Dressed For Death

CHAPTER 12

HAYDEN

Maybe it was the feeling of empathy that drove me on this path. Talking about myself has never been my cup of tea, but, for her, I would make an exception, because I felt like she needed to feel like she wasn't alone.

I wouldn't tell her everything since for personal reasons that I'm not even able to explain myself. Some wounds are just too deep even to this day.

The birds chirping in the trees made me snap out of my trance and put me back on earth. Suddenly, the bench became uncomfortable, but her presence eased my uneasiness.

"I always thought I would be alone all my life. Maybe it was the fact that both my parents treated me like a puppet, and decided everything for me" I began, looking straight ahead.

"They treated me like shit most of my life, and I didn't have anyone to confide in. I was an only child and my mom did everything in her power to shape me into the man she wanted me to be" I continued, and Juliette stayed quiet, urging me to give her more details.

"I didn't have a say in my choices. And one day, I just wasn't able to deal with it anymore so I ran away" I paused and looked down at my hands.

"I still became a detective though, so I guess they still control me even now" I whispered, but I knew she heard me.

She put a gentle hand on mine and rubbed her thumb on my skin. She rested her head on my shoulder.

"Letting go is hard, especially when it's your parents. Deep down you want them to love you until you realize how damaging their love is" She said to me.

I sighed as I rested my head on top of hers and we stayed like that for a couple of minutes.

"Do you still want waffles?" I asked her, expecting an excited response instead she was silent. "Sunshine?"

"I just want to stay here with you," She said to me and I wanted to stay with her for a while too.

I brought her closer to me she gladly found safety in my warmth and stayed there in my arms. I could tell she liked hugs, but, for me, it was the complete opposite.

I always wondered if my dislike for hugs came from the fact that I didn't receive that kind of affection growing up.

I cherished the love of my parents in a completely different way despise my hatred for them at some moment.

Deep down, I knew my mom loved me in her way. When I was younger, she would teach me how to play piano and let me play some songs with her before supper.

As for my dad, watching Tv together was my favorite time of the day with him. They weren't the parents of the year, but they did care for me even if it was difficult to see it sometimes.

"Do you still talk to them?" She asked me as she fiddled with her fingers.

"No, but sometimes I wish they would try to get in contact with me" I responded. I wondered what this moment would be like if it did happen one day.

"Do you know what we should do" Juliette said to me as she detached herself from my body. "We should go to a theme park"

"Isn't it too cold for that?" I chuckled.