Beautiful Boy

something great

amara haven

When Nic and I got home, we got ready for bed.

He asked no questions about the phone call while we got ready, clearly aware that I was upset.

We sat down across from one another, him at the head of the pullout and me at the foot.

"So? Is everything okay?" He asked.

I took a deep breath, "My Mum broke up with Rick, he attacked her and- I-."

He looked worried, "Mara, what happened?"

"He struck her with a glass bottle and she stabbed him with the glass," I replied, my mind a tornado.

His eyes widened, "Your- she... killed him?"

I shook my head, "They're both in the hospital, the police are trying to figure out what happened- and I- I don't know what to do right now."

"Let's just get some sleep and check in with them in the morning, okay?" He rubbed my arm affectionately, "Let me know if you need me."

I nodded, "Yeah, okay. Goodnight."

"Night," he pecked my head gently.

I climbed into the bed and lay awake, tears threatening my eyes, eventually, I gave in to my heart.

"Nic, can you come here?" I asked.

A few seconds later I heard him get up and felt the bed move.

"You okay?" He asked.

"Mhm," I replied, moving to lay next to him.

He tucked me under his arm and I was able to fall asleep.

~

I woke up to an empty bed, rubbing my eyes.

I noticed an iced coffee on the bedside table, next to a note.

Kinsley called. She's gonna call again in a few hours when you're awake.
I had a few errands to run with my Mom, so I'll be back soon.
Love, Nic :)

I chuckled at his badly drawn smiley face and messy handwriting.

I placed the note back on the wooden surface and grabbed the coffee, taking a sip.

My phone rang as if the universe knew I had woken up, and sent Kinsley a thought about calling.

"Hey," I said.

"Hey, Ammy," she replied, "How are you?"

"Good as I can be, what about you, sweetie? Any news?" I asked, putting the coffee down and grabbing the little box and lighter I kept in the drawer.

Smoking was a good way to cheat my sobriety, and it calmed my anxiety.

I took one of the dainty cigarettes out of the packet and lit it while Kinsley spoke.

"The police and some investigators and I think a lawyer are putting a case together now. She said it was self-defence because he attacked her first with a glass bottle, and she has the injuries to prove it, so I don't know what to believe right now," she said.

I felt terrible. She was fourteen years old, dealing with that.

"Is David around?" I asked.

"Yeah, he's downstairs in the kitchen," she replied.

"Can I talk to him?" I requested.

"Yeah, just a sec," she responded.

I took the opportunity to see what time it was.