Forever N ever (Book 13 in the Forever Series)

Chapter 29

Mercy

I was beyond thrilled that my parents were back together so I wanted to tell my boyfriend or my best friend or even my brother, but I had promised both of them that I wouldn't tell a soul. Not telling the three people who I was closest to was probably the hardest thing I have ever had to do, quite honestly. It was excruciating, to say the least. What made it even more difficult was when I was hanging out at Mom's house with the three of them & Joel came over with Gianna. I had to literally bite my tongue so many times that afternoon, I swear my mouth was full of blood. It was as if my family & friends all knew I had this secret because they kept talking about my parents. 

Joel & Gianna gushed about how cool it was that my parents were able to still hang out & have dinner together, then Logan & my brother talked about how shocked they were that my parents even split up in the first place. I tried to change the subject when I could, then finally I asked Joel how his parents were & he got quiet. So quiet, in fact, that we all watched him wondering why he was suddenly a mute.

"Joel? What's wrong? Are your mom & dad okay?" My brother asked, nudging our cousin's leg.

Finally, Joel sighed. "Actually, they've been fighting lately."

"Parents fight. They've been together a long time so they're bound to fight once in a while." I offered, my eyebrows up.

Joel shook his head, slightly. "They have been fighting a lot. Like everyday, pretty much, unless one of them isn't home. They do it at night when Chloe & I are supposed to be asleep but their bedroom is right next to mine so they wake me up."

Each of us froze hearing Joel's statement, since we were all stunned. Each of us knew my aunt & uncle very well, which was why we were speechless for a moment. Uncle Joe & Aunt Blanda were the epitome of a happily married couple much like my parents used to be. I knew my parents would be that happily married couple again, but I had to remember that to the world they weren't a couple anymore, so I couldn't use them as an example.

My brother was the one who spoke up first. "Do you know what they're fighting about?"

Joel shrugged, looking down, almost as if he was embarrassed. "I think it's because my dad is so stressed. Ever since he got the news about his show, he's been cranky. And Mom's art is doing so well, I think that bothers Dad."

"What news did your dad get about his show?" Jerry leaned on his knees, giving our cousin his full attention. 

I wanted to know about Uncle Joe's show as well, since I hadn't heard anything about it. Uncle Joe had been doing a podcast for many years & it was doing well, as far as I knew, anyway. I glanced over at Logan who was watching Joel, waiting for his answer. I turned my attention to Joel again as he pressed his lips together, trying to figure out where to start.

"Earlier this year my dad got a call from one of his bosses & they told him his ratings had slipped last year so he may get his podcast cancelled if his ratings don't improve over the next several months. I know he's said he doesn't even enjoy it anymore because he would rather be doing something in music or he'd rather be acting but this pays the bills. It's a steady paycheck & it keeps him close to home."

"I love your dad's show. You know, we can all help. We can start listening more & telling our friends to listen. Tell everyone we know to listen." Logan offered with a hopeful tone for his friend, my cousin. It touched me how caring he was. I could tell Joel was appreciative, too by the way he smiled & nodded at Logan. 

I sat back & watched my cousin, my best friends, my brother & my boyfriend discuss strategies on how to improve the ratings of the podcast. I was relieved that they had found something besides my parents to talk about. Joel made us promise not to say anything about the podcast's ratings or his parents fighting & we all agreed. I understood, completely because I knew the impact of outside voices. I knew this was the biggest reason my mom & dad hadn't told the world that they had reconciled.