July paced the foyer as she waited for Miriam to show up. She had been putting this off for a while and needed to get it done; she had to go through her parents' room. The thought of it sent her stomach into knots but that was why Miriam was coming. It wasn't that she couldn't do it with someone else it was just that Miriam could explain and help her out. There was something calming about the women and she was going to need all the calmness she could get. The doorbell ringing startled her and she quickly opened the door. Miriam stood clutching her purse as her hand unconsciously wrung the strap.

"Hi," July came forwards and gave her a tentative hug.

"Hello," Miriam replied as she entered the house and looked around.

"How are you?"

"I think I should be asking you that. How are you?" she asked as she stared straight into her eyes. July took a deep breath and let her shoulders sag a bit.

"I'm doing better. I still get nightmares every once in a while but it's getting better," July answered and she gave Miriam a half smile.

"I wish I could have known so I could have warn you," Miriam said back as her eyes watered a bit.

"No, you couldn't have known. Even Charlotte didn't know. If I've learned anything in the last couple months is that you can't blame yourself for something you can't control or for other people," July said as she gave Miriam's hand a squeeze. Miriam gave a sniffle and softly dabbed at her eyes.

"Well," she sniffled again, "I suppose we should get started."

"Yeah." July started up the stairs as Miriam followed her. Walking down the hall to her parent's room, she felt like her feet had turned to lead and each step took more effort than the last. Once they were at the door, July stopped and just looked at it. Miriam reached forward and grabbed the doorknob. July shut her eyes as she began to twist it and opened them once she heard the door swing open. The sight that greeted her was despondent and still. A fine layer of dust covered everything and the room's air was slightly stale.

"Is it?"

"It's still the same," Miriam finished for her. They quietly entered the room and July twirled around, trying to absorb every small detail. It was furnished similar to the rest of the house; the greens and blues slightly faded over the years. Everything was in its place. July looked from object to object and could envision her mom sitting at the vanity apply makeup while her dad stood in front of the mirror and fixed his tie. She didn't even realize tears were running down her face until Miriam passed her a tissue.

"Sorry, I didn't realize it was going to hit me like this," she replied as she wiped her eyes.

"It's okay dear," Miriam said consolingly. After July got herself under control, they slowly explored the room and July rummaged through everything. They approached the bookshelf last and July pulled out a random book; but it wasn't a book. As soon as she saw the cover she knew it was one of the photo albums.

Sitting on the unwrinkled bed, she flipped it open. She almost dropped the book when she found the first picture with Arnold in it but her shaky hands clutched onto it. She hastily flickered past it and her eyes skimmed over the other pictures. The last photo caught her attention and she focused on it. Her mom was standing with a woman that looked like her.

"That's her sister," Miriam said over her shoulder. The only difference between the two women was that one had dark brown eyes while the other didn't. A sense of déjà vucame over July and she tried to figure out why the women seemed so familiar to her but couldn't put her finger on it.

"What was her name?" July asked as she looked up.

"Caroline."

"Miriam, I need you to tell me everything," July said as she searched Miriam's face. Miriam let out a sigh and sat down next to her.

"I will only tell you what I know because that is all I know. I don't know everything and I'm afraid that you probably will never know everything," July nodded her head and waited. "Caroline and your mother were the best of siblings. Everything started when your mother met Ruben; your grandmother didn't approve at all. When Robin announced they were getting married, your grandmother disowned her and forbade Caroline to contact her. Of course she didn't listen and they talked to each other secretly. Your parents married each other anyways even though the disapproval from your grandmother weighed heavily on your mom. Caroline met your uncle Arthur around the same time. It broke your mother's heart when she couldn't get into the wedding because your grandmother wouldn't let them enter the church.

"Your parent's were having some trouble later on and your grandmother readily took her in when your mother ran to her. I don't know exactly all what happened but your mother was disowned once again when she became pregnant with you. You renewed your parent's love for each other and they stayed together.

"You had gone on vacation to Texas when you were attacked. Arnold threw the biggest fit when he heard about it. I asked him if we should get you and he said no."

"Wait, he told me that he tried to get me and that they wouldn't give me to him," July argued.

"No dear, Arnold didn't. They took your mother's body and had her buried in Shayfield Cemetery," Miriam said.

"What about my dad?"

"I don't know what they did with his body. I assumed that your other grandparents took him. Arnold was only focused on your mom. I guess it all makes sense now," Miriam trailed off, not sure what else to say.

"What was Caroline's last name? What are my grandparent's names?" the questions pouring from July's mouth as her mind raced.

"Caroline married Arthur so it became Gilroy. And your grandparents are Rosemary and Tom Covington. Your other grandparents were Clyde and Wilma Jones, but they died about two years ago," Miriam's face was sad as she answered the questions.

"Did they have any other kids?"

"No, Ruben was their only child. Caroline was your mother's only sister," she continued as she saw July open her mouth again. July's mouth closed and she mulled over everything.

"Thank you for answering my questions," she said after a bit.

"Your welcome dear. I should be going. Isaiah has soccer today," Miriam mumbled as she got up. July walked her to the front door and waved as she droved away. Well, she had got her answers, now she just wasn't too sure what to do next.

Erin flopped down onto the guest bed. She could barely hear her grandpa's snoring from the next room. She had already called and made sure that Megan and Rachel knew she was okay and her thoughts floated back to their conversation.

"Erin! I thought you had died in the fire! Are you okay?" Rachel asked as her voice turned slightly hysterical.

"I'm okay. I left before it happened," she answered, lying again.

"So what happened? Why'd you leave?"

"I found Jay in bed with some girl."

"Oh Erin. I'm sorry. You should have just came over," Rachel said and Erin frowned at her almost chastising tone.

"It was just a lot to take in and I left."

"Are you coming back?"

"Maybe," she replied. "I don't know yet. I think I'm going to stay out here for a while thought. Look, I got to go but let Megan know I'm alright."

The rest of the conversation faded away, leaving her staring at the ceiling. She knew she should be tired. It was late into the night but the fact that her dad was going to be in the same state as her in a few hours set her on edge. She wasn't exactly sure how everything was going to go. Her grandparents had bought her falling down story. She unconsciously ran her finger over the healed scar. Her predication had been right and the scar was more visible than before.

She knew that he dad would be less inclined to hit her since they were around her grandparents. She was just really worried that her dad would make her go back and that was something that she couldn't and wouldn't do. That town had brought her nothing but pain and heartache and she wasn't about to go back; he'd have to drag her. Plus, she was 18 now, so he couldn't make her go. That thought made her feel a bit better but it didn't let her relax. She was going to have to ask her grandparents if she could stay with them and once she had their permission, her dad would be less likely to make her leave because that would make then suspicious.

Her thoughts drifted again and she found herself thinking about that girl that had helped her. July. It was a strange name but it fit the girl. She still hadn't asked about the picture and wasn't going to until her dad left. And if she had her way, she was going to ask her grandpa and not her grandma. Her grandpa would be more willing to answer her questions and she would feel more comfortable talking to him. Her gaze wondered over to the side table where he stuff was, the white business card standing out in the darkness of the room. She'd have to go once her dad was gone.

Light flooding on her face brought her out of her slumber and she groaned as the light persisted and pulled the blankets over her face.

"Time to get up. We'll be leaving to get your father soon," her grandma said. Erin peeked her eyes out from under the blankets to see her grandmother staring down at her.

"I'll be up in a second," Erin said and was rewarded with a frown from her grandmother.

"I expect you to be down for breakfast in a half an hour," she replied before walking out. Erin gave another groan before sitting up and rubbing the sleep from her eyes. Gather her things, she quickly took a shower and headed down stairs, the bottom of her jeans treaded on the ground as she walked. She entered the dining room and gave her grandpa a smile as she sat down.

"Morning," he greeted taking a sip of his coffee.

"Morning."

"You sleep okay?"

"Fine. I was wondering, would it be okay if I stayed with you guys for a while?" she asked.

"Of course! You can stay as long as you like. You know they have some great college out here," Tom said giving her hand a squeeze, his brown eyes twinkling.

"What time are we picking up dad?" she asked meekly.

"Around 11. You're not looking to forward to it are you?" he asked with that grandpa stare that made you spill everything.

"Not really. It's just been hard after mom… things have been different. I just wanted some time," she answered truthfully.

"Don't worry, I doubt that he'll stay for long. His business is too important to neglect for long."

Rose chose that moment to enter, carrying in their plates of food.

"Thanks grandma," Erin said as Rose set down her plate. She gave her a pleasant smile before setting down Tom's plate and giving him a peck on the cheek. Once she returned with her food, they ate and conversed. After breakfast was done, they left, knowing that traffic would be heavy.

With the car parked, they headed into the airport, maneuvering their way through the throng of people. They neared the terminals just as people began to pour out. It didn't take long for her to spot her dad and the knots in her stomach doubled. She warily followed after her grandparents, who were each giving her dad a hug. She finally stepped up and his eyes landed on her, their darkness making her quiver.

"Hello dear," he said with a tone that let her know she was in trouble.

So Erin's dad is here, let the drama begin! Don't forget to review!