"You what?!" shouted Nina. "You got married and didn't tell me?!"
Trixie knew she had made a mistake by not telling her daughter that she and Lou were getting married, but she hadn't wanted to hurt her daughter either.
"Would you have been happier knowing?"
"Of course I would. How could you not tell your own daughter that you were getting married?!"
"Because I knew you were going to get angry!"
"Damn right I would! I like Lou, a lot, but he's got to be at least ten years older than you. And I don't want a stepfather! I want my real dad!"
"Well, you don't get a choice in this!"
"Fine, then I'm out of here!" Nina grabbed her bag and stormed out, not sure where she was going, but not wanting to stay in the house with her mother either.
Jack was outside, playing with Oscar and Steph when he heard a door slamming. He looked up and saw Nina running down her driveway, not looking where she was going. He quickly ran across to her, stopping her from entering the road.
"Nina, what happened?" he asked when he saw the tears on her face.
"Go away Jack," she replied.
"No. Not until you tell me what happened."
Nina glared at him. "Why do you care?" she asked, though it didn't come out as harshly as she'd intended.
"Because I still love you. That has never changed."
Nina still loved him too, and she decided that it was okay to tell him so. "I love you too, but I can't deal with us right now. I have to go."
"No you don't. At least come over, don't run. Oscar misses you, I'm sure he wants to see you. So does Steph."
"Jack, I can't..."
"Yes you can. Please?"
Nina looked at him, and she saw that he really wanted to help her. "Fine, just for a moment though."
"As long as you want. But you have to tell me what happened. Maybe I can help."
"You can't. It's too late."
"What's too late?"
Nina shook her head. They had reached Steph and Oscar, and she certainly wasn't going to tell them.
"Please talk to me Nina."
"No," she whispered.
"Hey Nina, how are you?" asked Steph. She liked Nina a lot and had been very angry with Jack when he had broken up with her.
"Fine. You?"
"I'm okay. Do you want to come inside?" She had noticed the tears.
"Not really. I just came to say hi. I've got to go." Nina turned and ran off before they could see the tears starting up again.
"Jack, what's with Nina?"
"No idea. She's upset about something, but she won't tell me," said Jack. He was concerned.
"You should go after her. I got the impression she wanted to talk to you but didn't want me hearing it."
"She's pretty angry with me still."
"Can't blame her. You did break her heart. But helping now might get you back in her good books."
Jack knew his sister was right. He nodded and ran after Nina.
"Nina, wait!" shouted Jack as he caught up to her at the coffee shop.
Nina ignored him and continued into the shop, going to a table in the back where she couldn't been seen. Jack followed her, but not before he ordered two coffees, hoping to calm her down.
"Nina please talk to me. Please?"
"She married him, and didn't tell me!"
"Who are we talking about?"
"My mother."
"She married who?"
"Lou." Nina shook as new sobs took over. "I'm not angry with him though."
"You should call him then, tell him what you just told me."
As if he was reading their minds, Lou's name appeared on Nina's vibrating phone. She looked at it and then ignored it.
"Answer it Nina."
"No."
"You have too."
"No I don't!" she shouted at him. "Don't tell me what to do!"
Nina stood and ran off, leaving a confused Harold standing nearby with their coffees.
"What did you say Jack?"
"I don't think I said anything. I think it's something else. Can you call Lou and tell him Nina's with me and I'll bring her home as soon as I can?"
"Of course."
Jack thanked him and gave him money for the coffee. Then he chased Nina out of the shop again.
Nina knew she shouldn't have yelled at Jack. He hadn't done anything wrong, in fact, he was just trying to help. But she was hurting and she didn't want to be reasonable right then. She knew he was going to follow her, and she was glad that he was because she really wanted him there, she just didn't know how to tell him.
"Nina, stop!"
Turning around, Nina spotted Jack. He had stopped, but was close enough for her to see the concern and worry on his face. She sniffled and walked to him, her arms automatically going around him for a hug.
"I'm sorry," she whispered.
"Don't be. You haven't done anything wrong. But you need to go home. You can't run."
"I don't want to go back there."
"Why?"
"Because I'm too angry Jack. I'm really angry at her."
"So call Lou then. Tell him that you aren't upset with him."
"No. I can't."
"Can I do it then?"
Nina nodded, letting go of him to dry her eyes. She waited for him to call Lou, then she let him walk her home.