Chapter 14

The next day I woke up and looked at the clock on my bedside table: 8am. Are you kidding me? Why the hell am I waking up so early? I turned and tried to catch some sleep, but I couldn't. I wanna continue sleeping damn it! I tried again, and nothing. I'm done with this!

I went to the bathroom, brushed my teeth and my hair before tying it into a high ponytail and going downstairs to the kitchen. This was like, my morning ritual. But before going downstairs, I passed in front of Ollie's room and found the door closed. Is he still asleep? Man, I'm really sick! I never wake up before him!

I grabbed a package of cookies in the kitchen and went to the living room to watch some TV. Crap…crap…crap. Man, there's nothing good on! I got really bored and needed something to do. Today was Thanksgiving Day, a holiday… everything was closed. I really couldn't find anything to distract my mind.

I went back to the kitchen to put the cookies back in its place, and found a cooking book. I took it and sat on the chair to look through it, just to satisfy my curiosity since I can't cook to save my live.

On page seven, I saw a delicious chocolate cake, it looked so good that if possible I'd eat it right away. I kept going through the book, but the picture of the cake had stuck in my mind. Why don't I try it? I mean, the worsed thing that can happen is, I set the house on fire. Nothing really serious! I laughed to myself. I decided to try it.We were supposed to go to the Mercers later, so it'd be nice of me to take a dessert, even if it was bad, at least I tried!

I went upstairs, got changed and took my stereo… my music addiction: can't do anything without listening to music. I closed the kitchen's door to try and not wake Ollie up with all the noise I was about to make. I put my Aerosmith CD on and started looking for the ingredients for the cake. Finally, I found it all and for my luck, we still had enough chocolate. I didn't eat it all… a miracle!

I started making the cake and had to look at the book over and over again, to make sure I was at least using the right amount of everything. I mixed everything and put the dough in the oven, praying that it'd work.

Actually, taking the things and doing everything took more time than I expected, it was already 9am. I decided to start making the syrup, forgetting a tiny detail. The book said that the syrup should be added on the cake, while both were still warm and I forgot that the cake itself would still take twenty minutes to be ready. Whatever, I can re-warm it later! The syrup was ready and the cake not, I left it and while waiting, started dancing andsinging 'Rag Doll'.

I took a spun and made a spoon into a microphone, I sang and made weird moves when Ollie got in the kitchen. He didn't say a word, just stood there watching me and I only realized that when he burst into laughter.

"What you looking at?" I lifted my chin and put my hands on my waist, which only made him laugh even more.

"Steven Tyler would be proud of you."

"I know. He once called me to sing with him but I said 'nah man, I can't do that… people will prefer me and Aerosmith won't ever be the same. So you stay there and I stay here'."

"Mel, how could you? You broke his heart!"

"For Aerosmith's sake!"

"Right." We both laughed. "What you doing up early anyway?"

"I don't know, ask my brain! The stupid thing in here," I pointed to my head, "seemed to be well rested! Something that my body doesn't agree with!"

"You're crazy, you know that?"

"Girl you got to change your crazy ways. You hear me?" I sang and he laughed while taking the cookies package and sitting on the chair.

"Are you cooking something?"

"I'm making a cake!"

"Man, where's the fire-extinguisher?"

I laughed sarcastically. "Very funny! Do you see any smoke here?"

"Actually… yes." He pointed to the oven. I turned and saw smoke coming out of the pot of syrup.

"Shit!" I ran, turned the fire off and took a dishcloth to take the pot off the stove. "I forgot to turn the fire off." I pouted, making Ollie laughed even harder. "Stop laughing! It tried so hard!"

He got up and rubbed my back. "Do you want me to help you?"

"No, I wanna do this by myself. Thanks though."

"No problem." He smiled. "But, can I watch your little show? Maybe I can change your mind and convince you to go to sing with Steven." I threw the dishcloth at him. "What was that for?"

"Stop making fun of me!" He laughed and went back to his chair. "Are you really gonna stay there?"

"Yeah"

"Alright, then you gotta sing with me."

"You know, I don't like Aerosmith that much!"

"Liar!"

"I don't know the lyrics!" I started singing 'Ain't that a Bitch', motioning Ollie to join in. I started making another syrup and it was ready right on time, when I needed it for the cake.

When I took the cake out of the oven, we both stopped singing, Ollie to laugh and me to hold my disappointed cry. It was completely deformed and what was supposed to be a regular circle looked more like a mix of a circle and triangle. After I put the syrup on, it looked even worse!

I couldn't help but feel sad, I really wanted it to be good!

Ollie noticed. "Relax Mel, it may not taste as horrible as it looks."

"Oh thanks." I replied sarcastically.

"So, let's go ready to go to the Mercers"

"Already?"

"I thought you'd like to see your boyfriend."

"Ah, shut up."

"So he's really your boyfriend?"

"No, we just occasionally make out around there."

"Interesting."

"Isn't it?"

"I'm serious!"

I laughed. "Well, when Daniela asked if I was his girlfriend and he said yes. I don't know, maybe only because she was a kid and…"

"You are his girlfriend. If you weren't, he'd have said 'this is my friend, Mel'. Did he say it like that?"

"No."

"Aaaww so cute, the little Parker dating the little Mercer!"

"You're so annoying!"

"And I love you too."

"Wait. You won't tell anything bad about Jack to me?"

"No, why would I do that?"

"Because you always do."

"Not with Jack."

"Why? Ew! Do you like him Ollie?"

"Yes, I'm in love with your boyfriend."

"Is it mutual?"

"Shut up!" I laughed. "I won't say anything against Jack, 'cause I've seen him with many girls…" The man whore "But he's different with you. He cares about you."

"Cute."

"No, I'm serious! Do you really think that if he didn't, he'd have waited for you to come back? No…not Jack."

"Well, glad to know that at least my brother supports us."

"What are you talking about?"

"Bobby is a pain in the ass! He's always showing up at the wrong time."

He laughed. "That's Bobby Mercer for ya, little sister!"

"Ah man, he has nothing to do with that! Jack and I can barely talk and he comes to interrupt us. On the other hand, he goes around saying that we fucked everywhere in his house!"

"Did you?"

"No…not yet." I whispered the last two words.

"What?"

"Since when are you interest on my sex life?"

"Do you even have a sex life?"

I took the closest thing that happened to be an empty pot, and threatened to throw it at him. "Let's get ready." I passed an amused Ollie and went upstairs to change again, since I looked like a little flour girl with chocolate syrup splashes all over me.

After we were both ready, I took my cake, that was now covered, and we headed for the Mercers.

"Will you really make people eat that?" Ollie asked while we crossed the street.

"Yes and you'll be the first, if you die, I won't try."

"Great to know how much you care about me."

I gave him a huge proud smile, making him laugh. Angel opened the door for us.

"Yo guys!"

"Hey Angel!" Both answered. We found Bobby sitting on the couch, watching TV.

"Hi Bobby." I walked to the kitchen.

"Hey Mel, how you doin'?" Is Bobby being nice?

"Good! You?"

"Fine… Your boyfriend isn't there!" I had that coming.

"What?"

"He's somewhere upstairs, not in the kitchen."

"Thanks for letting me know, but I'm not looking for him…yet."

He laughed. I placed the cake on the dinner table because the sink was already full of food. Is there an army coming over or something?

I got out of the kitchen and headed upstairs, of course Bobby didn't miss it.

"Don't forget we're all down here Mel, don't make too much noise!"

I didn't bother answering, just showed him my middle finger, which made him laugh. I was ready to knock on Jack's room door when it opened. My hand hung motionless in the air.

"Mel!"

"Hey Jack! I was about to knock."

"I can see." he looked to my hand and I realized it was still up, so I put it down smiling.

"You know, I…" I stopped talking when he grabbed my hand, pulled me into his room and closed the door before kissing me. He sat on the bed and pulled me onto his lap.

"You really can't control yourself, can you?"

"Around you? Not really!"

I laughed and he kissed me again.

"Jack."

"Huh?" He mumbled, placing kisses in my neck.

"Jack, everyone is downstairs." Either he pretended not to hear or he just ignored. Why can't he make things easier? It was hard as hell to stop what we were doing, but we had to. "Jackie…Jack!" It seemed that hearing me say his name, just made him want it more. I tried to pull away from him, but he held me tight and it just made us fall on his bed with him on top of me. Fuck, now it's impossible to stop!

His hands ran under my t-shirt and the single touch of his hand on my belly made me shiver. We won't get out of this if I don't do something. It's not like I wasn't enjoying it, for God's sake I wanted it to keep going, but everyone was downstairs, including my brother!

I made us roll, now I was on top. But it wouldn't stop all of sudden, I had to let him want more, so I started placing kisses down his neck, which made him emit a weird sound, a mix of a laugh and groan. He smells so good! I smiled and made my way back to his mouth. His fingers were running freely on my back and before he could do anything else, I got away from him.

"What's wrong?" He asked confused.

I got my clothes back in order. "People are waiting for us."

He breathed hard, then realized that he wouldn't get what he craved for. "God Mel, you're so mean!"

I went over and kissed him. "That's what makes me so interesting." I smiled, clearly teasing him.

"And what makes me crazy." He replied as I walked out of the room. I looked back and smiled again. He also got his clothes back in order and followed me downstairs, hand in hand.

"Aaaawww little Fairy and little Mel look so cute!"

"Glad you like it Bobby." I smiled sarcastically to him. We made our way to the kitchen to find Ollie taking a beer out of the fridge. He took a good look at our entwined hands, then at me and smiled.

"Hey Ollie!" Jack greeted.

"Hey Jackie! How are ya man?"

"Great! And you?"

"Good! Look what your girlfriend made for you!" He pointed to the white package.

"Ollie!" I protested.

Jack looked curiously at the package. "What's this?"

I glared down, embarrassed that I had even tried it. It couldn't even be called a 'cake'. "I baked a cake."

"You made a cake Melody Mel?" He sounded amused.

"Tried, is the right verb." Ollie laughed, making me glare at him, but he ignored it. Jack opened the package and started laughing like Ollie. Soon Bobby and Angel were also in the kitchen to find out what was happening.

"What the fuck is this thing?" Bobby pointed to the cake.

"Mel's cake." Jack answered laughing.

"Are you sure it's a cake?" Angel asked.

"So what if it looks bad? It may be yummy!" I tried to defend my bizarre invention

"Not likely…" Bobby laughed.

"Fuck you all!" I angrily stomped off to the living room and sat on the couch with my arms crossed. I was upset by this. I know it isn't beautiful but why can't someone say 'Mel, that's cool, you tried!' or 'well let's, at least, taste it'!

Soon after, everyone came after me. Jack was the first.

"Mel, don't be mad! We're only kidding." Jack sat beside me

"Yeah little sis, like I said, it may taste good. The looks isn't always the best part."

"Yeah Mel, it's just like you." Bobby said.

Jack threw a cushion at him. "Shut up!"

"Jack disagrees with what I said!"

"Of course I do! Everybody does, including yourself!"

Bobby sat by my other side. "That's right Mel. I was only messing with you."

"Whatever." I looked down at my arms. Right, I wasn't that mad about it, but I wanted to force Bobby to apologise.

"Come on, you can't be serious! Mel, you're so beautiful that you caught Fairy's attention, and he doesn't even like girls!"

"Fuck you!" Jack glared at Bobby but quickly turned his attention back to me. "Mel, baby, you know we were only kidding. I promise I'll eat your cake until I can't have anymore."

Baby? Aaaawwww. "Even if it's bad?"

"Even if I spend the next three days throwing up."

"It isn't that bad!"

"Or course it isn't! But I'm saying it just in case!"

"See Mel, Fairy can do the entire job for us." Bobby said and I punched him on the arm. "Hey! What was that for?"

"For being an ass!"

"One little punch isn't enough, Bobby is a bigger ass than that." Ollie laughed, followed by Angel.

"Look who's talking!" Bobby tried to defend himself.

"My brother isn't such an ass like you!"

"I'm not an ass!"

"Yes you are Ollie, but Bobby is worse!"

"Ah thank you. You know Mel, if you…"

"Bobby if you don't shut up I'll make you eat that entire cake all at once and all by yourself!" He immediately stopped talking, all of us bursting into laughter.

"I need to go by the grocery store, wanna go with me Mel?" Jack got up, offering me some help.

I took the opportunity. "Yeah."

"Bobby where are the car keys?" Bobby didn't have to answer, because Jack found them first. Though he wouldn't miss a chance to mess with him.

"Need to buy a feminine napkin, Jackie?"

Jack was about to answer, probably going to curse Bobby, but I interrupted. "Yes, he checked if you had any left, but you're out too!" I closed the door, hearing Ollie and Angel's roar out in laughter.

"You got a quick tongue there, huh?"

"Thought you had already noticed." We laughed while getting in the car.

"Why did you do that cutting throat move yesterday?" I asked.

"Oh. Because Bobby said we were dead."

"Nothing new…"

"Yeah I know. It's just that this time he was actually pissed off, because of the girls."

"I don't know why he's making such a big deal about it, I mean, we were upstairs and..."

"Don't worry about it." He cut me off. "It's just Bobby. Everything is fine."

"Alright." I turned the radio on and a favorite song of mine came on, which made me squeal and Jack laughed. I took my shoes off, put my feet up on the dashboard and sang along with 'Crazy', moving my arms up like Liv does in the clip.

Jack started singing with me and we had a good laugh about it, especially because I was dissonant from time to time. With the song over, I realized that we weren't heading to any grocery store; we seemed to be in an empty parking lot.

"Weren't we supposed to go to the grocery store?" I asked confused.

"Yeah…" He turned the engine off. "But that can wait." He smiled to me maliciously and at the same time I got what he wanted.

"You have such a dirty mind Jack Mercer."

"We are partners in crime, you got that certain something, what you give to me, takes my breath away… " He sang as he bent over at the point that his head was on boobs' level. What the hell? His right hand went down while his left one supported his weight. "Jack, what are yo… Wow!" My seat went back and so did I.

"Now the word out on the street, is the devil's in your kiss, if our love goes up in flames, it's a fire I can't resist" He sang before moving on top of me.

"Nice trick Jack." I smirked.

"I think so too!" He smiled then kissed me.

We stayed there kissing each other for God knows how long. Man, it's getting hot in here… He took off his jacket and so did I. And more kisses were given and received, they were only getting hungrier and hungrier. He started some hands work, making them run under my long sleeve t-shirt all along my back. I grabbed his shirt collar to put him closer while kissing.

When I realized what we were actually doing, my t-shirt was already in the middle of my belly and Jack didn't have his on anymore. I ran my fingers over his muscular body, back, belly and arms.

He finally took my t-shirt off, I felt kinda embarrassed by that, but wasn't really caring about it, I could see he was smiling.

"You're so beautiful Mel." His husky voce whispered in my ear, making me shiver and kiss him even more fervently.

Suddenly we were brought back to real world when my cell phone started ringing.

"Ah no!" I complained.

"Leave it alone." He did not take his face away from my collar bone. I took the cell out of my jacket and saw the number.

"It's Andy."

"You can talk to her later."

"Yeah, I can." I smiled and threw the phone somewhere in the car, returning my attention to Jack. One minute later, it started ringing again.

"Argh! This girl is a pain in the ass!"

"Don't talk like that! She's my friend!"

"She's your annoying friend."

"She really must want to talk, she isn't this persistent when it comes to call me. I better pick up."

"Mel…" Jack protested, but I had already answered.

"Yo Andy. What's u…"

"It's over!"

"What?"

"Me and Evan… it's over!"

I felt my blood boil. I can't believe she called me now to say this! "Andy why don't you call me la…"

"He's a fucking jerk! I don't even know why I was ever with him! Can you believe he was jealous of Bill?"

"Who the hell is Bill?"

"My drum teacher!"

"Oh right."

"He told me to fucking quit it! Who does he think he is to order me around? Everybody knows how much I love it! And I…"

"Did you tell him that?"

"Of course I did! And he said 'you chose, your drums classes or me because I can't stand it anymore!'"

"And you chose the drums…"

"Of course! He's fucking bastard!"

"He is."

"I know!" She took a deep breath. "Thanks for listening to me."

Like if I had any choice. "No probs."

"So, how you doing?"

"Good."

"And you and Jack boy?"

I couldn't help but smile. "Great."

"Great! Seriously? Oh man, tell me all the details!"

"Andy, I'll call you later 'cause I'm…"

"Come on Mel!"

"I can't now!"

"Why? Is he there?"

"Yeah…"

"Did you…were you guys kissing or something?"

"or something…"

"What?! Wow Mel!"

"Hey! Hey! Calm down."

"You're having sex with him and you didn't even tell me!"

"I'm not!"

"Yet!"

"Yeah, yet."

She brushed into laughter. "You go girl! Man, I'm feeling really bad now!"

"You really should…"

"Were you almost there or something?"

"Shut up! I ain't telling you anything! I'll call you tomorrow, okay?"

"Fine! And sorry Melly."

"It's okay as long as you're feeling better."

"I am… it's not like… well, Evan isn't the only hottie around here."

"'Course he isn't. You know that there are better guys than him."

"Yup. Well, I'll let you get back to whatever you were doing! Bye bye Mel, take care! Happy Thanksgiving day!"

"Alright. Happy Thanksgiving for you too! Bye!" I hung up and looked at Jack "I'm sorry I had to pick it up."

"It's okay." He smiled.

"Why are you smiling?" He didn't have to answer, I realized that I laid on the car seat, only wearing jeans, blue socks and my favorite black bra and for what I could tell, he liked it. "Hey!" I took his jacket to cover myself, which amused him even more.

"I'll need it back."

"No you won't, here…" I threw him mine jacket, "use mine."

He laughed sarcastically. "Give it to me."

"You don't want it!"

"Of course I do! I'm cold!"

"Is that so?"

"Yeah!"

"Put your shirt back on then." He smiled shyly "Touché!"

"Give me that." He tried to reach for his jacket but I held it tightly.

"Not the sharing type, I see…"

"It's not that."

"Then what is it?"

"You really wanna know?"

"No, I just asked not meaning it!"

He laughed. "It's just…" He rubbed the back of his head. "I've never let anyone touch this jacket."

"Why not?"

"Ma gave it to me, when I started travelling around with my former band. She said that it'd bring me luck and that every time I wore it, I'd remember of the warmth of home. It's nothing against you, you know that! It's just…" He said pleaded.

"I understand." I smiled sweetly and handed his jacket back to him. He caught it and started laughing.

"What?" He didn't say anything but kept staring at me, then I realized I lay half naked in front of him, again.

"Damn you're a liar!" I searched for my long sleeve t-shirt somewhere in the car and when I found it, put it on. "How can you lie to me like that?"

"It was just a joke! I've had this jacket since forever! But it was indeed a gift from Ma!"

"Whatever! I saw you staring at my boobs and that's not nice, Jack Mercer you perv!"

"I saw you staring at my arms, Melanie Parker you perv!" He shot the words right back at me, laughing.

"It's different!"

"Why's is that?"

"Because I'm saying it is! Anyway, shouldn't we go to the grocery store now?"

"Yeah."

"Is there any open? I mean, today is a holiday."

"Yeah, but there's this grocery store not too far from home that opens even if the sky falls down."

"I see…" I fell silent, as did Jack, until he started cursing.

"Stupid-ass phone! You never leave it turned on, did it have to be on now?" He said more to himself than to me.

"Irony… gotta love it!"

"Hum…" He sounded upset.

"Don't be upset Jack. We can always try again, besides you know what they say…"

"What do they say?"

"The third try always works."

"This was the third."

"Ah! That's what they say… and who said we should believe it?" He laughed. "Now, will you put some shirt on or what?"

"Can't resist?"

"It's not like I haven't seen it before."

"Yeah I know. Matter of fact, it's not fair!"

"What is not fair?"

"You saw my ass!"

"It was an accident!"

"Opening the bathroom door, without knocking while knowing I am in there taking a shower is called 'accident'? Just admit you wanted to see me naked."

"You have such an ego! Has anyone ever told you that?"

"Maybe once or twice…" I punched him on the arm and he grabbed my wrist, gently pulling me closer. "Did you say that we can always try again?"

"Yes…"

"So…what…do…you…think…about……restarting…now?" He said word by word, while kissing my neck.

I bitted his ear, making him laugh. "No."

"What?"

"I said no. So you Mr. Ego can put some shirt on and drive us to the grocery store."

"Did I ever tell you that…"

"You love me?" I cut him off, amused. "I don't think so, but I can live with that."

He laughed a bit embarrassed. "Have you seen my t-shirt?"

"No, you were the one who threw it aside."

"Me? You did that!"

"I did not!"

"Oh yes you did."

"You're delirious! Before I realized, you had already removed it and were taking mine off!"

He laughed. "Yeah, maybe it was like that"

I found his t-shirt and threw it right on his head. "Come on."

He finally dressed , and I realized I felt extremely disappointed by it. We got our clothes in order the best way we could and Jack drove us to the grocery store.

He parked the car again and we both got out, I forgot that it was so cold outside. As soon as the cold wind touched my body, I pulled my jacket the closest I could and hurried inside the store.

"What do you need?"

"Fresh corns."

I couldn't help but laugh.

"What?"

"They'll think we went to plant and waited it to grow!"

He grinned. "Well, like you said, who said we have to listen to what they say?"

I smiled. "Man, I want those marshmallows."

"Take them." He said, but grabbed a pack himself.

"Thanks."

"Not for that. I'm gonna grab more beer, those pigs probably already drank everything."

Jack went to the refrigerator and let me have a look around. When I got closer to the cookies, I heard someone whine.

"I'm telling you, it is that bitch, I saw her come in!" I've heard this voice before…

"Are they dating?" An unknown voice asked.

"They can't be! Oh! There he is." The owner of the voice passed in front of me, but since I was kinda hidden between two mobile cookie shelves, she didn't notice me. Yes it was her… Victoria.

At the same time, my blood started to boil and I wanted to punch her. I stood there silently, watching her every move. She went over to Jack and put a hand on his shoulder, he turned smiling, but when he recognized her, the shiny smile changed to an annoyed one, yet still a smile.

"Hi Jackie!" Jackie?! Fuck off you whore! "Can I help you?"

He cleared his throat. "I can't find the Heineken beers."

"Oh. They are over here." She grabbed his arm and lead him to another refrigerator, a bit further from the one he was at.

"Ah. Thanks" He said with a small smile, but still a smile. The girl fucking drugged him and he's being nice with her? What the hell? Wait… am I jealous? Of course I am and so what? I have all the right to be!

"So, are you gonna do any gig soon?"

"I don't know, but maybe."

"That's great! I'm really looking forward to that!" She didn't let go of his arm for one second and he didn't protest. Why? Why is he doing this?

"Good."

"Hey, I might have seen things, but did a girl come in with you? Who is she?"

I showed up and answered for him. "Thought you'd remember me, Victoria." I smiled fakely. I also had to control my fists to not go punch that fake face of hers, full of make-up and that fake hair. I bet everything about her is fake… even her tits! Oh, at least her 'bitchness' is original.

"How could I forget, Melanie? I though you had moved back away."

I took her hand off of Jack's arm, not worrying about being gentle. "As you can see, I'm right here."

"Yes… Well, Jack, if you need anything else, just call me."

"Alright." I didn't know who I wanted to kill first, her or him.

She walked away and Jack looked at me, but I didn't bother looking at him, instead turning my back on him. He breathed heavily and went to pay the check.

"Mel, let's go." He asked softly, in total contrast to my dry answer.

"I'll be in the car in a minute."

"Mel, come with me, I…" He stopped talking when he saw my and went out, holding the bags.

"Victoria, can you help me? I can't find something."

"Alicia can help you."

"I think it'd be better if you help me." Ten seconds later, she stood in front of me. I took a deep breath to try and hold myself together.

"What you need?" She asked very rudely.

"Can you help me to find some… hum… I can't remember the name! It's a white little thing, maybe something you are more familiar with?"

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Oh no? Maybe I should remind of the day that you finally realized Jack doesn't want you, that you are obsessed with someone who doesn't give a shit about you. Even this person having another one to care about, you wanted him all for yourself. You miss him, even though you never had him. You feel like someone who's a drug addict and suddenly can't have it anymore! Oh wait! That's it! Drug, that's what I'm looking for! I figured out that you should have lots of it, since you need to put it in a guys' drink, to have him sleep with you. What a…"

"Stop!" She yelled. "Jack loves me! He just doesn't know it yet! You're a fucking nobody who came from nowhere to ruin my chances with him! That song was actually dedicated to me and not to you!"

"You're sick." I said half-laughing.

"You're a slut who makes me want to throw up! You… you know nothing about Detroit, you know nothing about the Mercers and you know nothing about Jack!"

"Well, I suppose you do, then?"

"Sure I do! I…" Before she could say anything else, I punched her right into her chin and she fell on the ground, moaning in pain.

"You fucking bitch!" She gasped.

"Well, you know what they say. Payback is a bitch so It's alright then." I turned but gave on last little warning. "Better think twice before messing with me again!" That said, I finally got outside, the door slamming closed behind me.

Jack sat on the driver's seat, waiting for me.

"What took you so long?" He asked while I put my seat belt on.

"Drive." I did not look at him, only ahead.

"Mel, what's wrong?"

"Drive." My tone must have gotten the message across. He realized I wouldn't say anything else so he finally started the car. The silence while we drove home to the Mercer housewas bad. Jack wanted to find out what was wrong while I wanted to punch him, real hard.