates me and wants him to go to University of Michigan just because she did. She knew we were going to attend Stoneybrook Community College to save money so we could get married in a year or so."
"Now Mary Anne, you have to realize. Every parent only wants what's best for their child. In her eyes, Howie received a scholarship to a very prominent university. She only wants him to get the best education, she feels that is the best choice." Soothed Richard. "I don't think it's anything against you."
"Whatever Dad! You don't know what it's like to lose someone you love!" Mary Anne gasped as she covered her mouth. "Oh Dad, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean…I mean I know you lost Mom but…" She let her sentence trail off as she burst into a fresh set of tears.
Richard nodded at Sharon as she rushed out of the room and up the stairs. "I know you didn't mean it like that. But honey, losing your mom was not the only time my heart had been broken. I know what you're going through far more than you may realize."
"I do too." Said Sharon quietly as she walked back into the room carrying a sealed box. She set the box down in front of Mary Anne and began to open it.
"What is this?" asked Mary Anne, her curiosity getting the best of her.
"I think it's time you learned the whole story." Said Richard as he and Sharon began pulling journals, diaries, and photo albums out of the box. "I want you to take your time with this, read everything before you ask questions. This is everything we have saved from the time we were teenagers." He kissed Mary Anne on the cheek and squeezed Sharon's shoulder as he exited the room and headed to his office.
Sharon wordlessly handed over a diary covered with peace signs and bright flowers. "I know, I'm un-organized, however, I think you'll find when it comes to memories, I keep everything in order." She leaned over and gave Mary Anne a hug before leaving the room.
Mary Anne looked at the journal. Written on it were the words Private thoughts of Sharon Porter #1. She felt a shiver of anticipation as she placed the journal in the box and headed upstairs to her room. She shut her bedroom door and grabbed Sharon's journal as she settled into her window seat. Taking a deep breath she opened the first page.