A/N: I decided to continue after all. Thank you for the nice reviews. Hope everyone will continue to follow the story!

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Ally

Things for me had been at their worst lately. Ray had stepped up in taking care of the kids more often, usually without me even having to ask anymore. He noticed something in me and he tried to help. But I knew the truth: no one could help me. Of course, I didn't want him to worry, so I did my best to smile for him. I knew he loved my smile.

Convincing Ray was hard enough without having to put on a happy face for my children. But I had to force myself. I couldn't let them see the true story behind their hard-working mother. Of course, that is what I did. PTA meetings, bake sales, sports games, homework. I threw myself into every event surrounding their lives--even some they themselves weren't involved in. They had to know I was involved, even when emotionally I was not. I should've known that wouldn't always be enough.

Ally was a teenager and I was in no condition to handle it. Whether it was school issues, boy problems, hair or clothes... as her mother, I should be the one who's there for her. But as I'd been so withdrawn from everything, she was no exception. So she withdrew from me, too.

It breaks my heart, because I love her so much. I hate to see her resent me the way she does. Still, I'd rather her resent me than know the truth about her mother.

When Ally first started getting older, she would come to me a lot and I would help her as best as I could. In the beginning, that was enough. She loved me as much as always then. But as time went on, her life became more and more complicated in one way as mine did another. Before I knew it, there was a strain on our relationship that Ally didn't deserve.

I didn't have to deal with a lot of confrontation from Ally. Once she realized my emotional absence, she opted to make herself absent as well. Usually, she chose to stay at a friend's house and she spent most of her time at home in her room. Occasionally she would talk with Ray or Amy, or play with the twins. This made things much easier on me, so I chose to let things go unsaid. However, she couldn't always bottle up her anger with me.

We were in the car on the way to school one morning. Most of the ride was spent in silence, like it usually was between us. I pulled up next to the door, excepting her to get out, but instead she just sat.

"Ally, there's a line of cars behind me... I need to get home..."

Her head slowly turned towards me.

"You're always at home now," she said.

"That's not true. I was just at your last student council meeting and Molly's mom's party with you." This was all true. The 'with you' part was slightly debatable.

"Yeah," she said, rolling her eyes. "putting out food, or clearing off tables... I barely saw you the whole time."

"Ally, the cars. We don't have time to deal with this now." I rested my hand on my head, growing impatient.

I couldn't handle these types of situations like I used to. I realized she shouldn't have to deal with these kind of issues. She had to mature so fast because of me. I often forget how young she is. She's only thirteen.

"You never do! If you're not running around at some event for Michael or Geoffrey or me, you're sitting at home, sleeping or watching TV or complaining to Daddy!"

Cars began to drive around us, now.

"Ally, get out of the car! I do not have to tolerate this from my own daughter," I yelled. I hadn't forgotten how to do that. It was my best defense, after all.

"Molly and I want to go to a concert this weekend," she continued, unphased. "Her Mom is out of town and Dad has to work. You have to take us."

"I do not have to do anything."

"Mother!"

"No, Ally. I won't," I stated, firmly.

I couldn't. I'd never last. I'd never be able to fake it for that long. With piercing eyes, she glared at me, knowing my mind was made up.

"I hate you!" She screamed, getting out of the car and slamming the door behind her.

Finally, I pulled out of the driveway.

I'd rather she hate me for being selfish than for being depressed.

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