1:30 PM PST
Harmony realized that she was standing in the kitchen of her home. She saw her mother talking with her aunt, Haven - as they were sipping on some juice.
'I never thought this would ever happen,' Harmony's mother was saying, sadly. 'I can't believe that Jules filed for divorce. We were destined to be together. Poor Melody is not handling this too well at all. It's like she's given up all hope in life.'
'I understand how you feel, Patty,' Haven was saying, gently. 'Don't worry. I'll still be there for you. Just because you'll no longer be married to my brother, it's no reason why we can't still be friends. I am also quite concerned about Melody.'
'I can't believe this,' Bethany groaned, from the refrigerator. 'All they have is some moldy bologne. My heart really goes that to that woman and her daughter.'
'That woman happens to be my mother,' Harmony said, with some annoyance.
'I kept trying to convince Jules to give us another chance,' Patty continued, as she was blinking back tears. 'I can't believe that he would be so hasty to jump to such conclusions. He wouldn't believe me when I said there was nothing going on between me and the boy I dated briefly backin high school. My life is falling apart.'
'Oh, I think I know what's going on here,' Harmony said, sighing. 'I wasn't here to convince my mom to level with Dad - so Dad must have caught her at a bad time, and he jumped to conclusions. I guess Melody isn't coping with this too well.'
'He is being a bit stubborn,' Haven said, sympathetically. 'He even got mad at me the other day, because I was talking to you. He thinks he can tell me who I can or can't be friends with. Let me tell you that being the youngest child is no picnic. I had to deal with two older brother who act like they know everything and boss me around.'
'Well, as much as I feel really hurt,' Patty said, quietly, 'I'm not going to badmouth him. I mean, I'm not that kind of person. Still, it hurt to remember all the good times that we've had together - and to think that this all has come to an end.'
'Well, to be fair,' Haven said, gently, 'there are many occassions when my brothers have come through for me. I mean, I always did love them - and I know they always loved me. Still, we did definitely have our moments when we didn't really get along.'
'Haven used to babysit me a lot, when I was younger,' Harmony said, smiling. 'She was a fun person to spend time with. I think my sister and I used to drive her crazy, though - because all we wanted to listen to was Led Zeppelin. She's a sweet lady.'
'Yeah, she certainly is,' Bethany agreed, nodding. 'She has a very tender heart.'
'I always wish I had some brothers or sisters to play with,' replied Patty. 'I guess I know what they mean, when they talk about the grass being greener on the other side. There are definitely some perks that come with being an only child. Of course, being the mother of an only child myself has really set things in perspective.'
'Well, I should get going pretty soon,' said Haven, as she looked at her watch. 'I have to be at a meeting in about twenty minutes. It looks like you and your daughter really need some food. I'll bring you some groceries in a few hours - and you make sure that your daughter eats something, okay? She can always talk to me.'
'Right, I'll do that,' said Patty, as she forced a smile. She then reached out to hug Haven, and continued, 'Thanks so much for being my friend. It means a lot to me.'
'We'd better go upstairs and check up on my sister,' suggested Harmony. 'From what Haven and my mom have said, it looks like she's coping with the divorce badly.'
'Sure, we can do that,' Bethany agreed, as she followed Harmony up the stairs.
As soon as Harmony stepped into Melody's room, her heart sank. Melody was much thinner than usual - and her blonde hair was rather pale, stringy, and unkempt. She was also wearing clothes that were several sizes too big for her. She was sobbing into her pillow, as though her heart would break. Harmony wished she could give her sister a hug, but she know it was impossible to do so.
'She looks terrible!' gasped Harmony. Then, blushing, she added, 'I don't mean this in an insulting way. I just mean, it hurts me to see her like this. Gee, it's scary to see a stubborn side of my dad. He's a very warm-hearted and caring person.'
Harmony then looked at the pictures that were propped up on Melody's desk. Many of them looked strangely familiar, except for the fact that Harmony her self was missing from the pictures. Harmony thought that to be rather surreal. At least Melody's school pictures seemed to be the same. It appeared that the Melody of this world used to have a happy life, until her parents decided to divorce.
She then took a close look at Melody's baby picture, which looked very familiar. The bottom of the picture was printed on. It said, 'Melody Sarah Brown, Born August 20 1999, Firstborn Child of Jules and Patricia Brown.' Harmony nearly gasped at the word 'firstborn'. Melody was Harmony's younger sister, after all.
'Melody! Honey?' called out Patty. 'Are you up there? Would you like to talk?'
'I'm not in the mood right now,' Melody called back, through tears.
Then Harmony heard foot steps, as Patty started to walk up the stairs. Patty then opened the door, as she walked over to her daughter.
'Hey, sweetheart,' Patty said, gently, as she threw her arms around her daughter. 'I know you're depressed about your father having left us. I'm not too happy about this myself. Still, we must make the most out of life. We can't just give up so easily.'
'What is there to live for?' Melody asked, sobbing. 'Oh, Mom, I wish I was dead!'
'Don't talk that way, Melody,' Pattty cried out, with desperation. 'You have a lot to live for. Remember how you used to be so happy, and you used to really enjoy life? I think I should maybe make an appointment for you to see a councillor.'
'Mom, I don't need to see a shrink,' Melody argued. 'Besides, how can a shrink help me. It's not like she can made Dad love us again, you know. That's all I really want.'
'I understand, sweetheart,' replied Patty. 'Anyway, I think Dad still loves you. You are still his baby, after all. I'm pretty sure it's just me he doesn't love anymore.'
'I don't think so, Mom,' Melody said, sniffing. 'When I went to visit him the other day, he said all kinds of nasty things about you - things that I cannot repeat. When I spoke up in defence of you, he accused me of loving you more than I loved him. I told him he was being unreasonable, and that I can love both of you. You know what he said? He said I can't love both of you, that I have to choose between you.'
'Oh, I don't believe this,' Harmony groaned. 'This does not sound like my dad at all.'
'Your dad is being very selfish and unreasonable,' Patty said, sighing. 'You're right. It is not fair to place you in that kind of situation. Heck, I wouldn't even care if you did love him more than you loved me. After all, I may be your parent - but I cannot tell you how you should feel. You are entitled to your own opinions and beliefs, after all.'
'Thank you, Mom,' Melody said, as she tightly squeezed her mother.
'Now Haven was going to buy some groceries for us,' continued Patty. 'Now, tonight, I want you to eat something. You hear me? You're getting way too thin. You were healthier when you were a little bit chubby. Maybe we could go to the Y a little later tonight, and we can go swimming. You always enjoyed swimming, remember?'
'Thank you, Mom,' Melody said, as she wiped her eyes. 'I feel a little better now.'
Just then, the doorbell rang. Harmony followed her mother downstairs, as she suspected that it might be Griff Tannen and his gang. She hoped her mother would realize that the gang were not fit companions for Melody, and turn them away.