Her Touch

4

I fiddled with a strand of my hair, as my grandfather explained how his retirement was the best thing that happened to him.
"Being a lawyer at my age would be a heart attack itself, the clients are too stressful and the job occupies all my time," he said before taking a sip of his red wine, "Jaclyn was telling me how a man had brought a gun to court, the result being fatal, luckily she was in another courtroom. I don't know what I would have done if something had happened to her."
I listened as he talked about the incident that my mother overheard while in the courthouse. She was one to exaggerate the experience, each time she retold the story, she was closer and closer to being in danger. She acted as though she was in the same courtroom as the shooter.
"Grandpa, I hear my father is in Argentina," I said, the courtroom incident reminding me of my father.
"I'm guessing your brother messaged you," I nodded, "why does Owen insist on always bringing up that man?" He groaned and placed down his fork.
"It's not like I want to know," I looked down at my plate of food which was barely touched.
"Have you reminded him that you're not concerned about that disgrace of a person?"
"Yes, I told him to stop, he is reluctant to."
"He's a good kid with noble intentions. He just has to stop bringing up that man."
I looked around the table, knowing everyone was listening in on our conversation, "he doesn't get why," I mumbled, taking my eyes off of everyone as I thought back to when I was younger, "I want to be alone," I got up, walked out of the living room, up the steps and into my bedroom. I plopped down onto my bed and let out a loud groan. I never had a conventional relationship with my father. The thought of him was always in the back of my mind, but when I did remember things about him, it was never good. I was glad that he was out of my life, but I still had vague memories of happy moments with him, moments I truly despised.
I took out the only picture that I had of him from my nightstand drawer and looked over it. The distant memory of my father seemed to fade more and more as I grew older. I looked at his wide smile, thin lips and porcelain nose. I was so unlike him. He played a part in the reason for my existence, yet he was a stranger. I sighed as I placed the photo back where I kept it, before I looked up at the ceiling of my room. My thoughts were once again spiralling out of control and fragments of my memory resurfaced.
I felt the tears sliding down my cheeks and I closed my eyes, "a sad thought?" I heard someone say, making me open my eyes. Ava and Natalie were standing next to my bed. I looked at the little girl and how innocence portrayed itself in her concerned eyes. I remembered that I was once like her, little and carefree, but my innocence was tainted just around her age. I hoped that she wouldn't have ordeals like mine when I was a child.
"Distant memory," I said, not taking my eyes off of the little girl. She offered the same intent stare back, her brown eyes trying to analyze me.
"Are you two having a staring contest?" Ava questioned, making me retreat my eyes and refocus them on the ceiling, "we just came to say that we're leaving."
She added making me turn my face to look at her, "am I starting the volunteer work tomorrow?" I questioned, feeling the need to occupy my time. The more I had to do, the less fucked up I felt. Maybe volunteering would help me more than I originally thought.
"As soon as you would like, but the tutoring will be held off until next week so that the scheduling can be organized."
I nodded and shifted my eyes to the little girl again, then back to her older sister, "I'll manage with being your slave for now then," I said trying to lighten my mood.
"You're more like an indentured labourer, because you're going to benefit from it," she smiled before looking down at her sister, "we should go now, mom and dad must be waiting."
The little girl nodded, "goodbye Kylie," Natalie said smiling.
"See you tomorrow, Miss Reese," I said as she walked out of my bedroom door, ignoring my mannerism. I stripped out of my clothing and stretched my limbs, before pulling my blanket over my body, sleep enveloping my being.

"Mommy, is daddy okay? I didn't mean to..." she cut me off by placing her index finger against my lips.
"It's okay, baby, the police just have a few questions, answer them truthfully okay?" She said, and I nodded. She picked me up, my legs wrapping around her torso. I wondered how she managed to lift me, since her torso must have been hurting from daddy kicking her repeatedly in the stomach. I placed a kiss on her cheek as we walked into a room where a man in a suit sat at a table that was in the centre of the small room. The huge mirror took up the space of almost an entire wall. I kept peeking at my reflection as mommy took a seat, my legs still wrapped around her.
"Who are you?" I asked as I squeezed my mother closer to me, my way of protecting both of us.
"I'm a detective, sweetie. Lieutenant Richards. Do you know why you're here?" He asked, and I shook my head.
"I don't want to talk about it," I said as I buried my face into my mother's chest. She caressed my hair and kissed the top of my head.
"Tell him, baby, he won't harm you."
She encouraged, making me lift my head from being smothered into her chest, "are you sure mommy? Daddy said I shouldn't."
My eyes began to well up, "I'm sure."
She continued to caress my hair, since it always calmed me down.
"Are you ready to tell me what happened?" The detective asked.

My eyes shot open and I could feel the anxiety hitting me. I closed my eyes to calm myself, before hopping out of bed. Heading straight into the bathroom, stripping out of my undergarments and stepping into the shower, I turned the knob allowing the hot water to cascade down my body. I leaned against the bathroom wall as my body slid down to the floor. I wrapped my arms around my knees and leaned my head back, the steam of the water allowing my nerves to calm.
After a few minutes, I checked the time on my wristwatch, luckily it was waterproof, since I rarely took it off. It was only 5:00 in the morning, so I decided that I would take an early run to burn off some steam. I got out of the shower, making sure to turn off the water and grabbed a towel from the dresser. I quickly found a fresh pair of shorts and a sports bra and chose the same sneakers I wore before.