PERCIE
I called Grandpa that night after coming home from dinner at Ward’s house.
“Are you sure it’s a good idea to live with a young woman on the same roof? I’m not worried about you, but about that girl. She’s a cop’s daughter, Percival.” He sighed from the other line.
“And what is the problem there? She won’t stay here long once she finds a roommate.”
“And if she won’t? You’re a young man, Percival. How about the temptations? When was the last time you get laid? Or jerked off yourself?”
My face heated with embarrassment. Why grandpa had to remind me of my boring sex life? Jeez.
“Jesus, Grandpa. Can we not talk about my sex life, please?” I rolled my eyes. This is not the topic I wanted to talk about with him, but he had a point.
“Up to you, Percival, but if it helps you improve your social skills, then go ahead. Just treat her right, and behave, okay?”
PERCIE Fourteen months ago… “Oh, boy. Did you just apologize? I can’t believe you can still remember words. I thought your brain is drained, too.” Grandma snorted while raising her brow. “Stop making him feel guilty, Grace. Look at him. He doesn’t have any more left in him other than his skin and bones. Why won’t you try to cheer him up by telling him about his new apartment.” “Wait, what?” I asked quickly. I felt something new inside me. Excitement? Hope? “You found an apartment for me?” Grandma hit Grandpa’s arm playfully. “You, old mutt. Can’t keep your mouth shut for a while, can you? Now, where is the moment of surprise there?” Grandpa laughed. “Surprise my butt. He got one surprised already. I think that’s good enough for him to get outside his hell hole.” After the longest three weeks, I found myself smiling. “Thanks to both of you.” Grandma waved her hand. “Don’t thank us yet. You’ll pay
PERCIE Thirteen months ago… I left that day from rehab, defeated, but it wouldn’t stop me from seeing her again. I wanted to prove that it was a stupid mistake. And I had no plan on doing it again. Despite my defeat, I still had one reason to move forward. My grandparents brought me to my new apartment. I didn’t even know that Grandpa was busy furnishing while I was busy trying to kill myself. The fully furnished two-bedroom apartment met my taste. The black leather couches in the small living room with 46” flat tv screen mounted on the wall, a 60” framed art poster of my favorite football team, taken during their championship game. A small kitchen with stainless steel appliances and what caught my attention was the latest coffeemaker. Then the coal-colored cupboards, countertops, and kitchen island. My dark blue-colored bedroom had queen size bed, two nightstands, and a closet of the same color. There wa
PERCIE I groaned when my alarm went off. I got up from bed lazily, rubbed my eyes, and walked outside my room. I led my way to the kitchen, halted when someone yelped. My sleepiness was gone in an instant. I curse under my breath. Hailey’s wide eyes met mine. Her lips slightly parted. It slipped off my mind that I wasn’t alone anymore. We both stared at each other for a few seconds. I blinked twice. Shit! I just remembered that I was only wearing boxers, and she didn’t have to know when a guy just got up from bed, someone, or rather something, woke up as well. ”Sorry.” I ran back to my room. I looked down at my half-naked body. Fuck. I grabbed a shirt and sweatpants and put them on quickly. I walked into my bathroom, washed my face, brushed my teeth, and rinsed my face again. I sniffed my underarm. Why am I doing these?Did I just ask myself in the
PERCIE Thirteen months ago… We talked every day until Thursday. I missed talking with her on Friday, though. I asked Grandpa if they would come with me tomorrow. I was a little excited to see her again. This time I wouldn’t disappoint and upset her. I picked up my grandparents at their home. I already dropped by at the flower shop for Emma. I knew what she liked. “Look at you. Finally, the old Percie.” Grandpa patted my back. I rolled my eyes. “We met last week, Grandpa.” “You look a lot better today, Percie.” “About that.” I laughed. I was actually eating like a starved animal. “I have to go to the grocery after I see Emma.” I rubbed the back of my neck. “Don’t worry about it. Grace would love to do that when she sees you like that.” Grandma showed up and opened her arms wider to hug me. My heart melted. My parents didn’t care about me, but these two loved me like their own s
PERCIE My classes ended, and I still found no message from Hailey. I rechecked it. Nada. I walked to the bench where I found her before. Then there she was. She was talking to someone, and that someone just made my blood boil. I strode in their direction at a long pace. Before I could get closer, Cassie saw me first. “Hey, Percie. Meet my new friend. We have classes together. Hailey—” I cut her off and grabbed her away from Hailey. “Stay away from her, Cassie.” I didn’t think it was a coincidence. “I don’t wanna see you talking to her again. You can’t be her friend. That’s impossible. Someone like you who doesn’t have the same interest as hers can’t ever be her friend. You two are like night and day. You can’t fool me, Cassie.” She glared at me, and I glared back. “Go.” She grabbed her things and walked away. I look at Hailey, hugging herself and looking down at her feet. “St
PERCIE Eight months ago. Emma had been practicing her race on weekdays for five months now since her application was accepted. Her neurosurgeon cleared her to join the Paralympics after running some tests. She was not the best or the fastest, but I was so proud of her determination to join the race for a cause. We’d been visiting her every Saturday for five months. Still, no words from my parents. I almost got caught when they didn’t show up on Friday. Instead, they visited her on Saturday just like us. I didn’t insist on asking permission from them to see Emma since everything about us was doing just fine. I didn’t want to give more trouble to Emma more than I already did. She had to focus on racing. Emma extended another couple of months in rehab just to let me visit her every Saturday. She’d been busy with her blog as well. She encouraged paraplegic patients to join sports. She’d meet her followers every
PERCIE The dinner with the Wards became regular every weekend—Saturdays with my grandparents and Sundays at Hailey’s. The only difference today was, I was going with her instead of driving there alone. “Dad wants us to stop at the grocery first before going home.” I faced Hailey. “And what he wants this time?” “He wants me to buy candles. They used the candles he bought yesterday when the electricity had a short circuit at home.” “What’s he going to do with the candles this time? Didn’t he call someone to fix it?” “It’s done, but we need candles for Mom’s cake.” I froze. “Hailey, wait. What’s with the candles and cake? Is your mom’s birthday today? And you didn’t mention it to me?” She shrugged and smiled sheepishly. “I thought it’s not a big deal, and it’s just us like every dinner over weekends.” “Still, it’s your mom’s birthday. Remind me to buy a gift, ev
PERCIE Eight months ago… “Nothing, Percie. I thought maybe she’s tired in the flight, and she wanted to take a rest first,” Grandpa explained. I wasn’t entirely convinced. There was more to it than what these oldies were telling me. “Grandma, since you’re done and ready, can you check on Emma while I’m in the shower. Please?” “Of course, Percie. You go ahead. I’ll be with Emma. I’m also famished.” There was something odd going on that I couldn’t point my finger on it. I stared at both of them intently. Grandma took her purse and walked out of the door. “What’s going on, Grandpa? Is there something you’re not telling me?” “Like what?” Grandpa asked back. “Like secrets, you, Grandpa, and Emma are not sharing with me.” “Go shower, Percie. I don’t have secrets to tell you.” Disappointed, I blew a huge breath before I walked into the bathroom.