Very unusual, very very unsual. Everything was so quiet even the television had been turned on but it was like the time was dead. Little Charlie was left alone again and he was silently drawing the new art on the wall which Caleb had painted white a month ago. He might think it was too plain so he decided to add the new patterns on. It was an animal that might be a giraffe with the four legs that looked like snakes. On the dining table, six quarts of Poppy Gelato’s Ice-cream was left melting. No, he looked closer; the sherbet flavor quart was empty. Four quarts of chocolate mint gradually melted, also the quart of chocolate with caramel and Macadamia. In the kitchen, the cooking pot on the stove was almost burnt. Charlie ran to them while Bianna closed the door. There were the traces of sherbet ice-cream on his rosy cheeks and lips.copyright protection37ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8eRsdT0WYC
“Why do they leave Charlie alone again?” He spoke to himself struggling to free from Little Charlie who ran around him jovially.copyright protection37ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7jTaj0RKB
“They’re melting, love” Bianna collected the ice-creams in the fridge and turned off the heat on the stove in her signature—calm manner. They still smelled the pot burning.copyright protection37ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbuS6PfFCc
Charlie still played with his father saying “Jesse and Alex took me to the mall. We ate Pizza at Mr. Binochino and they took me to the park. I met Olly and Kaysey. We were playing together.” His voice did not conceal the jolly. “Alex brought us the ice-cream. It will be the best day if she doesn’t look so sad. I can’t wait so I eat my part.”copyright protection37ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KqZdESdBR
“Wait? Is your sister sad? Why?”copyright protection37ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTYaN8tO0e
“I don’t know.” Charlie pointed his tiny index finger to his eyes, “her eyes were red and she barely spoke.”copyright protection37ＰＥＮＡＮＡprpUkvJzal
Caleb and Bianna looked at each other. They could perceive that something smelled fishy.copyright protection37ＰＥＮＡＮＡMi6chjQaxr
“Where’re your brother and sisters, Monkey?”copyright protection37ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nl0y981X8
The little one smiled and pointed to his sisters’ room. “After we arrived home, Alex keeps herself in her room. Jesse and Bryce thought she turns strange so they went inside. Alex said the dust was in her eyes. I think it’s still in her eyes so Jesse and Bryce have to help her.”copyright protection37ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnAEhUa1uk
“Oh my dear,” Bianna touched his shoulder. “I’ll go see her. There must be something wrong with her. You take care of Little Monkey.” She said. Caleb nodded even though he died to know what had happened to his daughter. However, before his wife reached the door. It opened. Jesse and Bryce walked out.copyright protection37ＰＥＮＡＮＡngDttUNk4l
“What happened?” asked Bianna.copyright protection37ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6J76hgfie
“They break up. I mean our Alex and the dickhead Davy...sorry mom. Well, she found him fu…I mean with June,” the big brother told his parents in a good short summary. Jesse also added, “Alex needs sometimes…alone. Mom, don’t look at me like that! She asked for it. Not me!”copyright protection37ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyBYdSTnTo
“What did Davy do to Alex?” Little Charlie asked. “I don’t understand what Jesse said.”copyright protection37ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgElK8gxsl
Caleb eyed at Jesse. The big boy sighed and took the little brother away. “It’s something you don’t have to understand yet, shorty monkey.”copyright protection37ＰＥＮＡＮＡTerClyTCNc
“But I want to knoooow” copyright protection37ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbKraYj4md
Caleb turned to Bryce and she gave them a shrug then walked to the kitchen.copyright protection37ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4u7qefGMH
“This is not how I raise you!”copyright protection37ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FWtih1bUO
They could not allow themselves leaving Alexis alone. At this time, the girl needed the encouragement and the good recharging more than ever.copyright protection37ＰＥＮＡＮＡoK09ca7wet
Bianna did not wait for long so she entered the daughter’s room. Caleb followed. He wondered why these kids hurt his child, especially June. He saw this girl since she was little. Not very talkative but she got along with Alexis well. They looked resemble, like adorable twins. Hanging out together, talking to each other, and be good together for many years, June became one of their family members for a long time, he saw them like the gracious rose and the lovely white jasmine. She would be a bigger star like her mother someday if the girl followed her mother’s path. So why?copyright protection37ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHyeOYs4Ff
And the damn Davy, he was shy and polite as Caleb recognize. As a man, Caleb could see his feeling for Alexis was sincere. How could he be so blind? He was the adult and the father. He should have protected his daughter from this boy. Shame on me.copyright protection37ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGVI9d0apU
Caleb did not think he would saw Alexis wailing dramatically and he was right. The girl sat alone in the corner behind her bed. As they approached, they see the girl was looking at the photos of herself and June from childhood to these days. Alexis sat in despair but still in the amazing calmness.copyright protection37ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNFZWRa4np
She did not cry or mourn for the loss of love and friendship but they could see her watery eyes. Bianna sat on her left and he sat in front of her. The last time they comforted the little one might be five years ago when they lost Blacky, the husky dog aged twelve.copyright protection37ＰＥＮＡＮＡx666kV4NZJ
“You’re not ok. Cry, my love. Release all your tears and tomorrow everything will be better. Don’t keep it,” Bianna told the girl.copyright protection37ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3MqYuAcvLB
“I’m alright. I cry enough, mom. Look at my eyes. You don’t have to worry about me. Just…a few days, I need just a few days for…and I will be the same girl you know,” she smiled but it was a very sad smile. Not her nature for being sad. Caleb loved her smile. It was so beautiful and bright as if she was the happiness bringer. But now the bringer was drowning in the sea of despair.copyright protection37ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLp4KlWVpj
It seemed like everything went well for the girl, education, friends, lover, and career. But life is life. The storm takes a visit when everything goes on peacefully. Before people are aware of the danger, the heavy rain cruelly flooded the home.copyright protection37ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXqr3Ln8zn
“My daughter is always strong. He’s not the right one and that’s okay to cry and talk to us, my dear.” His hair caressed the girl’s hair gently. He tried his best to comfort his daughter. Even though they were the entertainers, Alexis had some different traits from Jesse. This third daughter shared some characteristics of him, her father. Caleb usually concealed his emotion, to keep everything inside. Alexis was the same. So he knew well that it was not good to keep the pain within herself.copyright protection37ＰＥＮＡＮＡSC9jBETN9E
Alexis listened to his words so she started talking. “I don’t understand. Why did they do this to me? I don’t understand June at all; I thought we were best friends. How could she hate me so much? She blamed me that I left her. Blame us that our family preferred Elodie. I’ve never left her. And Davy, he said he loved me…so much.”copyright protection37ＰＥＮＡＮＡpypODaaA6A
Young lovers, a few could make it to the finish line.copyright protection37ＰＥＮＡＮＡTryjSB5fKE
Caleb felt like these two youngsters also stabbed him in his back as well. Alexis’s pain was also his. Davy was a good kid as he knew earlier. Anyway, there were two things: first, time changes people through experience and second, they just reveal their true color. Bianna looked at him urging to speak something because the girl was quietly crying. His wife was too sensitive when it was about her children. To see her child in this state and situation, the mother could not even speak but shared the girl’s pain.copyright protection37ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCgMWRqPFz
“Because my girl is good, you deserve better friend and better guy. I cannot answer why they did it to you, to hurt my daughter. But all I know is you will move on. Some love may die but my love for you; the love of our family will never die. I don’t want you to cry all the time or lament for their betrayal but just cry for this moment. This cry will remove all your sadness, I promise. I want you to understand this isn’t the end of your life. One day the happiness consumes you from head to toes and then people, things, even a fly can make you cry. Think that it’s your luck that you know them earlier. You’ve found many true friends like Elodie and the others. And we love you too. We care for you so much and will support you in every way.”copyright protection37ＰＥＮＡＮＡu48UTM54mb
After he finished the speech, Alexis raised her head and they saw the tears dropping.copyright protection37ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfCczvOELz
“Dad,” the girl leaned her head on his chest and cried eventually. He and Bianna sighed in relief.copyright protection37ＰＥＮＡＮＡiobza7rAX7
“My child, my sweet child,” Bianna softly kissed on the girl’s cheeks.copyright protection37ＰＥＮＡＮＡarcjm55r9r
“My face is ruined. My mascara…”copyright protection37ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOHf0hKPVv
Caleb and Bianna smiled at each other. The girl still had the mind for a joke. “Nothing hurts your face, my dear. Your mascara is apparently waterproof.”copyright protection37ＰＥＮＡＮＡoeTAO3IgEG
The girl laughed with tears. Caleb hoped his love would send it to her and all the agony would perish.copyright protection37ＰＥＮＡＮＡnP7z8uFdVO
“Do you think I’ve done anything wrong that make her feel I prefer Elodie?”copyright protection37ＰＥＮＡＮＡFyDmNDEytz
Caleb fanned his head from side to side. “It’s not your fault. To be honest, Alex, you stay with Elodie more frequently than with June. She might feel bad about it but I don’t say the way she did to you is right. You are friends. You should talk.”copyright protection37ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SOXsD1bTG
She bobbed her head in agreement. “That’s what I thought. I love them so much and they’re so mean to me.” copyright protection37ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgvZQDtvRo
They talked and talked and comforted the girl until she fell asleep. Rarely people will find that their first love will become true love. Well, at least his daughter was lucky to know how Davy was before they continued the relationship to the serious level and with the wrong person or got married or having children. It was the first time they saw how fragile she was. She tried not to be dramatic about it but witnessing that scene built the bad trauma for sure. So when they looked at her peaceful sleeping face, they knew she still dreamed of them. Caleb and Bianna kissed the girl’s head, left the room, and let the night healed the broken heart.copyright protection37ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwXXTLBxk4
Jesse, Bryce, and Charlie were waiting for them on the table with the easy dinner meal Bryce had made, sandwiches. The burning smell still diffused all over the room but no one mentioned it or claimed to take the responsibility for nearly causing the house on fire.copyright protection37ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7nXWlpAnAt
“How is she?” asked Jesse, eagerly.copyright protection37ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rKyqAcU64
“She’s sleeping now,” Bianna replied.copyright protection37ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqBgnv2Z2m
“But she doesn’t eat anything.”copyright protection37ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4aK175qHs1
“So you want me to wake her up?”copyright protection37ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwtV4UwhOC
The big boy frowned. “I didn’t mean that!”copyright protection37ＰＥＮＡＮＡl72Xoqsqqv
“Let her rest.”copyright protection37ＰＥＮＡＮＡNuGxvNDWv6
“Is she okay?” Little Charlie asked. He might not really understand why his sister was so sad because of the damn dust and what Davy had done but he wanted to join the conservation.copyright protection37ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHCrCHm9Yb
Caleb nodded. She will.copyright protection37ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkiOhHfK8F
It was eight and a half. The dinner passed slowly and they had to listen to Jesse who complained and cursed Davy and June during the meal (and Bianna would reproach him when he spread any rude words). If the boy was here, his son might kill him certainly. Jesse was hot-tempered. Caleb remembered how his friends had turned entirely surprised when Jesse decided to go to the law school. They had thought he would join the sports club or entered a computer program school. He had a good grade but not a good person who could focus on books for hours like Bryce did. It amazed Caleb and Bianna as well when he graduated with honors. At least, the parents admired his hard-working.copyright protection37ＰＥＮＡＮＡfV9VtEJ6Be
In everyone’s amazement, Davy did come.copyright protection37ＰＥＮＡＮＡczVO1ywnHu
The bell rang while the clock ticked to eleven. Caleb saw Davy standing in front of the door. He pulled Jesse’s shirt in time before his son committed any harm to his sister’s ex. “I’ll talk to him. Jesse, you're studying law, are you? Calm down. Go back to your room right now!” He preferred the fierce dad look. copyright protection37ＰＥＮＡＮＡytPRh7zwRH
Headstrong, Jesse scowled and stomped away with his firm legs. Caleb opened the door, facing the boy’s guilty face. Davy seemed to considerate his ex’s father more than any other time. With athletic body, broad shoulders, thick eyebrows, dirty blonde, and handsome like hell, it was not surprising that he could win girls’ hearts. Alexis was totally crazy about him as he observed the way she spoke about Davy. The boy had been so nice but boy is boy and male is male. Davy grew up stronger and more attractive than the last year when he and Alexis, holding hands, told them they were in the romantic relationship. And June, she was far from ugliness. The older understood that some men can change their hearts within one sight they look at the other woman but some men are exceptional. He had thought Davy was one of the exceptions or would be. Caleb blamed himself again.copyright protection37ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6Dk26ZLdB
“How is Alex?” the boy asked cowardly.copyright protection37ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqaVfcuLzb
“Fine,” Caleb coldly replied.copyright protection37ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8E6ZWdys5
Obviously, the boy could catch the distant tone, his voice volume lowered due to fear and it was like Davy was whispering.copyright protection37ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEcUZe0Z0e
“I’m sorry. I—I—I know it’s late but…can I t—talk to her?” he stammered.copyright protection37ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZELVTXpEw
“No, you can’t. She’s sleeping. Go home, Davy. I don’t think it’s the proper time.”copyright protection37ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVEg1EcecF
Davy tried to focus on his speaking. And this time, the awkwardness was fixed. “I’m sorry, I really mean it. Can you forgive me? Can she forgive me? I love her, truly…Dr. Davis. Please forgive me. Please tell her, I’m really sorry. I’m sorry I disappoint you but…I need your chance…her chance.”copyright protection37ＰＥＮＡＮＡktjxniMohM
The boy did not move waiting for his answer or forgiveness. Caleb began to have the sympathy for the boy. Davy did feel apologetic and care his daughter. It was his braveness to come to Alexis’s home—well as he could see. And Bianna would say that everyone could have done wrong, people deserved the second chance, the forgiveness.copyright protection37ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRMhDHbA7Q
But he cheated on my daughter. He makes her cry. His anger rose again and the heart to forgive him melted down.copyright protection37ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ILLZMpb1C
“It’s my daughter who will answer that. Go back to your home Davy. Your parents will worry about you.” He spoke to the boy with the softer voice, did not know that Davy’s parents were not home today. Davy obeyed and walked back to his bicycle with his chin dropping down on his chest. He was sad and regretful.copyright protection37ＰＥＮＡＮＡQm6aTttFRK
Caleb sighed. This day was not as bright as it ought to be. It was Alexis’s unfortunate love life but the next day, the storms would weaken and she would be stronger than the other days.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXLzIKl8Wn
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