HIDING BEHIND THE SHADOWS

Chapter 7 - Flashback 2 "Running Away"

The next morning, I woke up with her snuggled beside me on bed, I hugged her tight from behind kissing the top of her head. I felt myself comfortable with her beside me.  I watched her eyes closed, I swept the hair on her face and see clearly with her dominant thick lashes, her brows shaped to perfection, her nose pointed upward.  I can still feel how her lips pouted when I broke off form our kisses.  She was so beautiful, my Jessie. I will always cherish this day, the day she surrendered herself to me, the day she confessed her love for me.

I held her close to me, keeping our naked bodies close under the mattress. I tried to close my eyes and capture sleep once more when her father barged into my room, the door swung open in an instant.  Jessie’s eyes open in an instant, sat up in bed holding the mattress up to her chest to cover herself.

I circled her with my arms trying to protect her from her father, face red in anger and frustration. “What the!...” he said. His face shocked at what he saw. Me and Jessie together in bed, both naked.  He run down his hands to his face as he look at me. Brows furrowed, eyebrows crossed and constantly gritted his teeth trying to control his anger.    

“Bullshit!... How on earth Aaron.. I trusted you how could you do this?”… Jessie reach for my shirt on the chair beside her and slipped it on her.  She glared at her father and stomped her way to the bedside table beside me.

Jessie pick up the card and throw it to her father. Edmund pick it up and read… his eyes stinging with tears. “Get dressed.. we’ll talk downstairs” Edmund said, trying to control his anger. “and you young man… I was a fool to trust you!” with that Edmund stormed out of the room.

Nana’s look was sympathetic shaking her head “How could you do this Son?, you know it’s not right”

I get up the bed and stand near her “Nana I was overwhelmed she called my name, she whispers to me.. she loves me Nana” I said to her, expressing all the happiness I my heart.

“But you know it’s wrong? You were both so young…” Nana said. “Get dressed and you two come downstairs, I made breakfast for both of you…”

Jessie hold my hand and kissed me. She dragged me downstairs her hands on mine “I love you Jessie…” she smiled at me “why don’t you say it again? Please…?” she cupped my face smiling later crossing her arms and make a love sign pointing her fingers to my heart.

“Please Jessie, let Nana them hear it…” I plead to her but she just smiled, reached for her dress and changed.  She pecked my lips with a kiss and left the room.

When we reached downstairs, I look around for his dad trying to explain myself.  I decided to open up to him, how much I loved her daughter and I will promise him that I will do everything I can to protect her.

“He already left, he had a flight to catch…” Nana said talking about Edmund.

“I asked your Dad to let you have breakfast with us before you head home and he said yes” She said looking at Jessie “…but I promised to watch you two not to make naughty things again” she added.  We both know what Nana meant by that.  We ate our breakfast smiling, happy and contented with everything that happened “No regrets” I said Jessie smiled at me holding my hands.

“Is it true that you whisper your first words with Aaron sweetheart?” Nana asked Jessie where she nodded and smiled looking at me. Her eyes glittering in happiness, I was proud of myself for having this beautiful girl beside me. I kissed the back of her hands and smiled back at her.

Nana was worried but was happy for the signs that Jessie will be fine with me, hoping that one day she too will hear Jessie’s voice again after a very long time.

Ring… ring… ring….

We are happy eating breakfast when the house phone rings, Nana went to answer it.

“Yes… “ she said “Oh Margaret.. it’s been a long time” she listens to the other side of the line and said “I will tell him… goodbye then”

“What is it?” I asked Nana, even though I know it was my mom calling, my only concern back then, was why she called.  Everytime my mom called, it seems that there is always bad news or something that doesn’t concern me. She would never asked for me or talk to me even for a short while.  But rather, leave her messages for me through Nana.

“You Mom and Dad is back together and they will be coming to pick you up Aaron” Nana told me. She spoke as if the news is not that important.  She sat back down in the table and tried to eat in silence.  I knew then that Nana was not telling me everything

“What is it Nana?” I asked her again

She put down her spoon and pork.  She picks up a glass of water and drink from it, while Jessie and I waited for her to speak again.

She looks at me and then picks up the fork and played with the food on her plate. Silence seems endless when she finally spoke “she asked me to pack your things they will be here in two days” her eyes looking at the food on her plate.

“What? is she even serious?” I asked in surprise “but Nana… I can’t” knowing mom and dad is back together is good news but to me it’s breaking my heart. I looked at Jessie who seemed as surprised as me, with her eyes bright look at me and Nana. Jessie sat up and ran outside tears forming at the side of his eyes…

“Jessie… Jessie…. Wait” I ran after her but to their home. But Jessie refused to come out and face me.