Peace and Love

Chapter eight - It's too late

Luke's POV:

The dinner with my parents in Sam's new house was good. It was what I expected. Mom ignored us completely. I don't care, but I know Abby did. I understand she wants to have good relations with my mom. That is impossible. If she keeps treating her this way, I don't want my girlfriend to talk with her at all. She can be sensitive sometimes, and I don't want her to get hurt. It's better if she stays away from this, but the final decision is hers. I would like it if my mom changed her mind about Abby. I don't think it will happen. For some reason, she hates her. I know it's because of me, but my girlfriend hasn't done anything to her. She can't treat her like that. At least my dad is not the same. I don't know why he said all these things, but I appreciate it. I know sometimes it's hard to deal with my mom. When she gets something into her head, there is no turning back. Once, he somehow managed to convince her, but that was. It never happened again. I want us to talk like grown-up people, but I don't think she is ready. After all, Sam is her baby. Mom treats him like that. I mean, as if he can't do things by himself. My brother is not a little kid. Honestly, I'm not surprised. He was treated like that since the beginning. I never received her help with anything. I was doing everything on my own. Well, my dad was helping from time to time. Probably that is why I do everything alone now. I grew up like that. Sometimes, I felt like I didn't have a mother. Sam was the golden boy. I was never jealous of him because I wasn't interested in his activities. I was doing things my way. It's not like my mom liked it. She had no choice. Now, I still do the same. At least Abby is on my side. Honestly, she has always been. I know she will never get mad at me, no matter what I do. That's why I love her so much. I hope that we'll always have such a perfect relationship.

It's the weekend. I plan to clean the house and wash our clothes. Last week, Abby wanted to do that. I was the one who allowed her to help me with the chores. Well, I like it when I do everything alone. The thing is that I want her to have free time. It's not like she doesn't. The problem is that Abby wants to be with me all the time. It's not like I have something against that. I use every free second that I have to be with her. It might be too much, but I don't care. She is mine, and I can do whatever I want with her.

Currently, I am at home. Abby went to see Loren. I was invited too, but I had to do some things at home. After all, I need clean clothes for work. It's good that we have a washing machine. It saves a lot of work. When I was ready with the clothes, I went to clean. It's not like it's dirty here. There is always dust. I was about to do that when there was a knock on the door. It was Jason.

- Hey.

- Hey, man. Can I come?

- How bad is it?

- Babies and boys.

- Come here, buddy.

- Thanks. What will you do with that?

- I will clean, what else? Someone has to do it. Last week, it was Abby.

- Can I help?

- If you want, ok? You can only sit and watch. I don't mind.

- No, it's ok. I have nothing to do anyway.

- Cool.

- Also, you might have created a problem for me.

- What? Why?

- That night when you made us cook dinner for the girls.

- Yes. What about it?

- Loren wants me to cook her things. You have to fix this. - Jason said, and I laughed

- I don't know if I will be able to do it.

- You have to do it.

- Maybe, or you can learn how to cook.

- Luke!

- Ok, ok. I will talk to her.

- Thank you. Abby might like this, but I don't.

- It's not that bad.

- I will ask you something.

- Go on.

- Why do you spoil her so much? I don't mean with presents. She doesn't do anything. At least, that's what it looks like.

- Because I don't want to. She needs to have free time.

- Ok, but that way, you won't have it.

- I don't mind. All I want is for her to be good. It doesn't matter how I am.

- Sorry, but I will never do this myself.

- I never said that you have to. That was a personal choice.

- She is lucky.

- I think I am. Also, she deserves such treatment for everything she does for me. Abby was the only person I had when I moved here.

- What happened with your parents? I haven't seen them.

- We have differences. Mostly, they are with my mom.

- I see. I guess she doesn't like the way you live.

- Something like that.

- Don't worry. She will come back one day.

- I'm not worried. I learned how to do everything alone. I don't need her anymore. Abby is enough for me.

- Maybe, but she can't replace your mom.

- Honestly, she can. Abby is acting more like a mom than my real one.

- That is sad.

- Life is sad, but I don't care. I like it.

- I'm glad that you are so positive.

- It can't get worse.

- Are you sure?

- What else can happen? My parents don't talk to me. Well, my mom doesn't.

- I don't know.

Jason and I talked for a while. He helped me clean the house. After some time, he went home. Later, I went to take care of the laundry. Hopefully, some of the clothes will dry until we go to bed. When I finished that, I went to prepare dinner. As I see, Abby will be with Loren. I made myself a quick sandwich and ate it. I'm not that hungry. I pulled out everything I would need for dinner and left it on the counter. I was thinking about chicken with rice and mushrooms. It won't take me that much time. Maybe I can make a dessert as well. I was about to start when there was a knock on the door. You have to be kidding me. Probably, Jason forgot something. I went to open the door and left frozen.

- Hey.

- Dad? What are you doing here?

- Can I come in?

- I don't know.

- I see.

- What do you want?

- To talk with you.

- I don't want to hear it again if it's about what you told Abby.

- So she told you.

- No, I heard it myself.

- I know you hate me.

- I never said that.

- You don't have to do it. I see it.

- Come in. I have to cook.

- Thank you.

I let him suit himself and went to the kitchen. Dinner won't get cooked by itself. I asked if he wanted something, but the answer was no. It's a little bit awkward, but I want to see what he will tell me. I have nothing to say.

- Speak.

- What will you cook?

- Say what you want to say and go.

- You know that I didn't mean to do any of that.

- Any of what? To leave me alone.

- I didn't do it.

- Yes, you did. When I wanted to move out, you didn't do anything to stop me. You let me go just like that. Don't say that you're not guilty because that is not true.

- I won't say it, but it's not like that.

- It's not like what? You do everything she says, even when she's wrong.

- Because if I don't, she will leave. I can't let her go.

- She won't go anywhere because she has nowhere else to stay. Mom uses this against you, but you're too blind to see it.

- You think that I don't know that. The problem is that something won't come out when it gets in her head. She might have no other place to stay. Well, she will pack her things and go. I know her better than you.

- Because you permit her to play with you. How can you be so stupid? You let her manipulate you.

- That is not true.

- It is. I don't argue with Sam at all. The problem is you and my mom. Mainly her.

- I know you are against her decisions, but tell me what I can do. I can't choose between her and you. I love both of you.

- Are you sure?

- Yes, I am. Don't even question that.

- I'm not saying she is a horrible person. Her decisions are. You can't make a difference between your kids.

- I understand, but my hands are tied.

- No, they're not. It's not that hard to tell her what you think. I bet she doesn't even know you are here. Am I right?

- Yes, I didn't tell her.

- Why? Because she will get mad at you?

- Luke.

- It's too late.

- Too late for what?

- Everything. Thanks to you two, I know how to take care of myself. Alone. I don't need any of you. Abby is enough for me.

- She is a good girl. I'm glad that you didn't play with her.

- Why would I do that?

- Because you used to do it in high school.

- What I did was before.

- I see the positive change.

- Why are you here? I want the real reason.

- I want to fix things.

- Now? Don't you think it's too late?

- Some things take time.

- None of you cared when I moved out.

- That's not true.

- No, it is. My grandparents were still alive, so it was easy to get rid of me.

- Luke, it's not like that, and you know it.

- I'm sorry, but I don't trust you anymore.

- What do you want me to do?

- Nothing, except leaving.

- But.

I ignored him and continued with my dinner. I appreciate what he says, but nothing of this is true. I know it. He says all of this to make me look like a fool. I might change my decision for them if my mom tells me everything. I know there is a reason why she is treating me like that. The thing is that she won't talk to me. That woman is stubborn. Sadly, I am, too. I wish I didn't look like her so much. People have kept telling me this since I was a kid. She didn't like it, but never showed it in front of people.

Soon, the front door opened. That must be Abby. I thought she would stay for dinner with them. Well, I was going to make her come home. I won't cook only for myself.

- Hey, you are back. - I said

- I am. Oh, hi, mister Adams.

- Hey, Abby. How are you?

- I'm fine, thanks. Will you stay for dinner?

- No, he was leaving.

- Oh, ok.

- I see I'm not wanted here anymore.

- You can stay if you want. - Abby said

- No, thanks. That was enough. - my dad said and left

- What did you do?

- Nothing.

- Luke, he is your father.

- So? It doesn't mean I will talk to him.

- He is sorry for everything.

- It doesn't matter. It's too late.

- You are not right.

- If your dad was here, would you forgive him?

- What?

- Answer me.

- Maybe not immediately, but I will give him time to show me he means everything he has said.

- That will never happen.

- I think it will. Look, he is hurt. Give him a chance.

- For what? It has to be my mom or me. There is no in-between.

- If he didn't feel sorry, he wouldn't be here. I know you are hurt, but he is, too.

- It didn't look like that.

- That's what you think. You must be the grown-up here and make things as they were.

- I won't go through the same things again.

- I didn't say that.

- Can we forget about it?

- You can't escape from the problem.

- Please.

- Ok. What are you making?

- Our dinner. If I have time, I might make a cake.

- I can make it.

- Thanks, but there is no need to. Go to rest. I'll be fine.

- Are you sure you don't want any help?

- I am. You can go.

I don't want to push her away, but that is not her problem. I have to deal with it by myself. I thought she would leave, but no. Abby came close and hugged me. How does she always know what I need? Because she lives with you, i***t. She needs a better boyfriend than me. I can't give her what she needs. I don't know why she is still with me.

After all, she convinced me to make the cake. Since she wants it so much, I will let her do it. At least that will be some help. I put the main meal in the oven while she made the cake.

- Why are you looking at me like that?

- Because I love you, but I don't deserve you.

- Why are you saying that?

- You need someone better. Who will take care of you, and who doesn't have problems?

- I want something real. - Abby said, chuckling

- I'm serious.

- Me too. No person has problems. That is normal.

- Why are you still with me?

- Because I have nowhere else to go. Also, you treat me like a princess. I don't do anything. I must be crazy to leave such a good boy.

- Tell me when you find him.

- Very funny.

- I'm sorry.

- For what? You didn't do anything.

- Everything. You have to go through my problems.

- The same is true for you. Hey, no matter what you do, I won't leave. It's not easy to get rid of me. - she said and laughed

- I don't want to do it because the next time a girl like you will appear will be after my death.

- That is not true, but I like what you said. After all, I am irreplaceable.

- True.

- Um, I was joking.

- But I'm not. I love you, Abby.

- I love you too, Luke.

We had a great dinner. Both of us know how to cook, which is good. None of us is a professional. Well, we always have food on the table. That is what should matter. I don't care what people think about me. I'm proud of myself. I must have done something right since a perfect girl is still with me. I will never let her go. Otherwise, I will never be able to find someone like her. I have no idea why she is with me, but I'm glad about it. I know that I can share everything with her without being judged. We met for a reason, and that was the happiest day of my life. I hope that I can keep her for a long time.