A million scenarios played in my head. What if Jen was pregnant, how would things become around the house? Although a part of me wanted to have a brother or sister, I wasn't sure how David would feel after Melanie. I had never met Melanie, but she was my twin sister that died after she was born. My mom would talk about Melanie, when she was having her good days. Mom said that it took David weeks to hold me, but after he held me, he never wanted to let me go.


I drifted into the house as calmly as possible, which proved to be harder than I expected. I hastily placed the food into their respective places.

"Sam is there something bothering you," Jennifer asked.

"No, Why would something be bothering me," I said quickly.

"Okay," she said with a skeptical look on her face. "Well, I am about to start dinner. Freddie went upstairs to finish his homework."

"I should be back by dinner time," I said as I headed toward the door.

"Wait, where are you going?"

"To Tucker's we're just going to talk and maybe get some work done."

"Okay sweetie," I froze at her words. I couldn't decide if I liked the sound of it or not. It sounded right, coming from her mouth.

"I'm sorry, it just slipped out. I really wasn't thinking."

"It's okay, I like the sound of it," I said with a small smile on my face.


Walking to Tucker's house was a lot shorter than I would have liked. Before I knew it I was standing directly in front of his door. I was struggling to work up the nerve to knock on the door.

A spark of courage surged through me; I took a deep breath and knocked. My heart pounded loudly against my chest, as I waited nervously. I could hear footsteps approach the door, and then someone pulled open the door.

"Hey sugar, how may I help you," an elderly woman asked.

"Umm hi, my name is Samantha. Does Tucker live here," I asked meekly.

"Yes he does, what do you want with my grandson," she asked curiously.

"I'm a friend of his, from school."

"Well, then come right in. Any friend of my little Tuck is welcome in the house. My name is Lucy, but you can call me Lu," she said as she stuck her hand out.

We shuck hands and she led me towards the living room. Lu had a warm smile on her face as we sat down.

"Can I get you some lemonade or ice tea?"

"No thanks, could you just tell me where tucker's room is?"

"Down the hall to, it's the first door to the left. Now let me know if you need anything," Lu said sweetly.

"Thanks Lu," I said as I stood up and walked to Tucker's room.

The closer I got to his room; I could hear muffled cries coming from the other side of the door. I braced myself and opened the door.

"Hey Tucker".

Tucker was sitting on his bed, facing the window when I walked in, but he instantly turned around at the sound of my voice. He quickly wiped away the tears to hide the fact that he was crying.

"What the hell are you doing here," he demanded.

"Ummm L-Lu let me in," I said stumbling on my words.

"Well get out," he said walking towards the door.

"I just wanted to know why you are so angry with me," I pleaded.

"It's funny how you make everything about you," he yelled.

"What are you talking about," I whispered.

"Maybe I have something going on in my life and I don't want to talk about it with you," he screamed.

I can take a lot of things and I am willing to let people yell at me, but this didn't make any sense. From the first day Tucker was completely open with me and now, he won't let me comfort him.

"Stop pushing me away and talk to me," I yelled.

Tucker visibly shrunk from my sudden outburst.

"Talk to me Tuck, I'm just trying to help you. I know what you're going through."

"Really? Did your mother molest you? Did she tell you that she should have aborted you when she had the chance?"

I wasn't sure if Tucker wanted a response, but he needed to know about my life. He needed to know about my past and what I went through.

"No, but I do know what it is like to be neglected by my mother," I said.

"What are you talking about," he asked.

"You said it yourself that everyone in this town has secrets. I am no exception to that," I said.

I told him everything. Nothing was left untold. Any type of filter I possessed flew out of the window. I told tucker the story behind my ring necklace and why I refuse to take it off. I told Tucker about my mom's drug use and how it took her life, I told him how we didn't always have the means to eat and why I only had a few items of clothing that didn't even fit me. I also told him why I was so insecure and why I still am. Through all of that, I went into my relationship with David and why I resented him for so long. I talked for what felt like hours, but was actually only thirty minutes.

After I was through with my story, Tucker just stared at me without saying a word.

"Are you going to say something," I asked breaking the silence.

"Why didn't you tell me," he asked.

"Because, it's not something I like to broadcast to the entire world. And part of me is ashamed about what happened to my mom."

"I'm so sorry,' he said, while dropping his gaze to the floor.

"For what?"

"It's not you that I am angry with; today is the ten year anniversary of when my mom first started to molest me."

"You where only eight years old when she started?"

"Yes, I didn't know any better. I just wanted it all to end. Thankfully for me, it only lasted two years. Lu came to visit one day unexpectedly and walked in. she pulled my mother off of me and turned her in the authorities. I've been living here ever since then. Every year around this time I get angry, Lu lets me cool off on my own. You didn't know any better, I should have told you," he said.

"Do you need a hug," I asked.

"Yes, I could really use a friend right now." Tucker sounded as if he were about to cry again.

I pulled him into my arms and he rested his head on my shoulder. Tears seemed to stream down his face. We stood there hugging as I rubbed his back. Tucker's cries eventually stopped and he backed away from my embrace.

"Sam, I really am sorry for the way I treated you today. It wasn't your fault," he said sincerely.

"It's okay, just remind me to never get on your bad side," I said jokingly.


"So how are things going with you and pretty boy," he asked returning to his self.

"We have a date this Saturday," I said nonchalantly.

"What," Tucker screeched. "Why didn't you tell me this," he said.

"I was going to tell you this morning, but you seemed a little preoccupied."

"Once again, sorry about that, but you do realize that today is Thursday," he asked.

"So," I said slightly confused.

"I bet you don't even know what you are going to wear," he said.

"I was just going to throw something together," I said. As soon as I finished, Tucker made a face, he looked as if he were physically in pain.

"I don't think so, we are going to go shopping tomorrow after school," he said.

"Umm can-can Jennifer come too," I asked. I don't know why I wanted her there, but it felt like she needed to be there with me.

"Sure," Tucker said.


We talked for a few more minutes, but then I looked down at my watch and realized what time it is.

"Hey Tuck, I have to get home for dinner."

"Okay, I'll see tomorrow morning."

I started to walk towards the door, when tucker called my name.

"Thanks for coming check on me. Not many people would have come check on me after the way I treated you.

"What are best friends for," I said with a huge smile on my face.


The walk home was relatively short, the entire time I hummed to myself. When I reached home, David's car was already in the drive way which means I was just in time for dinner. Walking through the doors, I could hear light chatter coming from the kitchen table, and something smelled delicious.

"Hey guys,' I said as I walked in and sat at the table. I noticed that Freddie wasn't there yet.

"Hey Sam," David said with a smile.

"What's for dinner," I asked as, my stomach growled right on queue.

"Well, Freddie decided to cook dinner for us. Apparently he learned this meal from a friend and he used to cook it all the time," Jen said.

"Oh okay."

A few minutes later, Freddie walked in with a tray and some food. I didn't quit recognize the food.

"What is that," I asked, as my face scrunched up.

"Don't look like that," he said. "It's called spaghetti tacos, just try one," he said with a puppy dog pout.

"Fine," I hesitantly picked up one. It smelled delicious, but I had never heard of spaghetti tacos before. I slowly took one bite and instantly fell in love. The flavors exploded in my mouth. It was by far the best thing I had ever eaten.

"Oh my gosh, Freddie that was amazing."

"I told you so," he said with a smug look on his face.

David and Jennifer each grabbed a taco and quickly understood what I meant. Dinner went by fast, we all seemed to laugh and enjoy our meal and each other's presence. After dinner was over, Jennifer offered to do the dishes and I volunteered to help because I needed to talk to her.

She washed, while I dried and picked up. We went on in silence until I found enough courage to speak.

"Hey Jen, what are you doing tomorrow after three?"

"Nothing, I am off tomorrow why?"
"Well, Freddie asked me out on a date for this Saturday and tomorrow Tucker and I are going shopping."

"If you're asking for permission, then you can go," she said.

"No, that's not what I'm asking you."

"Oh, you need some money," she asked.

"No," I said chuckling a bit. "I was wondering if you wanted to come shopping with us."

She put down the dish she was washing and turned to face me. "Sam, do you really mean that?"

"Yes I do," I said sincerely.

Jennifer pulled me into a bone crushing hug, while simultaneously spilling water all over the floor. I tensed from reflexes, but I forced myself to relax and respond.

"Sam, that really means a lot to me, Thanks."

"You're welcome." We continued to wash and dry in silence.

"Look I can finish up here, you can go. Goodnight."

"Goodnight Jen," I walked upstairs excited about tomorrow.

Okay so I must be the worse person ever. I have been really busy, with softball and a bunch of camps, but now I'm done. So tell me what you guys think. This maybe one of my favorite chapters. Expect more updates soon! Thanks for all the reviews, favorite story and author alerts, you guys are amazing. I'm from the south so Lu is based on my grandma. Thank you to ThatSamGirl for letting me know that my story was entered as a must read. When I post the final chapter I will give a shout out to each of my reviewers individually.