Unraveling the Secrets and the Lies--TEEN--CC--Part 16,17

[Ti88]

Part 15: IQ=Brains….NOT!!!!

“I don’t get it. How can two of the most intelligent people I know, be so stupid?”

“Isabel that’s uncalled for.” Max was back to his protective - my world revolves around-what have I done-Liz mode.

“Max did what he thought was best. You weren’t there. You don’t know how hard it was.” Liz jumped into ‘I’ll protect and defend no matter what he does or how stupid - even when we are around friends - feel sorry and understand Max mode’

Isabel couldn’t believe she was hearing this. It was like someone coming along and knocking the arch over before the keystone is put in with these two. Although killing them wouldn’t solve anything smacking them both upside their heads would bring some relief. At this rate she was going to need Maria’s oils to calm down. “Sit. Down. And. Shut. Up.” This is not happening. Her king of a brother had come back to change things because they were too ‘happy’. Happy. Only Max and Liz would be unhappy at being happy.

“Do you two enjoy being miserable that much? Michael has done some off the wall things before; but even he wouldn’t do anything this dumb. That’s why you didn’t come back to one of us. You knew what we’d do. You went to Liz. She’s the only one of us dumb enough to not only go along with it, but be cruel about it as well. Because in case you didn’t know, Liz that was cruel. You’re right we were dead when this plan of yours hatched. You think I’m scary now? Imagine what 14 years of practice would have enabled me to do.” Alex just beamed as the others shrank back a little. Growing up with 2 girls as friends you knew where to and where not to step. This was her show now. He was glad to be in her protective inner circle. But he couldn’t muster the strength to fell sorry for anyone. Somethings had to be done with a heavy hand especially with this group.

“You guys are just like Romeo and Juliet. The balls in your court and instead of going for the ace you’re content to volley back and forth. Their story is a tragic one time has romanticized. It wasn’t the love that brought the families together but the pain that was caused. They were married. Married and bound by the laws of man and God. Instead of taking a stand and fighting they decided to cook up a scheme that was as hair brained and water logged as this. There is nothing noble about that. You both always want to take the easy way out. You claim you want to be together, but you want it on your terms. Neither one of you lives in a bubble. There are people around you. And instead of working with that you come up with this? The idea is so we feel sympathy for poor Max and Liz. There are only two people in this room anyone needs to be feeling sympathy for and that’s Maria and Alex. They should have walked but they didn’t. Are you two ever going to stop hiding behind your noble cowardice?” She was fuming now. The only thing that kept her grounded was Alex’s hand on hers. He would apply enough pressure to know he was there and she was not alone. And that she was doing fine.

“Hate to break it to ya, but Tess didn’t leave cause of you two. She left because she had no reason to stay. And while that does not really pose a problem now it could in the future. We can never lose contact. We are all in this together and we are all family. That doesn’t mean we won’t leave Roswell for a time to travel, go to college get married. But in the end this is home and this is where whatever battle is going to take place will happen. We all contributed to the way the future played out. I am very upset that neither of your future selves realized that. This changing things should have been a group effort. I can see the need for a contact person, but if the only thing wrong was Tess left, then it would take all of us to fix it. Where is your common sense?”

Isabel got very quiet. She didn’t realize she had been talking for so long. She was thirsty. As if reading her mind, Alex produced a glass of water. “Thanks.” She glanced around the room. Everyone seemed to be in deep thought - good. Although both Max and Liz had the arrogant martyr thing going on. “I don’t really have anything else to say on the matter expect this. Happiness. We were happy. Before Liz was shot we were just trying to survive. But never happy. You may not want your happiness, but I want mine. I’m happy now and I was going to be happy in the future and you two selfish, self righteous individuals tried to take that away from us and from your selves.I won’t let you do it.” Isabel didn’t have anything else to say. She sat back down and motioned for Alex to say something.

Alex thought about all the things he could say and realized that he couldn’t really add anything to what Isabel had already said. And he didn’t want to take away from it. “Well it’s late. We all have a lot to think about. I think we should get some sleep and tomorrow we’ll…well that’ll be for tomorrow.”

[spacebois pixie]

brillant want more please

[Island Breeze]

HeHeHe! I'm loving this! Again! I just love your titles: Tess Gets A Clue, Michael Gets Touchy Feely, So Help You Buddha, Hurricane Hits The CrashDown... oh, and I'm Blonde/I Grunt... I'm Not Stupid. I had to put those down while I remembered them.

“Fine Liz, I’m leaving, but this isn’t over. When you are ready to tell me the truth, call me.” She walked over to Liz and gave her a big hug. “And no matter what happens, I will always be your best friend chica. No matter what. Love you.” Maria walked out the Crashdown, and Liz crumpled to the floor wandering if all that she was doing was worth it.

Awwwwwwww. That must have hurt! :

Jim couldn’t believe what he heard. Why it shocked him more than finding out aliens existed he didn’t really know. But it did. “Let me see if I have this straight. Liz came to you and said it was a matter of life and death you pretend to sleep with her to get Max and Tess back together and you just figured he had done something to hurt her and she was just getting revenge. Max catches you guys. No don’t say anything. I’m not done. And then when Tess comes to call your bluff saying they know its not true…I’m guessing Maria and Michael here. You fly off the handle and call her a whore. And just because your ego was hurt. That’s what this whole thing between you two is, isn’t it? You are still a little po’d about Max and Liz and just when you and Tess were about to have something going on - which we’ll discuss the rules for that in this house later - this happens. So you being hurt and trying to keep a promise you lash out and hurt Tess.” Jim just shakes his head. “Nothing is ever easy with you kids is it? I mean on top of all the normal teen angst things there is this. God what I would give to have the worst problem for you guys to be you got busted for staying out passed curfew caused you just wanted too.”

That was great! Valenti let Kyle hear the unadorned truth.

Isabel just looked at him. A lot of pieces fell into place, but the puzzle also got a heck of whole lot bigger. “So let me get this straight. Max sees Liz and Kyle in bed. Which was a set up. Michael finds out. Tells Maria. They figure out something if fishy. She goes after Liz. Who confirms it. He tells Tess. She goes after Kyle. He confirms it and flips. She moves out. No one is talking to anybody else. AND no one thought to tell us about this?”


“Yep. That’s about it.” Alex knew it wasn’t going to be good. Whatever Isabel was going to do, he almost felt sorry for everyone else. Almost.

Almost. Right! It seems that everyone, and I mean everyone, has heard about it, even Liz's parents. That was quite a conversation with Jeff. But I liked Isabel's decision to finish her date... And I laughed at an earlier statement by Kyle or someone about "until Michael and Maria find him."

“I’m finishing my date. We will deal with them. But not tonight. Tonight is for stargazing and pure unalien magic. It wasn’t important to tell us a week ago; I’m not going to upset my life to deal with it this minute. It will keep. And if it doesn’t, then I’ll go out happy.” With that Isabel placed her head back on its spot on Alex'

Isabel couldn’t believe she was hearing this. It was like someone coming along and knocking the arch over before the keystone is put in with these two. Although killing them wouldn’t solve anything smacking them both upside their heads would bring some relief. At this rate she was going to need Maria’s oils to calm down. “Sit. Down. And. Shut. Up.” This is not happening. Her king of a brother had come back to change things because they were too ‘happy’. Happy. Only Max and Liz would be unhappy at being happy.

Sorry, I got behind on reading this. I'm loving it. Please post more.

[Ti88]

Sorry guys but thank you spacebois pixie and gerry and anyone who is reading for reading. I didn't forget about this tale. and i actually have sveral more parts ready to post, which i thought i had posted. but i guess i didn't. oops.

gerry it is wanderful so see the parts you pulled out. those are some of my favorite. and i am having blast coming up with chapter titles. at first they were to keep me on track - summing up each part in a one liner. then it stopped being functional and was fun. so i was like i'll keep them.

My Word is still on the fritz. What I am posting now was already done and saved in my email. This is like taking forever to finish...but I will finish it. I have to...I started this when I was new to all things Roswell. And even though Roswell and I are old friends now. This fic reminds me of when it was all new and fresh. And I feared to post a story...heck I was kinda scared to post anything. And it had nothing to do with the people. The people were great. I'm just shy. In the shadows and the wings I enjoy being. You would think having cyberspace between us was enough...but anything you create carriers part of you with it. Fanfiction/fandoms is all about the creating. Now I post and get butterflies, but that fear...that fear is gone. Or if its there, its a lingering memory of what was, showing the trail of whence I came, marking where I am, and propelling me forward. So please bear with me as I work to finish this and enjoy the ride with me along the way.



Part 16: Where do we go from here?

She stood in front of the door of house at an hour she never thought she would be standing at. Well at least not going in…leaving maybe, but not going in. But she needed some answers. She didn’t expect to get them all, but she hoped to get the ones that at least would let her know that she hadn’t failed as a parent in certain areas. All she was waiting for now was the door to open.

Who in the world is knocking on my door at this hour? Kyle and Tess are over at the Evans’ for Isabel’s and Alex’s little interrogation. I can’t believe I still owe him. “I’m coming. I’m coming.” Rushing to the door being careful not to hit the coffee table Jim peeked out the window and opened the door to reveal - Amy Deluca. “What are you? Do you know what time it is? Not that I’m not happy to see you, but…”

Great. Just great Valenti. You got a woman standing on your doorstep, the kids are gone, and all you want to do is play 20 questions. Real smart. “I’m sorry where are my manners come in Amy and have a seat. Anything to drink?”

Amy shook her head at Jim and walked in. If the situation wasn’t so…well whatever it was - she promised herself she wouldn’t get worked up before she knew for sure - seeing Jim getting all tongue tied would have been cute. Heck who was she kidding it was cute. “I know you’re wandering why I’m here. It’s about Maria. I’m worried and I need some answers. I’ve been hearing things and all Maria would tell me was it between Max, Liz and Kyle. I’m not really here about the rumors so much as I’m here about Maria. Maria and Michael.”

Jim looked at Amy. And running a hand through his hair and over his face, wandered where to start. What are they all coming out of the woodwork now? How many more parents are going to come to me about information about their kids? “Well Amy what is it exactly you want to know? I mean I don’t really have much I can tell you.”

“Can’t. Or won’t?”

“It’s a little of both. Now before you get mad, why don’t we see what I can answer about Maria and Michael for you.”

“Deal.” Amy thought about it. “Jim I know there are things you can’t tell me. For whatever the reason is the kids have taken you into their confidence. Even so. It is the each other they rely on lock, stock, and barrel.” She paused. “I guess I just need to know I didn’t fail. I didn’t screw up her life. That’s she has a chance and is happy. She’s got so much potential and I don’t want her stuck here by force.”

Jim looked at Amy. He couldn’t tell her it all but he could give her she was asking. He just hoped it would be enough. “Ok. Let me see if I have this right. You want to know if Michael and Maria are having sex. No. How do I know? Believe me those kids aren’t thinking about sex. Is Michael going to break your daughter’s heart? Not if he can help it. Is Maria doing anything illegal? No. Is Michael doing anything illegal? NO. Are they failing out of school? No. And to answer your most important concern - did you fail as a parent? NO” Jim stopped and looked at her. He didn’t know if it helped any.

Amy just thought about what he said. He answered her most pressing concerns. Although she knew there were many things she could have done differently, she accepted that hindsight was 20/20 and you could only learn from them not dwell on it. Unfortunately the things Jim said didn’t really make her feel better. She just knew there was something big on the horizon. She figured she would have to be patient and wait. Patient. Waiting. Two traits the Deluca women weren’t known for. But she couldn’t run her away from her. Her mom did that to her. And while Maria wasn’t pregnant or left by her husband she was obviously involved in something serious.

“Thank you Jim. No. It didn’t really help. But it did give me something to thing to think about. I want to say thank you for being there for them. And for being there for me.” She got up. “I am going to go home now and wait for my daughter. Do me a favor. Tell Maria I love her. And if she ever needs another adult to talk too she can come to me. No matter what it is. Even if its she’s pregnant or into something illegal. Hey I don’t care if its something out of this world to her and she thinks I just can’t handle it. I will stand by her.”

Jim just looked at Amy and decided he would definitely give Maria the message. Although if Amy knew how out of the world things were, he wasn’t sure she be as calm as she claimed. But he knew she would be in the kids’ corner. She was one special woman even if she didn’t always think of herself that way. Jim held the door open for her. “Hey Amy. I want you to know that you are a very special woman.” He gave Her a hug. “Please feel free to drop by anytime - day or night”

“Thanks Jim I will. I wander if the kids realize how lucky they are?” She gave him a kiss on the cheek. “’Night.”


“Philip look.” Diane Evans pointed to what looked liked three additional cars parked in front of the house. It was almost 6 in the morning and it looked like Isabel’s little meeting had turned into a sleep over. Philip took in the extra vehicles and made a decision. Things couldn’t keep going on the way they were going. Those kids haven’t all been right with each other for over a week. Isabel calls a meeting and wham its let have a slumber party. Well we weren’t supposed to know it was a meeting, but how else did she manage to get them all over here? He couldn’t take too much more. The Parkers and the Whitmans and Amy felt the same way. But Valenti - now he just seemed to go with the flow, now that he had stopped harassing the kids. Another puzzle. One day the man was out for blood and the next thing you know he’s everybody's best friend.

“That’s it. I am going in there and finding out exactly what is going on. I have been patient, but I won’t sit on my hands any longer. Those kids have a choice - come clean or…”

“Or what Philip?” Diane knew her husband was just desperate with wanting to know so he could help, but the last time they tried to back Max in a corner he looked as if the world was going to end. She just knew trying to force their hands would be disastrous. “Its not going to work. I want to know as much as you do. And I know that they are hiding something and it isn’t a oh Mom Dad we shop lifted, got tattoos or body piercing in unmentionable places. It not sex related. Its something totally unknown to us. In their eyes us knowing would make us stop loving them. Don’t give them the ultimatium. They’ll take it.”

Philip looked at his wife. She spoke with such conviction. “How do you know?”

“I’ve had a lot of time to think about it. I think about it when they go see that shrink. I think about it when they don’t come home. I think about it when there are rumors going around school. I think about when my daughter decides to close herself off and hid behind two guys. I think about it when the sheriff wants nothing but to get my son. I think about it when I hear my son cry in his sleep. I think about it when I have dreams with my daughter in them that seem real. I think about it when it seems like all our kids belong to some weird exclusive club. I think about it when the only people I see them talk to is the same exact people.” Diane paused to get a grip on herself. Falling apart now would only make things worse. “Philip what else am I supposed to do. I’m their mother. I’ve seen the videotape over and over again. I think about why they were in the desert all alone and naked. I think about that until a shooting Michael was the only person they ever got close to. That’s all I have is my thoughts. At first I worried and I realized that wasn’t helping. It was slowly eating away at me. I decided to be productive about it. I began to think. And I thought about everything. I weighed and I thought and I crossed of my giant list all the things it couldn’t be.” She placed a hand on the side of his head until he looked at her.

“Think about it. Philip our kids tell us just about everything else. Up until the shooting they didn’t do anything out of line. We had two perfect children. Never broke curfew. Never rude. Always did their work and in the case of Max exceeded that. Isabel was involved, giving open. For almost 16 years we had a picture perfect family. And while the other parents can’t say it was picture perfect the problems weren’t on the level they are now. I tell you whatever is going on is big and its probably dangerous. We can’t afford to alienate them. They need us.”

“What if its illegal?”

“I don’t think Jim would be helping all of them if it was illegal. He might protect Kyle, but he has the resources to do that without bringing the others for the ride.”

“Why does he get to be a part of this?”

“I don’t know?” Diane looked at her husband and realized he was jealous. “Philip he isn’t trying to take our places. And I don’t think the children went to him because they wanted to unburden themselves. I think they didn’t have a choice. And I think now he’s as much a part of this as they are.”

Philip realized his wife had a point. If he gave them, especially Max, an ultimatum it could blow up in his face. Max could and would chose the or if he felt it was the right thing to do. What was he supposed to do? His wife had the ‘thinking’ part down pact. Maybe drop a hint or two. “Ok. You win. I won’t march in there and drag them all out of bed, demanding an explanation. But I will drop subtle hints. You know to remind them that I’m a lawyer and I could be useful.”

Diane murmured a prayer of thanks. She knew how much this was costing her husband. It was costing her the same thing. Maybe the kids would tell them. Maybe this would prove to them they could be let in on the secret too. “Good now lets go around back so we don’t wake them. Who knows what time Isabel let them go to sleep. You know how she is when she’s on a mission.

[Ti88]

I thought I'd throw in 2 parts.

Part 17: Deep Sleep Thoughts

It was around 10:30 - six hours after they had all gone to bed. The only sounds heard were Michael’s and Alex’s stomach. Initially after being dismissed by Alex they had gone off in-group of two, two, and four, just to end up in the Evans’ family room. The eight of them had even managed in sleep to form a circle - displaying the innate unity of the group. A unity they could not seem to find right now, even though they desperately needed it.

Tess couldn’t take it anymore. She didn’t think anyone had a louder rumble than Kyle but she was wrong. She awoke thinking something had blown up only to find out it was just Michael and Alex and their stomachs. I now longer want to be Maria or Isabel - I don’t care how perky and elegant they are. I will kill Kyle if he ever sounds like that. I am not going to get anymore sleep. I am going to take a bubble bath and hopefully use all the hot water. As she took a deep breath to put her self in the mood she smelled what was causing the ruckus. Breakfast was being cook. Fine Michael is off the hook; but Alex gets a home cooked meal. Doesn’t matter. Kyle will make sure there is some food for me. He will if he wants me to keep cooking.

Diane awoke to an empty bed and did not think much of it. She knew her husband wouldn’t do anything to drive her precious gifts away and break her heart. Going into the shower she could definitely hear part one of his I’ll-drop-a-hint-and-see-if-they’ll-open-up plan. He was cooking breakfast. I hope there is enough in the kitchen. Diane had overheard more than once the girls talking about how much Michael, Kyle and surprisingly Alex ate. By the time she was finished and started down the stairs she could smell the food. Maybe this isn’t such a bad plan. Maybe we left our kids a little too much on their own. Relying a little too much on the fact they always come to us.

Tess was glad no one had come to knock on the door. She needed this time to herself to think. Everyone was shocked at the idea of time travel. She of course wasn’t. That was one of the last things Nascedo told her before…well before. Tess didn’t need to ponder that. I followed through in the future in a plan that I abandoned months ago. I was just so lost when he died. I didn’t expect to be. But I was. And things weren’t really working at Jim and Kyle’s. But we worked through them and I got a family. What changed my mind in that future? It couldn’t have been Max and Liz. Isabelle must have been right. But what changed from now to then? The possible answer made her shiver and she used he powers to heat the water and make more bubbles. Sending the bubbles into the air she slipped back into deep thought. Maybe I went with that other plan. Tess shook her head. No! I said no to that before Nascedo died. In fact it was the only thing I was able to convince he of all those years ago. And it got him killed. My last and only gift received from the man who pretended to be my father. He not only decided to play double agent but he kept me out of it completely. I was no part of his deal with the devil. She changed the floating bubbles to stars and then changed their color. I should tell. But they’ll never believe why I waited. Maybe that’s what happened. I told them and they couldn’t take it. And I couldn’t take them not taking it. Maybe I left because of that. She made some patterns, spelled out Kyle’s name and made a decision. She just hoped it was the right one.

If Tess thought she was having it hard, she should have been in the room, when everyone was waking up. Michael’s and Alex’s stomachs made sure of that. Or more to the point Maria’s elbow and Isabel’s dream walk which resulted in loud yelps from both of them. The yelps woke up Kyle who thinking it was his alarm rolled over and did pushups. The laughter, which resulted from, this woke up Max and Liz. They in turn looked around like the laughter was some enemy out to get them. By this time everyone had realized two things. One, food was being made. Two, Tess had beaten them to the hot water. Things had yet to go back to normal…well what ever was normal for them. With nothing else to say or do they bid each other good morning and raced to the other bathrooms.

Jeff had been looking for his wife. There was a crowd coming in and he needed all the help he could get with his 2 star waitresses and his cook not coming in till later. He stopped in front of Liz’s room. He should’ve checked here first, but figured he would give his wife sometime. Things were getting really crazy and she was starting to climb the walls. She wanted answers and she wanted them now. He shook his head and hoped Diane was having an easier time with Philip. He didn’t think so. Opening Liz door he found the room empty. He walked across to the balcony. Sure enough wrapped in Liz’s favorite swarpi and clutching an old bear was his wife.

Nancy looked up at her husband as approached. “Jeff what is going on with our daughter?” He sighed.

“I don’t really know. I’m guessing last nights study group turned sleepover had something to do with it.”

Nancy shook her head. “That doesn’t answer the question. I tired of the questions. I called Amy this morning to see if Maria had gotten back and she said no. I asked her if she knew anything and she said no. But she sounded different.”

Jeff looked at his wife. “Different how? Did she say something? Hint that she knew something?”

Nancy realized this was getting to him as much as it was getting to her. He just had a better way of dealing with it. Or at least he was projecting he was dealing with it better. Whenever Liz waked through the door, Nancy was tempted to grab her and shove her in her room and board up the balcony, until she told all. But she won’t a little voice kept telling here. She’ll take it with her to her grave if she feels it’s the right thing to do. “No not different like that. Like she has gotten some kind of peace from somewhere. She said right now she was going to concentrate on being there for Maria and her friends – without strings. Just be there and hope that by doing that if they ever need something they’ll know she’s in their corner. ‘Give to her what was never given to me and hope it makes all the difference’, were her exact words.”

Jeff thought about it. She probably had a talk with Valenti too. That was his basic idea. He had seemed let down at first. Even jealous. He knew Valenti knew if not all than most of it. The important stuff. But after talking to Diane he started thinking maybe this was the way to go for now. He was going to talk it over with his wife, but she seemed to have already heard the line from Amy. “And what do you think?”

Nancy looked at her husband and looked around herself. Sometimes you have to have faith. “I think its an excellent idea. A hard one because it’s a need to want to know what’s going on with your children. But I trust Liz. I trust Maria. I trust Max. I trust Michael. I trust Alex. I trust Isabel. I trust Tess. I trust Jim.”

Jeff looked at his wife. “You just trust all of those people? Just like that?”

Nancy looked up and smiled. “Yes.” She paused. “Yes I trust them because I trust my daughter. And I trust my daughter’s judgment. It may not always make sense to us. But that’s what we’ve been educating her for isn’t? To make her own decisions. To take what she knows and make her own choices. She’s not going to get it right all the time. Neither do we. But she’ll never learn and never grow if she never makes them sometimes.”

“What if those choices take her away from us?” Jeff voiced what was on all the parent’s mind. The Whitman’s were in last night and although thrilled Alex seemed to be spending so much time with people his own age as well as the fact his group of friends had finally expanded to include some guys, they were getting a little concerned about the many ‘meetings’.

Nancy stood up, met her husband’s eyes, and with more confidence then she felt said the only thing she could. “If her choices take her away from us, then we will be here waiting with open arms and unconditional love if those choices ever bring her back to us.” Jeff looked at wife and sighed. If he was honest he trusted Liz too. He didn’t understand her anymore and in not understanding here, he didn’t want to trust her. But he did. And two years ago he trusted those kids too.

“OK.” Nancy felt all the air leave her body. It was akin to the roller coaster going over that first drop. She started crying. Jeff didn’t know what to do. “What is wrong? I agree you are right. Why are you crying?” Nancy wiped her face with the blanket and shook her head.

“I thought once I came to peace with the decision I had made it would be easy.” She paused. “It’s isn’t. Now comes the hard part.” Jeff looked confused. Then it hit him.

“You’re right. The impact of what we just agreed to do just hit me.” He sighed and came to another decision. “The kids obviously have some sort of secret club/support group…I thinks its time the parents have one.”

[Island Breeze]

A parental support group! I think they're going to need it! Right now the Evanses and Parkers are going through some soul searching moments! I loved that Diane and Nancy both presented such rational views and that Philip and Jeff agreed. These two parts seem to sum it up:

“Think about it. Philip our kids tell us just about everything else. Up until the shooting they didn’t do anything out of line. We had two perfect children. Never broke curfew. Never rude. Always did their work and in the case of Max exceeded that. Isabel was involved, giving open. For almost 16 years we had a picture perfect family. And while the other parents can’t say it was picture perfect the problems weren’t on the level they are now. I tell you whatever is going on is big and its probably dangerous. We can’t afford to alienate them. They need us.”

“What if its illegal?”

“I don’t think Jim would be helping all of them if it was illegal. He might protect Kyle, but he has the resources to do that without bringing the others for the ride.”

“Why does he get to be a part of this?”

“I don’t know?” Diane looked at her husband and realized he was jealous. “Philip he isn’t trying to take our places. And I don’t think the children went to him because they wanted to unburden themselves. I think they didn’t have a choice. And I think now he’s as much a part of this as they are.”

Nancy looked up and smiled. “Yes.” She paused. “Yes I trust them because I trust my daughter. And I trust my daughter’s judgment. It may not always make sense to us. But that’s what we’ve been educating her for isn’t? To make her own decisions. To take what she knows and make her own choices. She’s not going to get it right all the time. Neither do we. But she’ll never learn and never grow if she never makes them sometimes.”

“What if those choices take her away from us?” Jeff voiced what was on all the parent’s mind. The Whitman’s were in last night and although thrilled Alex seemed to be spending so much time with people his own age as well as the fact his group of friends had finally expanded to include some guys, they were getting a little concerned about the many ‘meetings’.

Nancy stood up, met her husband’s eyes, and with more confidence then she felt said the only thing she could. “If her choices take her away from us, then we will be here waiting with open arms and unconditional love if those choices ever bring her back to us.” Jeff looked at wife and sighed. If he was honest he trusted Liz too. He didn’t understand her anymore and in not understanding here, he didn’t want to trust her. But he did. And two years ago he trusted those kids too.

:D