When we are children, we often emerge ourselves into fairytales to avoid the abstract reality around us. Little boys are quick to take the role of the white night hoping to be the hero that saves the day. Little girls longing for love jump head first into Cinderella stories waiting for a prince that may or may not come. Grown women throw themselves into children's play briefly forgetting the fact that their mother's are sick and their fathers abandoned them when they were little. It's a fact of life though…all fairytales eventually have an ending.
Evelyn held the plastic sword steady at Preston's throat as he stood with his hands tied on the edge of the couch. She gracefully moved around him clothed in an eye patch and a large pirate's hat, not removing her gaze from him for a moment. "Choose your words wisely Peter for they may be your last" she remarked in an accent. Porter who was lying on the floor underneath Preston opened his arms and closed them quickly "I am gonna eat you Pan!" he yelled smacking his arms repeatedly. Penny looked up at Evelyn with fear in her eyes wearing a small pair of purple fairy wings. "Go on Parker" Evelyn said smiling at him as he re adjusted the book in his lap. "Even though Peter Pan should have been scared he was not, for little did Captain Hook know, his friends were hiding a…amongs…a"
"Amongst" Evelyn corrected him. "It means around".
"His friends were hiding amongst him. As he stood on the plank standing over the open mouthed alligator a small green fairy suddenly appeared". Evelyn quickly grabbed Penny and sat her on top of her shoulders. Penny reached into her pocket and threw a handful of lint at Preston. "Fly Preston Fly" she joyously yelled as Evelyn set her back down, untied Preston's hands quickly and he jumped on her back as she ran him around the kitchen with his arm fully extended. "My turn my turn" Penny yelled as Evelyn set Preston down and swooped her up in her arms flying her across the living room and onto the couch. "I am going to get you Peter!" Porter yelled as he ran to Preston and they quickly engaged in full fledged sword fight. "Hey come on guys knock it off, I should have known anything involving sharp objects was a bad idea with you two".
Evelyn pulled the hat off of her head and pulled the eye patch back over her hair as she walked into the kitchen and began gathering plates of spaghetti and setting them in the sink. "Evie!" she heard Penny scream as she turned around and found Preston on the floor with a cut on his arm. "Porter!" she scolded automatically assuming that it was him that cause the damage. She quickly ran over and helped him off the ground. "I didn't do it! There is something sharp under the couch". Evelyn leaned down and pulled out a staple that was sticking out of the woodwork. "Come on let's get this cleaned up". With Preston's good arm in one hand and the staple in the other she walked into the kitchen and set him down at the kitchen table, wetting a wash cloth and draping it over his arm. "Here, put pressure on that and I will go get something to clean it with". She started walking up the stairs when Porter nailed her in the back causing her to trip and fall on the landing of the stair case. "I just saw a punch buggy drive down the road! No punch back!"
"God, Porter. It's called punch buggy not smack down buggy, get off of me". Evelyn tried to stand up but when she fell, her hair had fallen through the stair case rails and had gotten caught on the iron wiring of the desk on the other side. "Porter my hair is stuck." Porter quickly jumped off the stairs and attempted to untangle her hair while Penny ran over to Evelyn, sat on her stomach and began playing with her dolls. "You know what Penny I don't think you are helping much at the moment, Parker!"
Parker trudged in from the living room and his eyes widened when the saw the mess that had accumulated at the foot of the stairs. "Parker grab my cell phone and call Mike, ask him to get over here before I go to jail for manslaughter on four accounts" she said reaching back to try and help Porter.
"What?" he asked confused. "Just tell him to come over here". As soon as Parker hit the send button, the doorbell rang. "Someone is here!" Preston said as he jumped up and ran for the door. "Preston don't you dare open that door! Look out the window first!" but before Evelyn couldn't finish the sentence he swung the door open. She managed to lift her enough to catch an upside down glace of who was at the door. Needless to say she immediately wanted to sink through the stairs and quite possibly plummet straight to the basement.
"Evelyn?" John asked as he moved closer to the stairs and took a look at her impending situation. "Hi John, you found me". He tried to suppress a laugh as much as he could. "Yeah you said Wisteria lane and I saw your Land Rover out front I figured this must be the place.
"Who are you?" Porter asked as he left his task of untangling Evelyn's hair and stepped between her and John. "He is a friend of mine, its okay". Porter sat down on the stairs case and continued to stare, as John leaned over and examined her current situation. "May I?" he asked. "Please" she said as he walked around and carefully unraveled each piece of her hair until she was free. "Uh…Thank you!" she said picking Penny up off of her stomach and setting her down next to Porter. "How did you get here?"
"I borrowed a car from Tom."
"How is his wife?" she asked genuinely concerned. "They are fine; all of them are at home now". "That's good" she remarked. Just as an awkward silence filled the room Evelyn looked around and realized all of the kids were just staring at them with a stark look on their face. "I can come back at another time" he suggested. "No, it's okay I mean unless you want to go that's fine. But you can totally stay as long as you don't mind out of control children". Her face reddened a little, embarrassed from her nervousness. She managed a smile though and Penny clutched tight to her leg. "I happen to love out of control children" John said, reaching down and tapping Penny on the nose causing her to grin from ear to ear. It was apparent John had a way of charming the Scavo women.
"Well in that case…" she walked over to the table and pulled out a chair. "Would you like an ice cream sundae?" She slightly jumped as Parker, Preston and Porter screamed and ran towards the freezer and John and Evelyn both laughed aware of the chaos that was about occur. John couldn't help but just sit back and watch. Whatever sadness he had seen in her eyes back at the pizzeria was completely gone. He watched as she playfully sprayed whip cream onto Penny's nose, as she leaned over to kiss Porter on the top of his head, and he noticed how hard she laughed when Parker looked up at her with chocolate stained teeth. These kids were obviously her life, and he still wasn't sure why he wanted to be a part of it so badly.
After cleaning up the kitchen Evelyn set John up in the living room with the television and disappeared for about half an hour. John turned around as he heard her make her way down the stairs. She smiled at him and playfully leaned over the stair case, wrapped a strand of her hair around her neck and stuck her tongue out. "They are fed, bathed, and in bed".
"A job well done" John said and he jokingly bowed, as soon as he came back up he caught Evelyn's eyes and immediately a silence fell over them. John knew what was coming. It was a question that could not possibly be avoided any longer. "Listen John, what exactly is going on here? I mean what is that you want from me? At first I thought well maybe it was just a little fling while you're in town and I made a huge mistake but you're standing here in front of me and I don't know what to think anymore".
John walked towards her and put his hands on her shoulders. "Listen Evelyn I know how bad this looks. I mean I am ten years older than you are, I am traveling around the country with a bunch of guys I know you think I just want to hook up with every girl I come in contact with the expectation of never seeing them again but that's not true". He grabbed her face in both of his hands as if he was trying to command her full attention, "I would never hurt you".
"How can I be so sure?" she asked, looking up at him with a hint of concern. She was just as confused as he was. Why in the world was she worried? She just met him yesterday it was not as if anyone could form that significant of a relationship in that short period of time. She didn't have too long to think about it because she heard a knock at the door and before she could even walk over to answer it Mike walked right in. John moved his hand away from her face and Evelyn took a step back. "Hey Mike, what are you doing here?"
"I'm sorry I didn't mean to just barge in. I got your missed call on my phone I was on a job out in Mount Pleasant and when I tried to call back it went straight to voicemail. I saw your lights on and a strange car in the driveway" Evelyn looked at John awkwardly and then back to Mike. "Is everything okay?" he asked.
"Yeah everything is fine. Uh...Mike this is my friend John. John this is Mike". John was the first to outstretch his hand and Mike hesitantly shook it. " Can I talk to you outside for a second?"
"Sure" Evelyn looked over at John apologetically and walked out the door with Mike it behind her. "What is it?" she asked looking slightly annoyed. "Is that the guy you were with last night?" Evelyn crossed her arms, "Yeah why?"
"I don't know you don't even know the guy and you brought him over to your house?"
"I didn't bring him over the house he found the house and came over". Mike ran his fingers down his chin and leaned against the door slightly laughing. "That makes it so much better, so he's a stalker type."
"Mike does this conversation have a point?" Mike looked out over the street and looked back at Evelyn. "I am just saying how well do you really know this guy? I mean you met him at the pizzeria 24 hours ago and now he's here at ten o'clock at night?"
"Are you jealous?" Mike didn't say a word and Evelyn stood up straight and poked him in the shoulder. "You're jealous aren't you? Aww that so cute"
"I am not jealous; I am just looking out for your best interest."
"Trust me Mike you have nothing to worry about. I am a big girl, I can handle myself"
"Just promise me you'll be careful". "I will Mike I promise". Mike stood up and kissed Evelyn on the forehead and walked down the walk way. He stopped before he hit the driveway "Oh and Evelyn make sure you use protection, I am not babysitting when you get pregnant."
Evelyn picked up a football and chucked it at him across the yard. She shook her head and walked back through the door. John was leaned over looking at a picture of a very pregnant Lynette leaning up against a car looking out over a beach. "Is that your mom?" he asked. "Yeah, that's her favorite picture".
"She is beautiful, you two look a lot alike".
"Thank you, that's me there in that big old belly of hers". Evelyn turned to face the door and leaned against the desk. "My mom always says I was her beach baby. She stayed in her grandmother's old beach house Rodanthe the entire time she was pregnant with me. She'll tell you she went swimming every day till she got so big she couldn't keep herself afloat". John laughed and leaned on the desk next to her. "You would never guess that woman in the picture and my mom are the same person."
"You should talk to her Evelyn, maybe if you explain how you feel you could bridge that gap you both have created". Evelyn immediately jumped up and turn towards John. "This is what I don't understand. John why are you so intent on helping me, and getting to know my family, what does it matter?"
John stood up and walked towards the front door quickly turning around. "To be honest with you I don't know" Evelyn walked towards the living room and began throwing toys into a wicker basket. "Yeah okay" she said sarcastically. John grabbed her hand with a small toy truck still in, he looked at her with pleading eyes. "I don't understand it any more than you do Evelyn. I have never felt like this before I have never met anyone like you before, just let me help you while I am here".
Evelyn blew a piece of hair out of her face and her eyes began to tear up. She looked up at John and shook her head then looked down resting her head on his chest. John wrapped his arms around her and lifted her chin and kissed her causing her to drop the small red truck in her left hand and wrap it around his neck pulling him down on top of her onto the couch. The same fire that had consumed her the night before took over once again and she slipped his shirt off and he quickly unbuttoned hers. Too much of a good thing couldn't last for long though, as if the angry god's were watching Tom and Lynette walked through the front door. "The repair man has got to come in tomorrow and fix the beer tap, the football game is on Friday with no beer we are barley going to break even and whose car is that in the driveway?" Tom exclaimed as Lynette threw her purse on the table. As soon as she heard the door slam Evelyn knocked John on the ground and quickly stood up. Lynette looked over and saw John put his shirt on and Evelyn frantically buttoning hers up.
"Yeah I'll call the repair man in the morning everything will be fine" she said stepping in front of Tom and blocking him from sight of the living room. "Lynette what's the matter with you?" Lynette whipped Tom around so his back was to the living room and kissed him. Catching Evelyn's attention, Lynette eyeballed the back door and Evelyn acted quickly pushing John outside and closing the door behind her. "That was a close one; if my step-dad would have caught us we would have been slaughtered". John quickly kissed her twirling a piece of her hair in his fingers as he did so. "I am sorry to get you in so much trouble" he said smiling as he placed his hand on her face. "It's okay but you have to go now".
"Are we ever going to say a goodbye that doesn't involve running?"
"One of these days" Evelyn exclaimed as John kissed her one more time and ran around the house. Evelyn straightened her shirt and her hair and walked back in. "Evelyn" Tom yelled as she walked into the house. "I am right here" she said walking around the corner. "Who's car is that out front?
Evelyn looked over his shoulder and saw the headlights pulling out of the driveway. "It's Jo's".
"Since when does Jo drive a mustang?" he asked, disbelief written all over his face. "She just bought it she is fixing it up".
"I didn't know she knew anything about cars."
"You know there is a first time for everything". Tom was not a hundred percent convinced but accepted her explanation. "Right well I am going to go shower. I will see you in the morning, your riding with me to work right?"
"Right" she said and Tom kissed her on the cheek and made his way up stairs. She quickly turned around and looked for Lynette. "Mom?" she said walking back into the living room. She noticed they had knocked the throw pillows on the ground and she picked them up and threw them back on the couch. She heard the front door slam and walked around the corner. "Where'd you go?" Evelyn asked as Lynette walked in headed for the kitchen. "I invited your friend to the party tomorrow night."
"What?" Evelyn asked. Lynette looked up at her with a serious face. "If you going to have sex with this guy I at least think we need to get to know him first". Evelyn walked over and collapsed into a chair. "Mom we were not about to have sex and that is so embarrassing" Lynette looked over at Evelyn and slammed her purse on the table. "Well you probably should have thought about that before you started making out with him on my couch." Evelyn looked at her mom is disbelief. "Don't look at me like that Evelyn, you're the one that brought him into the house, it's only fair that we get to meet him and it's a neighborhood block party it's not like I invited him over for some one on one time. I also just saved your butt; the least I can get is a little bit of thanks". Evelyn stood up from the table shoving her chair in. "Mom I am twenty three years old, I am old enough to date whoever I want I don't need your approval".
"Well as long as you are living under my roof, you'll do I say, please don't argue with me" she said frantically pulling a pill bottle out of her purse.
Lynette pulled a glass out of the cabinet, filled it up with water from the sink and pulled a pill out of the bottle, throwing her head back as she swallowed it. . "I'll move out then is that what you want?" Evelyn asked.
"I didn't say that. I am just saying it would be nice to know who you are spending your time with these days. Evelyn you don't let me into any aspect of your life anymore. You never tell me where you are or who you're with, I don't even feel like I know my own daughter".
In that very moment Evelyn's heart broke a little but like she had been doing for the past couple of months she didn't let it show. Her heart told her she should apologize and run into her mother's arms and tell her how much she loves her but something broke and she decided to fight back. "Well maybe you should have taken the time to ask."
"I have tried Evelyn, I have bent over backwards to try and figure out what is going on with you, but you act as if nothing I do is good enough for you" she slapped the top of her hand into her palm as she spoke and Evelyn knew that was a sure sign she was getting angry. "What do you want me to do?, I don't have time to strap you to a chair and pry the information out of you"
"Girl's what's going on?" Tom asked as he quickly came back down the stairs.
"I am not asking you to tie me to a chair mom, I am just saying why don't you just get your ass off the pizzeria long enough to spend time with me every now and then" Evelyn said, both girls ignoring Tom completely. Lynette's face turned an off shade of red, Evelyn knew right then it was time to back down.
"I am doing my best Evelyn but in case you haven't noticed I have cancer and don't quite have as much energy as I used to if it matters to you at all".
"Yeah well what was your excuse before you got sick…" and without thinking Lynette slapped her daughter right across the face.
"Lynette!" Tom yelled, but it was as if the whole room had froze. Lynette looked at Evelyn with horror and disbelief of her own actions, Tom looked at Lynette with an inability to comprehend what had just happened and Evelyn looked at her mother as if she had just made the biggest mistake of her life. Hand held tight to her left cheek, she quickly ran upstairs slamming her door behind her.
**
The morning flew by. Evelyn awoke before anyone else and quickly ate breakfast before taking her own car to work rather early. Tom wasn't surprised to find her there; Evelyn often dove into work rather than face what was going on around her. That is precisely why he didn't say much throughout lunch. It was when things calmed down and the restaurant was empty that he decided to approach her. Evelyn was refilling the pizza toppings when Tom walked up behind her. "Hey kid".
"Hey" she said looking up at him and forcing a smile. "About what happened last night" he said leaning against the pizza counter. "Listen Tom I appreciate you trying to smooth things over between mom and I but I will talk to her later on tonight".
"I know, but it wasn't right, she never should have hit you". Evelyn smiled and gently picked up a pinch of parmesan cheese and let it run through her fingers. "I deserved it" she said looking up at Tom slightly teary eyed. "It was my fault I never should have said those horrible things to her. I pushed, and pushed and pushed her knowing full well she was getting angry".
"Hey, what happened last night, that wasn't your fault. You have both just been stressed out lately, you need to get through the night and you can talk to her tomorrow. Come on, you guys have put this conversation off for way to long". Evelyn looked up at him and then took a deep breath. "Okay I will sit her down and talk to her tomorrow". The moment it came out of her mouth she wasn't sure why she said it. She wasn't ready to deal with everything that came with confronting her mom but she sure was tired of everyone telling her she had to do it.
"Yeah"? Tom said excited to finally get things patched up between the two. "Yes, I promise" Evelyn said and Tom kissed her on the forehead. "Alright" he said slapping his hands together. "It's Sunday evening and we have no customers, I think it's time to close up shop and get to the party". Evelyn smiled and took off her apron and hung it on a hook in the back. The big neighborhood parties had always been her favorite. The park would be covered in tables and chairs and tiki torches, the men would surround the several different barbeques that would emerge from each other's houses while the women mingled and caught up with old friends. She was especially looking forward to this specific party because Julie was back in town. Even though there was a five year gap between the two, Evelyn had managed to grow close to Julie over the years and was heartbroken when Susan married Ian and Julie went to live with Karl.
The cleanup process was a quick one and Tom, Jo, and Evelyn quickly locked up the restaurant and headed up the alley way. "I will see you guys later" Jo said waving from the street as she headed towards her car
**
When Evelyn got home she jumped out of the car and darted towards the house, avoiding her mom and the kids who were out helping set up. She showered; blow dried her hair and slipped into a light blue dress, throwing a white sweater over it as she headed downstairs. She opened the door to find John sitting on the front porch swing. He stood up and she couldn't believe how well he'd cleaned up. He was wearing a pair of blue jeans which to her surprise were free of any tears or holes and a button up shirt. His arms were free of any bracelets and his hair was left undone, it looked natural and free and made him slightly less rigid. He looked like a perfect gentleman. "You clean up nice". John smiled and eyed her playfully "Eh ,you look okay".
Evelyn punched him in the arm and he grabbed her as he had the night before. "You look beautiful".
"Why thank you" she said quickly pulling out of his embrace and heading for the driveway. "I cannot believe that you accepted an invitation from my mother". He ran down the stairs catching up with up with her. "Well what did you expect me to do? She ran out to my car and quite frankly your mother scares me". Evelyn laughed under her breath not daring to reveal what had happened the night before. "I wasn't supposed to bring anything was I?"
"No, you didn't have to bring anything."
"Well what if they don't like me?" Evelyn stopped in the middle of the street and turned towards him. "Mr. Big I Sing on Stage Every Night is scared of my mother and a neighbor barbeque?"
"I am not scared, just slightly nervous". Evelyn smiled as did John and they continued walking. As Evelyn rounded the street she could immediately smell the propane, signaling that the men were ready to fire up their grills. In the center of the park there were fifteen to twenty tables all covered in white table clothes, and there were people everywhere. She spotted Bree across the grass and waved. Bree quickly signaled for her to come over. Evelyn placed her hand on John's arm and he followed as she weaved through the massive amount of families that had made their way into the subdivision over the last couple of years. Bree greeted Evelyn with a hug and lead her towards two people standing near one of the many refreshment tables. "Evelyn there is someone I want you to meet, this is Walter and Anne Schilling, they just moved here from Chicago. Anne is in commercial real estate and Walter just bought a night club". Evelyn reached out to shake both of their hands. Walter was tall and looked as if he stepped right out of an Al Pachino film. Anne was much shorter than he was and reminded Evelyn of an old Southern Pageant Queen well past her glory years. She looked sad, and that was something Evelyn noticed immediately. "This must be Danielle, you look just like your mother" Walter said smiling. Bree laughed "No this isn't my daughter this is Tom and Lynette's oldest girl".
"The one with the adorable twin boys?" Anne asked. "Yes" Bree replied beaming.
"Well you could have fooled me" Walter said smiling. John looked over at Bree and noticed the sense of pride she obtained from the mistake and smiled. "Hey Walter" someone yelled from across the park. "Excuse us for a moment, it was nice to meet you Evelyn" Walter said and he and Anne walked off. "And who is this dashing young man?" Bree asked smiling. "This is John".
"Ahh the musician, it's wonderful to meet you I am Bree Hodge I am a friend of the family"
"I have heard nothing but good things about you" he said, taking her hand. "Well that's good to hear although I couldn't imagine anything else coming out of Evelyn". Evelyn smiled at Bree slightly embarrassed and Bree began to look around her obviously distracted. "Listen I am sorry sweetheart, but I have about a thousand things left to do…"
"Say no more, I will see you a little later". Bree hugged her once more and began to walk off. "Oh and John, Don't run away too quickly after dinner. You have to be the first guinea pig for my new Lemon Meringue pie recipe".
"I wouldn't think of it Mrs. Hodge" he yelled. "You can call me Bree" she said hurrying towards her house. Evelyn turned towards John and she wrapped her arms around his waist and turned to face him. 'So what do you think?"
"I think you're a lucky girl, you have a lot of people that love you". "I am very lucky" she said taking a deep breath and looking out over all of the people.
"So who else lives on your street?" John inquired. Evelyn walked over to a nearby table and sat down. "Well… see that couple over there, the guy with the goatee and the beautiful brunette? That's Carlos Solis and Gabrielle Lang. Carlos and Gabby used to be married but Gabby is married to a Senator now but those two are still friends".
"Really?"
"I personally think there is still something going on between them, or if there is not there should be. Have you ever met two people and instantly known they are supposed to be together? That's how it is with Carlos and Gabby. It's just a matter of time I am telling you". She then shifted in her seat " See those two men standing over there in corner? The one on the left is Orson, that is Bree's husband and the other one is my step dad Tom".
"Well I am glad I am seeing him for the first time here rather than in your living room".
"I am too, trust me". Evelyn looked around and saw Katherine out in the street speaking with Adam. "That woman over there in the blue dress with the long brown hair, that's Katherine Mayfair. Her and her husband just moved here from Chicago and listen to me John whatever you do. This is a cardinal rule okay if you break it, sudden death ensues"
John couldn't help but laugh. "Sudden death got it, what's the rule?"
"No matter what Katherine tries to offer you, when Bree Hodge asks you who's desert you like better; because she will. You always say hers".
"No exceptions?"
"Absolutely no exceptions if you value your life what so ever"
"I will definitely keep that in mind. Who is that?" John asked? Watching Susan and Ian walk up to one of the neighbors.
"That's Mike's ex wife Susan and her husband Ian"
"Who is that standing behind Ian?" Evelyn leaned back a little to see who he was talking about. "Oh my god it's Julie!" Evelyn exclaimed jumping up from her chair and running towards her friend. John stayed seated as he watched the excitement that overcame her.
"How ya doin?" he heard a voice behind him say. He turned around to find Mike standing there holding two beers. He handed John one and sat down in the seat next to him. "Thanks man" he said not taking his eyes off Evelyn".
She is something else isn't she?" John commented as he watched Evelyn's face light up as she talked to her friend. "She is indeed" Mike responded as he closely watched John drink his beer.
"What exactly is your plan?" he asked. John looked over at him surprised. "What do you mean?"
"I mean you're in a band, your only in town for a while, you're going to leave. What did you think starting a relationship with her was going to do?"
John rolled his eyes and set his beer down on the table. "Listen, I don't know who you are or what your relationship with Evelyn is but she is a big girl, she started the same exact relationship I did knowing full well that I was leaving at the end of the week". He took another sip of his beer and looked out over the party. "Do you have any idea who she is? I mean do you know her at all?"
"What is that supposed to mean?" John said sarcastically. "What's her favorite band?" Mike asked and John looked stumped. "The Beatles" Mike replied. "Do you know what her favorite movie is? It's Rear Window". Mike leaned back into his chair and continued his tirade. "She loves to read in fact she has a whole shelf full of books she has read a hundred times. She knows more than me when it comes to cars, and when she gets nervous she has this goofy but adorable laugh that sounds exactly like her mother"
John slammed his beer down on the table and turned towards Mike. "Whatever it is you have to say why don't you come out and say it". Mike set his beer down and leaned in resting his arms on the table un-phased by his aggressive attitude. "I am just saying be careful, she isn't in a good place right now, the last thing she needs is to be hurt by you". Before John could make a rebuttal, Evelyn and Julie came strolling up to the table in all smiles. "John this is Julie". John quickly got up for the table and outstretched his hand. "It's nice to meet you Julie, Evelyn talks about you all the time".
" Awww. Thanks Evie" Julie said elbowing Evelyn in the side. "Like he would know" Mike said sarcastically under his breath. Evelyn and John gave him a quick scowl and both girls took their seats quickly ending the conversation that begun between Mike and John. "I am going to go find your mom Julie, good to have you home" Mike said as he walked off. The rest of the night went off without a hitch. Lynette and Evelyn had managed to avoid each other despite the tight settings; Susan relaxed long enough with Mike around to enjoy herself. Andrew, John and Julie got along like they had been friends forever and Mike had managed to keep his outburst to a minimum. It wasn't until it the sun began to set, that the darkness began to settle in.
"Did anyone see where Mike went?" Evelyn asked as she stood up from the table. "I think he went home" Julie said. "He would not have left without saying goodnight, Excuse me for just a second". Evelyn left the table and went to search for him. She finally found him in the corner talking with Tom and her mother. She walked towards them and put a smile on her face for the sake her mother and the party. Tom waved at her and Mike smiled but Lynette stood there with the same look that had fallen across her face the night before. "Mom what is it?" Tom and Mike looked down at Lynette then all three of them quickly glanced in the direction she was looking. In an instant Evelyn felt as if her legs had turned to Jell-O. A tall man with dark hair smoothly eased out of the back of a black car that had just pulled up to the party. In his hand he carried a small gold box and began to look around as if he was in search of someone. "Do you know that guy?" Mike asked. Evelyn wrapped her hand around his arm with a firm grip as if she was trying to keep herself from falling. "I think that's my father".
All Fairytales come to an end sooner or later. Some people lean on those around them to make up for the images they have been forced to leave behind. But some head in the complete opposite direction, hurting those closest to them and grabbing hold of those who never truly value them for who they really are.