The Lawsons were en route to the Anderson house. But across town, the Stovalls were just returning from their own Thanksgiving. The drive/swim hadn’t been very pleasant. While Julie’s mind was preoccupied coming up with ways she could win Eric back, her father was busy sweating bullets.
Martin’s mind didn’t know how much more stress it could handle before he exploded. His brother’s advice regarding what to do about Alyssa rang clear in his head.
“Just tell Melissa the truth” Rick had told Martin. But Martin couldn’t imagine Melissa would understand, or leave him with both testicles if he told her.
After they entered their house, and Julie went upstairs, Melissa asked Martin one more time what was troubling him.
She had been carefully watching him ever since that near mishap with the rock. He was clearly thinking about something. But that, Melissa couldn’t say. The business with that Bower family was done, and over. And it would appear that Martin really did mean what he said about trying to turn over a new leaf. So what, what could be giving him such worry lines.
“Martin…” she approached him while he was in the bedroom changing into his nightwear. Melissa took a moment to admire his half naked body. Mer weren’t known for their physical prowess, but that didn’t mean they weren’t anything to look at. Their upper bodies were as fit as any Olympic swimmer, perhaps more so.
“Sure honey, something wrong?” Martin asked.
“Not with me. But you, I’d say yes. What’s going on, you’ve been furrowing your brow ever since we left the house earlier.”
“It’s nothing you have to worry about.” He said quickly. A little too quickly.
“Martin…”
“It’s a problem that I created, and I have to solve. It’s nothing you should waste sleep over.” Martin said dismissively. He went across the hall to the bathroom to clear his head, and then dunk it into a tub of ice water.
Melissa was left in their bedroom, more concerned than ever. Martin was never this secretive about anything, except maybe his affairs. Was he still seeing someone? Was that son of a bitch lying to her? But he seemed so sincere… then again he seemed sincere when he apologized for cheating on her on their honeymoon.
“I’m going to get to the bottom of this. Whether he wants me to know or not.” Melissa thought, determined.
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Across the hall, Julie was lying in her bed obsessively thinking about Eric. She couldn’t have known how serious his relationship with Spencer had gotten over the past week. Or that Spencer had been watching the night Eric caught her with Brian. Nor did she know what really happened during Jeremy Bower Jr.’s visit to Moon Lake (or that she was the one who directed him towards the Lawson’s house).
She missed him, simple as that. Sure the guy was rough around the edges. Okay VERY rough around the edges. But there was something about him Julie found attractive. She knew what she did was wrong, she shouldn’t have pushed Eric so hard.
“I know Mom said not to talk to Eric anymore. Maybe I could get Dana or Lisa to talk to him. Or maybe Ben or Nate or even Alex and find out what the deal with him and Spencer is. I can’t imagine they’ve gotten very far. She’s so…”
Julie couldn’t find a word to describe Spencer either. She was pretty weird too. Apparently very smart, like “I could graduate high school next year smart”, but found more enjoyment in pulling pranks and breaking rules than getting good grades. The opposite of Eric, who was known to ask for MORE homework.
“Guess we both go for nerds.” Julie thought idly.
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“So, what do you want to do now stud?” Alex Ramsey asked his boyfriend.
After spending an hour or so with the Andersons and his folks, Ben had joined Alex and his family for their small Thanksgiving meal. But now that they were done, they had a decision to make. Either go back to Ben’s place to have “dessert” or go to the Andersons for actual dessert. The couple was sitting on the Ramsey’s front steps, enjoying the sunset.
“I dunno know. The idea of eating more makes my stomach turn. But if you want to…?” Ben trailed off.
“I must admit I’m curious to meet this Kenya. After your description of her I think she could give Wonder Woman a run for her money.” Alex said.
“Not getting a roaming eye on me are you?”
“No way. I mean, I still find some women more attractive than others. But not attractive in THAT sense.” Alex said.
“Mmm, no I get it. Like you can say they’re pretty but it doesn’t mean anything to you.” Ben nodded in agreement. Alex smiled at him, leading to the two sharing a kiss.
“So, about that dessert?” Alex asked once they pulled away.
“Well I think either way we can’t stay here. Your folks probably want some alone time too.” Ben said.
“Ya. Apparently it’s alright for them to break the furniture, but not us.” Alex said sourly.
“Well, to be fair, we do get a bit wilder than they do.”
“I guess. Whatever. Let’s get going. Everyone might have already moved onto the next course by the time we get there.” Alex grabbed Ben’s hand and pulled him towards his car.