It was two weeks before Christmas. Since legally Eli didn't have move out until the divorce proceedings were final he chose not to. He was staying in a guestroom. Andrea didn't like that so she decided to move in with Desiree until the divorce. John didn't like to much either. The divorce was going to become on January 3rd. He and Desiree were back to talking on a daily basis. Eli didn't know about it. Andrea had a date that night. Desiree was getting ready to go to bed but before that she wanted to call John. She got her cell phone and dialed his number.

"Hello?" He said.

"Hi." She said.

"Hi." "I'm really glad you called." "I was just thinking about you."

"I was thinking about you to."

"You were?"

"Yeah."

"What were you thinking?"

"How much I'd like see you?"

"I'd like you see you to." "How was your day?"

"Good." "I got a call today." "They want me to come to LA and guest star in a comedy show." "I haven't done television in years, other then commercials." "I think it's a good way to get back to my roots."

"Me to." "What day will be in LA?"

"The seventeenth."

"Are you bringing Hallie with you?"

"Yeah." "Even though Andrea will be here I don't want Eli with Hallie when I'm not here."

"I don't blame you."

"I just can't wait till this is over."

"I know." "I know it's frustrating."

"He hasn't hit you has he?"

"No." "We argue, he threatens me."

"What does he say?"

"It's always something like." "What if I take Hallie one day?"

"There has to be something you do about that?"

"I can't prove it." "I'm gonna go to bed."

"Ok bye."

"Bye."

Desiree had been sleeping for two hours. Eli came into her room and knelt down.

"Don't fall asleep Desiree!" He said loudly waking her up. "I could take Hallie while you're sleeping."

"Get out of here."

"You're stuck with me forever whether you want to be or not."

"Get out."

"You think you're in charge!" He yelled.

Around that time Andrea got home and heard Eli shouting. She ran upstairs and into the bedroom.

"Leave her alone you bastard." She said.

"Or what?" Eli said. She kicked him in the balls as hard as she could. He dropped to the ground like a ton of bricks and crawled out the door. Andrea shut the door and locked it.

Andrea looked at Desiree. "Are you ok?" "Did he hurt you?"

"I'm fine." Desiree said.