When Two Worlds Collide

Chapter Eight: The Pains of Yesterday

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I*I*I

Nathan turned his head and watched…as his mom, his dad, Keith Scott and Karen Roe entered the office… and then turned back around. He put his head down, just managing to catch a glimpse of the expression on his brother's face. It was an expression of fury…and pain. It was an expression Nathan regretted causing. It had only been intended as a prank to make his brother regret flirting with his girlfriend…to make his brother not want to be part of the Ravens anymore. He had never meant it to be so personal…to cause all it had.

It was hard for Andrew not to smile at one of the people walking into his office. Karen Roe…she had never realized it, but he'd had a crush on her all through high school. Even popular and part of the in crowd, she had always been sweet and never made him feel like an outsider. And she had always been beautiful…something that even the passage of years had not taken away from her.

And it was hard for him not to frown at one of the other people…Dan Scott. He remembered him too, how he had teased him and made his high school existence pretty much awful. He saw the arrogant attitude still there in that hard edged face of his…even years after high school was over.

He noticed Keith Scott, Dan's brother, a man he barely knew, but had seen pictures of while attending Tree Hill High. And he noticed Debra Scott, as Nathan's personal file had called her, a youngish appearing pretty woman who seemed friendly enough.

"Andrew?" Karen did a double take at the face from her past. Yes, she had known a temporary principal had taken over, but she hadn't really put two and two together as she had read the name of the temporary replacement.

"Yes…uh hello Karen. It's been a while." Andrew politely shook hands with her.

Even with the tense surroundings, Karen managed a small smile. "Yes…it has."

"I just wish it were under better circumstances." Andrew replied, and then turned to Dan. "Hello Dan. I see you have stayed in shape."

Both Nathan and Lucas were not close enough to hear what their parents were saying, but could see that Mr. Baxter was not a stranger to Dan and Karen. Their eyes curiously watched the proceedings as their minds dreaded what was to come…for opposing reasons.

Dan's smile was like plastic. "Yes…you seem pretty much the same."

Andrew nearly laughed, but held it in check, turning to Deb. "Hello…Mrs. Scott…I regret that we have to meet this way." Then he turned to Keith. "And…I am assuming you must be Dan's brother…Keith?"

Keith nodded his head. "Yes…Lucas's uncle…and Nathan's too of course."

Andrew nodded his head also, seeing right away that this was a very tangled up group. There was so much tension now in the room, much more than there had been before. He got the feeling that there were relationships with these adults that were not pleasant. He knew basically what had happened to Karen…how Dan had just left. But he still wasn't sure what Dan's involvement had ended up being with his firstborn son. He had a feeling he'd be finding out very soon.

Andrew turned back to the parents, motioning for them to sit down after more chairs were brought in for them. "Good morning," he said, sitting down himself now. "As I said, I wish my meeting with all of you could be under better circumstances, but that is not to be. Let me just get right to the point. I have called you all in here this morning to discuss an incident that happened here at school yesterday. I understand that all of you were at the game last night and saw the fight between Lucas and Nathan. I have just discussed that fight with the boys and have let them know that they will be expected to write a letter of apology to the school, and will be serving some detention time for their actions, along with what Coach Durham has planned for them this afternoon."

Dan cut in. "I do not want Nathan having to serve any detention time with…him." He pointed to Lucas, barely noticing Karen's scowl. "And Nathan's afternoons are taken up by basketball practice."

"I understand that…Mr. Scott. And I assure you I have no intentions of having Lucas and Nathan serve detention time together. After what Nathan did yesterday, I don't think it's a good idea to have these two boys spend too much time in close proximity with one another. Being on the same team seems stressful enough. Also, I understand that they are both busy with basketball, so on practice days they will be expected to come to school early for 'morning' detention."

"But Nathan often spends his mornings working out."

"Dan…" Deb interrupted. "He will have to adjust his schedule then. I think it's important that the boys realize fighting is not okay."

Dan frowned, but said nothing else. He wanted to hear what else Andrew had to complain about. He was pretty much certain that he was on a vengeance mission for all the little pranks he had pulled on him while in school.

"Fine then…since that matter seems to be dealt with, I think it would be a good idea to get to the other part of why I called you in today…a strong possibility I think for the reason the boys were so hostile with each other last night. First, I must say, what I am going to show you is disturbing, but I think it is necessary that you see it so you understand what happened. Apparently this picture was posted in the hallway yesterday without my knowledge. Right away, I must say I apologize for not having found out about this earlier. It was actually the head janitor, Gene, who brought this to my attention. I am thankful for his diligence. Before it was thrown away, it was posted to Lucas's locker…by Nathan and his best friend."

Andrew reached behind his desk now.

Watching Mr. Baxter once again getting ready to bring out the poster, Lucas looked back at his mom nervously and then down at the floor. Why…why was he insisting on showing it to her? Why couldn't he just see how awful this was going to be for his mom?

Nathan too was feeling very nervous, shuffling his hands around in his lap. After everyone saw this…saw what he had done…well that would be it.

Karen noticed Lucas's upset, and worried about him. He didn't need to be so protective of her. She could take-

Her thoughts were suddenly cut off as Andrew finished lifting the poster…as she saw herself back in her high school days…as she read the hideous caption.

It took Keith a while to look away from the horrible poster, but when he did, he turned to Karen, instantly reading the shock in her eyes. His heart lurched at the pain she had to be feeling.

Deb read the words once again, and then turned to her son as he looked back…her eyes asking him…insisting…how…and why.

And Dan Scott, who had been so ready to blame Andrew for simply wanting to get revenge, felt his angry thoughts halted, as the past came back to him…and the pain that Karen had to be feeling…got to him also.

He turned to Nathan, seeing him still sitting there, but his head down now…

And he saw Lucas…sitting there too, and he was looking away from the poster…his eyes filled with hurt…

Feeling eyes on him…Lucas turned to find his father's eyes, piercing blue just like his. Furiously, he turned away, not wanting to give him the satisfaction of seeing how Nathan's actions had affected him.

Dan turned away now too…remembering those bright blue eyes looking at him…and recalled…similar eyes that had looked up to him, with only a slight color change…eyes that Dan was almost positive belonged to Lucas's namesake.

Lucas…it was a name that was familiar to Dan because it had also been the name of Karen's little brother…

Lucas Anthony Roe had been eleven years old when Dan had first met him in Karen's small backyard. It had been after about a week of their dating, and Dan could still remember standing in that backyard with Karen as she introduced him to her favorite brother…her only brother.

Dan had liked him instantly, seeing the same generosity in him that Karen had, the same toughness…and yet just a bit more mischief too. Still young and scrawny, Dan had enjoyed getting to show someone younger his beginning basketball talents. At home he had to always follow his big brother, Keith. With Lucas he got to be the big guy.

Then just after Lucas had turned thirteen, Dan's physique had changed. His build was becoming more that of a young man, and he had many admirers. Yet after a first shaky year of being with Karen, and a bit more of a stable second one, he was devoted to just her. And he was still close with her little brother too of course.

Then that horrific day came. Dan still remembered it vividly…the jarring sound of metal…the screams…the crunch…the bicycle lying in the street…the boy clinging to life…the grim proclamation of the doctors…and then…

Looking back at Karen, Dan immediately felt awful. He was fine with not having her in his life now…at least he always told himself that…he wanted nothing to do with Lucas, the son he had given up…at least he tried to convince everyone of that…including himself. But this…after seeing her live through one of the most painful experiences she had ever had to go through…after hearing her screams of disbelief that night…after holding her as the terrible news was delivered…knowing he was one of the few people she had been able to rely on…

This was something he knew had to hurt her…and as much as it had been his son's doing…he deep down, inwardly… blamed himself for being the start of it.

Noticing Dan looking at her, Karen turned away…angrily.

Then she turned to Lucas. Oh Lucas…oh her baby. No wonder he had been so upset yesterday…no wonder he had given in to fighting his brother. After this, after being confronted with this horrible display, he must have been in so much pain.

The tension, upset, distress, anger, and pain in the room, was undeniable. A part of Andrew wondered if he had made the right decision. But it faded quickly. He knew that this had to be done. The parents needed to see this. And Nathan needed to understand just how awful his actions were…as Lucas needed to be absolved of the pain he had been burdened with.

"Well…I can tell by your reactions that you see the severity of this so called prank just as much as I do. And I am sure you will all agree with me when I say that Nathan needs to face the consequences of his actions…first by apologizing to you…Miss Roe…and to Lucas." Andrew looked pointedly at Nathan. "Well Nathan…now would be a good time."

Nathan swallowed hard. Apologizing…to Lucas and his mom? This wasn't going to be easy…or pleasant. But he was the one who had gotten himself into this whole mess.

Deb spoke, finally finding the ability to voice her disgust with what she was witnessing…the terrible picture…the sickening caption… "Oh my…Nathan…I can't believe THIS is what you did! And that you tried to make it sound like so much less last night…Nathan…how could you do this?!"

Nathan turned back to his mom, seeing the upset in her face that accompanied the distressed words. But he said nothing to her. There was no way he could defend himself for this one.

Andrew understood Deb's upset, but he remained focused on Nathan…fully intending to have the boy apologize right away. "Nathan Scott, I would like you to stand up and tell both Lucas and Miss Roe just how sorry you are."

Dan was half angry and half accepting of Andrew's demand. He didn't care for the guy basically humiliating his son, but he also was still shocked and appalled by Nathan's actions.

Feeling unsteady and hot suddenly, his face flushed, Nathan stood up carefully and turned to his brother. "Um…I'm sorry…Lucas."

Lucas looked right at Nathan as he gave his apology, and then turned away with disgust. As far as he was concerned, Nathan Scott could hand out a hundred apologies...and it still wouldn't matter. It wouldn't change what he had done. Besides, the guy was probably only doing it because he was being TOLD to. It probably meant nothing to him.

"And now to Lucas's mother, Nathan."

Nathan shivered slightly. This was going to be…saying he was sorry to Lucas was bad enough. But having to say…having to tell her he was sorry…was going to be a nightmare. He slowly turned around and faced Karen, seeing right away the effect of the poster on her…and once again entirely regretted his decision to put it up. "I…I'm sorry Miss Roe."

Karen said nothing, aghast by what Nathan had done. But as much as she wanted to blame him for such a horrible thing, she felt even more anger towards his father…the person who had caused so much of this tension and misery between their two families.

And there was Lucas. Knowing that her son was in pain, Karen fought to forget her own distress, not wanting Lucas to have to deal with any more than he had already been burdened with.

"Fine...then. Sit down Nathan. I have more to say to you. I do believe saying your sorry is an important thing. But I also believe that it is not enough in this case. Your actions yesterday were totally uncalled for. That prank was something that personally I find reprehensible. I have seriously considered having you removed from the basketball team."

Nathan's eyes widened with shock. Removed from the team? He wasn't going to be able to play basketball anymore?"

Dan jumped up at that remark. Yes, what Nathan did was awful, but there was no way he was going to accept his removal from the team. Nathan was their best player and the school was lucky to have him. "No way…no way are you doing that Andrew! You can't take him off the team! I'll fight you all the way through the district! I'll prove that this is just some act of vengeance against my son because you can't leave your teenage years in the past!"

"Dan…sit down!"

Dan bristled with anger, but sat down at his wife's angered words.

Still sitting with a clearly upset Karen, Keith shook his head. Even here in the school, Dan was acting absolutely awful.

Nathan turned to Lucas, receiving no answer of his feelings from the unyielding look on his face.

Andrew smiled tightly. It seemed Dan Scott hadn't changed one bit. "I don't even think it's worth it for me to comment on that last sentence. And as for fighting me…I wonder how the district will feel when they learn the truth about a certain bus stealing incident…the actual identity of the driver…what do you think Mr. Scott? Do you think they would react favorably to that?"

Nathan's eyes widened at the mention of the prank that had caused a significant part of the team to be removed…that had given Whitey the excuse to find Lucas and encourage him to join the team. This principal was finding out everything and was obviously not going to just sweep the incident under the rug for the sake of the athletics program.

Furious still, Dan wondered too how Andrew could possibly know the truth…that Nathan had been driving that bus. It didn't matter though…that one stupid incident that Dan had been incensed with Nathan about, could ruin his future career in basketball. It would be best to give up this fight…for now anyway.

"Fine…then." Andrew spoke again, calmly. "As I was saying, I seriously considered removing you from the team Nathan, until I realized that it would just end up hurting the team more than anything. Then I came up with something else…something I think might be even better. I hope you don't have your Saturdays too heavily planned out Nathan, because the first half of those days will now be spent at a center for kids with…well some problems. What those problems are you might see a little more as you start to work at the place. You also might not…considering the type of work you will be doing there."

"What kind of work?" Nathan asked with curiosity and dread.

"I'll let you find that out from the people there. Now, enjoy tomorrow, because starting next week, you will begin your new position and your Saturdays will no longer be so…free. Of course it is volunteer work. There will be no pay and no benefits."

"Ha-ha-ha" Dan remarked. "Very funny. And I don't want Nathan involved in anything dangerous."

Deb nodded her head, having to agree, even though she did believe that Nathan should have to serve some kind of punishment. "I'm sure Mr. Baxter wouldn't set up Nathan in a dangerous situation, right Mr. Baxter?"

Andrew nodded his head briskly, his tone serious. "Of course not. I would never place a student in a threatening situation. It is simply a place for underprivileged children and some that have problems at home. It has a professional staff that are very qualified, and what Nathan will be doing will not at all put him in any danger. He will have very minimal interaction with others."

Nathan grimaced. "Every Saturday…I'm going to have to go to that place every Saturday?"

"Well it's either that Nathan or you can turn in your Ravens uniform."

Dan bristled. "Look, I don't care for your sorry sense of humor Andrew!"

Andrew turned to Dan. "I wasn't trying to be funny Mr. Scott. I am completely serious about this. If Nathan chooses to not work at the center, I plan to have him removed from the team. I am confident that with the poor grades he is now receiving and his involvement in that stolen bus incident, I will have no problem convincing the district."

"You're enjoying this, aren't you Andrew?"

Deb gave Dan a hard look. "Dan…stop it."

Andrew smiled sadly and then shook his head. "No Mr. Scott. Of course I am not enjoying this. I receive no pleasure from having to discipline students for cruel acts against other students. I receive no pleasure from having to call in parents to let them know that their child has been involved in a hurtful incident. I am doing this, dealing with this now, to avoid any future problems…to prevent them before they happen. I am doing this so that all students have a safe and comfortable school environment. This is not to alienate Nathan or make Lucas look better than him. This is simply to show both boys that with actions there are consequences. Now, Lucas was not the one who put up a disturbing poster. It was Nathan who did that, and that is why he must be the one who has to deal with the consequences."

"And what about Tim, Mr. Baxter? You said he was involved too?"

Andrew nodded his head at Deb's question. "Yes Mrs. Scott. I have already arranged for him to work at a center for the elderly and I will be meeting with him and his parents shortly. I would have had him at this meeting too, but I felt this was a more personal situation between your two families, so I didn't want to involve more people than was necessary." He turned to Karen now. "I will be having him apologize to you very soon though Miss Roe, and to your son Lucas too of course. Trust me, his involvement in this incident will not be forgotten." Andrew turned to Nathan. "And Nathan, I need for you to know that if I hear of any more incidents, any type of pranks…anything to hurt another person…I will immediately have you removed from the team and pursue juvenile court measures. Is that understood?"

Nathan nodded his head slowly. "Yes sir."

Andrew turned back to everyone, satisfied with Nathan's answer. "Fine then…I'll give you boys some time with your parents and then I expect you to head right back to class…"

I****I

Lucas stood in the vice principal's office now that Mr. Baxter had allowed him, his mom and his Uncle Keith to temporarily use. Staring at a framed award that hung on the paneled wall, he said nothing. It was so much easier to focus on that wall, to lose himself in the intricate vertical lines than to face his mom.

"Lucas…honey look at me please."

Lucas had difficulty in finding his voice…a rawness touching it now…making him wish he could swallow down a whole cup of water. When finally he felt himself able to speak, it was very quietly. "I…I didn't want you to see that Mom. I didn't want you to have to see that disgusting picture and those awful words…I…"

Karen moved behind her son, holding him close from behind. "Oh honey. It's okay. You don't have to worry about me. I told you last night…it's all right. I just want you to think about yourself…not feel like you have to protect me."

Feeling his mom's hands around his waist, Lucas closed his eyes. "But after what he's done to you…after how he just hurt you so much…I didn't want you to be hurt anymore. What that so called brother of mine did…after everything his father's done to you…I know it had to hurt you. And I didn't want that Mom! I wanted to protect you! Why did that temporary principal have to show that picture to you?!"

Karen turned Lucas around gently, but firmly. "Because it was the right thing to do Lucas. It wasn't right for you to be burdened with the memories of that picture alone. I needed to see it so I could understand what Nathan did. That is why he showed it to me."

Lucas's blue eyes were big and questioning. "And it didn't bother you?"

Karen shook her head slowly, seeing Keith standing nearby in support. He knew. He knew how much it had hurt her. He knew the memory of the past had brought pain with it. And he knew that as much as she had hated having such a horrible thing done to her own son, it had also affected her because of its past reminder. She had ended up alone. She had no real father for her son; even though Keith was such a wonderful uncle to him and loved him as a father would, it wasn't the same as having your mother married and your father living at home with you…it didn't change the fact that his own father had turned his back on him…and that was something that had always bothered her. "Yes Lucas…I can't lie to you. You know that. It bothered me. But mostly I just felt so awful for you. I am so sorry that was done to you and that you felt you had to keep it from me. I told you before Lucas, you don't need to protect me. I'm happy with just having you in my life."

"Hey…what about me?"

Lucas and Karen turned around, smiling at the hurt look on Keith's face. Karen was the first one to speak. "Oh Keith…I'm so sorry. We didn't mean to forget you."

Lucas joined in. "Yeah Uncle Keith…how could we forget you?"

"Yeah…how could you forget me?" Keith pointed to himself with a serious face. "I'm Uncle Keith." Then he laughed easily, hugging them both. It had been an emotional morning for everyone…and it seemed some laughter…and closeness was needed.

I****I

"Oh my God Nathan! I can't believe THIS is what you did! That you lied to me last night...that you kept this from your father and me! How could you…what would even make you do such a thing…such a terrible thing?"

Hearing his mom's disbelief and anger, Nathan looked up at the ceiling of the principals' office that they were temporarily using, inspecting the glare of the lights. "I don't know."

"Well that is just NOT good enough Nathan. That picture…those words…that was just disgusting! Didn't you even THINK before you put that up…didn't you have the decency to realize that what you were doing was something horrible…something so hurtful?"

"No. I guess I was too stupid to realize that one Mom."

Deb raised her hands with frustration, not knowing what else to say…feeling so angry with her own son.

Noticing the tension in Deb's face and some more paleness, Dan moved forward, placing a calming hand on her shoulder. "Deb…"

"Don't you dare defend him for this Dan!" Deb pointed at her husband furiously. "I don't care how it interferes with basketball or not! I am not just going to stand here anymore and do nothing as our son slowly self destructs and continues to show no respect for us…for himself or others. I am not going to allow him to do this Dan. I want our son to grow up to be a good person, a mature young man. I want him to graduate with good grades. I want…"

"So I guess you're disappointed in me Mom?"

Dan finally turned to Nathan with firmness. "Look Nathan, I didn't like the idea about possibly taking you off the team. But I will say this. You went too far with this prank."

Nathan laughed dryly. "You're the one who told me to do whatever it took to show Lucas up…to prove to him that he shouldn't be involved with the team. You're the one who has always told me to not accept him…to hate him!"

"I didn't say for you to hate him Nathan or to do anything like this."

Nathan shook his head. "Man…you tell me one thing one day and another"

Deb cut him off quickly. "That is enough Nathan! And Dan…you focus so much on the basketball that you don't even see just how badly your son is doing in school. Mr. Baxter said it himself. Nathan needs to do better if he wants to stay part of the team." She turned back to Nathan with a fiercely strict look in her eyes. "And I want you to know this Nathan Daniel Scott, you are now grounded. You will not be using the car except for school and to go to the center you will be working at on Saturdays. There will be no parties and no dates until your father and I start seeing a change in your attitude." Deb wanted to say more, but the rush of anger and upset was making her feel weak at the moment, so without even waiting she walked out of the room, telling both of them that she needed some air and a moment to herself.

Dan's expression was questioning as his wife left the room. He knew why she was upset, but…something was wrong. Something was just not right about her appearance…and it was starting to really worry him.

"So…Mom's kind of mad."

Dan frowned, turning away from the door. "Yeah Nathan. She is. And I have to agree with her on some things."

"You mean you're not going to get me out of the grounding?" Nathan asked nervously.

"No."

"But Dad, this grounding and the working at the center…it's going to take away my time to practice and"

"Well you got yourself into this mess Nathan. You went too far with that poster! I told you to deal with Lucas on the court, to focus on your own game and to make smart decisions. I said a couple of little pranks were no big deal…but this Nathan. This was too much. And I think you even know that."

Nathan's tone was derisive. "So how different is what I did yesterday with what you do everyday…huh Dad? Ignoring your so called other son…and making everyone around you miserable…how is that any less worse?"

"Nathan! I am your father and you just better watch what you say. Your mother is right. You need to learn some respect."

Nathan shook his head. "I can never make you happy…can I Dad? I do everything…everything you ask…just so…so…Oh forget it."

Dan wanted to counter that, but was too lost in thought. Something was wrong with his wife. He just felt it…and it frightened him. His son was acting up instead of focusing on what was really important…basketball. And…

And there was something that he didn't quite understand, but couldn't deny either.

Karen…

The look of pain on her face, the remembrance of the past with that picture, the flashback of the little brother that had inspired Lucas's name…

For almost eighteen years now he had insisted to himself and to everyone around him that he didn't care, that she didn't matter…that his firstborn son didn't matter. He was tired of hearing over and over again about the mistake he had made…the questions of how he could have just turned his back on his own son.

He was sick of people hounding him about that. He had been a kid…forced to make a grown up decision. And he had made his choice. He had one son now…one wife.

And yet…Karen's face today had brought back so many memories. The reminders that Lucas's face brought practically unnerved him.

The past was dead and buried…right?

Oh how he wished, but he had a feeling that something was coming…something that would open up every locked door…letting out all the pains of yesterday.

I****I

She practically ran out of the room and into the hallway. Looking up, she noticed the sign for the girls' bathroom. That queasy feeling still ailing her, she entered it, relieved to see that no one was there. Taking another look around, she entered one of the stalls, closing it behind her.

Holding onto the sides, she slowly fell to her knees…and was sick.

I****I

Brooke walked into the bathroom, intent on using her restroom excuse as a chance to get a break from her boring Geometry class. Hearing a flushing sound, she realized she was not alone. Her curious mind wondered as she made her way to the mirror...

Getting to the mirror, Brooke frowned at her image, forgetting about the other person as her mind focused on more important matters. Time for some beauty touch up. She took out her mascara and started applying it to her lashes.

The stall opened, the person looking pale and…

Very familiar!

"Mrs. Scott?" Brooke asked with shock. She turned around, putting a hand on the woman's arm. "Are you okay?"

Deb looked at Brooke with confusion for a second and then realizing who she was, that she was Brooke, a friend of Nathan's since he had been in grade school, yet someone who didn't come to the house that often except with Peyton, she attempted a smile. "Oh…hello Brooke."

Brooke's eyebrows furrowed with concern. "Mrs. Scott…Are you okay?"

Deb laughed lightly, even though her legs felt shaky, as she carefully made her way to the sink and splashed a bit of water on her face gingerly. "Oh…oh yes Brooke. I'm fine. I just…I think I just need some air."

Brooke nodded her head slowly, though not totally convinced. "Oh. Okay. I…well…" Brooke spoke cautiously. "I guess you're here because of Nathan."

Deb spoke quickly, just wanting to leave, so she could get to a fountain and take away the remains of the horrible taste, even after having used a small bottle of breath spray in the stall. "Yes Brooke. I know too by the way what happened yesterday in the hallway. I know about the poster."

She knew? Dan Scott probably knew too. Oh boy. Nathan was in big trouble. "Oh."

Deb could think of nothing else to say…and wasn't really feeling up to much more conversation anyway, so she attempted to excuse herself without sounding like she was in a rush. "Oh Brooke…I'm sorry, but I really must be getting back now…to my family. I'm sure you should be getting back to class too."

Brooke nodded her head, getting the hint and yet still wondering about how Deb was acting. She looked so…so…

"Well then. Take care Brooke."

Brooke smiled in a friendly way. "Sure Mrs. Scott. You too."

Deb smiled and then left, heading for the first water fountain she could find.

Leaving Brooke to wonder…why had she looked so pale…and why did she get the feeling that something was wrong with Nathan's mother?

I****I

Deb stopped a ways down from the bathroom after drinking some cool refreshing water, letting it wash away the remains of the bad taste. She closed her after making sure no one else was around. Oh…she thought…

It's happening…it's getting worse…

My own son is like a stranger to me.

While my husband refuses to acknowledge his own mistakes.

I need more time…

I have so little time.

Let me know what you think. I enjoy reading your comments.

To be continued…