Lies

Chapter 4:

I pulled in next to the driveway of Allie Sweet's but now Allie Michaels' home. It was very big, almost the same size as the one that had burnt down a couple months ago. Allie didn't want to reminder so they built a new house a block away. The house had beautiful yellow sidings and a front porch with pine rocking chairs out front. Allie's little adopted triplets were rocking in them, looking out at the road. Their father was with them, Ethan Michaels, drinking a soda and looking out at the cloudy day.

Cars littered the small, no outlet, street and walkers seemed to stop and wonder what kind of party was going on. I shook my head. It was only a support group for all us moms and we met every month. Being a mother was hard and I found through going to these meetings, that it was easier and it lead me to appreciate the little things that happened in life.

I got out of the car and locked it, making my way to the front porch where Allie's family stood rocking in the chairs. Ethan gave me a wave while drinking his soda while the triplets, Evan, Wyatt and Bella were rocking back and forth in their rockers. They waved to me before I made me way into Allie's house.

The smell of strawberries drifted into my nose as I walked in. A candle sat by the door and was burning intensely, giving off that wonderful smell. I looked at the glass and its description and read, "Strawberry Sweetness." The perfect name, for a perfect smell.

I could hear snippets of conversation as I looked at the candle. I looked around and saw the dining room light on. Some of the ladies from our regular meetings were talking inside. Aubrey Drake was talking to Tessa Bright and waving her hands, enthusiastically. She wore a beautiful antique green dress and her red hair was pulled out of her face by a matching green headband. She had a glass of wine in her hand as did Tessa. Tessa was wearing jeans and a lovely blouse that made a diamond necklace pop. In her ears, were matching diamond earrings.

I glanced around the rest of the dining room where Lauryn State, Ellie Evans and Allie were checking out a book that Allie was showing them. They were laughing as Allie pointed out something in the book. I looked down at myself before taking a breath.

"Hey, ladies." I greeted, walking into the dining room.

"Iris! You made it! I was thinking that you weren't going to come!" Aubrey announced from where she stood. She walked over to me and gave me a hug.

"Yeah. Sorry. I just got a little caught up with the kids. Colton needed me to repeat what they needed five times." I replied, laughing. Aubrey laughed with me and nodded her head.

"Seems like what Tony would have me do." She said, leading me over to the snack table. The table was filled with food from snacks to sandwiches. Everything was arranged neatly, something that Allie was prone to. I grabbed a plate and grabbed some crackers and cheese.

"It's been happening a lot lately. Ever since we haven't had Ariel." I said, looking at the saddened faces of the women. It had been a couple months since Ariel had died. I cried still for her and what she never could accomplish. She was so young and so kind. Colton and I could depend on her for anything.

"That still kills me every time someone says something like that." Tessa commented, walking over to where we stood. I nodded and set a piece of cheese on the cracker. I could feel tears start to form in my eyes and I quickly ate the cracker before they fell and the other ladies noticed. I hated when people saw me cry. It was one of things I didn't do. Especially in front of people. I've always been told that crying was for the weak and that my family was strong so we must keep our tears in. Someone as powerful as the Ranglewood family shouldn't be seen as weak. We were strong, even if there were outside forces trying to make us weak.

"I think it kills everyone of us still. Ariel was apart of our lives and was an even bigger part of our kids lives." I replied, wiping my face with a nearby napkin. I set it on my plate as I watched as the other women nodded.