I'm not even sure how I made it to Rhonda's house all I know was that by the time she opened the door I was standing there with bags, babies and tears in my eyes. “Oh my God, Amber, what's wrong??!!” she asked pulling me inside.

“He…he…” I tried to get the rest of the sentence out but I couldn't. Arrianna went over to Rhonda and motioned to be picked up. Rhonda picked her and she buried her head against Rhonda's shoulder. Rhonda stroked her head and comforted her.

“What's going on?” Howie asked coming down the stairs and taking in the situation.
“Hey Squeak, how about if Uncle Howie gets you a popcycle.” Rhonda said setting Arrianna down and giving her a light push over to Howie. Arrianna walked over and grabbed his hand, leaning against him and sucking her thumb.
“Yeah,” Howie said picking up on the hint. “Why don't we take your brother and go see what flavors we have.” Howie reached over and took Tyler out of my arms and walked off with them talking gently to Arrianna who was unnaturally quiet.
Rhonda led me upstairs away from young ears and sat me down on her bed. “Can you tell me what happened now?” she asked gently.
“I saw them kissing,” I said quietly.
“AJ and Amanda?”
“You knew about him and Amanda?”
“Yeah…” Rhonda said hesitantly. “I knew he was talking to her again. I kinda figured the rest out just now.”
“I knew about the scene in the bar…I just always wanted to believe there was nothing to it. I guess it was all just a fantasy.”
“Honey…”
“I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT FUCKER!!! HOW COULD HE DO THAT TO US!!!??” I yelled my sadness turning to rage.
“I don't know,” Rhonda said. “If I could figure that out I would have done it a long time ago.” Out of everyone I knew she was the one who knew exactly what I was going through. “Did he tell you why he did it?”
“He said it didn't mean anything that they were talking about old times and it just happened. So what the present and the future don't mean shit to him anymore?! How the hell is that supposed to make me feel?”
“So you left him,” It was more of a statement then a question.
“Yeah,” I sighed. “I left him. I was wondering if I could…”
“Of coarse you can,” she answered before I could even finish the question. “You know you're always welcome here.”
“Thanks,” I said. “I just didn't know where else to go.”
There was a knock on the door and Howie came in carrying the cordless phone. “Sorry to interrupt but uhhh AJ's on the phone and he wants to talk to you,” he said handing it to me.
I reached out and snatched the phone out of his hands. I hit the power button to hang it up and handed the phone back to Howie. “I don't want to talk to him,” I said simply. Howie shook his head and walked back out of the room as the phone rang again.
“You're going to have to talk to him sometime,” Rhonda said.
“I know. I just can't do it today.”

Rhonda's View

“Don't tell her it's me,” AJ said as I answered the telephone.
“Why not?”
“Is she around?” he whispered.
“What answer do you want to hear?” I asked laughing.
“Well, I want her to be there, but I don't her to know that you're talking to me.”
“AJ – you're not making any sense to me.”
“Is she going to be home later?” he asked.
“Why are you going to send Brian over next?”
“What...what are you talking about?” AJ asked trying to play innocent.
“Oh I don't know. Maybe I'm talking about my house being a revolving door for friends who are trying to talk to your wife for you. Just give her time AJ. She'll talk to you when she's ready.”
“But...I don't know if I can wait that long,” AJ whined.
“Well you're going to have to. Trust me – time is what she needs right now.”