Always

A/N: Oh come on. One review! You guys can do better than that!!!

Chapter 2 – Accusations

            Waking up the next morning, the thoughts of last night came fluttering back into me. Rubbing at my eyes, I stood up and stretched. I was so not the early morning kind of person. Trying not to trip over all my crap on the floor, I made my way to my door.

            Right as the door opened, the smell of pancakes, bacon, and eggs flooded my nostrils. I smiled. Whatever was wrong would have to wait. Breakfast, my favorite meal of the day, was awaiting me.

            After breakfast, I spotted my mother doing the dishes. Trying not to startle her, I tapped her on her shoulder. She turned around and I saw her tear stained cheeks. My heart snapped in half.

            "Mom? Are you okay? What's wrong? Why did Kem and John leave so early last night?" My mind boggled.

            She looked around, trying to see if anyone was there. This had to be bad.

            "Okay…" she sighed. "You really want to know?" I nodded. "Well…Kem has convinced herself that John and I are having an affair. She talked privately with your father last night, and got him in on it too. He yelled at me last night too. John was standing right there…Kem has threatened to take the kids and leave him forever if we don't get this settled. And…so did Jacob…He can accuse me of having an affair, and drug and alcohol abuse. You three will be taken from me forever!" she started to sob. I was just…blown away.

            My mother is not the kind of person who would ever do that. Neither is John! I mean, I know they used to date and stuff, but…never. I looked at her sympathetically. I felt so horrible!

            "And that's not the worst of it! Jacob doesn't trust me. And he doesn't trust John. Kem refuses to come over anymore, and she forbids the children from ever coming over, too! But John…poor John…I think…I think I might still have feelings for him." That last line made me gasp. This was worst than I thought. She started to sob again. At this point we were on the couch. She bit her bottom lip to try and stop herself from shaking. It didn't help.

            "You need to talk to John. And you also need to talk to dad. Maybe Kem, too, if she'll listen."

            "No…you don't understand. John and his family aren't ever allowed over here again! Kem hates me more than anything already. Why would she allow me in her home?

To have a 'conversation' with her husband?! I don't think so. There isn't any possible way for us to ever see each other again. Other than the web cam."

            I sat in thought for a moment, feeling too scared to look into her eyes. I love John. He is a great guy. He loves me too. Not like that, but like a really good friend. Even though Grown-ups don't ever stay friends with kids, he does stuff with me, and takes me places. He would be an awesome stepfather. "If only, if only," my friend always says.

            Apparently, I was very lost in thought, because I realized she was calling my name. "Melanie? Melanie!"

            "Huh? Oh, sorry. I was just thinking. I mean, you can still see him. Sneak out. Meet in public. Switch to county. Don't work at Northwestern anymore. Tell him not to tell anyone, and you can't tell dad!"

            She shook her head. "No! That won't work! You just don't understand! I can't lie to him like that. Lying just makes things worse. Trust me. I learned that the hard way…"

            "Than I guess this conversation isn't going anywhere…"

            "Guess not…"

            "Well…I am going to go back to bed if you don't mind. If you ever need to talk…I'm here." And just like that I walked off.