Later that evening.
Michael pulled the car up in front of the Pryor house. Turning to Meg, he said
"You ready?"
"As I'll ever be."
"And you are positive you want to do this?"
"Yes. Are you having second thoughts?"
"No." He said, "So I guess we should go in."
They opened their doors and climbed out of the car. Slowly they made their way up the sidewalk to the front door. Meg opened the door and stepped inside.
"Mom? Dad?"
"In the living room Meg." Her mother called
Taking Michael's hand, they walked into the living room. Meg found her mother sitting on a chair, reading a book They walked over to the couch and sat down. Meg looked around the room.
"Where's dad?"
"In the garage."
"Is he busy?"
"I don't know." She said, "Is everything all right Meg?"
"Fine."
Meg looked at Michael. When he nodded, she said
"Mom, I want to move in with Michael."
"After the wedding you will."
"No, I want to do it now." She said, "And I want you to help me convince dad."
"Meg, I don't think I can do that. You know your father won't allow it."
"But its what I want."
"What's what you want Meg?" Jack said, walking in the living room, "Hello Michael."
"Jack."
"So Meg what do you want?"
Meg took a deep breath.
"Dad…I want to move in with Michael."
"After the wedding of course."
"No, I want to move in with Michael now."
Jack looked from Meg to Michael to Helen. Turning back to Meg, he said
"Absolutely not. There is no way you are moving in with Michael right now."
"But dad…"
"I said no Meg."
"Jack if I may…" Michael started but was cut off
"No one is talking to you." Jack snapped, "I should have known that letting Meg date you was a mistake."
"Don't talk to him like that dad." Meg said, "I love Michael. We've been together for over 3 years. We are getting married in 6 months."
"Then in 6 months, after you are married, you can move in with him. Until then, I forbid it."
"But dad, if you will just listen."
"The matter is closed Meg."
Meg took Michael's hand.
"I'm sorry you feel that way." She said, "Because my mind is made up and I'm going."
"Meg…"
"Dad, I'm 18 years old." She said, "I was hoping to have your blessing but I guess that's not going to happen."
"Meg I want you to think carefully." He said, "If you leave, you can't back."
"Then I guess this is good bye."
Jack looked at his daughter. After a moment, he turned and walked out of living room. Meg felt hot tears welling up in her eyes. Meg turned to Michael.
"I think its time we left." She said, "I need to talk to my mom for a minute."
He nodded, walking out of the room. Meg turned to her mother.
"I'll call you in a couple days mom." She said, "I'm going to get some of my things and I'll get the rest of it when dad's not home."
"Meg think about what you're doing."
"I have mom. I've thought about it a lot. I love Michael and I want to be with him."
When he mother didn't say anything, Meg leaned forward and hugged her. Slowly she pulled away, turned and walked out of the room. She walked over to where Michael was waiting
"I'll be right back."
"I'll be in the car."
She walked up the stairs and into her bedroom. Picking up a bag from the floor, she walked over to the beg and set it down. After opening the bag, she walked closet and began pulling out some clothes. She carried the clothes back to the bag and began putting them in the bag.
Then she walked over to the dresser and opened the drawers. She pulled out a few shirts, some underclothes and a couple pairs of socks. Carrying them to the bed, she added them to the bag. Looking around the room, she tired to think of anything else she would need.
Her eyes fell on the small bag that she carried her books in for school. She zipped up her bag and moved slowly towards the door. Picking up the bag from school, she took one last look around the room. Feeling hot tears well up in her eyes, she slowly walked out of the room and headed downstairs.
She was about to walk out when she heard
"Meg?"
She turned to see Will standing at the top of the stairs. Slowly he made his way downstairs.
Meg knelt down.
"I…I have to leave for a little while."
"Will you be back?"
"I don't think so."
She leaned forwards and kissed Will on the forehead
"Be good." She whispered
Meg stood up and walked out the door.
******
Meanwhile in the backyard, Jack was standing by the garage.
"Jack?"
He turned to see Helen standing on the steps.
"Helen, you don't understand." He started
"I know you think of Meg as your little girl but you have to realize that she's growing up. She's going to make decisions that you may not like or support but they are her decisions."
"But its the way the way that she doing it." He said, "She's disrespecting the church and the values we taught her."
"Jack I'm just asking you to think about what happened tonight. Meg is upstairs packing her things. Is all of this worth losing her over."
When Jack didn't answer, she turned and walked back in the house.
******
Michael unlocked the door, letting Meg into the apartment. Meg slowly walked over to the couch and sat down. Looking around, she felt tears well up in her eyes again. Michael closed the door and locked it.
Walking over to the couch, he sat next to her. He slipped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her towards him, letting her head rest on his shoulder.
"My dad hates me."
"No he doesn't."
"He told me I could never come back."
"He was upset." He said, "He wants what he think is best for you."
Meg pulled away, turning towards him. He leaned over, wiping the tears off her cheeks.
"You just need to give him some time." He whispered, "I promise you things will be fine."
"All right." She whispered.
"Do you want to unpack?" he said, "I can move some stuff around in the bedroom."
"Maybe later." She said, "I would like to change my clothes."
Michael stood up, holding out his hand. Meg slipped her hand in his and he pulled her to her feet. Picking up her bag, he led her over to the bedroom and opened the door. Meg took the bag and walked into the bedroom. Michael stood in the doorway.
"I'll give you some time alone." He said, closing the door
He turned and walked into the kitchen, heading for the refrigerator. Opening the door, he looked around, not seeing much.
A few minutes later, the bedroom door opened and Meg stepped out, wearing a pair of pajama pants and a faded East Catholic shirt. She walked over to where he was standing.
"Feel better?" he asked
She nodded.
"There's not much in the fridge." He said, "I didn't get to go shopping yet. I can go get a pizza if you want."
"Okay."
"Pepperoni all right."
"Yeah."
He picked up his keys from the counter and said
"I'll be back in about 20 minutes. Make yourself comfortable."
"Okay."
He walked out and Meg looked around the apartment. She walked over to the couch and sat down. Turning, she leaned against the back of the couch. Slowly she drew her knees up and stretched out. After a few minutes, she felt her eyes begin to close.
******
"Meg?" a voice whispered
Meg's eyes slowly opened and she saw Michael standing behind the couch. She sat up, looking around. Her eyes settled on the table, which was set for two people. She got up and they walked over to the table. They sat down and began to eat.
When they finished, Michael picked up the plates and carried them over to the sink. Meg walked over to where he was standing. Picking up a dishcloth, she said
"You wash, I'll dry."
"All right."
As soon as the dishes were washed and put them away, Michael said
"Are you ready to go to sleep?"
"No."
"Want to see what's on TV?"
"All right."
Slowly they made their way back to the couch. They sat down and started watching a movie. Meg leaned her head against Michael shoulder. He slipped his arm around her, pulling her closer to him.
As the credit began to play, Michael looked down to see her sleeping softly beside him. Carefully he slipped his around out from under her and got off the couch, trying not disturb her. Kneeling next to her, he whispered.
"Meg?"
Her eyes opened slowly.
"What time is it?"
"Almost 11:00PM." He said, "Time to go to sleep."
"Okay." She said, closing her eyes again
"You might be more comfortable in the bedroom." He said
She opened her eyes again to see him hold out his hand. Slipping her hand in his, he pulled her up and they walked down the hall, towards the bedroom. They walked inside and he led her over to the bed. She sat down while he walked away, heading for his dresser. Turning to her, he said
"I'm gonna change in the bathroom"
"Okay."
Michael took his clothes and walked out of the room. He changed his clothes and picked up the dirty ones. Walking out of the bathroom, he headed for the bedroom. Carefully he opened the door and looked inside to see her lying on the bed. He put the dirty clothes in a bag by the door.
Turing, he walked over to the bed and saw she was fast asleep. He pulled a blanket from the edge of the bed up to cover her. Leaning forward, he pressed a gentle kiss against her forehead.
"Good night Meg." He whispered, "I'll see you in the morning."
He straightened up, picking up an extra blanket and pillow he got from the closet earlier. As he was about to walk away, she said.
"Don't go."
He turned to see her eyes open slowly.
"What?"
"Stay here tonight."
"Meg I can't…we shouldn't…"
"Please Michael." She said, scooting over on the bed, "I don't want to be alone tonight."
She pulled back the blanket. Slowly Michael walked back to the bed. He sat down next to her and after a moment, he laid down beside her. Meg scooted closer to him, pulling the blanket over them both. She rested her head against his shoulder and wrapped an arm around his waist. He slipped his arm around her, pulling her closer.
"Good night Michael."
"Night Meg."
As he drifted off to sleep, he heard her whisper
"I love you."
A smile formed on his face.
"I love you too."