Chapter 25

"How was your day, Honeybear?" Joanne smiled as Maureen stormed into the kitchen throwing her purse on the ground, sulking.

"I just picked up garbage for eight whole hours, my feet hurt, and I fucking smell." Maureen bitterly replied, "How do you think I feel?"

Haley watched Maureen, and Haley was suddenly hit with a feeling of guilt. Joanne and Maureen told her it wasn't her fault, but she felt like a little bit of it was.

"Maybe you can do something else instead of picking up garbage?" Haley suggested.

"Like what?" Maureen pouted, slumping in her chair,

"I don't know." Haley shrugged,

"You only have 112 hours left. I'm sure you can handle it." Joanne smirked, coming over to kiss Maureen on the cheek, but she stopped halfway, waving her hand in front of her nose, "Maybe you should take a shower before supper?"

Maureen rolled her eyes, letting out a frustrated grunt, "I. Hate. This!" with that she stormed out of the kitchen and off to take a shower.

Later that night, Haley and Tyler went for a little drive. Haley gave Tyler the directions and he drove, not asking any questions about where they were going. His fiancée seemed a little angry and he learnt from passed experiences never to question her when she was mad.

When they pulled into the destination, Haley walked in the place as if she owned it. She told Tyler to wait in the waiting room while she took care of something.

Haley walked down the rehab center hallway, looking around feeling a bit timid, but when the lady she was following pointed her to a room that feeling went away, and the sight of Kristen made her blood boil. She stepped inside the room, her hands clenched, and right away she showed her presence.

"Tell them the truth."

Kristen looked up from what she was doing, a smug smile gracing her lips, "Haley, nice to see you here."

"Seriously Kristen, my Mom took the blame for your drugs and now she's dealing with a punishment you deserve. It isn't fair; tell them what really happened that night." Haley demanded.

"It's over and done with now." Kristen said, leaning back in the chair she was sitting in, her legs crossed beneath her. "I have it way worse than your Mom anyway. And if I tell them the truth then I'll have to stay in here longer."

"That's your problem." Haley said, her voice rising.

"Hey at least your Mom gets to use the bathroom in privacy. I'm watched 24/7!" Kristen said, her voice rising a bit as well.

"You need the help." Haley said, "My Mom has been through enough these pass couple of months. She doesn't need this. This is your crime not hers."

"She should have thought of that before taking the blame." Kristen said,

"What happened to you!? You're such a bitch now." Haley said, just about ready to knock the girl out. "What happened to the sweet innocent best friend I used to have?"

"She grew up after you left her behind to be with Tyler and your daughter." Kristen stated standing up to get in Haley's face, "I get that you have a family now, but friends are just as important, but you seemed to have forgotten that when you started dating "the hottest guy" in school. People change Haley, people grow apart. Get over it."

"People do chance, but what you have become…" Haley paused a moment shaking her head, "It's not growing up, it's immature. You used drugs to make yourself feel better. Tell me how that is growing up?"

Kristen stepped back, a sour smirk on her lips. She sat back in her chair, staring into space. "Thanks for the visit Haley, you can leave now."

Haley stood there a moment, wanting to say something else, but she thought better of it and walked away, tears stinging her eyes. She had lost a friend.

The next day, Mark and Cora were over, visiting with Maureen and Joanne. It was nice for the four of them to just sit and drink coffee, and talk about adult stuff together, while the kids played. That is until the older kids came home and disturbed their adult time with useless drama.

"Mama!"

"Here we go." Maureen sighed rolling her eyes at the sound of Leah's high pitched wail.

"We have company." Joanne called out, hoping that would keep Leah from marching in the kitchen and complain about whatever problem she was having now.

"Oh my God I didn't even touch her!" Came Brooke's response.

Maureen smiled in Mark and Cora's direction, "Ah young love."

"Oh good Mark and Cora are here, maybe you guys will side with me on this too." Leah said, coming to a stop in front of the four curious adults.

"I did nothing wrong." Brooke said.

"Maureen's famous words." Joanne smirked, shifting her eyes to Leah, "What'd Brooke do?"

"Ah, hey, as if." Brooke whined, crossing her arms over her chest, "You can't take sides until you heard both stories."

"Okay, I'll gladly go first." Leah said, "Cora if you could please stand up. I need you for my explanation."

Cora was a little hesitant at first, but stood anyways, smiling nervously in Mark's direction.

"Please, tell me if you think this is inappropriate to do when you're in a serious relationship?" Leah asked,

Leah cleared her throat, took a few steps behind Cora, and then started her little "skit". She walked back up to Cora and slapped her ass, causing everyone to jump a bit with shock. She then leaned against Cora's shoulder and smirked, "Oh sorry, I thought you were my girlfriend."

An instant frown speared across Leah's face as she turned back to everyone, "Well!?"

Joanne and Mark shared an instant glance, both grinning, and at the same time said, "Maureen."

Maureen pouted, "Hey!"

Mark smirked in Brooke's direction, "Are you sure you and Maureen aren't somehow related?"

"Even if she was related to me, she sucks at flirting." Maureen stated shifting her attention to Brooke, "You suck at flirting. You have to be subtle, gentle, smooth." She smirked, earning a glare from Joanne, "Or don't flirt at all! God Brooke, you're in a relationship with my daughter." She cleared her throat, "Is it hot in here, I think I'm going to get a drink…"

Joanne shook her head as Maureen slid out of her chair and over to the fridge.

"I wasn't flirting." Brooke defended, "If anything I was being friendly and I didn't smack her ass."

"Oh Puh-lease!" Leah said storming out of the kitchen, Brooke following behind.

"She doesn't want our opinion?" Cora asked, "Isn't that why she slapped my ass?"

"That's Leah. She more than likely over exaggerated the story and the two will get over it in the next twenty minutes." Joanne said.

"Mom!"

"Round two?" Mark smirked, as Haley rushed in the door.

"What's up?" Maureen questioned.

"Okay, I have good news." Haley smiled, "I have a way for you to finish your community serves with out picking up garbage."

"Is it legal?" Joanne quickly asked,

"Uh yes." Haley said, looking slightly confused, "I'm the good daughter remember?"

"Oh yes, my good daughter, who had a child at the age of fourteen." Joanne joked,

"Anyways," Haley said waving the comment off, going back to Maureen, "I talked to the new principal, and they were looking for someone to help the drama teacher out with the spring musical, but they can't afford to hire anyone, so I told him about you. He was a little hesitant at first, but once I told him all about you, he agreed to help you out. He will sign off on all your hours and everything. And if you want to stay afterwards and help out for free he won't mind."

Maureen gasped pulling Haley in a hug, "That's great!" They jumped around hugging, until pulling apart to focus on Joanne, "Can I do that?"

"Well…you are helping out at a school, which is major bonus points." Joanne stated, "I can't see why not." She smirked.

"Yes!" Maureen smiled, "Oh thank God! These hours are going to fly by now that I'm doing something I love!"

Haley stood back a grin on her face as she watched how happy her Mom had become. Helping her out like this made that feeling of guilt fade away.

"Well we better get going." Cora said, standing up and grabbing her coat, Mark following behind her.

The four of them headed for the front door.

As Mark slid his shoes on he couldn't help but notice something in the living room, "Huh…" he quickly averted his eyes.

"What?" Joanne asked,

"Looks like Brooke and Leah have made up." He said, "Well get going now, bye."

Joanne took a glance in the living room, where the one chair was visible, frowning at the sight of Leah and Brooke heavily making out.

Maureen stood next to Joanne, her arms crossed, her eyebrows raised, "Why don't we do that anymore?"

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You know what I just realized? Maureen is a 'recovering alcoholic', but in chapter 24 Joanne totally gave her wine. lol, not a very good supporting wife is she? Let's pretend it was non-alcoholic... :)

Thanks again to everyone who has been R&Ring!

Ps. I have a poll on my profile concenring this story. It's not big, just wanted to know what the readers would like. ;)