STOLEN CHANCES - PART FOUR

PREVIOUSLY

Michelle looked at Todd and said, "I love you too," and they fell into a kiss. It was a long, passionate, love-filled kiss that turned into a long, passionate night of continuous lovemaking.

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The relationship between Todd and Michelle continued to become more and more serious. They had spent their entire lives getting to know each other. All that was left now was for them to love each other. They were determined to love each other, no matter what their parents had to say about their [relationship]. Their parents didn't have a problem with their childhood friendship. It was the blossoming adult relationship that was an issue. Michelle's parents didn't approve of Todd as a potential suitor. They thought he was a trouble making kid from the wrong side of the track who was a bad influence on their daughter. They were convinced that Todd persuaded Michelle not to return to her boarding school for her last year of high school. They blamed him for this and didn't feel Todd was they type of boy their daughter should waste her time with. Peter disapproved of the relationship simply based on Michelle's race. But Todd and Michelle didn't see any of those barriers. They were in love. And in spite of their parents' objections, Todd and Michelle were willing to go against the odds and continue to express their love for one another.

Todd and Michelle weren't naive though. As their senior year of high school started, they realized that their parents would soon discover the true nature of their "adult" relationship. Even though Todd had moved back home from Sam's, Peter still spent a lot of time out of town. Most weekends Todd and Michelle spent alone at Todd's empty house. Michelle would tell her parents a story about spending her weekends with some girlfriends, and since they trusted her, she never had a problem. But they knew it was only a matter of time before their parents would start to doubt that story. They knew they wouldn't have a moment's happiness as long as they were in town. So, they decided to apply to colleges together, but far away from home. Llanview University was the school they both got accepted to. But, they waited until after graduation to tell their families about their decision.

Of course, all they heard was more of the same type of arguments. But Michelle's father was especially upset. He sincerely felt like his sweet, innocent little girl was about to ruin her life. Michelle was such a smart girl with every financial resource available to her. He didn't understand why would she settle on a small town school like Llanview University with a punk kid like Todd Manning.

The end of the summer couldn't come fast enough for Todd and Michelle. The sooner they left for school, the sooner they could get on with their lives. However, Todd feared Michelle's father. He was very protective of his daughter and would do anything he felt was in her best interest. And in the judge's opinion, being involved with Todd was not in Michelle's best interest. Todd worried that the judge would take drastic measures to stop Michelle from leaving with him. But what worried Todd most was that the judge would be successful in his efforts.

The day came when Todd's biggest fear was realized. Several days pass without Todd hearing a word from Michelle. Finally on the day they were supposed to leave for Llanview together, Todd goes over to her house. Her father answers the door and wants to know why Todd is there. Todd asks to see Michelle, but her father gives him the bad news - Michelle is gone. He tells Todd that she realized that she didn't care for Todd and wanted to move on with a life that didn't include him. Todd just stared at the judge in disbelief. Until that moment, he had never realized how ruthless the man was. But now he could see that he never stood a chance with Michelle. The judge squashed his hopes of a decent life with Michelle and made sure there would be no happily ever after.

Todd was crushed. His entire world had just come crashing down around him. He didn't know who he was anymore because the one person he depended on had just deserted him. That Todd died that day. What emerged was the monster that lived within. The monster created by years of Peter's abuse. The monster created by a lack of a mother's love. The monster that Michelle's love had been able to tame and control. The monster set free by Judge Lincoln Westlake that made its way to Llanview, Pennsylvania and changed it forever.

TO BE CONTINUED