The Misunderstood

Family Isn't Always Blood

Miranda's POV

The front door flew open before Miranda could reach it. In walked Angie! Miranda was so happy to see her best friend! They had been friends since Angie had moved to the area in December of 2013. Angie had moved to Georgia from Ohio. She had fled an abusive ex. It was simply chance that she had moved into the old mobile home down the road from Miranda's old cabin. She basically gathered her 3 children into her car and drove til she found Quitman, Georgia. Miranda would probably never know what caused Angie to stop there, but she would be forever grateful that she did. Miranda befriended Angie right away. They were closer than any sisters ever! Truely kindred spirits. Miranda would listen to Angie tell of her past. How she never had a family that loved her. No one to be there for her. Of how more than anything Angie wanted a loving family for her children. Miranda hugged her friend tightly and told her, "Sometimes family isn't the one you're born into. Sometimes family is the one you make. Family isn't always blood, hun." From then on they had stood by each other and walked through the good and the bad. Mostly the good! Angie, with Miranda's help, found a job. She soon bought a more reliable vehicle. It wasn't long before a wonderful man took notice of Angie. She and Gary hit it off. Soon they were married and bought a nice piece of land and a cozy home. Where they welcomed Angie's fourth child. Angie and her family proved to be the final healing piece to Miranda's puzzle. Finally she had a friend and a sister. Someone who understood her. And accepted her as she was.

Angie hugged Miranda's neck tightly! It had been a couple weeks since they'd seen each other face to face. Life gets busy sometimes and sadly gets in the way of us seeing our loved ones. She pulled back and looked Miranda in the eyes. She caught her friend off guard when she suddenly looked serious and said, "Ok. Now tell me what's been bothering you? I know something isn't right. I can feel it when we are on the phone. You are constantly on my mind. And now that I'm here its heavy near you. So... do we need sage, an attention getter for the husband, or is something going on with the kid??"Miranda chuckled and shook her head. She never could get anything past Angie. She looked around the house quickly and told Angie, "'I do need to discuss this with you. But I can't in front of Levi." Angie pulled her coat off and grinned before replying. "Let's get some coffee going. And then you tell me what's going on. Levi won't be a problem for a little while. Paige has him occupied for the moment!"

Paige's POV

She can feel the butterflies going crazy in her stomach as her mom makes the turn onto Delphinium Dr. Paige continues to replay the phone call with Levi from yesterday over and over in her mind. "I'm so glad I told him. But a part of me is worried I made a mistake. What if it ruins our friendship?", she wanders to herself. Paige questions whether she should have text him that they were coming by? As the car came to a stop in the drive she stepped out and notice Levi in the backyard with the dogs. Paige let her mom know he was there and that she was going back there. As she approached she realized that he had his ear buds in. Listening to music as usual. He was looking intently at the ground. She knew her friend well enough to know that something was bothering him. As Paige reached the gate she announced herself by calling out to him. He didn't seem to notice her, but boy the dogs sure did! They quickly let the whole world know that Paige was there!

Levi's POV

"Paige! Hey! Hush dogs! Stubbs, Squeakers, hush! Come on in!" Levi gushed. His face turning bright red. Levi felt excited, embarrassed, like he might puke. "What is wrong with me? Pull it together man!" He screams internally to himself as he watches the little dogs jump excitedly around Paige's feet.

Angie's POV

Walking through the door Angie knows immediately that something is off. The energy in the home is off. More than usual. As she hugs Miranda, she purposely avoids looking down the hall in the direction of the guest bedroom. That guy has never bothered her, but she isn't comfortable acknowledging him. He likes to stare. She's convinced he's a creep. Angie pulled back and looked Miranda in the eyes. She had been very worried about her friend. But she knew better than to press her for information over the phone. She had to be face to face with Miranda to get answers. So she intentionally ran her errands and did her shopping on this side of town, so that she could stop by her friends house on the way home. Even if it was a half hour out of her way, she needed to know if Miranda and her family were ok.

"Ok. Now tell me what's been bothering you. I know something isn't right. I can feel it when we are on the phone. You are constantly on my mind. And now that I'm here its heavy near you. So...do we need sage, an attention getter for the husband, or is something going on with the kid??", Angie demands. Miranda just chuckled in response. Then quickly looked around and said, "I do need to discuss this with you. But I can't in front of Levi."Angie could feel her face light up. She had talked to her daughter last night about her and Levi's conversation. She guessed Levi had kept it to himself. And she realized Miranda was unaware Paige was with her. So she slid out of her coat and said to her friend with a smile on her face, "Let's get some coffee going. And then you tell me what's going on. Levi wont be a problem for a little while. Paige has him occupied for the moment!"

Miranda's POV

After following Angie into the kitchen she reached into the pantry and gathered a filter and coffee beans. Both women prefer fresh ground coffee beans. Angie knows this kitchen as well as her own. She reaches into the cupboard and grabs the electric grinder. Miranda grabs the cream and sugar as her friend prepares the coffee. As with any task these two tackle, they work together with so much ease. Two halves of the same whole. Once its brewing Angie sits on a stool, crosses her arms and says, "Ok. Spill it." Miranda takes a breath and glances out the window above the kitchen sink before she begins. She feels a cold shiver run up her spine as she does. It doesn't go unnoticed by her friend. "I think it's happening again." Miranda let her fear flow from her all at once. Her heart skipped a beat and her friends green eyes went wide with understanding.