Chapter 50

At around 6:15 a.m, the winter sun rose over the distant power plant, bathing Peach Creek in a hue of beautiful golden light. As the rest of the Peach Creek teenagers remained in their dreams, the incessant beeping characteristic of a digital alarm clock permeated Double Dee's room. Sleep did not come easily to Double Dee the previous night, and he was quite exhausted.

Ed and Eddy had brought Double Dee back to Ed's house to play video games after leaving the Kanker sister's trailer in an attempt to take his mind off of the breakup for a little while. Shortly after they entered, Kevin and Rolf made their way through Ed's bedroom window to join them.

As much as all four boys attempted to lift Double Dee's spirits, he was too upset from the circumstances he was faced with that afternoon to concentrate on anything they were saying. Double Dee was particularly saddened by Marie's last words to him that day.

"I'm sorry I just can't"

Those words continued to ring in Double Dees head as he made his way out of the comforts of his quilt. For the first time, he made no attempt to make his bed, and proceeded downstairs to have a bowl of cereal.

Double Dee was of course greeted by a yellow sticky note on the kitchen wall next to the telephone written by his mother. His father was still in Guam finishing up a project for his company and his mother had left around an hour or so earlier to perform a surgery. He took the sticky note off of the wall and quickly read it:

Edward, Please mop the kitchen floor, and take out the garbage

-Love Mom

Double Dee sighed as he placed the sticky note down on the table and proceeded to have his bowl of Chunky Puffs. He would set out to perform the tasks that were requested by his mother after he had finished his breakfast. As he ate his cereal, he was reminded heavily of Marie, and the breakfast they had shared after spending the whole night talking on his couch. He longed to be able to share that kind of night with her again. He wanted to tell her that how much he cared for her, and stroke her beautiful black hair once again. He wanted to have her in his arms as he rested, and be able to feel her warmth and smell her beautiful scent.

Just as Double Dee was thinking about Marie, Marie was thinking about her upcoming reconciliation with her Double Dee. All three girls were currently sitting in the upstairs bedroom beginning their morning routine. Lee was searching through the bedroom closet, while May sat on the large bed painting her nails. Marie was sitting in front of the mirror, trying out different hair styles, while Tabby was in the shower preparing herself for work.

"I'm so excited!" yelled May, "I can't wait to see you two together again Marie!"

"Me too!" said Marie as she placed the "Annemarie" necklace Double Dee had given her around her neck. Marie stared into the mirror pouted.

"I just hope he still wants me back…." said Marie.

"Hey!" said Lee, "That guy is really into ya and he's definitely gonna take ya back!"

Lee shuffled through clothes hanging on the bar within the small closet.

"Besides," said Lee, "I'm pickin' out your clothes again. And judging from the strokes you told me, I'd say I did a pretty damn good job the first time I dressed ya! He won't be able to take his eyes off ya."

Lee chuckled as she smiled at her sister. Just then, the door to the bathroom opened, and Tabby emerged fully dressed, on her way downstairs to watch a few minutes of the news before work.

"I'm doing your hair and makeup!" yelled May, "I'll start as soon as I get back, I gotta use the girls room."

May left to use the bathroom, leaving Lee and Marie by themselves. After a few seconds, Lee decided to speak.

"Mom told ya the story about Daddy and her didn't she?" asked Lee.

"Yeah," said Marie, "It honestly broke my heart."

"I know," said Lee, "I would have never expected Mom to be in love. There is so much we don't know about her, and I'm glad she finally told us the truth."

The girls paused.

"She talked to me about what happened to me too." said Lee as she continued going through the closet.

Marie paused before she began speaking. She knew that Lee's past abuse was an extremely sensitive topic to her, and she did not want to say anything to upset her. Luckily, before Marie had chance to respond, Lee began speaking once again.

"You don't know how good it felt to finally let it all go," said Lee, "I could tell by the look in her eyes that she was really hurt that all of that stuff happened to me, and she really wanted to help."

Lee paused.

"She told me that she had been bothered by it for a long time and that she has been looking into this retreat that helps victims just like me." said Lee, "She asked me if I'd be willing to give it a try. It starts at the end of June and lasts three weeks. It's in a small town somewhere upstate in the mountains, and it's non-profit. They have counselors that will talk to you one on one about your issues, and you get to meet other older survivors of abuse as well."

Lee paused as she looked into her sisters eyes with serious stare.

"I figured I'd give it a shot, maybe it will finally give me that something I've been looking for." said Lee.

Marie stared into her sisters serious eyes through the mirror after which she turned around and walked over to Lee.

"I think that's a great idea Lee," said Marie, "Go for it!"

Lee smiled, after which she hugged her little sister in a tight embrace. Lee leaned her head on her sister's shoulder as she let out small tears from her eyes.

"I love ya Marie," said Lee, "I love you too Lee," said Marie, "If you ever need me to talk, I'm here for you too."

Lee pulled away from her sister and began looking through the closet once again.

"Mom's gonna call Daddy tonight and discuss it with him too. She's gonna ask him if he can help me get new clothes, swimsuits, and sunglasses for the trip." said Lee, "She said it's right on the beach."

"That's great Lee." said Marie, "You'll have fun!"

"Besides," said Lee with a grin on her face, "I'm thinking about finally trading that red ugly one piece swimsuit for a two piece. You better watch out Marie! Double Dee's eyes might start fallin' on my goods next summer when we all go down the shore!"

Lee laughed as Marie playfully punched her in the arm. The girls once again calmed down and resumed their activities, after which Lee chimed in once again.

"And I think I'm gonna let my hair grow out again," said Lee in quiet voice, "I think it's time for a change."

Marie had remembered when Lee still had her beautiful long red curls that dangled down past her shoulders. She could also remember being able to look directly into her sisters sparkling blue eyes which were at one time completely unobstructed by her red curly bangs. Even as Marie looked through the old pictures of her family with Double Dee, she couldn't help but notice how pretty Lee's hair had looked.

"I think you should," said Marie, "Your hair was so pretty Lee. And somehow it never even frizzed and was so smooth. I would kill to have those beautiful long red curls!"

Lee chuckled.

"Yeah," said Lee, "Remember when Poppy would call me 'Mini Mommy' cause he said I looked just like Mom."

The girls chuckled before Lee began speaking again.

"I don't know what made me do it," said Lee, "I guess it was all of the anger built up from that creep, and all of the teasing from the girls in school. They always used to make fun of me about my teeth, especially this stupid silver cap. I never felt beautiful, and decided that it was better to be feared in order to survive in that school. I guess that's why changed my appearance and started pushing everybody around."

Lee pulled out a red blouse that, of course, had a slight v-neck designed to show off cleavage, although it was much more conservative than Lee's previous choice for Marie, as she knew anything more would not be allowed under school dress code.

"Bingo!" said Lee, "Here's your shirt!"

At this point, May returned to the room smiling.

"What'd I miss?" asked May.

"Yo May, what the hell took ya?" asked Lee, "I thought you were just taking a piss!"

"Well if you must know." said May, as she smiled pompously, "I was brushing my teeth to get ready for my new smile!"

"Oh yeah that's right!" said Lee, "Daddy's taking you to get your braces tonight!"

"Yep!" said May proudly The girls smiled at May, at which point Lee held up the red shirt to May.

"Yo May!" yelled Lee, "What do ya think about this for Marie?"

"Hubba Hubba," said May, making Marie blush slightly.

"Who the hell even bought all of these shirts with v necks?" asked Marie as she chuckled.

"Beats me," said Lee, "But judging from what you said about Double Dees eyes that night I sent ya over there in that black dress, I'd say the shy little guy is definitely a boob man!"

Lee and May laughed at Marie causing her to blush slightly.

"Well don't just sit there," said Lee, "Here's some jeans. Get dressed already, you gotta a man to win back!"

May chuckled at Lee's jokes toward her black haired sister, after which she made her way towards the Kankers bed. The blonde girl bent down, pulling out what appeared to be a brown shoebox.

"Well since we're all in the mood to get dressed up, I'd figure its time I finally try out my new outfit," said May in an enthusiastic manner, "I've been waiting to try out these boots Granny, Grampy and Aunt Nicky sent me for Christmas, but I didn't want to mess them up in the snow. I was going to wait for summer, but I figured its a nice enough day to show em off!"

Lee turned towards her little sister, smiling as she observed her happily open the shoe box.

"That a girl," said Lee, "Throw in the matching belt and the green dress, and you'll have big Ed going crazy for ya."

Lee placed her hand on Mays shoulder.

"You'll have him begging for you to ride him like a horsie!" said Lee in a playful manner.

May playfully punched Lee in the shoulder, blushing slightly as she did so. Lee snickers were soon interrupted by the shrill, feminine voice of Marie.

"Alright Lee," said Marie, "I'll wear what you want me to wear, but it's only fair we get to dress you too!"

Lee paused and turned around towards her sisters, who were both displaying sly grins.

"Alright whatever, but nothing too fancy just yet!" yelled Lee.

The girls spent the next fifteen minutes doing each other's hair, makeup, and picking out clothes. The girls were finally reforming their true sisterly bonds, something all three of them had since they were little girls, but had been put somewhat on hold for the past few years.

Marie in particular was especially proud of Lee. Lee was, in reality, afraid of the world and what it would think of her. She used her angry words and aggressive actions to cover up her insecurities. She was taking a risk in her own mind by signing up to go on her retreat, but she knew it could possibly help her deal with the demons that have been haunting her for years. Ever since her mother had spoken to Lee, she has said nothing but positive things, and aside from her playful jokes, she no longer delivered insults with nasty intent. Lastly, Marie couldn't wait to see Lee's beautiful red curly locks restored to their original length.

When the girls finished getting dressed, they headed downstairs together to disembark for Peach Creek Junior High. Tabby had yelled up to her daughters that she was leaving for work, and that she would see that night. Most importantly, Tabby shared an "I Love You" with her three daughters. The girls finally made their way out of the trailer, and passed through the construction site, conversing about the finer things in life. Lee and May were quite excited about Marie and Double Dee's upcoming reconciliation; Marie on the other hand was quite nervous. She was hoping that she wouldn't blow it.