Chapter 5

That night

"I can't believe one of them recognized you! Why didn't you ask my dad for a break?" Cassie and Taylor had been asking 20 plus questions ever since Ally had gotten back from work.

"I couldn't take a break because I was the only waitress there. Melanie called in sick this morning and I need the money."

"Ally, this is great! You can finally tell them all where you are." Taylor said getting anxious.

"No I can't…"

"What?" Cassie and Taylor yelled together.

"I can't tell them because it took me so long to get over everything. And I am scared of what will happen." Cassie was just about to say something when there was a knock on the door. Taylor went to open the door to find Shannon Moore on the other side.

"Can I help you?"

"Yes, is this where Alexis Jacklin lives?"

"No, but you're at the right house. Come on in." She stepped aside and watched as he walked in.

Shannon couldn't believe what he saw when he reached the living room. There were toys strewn all about the room.

"Ally, we gotta go. We'll be here at 8:00 tomorrow. Have a good night."

"Bye Cass, bye Taye." As they walked out they said good-bye to Shannon and shut the door. After about a minute Alexis walked into the living room carrying a little girl. Shannon's eyes widened as he looked from Alexis to the little girl and back to Alexis.

"Go play over there. I put your movie in. I'll be there shortly." Alexis said putting the little girl on the floor. Alexis turned to Shannon.

"Let's sit" Alexis said as she sat at the kitchen table.

"Is she yours?" Alexis shook her head.

"Is she Jeff's?" Alexis let out a slight chuckle.
"No" Shannon shook his head. Ally noticed a yawn coming from the little girl. "Can you hold on a second while I put her to bed?"

"Yea, mind if I help?" Alexis smiled.

"I would love that Shan. Thank you." She walked over to Nicole. "Sweetie, it's time to go to bed."

"Who are you?" Nicole asked looking at Shannon.

"Nicole Cameron James!"

"Don't worry about it Alex. My name is Shannon. Your mom and I have been friends since we were 6."

"Are you the guy that mommy cries for every night?"

"Nicole, let's go to bed. C'mon. I'll be right back Shan." Alexis walked after the little girl. Ten minutes later she walked back out and sat down again.

"I'm really sorry about that Shannon. Nicole started talking when she was one and she hasn't ever really stopped."

"Like I said, don't worry about it Alex. How old is she?"

"She will be 3 in August."

"What did she mean when she asked if I was the guy that made you cry?" Alexis looked down. She didn't know what to say. "Alex..."

"She hears me at night."

"Why do you cry? Is it because of her dad?"

"No, he is long gone and I was never upset about him."

"Then who…" She cut him off.

"It's Jeff" Shannon was shocked. "Well, it isn't just Jeff. It is just the whole leaving Cameron."

"You didn't have to leave Cameron. You could have lived with me or Jeff."

"What do you mean?"

"You didn't have to leave Cameron just because your parents were stupid. Jeff told me what happened." Alexis looked at Shannon realizing that Jeff had not told anyone what really happened.

"Oh, I see" Shannon realized that something was wrong, but decided to bring it up a little later.

"So how have you been Shan?"

"Pretty good, I've been working with the WWE and soon I'll be getting some TV time." He paused. "Oh and Crystal and I got married a couple months ago."

"Yea, I know. I read it online." She noticed the confused look on Shannon's face. "I keep track of you and the rest of the guys. I have something for you." She walked over to the desk and pulled out an envelope.

"Here" she said handing him an envelope.

"What is it?"

"It isn't much, just a little money, a card, and a letter. The letter tells you a lot of information about what happened. I know I should have sent it earlier, but I was too scared and I was afraid that you would be ashamed of me."
"Alex, you know I can't and won't ever be ashamed of you. You're my best friend. I cannot accept the money either."

"No, please keep the money. And how can you still say that after almost four years of not talking?"

"Because I know you and while it hurt that you just up and left I know there is a good reason." Alexis just sat there. "Why did you leave Alex? And I want the truth." Alexis looked surprised.

"Well, you remember everything that happened the night before I left?" Shannon shook his head and let Alexis continue. "Well, I took it hard because I was in love with Jeff. Before ya'll left that August, Jeff and I had started gettin' closer. So I was really excited when he came back. And then he introduced Courtney and my heart broke. Well, after I left your house that morning, Jeff was at my house. I wanted to go back to your house and avoid Jeff, but I couldn't bring myself to leave again. When I got inside I saw Jeff talkin' to my mom. I overheard her say that he made the right decision in movin' on with his life. She said that I would just bring him down and ruin his chance of happiness. She told him I wasn't goin' anywhere or doin' anything with my life and he was right to leave me behind." Alexis couldn't go on. She broke down reliving the events of that day.

"Alex, I'm so sorry. I didn't know. Why would…how could…" He trailed off knowing that yelling would not help Alexis. Alexis looked up and saw anger in Shannon's eyes. In all her years of knowing him, never had he looked this angry.

"I don't want to talk about it. I wrote a lot of answers in that letter. You can show people, but you can't tell them I personally gave it to you." Shannon just shook his head. After a short silence Shannon spoke up.

"Why did you move to Wisconsin? Why here?"

"I moved up here because no one would have thought to look for me here. Why would a southern girl move up to freezing cold Wisconsin? It just made sense." Shannon nodded.

"So, are you just working at the diner?"

"No, I'm also a part-time manager. I have been taking some business classes for about a year and a half too."

"Wow!" Was all Shannon could say.

"I have to do all that just to support Nicole. She's my life now."

"Well, it seems like you have done a great job in raising her. She's a very smart girl. She's adorable too."

"Thank you" they continue talking about everything that is going on in their lives. Shannon tries to keep Jeff out of the conversation. Around 11:00 Shannon's cell phone starts ringing. He looks at the ID and then back up at Alexis.

"Just answer it Shan. It's okay, I promise."

"Hello" Shannon said flipping open the phone.

"Shan, where are you?"

"I just went for a drive. I'll be back to the hotel soon. Don't worry about me mom." Alexis could hear Jeff laugh on the other end. Her heart sank. She hadn't heard him laugh in four years and she missed it. She missed him.

"Alex, I have to go." Shannon said interrupting her thoughts. She hadn't even heard him hang up.

"Yea, you should go if you have to wrestle tomorrow" He headed towards the door.

"Shan…"

"Don't worry Alex, I won't tell anyone."

"Thank you. Leaving once was hard enough. I don't think I can face Jeff yet either."

"Like I said, don't worry. All I'm asking is that you call or write more often." With a hug and a kiss on the cheek, Shannon walked out the door.

"Love you Shan" Alexis yelled.

"Love you too Alex." After Shannon's car was out of site Alexis walked back inside, locked the door, and went to bed.