I stood frozen in my steeps. How did she know that I was leaving?

"I was just going for a drive that's all…" Jodi looked into my eyes, but it seemed like she was looking into my soul. I got very uncomfortable and knew that I shouldn't have lied to her.

"Alan, you don't have to lie to me. You were going to visit Kandy weren't you?" I said nothing I just looked at my feet and nodded.

"Well, get in the car." She took my backpack and put it in the backseat and then took the keys from me and started the ignition. I was in shock that Jodi was just going to let me go even though she already knew that Bruce did not want me to go. She opened the passenger side door from inside the car and looked at me.

"Are you coming or not?" I nodded and got in the car. The first half of the car ride was in silence and I thought that Jodi was mad at me, but soon she was back to her normal motherly self and was taking care of me.

"Alan, do you have everything you need? Do you have your tickets, clothes, toothbrush, toothpaste, clean underwear? I assume you are staying with Kelly and she does know that you are coming right?"

"Yah she knows I'm coming."

"Is she going to pick you up from the air port? Do you need me to come with you and make sure that you get there safely?

"No Jodi everything is going to be fine." I tried to re assure her, but I don't think anything would have helped.

"Everything is settled I am going to be fine." There was more silence. I hate the silence I always think that Jodi is mad at me because she is always talking, and when she isn't it is just weird! I tried to change the subject to break the silence.

"So how did you know that I was going?"

"Quincy came and got me when she saw you leaving. Don't be mad at her though, she is really fond of you and she was worried that you were running away and never coming back. By the way when are you coming back?" My stomach starting balling up, I hoped she didn't want to know that. I was planning on never coming back but now that Jodi knew where I was that was going to be hard. I looked at my hands and sighed I might as well tell her the truth.

"I'm not sure…I was thinking of staying for a while…"

"A while, like until you turn eighteen and you don't have to live with us anymore and legally you can live with your family?"

"Umm… yah something like that." I still couldn't look Jodi in the eye. Jodi sighed.

"I was afraid you would say that. You know I can't make you do anything you are almost an adult, but like I said Quincy, Joey and Max all love you very much and it would break their hearts if you just left them without saying good-bye or anything. But if you feel that you need to be out there then I won't tell Bruce and if you want to come back you can."

"Thanks Jodi." I looked down at my feet again. Quincy would be sad if I left, but all I could think about was Kandy at the moment. I was still excited to see her even though Jodi was trying to make me feel guilty and make me come home I wasn't ready yet. We reached the airport and sat down. We were a few minutes early. I looked over and saw how worried Jodi looked.

"Jodi don't worry I will be fine. I have my cell phone and I will call you and let you know that I am ok." She put an arm around me and pulled me close.

"I know you will be fine. I just hope that you come back that's all."

"Right now I think I just need to be home for a little while."

"I understand." The loudspeaker called out my row. I got up and hugged Jodi.

"Thanks for everything. You have been more of a mother to me than my real mom. I really appreciate everything you did for me."

"You are more than welcome. Don't forget you are always welcome here! Don't forget to call me so I don't have to worry as much."

"I promise I will call." She hugged me tighter and then said good-bye. I grabbed my backpack and got on the plane. I was suddenly washed over with excitement. In only a few hours he was going to be back with Kandy.

The plane took off and I was on my way. The butterflies were filling my stomach more and more. I felt like I couldn't sit in my seat any longer, but I had to so I waited and waited. Finally two and a half hours later we landed and I got off the air plane. Once I reached the end of the long hallway that would lead to where I was going to claim my bags I turned a corner and looked around for Kandy. When I didn't see her I got worried but then a flash of color ran towards me and soon I was knocked on my butt by the blur. It was Kandy she ran and jumped on me when I wasn't expecting it and knocked me on the floor. She lay laughing next to me I looked at her and kissed her. She hugged me back and one tear fell from her eyes.

"I have missed you so much! I am so gad you are here! You're making me cry! Come on lets go! Ryan already got all your bags and he is waiting by the car." She held hands and she led me out to Ryan's car.

Once we got there Ryan got out of the car and shook my hand.

"Welcome back Alan, how was your flight?"

"Oh fine…really long. Thank you for coming to pick me up."

"Oh it was my pleasure!" I got into the back seat with Kandy. She instantly started kissing me. Ryan was laughing and just turned around in his seat and yelled at us.

"Seat belts! Safety first! There will be plenty of time for that when we get home. Alan tomorrow morning do you want me to drive you to your aunt's house? I think your mother would like to see you again!" I suddenly remember my mom. I had completely forgotten about her for a few minutes.

"How is my mom doing?" Kelly looked at Ryan.

"Things were rough, but she is doing much better. She will be very happy to see you!" I smiled to myself. My mom really is getting better. I knew she could, but I didn't know if she would. I yawned. I was really tired and ready for bed. Kandy looked over at me and smiled.

"You tired?" I nodded and took Kandy's hand. I fell asleep in the car a few minutes later, but I was woken up when we pulled into the garage. I got up and got out of the car and went around to the back and got my bags. I walked to the room I always stayed in and dropped my bags on the floor. I saw Kandy standing in the doorway I kissed her good night and she hugged me and said she would come and wake me up in the morning. Once Kandy was walking down the hall to her room I closed the door and took off everything but my boxers got into bed and instantly fell asleep.

The Next Morning: Missouri

"Good morning! Come on sleepy head get up we are going to go and visit your mom!" Soon Kandy was jumping on my bed and giggling. I got up and picked her up and dropped her on my bed. I got on next to her and we started kissing. Soon it was twenty minutes later and the sound of Ryan's voice filled the hallway.

"Are you guys awake? Don't make me come in there I will and I don't want to know what you two are doing." We both laughed and walked into the kitchen to get breakfast.

"So what are we having this fine morning?" Kandy walked around the kitchen and looked for food to eat.

"Well, because we have company I thought I would actually make breakfast. So I made eggs." Kandy laughed.

"You actually made a meal?" I looked around the kitchen and saw an empty place at the table.

"Where is Kirsten these days?" Kirsten is Ryan's girlfriend that lives with Kandy and Ryan.

"Oh we broke up a while ago. Things just weren't working out." Ryan looked sad, but Kandy changed the subject quickly.

"So what time are we leaving to go see Squid's mom?" Ryan looked at his watch and thought for a while.

"How about an hour and a half? Is that alright with everyone?" We both agreed and started eating our eggs. As soon as we were done I walked to my room and called Jodi and assured her I was fine. When I hung up I showered and then met everyone back down in from of the door and we set off towards my house.

The Next Morning: New York

Quincy ran into the kitchen and saw Jodi and ran to her and swamped her with questions.

"Where did Alan go? Did he really leave? Is he coming back? Does daddy know? How long is he going to be gone?" Jodi just sighed and hugged her daughter.

"He went to visit his family and I don't know when he is coming back." Quincy looked at her mom. She didn't understand what she meant.

"I thought we were Alan's family…" Bruce interrupted them with his yelling.

"Where is Alan? Is he downstairs? He is not in his bed!" When Bruce saw Alan's absence he was less that pleased.

"Quincy go to your room and don't come back out until I saw so!" He watched his daughter leave and he turned on Jodi.

"Where did he go? I know you know! You always know what that boy is up to!" Jodi was ready for this. She knew it was coming, but she was going to keep her promise.

"I don't know where he went." Bruce knew she was lying.

"You fucking liar! Do not play these games with me!"

"He probably left because you are always so mean to him! Maybe if you were a little nicer than he wouldn't cry at night and he wouldn't run away!" Bruce's face turned bright red. He knew she was lying, but she wasn't going to give up without a fight.

Bruce roared into Jodi's face.

"WHERE IS HE?" Jodi stood there her face like a statue.

"I do not know." She tried to walk away, but she was stopped by Bruce's arm. She struck her across the face and then walked out. Jodi was left crumpled on the floor crying.

Missouri:

Kandy's P.O.V

Squid got out of the car and walked up to the door and rang the door bell. When his mom answered it she burst out into tears and hugged her son. She was full of so much joy she could not hold it in. She brought him in and would not stop hugging him.

"I thought I would never see you again! I have missed you so much Alan!"

"I missed you too mom."

His mom expressed her worries and fears that he was having a lot of fun and never wanted to come back. Squid set her straight and told her everything and told her that he was not having fun and that he was going to stay here with her. His mom continued to cry and hug her son.

The whole day was spent with Squid and his mom in his Aunt's house. They did not get back home until midnight. When they got home Alan's cell phone was ringing. There was a message. When he listened to it he knew he was in trouble. It was Bruce. He said that where ever Squid was at that very moment he expected him to come home at that minute. I could hear the message even though I was on the other side of the room. He lied to me Squid did not get passes from Bruce; he lied to him and went anyways. Once Squid deleted the message I looked at him.

"Were you planning on telling me that you lied to me?"

"I had to come and see you and there was no other way! I didn't want you to worry about me so I lied I'm sorry!"

"Squid now Bruce is really mad at you! I bet Jodi is a nervous wreck and I bet she is so worried about you right now!"

"Kandy Jodi is the one that drove me here! She caught me sneaking out and she took me here and is letting me stay!" I didn't know what to think. I knew I could believe him, but I was still mad because he lied to me.

"So you are staying until they make you leave?"

"Basically…is that ok with you?" I walked over to him and wrapped my arms around him.

"I would love to have to stay forever, and you're always welcome here, but just don't lie to me ok?"

"Ok I promise!" I kissed him and sat on his bed. We talked about what had happened since I last saw him. Soon it was three in the morning.

"Well, I better get some sleep. I love you Squid."

"I love you too." We kissed good-night and I left Squid in his room to get some sleep.

Well, what do you think? Please review so I can write more and hopefully finish before I go on vacation in three days! Thanks for all the people who have reviewed!