The McEntire Legacy: 3.5

The McEntire children continued to grow, and soon Timothy, Katie, and Astro were adults. Timothy left home to pursue his career as a rapper.

“I’m gonna be the best rapper ever!” Timothy exclaimed as he hip bumped his father.

“I’m sure you are, son,” Tyler said smirking.

“Yo, yo, yo, dawg!” Timothy rapped. “Did that sound right?” Tyler laughed. Under that big hoodie he was just a shy, nerdy little redhead.

Katie had grown into even more of a beauty than she was as a teenager and had developed an elegant style to match. She wanted to start a cosmetics company and often bragged about her groundbreaking idea for pixel-free make-up.

“My new make-up line will innovate the industry!” she claimed proudly.

“Why do humans even wear make-up?” Astro asked. While during his teenage years, he had mostly worn his human disguise, as an adult, he had come to accept who he was. “It’s like people are hiding behind a mask,” he commented.

“Some people need masks to hide behind. That’s why I want to get my nose fixed,” Katie explained with a toss of her head.

“Your nose looks fine,” Astro protested.

“But it could look better,” Katie said. “That’s the whole point of make-up. It makes everything look better! Some people simply don’t understand,” she finished condescendingly. So Katie moved out, leaving Alex, Shirley, and Astro as the only remaining children.

It wasn’t long before another baby was on its way, and soon, Allyson gave birth to Cindy.

Cindy was a playful, energetic little girl. She was a bit messy and loved to play outside and get dirty, but spent most of her time climbing on the monkey bars and running around. Allyson had thought that things would slow down now that most of the children had left home, but with another child, and Tyler becoming older with less stamina, she was more starved for affection than ever.

Rumors about Allyson had been spreading for some time, but soon more and more people were talking about seeing her with various men. Tyler had begun to hear about his wife being seen with other men, but assumed it was simply her flirtatious nature.

He’ll be the seventh man I’ve kissed...today, Allyson thought proudly as she puckered up. His mustache felt bristly, and his scarf was a bit too effeminate for her taste, but she was having fun! She had been so bored at home raising the children, cooking, and cleaning and waiting for any scrap of affection Tyler passed her way, that she wasn’t very choosy when she went in search of flirtations.

Men even came over to the house for dates, and Tyler was always at work, or thought they were just friends. Maybe he didn’t want to believe that his wife was cheating on him. Maybe she was flaunting her varied love life to make him jealous. But soon, Tyler would not be able to ignore her behavior.

It was late afternoon when Tyler was busy doing some freelance programming in the study that Allyson invited Enzo into the bedroom. He had become one of her favorites because of his thick black hair and charming personality. The thrill of Tyler being right downstairs made Allyson excited, but she did not anticipate the possibility of him tearing himself away from the computer screen.

Tyler came into the bedroom suddenly and was shocked to see Allyson in bed with another man. The two jumped out of bed, but it was too late. Tyler gaped, unable to find words.

“Tyler, this doesn’t mean anything!” Allyson cried. “He means nothing to me.”

“Hey!” Enzo said, taking offense.

“I heard the rumors. I saw the signs. I just didn’t want to believe them,” Tyler said quietly. Then he turned his back and began to leave the room.

“Tyler, please!” Allyson begged. Tyler looked behind him and saw Enzo nonchalantly pulling up his pants over his superman boxers. The casual attitude made his blood boil, and he spun around on the two of them.

“How dare you come into my home and use my bed to woohoo with my wife!” Tyler yelled, pointing at Enzo.

“Tyler, just listen!” Allyson pleaded.

“And you!” He said, rounding on his wife. “How could you do this to our family?! How could you let this man into our home so he could wreck our lives?!” Tears began to roll down Allyson’s cheeks. “Don’t you dare try to sway me with tears, Allyson! Enough is enough! You’ve been running all over town with no regard to me or our children!”

“Hey, calm down, man,” Enzo said in his chill way.

“Get out of my house!” Tyler roared. Enzo grabbed his belt and shoes and made a run for it.

“How could you, Allyson?” Tyler asked with tears beginning to roll down his cheeks. He wiped away the tears with his hands, not able to remember the last time he cried.

“I had needs, Tyler!” Allyson said, becoming tired of taking all the blame. Tyler stared at her.

“I want a divorce,” he said sadly. “No - no I don’t. We have a child. We can work this out,” he said taking her hand.

“You know what, Tyler? I want a divorce.” Allyson said pulling her hand away. “I’m done wishing for romance and excitement with a man who can’t give it to me.” Tyler felt a wave of cold wash over him as he heard those words. It was over.

Allyson was to stay at the McEntire house until she could find a new place of residence, but being forced to see a former spouse every day was very difficult. Tyler spent most of his days moping and looking into the fire, wondering if he could have provided for her better. Allyson spent some of her time with Enzo, but no longer seemed to take the same joy in her affairs when they weren’t truly affairs. At least, that’s what she told herself, but she had to admit that she felt pangs of regret, and she couldn’t escape the fact that out of all the men she had been with, Tyler was the only one she truly loved. Allyson spent the next months searching for a flame that excited her as much as her affairs had, but felt empty inside. Tyler barely looked at her even in passing, and despite the bitterness she had felt when she demanded a divorce, the bitterness had faded into sadness.

One evening, Tyler invited a pretty brunette named Frances over for a date. The two had chatted a few times, and Tyler hoped that she could replace the love he had lost. The two sat down on the couch and made small talk until Allyson burst into the room.

“I’m pregnant!” she cried, holding the positive pregnancy test. She looked surprised by the company, and Tyler glared at her for the intrusion.

“I thought you said you were divorced!” Frances said suspiciously.

“We are,” Tyler replied firmly. “How do I know it’s even mine?” Tyler demanded of his ex-wife. Frances looked shocked and appalled. Allyson began to cry.

“You don’t!” she sobbed. “But I know it’s yours!”

“I’m out of here,” Frances said, getting out of her seat, angrily. “I don’t want any part of this drama!” With that, she strode out the door and slammed it behind her.

“What do you think you’re doing, Allyson! You’ve already ruined my life! What, do you want to ruin any chances of future happiness I might have?!” Tyler yelled. Allyson sobbed more hysterically than ever.

“I’m sorry,” she choked out through her tears.

“You divorced me, remember?” Alex demanded. “It’s just the pregnancy hormones talking.” Allyson threw herself onto Tyler in tears. Tyler was taken aback by Allyson’s display of sadness and didn’t know what to do.

“I was wrong,” she whispered. She heaved several big sobs before she could collect herself enough to continue. “I was searching for romance and excitement, and when I got it I realized all I really want is love and stability.”

Tyler stared at his crying ex-wife. She seemed truly remorseful, and his heart ached for her. He had told himself it was time to move on, but he never really had.  

“I love you, Tyler,” Allyson whispered.

“Break up with your boyfriend,” Tyler said sternly. “Then we’ll talk.”

Soon, Allyson gave birth to Leanna. She adored her new daughter, and pledged that she would fix her relationship with her ex-husband for her. Leanna had been a gift that had given hope for them to be reunited. She would break up with Enzo and try to win her ex-husband back.

Allyson looked in the mirror. She had changed a lot over the many years without even realizing it. Instead of a mischievous young woman looking for romance and excitement, she was a middle-aged, divorced housewife who wanted love, family, and stability. She wondered if it was just her age that had changed her, but then she realized it was Tyler. Through all of the men she had seen, he had been her one true love, and her love for him made her who she had become. She would have to prove to Tyler that she had changed. She would prove to him that she loved him and only him, and if she could undo the mess she had made, she would be loyal to him for the rest of their lives together.