Finally: The truth

Roxy Renard packed away all her equipment, and decided that she will just have to show herself. She cannot stay here forever, and it is getting late. She will either try to slip out or just greet Dorothy and Antonio friendly and leave as quickly as possible.

But then as luck would have it she heard...

Antonio: Oh Dorothy, please, please, please understand.

Dorothy: It is too hard, I need time to process this.

Antonio: Then I will give you your time, Im going for a walk.

Though it wasn't a good ending to the conversation, Roxy felt relieved, she had more courage to go down, if she just had to face Dorothy.

She went down, left her huge trunk of equipment, and went over to Dorothy.

Roxy: Dorothy, I'm so sorry, but I overheard everything. I didn't mean too and the vacuum cleaner was on a lot. So I really thought you knew ...

Dorothy: Hi Roxy, it is really alright. Don't worry about it. I knew you where up there.

Roxy (puzzled): You knew!

Dorothy: Of course I did, but I trust you and didn't mind you hearing all. What was I to do, anyway. I couldn't ask you to leave, that is not my place. And besides, I know that our  secret is safe with you and, by the way soon it will be old news, especially if Hatty gets word of it.

Roxy (relieved): Oh, ok. Then we must ensure that she doesn't get to hear about it.

They had a bit of a laugh at Hatty's expense, but Roxy could sense that it was half-hearted, and immediately felt guilty, obviously it was too soon for Dorothy to make silly jokes.

Roxy: So want to talk about it?

Dorothy (teary-eyed): There isn't actually much to talk about, Rox, I just need to come to terms with the fact that my husband has two children form another relationship.

Roxy: I know that is bad and a shock to your system, but keep in mind this was long before you even knew each other. And he didn't even know about them until recently, too.

Dorothy: I know, I know. I think the main thing that bothers me is, if he is telling the truth. Has he really been having trouble at work, and is that really the reason why he was so late to arrive in Sugarbush Valley, or was he spending time with his children and their mother. Look here are a picture of them.

Roxy took the photo and looked at it. The children were really cute, and she could just think how hard it should have been for Antonio to just leave them again.

Roxy handed the picture back to Dorothy.

Roxy: They are extremely cute Dot, can you imagine how hard it was for Antonio to leave them, and return to you? I think that is enough evidence that he has made his decision. It is a hard one and I think most people will need a lot of time to decide what to do.

Dorothy: I guess you are right.

Roxy: And what is more, I heard that their mother is married again, and already as a little baby with her new husband and is expecting another, so that alone is more evidence that she is happy and wasn't waiting for Antonio, so I don't think you have much to worry about, even though I can understand that you are heartbroken.

Dorothy: I never thought of it that way, thank you Roxy for your insight. Eventually everything will be ok, but it is just too much to take at once, maybe it was a good thing that he went out a bit.

Roxy hugged Dorothy and they said there goodbyes.

Roxy felt emotionally trained. She was just relieved that it was Willow Cottontail's turn to make dinner. (The Renards and Cottontails lived together in the CT 4 and the mother's took turns to make dinner). As she passed CT 3, she noticed Velvette Slydale in the garden. Roxy sighed, she liked Velvette, although they are not really friends, they do get along. The thing is that Velvette and Hatty is best friends, which doesn't make sense at all, and Roxy really can't stand Hatty.

Velvette: Hi Roxy, how are you?

Roxy: Emotionally drained and extremely tired.

Velvette: Poor woman, I guess you are done for the day, I hope you have a relaxing evening.

Roxy: Thanks Velvette, see you around.

But Roxy wasn't that lucky, as if she had x-ray ears, Hatty appeared out of nowhere.

Hatty: Roxy, wait up. Are you ok? Why so emotionally drained?

Roxy (extremely irritated - she knew what Hatty was up): I'm ok Hatty, thank you (and then Roxy did something that she knew was just mean, but Hatty had it coming). I just had a nice long talk with Dorothy Patches. The poor woman is a bit shaken up. She told me all about Antonio and his whereabouts...

Hatty: She did, noooooooooooooooooo! So you know?

Roxy: Yes, I was actually the first one she told, but obviously I was sworn to secrecy. Well ladies I'm already late, see you around.

And with that Roxy took her trunk and left in the direction of her house. She could hear Hatty mumbling something, but she just smiled and went into her house.

Meanwhile, Antonio took a stroll through the village, just to clear his head. He understood why Dorothy was angry, and he will give her all the time she needs. He is committed to her and Kyle, he just wants her to grasp and believe that. Surely he will miss Bertie and Bella, but he has only known them for about 3 months now, he will never choose them over Dorothy and Kyle, although he do hope that one day all of them can get together and have a good holiday.

Antonio settled on a park bench, and was thinking about getting himself an ice cream from the cart just behind him. After gathering enough courage and was just about to get up, a friendly looking cat approached him.

Maurice: Hi there, mind if I sit, I'm Maurice by the way.

Antonio: Hi, no problem. Antonio.

Maurice: So what brings you to the park. Care for ice cream?

Antonio: It is a very very long story. That will be fabulous, thank you.

Maurice got them the ice cream and the guys settled in. They chatted for a long time. First Maurice told Antonio all about himself and his family and then gossiped a bit about the villagers. Then Antonio decided to open up to Maurice. Somehow he just trusted the guy. And Maurice just listened and listened. He didn't give his opinion, didn't interrupt Antonio and best of all didn't judge him. That was just what Antonio needed.

After what felt like hours, the two shook hands, said their goodbyes and left with promises of more ice cream soon, as well as hopes of a lasting friendship.