I couldn't wait for the research session with Dr. Spencer to end, so Tyler could talk to his mother and I could talk to Melaney. 

Tyler gave me a quick kiss goodbye at the door, and I ran home to help with supper and do my homework. The Rents wouldn't allow me to call Melaney until I completed those tasks. After finishing my plate of macaroni and cheese and my problems for business math, I grabbed the cordless, went upstairs to my bedroom, and shut the door for privacy.

Melaney answered on the first ring. "So, what did Tyler say?"

"I'm falling for you. Those were his exact words."

"Oh, wow!"

"But that was before I called his mother a drunk and accused her of killing my dad."

"What?"

"I'm sorry, Melaney. I should've told you a long time ago." I paced from one end of the room to the other as I tried to explain. "Tyler's mother was the one drinking and driving, not my daddy. I'm certain she paid someone to switch the test results, and I want Tyler to help me prove it. He admits she's an alcoholic, but he doesn't remember the accident. He hit his head during the crash and has amnesia. So all my hopes of justice for my father are gone, unless Tyler can get his mother to confess."

"I'm so sorry about your dad. He was a great guy. He didn't deserve what Mrs. Price did to him and to you."

I stopped pacing. "You believe me?"

"Of course. Dean explained what was in your journal."

"The journal he broke into my jewelry box to read?" I asked, still angry at Dean for that crime and others.

"He shouldn't have invaded your privacy, but he thinks it's his responsibility to protect you."

"I don't want his protection. I want him to mind his own business. If I needed his help with Mrs. Price, I would've asked for it. Tyler is the only one who can help me now. He's going to talk to his mother tonight after her book club meeting. "

"Does Tyler think she'll tell him the truth?"

I sighed. "No."

"So what are you going to do if she never confesses?"

I sat on the edge of my bed. "Try to forgive and forget."

"Really?"

"Yeah. A best friend of mine suggested it."

"She must be very smart."

"She is. . . Uh, Laney, thanks for everything."

"You're welcome. I have tons of calc homework. Can we talk more tomorrow at school?" 

"Sure. See you then." I pressed the button to end the call. 

What was I going to do if Mrs. Price lied to Tyler again? What if he changed his mind and never wanted to see me again? And what if she told Tyler the truth? Would she apologize to me? A thousand questions spun through my mind, making my head hurt. I didn't know if I would survive the suspense until tomorrow morning.

A knock on the door interrupted my spiraling thoughts.

"Come in," I said as Mother did.

"So is Melaney still mad at you?" she asked.

"No. She forgave me, as usual."

Mother sat beside me on the bed. "Why were you asking about your sweaters?"

I debated about whether to tell her the truth or not. Jonathan already thought Dean was a bad influence on me. But I had decided to try to be honest, so . . .

"My jewelry box was out of place, and I realized someone, named Dean, had picked it open and read through my journal," I explained, waiting for her reaction.

"Why doesn't that surprise me? He must still be infatuated with you. Jonathan worried Dean would get you pregnant or arrested before his mother was released from prison."

"Whoa! What?" Infatuated! Pregnant? This was all news to me. "Dean is my foster brother!" I said, putting emphasis on the word brother. "We're just friends. Nothing else."

"Dean wants to be more than your friend. That's why Jonathan won't let you see him without our permission. He doesn't trust him."

The Rents knew Dean was in love with me, and Melaney knew too. Why didn't I realize it?

I must've looked as confused as I felt, because Mother answered my unspoken question.

"Because you were infatuated with someone else."

"Tyler."

I should've talked to my mother a long time ago. I could'd saved myself a lot of embarrassment and trouble. "Mom, I need to tell you something, but please don't use it against me and ground me forever."

"I won't."

"I told Tyler that I knew his mother was driving drunk the night of the accident. He believes me, but he has amnesia. He doesn't remember the accident at all. But he's going to confront his mother tonight and get her to tell him the truth. It would be incredible if she confessed, but she'll probably turn Tyler against me or worse. But I had to try. Daddy deserves justice."

"Yes. Your father deserves justice. But I don't think that's what he wants most. I think he just wants you to be happy. To live happily ever after, like the princesses in the fairy tales. You were his princess, and he loved you more than anything. If he were here, he would tell you to stop worrying about him and start living for you. Can you try to do that from now on?"

I wiped my eyes to stop the tears from flowing down my checks. I nodded. Mom put her arms around me, and I laid my head on her shoulder.

"I can try," I whispered, hugging my Mom back. "I love you, Mom."

She stood up and wiped the tears from her own eyes. "I love you, too, Jasmine."

I watched my mother leave the room and close the door behind her. I might have lost Tyler after tonight, but I found my mom again. I could almost forgive her for marrying Jonathan. Almost. My daddy would want her to be happy too.

I knew what I had to do next, even though I was out of practice. Just like Daddy taught me, I fell to my knees, put my elbows on the bed, and folded my hands to pray. "Father in Heaven, you know my daddy. He's there with you. You know what a good man he is. Please, I beg you, soften Mrs. Price's heart so she will tell Tyler the truth. And if she doesn't, please soften my heart so I can forgive her. Amen."

I had no clue what tomorrow would bring, but Daddy always said, "When God closes one door, He always opens another."

But which door would be closed?     

A/N: Video above is You Are Loved by Stars Go Dim. 

"We hide pain in the weirdest places. 

Broken souls with smiling faces.

Fighting for surrender.  

For now and the after. 

Just look around and you'll see that people

Are scared to say how they really feel, oh. 

We all need a little honesty. Yeah. 

You are loved! 

If your heart's in a thousand pieces.

If you're lost and you're far from reason. 

Just look up. Know you are loved.

You are loved!

When It feels like somethings missing. 

If it hurts and you can't find healing. 

Just look up. Know you are loved. 

You are loved."

Will Mrs. Price tell Tyler the truth? Let me know in the comments.  

Forever Remember to Live, Laugh, and Love! - 3L