The last time this happened we spent a night in jail.
His words float over us as we stare each other in the eyes.
Jamie breaks the silence "No...Uh...I mean, the last time I um...had faith in a woman's driving skills"
It's obvious he's lying and usually I'll let it go but not this time- it's been three long months of constant lies and I'm sick of it.
For some odd reason though, it kinda hurts that he doesn't trust me enough to tell me the truth.
"Okay, I guess this is happening now" I whisper and turn my focus back to driving- except I don't go home, I pull over to the side of the road.
"What is?" He breathes.
"You're telling me the truth, the whole truth" I unstrap my seatbelt and turn to face him.
"What truth?" He go
I unlock the door to my apartment with a wide a*s grin because that’s what Jamie does to you-makes you smile so much your jaw hurts.Just as I throw my bag down and my butt connects with the couch, an incoming video call from Beth pops up on the Mac Pro which I left powered on the table.Quickly, I accept it, wishing this damn grin off my face as I sit on the floor right in front of the table.“Hey, stranger” she beams“Hello, beautiful stranger” I respond, grinning like a fool.“Someone looks happy” she smiles“I think I am” I reply, suddenly remembering to ask her “Beth, did you by any chance tell Brit what I like to have for dessert?”“No” she squints her eyes “Why?”“Nothing important” I shrug “I was just wondering”“More than 10 years, Danny” she stares impassively at me and I frown in confusion before she continues “...and you still think I don’t know when you’re lying? Spit it out”“What?” I go for nonchalance
It’s Saturday and I’m out for a morning jog.My need for a boxing gym has doubled.“Danielle” I hear a familiar voice call and I slow down“Danny” I groan, rolling my eyes.“Good morning to you too” he says sardonically.“About the gym though...” I start, halting in my track.“We could go today” he suggests and I nod eagerly.“In say thirty minutes?” I offer, giving his non-workout outfit a disapproving glance.“Sure” And then he’s gone.I’ve been avoiding the topic of ‘The Truth’ he told me about because I just don’t think I’m ready to face it.I know running away from or in my case, avoiding your problems is never the right thing to do but I’m sure whoever came up with that saying didn’t just find out about their past lives or met a awesome human who’s apparently lived centuries.So, here, avoiding the topic really does seem like the right thing to do.Jamie...bless him...probably sensed how uncomfortable that
Flashback(10 Years Ago)I hear the front door open and close.Mommy’s home.Chowders sound asleep. He stopped crying a while ago, I think he feels better.Quickly, I grab my test off the table and sprint down the stairs.“Good Evening, mommy” I beam, my smile so wide that my jaw begins to hurt soon.Mommy just nods in acknowledgment as she starts taking off her shoes.“I got a high score on my Math test today” I inform, proudly holding up my B-minus“A B-minus?” She huffs in disbeliefMy smile wavers. I had hoped she was going to be at least a little bit happy but no such luck. A huge lump forms in my throat and I chew my bottom lip, it’s all I can do to not break out in tears.“Come on, D
Sweating profusely in the middle of the night when normal people are sleeping...but the thing is I'm not normal...no, I'm far from normal but you know, it wasn't always like this...**Punch...Punch...Punch**I punch the punching bag I had installed in my room...with all my strength I punch it...thinking about how I used to be...before I became this mess...Flashback"So, What does my little princess want for breakfast?" My dad smiled up at me, me sitting on the kitchen counter smiling back at him "Dad, I'm not a little kid anymore, you can't keep calling me your little princess" I said to him and he frowned"Dad? No more daddy" "Yes, dad, that's what the older kids call her their daddy""But, you're still a little girl, Shorty" he said making me smile...he loved calling me Shorty and I loved hearing him call me thatBec
I walk into the kitchen to find my mom rinsing a glass by the sink and I just ignore and act like I didn't see her.I take my cereal and pour it into a bowl before adding the milk...all the while feeling her eyes on me but if there's anything I'm really good at it's awkward silence.Totally ignoring her, I finished my cereal and washed out my bowl and was just about to leave when she spoke "Really, Danielle¿ Not even a good morning?"And that stopped me right in front of the door and without turning to face her, I mumble a "Good Morning, mom" before taking another step to leave"Danielle..." she started but I cut her off "it's a beautiful day, mom, let's not ruin it?" I say in a question-like way with a fake ass smile but she wouldn't just leave it like that
"She was grieving, Danny""Think about it, if you did this just for your mom, you could've asked to be the smartest kid in school or have psychic powers or something more normal but you are crazy, Danielle Sanchez. Crazy is you. You and Crazy are one""Cherish your mom while you still have her, Danny"Beth's words keep ringing in my head."You could've asked to be the smartest kid in school"I groan
"Morning, mom" I beam as I watch her come down the stairs "I made breakfast"I came down earlier to cook breakfast."I noticed" she smiled and came over to give me a hug "Morning, Shorty""Looks good" she complimented, taking a seat."Yeah, right, that's just something you have to say" I say dismissively."I won't say it looks good if it doesn't look good, Danielle, you know me" she says slowly.
Today, we graduate high school.And I'm not going-well, I don't want to go but I don't think Beth is having that.She's currently ransacking my cupboard for something suitable for me to wear."Beth, just drop it, I'm not going" I groan for the nth time"Alright, give me one good reason for that silly decision" she turned to me for the first time since she started her mission."Silly?" I laugh