Chapter 37

Kevin sat down at the table watching his mom cook.

"So where's Janel going?" Ann asked.

"She's going to visit Dad," Kevin said.

"Oh, that's good," Ann said.

"She feels terrible that she wasn't here to say good bye. She also misses him because he was her dad," Kevin said.

"I know he was, and especially after what Jerry did to her. I still can't believe what she told us last night though. It's so hard to comprehend that my precious little girl was hurt like that," Ann said as she walked around the kitchen gathering ingredients.

"I know how you feel. When I read it in her letter, it was like it happened to someone else. But then I thought back and realized there were signs, but nothing ever made me think to much about it," Kevin said.

"How come you didn't tell us? We could have done something," Ann said.

"I didn't know until she left. And in the letter she asked me not to tell anyone. She was protecting her mom from the pain," Kevin said. "If I would have told you and Dad, things would have probably gotten out of hand. And it wouldn't have done any good because she wasn't going to come back. It would have just been hell for everyone."

"Yeah, it would have been. Your Dad and I would have killed him. Now I understand why you attacked him," she said. "So how is she now? Is she going to see her parents before she leaves?"

"Well, she's doing better. Sometimes at night she has nightmares, but there's beginning to be fewer," Kevin said.

"Oh, the poor thing. I feel so bad for her," Ann said sympathetically. "So she's probably not going to see her parents then, right?"

"Well, she's torn. On one hand she wants to see her mom since she's dying, but she doesn't want to see Jerry," Kevin said. "How come you never told me about Mama Joy?"

"I didn't want to worry you. Also when I found out about it, I heard it from another friend and not Joy, so I wasn't sure if it was true. But I've just begun to talk to her again and she told me about it. Sadly it is true," Ann said.

"That's terrible that she's been going through all of this for the past four years. It also seems like one more thing Janel has to deal with," Kevin said. "Janel also wants the nightmares to stop so she can move on. We're not sure, but we think that maybe if she confronts Jerry and shows him that she's moving on with her life, then maybe he won't have control over her any more. Of course on the other hand she's terrified. Whenever she has a nightmare you can see the fear in her eyes like he was really there with her."

I got dressed and then went back into Kevin's room. I did my hair and put my make-up on. Then I went downstairs to the kitchen.

"Okay, I'm ready," I said.

"You can take my truck. Let me get my keys," Kevin said as he got up.

"I'll be back soon, so I can help you," I said to Mama Ann.

"Good because there's a lot you can do," she said.

"I'm sure," I said as I walked into the living room.

Kevin came back and handed me his keys.

"Oh, the directions they're out in the clubhouse," I said.

"I'll write them down again," he said.

"Thanks. I'm just going to get my purse," I said as I began to walk away.

I ran upstairs and grabbed my purse. I got a couple of tissues and put them into my purse. Then I went back downstairs. Kevin handed me the directions. Then he walked me out to his truck.

"I'll be back soon," I said.

I kissed him and then got in the truck. I started the truck and backed out of the driveway. I drove to the grocery store. I wanted to pick up flowers for Papa's grave. While driving around I noticed some changes that had been made over the years. I got to the grocery store and got down. I went in and picked the flowers that I wanted. Then I paid for them and left. I got in the truck and headed to the cemetery.

I got there and parked. Then I slowly walked to where his headstone was. I reached it and I just stared at it. My eyes began to fill with tears. I sat down in the grass next to it. I brushed the leaves off of it and placed the flowers on it. I began to cry.

Then I started talking just like he was sitting there next to me. I thanked him for being a wonderful father to me. Then I told him about everything that was happening recently. About what his son had been doing and how we were together. After I was through I kissed the headstone. I stood up and said a prayer. Then I left.

I got into the truck and sat there. I wiped my tears away and sat there thinking. After a while I decided to go back home to be with my family.

I got to the house and someone's car was there. I pulled into the driveway and got out. I walked into the kitchen and Brian's mom and dad were there. She was helping Ann cook, while Kevin and Harold were talking about football.

"Oh Janel, you're back," Ann said.

"Yeah," I said.

"You remember Brian's parents. . .," Ann said.

"Jackie and Harold, of course," I said.

"Wow, Janel is that you," Harold said.

"Yeah," I said.

"You've become a beautiful young woman," Jackie said as she came to hug me.

"Thank you," I said. "It's so nice to see you two again. And I can see you two guys are hard at work."

"Yes, we are," Kevin said as he came up behind me and put his arms around my waist.

I turned around and faced him. I put my arms around his neck pulling him toward me. Then we began to kiss.

"Okay Kevin. You need to get out. You're distracting our helper," Jackie said.

Kevin and I turned to look at her. We smiled and then let go.

Jackie turned around continued what she was doing. Harold got up and went into the living room. Then Kevin bent down and whispered in my ear.

"So? Are you okay?" he asked.

"Yes, I'm fine. We'll talk later," I said quietly. "Now get out of here. I have some work to do," I said as I kissed him quickly and then pushed him out of the kitchen.

"Fine, I can see when I'm not wanted," Kevin said as he left.

"Okay now that he's gone, what do you want me to do?" I asked.

"You can make the sweet potatoes," Ann said.

"Yeah, the yams are right over there," Jackie said as he pointed to them.

"Okay. We have marshmallows, right?" I asked.

"I knew I forgot something," Jackie said.

"I'll call Ashley and have her bring some," I said.

I went over to the phone and called her. She was also cooking at her house. I told her to bring marshmallows and she said she would. She also said that her and Brian would be over soon. I said okay and then hung up. Then I went to the sink and washed my hands. I began to peel the yams. Then Jackie, Ann, and I started to talk about everything. We were gossiping about everyone and laughing a lot. I enjoyed helping them. It felt like a real Thanksgiving. I was finally at home and with family.

After the food was pretty much finished, I went into the living room with Kevin. I sat down next to him on the couch. We watched the football game that was on. Then I began to talk to Harold. After a while people started to arrive. The first couple to arrive was Brian and Ashley. He came in and hugged his parents and then Ann, Kevin, and me. Ashley also hugged everyone. We were all gathered in the kitchen.

"Kev, can I talk to you?" Brian asked quietly.

"Sure, let's go in the living room," Kevin said.

They walked out, while we continued to talk.

"Hey Ashley, marshmallows," I said.

She tossed me the bag. Then I put them on the sweet potatoes and set them on the counter. We were having an early Thanksgiving dinner since the Boys had a concert later that night. Then Nick, Tina, A.J., Stacey, Howie, and Lauren showed up. The guys all said hi and gave hugs. Then they went into the living room to watch the game. All of us girls sat at the table talking.

Finally, Tim and Jerald Jr. showed up with their families. They introduced me to their wives and children. Their children were so cute. They told the kids that Uncle Kevin was home and they took off running to find him. I smiled and followed them. I watched the two little boys jump on him. The little girl couldn't get to him. Kevin was tickling his nephews as they attacked him. It was so adorable seeing him with children. I knew he would be the perfect dad.

"Uncle Kevin, what about me?" the little girl whined.

I walked over to Kevin's niece. "Need some help?" I asked.

She shook her head yes. So I picked her up and put her on top of Kevin's shoulders. She wrapped her arms around his head so he couldn't see.

"Hi Uncle Kevin!" she squealed. "Guess who!"

"Um, Aunt Jackie," he said.

"Nope," she said.

"Jerald," he said.

"Nooo!" she said happily.

"Oh fine. I give up. Who is it?" he asked.

"It's me! Madison!" she said.

"Oh, I would have never guessed," Kevin said as he pulled her off of his head. He pulled her onto his lap and gave her a kiss. She gave him a great big hug.

"Wow, you're getting to be a big girl," Kevin said.

"Yep," she said proudly.

I stood there watching them talk. She was so excited to see her uncle. Kevin's two nephews and Madison were hanging all over him.

Then everyone came out from the kitchen to gather in the living room.