The Way We Were

The Way We Aftermath

Mercedes looked into her sister's face as she put the twins in their high chairs. "What's wrong? Did you hear about Father and Mother?"

"What? No." Marcy's voice was soft and barely there.

"So Judy finally told you?" Marcus flipped through his paper.

"I wish she didn't." Quinn said stubbornly.

"Why are you looking so sad this morning then?" Mercedes regained her line of questioning.

Mike looked around. "And where's Mal? I haven't seen him since school yesterday."

"Daddy, go bye bye." Mickey sniffled.

Marcy finished pouring them juice. "Hush. Drink your juice."

"What does she mean "bye bye"?" Mercedes was alarmed.

"She means he's not here." Marcy spoke harshly while avoiding everyone's eyes.

"Where is he? Is he okay?"

"I don't know and I don't care." She sat and poured herself some apple juice.

"Marcy, what happened?" Mike was confused by her attitude.

"You want to know what happened? Your brother cheated on me." She turned hateful eyes on him.

Marcus, who had taken a sip of coffee, spit it out. "What?!"

"I caught them yesterday."

Mercedes could have been knocked over with a feather. "What? How? Who?"

"He cheated on me with Eliza. Eliza Parker."

"Ew." Mike wrinkled his nose involuntarily.

"That's what I say." Marcy stood up. "You know what? I'm not hungry. I'll just take the kids to day care now."

"Sit, Sweetpea. They're not finished with breakfast." Marcus pointed to her chair.

"Daddy,-"

"Sit!"

She huffed and sat down. "I don't know why I'm being punished."

"You can enjoy a meal with your family." He took a sip of coffee and mopped up his spill.

"I'm getting no enjoyment out of this."

"I'm so sorry, Marcy." Mercedes mumbled.

Marcy remained quiet.

"Me too." Mike added.

"Thanks." She muttered as she crossed her arms in front of her chest.

"Sorry, MarcAn." Quinn said quietly.

Marcy just nodded.

Mrs. Parks silently plated up the rest of breakfast.

W.W.W.

"Okay, what's going on?" Karen demanded. "Eliza's going around telling people that she slept with Mal."

"That lying bitch." Marcy slammed her locker shut.

"Obviously it's not true." Karen rolled her eyes. "It's Mal. He's the most trustworthy guy there is."

"Well he did kiss her."

Anna, Carly, Daisy, Karen, Mari and Tina gasped and took a step back.

"Mal would never kiss her!" Mari was convinced. "He loves you and she's-"

"A scad." Marcy supplied. "I saw them myself. In my home, in my room, inches from my bed."

"I think I'm going to hurl." Daisy clapped a hand to her mouth.