After breakfast, our father told us to all go to the living room for our big talk. Tim and I sat together in the love seat and our parents sat across ...from us in the couch. My brother and I didn't hold hands or touch each other until we heard our parents out."Ok so I've talked to you Nicole, and your father has talked to Tim. Now we need talk to you both," my mother began.My father cleared his throat. "Well, I need to mention a few rules that need to be set as long as you two are this house."Tim. While I was drying, Janelle came over and took my old polish offand applied new. Again my toes were bright red but, this time instead ofa French Manicure; she painted my fingernails a bright red color andpainted little pictures of champagne glasses, party hats, horns and suchfor New Year's Eve. There was a time, not too long ago, I would have saidsomething but now, I loved my new nails.When Patty took the rollers out of my hair, I immediately noticed howmuch curlier it was. She just smiled and. ?”“None of you or the Longstreets showed at the do. He is, well, heartbroken. It was a big deal. I hope you remember what he looked like. You’ve likely seen the last of him for sure,” he said, and he rose and walked out.“Lance... !” But he was gone.“You say it was the same with the Longstreets?” I said.“Well, almost. Tina had a school event that she was involved with and was lost for the week because the team had to travel to California for it. The Academic Challenge Bowl actually,” he said. I. "I've made us each a mug of my herbal tea and this time it's extra strong."That was all I needed to hear. Seeing the mugs on the table I didn't question why they should be there waiting for me, I just grabbed mine and chugged it right down. Mrs Ellaby did the same with her own. Gone were her usual lady-like sips, replaced by a great urgency to get the tea down her throat. I waited for the usual envigorating rush to hit me but it never came. Instead my knees buckled under me and I sat down hard.