Dear Journal,

It's been two months, so much as happened, I took a break from writing because I have school now.

I just celebrated Rick's 16th birthday and my parents 30th anniversary.

It was a shit show. Here's what transpired.

I got Rick his first dog because I knew he always wanted one but my parents always refused to give him.

Kevin gave him a cake baked by him, plus an electric scooter.

Kevin don't have it like that, but he worked at a shop that sells and fixes bikes,hence why he got it. It warmed my heart to see him do that.

Unlike Andre, who didn't give a damn about Rick.

My parents had questioned where he had gotten the other gifts because they knew, like me, he doesn't have much friends. Well for him, that's if his friends on MUD ARPANET don't count.

I lied and told them that I got it, I told them I was saving up to buy him those stuff.

We waited until our parents were asleep, I snuck out with Rick. He was afraid at first but I told him everything was going to be okay.

We went to this museum in New Jersey,with Kevin and his little sister Anna. Kevin told me he resided across from the Museum but moved to Long Island to live on his own. However, he stills come back there from time to time.

We had so much fun, Kevin was being our personal tour guide.

I really felt like I've been doing a bad thing by being secretive to my parents plus tagging my brother along.

But, If doing that will allow me and Rick to have some fun then yeah.

Rick told me not to introduce Kevin to the family, because they will ensure that I never see him again.

                    *******
My parents anniversary celebration was a shit show.

Kevin knew how I felt about them, so he told me to ditch their party and come with him.

I was indecisive. I told him no, my parents mean everything to me and I didn't want to disappoint them.

So of course, she invited her church friends which included Judy's parents and Andre's parents.

In their mind, we are still together.

Judy, then Andre walked in and I looked them both dead in the eye and said nothing.

Judy had the nerve to walk up on me

"Hello?? Excuse me? Stranger!" She yelled.

I pretended that she wasn't talking to me and continued making my way upstairs.

"Bitch" She said.

I turned around and looked at her and said

" You are calling me a bitch? So much for not answering my calls, so much for talking to Andre behind my back, traitor! If you wanted him, you could've asked Judy, leave me alone and keep sipping that drink, hopefully it will quench you, you thirsty little bitch "

I couldn't believe that came out of my mouth.

Judy them proceeded to throw a drink in my face and then yanked my hair, what's crazy is nobody saw that.

I proceeded to throw the drink back and spat in her face that's when everybody turned and gasped and raised their eye brows at me, my mom came rushing towards me.

My dad stood between me and Judy.

My mom kept asking me why I keep acting like that? and What changed?

Judy yelled out "Because she's seeing that guy who works at the auto store a few blocks from here."

Everyone turned to look at me in disgust.

I dont know how she knew, I'm guessing she spotted us at Coney Island when we weren't looking and then went to stalk the boy. I think she is a shady bitch for that either way.

"Tell me she's lying" Mr.Hines said.

I had to come out and tell the truth, I was done lying.

I told them yes, I've been seeing someone and that he was an awesome person and that I wished I went to spend the night with him instead of being here.

My dad told everyone to go home. Andre stood there and look at me and shake his head. Like the nerve of him.

And Judy was like "Well there you go."

I ran up to my room, my mom followed suit. She looked outside to see if anybody was coming up then slapped me across the face while my dad stood there yelling at me.

"You've embarrassed us time and time again, who ever that boy is, you better drop him and fast.....no wonder why my phone bill has been going up, no wonder I've been getting strange calls in the middle of the night. We've already discussed this, if he's not in the church, it's not happening." He said.

"I can convince him to come to church." I said.

"Hmm, well I'd like to see that happen, listen sweetheart, don't you run around here hanging out with scraps and hoping to get a fairytale out of it." My mom said.

I made a deal with them, if Kevin showed up to church then they should invite him over for dinner.

They agreed but he also had to be in a ministry.

And just like that, I had a task to do.

Detective Walsh was sleeping and snoring with the book hanging from her hand about to fall. There's a sudden ring on her doorbell and she got up quickly, looking around to figure out what just took place. She had now realized she fell asleep.

It was James.

"I brought pizza." He said with a smile.

She shook her head then let him in.

"Surprise you didn't answer any of my calls and text messages, that book must've had you heavily intrigued." He said.

"Well she and Judy got into it over Andre and um her parents finding out about Kevin..." She responded.

"Whew dang!" He said.

"Yeah..."

There was awkward silence again.

"I- I got Chardonnay in the basement  if you want." She said.

She went down the basement and poured out some for him and then herself.

Few moments later they were sitting on the couch eating pizza while they come up with theories of what they thought could've led to the demise of Cassie.

"For some reason I think Andre killed her, like him and Judy but- I don't know, they weren't giving much." She vented.

"I mean he did seem guilty, I could always go and you know? check him out, follow him around." James said.

"No that won't be necessary." She said.

She looked over to the picture that showed her, her daughter and ex-husband.

"Every time I come across cases like these, I just, think about her." She said.

"Same, I knew she meant a lot to you." He said while rubbing her shoulders.

She started to rub his leg, then turned to look at him.

He met his eyes with hers then she pursued her lips while leaning towards him. Subsequently, he met his lips with hers. She quickly slip down her night wear, he kicked his shoes off and striped naked. He then placed her on the desk, the kissing continued and widened her legs, preparing to penetrate.

"Stop, I- too fast." She said.

"Damn shawty, I didn't even put it in yet." He said while smirking at her.

"No I mean stop, we are going too fast." She said.

"Oh I'm sorry" he said as he put it back in while she watched him.

"No, I'm sorry, it's my fault, uhh I just-" She stuttered.

"It's okay, I'm good." He said while smiling at her.

He kissed her on the forehead then made his way out.

When he closed the door. She said to herself "Oh shit I'm a mess.."

******
She slept the whole of the following day and she realized she hadn't finished the book yet. It was in the middle of the night she got up and picked up from where she had left off.