The Family Tree

Chapter Eleven

"I just wanted to say I'm sorry..." Martin said.

"All these years and now you want to say sorry?" I asked looking at the floor as I was very ashamed of him.

"I'm very truly sorry!" Martin said forcing me to look at him.

He put his hands on my face and wiped the tears that began to fall out of my eyes.

"Why did you leave us for her?" I cried as I held his hand on my face.

"I don't know, but your dad taught me something I'll never forget..." Martin said as his eyes got watery.

"I'm happy you now understand." I said as I took his hand off my face.

"The children will be back in a few, we should not be unfaithful, they will think we are back together or something." I said as I held his hand.

"I love you Anna" I heard him say.

"And I loved you too..." I said letting go of his hand with tear-filled eyes and walking to the laundry.

I saw his face go from love with a full heart to a shattered heart in one second...

"It hurts me more than it hurts you..." I whispered as he walked back into the house.

"Mother?" I heard.

"Liz?" I said looking behind me as I the laundry off the laundry line.

"Why are you crying?" Lizzie asked.

"I'm not crying, see." I said as I wiped the tears from my face.

"I love you, Mommy." Lizzie said.

"I love you too dear.." I said as I walked her inside to house.

Lizzie walked over to the living room and saw her half-brothers looking at Martin crying.

"What's wrong old man?" Lizzie said walking up to him.

"I'm sorry I should have been there for you!" Martin cried as he grabbed Lizzie and hugged her.

The boys were shocked.

"Where is Mama?" One of them said.

"I believe she is upstairs..." I heard from my dad in the kitchen.

"She's upstairs?" I asked as I walked into the kitchen.

"Yes?" He said in a confused way.

"There is nothing upstairs but my room and Lizzie's room." I said as I looked up at the ceiling to see that the roof was moving and making a shuffled noise.

"She is in my room!" I yelled in anger.

"What the hell is she in there for!" I yelled more.

I didn't wait one minute I ran out of the kitchen and up the stairs.

"Where did your mother go Lizzie!" My dad yelled running after me.