| He thanked her and, forgetting about his hunger, took off back into the shopping mall. He was able to locate a payphone, and a simple white pages. Ralston Mackey was the only Mackey with his entire name listed, and Pacey could have sworn it was a quarter inch larger than the rest. He made note of the address, and hailed another taxi. He hadn't a clue what he was going to say when he got there, but something told him he needed to go. He had deserted Andie before, and he just couldn't leave her again. She was a sweet person, and she didn't deserve what she had to put up with. Ralston Mackey's house wasn't hard to spot, either. Although situated in an obviously 'well to do' neighbourhood, the Mackey estate outshone the other houses on the lane. Pacey had always figured Andie for a "white picket fence" girl, but she had obviously settled for more. Metal gates opened to an almost sprawling estate. Tall trees framed the large, white house, which housed at least two layers, and probably more than 10 rooms. He had the cabby drop him off at the gates, which were wide open. A side driveway showcased two brand new cars, both black, large and obviously expensive. He wondered which was Andie's. He got to the front steps, and reached for the doorbell. The sound echoed through the entire house, before a maid in a black uniform approached. "I'm here to see Andie," he said, shortly. When he saw her confusion, he added, "Andrea." "Is she expecting you?" The girl asked. "Tell her it's Pacey Witter." The woman disappeared, momentarily returning with a nod, which he took to mean he was to follow her. He walked down a long hallway before reaching a large room, where Andie was seated, watching over the young girl, who sat contently playing with her toys. Andie didn't look up when he entered, but the maid left them immediately. "The mind is an amazing thing, isn't it?" He said, suddenly. Andie jumped at the sound. She turned to look up at him, her eyes big. "What does that mean?" "Mera," he said, coming to sit beside the child on the floor. "She's so happy, and yet her mother's life is falling apart before her eyes." "Why did you come here, Pacey." He was stunned by her question. Not so much because she was questioning him, but because he didn't know what to tell her. "To see if you were alright." "Well I am," she replied, coldly. "So you can go back to your perfect little life now." He ignored her sarcasm. "But you aren't okay." "And you aren't my boyfriend anymore, Pacey!" She cried. "So stop acting like you care." "Andie," he came to sit beside her. "I do care. I've never stopped caring about you. Just because we broke up, doesn't mean we couldn't stay friends." "Friends?" She sobbed. "You wanted to be friends? Well, it's a little late for that now, isn't it?" "It's never too late for anything, McPhee." "Andrea. My name is Andrea." "Andrea Mackey, I know," he said. "But whether you're Andrea Mackey or Andie McPhee, you don't have to stay here." "Don't have to? Pacey, you don't know what I have to and don't have to do." "No, you're right, I don't. So why don't you tell me, huh? Tell me what he's done to make you stay here." "He � He pays the bills, he takes care of me. He loves Mera, and�" "But does he love you?" She was silent before answering; and when she did, her voice was slow and hard. "I want you to leave now, Pacey. Get out � you can go back to your little friends, tell them that I'm okay, and never look back. But get out." "You know I can't do that. " He said, softly. "And don't tell me it's none of my business, because you are my business, Andie. I'm going to do everything in my power to help you." "I don't need your help!" "You honestly think that because you take the hits, your dear husband would never lay a hand on your daughter? You leave him alone with her for one minute, and�" "But I don't. I never leave him alone with Mera. Never. And that's why, Pacey. That's why I can't leave. Because I love her too much, and I would never forgive myself if something happened to her." "So take her with you, then! Apply for custody, you're her mother, for crying out loud!" |
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