Two weeks later, Lucy was released from the hospital. Mary volunteered to stay with Sam and David while the rest of the family went to pick her up. Mary still hadn't told anyone what she had done. She hoped she would never have to. Things were almost back to normal. The family had moved into a small rented house as they waited to have theirs rebuilt. The church was paying for the entire project. Lucy was doing a lot better. She was now able to breath on her own and aside from her burns, broken arm, and being a little sore, she was back to normal.
Suddenly there was the sound of the door opening and loud voices. Lucy was home. Mary stayed in her room for several minutes until she heard Lucy ask, "Where's Mary? I need to talk to her."
Mary headed downstairs and greeted Lucy with a hug. "Let's talk in private" she suggested. Once they were settled in the dinning room each with a glass of juice, Lucy began to talk.
"Mary, you have to tell them what you did. They won't be as mad since you didn't cause the fire and they'll appreciate you being honest. Besides, you learned from your mistake, right? You haven't smoked since?"
"No, I haven't. But it will be so hard!"
"I know, but I'm here for support. I'll be right here for you to come back to after you tell them. I know you didn't mean it and that you're sorry."
"Ok" Mary said bravely. "I will"
She walked into the kitchen where her parents were and sat down at the table with them. "Mom, Dad, we need to talk."
"Is everything OK, honey?" her mother asked.
"You can tell us anything" her father added.
"I" Mary began "I…I…" Then she burst into tears.
"Mary what's wrong?" Annie asked, hugging her daughter.
"I-I was s-smoking and the n-night of the fire I-I l-left my lighter under D-David's pillow because I was a-afraid I'd get caught w-with it and I thought that was w-what started the f-fire!" Mary sobbed loudly.
"What?" Annie gasped, pulling away. "What did you do?!"
"I was smoking. I'm sorry."
"You better be! This is inexcusable! And we thought you were doing so much better! How could you do this?"
Reverend Camden took his wife's hand in an attempt to calm her down. "Honey, Mary has obviously learned her lesson. I think the guilt she was feeling was enough punishment."
"No it wasn't! She was smoking! She put the lives of our family in danger by leaving her lighter in the twin's room! Mary, you are grounded until further notice."
"Ok" Mary whispered, then fled the room. I knew it! She thought I knew they would never forgive me! Now I'll be sent back to Buffalo!
Mary hardly slept that night. She kept having horrible nightmares and she could hear the voices of her parents arguing about her. Lucy had come in and hugged her, trying to convince her that their mother would calm down. It hadn't worked. She awoke early the next morning to find her parents sipping coffee at the kitchen table. They looked as if they hadn't slept either.
"Mary" her mother said "We have decided on your punishment. We bought the tickets. Obviously you didn't learn enough the last time. You are leaving for Buffalo tomorrow."
The end!
Did you like the ending? Should there be a sequel? Pleases please review!!!!!!!!!!