Remember me

Chapter 13

Mia

The next week at school I do my best to honor my promise to Cole to try harder. When I don't have to work I stay after school to watch him practice and then we make out in the stands when he's finished. He's charming and attentive and I begin to think maybe we can really have something real here between u!!?us. I still haven't told him I love him back but he hasn't asked or pressured me.

Nick on the other hand, ignores me completely at school, and I let him. I'm not letting go that easy, but I think maybe he will come around if I give him some time.

On Thursday evening I come home late after doing a closing shift at dippin dots. Setting my keys on the table by the door I turn the corner to find Marilee sitting at the kitchen table looking through a shoe box of photos. I take a step closer, curious as to what she's so absorbed in. Marilee sniffs and my gaze darts to her face. When she looks up at me her eyes are red.

"What's wrong?" I say immediately, rushing over to sit beside her.

"Nothing." She says, looking away. "I'm just being silly." She quickly stacks the pictures back in to the box and puts on the lid. "I'm heading to bed, you should too." She avoids my gaze as she walks out of the room.

Curious, I open the box and pull out the pictures she was looking at. The first one is of her and Jack. Nicks dad. What made her pull this out? I think.

I can't believe she kept these.

I scan the next picture, also of her and Jack. They're at some country bar, dancing a two-step. Marilee is smiling at Jack like he's Gods gift to man. And wow. For the first time I realize just how much Nick looks like him.

I set it aside and shuffle through the rest of the photos. I find a picture of Jack and Nick standing side by side. Jack has his arm around Nick, smiling, and Nick is standing stick-straight, clearly uncomfortable. The picture behind it is of Nick and I, hanging upside down from the couch. I'm sticking my tongue out and Nick is looking at me, his entire face lit up with a smile. I feel a tear slip down my cheek and I quickly brush it away. How can the absolute worst time period of my life, also be the best? I put the pictures back and head to bed.

That night I dream. But it's not actually a dream, it's a memory.

8 years ago:

It's Sunday night and we're having dinner around the small round linoleum table together, mama, Jack, Nick and I. The linoleum is peeling and I pick a piece off with my fingernail. Nick kicks my foot under the table and I glance up. He looks away and pretends he didn't just kick me. I narrow my eyes and look at my plate. Perfect. I grab a pea and pinch it between my fingers, looking at Jack and mama to make sure they're distracted. I quickly flick the pea, aiming for Nicks forehead. My aim is bad. The pea drops into Jack's beer with a plink. My eyes widen and I look at nick, his expression matching mine as we watch Jack pick up his beer and take a drink.

"What the-" Jack says, spitting out the pea into his napkin. He looks at the pea and then at our plates, his face turning red.

"Which one of you assholes thought it would be funny to put this in my drink?" He says, looking back and forth between nick and I. My eyes widen further and I open my mouth -

"It was me" Nick says.

No. I shake my head

"No it wa-" I'm cut off by the sound of Jacks chair screeching back from the table.

"You think you're funny, you little punk?" Jack says. "I think it's time to teach you a little respect." He slams his fist on the table and mama jumps. She tries to grab his hand but he flings hers away.

Jack grabs Nick by the collar and drags him out of his chair. He lifts Nick up with one arm and holds him against the wall, feet dangling.

"Nick!" I scream, jumping up from the table. Mama grabs me and pushes me back into my chair. "Don't move!" she yells.

I look at her and then back and Nick, tears filling my eyes. Jack is holding him against the wall by his neck. He's choking him!

"Nick" I whimper, tears falling down my face. He glances at me, his face turning red, then white.

Mama gives me one last warning look and stands up. "Jack." She says, calmly placing a hand on his back.

Jack turns his head towards her slowly, breathing raggedly. She nods her head at him and he stares back at her for a moment before releasing Nick, letting him fall to the floor like a rag doll.

Mama takes Jack's hand and leads him into their bedroom. Neither of them look back.

I run to Nick and drop to my knees, crying hysterically. "Nick, oh please Nick. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry" I cradle his head in my lap. Nick looks up at me, the color returning to his face. He brushes a tear off my cheek and says hoarsely. "Dont cry, Mia-mine."