The girls went to the beach. Megen didn't say a word to anyone. Yet. She knew she would have to. They walked. Mostly. Up and down the beach. Kristine kept giving Meg glares. Mean and threatening glares in an attempt to keep her quiet. Eventually, the girls were in their swimsuits and tanning in the sun all laid out on beach towels on the beach. Listening to the peaceful sounds of the ocean, the birds, the breeze, and distant crowds of people around as they relaxed. Eventually, Jesse broke the silence with, "We should have brought alcohol." "Jesse!" Megen scolded. "What? I"m just saying." Jesse admitted. Alison then asked, "I'm guessing that Jesse is the fun one out of the three of you, huh?"
Jesse agreed with, "MMhmmm. Got that right. These two are nothin bu plain Janes without me." Sally corrected, "I can be fun." "MMhmm." Jesse muttered. "I can be!" Sally defended. Jesse sat up on her elbows and looked over at Sally before asking, "And what's a fun day to you? Reading a book or something?" "Well.. That can be fun, sure." The girls laughed a bit. Jesse lay back down. All of them just relaxing in the sun. Sally griped under her breath, "I am fun." As they sat quietly. Then Allison complimented, "This is nice." letting out a relaxing sigh. The others agreed. Jesse then asked aloud, "Are we allowed to go to a strip bar?" "JESSE!" Megen snapped! Jesse sat up and explained, "This is Sally's bachelorette party, and I'll be dammed if I let it be nothing else except old lady tea parties and tanning. No offense Sally, but you are like a ninety-year-old soul in a thirty-year olds body."
Sally snickered, almost laughing at that. Allison then asked, "I thought we would be? Are we not?" Flo then answered, "I think sally said no drastic plans." Sally finally sat up and answered for herself. "I don't want to do anything that might make Lightning uncomfortable. He gets jealous easily.. You two know that.." Jesse immediately snapped! "Girl! This is YOUR party! He ain't supposed to know what we do during this time." Megen then argued, "He has a right to, Jess. This is Sally's bash, not yours. You and Bobby aren't normal." "Well, I'd rather be un-normal than a Karen." "Karen?" Questioned Raven. Jesse shrugged and admitted, "I don't know. Something the younger generation says." Allison giggled a bit at that. Jesse was the wild one for sure. Sally then made it clear. "No strip clubs."
Before laying back down and relaxing. Jesse lay down and sighed, muttering. "Can we at least order a dancer?" Megen quickly snapped at Jesse again. Allison laughed at them again. Sally sighed and caved. "Fine. We can hire a dancer." It got quiet as the girls lay there tanning for a little while. All relaxing. Jesse then muttered. "Grandma." Sally sat up and having enough shouted, "Let me remind you, I kissed you on your ridiculous bachelorette party! I am fun and do crazy things still time to time!" Everyone gasped a bit and laughed too. Allison had to ask, "Did you?" Jesse laughed and added, "She did and in front of Mister McQueen himself." Megen then added, "And Bobby and Cal." The girls gasped!
Flo snickered and commented, "Wooh! Didn't know you were that kind of girl, Baby." Sally snickered and corrected, "I'm not. It was a dare and the boys were going to win if I didn't do it." The girls giggled quietly at the picture of Sally kissing Jesse in front of the guys. It fell quiet and relaxing again. Soon though, Jesse asked, "Where are you going on your honeymoon?" Before Sally could answer, Raven asked, "OH! Or is it a surprise?" Sally shrugged before answering, "I don't know. We haven't talked about it yet. Lightning and I haven't really talked about much of the wedding or after at all if I'm being honest." "How did he ask?" Asked Allison. Jesse snickered and added, "Did Francesco get all upset about it?" Giggling and cackling. Sally looked over and glared before replying, "Lightning took me to a fancy restaurant in Italy where he proposed in this shy and cute way. He accidentally said um or uh in his proposal. He was so.. So open and.. And so vulnerable. In a sweet way."
Raven complimented, "You are such a lucky woman. I'd die to have a man that romantic. I mean Hoseah is nice, but no Lightning McQueen." Jesse snickered and added, "According to the track girls, ain't nobody like Lightning McQueen." Sally quickly scolded, "Lightning hasn't slept with that many women. He may have been a little slutty back in the day, but he's no whore." Allison then commented, "At least he found the right girl to marry-no, no! The PERFECT girl to marry." She announced! Sally awed at that. It was truly sweet of her future sister. Samantha then asked, "So? We all are wondering about it. I mean, I know I have sense you bought home your little stray dog or tramp if you will.. How big is it?"
Kristine quickly plugged her ears and shouted "I'm not listening! LALALA! Not! Listening!" The girls laughed. Sally then answered with, "Not answering that." "Awe come on." Jesse coaxed. "I know if it weren't for you, I would have found out. Heck! I might have been the future Mrs. McQueen!" She joked and laughed humorously! Sally snickered and asked, "What do you mean?" Jesse sighed and admitted, "When I fell for Bobby, it was only after my failed flirting attempts with Lightning happened." Sally sat up and asked, "What are you talking about?" Jesse glanced over at her friend then explained further, "The strip club. I was flirting with Lightning. Had my eyes on him originally. I mean, come on. He's rich, cute, perfect hair and dazzling teeth. But he pushed me away, passing me along to Bobby. I look back now and I know it's because he had you. He sort of introduced Bobby and me if you will." "But Lightning didn't know you. When Bobby introduced you to us, Lightning didn't know you."
Jesse snickered and corrected, "Than he didn't want you to know he had met me. Probably just didn't want you to know he went to some strip club. Cal was there too." Megen sat up and snapped! "What!?" Jesse stared at her friends and mumbled, "Woops.. I.. Sorry. I didn't think it was that big of a deal. It's just a strip club." Megen growled. "It's more than that. It's a small and petty lie!" She snarled. Jesse glared and replied, "You're being a bit dramatic there Meg." Megen just snarked, looking away rudely. To change the subject, Flo asked, "So what do you think Lightning is doing back home? Taking a bubble bath?"
All the girls stared over at Flo and one by one kind of giggled then laughed at the thought. Sally sighed and admitted, "A bubble bath is probably good for him. You wouldn't know it unless you lived with him, but Lightning is sort of uptight. Maybe it'll loosen him up." Allison looked over and agreed. "Monty had always been hard on himself. He pushed himself. Sometimes a little too much." Sally nodded. They all began to relax more when suddenly a man's voice yelled! "Look out!" The girls all sat up and looked over when Kristine yelled! "BALL!" pointing up! The girls looked up and BAM! The volleyball hit Samantha right in the face!...
Sam grabbed her nose that was bleeding pretty badly as she sat in the ambulance. Tears running down her face, she cried, "OH I LOOK AWFUL! Just horrible!" She cried pretty hard. Sally frowned and tried lyinh. "It doesn't look that bad.." Samantha snapped back at her sister with, "UGH! You are such a liar! I am hideous! AAAH!" She cried. Ugly cried. Jesse crossed her arms and mumbled, "Looks worse than that." Megen nudged Jesse to hush. Sally took her sister's hands and said, "I'll be right there and meet you at the hospital."
Sam nodded as she whimpered and wiped her eyes. With that, the ambulance took her to the hospital. Sally sighed as Allison placed her hand on Sally's shoulder for support. "Your sister will be okay." She assured. Sally smiled and thanked Allison. Meg glanced over at Kristine then walked up to Sally and asked, "Can we ride together? Alone? To the hospital?" Sally raised a brow but nodded. "Sure." She answered. Meg smiled, but it didn't last as she was trying to think about how this was going to go...
Lightning rolled out from under his newer race car and sat up, grabbing a rag and wiping his hands. He grabbed the beer that was on the garage floor next to him and sipped it then stood up and set it on the bench. He sighed and began thinking of Sally. He missed her. Hated being apart anytime they could have been together. They were apart enough between their jobs. But he wanted her to go and have fun. It would be good for her. Lightning turned and stared at the race car. It wasn't the Bolt, but it was a decent race car. Just not the Bolt. And then he knew exactly what this car needed. Fresh paint. Sometimes it helped bond with the car. SO Lightning grabbed his phone and called up Ramone.
Hello, if you want to schedule any work, you'll need to call back tomorrow. We just closed up.
"No, no, it's me. Sorry for calling after hours. I didn't realize it was already this late."
OH, no problem man! WHat's up Boss?
That new race car I got, want to paint it?
You know it! I've been working on a few new paint scheme ideas anyway. Come on down and I'll show'em to you. Bring the race car. We can go ahead and tape up.
"You sure Flo won't care?"
No man. Bring it on down.
"Alright, see you in a moment." Lightning hung up and sighed with a smile as he stared at the car. This was good. a new scheme is just what this thing needed...
Lightning pulled the race car into Ramon's garage and turned off the purring, rattle of the engine. As he got out the window, Ramone caressed his hand over the front fender and complimented, "I like her. She's excellent." "Yeah, well.. She's alright." Replied Lightning. Ramone laughed and gently slapped Lightning on the back before grabbing some tape and handing it to Lightning. "Start taping Boss." Lightning began at the lights while Ramone grabbed a scraping tool and began taking off some of the decals on the body. Ramone poked, asking, "You talk to Sally?" "Not yet." "Bet she's having the time of her life." "Probably." "How are you doin?" "What do you mean?" Lightning asked as he raised a brow. Ramone shrugged with a smile. "You're getting married soon. I think. Do you two even have a date set?" "No, not yet." "Well, at some point, you are getting married. Nervous?" "About getting married? No."
Lightning answered with a chuckle. "Marrying Sally will be and is easy. I love her and this is what I want." He explained. Ramone snickered with a smile, "Doc would be proud. We all are really. We were all rooting for you two." Lightning just nodded as he taped. Ramone then added, "You ever need anything Man. Advice, help, just an ear, I'm here for you. Marriage can be testing at times." Lightning nodded, but then he remembered how Ramone had been married before. So had Flo... So had Sally. "Actually.." Lightning began. "I'm terrified." He admitted. Which caught Ramone's attention.
Lightning sighed and continued, "Not the getting married to Sally part. I'm ready for that. I'm terrified I'll screw it up somehow. SHe's been married before and it didn't work out. She's lived an entire life before me and I'm.. I'm the screw-up. Racing is the only thing that I have ever done right, and even at the beginning of that, I was a screw-up at it. What if I'm the screw-up of a husband? I mean.. It seems most of the people I know were married more than once, which means the first marriage didn't work out. Sally is my first marriage. The ONLY marriage, I hope. But then we've already argued a little over having kids. I want to wait and she doesn't and Sometimes I think about how we never see each other because of work. Sally works way too much, and I don't know? I guess I use to think my future wife would just.. Follow me and my career. Not work so much I barely see her when I'm not working." "Woah, Woah. That is a lot of overthinking man. Stop. Stop doing that to yourself. You are not some screw-up and racing is not the only thing you did right. Sure, Sally's first marriage didn't work out, but it was for a reason if you ask me. Ben was okay, a good kid, but.. You could tell, Sally and Ben didn't have a connection. Not one like you two have anyway. Plus.. No, part of you wants to marry Sally is accepting her many, many careers."
Ramone chuckled, and replied,. "I have never met such a work-a-holic before. But you love it about her. I can tell The way you're smiling right now after I mention her being a work-a-holic. Ben would have just sighed and pouted about that where you? You get a satisfying grin on your face because that's your wife I'm talkin about, right?" He asked. Lightning snickered and nodded. Ramone smiled and continued, "Mistakes are going to be made. That's alright and it will be okay. Just make mistakes with the person worth making them with man. As for kids, yeah, totally too soon. Talk about it with her though, she'll understand. This is Sally we're talkin about. She loves you and the two of you will work something out."
Lightning's smile faded as he disagreed, "You don't know Sally as I do. When she makes her mind up about something.. She is stuck on it. I hate it when she does it too because she goes all attorney on my ass and I hate it. I hate it because she plays me and knows how to lie to me without actually lying and makes our house a courtroom and makes me feel like I'm the bad guy. Constantly. Only when we fight. Right now it-nevermind. I'm sorry." "Dude. You are marrying a lawyer. You get what you, well, not exactly pay for, but you know what I mean." Ramone chuckled. Lightning nodded, but he hated that Sally treated him like a criminal in arguments and was worried that is what would happen in the future.
Ramone then repeated, "Talk to her man. Talking does resolve a lot of hurt and problems and arguments. Trust me. Flo and I have been to therapy at one point in our marriage over petty nonsense." "What? Really?" Asked the racer. Ramone nodded, "Made us start conversations with I feel and explain your inner feelings. Whatever." He laughed. Lightning snickered then continued to tape up and work on the race car...
Sally stood outside the e-r of the hospital they were at. Her sister was inside asleep and calm from the pain killers. Everyone else had returned to the beach house. So Sally was alone. Alone and thinking about what Megen had told her in the car. Sally sighed and pulled out her phone. She was already hurting for him. For him and the family. Lightning. The McQueen family, that is. Sally sighed with such disappointment then pulled up her fiance's name and pressed call. It rang.. A few times before his low toned voice answered,
Hey Baby.
"Hey.. Are you busy?"
No, I was just watching some tv. How's the trip?
"Um..."
What? What's wrong? Did something happen? Are you okay?
"No-yeah, I'm fine. I'm fine, but.. Lightning I have to tell you something. Something bad."
... Okay...
"Megen walked in on Kristine using... Using drugs this morning."
... Like?.. Pain killers or birth control?
"No."
...
"Lightning?"
No. There's no way. Megen must be mistaken.
"She said she was snorting up white powder on the bathroom sink."
Well... She's lying.
"Megen wouldn't lie and you know that."
Kristine is not-not doing drugs. She's smarter than that.
"Lightning.."
No. No, you're lying.
"Lightning!"
I can't believe you. I won't. Kristine isn't some druggy. She's not like.. Like that...
"I know it has to be hard to hear.. I haven't even talked to Allison yet.. I thought I should tell you first.."
Yeah... Uh..
"If you'd like, I can wait to tell Allison until after the trip."
No... No, if Kris was really.. It needs to be dealt with sooner rather than later. I'll call her. Let me talk to her. To Allison about this before you talk or tell anyone else, okay? I need to think.
"Yeah, of course. Megen and I won't talk to anyone else about it."
Okay.
"... Stickers?..."
Yeah?
"I love you."
I love you, Sally. ... Thanks. For telling me.
"Of course. .. I'm sorry. I know how much this must hurt your family.. I wouldn't tell you unless I truly thought"-I get it, it's fine. Good that you told me. Thank you. I just.. I need to process this and think of how to tell Mom.
"... I am so sorry.. You know, sometimes, people make mistakes and take wrong paths."
Yeah, but drugs? Barb killed herself for them and me... This is just not okay and she knew better. Kristine knew better.
"I know.. I know it sucks and it hurts, but.. Make sure you listen to her. Not saying she has an excuse, but.. Sometimes listening can help her."
Yeah... I love you, but.. I'm going to get off here and think a bit before calling Allison.
"Are you going to call tonight?"
Plan on it.
"Okay. She's back at the beach house with the girls."
Where are you?
"Hospital with Sam."
What?! Why?
"You are going to laugh. Samantha got hit in the face with a rouge volleyball."
... Is she okay?
"Yeah, she's fine. Broken nose, but she'll live. Hurt her spirit more than anything. She won't stop whining about how bad she looks and about how she now is going to have to get a nose job."
That sounds about right.
"By the way... Elias? Really? It's a nice name. You shouldn't be ashamed of it."
I'm not. Who told you? Allison?
"Yeah. Well... I also found out you go to strip clubs without telling me and lie about going."
What? Since when?
"Well, I'm not sure about when it ended or if it even has, but sense Jesse."
What are you talking about?
"When Bobby introduced us all to Jesse. You failed to inform me that you had met her before. In her words, you passed her along to Bobby at a strip club."
Oh.
"Yeah, oh! You are hiding stupid things from me and it makes me question your trust."
I wasn't hiding it from you, just.. I never said anything about it.
"That's hiding it."
No, it's not. Besides, it doesn't even matter. That was years ago.
"Jesse wanted you and that means you probably thought about fucking her at some point."
What? No. What is wrong with you? This is why I never brought it up in some casual conversation! You get so jealous about every woman I cross paths with! I never looked at Jesse like that! Know why? Because when I met her, I already had someone! I had you! I didn't want her, so I let Bobby have his fun with the drunk party girl that walked up to us that night! Stop looking for reasons not to trust me! I love you! Only you! So shut up!
"... Fine, whatever.."
(Sigh) I love you, but I need to call Allison...
"I love you too.. Sorry for.. That."
It's fine, don't worry about it. Just stop being so jealous. I'll call you later.
"Okay. Goodbye Stickers."
Bye. Goodnight Sal.
"Night," Sally replied, then hung up the phone. She sighed and rubbed her forehead. This was going to be a long night and a long day to follow with this drama from Kristine...
Sally returned to the beach house late. Quietly locking up the door behind her. She walked past the living room where she noticed Kristine was up and on her phone. Sally stopped and stared at her a moment. Thinking. How could she want to use drugs? Sally thought about it then decided to walk over and sat down on the couch next to Kristine. Kristine looked up from her phone and at Sally asked, "Need something?" Sally stared a moment then sighed before speaking, "Megen told me." Kristine's face turned pale. "You didn't tell Monty or Allison, did you?" Kristine asked in a scared and quiet tone. Sally frowned a little, answering, "I told Lightning." "WHAT!?" Kristine quietly snapped! Sally tried explaining, "You have a family who loves you and wants to help you and take care of you. You have such a good life, why would you want to throw it away for"-"You don't know my life." Kristine snapped.
"You have no idea how I grew up and how I feel. Not everyone grows up being Daddy's little princess. My father didn't want me, my closest sibling got all Mom's attention because he was such a trouble maker. I watched all of my siblings become screw-ups one way or another. I grew up on my own in fear just waiting my turn to become a victim of my surroundings under Monty." "Oh no. Do not put this on Lightning. You chose to do the drugs, Kristine." "I'm not-I'm not saying I took anything. You're an attorney, why would I tell you anything?" The young woman snapped. Sally stared a moment before gently explaining, "Tonight, I'm your sister, not an attorney."
Kristine stared at Sally. Unsure if she could really trust her or not. Kristine's eyes teared up. She was hurting and ashamed. Sally placed her hand on Kristine's back and rubbed up and down gently. "Talk to me.." She cooed. "You can talk to me.." She assured. Kristine looked at Sally and asked, "But you told Monty.." "I had to." Kristine shook her head, wiping her eyes. "Maybe he won't tell Mom.." "I think... I think you should talk to him. And Allison." "No. No, not Allison. I've never been close to her.." Kristine admitted. Sally sighed and asked, "Are you close to Lightning?" Kristine hesitated before nodding a little. Sally smiled some, replying, "Talk to him. I'm sure he won't be too mad. If anything, he just wants to help. He's your big brother. I have a big brother and I know he looks after me. Annoyingly, but he did before I moved away." Kristine nodded and wiped her eyes once more. Sally then announced, "I'm going to hug you." "Please don't." "Too late, I'm going in.. Slowly.." Sally warned before wrapping her arms around Kristine and hugging her lightly.
Kristine growled and muttered, "Stop touching me." "Okay." Sally pulled away. Still sitting next to her future sister. "We all have someone who looks after us. You have Lightning.. I mean I see that you two have a weird and.. Kind of mean relationship with each other, but I think that's how you two show love towards each other." Kristine snickered and nodded, "I act as if he gets on my nerves all the time, but yeah.. He use to look out for me.. Until racing school. Then he changed. And I had no one. Then he came back only to have you." She snarled and pushed away. Sally's eyes widened. She realized. Kristine was rude and a little mean to her because she blamed her. Kristine blamed Sally for taking her brother away.
Sally shook her head and tried to explain, "I did not. I.. I'm sorry that Lightning pushed you aside for his career, but I"-"Know what? Shut up. You've done enough telling on me." Kristine snarked then got up and stomped away to the bathroom. Sally sighed, but then worried she might take drugs in there. She panicked a little, so she ran off for a moment.
Kristine stared at herself in the mirror. Wiping the tears from her eyes and sniffling. Knock, knock! "Go away, Sally!" Kristine shouted, but the voice replied, "It's Allison, open the door, Krissy." Kristine looked up at the ceiling and shook her head. Sally was a fucking bitch! "I'm just pissing." "Sally told me. Now open the door, Kristine!" Allison ordered firmly. Kristine sighed then opened the door. Allison stared at her sister and asked, "What the hell is wrong with you?" Kristine shook her head and asked rudely, "Where's the bitch that tattled? I'm gonna kill her."
Allison's brows lowered. "Get to bed. Monty will be here in the morning." "WHAT!?" "Yeah, I talked to him." "Are you kidding me!?" "Drugs Krissy? Really? Don't you remember what that did to Mom when Barb was"-"WHAT!? Killed herself? I don't even remember Barbarah! I was too young!" "Krissy..." "No! Shut up and leave me alone. I'm going to bed." She growled then stomped her way to the couch and laid down. Blanket over her and angry. Allison sighed with a frown. It would be better when Lightning could talk to her...
It was a cool morning when a knock came on the door. Jesse walked over as she shouted, "I got it!" She opened the door up to meet eyes with Lightning. Jesse's brows raised. "What are you doing here?" She asked. Lightning sighed, but before he could answer, Allison walked over and said, "I got this, you can go Jesse." Jesse hesitated but walked away. Lightning looked at his sister and asked, "Where is she?" "Watching tv on the couch." Lightning walked into the beach house, Allison closing the door behind him. Sally walked over and she and Lightning stared at each other a moment. Silently.
Lightning didn't say a word to her, instead, he walked around her and into the living room where he called firmly, "Kristine." Kristine looked over to see her closest, older brother then looked away in shame. Lightning walked over and sat down next to her and softly suggested, "Let's go home." Kristine snickered and shook her head, growling, "I don't want to face Mom." "You don't have to. I'll take you back to my place for the next few days." "What?" Kristine asked followed by Sally asking, "What?" Lightning glanced at Sally before continuing his conversation with his sister. "I can keep you company and we can figure out a plan." Kristine rolled her eyes and quietly snarled, "I don't need a plan. I'm fine." "You're not." "Why do you care? You left. You left to your better and fancy life. Why don't you just go back to your secluded paradise with your Beverley hills pet and leave our family alone for good? We're better off without you."
Allison stepped in and began to scold, "Now Kristine, that is no"-Lightning held up his hand in a motion to stop Allison. Lightning sighed and asked his little sister, "Is that really what you want?" Kristine looked at Lightning and broke. She just began to cry, collapsing into his arms and onto his chest as she broke down. "No.." She whimpered. "I miss you.." Lightning hugged his sister then looked up at Allison and Sally and announced, "I'm taking her to our place. I'll make sure she gets back home in a few days." Sally stepped forward and asked, "Is that such a good idea? I mean.. You have-we have a lot of.. Stuff.. In the bathroom.." Allison's brows lowered as she stared at Sally.
Sally immediately explained, "Nothing illegal! Lightning just takes some.. Medications specific for his work." Lightning finally snarled, "It's fine, Sal. Stay out of this from here on out. You can't understand." Sally's eyes glossed over. Lightning was being cold about this and Allison noticed, so she walked over and whispered to Sally, "Let's just go.. It's.. A family thing.." Sally glanced at Allison and asked quietly, "I'm his future wife.." Allison sighed then glanced at Lightning who shook his head in disapproval before standing up and scolding Sally, "You've done your part in this. But this.. You are too good to understand, so, please.. Enough. I got this. You can stay out of this." Sally just snickered, rolling her eyes before walking out of the room. Allison gave Lightning a look before following Sally out. Lightning rubbed his head, brushing his hair back and looking at Kristine. He would take her home as planned and just.. Talk.. He guessed...
Sally watched Lightning leave from the window. Watching his car drive away with Kristine in the passenger seat. Megen walked in quietly and closed the door behind her. "Hey.. Heard a bit of whatever that was.. I'm sure Lightning wasn't trying to be rude exactly.. It's just.. He's protective it seems." Sally turned around and stared at Megen. This is when Megen noticed the tears on her face. "Oh, honey.. What's wrong?" Meg asked. She rushed up to Sally as Sally began to vent, "Lightning hides a lot from me. I never.. I don't understand why he thinks he needs to.. He's so angry and violent and protective over what? Just a few weeks ago, I found out about some Kaylin or Kait, I don't remember now, but.. I don't know Meg.. I.. I don't think.." "Woah, hold on. You don't think what? Are you? ... Are you thinking about leaving him?" "NO! No, of course not.. I.. I just don't know if we should get married, If I should get married." Megen and Sally stared at each other for what felt like an eternity.
Megen shook her head then guided Sally to the bed where they sat side by side and Meg probed, "What's going on?" Sally started crying as she answered, "I am scared that this is a huge mistake! Ben and I were perfect! We were so perfect until after we got married. And Lightning, as much as I love him, he is secretive and mean and cold and selfish and though he can be sweet and kind, and caring... He uses it to hide things from me. He won't talk to me about other women, he won't open up about mistakes he's made in the past, he won't talk about maybe having kids once we're married, and he avoids arguments a lot of the time by walking away." "I'm sorry Sal, but do his past mistakes matter? Are they deal breakers?" Megen asked rudely.
Sally slapped her knees, answering, "MAYBE! I don't know! They could be." "Sally.." "You don't understand. I was married, I had everything I wanted and then one day, I woke up and it wasn't what I wanted anymore." "NO! You are not doing this to Lightning. I love you Sally and you are my friend, but.. But so is Lightning. He does not deserve this. He is a decent and kind man that you are treating like trash behind his back sense you got engaged! I don't think you want to marry him anymore. There, I said it." Meg snapped. Sally stared at her friend. Questioning that. Did she want to marry Lightning? Sally shook her head and argued, "I do want to! I love Lightning, and I want to marry him. I will marry him, but.." "Stop. You are comparing him to Ben. That's what this is, isn't it? You married a decent, mature, well put together, pure-bread of a man and if that didn't make you happy, you're afraid that the tramp is a mistake, right?" Meg asked. Sally sniffled a little, but finally nodded and admitted to that.
Megen sighed and thought a moment before letting out the next sentence, "Okay. In my opinion... Because I never really knew you and this Ben character, but.. ... You and Lightning get each other. Yin and yang, you know? Maybe you and Ben were too much alike? I don't know, but you can't let fear make you run away from this." "I want to.." Sally mumbled. "I feel like I can.. I mean.. I can't, obviously. But I'm so scared and I want to run away sometimes... Never look back.." Megen couldn't believe the crap coming out of Sally's mouth and sighed. She was furious with Sally honestly. How dare Sally act like this. Megen was afraid she would do it too. That Sally would run away. That Lightning would wake up alone one day. All evidence of Sally, gone.
Megen nodded and reminded, "Well, you can't. Lightning loves you and wants to marry you." Sally nodded and admitted, "There was another." "Ben? Yeah, I know." "No. Another man. He made me question my relationship with Lightning completely.. Before he proposed. He was so romantic and kind and he loved kids and was good with them and he was just.. Enchanting. The other man, and then.. I.. I thought it was because of that. Because Lightning was taking so long to reach that next step, but now that we're getting married.. I don't think that's why I was questioning our relationship. I mean, you put Lightning in a room full of children and he's the one who gets uncomfortable and accidentally curses in front of them. I think he's lying to me. About having someone day."
Megen thought a moment before replying, "I'm going to shower, we can all get dressed and go check on your sister before going out and lifting the mood in this place, alright?" Sally nodded in agreement. Megen shot a smile. A fake one, before standing up and walking out of the room. She closed the door then let out a sigh. A disappointing sigh. She was going to have to talk to Lightning. She had to because she was afraid that Sally would run. And she didn't want Lightning to be hurt like that. Questioning what he did wrong when he did absolutely nothing to deserve it...
