Chapter Six: Heart break

Joshua awoke the next day. Memories of last night flashed through his mind. He sighed as he listened to the shower run in the bathroom a few feet away. Miranda, he thought. He slid to the side of the bed and was about to go downstairs, to wait for her and to tell her the dreaded confession. But luck would have it another way. As he got towards the door, his phone rung. 

"Work". He read aloud. He reluctantly answered, almost too late. His boss demanded he come in right away. He tried to get out of it but the other man wasn't buying it. He gave up and said he was on his way. Quickly he had gotten dressed and out the door. Miranda came into the bedroom shortly after to discover the bed made and Joshua gone. She saw a badly written note that read "Work emergency". She shrugged threw it away and headed downstairs. The smell of food cooking immediately filled her nostrils. Her mouth watered just a bit. As her foot touched the floor, she saw Joshua's parents in the kitchen and his mother at the stove. She headed in their direction. 

Miranda: "Good Morning". She spoke as she edged closer to the food being prepared. Joshua's mother smiled at her and told her to have a seat. She happily obliged.  

Once seated she couldn't help but state at Willie, sitting in front of her. It was odd, he was a quiet man but he  still managed small talk. He was just sitting there reading that newspaper like it was the most interesting thing in the world. Miranda was just about to strike conversation when Mrs. Thomas chastised her husband for being rude. 

He placed the paper on the table to the left of him. He cleared his throat before he spoke. 

Willie: "Sorry dear I didn't see you." He said. Really? Miranda wanted to say. She shook her head in her head. On the outside she nodded and asked how he slept last night. 

Willie: "Just fine." He said. "It seems as though you took the news well" he said, looking in her face. Miranda's mind instantly changed from annoyed to confused. News? What news? This Willie noticed. 

Willie: "You mean he didn't tell you?" He inquired. Miranda shook her head, growing annoyed again. 

Miranda: "It'd help if you could be a little more specific." She pointed out. 

Willie: "It's not my business." He said and was about to pick up his paper again.

Miranda: "No no no". Miranda said. "Mr. Thomas, you can not do that!" She yelled, not caring that she raised her voice at her future father-in-law. "What are you getting at?" She noticed the shocked expression he wore and the gasp from his wife. She apologized and lowered her voice and asked again, nicely this time. He sighed. He told her everything. He told her how his son slept with her best friend mistakenly and kept it a secret. He also told her that he was suppose to tell her last night but he obviously did not. Miranda took the news in and went through a roller coaster of emotions. She felt betrayed by the two people she cared about and loved the most. She felt pissed because they hide it from her. She felt used because Joshua slept with her instead of telling her the truth. She also felt heart broken. Tears began to form in her eyes and she no longer wanted to sit at the table. She excused herself. 

She said nothing further and left for her bedroom where she'd cry her eyes out. Willie looked up at her as she left. He felt happy that she knew but also pained to be the bearer of bad news. His wife had finished cooking and was just standing there. Once Miranda had retreated upstairs, Carol made her way over to her husband. 

Carol: "Are you crazy?!" She yelled. His usually quiet wife was not so quiet now. He hadn't seen her look this pissed since Joshua was five and he smeared paint all over her good jewelry. 

Willie: "It had to be done." He said in his defense. 

Carol: "You should never have opened your mouth! Look what you've done." She continued. 

Carol continued to yell until she looked like she was ready to pounce on him. Willie put his hands up in defense and apologized again. She shook her head and stormed off. 

Later that day

Joshua's parents packed up after "breakfast" and didn't say a word to Miranda. She remained locked in her room until she came downstairs. It was almost time for Joshua to get off and she was waiting on the sofa. As she laid there, she allowed that morning's news play through her mind. Before she knew it, she had closed her eyes and dozed off. 

An hour or so later Joshua came in and found her sleeping peacefully. He smiled at her, until he noticed the dried tissues around her gathered on the floor. Maybe she's sick? He thought. He went over to carry her upstairs so she could rest comfortably. She woke up suddenly. It took her a moment to realize he was standing in front of her. She suddenly sat up and slide over so he could sit down. He shrugged and sat down.  He sat next to her, or tried to, she slide further away. 

He looked at her, noticing something was off. 

Joshua: "Something wrong?" He asked. Miranda wanted to blow up. She wanted to scream, throw things, kick his ass, but she didn't. In a small voice, like someone with a crushed soul, she spoke. 

Miranda: "Just tell me, please, is it true?" She asked as her voice broke. Oh shit he thought, he immediately knew what she was referring to. He knew his father must have told her. He sighed and nodded his head. She swallowed the lump that formed in her throat. She didn't want an explanation. Not now, she couldn't bear to hear the details. She rose and pointed towards the door. 

Miranda: "Get out." She said firmly. Joshua quickly began to try to explain, he needed her to hear him out but she wasn't having it. He had managed to get on his knees. 

Joshua: "Please just hear me out." He pleaded. She shook her head and put her hand up to silence him.

Miranda: "Either you go or I do."

Joshua: "No. I'm not leaving until we work this out. Please forgive me." He cried. Miranda turned towards the door. Once outside, she let her tears flow again. Joshua wanted to follow her, but he knew she needed some time. He watched out the door and she started to run down the stairs and clutch herself. 

Miranda: "Why Joshua?" She asked.