Melissa: eyes welling up I knooow I messed up, but please, you haaaave to take care of your child!
squeezes MoonbeamGlider's hand once more Moonbeam, before we go any further, there's something I need to tell you. It's about the night Elena died...
pauses, takes a deep breath Moonbeam, I didn't just make a mistake in locking you up for Elena's death. I... I actually...
repeatedly glances away, guilt evident in her eyes Moonbeam, I actually covered up evidence that could have proven your innocence. I...
Wha…Why would you do that?
bites her lip, tears welling up in her eyes Moonbeam, I was scared. I didn't know how to handle the situation.
Why would you risk putting me in even more danger by getting rid of evidence?!
voice trembling Moonbeam, I thought I was doing the right thing. I wanted to protect you, and I didn't want to face the consequences of my actions.
So you just threw my life away because of your fears?!
stands up abruptly, anger flashing in her eyes Moonbeam, you have no idea what I went through!
Oh yeah?!stands up facing her
grabs MoonbeamGlider's shoulders firmly You think this is about me throwing your life away?
sighs heavily, her voice filled with desperation No, Moonbeam, it's about me trying to keep you safe!
Safe!I was and am still safe!!! All this time I’ve been safe!! I’ve never felt safer then I did in prison!
frustrated, her voice rising Safe?! You think sitting in a cold, dark cell is safe?!
shocked look on her face Then you don’t know what safety means!
pauses, her anger subsiding as she looks into MoonbeamGlider's eyes You're right, Moonbeam. I don't know what it's like to sit in that darkness.
frowns deeply You don't understand what it's like...to be trapped in a tiny cell, surrounded by fear and uncertainty every single day. You have no idea how lonely it is, how hopeless...how helpless you feel.her voice cracks
takes a deep breath, her voice trembling with emotion Moonbeam, I may not have experienced the horrors of prison, but I have experienced my own kind of hell.
sits back down, her voice filled with vulnerability Moonbeam, I've been living with the guilt and shame of what I've done.
Guilt and shame?!I thought you were trying to protect me?!
sighs heavily, her voice filled with remorse Moonbeam, I know I messed up. I should have trusted you, and I should have come to you with the truth.