Shattered

Never Let Go

I watch as Gemima walks back into the house and sits on the couch.

She chats a bit with mom before going on to hold Ethan in her arms and they talk.

I dish out some of the food that was in the pots on the stove. And I sit on the diner table and eat.

Before I know it, they're all seated in comfortable silence. Mom seats opposite to me before she speaks.

"She's alot better than last week." She says casually.

"She really is." I tell her smiling at the happy Gemima.

"You should really just take her out. Have some fun." She adds.

I look at her. Trying to figure out what she means.

"Oh, there is a charity ball hosted by the Larsons. " I tell her. She nods.

"You could take her there. She'll have alot of fun." She says.

I'm about to answer, when Charlotte bursts into the house.

She's yelling alot of stuff which are inaudible.

I stand up and head to my room to change and have another shower.

I change into my night joggers and warm socks. The way I sleep every night.

There's a knock on my door. Charlotte peeps through.

"Hey." She greets.

"Hey Champ. How are you? How was the visit?" I ask as I fold the duvet.

"I'm alright. The visit was fine." She says. Then there's silence, that's weird. She usually has alot to say.

"I heard what you did for Gemma. You couldve called me." She says.

"I did what I could. And no, I wanted you to have fun." I say sitting next to her on my bed.

"You didnt have to suffer." She mumbles.

What is going on with her?

"Charlotte I wanted you to enjoy yourself. You're young, who knows when an opportunity like this will present itself again?" I tell her. Her face twists.

"You keep saying that." She bites out.

"Look, I want you to have fun. When I was your age–" I begin.

"When you were my age you were busy kissing my sister's ass! And just like you I'm kissing Scott's ass!" She yells staring at me wide eyed.

"What did he do?" I ask her. She just looks at me.

I swear to God if this Scott guy did anything to hurt my sister , I will be in jail and him in a hospital by tonight.

"Nate, I'll talk to her." Says a soft voice from the doorframe.

I dont listen though because my blood is boiling in anger.

"Charlotte what the fuck did he do?" I yell.

Her eyes look afraid as if she has never seen me like this before.

"Tell me what the fuck he did to you!" I scream louder holding her shoulder firmly.

"Nathan you're scaring me!" She yells tearing up.

"Did he hurt you!" I find myself pressing.

Char has wiggled out of my grip and her ocean eyes are replaced with chocolate fountains. 

They're soft and calming.

Her warm hands touch my chest and the anger dissolves like sugar in hot tea. I come to my resolve.