Chapter 12

AMBER'S POV
I waited at the porch for signs of Mel's car but there was nothing and it was almost 12am. I had tried calling but she didn't answer and I was getting anxious. Mel's marriage was perfect like every other marriage but things were totally different from the way they used to be.
"Mum, aren't you going to sleep?" A voice sounded from the door and I knew who it was before I even turned around. Danny stood in the doorway, his SpongeBob SquarePants pyjamas on and my laptop in both of his hands. He looked so innocent, my beautiful child. I walked to him and gave him a hug as I answered him,
"Why are you still up, Danny?" He snuggled into me and I somehow wished I had the affection of all my kids. For some reason, Frankie hated me and it hurt more than I could ever explain. Danny's blue eyes sparkled at me as he looked up to meet my gaze,
"It's kinda difficult to sleep when you're pacing around like that" Yikes. I had been pacing around cause I have an issue with standing still for long and I was very worried about Mel. I quickly apologized,
"I'm so sorry, baby. There's just alot on my mind and I couldn't sleep" He nodded to show he understood but did he really? As if he knew I had doubts, he responded,
"I understand, mum. I overheard you talking to Aunt Mel. Is she having issues with Uncle Ken again?" I sighed, there's only so much you can keep from kids.
"They'll be fine, baby. Everything will be fine" I mumbled into his hair as I held him closer. My children had grown accustomed to Mel and they treated her like their real Aunt. Danny raised his head up and pointed at the road,
"Mum, she's here" He jumped out of my grip and raced down the porch. Danny and Ken Jr had a very strange relationship but I was in support of it anyways, kids will be kids.
The children got out of the car and Ken Jr ran to meet an eagerly waiting Danny, they did the bro hug they had spent years mastering and a smile spread across my face as I watched them. Stacey gave me a hug as she got to where I was standing and went to meet Maddie. The kids bundled themselves inside and Mel and I were left standing on the porch. My best friend had a look I had grown to understand with years,
"What's wrong, Mel?" I asked as she collapsed into my arms, sobbing. I had a feeling she wasted time because she had gotten into another fight with Ken but I didn't voice out my thoughts. I just held on to her as till she calmed down.
"Ken says he wants a divorce" Mel blurted out after i had made Coffee for her. A divorce?
"What's going on, Mel?" I was worried, Melissa was always so open with me. She was a total talkative but she never voiced out about the struggles she was facing in her marriage.
"I have no idea, Amber. He said something about a business meeting earlier today" I nodded to show her I was listening and she continued,
"Then he said it was cancelled. I was glad cause the kids wanted to do a family movie night. I was texting you when he came into the room and demanded I give him my phone" She was shaking so I collected the cup from her and urged her to continue, she took a deep breath,
"I questioned him and then he yelled at me for keeping stuff from him and that he wondered if I was even cheating on him" I gasped and she shuddered,
"Go on, Mel. What happened then?" I urged her and she went on,
"We argued a bit and then he told me to pack his suitcase that he was going on a business trip in Connecticut for a week" I was confused as hell.
"He questions you about cheating and then decides to go on a business trip to Connecticut at 10pm?" She nodded in affirmation and I scoffed. There was some funny business going on.
"Mum, lower your voice. We're trying to sleep" Frankie shouted from their room and I held my mouth. It was way past the kids bedtime and I was disturbing them. Mel took the hint and stood up to go up the stairs to my room, we would continue our conversation over there. I stayed back to make sure the kids were comfortable and really trying to sleep unlike the last time.
Maddie blew me a kiss as I walked in to inspect their room, I walked back out with a smile on my face. I wouldn't say I enjoyed being a single mother but at least I was going through what Mel was going through. I love my friend but I have experienced men at their worse and there was no way I was going to allow myself go through that again.
"I saw Jay Harley at the carnival" Mel said the moment I walked into my room. Explains why she left me a bunch of messages to call her when I saw them. I tried to compose myself,
"It's only natural for you to see him, it was his homecoming carnival anyways" Mel didn't seem convinced by the facade I was attempting to put on.
"Is there another reason why you hate Jay Harley?" I almost choked, where was this question coming from?
"Mel...what..do you mean?" I sat down as I drank from the glass. Melissa wasn't going to be the end of me with her random questions. She kept on staring at me and my uneasiness increased. Had they talked about me?
"I have a weird feeling something else happened at the party the basketball team organized on prom night. Something that involves you and Jay Harley"