After the breakthrough with Julie; Frances felt it was time to take a short break to allow everyone to compose and collect themselves. Checking her messages; she was satisfied that nothing urgent was in need of attention. Once everyone was seated back down, Frances felt it was time to try a new tactic.
“Now I know you are all still feeling emotional from what was just shared,” Frances continues; “but I would like to talk to each of you privately.” Pausing to see if anyone will speak up, Frances continues; “Melissa while we did have a good long talk yesterday, I will still want to have a talk with you as well. But right now I think I would like to start with your husband. Martin would you mind?”
Martin gets up. “We could use my home office if that will do?” Martin responds.
“That will be sufficient,” Dr. Frances replies. Turning back to Julie and Melissa; “I’ll try to be as quick as possible.” With that Frances and Martin head to his office to have a private conversation.
Melissa gets up. “Do you want something to eat, Julie?”
Julie still looking sullen from earlier answers; “just some toast mom.”
Melissa smiles; while still feeling ill from her morning sickness, she was feeling a little better to make a slice for herself as well. While waiting for the toaster to finish; Melissa bade Julie to come to the kitchen.
“I just want to tell you I’m glad you are taking to this therapy.” Melissa continues, “I will admit, I had my doubts that you would agree to it.”
“Why?” Julie answers.
“Because of your recent actions of late; more so to the way your father and I have been trying to help you.” Melissa answers.
“Grounding me until Valentine ’s Day is you way of helping me? “Julie’s anger starting to build.
“If you did not run off while already grounded young girl, you wouldn’t have had your punishment extended.” Melissa continues, “Besides, that is all moot for now.”
“What do you mean moot?” Julie asks. “Am I not grounded anymore?”
“You’re suspended from school Julie. You have an ankle monitor on you and are under house arrest. Charged with assault;“ Melissa made clear.”
Julie was about to respond when the toaster popped. Melissa buttering the pieces and handing them to Julie while eating a slice for herself continues to speak.
“Do not forget, that you promised your father to stay away from Eric Anderson. Now you may think that is a promise not worth the time to honor; but know this. He did not ask you as a father, but as the ‘mayor’.” Melissa pauses to let that sink in. “As the mayor of this town; your father has a thousand and one tasks to do. One of those is maintaining the towns secret from being revealed to the world.” Looking at Julie; “Do not think for one second that your father would not sign off on any execution notice if you were charged and convicted under the town’s statue 1A.”
Julie gags upon hearing that last bit; “He wouldn’t do that.”
“Yes he would;” Melissa answers back. “While the paper may have both his signature; as well as his tears on it for having to sign it. Make no mistake, if it came to protecting the town versus you; your father will choose the town every time. That is why it was so important that you kept that promise. It was his way of trying to protect you from making a very foolish mistake.”
“I didn’t know,” Julie whispered while breaking out in tears.
Melissa hugs her daughter; confident that she finally broken through to her. Letting her go Melissa get down to dry Julie’s tears and to tell her one more thing.
“I have news for you,” she smiles.
“What is it mom,” Julie chocking back her tears.
“I just found out an hour ago;” As Melissa picks up the pregnancy kit left on the kitchen island. “I’m pregnant.”
It was at that moment that both Frances and Martin came out of Martin’s office. Julie sees her father and runs to him. Still in tears, she sobs; “I’m sorry daddy.”
Martin looking at Melissa completely confused. Melissa just smiles while finishing her toast.
Dr. France’s makes a polite cough to get every ones attention. “I think it would be best if I take to Julie next in private.”