Chapter 37
Monica stood by the phone. After sighing exasperatingly, she decided to pick it up. She began to dial, but she couldn't finish.
"Mom?" Emily asked. "Who were you calling?"
"No one."
"Are you and Dad hiding something?"
"Em, your father and I have been having problems since AJ's death."
"You can work them out. You always do."
Monica shook her head. "Not this time, Sweetheart."
Emily sighed. "Are you going through with the divorce?"
"I have to."
"What about the house? What about the family? What about me?" Emily finished.
"Apparently, I only own the house if Alan and I are married. When the divorce becomes final, I lose it. I highly doubt the family will leave. It'll just be me."
"But we need you," said Emily. "We need you to remind us that the house is yours," she laughed. "And that Dad gave it to you."
"Oh, Em. You are going to be fine. You're all grown up now."
"Dad needs to you."
"Alan is a big boy."
"Please Mom. Wouldn't Grandmother Lila want you to work through your problems?"
Monica swallowed. "That what your father said."
"And?"
"Lila would want us to be happy, and we aren't together. Or at least I'm not."
"What about Dad?"
"I don't know, Em. He sure as hell acts like he doesn't give a damn about me."
"He's just upset right now."
"He's been upset for the last 6 months. He is taking it out on everybody. That's not fair."
"I know Dad isn't the same person he was after AJ died."
"He blames Jason for his death."
"Jason would never ever hurt AJ," Emily said.
"I agree," replied Monica. "But your father and his sister are convinced otherwise."
"What has Tracy done now?"
"She's always up to something," Monica told her.
"Do you want me to talk to her?"
Monica laughed. "I've been dealing with the shrew longer than you have. If anything comes up, I'll deal with her."
"You know, Mom. It was really rude of her to say all that to you earlier. You've been a good mom. It's not your fault AJ is gone now."
Monica held back her tears. "Well, Em. Tracy was right. I haven't been a good mother. Your father and I have been lousy parents."
"You're going to believe Tracy?"
"Yes and no. I don't blame myself for AJ's death, but your father and I weren't exactly good to him when he was alive."
"You did the best you could."
Monica bit her lip. "Then the best was not good enough."
Emily just stared at her.
Chapter 38
Ned and Tracy were still in Tracy's room.
"Thank you," Ned told her.
"For what?"
"Thank you for allowing me in. That's something you don't do very often."
"And you would know," she agreed. "I'm sorry."
Tracy wiped her eyes and sighed.
Ned asked, "Are you going downstairs?"
Tracy shook her head.
"Wouldn't grandmother want the family together?"
Tracy laughed. "Mother would be proud that we survived brunch."
Ned nodded in agreement. "But you should still come downstairs."
At that moment, there was a knock on the door.
"Who's there?" Tracy questioned.
"Brook."
"And Dillon," Dillon added.
"Can we come in?" Brook asked.
"The door's open," Tracy told them.
The two entered.
"That was too easy," Dillon said. "What's going on?"
"Apparently," Tracy replied. "I'm hosting a party in my bedroom, and the three of you are all invited."
"What?" Dillon was confused.
Tracy laughed. "It was a dire attempt at…oh never mind."
"You seem to be feeling better," Dillon told her. To Ned he whispered, "Did you slip something in her drink?"
Ned glared at him.
"It was a joke, Ned."
"It was a bad one," he responded. "And hypocritical considering what you told me earlier."
Dillon sighed. Tracy pretended not to hear.
"So," said Brook Lynn. "Were we interrupting?"
"No," said Ned. "Mother and I were finished."
"Is everything all right?" Brook asked.
Tracy nodded. "I do believe so."
"Good, " Brook responded. "I'm glad."
Then, it became quiet. It was an awkward moment.
"Uh, Mom," Dillon said. "I didn't mean to—"
"Dillon, I understand."
"Mom, why are you doing this again?"
"Doing what?" Tracy asked defensively.
"Refusing to let me finish?"
"Maybe my Dad and I should leave," Brook Lynn noted.
"No, stay," Tracy told her. "We're done."
Dillon continued, "No, we're not! Mom, I'm sorry, okay?"
"And you are forgiven. I understand. Can we please not do this now?" Tracy said quickly.
Dillon spoke loudly, "I'm sorry for what I just said to Ned! I shouldn't even have thought that! God! How could I have thought that?" He placed his hands on his head.
Tracy went to speak, but before she could, Dillon continued, "And I'm sorry for my behavior earlier! I'm sorry! I'm sorry for all the stupid schemes I pulled! I'm sorry for not treating you like—"
Tracy interjected, "Calm down, baby. Calm down."
Tracy was surprised. She, Ned, and Brook Lynn exchanged glances, as Tracy signaled for them to leave the room.
PREVIEWS FOR CHAPTERS 39, 40, 41:
Tracy calms Dillon down.
Later the family gathers in the foyer and arguing ensues.
Night falls, and Luke finds Tracy sitting alone in the dark.