Tears streamed down Carly's face. Her makeup was damaged beyond repair but she didn't care. A part of her was glad that she had finally stood up to Sonny but another part of her wanted to run back into his arms. She stood up straighter and wiped her tears. She wouldn't do that, she wouldn't back down this time. It was time for him to realize what he was doing wouldn't be acceptable anymore.
She walked into the park and spotted Courtney and Michael right away. She walked over to Courtney who was sitting on the bench.
"Hey, we were about to come home." Courtney said, gesturing to Michael who was on the swings.
"Mommy! Look at how high I can go!" Michael shouted, noticing his mother.
"Yeah, that's great sweetheart." She forced a weak smile and turned to her friend.
"Oh my god Carly, what happened?" She asked, noticing the tear stains.
"It's…it's a long story."
"Sit down, do you want to talk?" Courtney asked with wide eyes.
Carly sat down and looked into her friend's eyes. "I left."
"You left? What do you mean? Did you and Sonny get into a fight?"
"I told him that I saved Lorenzo. I stood up for myself Courtney but I think I've pushed him away for good this time. He thinks I have feelings for Lorenzo."
"Well do you?"
Carly shook her head. "I only feel gratitude and yes if I had met him under different circumstances then we could be good friends but he tortured my husband and kept me prisoner, I can't forget that."
"Well did you tell Sonny that?" Courtney asked.
"No, I told him I felt friendship for him but whether I do or not, it's not Sonny's decision. What if I wanted to be his friend, Sonny has no right to dictate to me who I can and can't be friends with."
"It sounds to me like this is just one big misunderstanding."
"It's not just Lorenzo though, it's everything. I just couldn't take how he was treating me, I love him but I couldn't stand it anymore. I had to say something."
Courtney nodded. "Where are you going to go now?"
"I have no idea, I can't go home."
"You can come to our apartment, Jason won't mind."
Carly shook her head again. "I can't do that, it's just what Sonny is expecting."
Courtney nodded and smiled. "I have just the place."
Carly looked around at the familiar settings and smiled. "Thanks Courtney."
"Don't mention it, you and Michael will be fine here for the night. Everything you could need is here. Plus, I'm just a phone call away."
"Promise me again that you won't tell Jason?"
"I hate keeping things from him…"
"This is really important!"
"Okay fine, for you." Courtney relented.
"I really appreaciate this." Carly said, wrapping her in a hug.
"I know you do, now just call me if you have any problems."
"Thanks again."
When the door was shut behind Courtney, Carly turned to Michael and smiled.
"Well Mr. Man, what do you want to do?"
"Can we have order pizza?" He asked with a grin.
"You bet we can and then you know what? We can have ice cream for dessert." She pickjed up the phone and started dialing the number for the delivery place. She paused and thought about what Sonny would say if he knew what they were going to eat that night. She dismissed the thought and ordered a small pizza.
"Why isn't Daddy with us?" Michael asked, once she had returned to the couch.
"Daddy needs some time to think and be by himself for a little bit."
"But we're going back though right?"
"Eventually I'm sure we will."
"Okay Mommy."
She smiled and pulled him into a hug.
"Does this have anything to do with the way he's been treating you lately?"
She looked at him, shocked. "What do you mean?"
"He seems more angry, I don't want you to get hurt."
"Don't worry Mr. Man, I won't be and neither will you."
"I love you Mommy."
"I love you too."