Part 2

First Step of a New Beginning

After our night on the beach the rents freaked out. It took an hour to convince dad nothing happened. Wallace's mom threatened not to let him out of the house until his college graduation. At least I wasn't the last to know. He may be 18 but his mom still made the rules. I hope dad will be able to talk some sense into her but at the moment he was pissed. I have to talk some sense into him first. Be cool Veronica.

"Veronica, where the hell have you been?"

She looked at him apologetically then answered in a low voice, "Dad I was out with my best friend. We ate, talked, we enjoyed the sunset…he leaves for his dad's after graduation and then the Marines…I can't believe he joined the Marines. "

"Veronica did you sleep with him?"

"DAD!"

"VERONICA!"

"Dad I promise I just fell asleep. We did not have an all night marathon of sexcapades. Wallace wouldn't do that to me."

"That's good."

Veronica looked at her father dumbfounded, "what?"

"Veronica, honey, I know things have been rough the past couple of years. I also know you don't sleep…thin walls. I think it's good that there is someone you feel comfortable enough with to let yourself be vulnerable. I'll talk to Alicia and clear this up. She's probably having a heart attack."

"She already loves me to pieces. I'm sorry dad. I really did fall asleep."

"I know honey I'm not angry. I was just worried. I have a hard time dealing with your empty bed when you are supposed to be in it."

"I'm surprised there wasn't a man hunt."

"There would have been but I spoke to Wallace."

"What? How did you talk to Wallace?"

"I called your phone and he answered. He assured me you were safe and well I trust him too Sweetie." Her brain momentarily froze. He smiled at her and walked away leaving her speechless for the first time in her history. At that moment she had no idea what had just happened but now she was watching her Dad's back as he disappeared into his bedroom. He spoke to Wallace last night. All she could do with that realization was let out a sigh and hope he could convince Mrs. Fennel of her innocence.

After standing in the middle of the living for another minute she followed suit going into her own bedroom to call Wallace again.

Mrs. Fennel has to be done screaming by now. Besides dad is the next room calling the Fennel house right now. It really is too early for this. Why couldn't you call your 'lady friend' last night, dad? It would have saved us all a whole lot of heartache now.

"Hey Wallace. How did everything go?"

"She's grounding me until I die."

"I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault. I could have waked you but you know it was too good a night."

"It was a good night."

"So don't be sorry. I'm not…crap…V I've got to go mom is coming if she catches me talking to you this early in the game she'll take my phone. I'll call you later."

"Good luck."

It's graduation day. I still can't believe Mrs. Fennel actually grounded Wallace. It's craziness I tell you. Being his mom I guess it's her prerogative but it's no way to give her son a loving send off. After graduation he'll be leaving and possibly not on the best of terms. She's mad at me and probably dad. Dad might trust Wallace but Mrs. Fennel definitely without a doubt doesn't trust me. Oh well, what can I do? She's convinced that I'm an inexperience teenager. I don't think dad or Wallace will be able to convince her otherwise. Maybe one day but that day, as unfortunate as it is, is not today. I can only do so much. I'm powerless to a mother trying to protect her son's interests. I'm sad to know that I'm not one of those interests.

I think John Denver said it best 'My bags are packed and I'm ready to go. I'm standing here outside your door.' I may not have a taxi waiting with a horn honking but I am outside his door. Its graduation day and Mrs. Fennel finally let Wallace out grudgingly to meet me. My bags are definitely packed along with a few boxes. I'm scared shitless with a trace of excitement. This is going to be the first time in my life without my dad for support. At any rate my car will be packed in a split second and I'll be in driver's seat in the next split second. I tried desperately to change Wallace's mind but he has his needs, too. I know I can't be selfish and I know I have to let him go. He would be going to MCRD San Diego at the end of the summer. He needed to live him own life and I needed to let him do that. No matter how much it hurts my heart knowing he may be sent away never to come back.

I'm still in awe that even after everything that went on I was the one awarded the Lily Kane scholarship. No matter how many times I run it through my head I'm going to Yale University. I will be leaving for New Haven the same day Wallace is sworn in. He will be going to serve his country selflessly while I'm just in it to serve myself. I should feel guilty thinking of Wallace and everything he is willingly giving up but I have a hard allowing guilt to over take anything I've work for. I'm sorry Wallace.

As I drive across the country with an empty passenger seat wishing Wallace was with me he'll be yelled at and humiliated. I don't think I'd make it through the first day without vowing to take down every drill sergeant on the base. It's going to suck going our separate ways but what's a girl to do? He's my best friend and I love him I just hope we are able to find what we're looking for and one day our paths cross again. But as they say 'if you love him set him free. If he comes back to you it was meant to be'.