| �No, nothing you can say will�my God Howie, it was her name that came from your mouth. Not mine!� �I know Lee and�� He sighed and pulled the covers over him and sat up. �And what?� �She�s just on my mind baby.� �Why?� �Because everyone has been talking about her. About her and I.� �And what about you and me Howie?� �They all claim they don�t want me and you together.� She rolled her eyes and pulled the robe tighter around her. �Why did you start dating me?� �Because,� he ran his fingers through his hair and looked at her, �I wanted you. Being married was nice, wonderful even and I loved my kids, loved my wife. But I wanted to see if I had that touch still.� �What touch?� �If I could have any female. Even after I had gotten married, I still had women throwing themselves at me. But once they found out she was pregnant, it�s like I became off limits. They were willing to wreck a marriage, but not a happy home. So, after years of not having it, I thought I had just lost my touch. But if I could get someone younger to fall in love with me, I knew it wasn�t me.� �I had plans for us Howie. To get married, to be happy, to have nice things.� Howie�s head snapped up and he stared at her. �Nice things? Were you planning on working?� �No, I thought that you, I mean, you loved me so�.� �You thought I would buy them?� �Well, yeah. Didn�t you buy Resa nice stuff?� �I think once or twice.� Lee just shook her head. �You have tons of money and you only bought her a few things?� �She understood that I didn�t want to spend it.� �Well I don�t. And if you�re not willing to spend every waking minute with me and all your money on me, than you don�t need to be with me.� Howie nodded his head and crossed his arms over his chest. �I see where this is leading. You only wanted me for what I could do for you. Get out Lee.� Lee just stared at him, not moving, not even blinking. �Get out now.� She blinked once and saw the anger cross his face. �I�m not going to tell you again damn it!� She quickly grabbed a few clothes and ran out of the house. Howie sighed and hung his head, too many thoughts running through his mind. I sat in the chair, my head in my hands, my gaze looking out the window. The night sky was black and the stars twinkled back at me. I had gotten a call 30 minutes ago that Hoke was not getting released that afternoon, that he had a relapse and had another heart attack. Everyone was here yet no one was talking. I dropped the kids off at my mom�s, explaining I had to go and I didn�t want them to be a burden. She understood and I could only smile. I heard the doors open and close and turned my head to the man standing there. Before I could turn my gaze back, his eyes locked with mine. He hugged everyone and stopped beside me. I looked up at him and he held his hand out. I softly placed mine there and he yanked me into his arms. I snaked my arms around his waist and laid my head on his shoulder, the tears falling freely. �What is going on?� John asked Pollyanna, taking in the scene. �And where the Hell is Lee?� �I know about as much as you John.� John glanced at his sister and stared at the couple, still wrapped in the embrace. �Shh Theresa, I promise you everything will be okay.� Howie stroked my hair and I finally stopped crying but I refused to leave his arms. His arms, the same arms that were supposed to be around someone else. I stiffened and he felt it. I looked back up at him and tried to free myself, but he wouldn�t let me go. �We broke up.� �And that means what to me?� �That means I have to say I�m sorry to you.� �It�s a little late, don�t you think?� I finally pulled out of his embrace and watched as the family members all left, leaving me and Howie alone. Yeah, they knew we would be talking. �No, it�s never to late to say I made the biggest mistake in letting someone like you go.� I only snorted at that comment. �I understand you don�t believe that, but it�s the truth. I learned tonight just how much I love you.� I stared at him and he grabbed my hand. �Look, I promise you that I will not hurt you anymore.� �Why did you do it in the first place?� �Because I wanted to see if I could get any woman I wanted to.� �Why though?� �Because, I don�t know. I was stupid.� I just cocked an eyebrow. �What?� �Funny, John said something like that.� Howie laughed and wrapped his arms back around my waist. I stepped into the room and sat down in the chair that was just vacated by John. Everyone had talked to Hoke, hoping something would bring him back. I took his hand and softly kissed it. �Hey dad.� I took a deep breath and looked around the room, knowing no one would over hear what I had to say. �Howie and I, you were right I mean. He was just being stupid and after everyone went on bugging him, he finally noticed it too. Maybe that�s why he avoided you for so long. Avoided all the family. We talked when everyone came to talk to you, talked about why he did it and how we felt. We still love each other.� I laughed at that and bite my lip. �Everyone told me that, yet I couldn�t believe it.� I sighed and hung my head, a tear slipping down my face. �Dad, you can�t leave me. You�re all I have left as a father. And we all need you. Who�s gonna knock John and Howie around? And who�s gonna praise Pollyanna and Angie for doing such good work? And who�s gonna help me with those little terrors for kids I have?� I heard the door open and saw Howie. He smiled and walked up behind me. He placed his hand on my shoulder and I glanced down at it. I beamed as I saw the gold band there. �I have in my wallet.� �And you never noticed it?� �I hardly open up my wallet.� He laughed and glanced down at his father. �Doctor says we have to leave, get some sleep and they�re call us when he gets better, if he gets better.� �He will Howie, I have faith in him. I made him a promise and he has to stay here to make sure it comes true.� �And what is that?� �That somehow I would break you and Lee up and get back together with you.� �You made my mom talk to me.� I shrugged and he shook his head. �Going to my mother was plain wrong.� �She told me you avoided family functions so I figured that after everyone bugging you about the past, it would stay on your mind and surely something would come of it. If not, than something was wrong with you all together.� I kissed Hoke�s cheek and smiled down at him. I walked to the door, taking one deep breath and opened it. |
| The Heart Won't Lie By: Resa Dorough (thanks to Terri for the title) |
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