Thicker than Water

Chapter 20 (Josh)

When Josh arrived home, he found Lauren at the bottom of steps, looking pained.

"They have been fighting this whole time, Josh. I don't know what to do. I thought we should maybe talk to them together, explain the misunderstanding." They heard a door open and close.

Josh agreed, and they headed up the stairs together. Josh was so nervous he just wanted to grab Lauren's hand, but he knew he shouldn't. This might be the last straw, the final component for his dad to finally kick him out as he had threatened to do numerous times.

As they neared the bedroom, Josh noticed his dad's office door was open. It was never open. "Why don't you head up to your room?" Josh whispered. "I'll see if I can talk to my dad separately. I might be able to explain things better if we're alone." The truth was he just didn't want Lauren to see him get scolded like a toddler. Lauren nodded and was on her way.

He slowly approached the office and peered his head inside. He was not prepared for what he saw. His dad was sitting behind his enormous mahogany desk, head in his hands, sobbing.

Josh was too stunned to move. He had never seen his dad cry, ever. His dad raised his head, obviously hearing someone and hoping it was Shannon.

They just stared at each other.

Josh knew he had to speak first. "What's going on, Dad?"

Dan took a deep breath, trying to compose himself. "Well, Josh, Shannon is leaving. She's packing up her stuff right now." His voice was shaking. "Somehow, someone took photos of me and Heather having lunch last week. It was just lunch! For God's sake, it was 'Secretary's Day'. I was just trying to be NICE!"

Through all of his wrongdoing, Josh always told himself that his dad would be fine. He would pick up and move on, just like he always did. Maybe that wasn't true after all.

As he was returning to the hallway, he was stopped by the sudden sight of Ali. She must have heard the conversation. She was crying. "Josh, is Shannon going to leave? I don't want her to go! She's the best mommy I've ever had."

Josh tried to console her while carrying her back to her bedroom. He set her up with her favorite movie and ice cream, and then called Lillian to see if she could come in early. She said she could be there in ten minutes. Josh was grateful; Ali needed to be distracted during the hell storm that was surely coming.

But first things first, Josh headed to Lauren's room.