Lies, the dictionary defines them as false statements made with a deliberate attempt to deceive or create a false impression. Such a little weapon so many women in the suburbs use each and every day. We lie about our ages, we lie about how many pounds we gain when give birth to our last child, and we lie about how much money our husband makes to impress our neighbors. What happens though, when we lie so much and so often about how we feel? We are eventually trapped and tortured by our own sentiments.

Tom Scavo sat in his kitchen unsure of what his next move was going to be. Earlier that morning he woke up in the living room and quietly snuck upstairs to find his wife and his daughter barely asleep next to each other, both of their faces covered in pain. He knew things were going to get ugly when his wife's ex showed up, but nothing prepared him for the events of the previous night. His mind didn't have too much time to wonder though, for his thoughts were quickly pushed to the side when he saw Evelyn's car pull into the driveway. He jumped up from the table nearly knocking over his chair and ran out the front door. Vincent slowly emerged from the car with a limp and was caught off guard when he turned around and Tom nailed him in the side of the face causing him to hit the concrete. "Get up!" Tom yelled, but Vincent didn't. He adjusted himself on the ground and tightly gripped his ribs. Tom grabbed his arm and picked him up, slamming him into the side of the car as he held him in place. He couldn't believe it when he finally got a good look at him; he looked about five times worse than Evelyn. His clothes were torn and there was so much blood on his face Tom could barely recognize him. "Look you have every reason to be angry with me" Vincient said in a hoarse voice, as if his throat was made of sand paper. "But I got what I deserved".

"You got nothing close to what you deserve" Tom said only inches away from his face. "You weren't here to see her sitting in the back of an ambulance. You didn't see the look on her face when we found her. I am the one who has been her father for the last eight years" he said as he pointed to himself the anger not quite subsiding. "She is my daughter and an amazing sister to those kids; when I looked at her I could see that little bit of youthfulness and pureness she has tried so desperately to hang onto. When I saw her last night it was gone. You broke her and do you have any idea how long it's going to take her to recover from this? Do you?" he asked slamming Vincent hard against the top of the car one more time. All Tom wanted to do was nail him in the face again but he couldn't. The guy could barely talk, none the less put up a good fight. So he let him go and picked Evelyn's car keys off the ground. He headed towards the house and turned back before he reached the front porch "Just get as far away from here as you can. No calls, no letters, and no more visits. She doesn't need you" and with those last couple of words Tom walked back inside locking the door behind him.

He waited and watched the driver of the black car that followed Vincent jump out and help in him into the back seat. As soon as they were out of sight he sat back on the couch and drifted into a light sleep. It was well into the afternoon before he felt Lynette's light body crawl on top of him. "Happy Birthday Tom" she said as she wrapped her arms around him and gently kissed his neck before laying her head on his chest. He couldn't believe that in all of the madness he had forgotten his own birthday. "I've got to call Bree and cancel the party" Tom said sitting up and sliding Lynette off of him. "Don't cancel Tom, Evelyn will feel horrible".

"She already feels horrible Lynette after all we have been through in the last 24 hours I just don't think it's a good idea".

Lynette grabbed her knees and brought them close to her chest and looked over at her husband "Do you remember last month when she got whatever it was that she bought you for your birthday? She was so excited".

"She walked around the house for the rest of night trying to get me to guess what it was" Tom said as he stepped back from the cordless phone that sat on the end table. "Talk to her first, see if she wants to go and then make your decision. It's going to take a while for us to figure things out, a party over at Bree's might take her mind off all of this mess for a little while.". Lynette stretched her legs, got up and headed for the kitchen, running her hand down Tom's arm as she passed him.

***

"I can't cover them up" Evelyn said as she lay upside down on her bed rubbing the crème colored foundation over her skin for the third time. "The bruises are dark purple chick; paint primer is not going to cover them up" Jo said as she walked over and sat on the bed next to her friend. "Let me see it" she said and grabbed the small bottle out of her best friends hand. "I cannot believe I am going to this party. I should have told Tom no when he asked but I just couldn't do it"

"Are you kidding? I have been waiting a whole month to see the look on his face when he opens that envelope, if you canceled I would have killed you". Evelyn closed her eyes and Jo skillfully covered up the cuts. There was nothing she wanted more than to crawl back into bed and sleep the rest of the day away but it was Tom's birthday and after all she had put him through he deserved a fun night.

"Did Tom go get your car this morning?" Jo asked jolting Evelyn out of her thoughts. "No my dad dropped it off and just left" Evelyn responded taking in a deep breath.

"He is an asshole anyways. You should just forget about all of this and put everything behind you. It's not worth dwelling over. Did you figure out what you're going to tell the kids yet? They are going to freak when they see you" she said dabbing a small amount of makeup on a bruise near her ear and sitting back to examine her work. Evelyn sat up and looked out her bedroom window. In truth there wasn't an easy way to explain any of it. How do you tell a group of children that their sister witnessed a crime and got the shit beat out of her for it? " We're going to tell them anything but the truth, they are kids they shouldn't have to worry on my account" With that being said she pushed herself up off of the bed and examined herself in the mirror. "Not too shabby" Jo said with an added little bit of enthusiasm.

The slow walk down the stairs seemed to take forever and made Evelyn totally and completely uneasy. It had been nearly a whole day since she had last seen the kids and didn't know what to expect when they saw her. When she reached the bottom of the stairs there was the smallest bit of initial shock reflected in their eyes and immediately Porter nearly knocked her over as he wrapped his arms around her. She jerked back as his head hit her bruised shoulder and Porter looked at her fearfully. "I'm sorry" he said quickly but she couldn't help but smile. "It's okay; I just knocked my shoulder pretty good".

" I can't believe you got all those cuts from falling down the stairs" Parker said as he walked up to her and put his arm around her. Evelyn looked up and Tom and he smiled and nodded his head. She hugged both of the boys and thanked God that Tom hadn't told them the truth. "You still look beautiful" Kayla said as she ran her hand down her back.

"Thank you sweetie" Evelyn replied and kissed the forehead her sweet little sister.

"Come on kids let's head across the street and give the girls a minute" he said picking Penny up and heading for the door. Once they were all outside Lynette turned to Evelyn "Are you sure your okay to do this? You don't have too if your too tired".

"I'm sure" Evelyn said and Lynette grabbed her hand and the followed the brood across the street. Halfway across Bree's lawn Lynette felt Evelyn jump. "I forgot Tom's present" she said and quickly turned around.
"It's okay I'll go get it, you two go ahead" Jo said and quickly ran back into the house.

The party was as beautiful as could be expected. Everyone from the neighborhood came and Evelyn suspected Bree must have given everyone a lecture before they arrived because no one asked her any questions about where any of the bruises. The night was full of sympathetic looks though, especially from Bree and Lynette. If it wasn't for Tom's birthday Evelyn wouldn't have bolted, you could cut the air in the room with a knife. She managed to slide into a corner unnoticed until Orson brought out the chocolate cake Lynette had made. Tom quickly blew out the candles and suggested they open presents before they cut it. Lynette walked over and gave Evelyn an encouraging nudge and she moved and sat down at the table to watch. He slowly opened and was very appreciative of the expensive bottle of champagne Gabby and Carlos brought. He smiled and thanked Susan and Ian after opening a gift certificate to his favorite restaurant. She watched nervously as unwrapped a few more packages and finally picked the small package Jo had retrieved earlier and set it in front of him. "This one is from Evelyn" he said proudly as he recognized the handwriting on the front. "You have to open the gift first, then the envelope" she said quietly. Tom smiled and slowly began removing the blue wrapping paper. "Wow" he said trying to mask his disappointment. He never would have expected "the big surprise" was a new electric razor. "I love it" Tom said looking up at her and smiling genuinely. "Really?" she asked with a sly smile knowing there was something bigger in that small envelope.

"Of course" and he got up and kissed her on the forehead. He walked over and began picking up the crumpled up wrapping and shoving it into a plastic bag. "Well I guess its cake time" Orson shouted and everyone began to shuffle until Bree's voice rang out over the crowd. "Don't forget about the envelope, Tom".

Everyone turned back around and silently waited as he opened the last present of the night. He reached out and tore open the end of the envelope and removing the neatly folded piece of paper inside. "What is this" he asked confused unfolding it and reading the first couple of lines. "The Fairview City Council officially approves the request for name change. Evelyn Kendall Lindquist born December 9th, 1985 will now legally be identified as...." before Tom could finish something caught in his throat and he looked up at her. "Evelyn Kendall Scavo"

Lynette took in a quick breath and looked over at Tom. She knew Evelyn was sometimes bothered by the fact that she still had the same last name as Lynette's father but never thought she would ever change it. "Is this real?" Tom asked still in shock. Evelyn nodded at him and smiled and Tom ran over and hugged her. "Thank you" he said in a whisper and let go of her. "This is just….I couldn't have asked for a better gift". There was a moment of silence that was quickly broken when Orson slapped him on the back and congratulated him. Lynette, Susan, and Bree walked over and commended her on her choice of a gift, then everyone gathered around Tom so he could cut the cake.

***

After everyone settled in for cake and coffee, Evelyn quietly slipped out the back door and walked onto the patio. She took a seat on an old cement bench and looked out over the yard. She thought she had escaped unnoticed but wasn't surprised when she felt someone sit next to her. "Hey" Bree said as she pulled her shawl tightly around her arms.

"Hey" Evelyn said not making eye contact and continuing to look up at the stars. "You know if you didn't want any cake, there is some pie in the fridge I could heat up for you". Evelyn smiled, Bree would try and fix the world if a home cooked meal would do the trick. "Its okay, I am too full from dinner, it really was a beautiful party Bree".

"Thank you and that was a beautiful gift you gave Tom, that's something he is going to remember forever". Evelyn really was happy, happy that Tom loved it so much and happy to finally be a Scavo on paper. Something she had wanted from the beginning.

Both of them looked up just in time to catch Nora coming around the side of the house. "Nora? What are you doing here? Evelyn asked. "I came to pick up Kayla" she responded as she walked onto the brick walkway nearly tripping over a flower pot. "Are you drunk?" Bree asked and her belief was quickly affirmed when she was taken aback by the potent smell of vodka. "Do you think I would show up to pick up my daughter drunk?" she asked. The minute the last words left her mouth she threw up on the side walk. "Good god Nora couldn't you at least have made it to the bathroom, that is absolutely repulsive" Bree said as she got up and headed inside. "I'll be right back"

Evelyn didn't even acknowledge Nora as she unsteadily made her way to where Evelyn was sitting until she nearly fell on top of her. Evelyn couldn't stand Nora from the minute she met her. They had butted heads from the beginning but she tolerated her for Kayla's sake.

"Ewww Nora please, if you throw up on me I am going to drown you in it" she said scooting farther away from her. "You want to know something?" Nora asked, leaning back to fix her hair and almost falling off the bench. By then Evelyn wasn't sure how much longer she could handle the smell, between the puke and the alcohol that lingered on her breath Nora was a walking stink bomb. "I would tell you No but I don't think it would stop you any way so go ahead".

"Your kind of a bitch Evelyn" she said looking over at her in disbelief.

"Why thank you Nora, it's one of my proudest accomplishments" she said smiled, rolled her eyes and then turned away from her. "No wonder Tom doesn't love you, your evil"

Evelyn turned back around. "What a horrible thing to say Nora, what the hell is the matter with you? Why don't you go home and have another drink or something". Evelyn tried the hardest she could to keep joking though Nora's words had cut her like a sharp knife.

"It's true; Kayla came home the other day and told me all about it. Tom said Kayla was his favorite and he was only nice to you because he felt sorry for you". Evelyn had finally heard enough and stood up. "That is the dumbest thing I have ever heard Nora, why don't you go make someone else's life miserable for a while huh?"

Evelyn began to walk away but stopped when Nora grabbed her by the arm and she turned around and they were face to face. "Nobody really loves you. They just take pity on you and your pathetic life".

Bree walked out the back door with a plastic bucket and Tom and Lynette in tow just in time to catch the unfolding events.

"Until you have the slightest idea about what you're talking about why don't you get out of my face" Evelyn said pushing Nora in the chest and causing her to step back a few feet. "Hey girls break it up, come on" Tom said as he ran over and grabbed Evelyn by the arm.

"Just wait, there will be nobody left here for you when she dies." And that was it. That was the comment that finally sent Evelyn over the edge so she wasn't thinking in the slightest when she tackled Nora to the ground and begin to swing.

"Evelyn get off of her!" she heard her mother yell but couldn't stop. She just wanted to rip Nora to pieces and make her take back all of the horrible things that she had just said. Tom tried to pull her off Nora but to avail. She just kept going. Finally she felt someone grab her by the waist and quickly rip her away from Nora's grasp. Mike said something that was meant to calm her down but she wasn't able to hear it over her labored breathing. By then nearly everyone had come out of the house to witness their charade, but that didn't stop Nora from throwing the next punch, figuratively speaking. After Tom had picked her up of the ground and she smeared the blood that was emerging from her nose she finally threw the fatal blow. "If you ever think I am letting Kayla come over her again you have lost your mind" she said slurring.

"You can't do that" Evelyn said angrily trying to step forward but was stopped by Mike. "She is my sister"

"Not anymore" Nora said as she opened her purse and tried to light the wrong end of a cigarette. Evelyn lost it again, screaming as she lunged for once more Nora but couldn't get out of Mike's grasp.

"Get her out of here" Tom yelled as Mike picked her up and threw her over his shoulder. "She is psycho" Nora said as she tried to regain her balance.

"Go to hell!" Evelyn managed to yell, kicking and screaming all the way out of the back yard. Nora continued to try and light the cigarette as she turned to Bree. "I really thought between you and Lynette you all would have taught the girl some better manners".

Bree walked up and tore the cigarette out of Nora's mouth and broke it in half. "First off there is no smoking in my house, and second I have an assortment of guns inside and you have about thirty seconds to get off my lawn before I bring them out here and show them to you, got it?"

Nora looked at Bree in disbelief just before she passed out in the lawn. Susan quickly ran to help Lynette and Tom tried to console Kayla, as she sat in his arms in hysterics.

***

Mike carried Evelyn all the way to her driveway until she finally managed to wiggle and kick her way out of his grasp. "I hate her!" she said pacing back and forth down the drive way and wringing her hands together. "Evelyn calm down, she was drunk I am sure she didn't mean what she said".

Evelyn stopped pacing and just looked at Mike. "Are you defending her?" Evelyn asked taking a few steps towards him. Mike had seen the same look on Lynette's face many a times and decided it would be best not to comment on the situation any further.

Evelyn didn't give Mike time to answer before she started pacing back and forth again. " She can't keep Kayla from Tom, if Kayla can't come visit and have the least bit of normality in her life she is going to grow up and be nuts just like Nora".

"She is not going to take Kayla away Evelyn" Mike said hugging her. She sat still for a few seconds then broke away from the hug and wiped her face with her hand. "I can't stay here tonight; I can't be here when Kayla comes back".

" You don't have to Evelyn, you can stay at my house tonight, just calm down" Mike offered as he put his hand on her back.

She walked over to the center of the yard and fell to her knees. "What is going on?" Evelyn asked quietly to herself. "When did my life fall so off track? What am I supposed to tell Kayla when she asks me why I hit her mother?"

Mike didn't have time to answer before Tom and Lynette ran across the street. "Are you okay honey? Did she get your face?" Lynette asked as she ran up and put her hand on Evelyn's shoulder, only to have her knock it off. "Hey don't throw this back on her this isn't her fault" Tom said as he started to walk toward Evelyn but was stopped by Lynette. "Don't push us away Evelyn please, you have been doing this for the last couple of months, things didn't used to be this way we used to talk all the time. You have to talk to us, tell us what happened, what did Nora say? ".

Evelyn just continued to stare out over the street. She wasn't ready for this, she hadn't wanted to tell anyone what had been going on with her but she figured it was time.

"I….." Lynette stepped forward as if to make sure she could hear her daughter clearly. "I have just been so angry. Lynette was waiting for a crack in her façade and waiting for a moment when Evelyn would finally tell her what was wrong, she was expecting her to be sad or scared…but not angry.

"Angry? Angry about what?" Tom asked before Lynette could speak. Evelyn suddenly felt her pulse start to race and her blood begin to pump. "Angry because nobody ever asks me how I feel about anything!" she said throwing her arms in the air and avoiding eye contact. "Honey, I asked you a couple days ago what was wrong and you wouldn't say a word" Lynette said sighing.

"Yeah but I had to stop talking to you to get you to do so."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Tom said with a hint of aggressiveness in his voice. "It means I feel like I have gone completely unnoticed for the last couple of years especially with you, Mom".

"That's ridiculous we…" Tom stopped talking when he felt Lynette's palm on his chest.

Evelyn's voice was soft as when she started but got louder as she spoke. "Nobody asked me how I felt when you went back to work. I was struggling so bad in school and felt completely lost but Parker had an imaginary friend and I had to be there to take care of him. Nobody's asked me how I felt when you got shot at the supermarket. It didn't matter that I was so terrified of losing you I snuck into your bedroom every night for a month just to make sure you were still breathing. Nobody even once asked me how I felt when Nora and Kayla came along because " I wasn't Tom's daughter to begin with but I never ever thought that way" she lowered her voice and let a tear fall. "Nobody asked me how I felt when you got cancer, I just had to be strong and support the family"

Lynette got down on the ground and took one of Evelyn's hands in hers. "It doesn't matter that every day I wake up and think to myself let me go do what Mary Alice did because I am not strong enough to deal with loosing you anymore I am not strong enough". Evelyn brought Lynette's hand to her heart and looked right into her mother's tear stained eyes. "I know I hurt your feelings because Bree and I got so close but I didn't turn to her because I love her more but because there was a point in her life where she understood what it felt like to wake up every day and pretend you're happy even when you're not. She understood where I was coming from. I can't keep acting like everything is okay because I just feel like I am going to go crazy." Evelyn kept her mother's hand close for a couple more seconds and dropped it when she saw Mike turn to see Susan, Ian and Bree quickly walking across the street.

Evelyn thought about staying but didn't have enough left in her to deal with anything else that evening so she figured she would take Mike up on his offer. "Listen I just want to be alone tonight so I am going to go stay with Mike, I think it would be best to go before Kayla gets back" She stood up along with Lynette and wrapped her arms tightly around her small frame. Lynette ran her hand down Evelyn's hair and held tightly to her for a few more seconds. "I love you" Lynette whispered in her ear as she let go.

"I love you too Mom" Evelyn said and hugged Tom tightly as she walked towards the street. She walked past Bree who expected her to stop but instead Evelyn lightly squeezed her hand and let it fall. Bree watched her walk away in astonishment and turned towards Tom and Lynette who looked as if they aged ten years in the last five minutes. "Is everybody okay?" Bree asked as she walked up and put her arm around Lynette.

"No not really but we will be" Tom said as he watched Mike hold his front door open for Evelyn and watched her disappear into the shadows. "Did she get hurt?" Ian asked as he and Susan walked up next to Bree. "I don't know" Tom said as he and Lynette both left their concerned neighbors standing on the front lawn.

A lie is such a little thing, but when used consistently it can take over our lives. We lie to avoid having to tell our children how their sister really got beaten and bruised and we lie to our mothers to keep them from discovering the worry that is present in our minds every single day. There comes a time when the majority of lies are uncovered, and even though at first we believe the world has fallen apart, deep down we feel like we are finally able to breathe.