Harvey and Kendra were both single parents. They both struggled to make ends meet and to save for a nicer home. So it seemed to make sense to move in together. They would be able to save up and get a nice home for the children and they would have two parents.

Nicole and Kyle were excited to be brother and sister. They got along well.

April, however, was not so happy. She already had a stepfather and now she would have a stepmother, too. She couldn’t stand either one. It was bad enough with one parent telling her what to do, now she would have two.

“You’re not my mother. So don’t think you can tell me what to,” April told Kendra.

April became more rebellious than ever. She stayed out late and would sneak out of the house. She would meet boys and go dancing. It was fun.

It was fun, until, she suspected she might be pregnant. The last thing she wanted was to be saddled down with a baby.

As Lyric grew older, Harley began touring more. Harley had just gotten back from a four month tour. Alonzo barely spoke to her. After they put Lyric to bed they sat down to talk.

“Lyric lost a tooth while you were gone. She was in a school play and you weren’t there,” Alonzo said.

“I feel terrible about that. I want to be there, but this is my dream. You knew that before we married,” Harley said fighting back tears.

“I thought once you were a mother things would change,” Alonzo said. He gathered his pillow and blanket and slept on the couch.

Harley cried herself to sleep. What would he say when he found out she was going on tour again in a month?

Alonzo was furious. How could she leave again? She just got back. They barely spoke to each other. He didn’t even say goodbye to her. When Harley would call to check on Lyric, he was cold and distant. He felt that Harley cared too much about her career and too little about him. He felt alone.

Lyric was taking violin lessons at school. He would take her when Harley was gone. He got to know the other parents well. Sometimes, the children would practice at each other’s homes. One Friday, Lyric left her backpack at Cindy’s house. On his way home from dropping her off at her grandmother’s house, Alonzo went to get it.

Cindy’s mother, Monica opened the door and invited Alonzo in. She had just cooked dinner and invited him to eat. They laughed over their meal and drank wine. He didn’t often drink. Maybe he had a little too much…

Monica invited Alonzo to get in her new hot tub. Alonzo thought why not? Harley was touring, having fun, and who knows what, he thought bitterly.

“Your wife is a fool. I don’t know how she can be away for so long,” Monica said wrapping her arms around Alonzo and pulling him towards her for a kiss. He didn’t resist….

He woke up next to Monica the next morning. He slid out of bed and went home. What had he done? He loved Harley and Lyric. How could he do that? He felt terrible guilt. He was angry with Harley, but what he did was not right. Would she ever forgive him? Would he ever forgive himself?