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 protection180ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3W0I9lCDG
“Why do they leave Charlie alone again?” He spoke to himself struggling to free from Little Charlie who ran around him jovially.copyright protection180ＰＥＮＡＮＡAAwatJn3FS
“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 protection180ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCRH9WIPJ3
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 protection180ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZnFxDPk1P
“Wait? Is your sister sad? Why?”copyright protection180ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVqORBaiCK
“I don’t know.” Charlie pointed his tiny index finger to his eyes, “her eyes were red and she barely spoke.”copyright protection180ＰＥＮＡＮＡJuClXqKjB7
Caleb and Bianna looked at each other. They could perceive that something smelled fishy.copyright protection180ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcVpwiiqmp
“Where’re your brother and sisters, Monkey?”copyright protection180ＰＥＮＡＮＡwB15F680Rz
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 protection180ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5FPpG64o3
“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 protection180ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQyg1ivsX7
“What happened?” asked Bianna.copyright protection180ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjqjXvMvEi
“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 protection180ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJuCSW1bxS
“What did Davy do to Alex?” Little Charlie asked. “I don’t understand what Jesse said.”copyright protection180ＰＥＮＡＮＡpw0QFQq0ix
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 protection180ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEMZYxwnhL
“But I want to knoooow” copyright protection180ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6OFG6VASZk
Caleb turned to Bryce and she gave them a shrug then walked to the kitchen.copyright protection180ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRRxFyt17m
“This is not how I raise you!”copyright protection180ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZmZAzWpsB
They could not allow themselves leaving Alexis alone. At this time, the girl needed the encouragement and the good recharging more than ever.copyright protection180ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMenYuFiW4
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 protection180ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3W0Lhi2VcS
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 protection180ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtCNwjRCrI
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 protection180ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcP4FxgNyN
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 protection180ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMC9SqftWU
“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 protection180ＰＥＮＡＮＡM11Yqd3BKk
“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 protection180ＰＥＮＡＮＡckN9o3uOPA
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 protection180ＰＥＮＡＮＡSoHfcSfWEK
“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 protection180ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlPeVcoagc
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 protection180ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmY6Zrg6TC
Young lovers, a few could make it to the finish line.copyright protection180ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3mDt1KKQm
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 protection180ＰＥＮＡＮＡauGuE5WO8N
“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 protection180ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJue3ghXJp
After he finished the speech, Alexis raised her head and they saw the tears dropping.copyright protection180ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qwBGiVYtD
“Dad,” the girl leaned her head on his chest and cried eventually. He and Bianna sighed in relief.copyright protection180ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjNBLb54Gm
“My child, my sweet child,” Bianna softly kissed on the girl’s cheeks.copyright protection180ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLfaKafrFu
“My face is ruined. My mascara…”copyright protection180ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2AWe6mmIaq
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 protection180ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4wgnnSiRC
The girl laughed with tears. Caleb hoped his love would send it to her and all the agony would perish.copyright protection180ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0isaCHgWl
“Do you think I’ve done anything wrong that make her feel I prefer Elodie?”copyright protection180ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrJPHNQxuG
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 protection180ＰＥＮＡＮＡ468acibmnL
She bobbed her head in agreement. “That’s what I thought. I love them so much and they’re so mean to me.” copyright protection180ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOZ0TlUeOC
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 protection180ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CiLVhtTUS
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 protection180ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJOfQeyVzP
“How is she?” asked Jesse, eagerly.copyright protection180ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYftv48wIS
“She’s sleeping now,” Bianna replied.copyright protection180ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOQaCgyUo2
“But she doesn’t eat anything.”copyright protection180ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFQWGWMdwY
“So you want me to wake her up?”copyright protection180ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4IoBEqxVFO
The big boy frowned. “I didn’t mean that!”copyright protection180ＰＥＮＡＮＡCAhYoJYXv0
“Let her rest.”copyright protection180ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyfvcojeN1
“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 protection180ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMFCenvPsR
Caleb nodded. She will.copyright protection180ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfqoThFLao
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 protection180ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1PL2RAuNM
In everyone’s amazement, Davy did come.copyright protection180ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95EBblgYnT
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 protection180ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOpmczvfV2
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 protection180ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0AFZNud2jq
“How is Alex?” the boy asked cowardly.copyright protection180ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AmkYLo4R6
“Fine,” Caleb coldly replied.copyright protection180ＰＥＮＡＮＡIc75dG4opE
Obviously, the boy could catch the distant tone, his voice volume lowered due to fear and it was like Davy was whispering.copyright protection180ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbcNHABRJS
“I’m sorry. I—I—I know it’s late but…can I t—talk to her?” he stammered.copyright protection180ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwEKXPHfc0
“No, you can’t. She’s sleeping. Go home, Davy. I don’t think it’s the proper time.”copyright protection180ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpOrYkowRV
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 protection180ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gSYv9W7KM
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 protection180ＰＥＮＡＮＡobnFKaPy9e
But he cheated on my daughter. He makes her cry. His anger rose again and the heart to forgive him melted down.copyright protection180ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUu1m7iB02
“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 protection180ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLUS2Au60K
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.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSN6KlTsskl
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