Protect me from what?
Instead of having an answer, she’s left me with an even bigger question.
I’ve heard this same answer twice in a day from two different parents.
What does it mean?
Mom leaves the room in a hurry while I stand there in the pile of my memories that she’s kept like her most prized possession. I know if I pick up any other album aside from the one she showed me, I wouldn’t find any more pictures of us. It’d just me or Emery.
My hands curl into fists.
I want to know what happened.
And I will find it out.
38
HOPE
A few days later,we're at school, but instead of classes, we're all attending a bake sale, which is part of one of Heath’s business projects.. The football field is packed with stalls set up by the business students, buzzing with the energy of the entire eleventh and twelfth grade. Last year, I didn’t attend because being in the crowds isn’t my thing and also I had no one to support.
But this time, it’s different.
I have a boyfriend who looks every bit as grumpy as he checks the stall, making sure everything’s in order and organizing things on the table for the people. If it weren’t for the grade and Sebastian’s begging he wouldn’t be doing this at all. Regardless, I find it so sweet seeing him manage everything so easily. He is cool, calm and collected while I’m a ball of nerves because I want today to go well for him. I want him to make a lot of sales.
“Are you sure you want me here?” I ask him for the third time, sensing so many questioning eyes on us.
“Yes,” Heath says meeting my gaze before going to work.
“What about Sebastian?”
“He’s going to attract the crowd to our stall.”
“And Marie?”
“She’s with him.”
“So, we’re alone.” I look around in panic.
“Why, Rose? Are you nervous to be alone with me?” Heath asks with a smirk.
I turn red, remembering how things have been between us lately. “No, that’s not it.”
“Then?”
“I just…” I cast another glance around and find those curious eyes still locked on me, making my skin crawl with ants. “You know, I’m terrible at confronting people. What if I mess up? And I don’t want to mess up. This is important to you and I?—”
Stepping closer to me, he cups my chin and tilts it up. “You’re going to be fine. Don’t worry, I’m here with you.”
“I’ll hand you stuff and pack it.”
“I can handle that, but if that’s what you want to do then you can do it.”
“I want to help you.”
He smiles and I can’t help but smile too.
Leaning down, he kisses me. “You don’t need to help me. Just be here with me and it’d be enough.”
