• " Wow, Jay! I never knew you could play the piano." Stephanie praised.
    " Oh yea. I love the sound of the piano. Do you like Claire De Lune?" Jay asked.
    " I love Claire De Lune. I used to play it, but I forgot the notes." Stephanie's voice faded away.
    " Here I'll teach you."
    " Okay..Crap. Dad will kill me!" Stephanie poked Jay.
    " But, it's only four!" Jay checked his watch.
    Stephanie eyed Jay.
    " Okay. Hurry, Steph!" Jay rushed her.

    ***

    " You're late, Stephanie." her father scolded her.
    " I'm sorry, Dad. Jay was playing the piano for me."
    " Well, did you guys finish your homework."
    " Of course, I finished my homework."
    " That's good."
    " Uhmm..I'm going to the park to see Jay."
    " You just saw him!"
    " Well, am I not allowed to enjoy the beautiful weather?"
    " Fine. Just be back by six."
    " Thanks, Daddy. Are you sure you'll be okay by yourself? Did you have dinner yet?" she checked.
    " Yea, I'll be okay, honey. I already ate. I just have to fill out these papers."
    " That's good. Bye, Daddy." she hugged him goodbye.
    " Bye. Remember six."
    " Mhmm. Love you."

    ***

    Stephanie searched through her black bag looking for her phone.

    " Hey, Jay."
    " Hey. What did he say?"
    " He said it was fine. I have until six."
    " Okay. I'll see you there.
    " Yep."

    Stephanie grasping her phone saw the blinding red stop light. She looked to her left and saw her mother's favorite restaurant. She could still see red lights flashing everywhere, but then a familiar image formed in front of her eyes. It was her mother.
    Stephanie turned around listening to all of the other cars honk at her car. She honked back angrily. What was happening?

    " Name please, miss." a young waiter asked.
    " I'm sorry. That's my mother. Do you mind if I talk to her?" she pointed.
    " Certainly."
    " Er..thanks.."

    He led the way to her mother's table.

    " Stephanie?"
    " Hello, Mother."
    " What are you doing here?"
    " I'm going to eat here, darling. And can I ask so myself? What are you doing here?"
    " No, Mom. Answer properly. What-are-you-doing-here?" I slowed the words down.
    " Honey.."
    " Who are you waiting for?" Stephanie's voice getting higher.
    " No one. Are you going somewhere?"
    " Yes I'm going to..wait. Stop changing the subject!" she shouted.
    " Stephanie, I'm waiting for a friend. Cool down, baby."
    " I'm not a baby anymore! And I'm not stupid."

    A man walked through the restaurant's foyer, waving at the angry girl's mother. Her mother waved back.

    " Who the hell is he?"
    " Watch your language, dear."
    " Why are you all dressed up?"
    " We're having.."
    " Don't answer that!" she barked back.
    " Bab..Honey.." she remembered.
    " You know what? Explain this! How come Dad has been signing ALL these papers lately? Why are you never home on time for dinner? And last, what have you done with my mother?" Stephanie cried with anger.
    " Sweetie, things..have..changed."
    The mysterious man came just in time to sit down as Stephanie ran crying out the doors.

    ***

    As she drove to the park, Stephanie thought of all those times her mother and father would fight in the middle of the night. She'd go to school with no rest and get bad grades. And what was with those stupid papers her Dad had to sign?

    " What's wrong?" Jay hugged his best friend as they lay on the kelly green grass.
    " Mom..Dad..Never.." she cried resting her face in her hands. She looked up.
    Jay wiped away her tears with his gentle fingers. They both sat up and Stephanie laid back on Jay's chest.
    " What happened, Steph? I'm here." he soothed her.
    " I was driving..then..at this restaurant..and..Mom..this guy..I'm sorry..I can't breathe."
    Jay listened politely while playing with his girlfriend's long beautiful curly brunette hair.
    " What's next? I don't want to lose you too."
    " That will never happen." his voice hurt.
    " How do you know?"
    " Well." he took her hands and placed then inside his and put their hands against her heart.
    " I, Jay, will never leave his beautiful girlfriend, Stephanie. Ever." he finished.
    " Aww..Jay." she kissed him.
    " You know, I'll always be there for you.
    " Always." they both smiled.
    Jay got up.
    " Wait here."
    " Where are you going?"
    " To pick flowers."
    " For who?"
    " You."