Brian once again sat next to Leighanne and gently grabbed her hand. Leighanne squeezed his hand, feeling so helpless for Melissa. Melissa looked at Nick, but he wouldn�t face her. She knew he was upset with her for not telling him everything, but she just couldn�t bring herself to do. She wished she could stop, but she owned them the truth now that Adam was back.
�Once I was in my car, I drove for what seemed like hours and then I ended up at Jonathon�s and Julie�s place. I told them what happened; it wasn�t like I could hide what happened. I had a large bruise forming on my face from where Adam had hit me. They wanted me to tell my parents. But I couldn�t face them, not looking the way I did. So I stayed at Jules� and Jonathon�s that night. But I knew I couldn�t hide what happened from my parents, so the next morning I went home and told them.� Melissa remembered confronting her parents and bowed her head. �It took me forever to get the words out. Every time I tried, it just brought back everything that happened.�
�I have never seen my mother cry so much or my dad so angry. I had to beg my dad not to go after Adam. He kept clinching his fists over and over, pacing the room.� Melissa paused and took a deep breath. �My mom caressed my swollen cheek and cried. She never said one word, she just cried.� Melissa wiped her tears with the back of her hand. �They wanted me to go to the police and have Adam arrested, but I couldn�t do it.�
�Why couldn�t you?� Kevin asked.
�At the time, I just wanted things to go back to the way they were. I was disappointed in myself for not seeing who Adam really was, so I guess you can say I blamed myself for what happened. For the pain I inflicted on my family, my friends, myself.�
�Mel, you shouldn�t blame yourself for anything that happened. Adam is the only one to blame.� Howie replied.
�I know that now Howie, but I didn�t then. I just wanted to forget all of it, but Adam wouldn�t let me. He would show up at my part-time job, at my school, he would even show up at my house. He would leave notes at my house, telling me I would never be free of him that I was his. Then he kept constantly calling my cell, leaving voice messages. I just delete them; I never listen to a single one. Eventually, I had to get a new cell phone, so the messages would stop. My dad finally had enough of him and confronted him. He told Adam if he didn�t leave me alone that he would make me press charges against him.� Melissa wiped her tears and brushed her hair out of her face.
�Adam doesn�t take threats likely, so he decided to get even.�
�What do you mean Mel?� Alyssa asked gripping Howie�s arm.
Melissa looked at Nick once again. �Nick do you remember me telling you about my dad�s accident?� Nick simply nodded, not looking at her. �He caused that accident.� Nick quickly turned when he heard her comment.
�How do you know that for sure Mel?� Leighanne asked.
�When my father was in surgery, my mother was approached by two officers. They kept asking her all these weird questions. Like if my dad was having problems at work or with a neighbor. Finally, my mother asked them what this was all about. I can remember their exact words. There is evidence that someone deliberately tampered with the brakes. When my mother heard those words, she started to shake and had to sit down. Once the officers left, my mother tried to hide what they told her from me. But I already knew, I heard the whole conservation. I knew it was Adam. My dad never had problems at work and everyone liked him.
Later when we could finally see my dad, I went to his room alone. I still can see him hooked up to all those machines; I was so scared that I was going to lose him. I sat in a chair next to his bed and I reached for his hand. His hand was cold to the touch; I tried to warm it with my hands. After sitting there for I don�t know how long, I started talking to him. I kept apologizing for not stopping Adam when I had the chance. That I should of press charges like he wanted me to.� She stopped for a moment, trying to calm her overwhelming emotions.
�I stood up and still holding his hand. I said, �I�m sorry papa, I�m sorry for everything. I�ll make it up to you; I�m going to tell the police what Adam did. I�ll make sure he pays for he did to you.� Then I kissed his cheek and left to go to the police department. I told them everything. Adam hurting me, his notes, calls, and my dad�s accident.
She wiped away the tears that kept coming. �The police tried to talk to him, but Adam disappeared. And they didn�t have any prove that Adam messed with my father�s brakes, so they couldn�t do anything. By then, my family was dealing with my father�s medical fees and bills and all that mattered was taking care of him. So we decided to let it go, thinking that Adam would be too stupid to show his face anywhere near me. And he was, till now.� She looked at all her friends, hoping they would understand why she kept that secret, but yet understood if they didn�t.
When no one said anything, Melissa decided she should. �I�m so sorry for not telling you all about this, but it wasn�t one of my proudest moments. I was ashamed of what happened and then not pressing charges against Adam. I know I should have, maybe if I had my father wouldn�t have been hurt.�
�Mel, none of this is your fault. We all understand why you didn�t say anything about Adam.� Brian said, speaking for everyone. Everyone shook their head, everyone but Nick.
�Nick, I know you are mad at me, but please say something.�
�I�m not mad Mel.�
�Yes you are; you haven�t said a single word to me since I told everyone about Adam. You are angry that I didn�t tell you sooner about him.�
�Why didn�t you?�
�Nick, come on man, she went through hell because of this guy!� Brian replied facing Nick.
�No, its okay Brian. I didn�t tell you because I�m still ashamed of it. I�m ashamed that I caused my family and friends so much grief, so much pain. I wanted to save anyone else I could from that misery. That meant especially you!�
�Mel, you don�t need to protect me from anything!� Nick yelled, regretting his volume.
�Really Nick? Are you sure about that? Adam got angry with me, so he hit me. Then he got angry with my dad, so he cut his brakes! How do I know that you won�t be next?� She yelled back with tears once again falling.�This sick freak is after me and he will come after anyone to get to me! I�m the reason my father was in the hospital, I�m the reason my father almost died! And I have to live with that for the rest of my life. I will be damned if I let Adam hurt anyone else I love!� Melissa wiped her tears away and started up the steps.
�Mel, what are you doing?� Julie asked standing up.
�I�m leaving, it�s the only way I can protect everyone.� Her eyes focused on Nick. �Besides I�m not wanted here anyway.� And with that she went up the stairs. Nick sighed, he was angry with how he had handled the conversation with Melissa. He lost his temper and instead of thinking, he just reacted.
�You are an ass Carter!� Julie stated as she walked over to him. �My friend went through so much thanks to Adam, the fear of dying by the hands of that maniac, the guilt she felt over her father�s accident, and now you getting angry at her for keeping all that a secret.�
�Jules.�
�No Nick, did you know that Mel cried herself to sleep for weeks after her dad�s accident? That is took Jonathon and I even longer to prove to her that whole situation wasn�t her fault? Did you?�
�No, I didn�t Jules.�
�Exactly because you are too consumed about your pride then the woman you say you love!�
�Jules, let�s go check on Mel.� Jonathon said grabbing her hand and pulling her to the stairs.
