Connect Us ✔

Chapter 17

My heart was pounding when I heard the beep on the line. It was driving me crazy. When I heard the click on the line, I even flinched. "Harris."

"Dad?"

"Oscar?"

"Yes," I laughed. "Hey, Dad. It's me." I let out a relieved breath when he laughed too.

"It's been so long since I heard your voice! How are you?"

"Everything's fine, thanks." My father was probably the only one in my family who was really serious about that question. Who really just wanted to know how things were going and was just happy I called without asking why. "Is Maddie at home right now?"

"Yeah yeah, she's sitting in the living room and watching some movie. Do you want to speak to her?"

"What about David? Is he with her?"

"No no, David just went out. I think he wanted to meet a friend."

I heard a high-pitched, distant voice. "Who's that?"

"Oscar," my father said. "He wants to speak to you."

"Oscar!" Maddie almost yelled into the phone. "Hi!"

"Hey, Maddie," I just had to smile when I heard her happy voice. "Can you talk freely right now?"

"Wait!" I heard loud steps, then a door. "I'm in my room now."

"Why did you call me a few days ago? My phone was broken. I couldn't reach you."

"Oh," she said. "Your phone is broken? How do you call me then?"

"I got a new one."

"Oh," she said again. Then she was quiet.

I tensed up. I was still sitting in the break room and luckily I was alone at the moment. "Maddie, what's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"Did David hurt you?"

"No."

"Did he try to touch you again?"

"No."

I sighed. "You don't wanna tell me?"

"No."

"Why?"

"David said I shouldn't tell you. I'm sorry, Oscar..."

"No, it's okay," I said softly. "It's okay, Maddie. Just..." I put my hand on my face. I didn't want to pressure her. I no longer knew what was right and wrong. What to do now? "You don't have to listen to everything he says, you know? You can say no even if he's older than you."

"Really?"

"Of course, Sweety!"

"Okay..." Her voice was low. She sounded insecure.

"I'm always here for you if you wanna talk. You can also come by if you want." Maddie was silent for a while.

"Oscar?" She sounded tearful.

"Yes?"

"Why are you not coming home anymore?"

I tried to pull myself together. But what should I have said? The truth? Maybe that wasn't such a bad idea after all. But she shouldn't know that I was afraid of him too. Maddie shouldn't be afraid of him. That was what I wanted to show her, but how could I do that when I was scared myself? "Do you want me to come over, Maddie?"

"I would love that! You could come over more often. If you want."

"Sure," I said even if everything in me resisted it.

"We could watch a movie with Mom and Dad!"

"Great idea. What do you think of tomorrow?"

"Really!?"

I laughed a little, but my hands were sweating just at the thought of David sitting next to us. "Of course! Will you ask Mom and Dad?"

"Daaaaad!" Was the next thing I heard. "Daddyyyyyy?" I heard her running. She must have been very excited. "Dad?"

"Yes, my little bird."

"Can Oscar come over tomorrow? Tomorrow evening?"

"Of course he can."

"He said yes!" Maddie yelled into the phone. "You can come tomorrow!"

"Awesome. Then... see you tomorrow?"

"Yes!!"

"Okay," I smiled. "Bye, Maddie."

"Bye!"

I put the phone down and buried my face in my hands. What did I just do? Did I just seriously say yes to seeing David again? And that already tomorrow? I tried not to think about it much, but I could already feel the pain in my stomach.

They came slowly during my work, stronger as I drove home and when I was home I took a pain pill. Just the thought of David made me feel sick.

My phone vibrated and I woke up from my fear when I looked at it.

9 pm?

"Shit!" I checked the clock. It was almost eight o'clock. I had totally forgotten about him out of sheer fear. perfect, I replied and took a quick shower. I stumbled out of the shower, so much did I hurry to get some fresh clothes, put them on, and look at my phone as it vibrated again.

Put on the pajamas.

I sighed.

can i take it with me and put it on when im there

He was just online and immediately started typing.

No Oscar

You come to me dressed with it

wait

i can put something over right??

Glad you ask

No

u gotta be kidding

its fucking autumn

its cold

You can put on a jacket.

Come in time.

"Shit..." I put my phone down and took a deep breath. My hands were shaking, but not because I was thinking of David. I was seriously excited. What the fuck.