***Chapter 15***

I drove the 45 minutes back into town and went to the house…Paul was relaxing in his overstuffed black leather chair all stretched out on to the footstool. I walked in and Paul looked over and said, "Hey baby. Aren't you home a little early?" I walked up stairs and said, "Yes." Paul knew something was wrong…I went in and sat on the bed, Paul walked in and said, "What happened?" I said, "What makes you think something happened?" He said, "Chelle, we've been together for too long for me not to know something happened." I said, "Shane was there when I got there…" He said, "What? Why?"

I said, "My dad and his big reconciliation idea…he tried to strike up the whole forgiveness speech about Shane and me…I stood my ground and then told him I wouldn't be going back over, cause I had enough of it…I told him if he couldn't except you and me, then I wasn't going to bother with it anymore." Paul said, "Are you crazy? That's your dad…he's the only family other then your sister that you've got…" I looked up at Paul while he was pacing around the bedroom and I said, "Why are you acting like that? Like you just have to tell me something that's so important you're going to bust?"

Paul said, "I'm not…I just can't understand why you said that to of all people your dad." I said, "Because Paul, I'm tired of feeling like shit every time I go over there, which is exactly what happens, cause all he does is talk about Shane…Shane this and Shane that, like Shane was fricken GOD…Why are you so concerned about what I say anyway, it has nothing to do with us." Paul said, "Well…never mind."

Paul walked out of the room and I went after him down the stairs…and said, "Paul what is going on?" He said, "Nothing..." I said, "Bull shit…something's up…what is it?" Paul stopped and said, "Will you just drop it…" I said, "No…" I ran in front of him and put my hand on his chest and stopped him and said, "What's going on with you? You've been acting really weird the last couple of days…" Paul said, "Well, you know we've been together for 4 years, and soon you're going to be wanting to get married again and I…well…I sort of…"

I looked in his eyes and said, "What? Why would you think that?" He said, "I over heard you talking with Trish, and…" I said, "And you figured what ever I talk about with Trish was exactly was going to happen? Try again…and why do you say 'get married again' like it's some big curse or something…I would love to get married again…yes…eventually…I'm hoping it's with you…yes…but if it doesn't happen that's fine…if it never happens that's just as fine, as long as I still have you by my side…"

I started to give Paul a kiss, when he pulled away, which he never did…he never refused kisses from me…even if he got busted by camera at work he always stopped to get kisses from me… He walked past me and continued down the stairs. I walked after him; I grabbed his arm and said, "What the hell is going on?" Paul said, "Just leave me alone…just go away please." I didn't have a clue…I was so out in the dark…I blinked and tears slid down my cheeks like a waterfall…Paul went back over and sat in his chair again and I said, "Okay." I picked up my purse and left…I walked out of the house and left in my vehicle. Paul got up and was looking out the window and watched me drive away…