We painted a landscape for three hours. He did it better than I expected. He said it was the first time he painted, but it did not look like it. For someone doing it for the first time, he did it very well.
He took me up to his roof because he thought there was a better view from there. But it was the same as from my house.
"May I say something?" he said, snapping me out of my thoughts I sat down on the chair he had set out for us earlier.
"Yes?"
He sat down in front of me,
"I know it's not my place to say this. I do not know what it feels like to lose a parent. But I think you should try to recover from this. You still have a life ahead of you. You also still have your mother who needs your support." He looked at me nervously
I did not know what to say or do. His concern meant everything to me, but that was not the problem. I lived like that for the last few years. When my father started doing that.
"I am not like this because he died," I said, avoiding his gaze,
"He did not do anything to remind me of him. And that makes me feel bad because, despite everything he did, he was still my father. But I just can not forgive him for what he did." I felt tears welling up in my eyes.
I felt him lean forward in concern when he saw me crying, but I backed away. I wanted to let it all out. I could not hold it in anymore.
"He... hurt me. Physically." And before I knew it, I started to cry. Tears rolled unstoppably down my face as the image of the past played out in my mind.
His eyes softened as he held my hand and squeezed it gently.
"He used to beat me every day. Even for my smallest mistake. He always made me feel like I should be grateful to him because he met my needs. Whenever he had a bad day at work, he would hit me with belts." I wept as I looked down at my lap
"I am sorry. I should not have brought it up. You do not have to talk about it if you do not want to," he said, wiping away my tears
I took a deep breath. It felt better to let them out. I never thought I would have the courage to talk to someone about it.
"Thank you. It feels ... better to let it out. ", I half smiled
"I am here for you. You can tell me whatever you want." he squeezed my hand
I stared at his face for a while. My eyes fell on his lips and before I knew it, I was leaning toward him. I was close enough to kiss him, but he pulled back.
"I do not want you to do something you will regret later. You are not in the best shape right now," he gave me an apologetic look
That made me kind of happy. He was not trying to take advantage of me. I smiled at him and assured him that it was okay.
"Uh um..." We both looked at the door and it was his mother covering her eyes. I realized that I was still very close to Mark. I backed away and we giggled awkwardly.
"It's okay, Mom, we aren't doing anything," he said, and his mother took her hands from her eyes
"I am sorry for what I just ruined, but anyway, come down and eat with us," she smiled
I looked at my phone and it was already after eight. My mom was home alone. I should not be out here.
"Haelynn, you are having dinner with us, right?" his mother asked me
I thought for a moment and shook my head.
"Thank you for the offer, but my mother is home alone. I should get back home.", I look at her sheepishly
"It's okay, say hello to your mother for me," his mother said to me
"Do you want me to walk you home then?" Mark asked me and I nodded
As we walked out of his house he intertwined his hand with mine. I smiled at him and he smiled back. We stopped in front of my house. Awkwardly, he let go of my hand.
"Thank you for today. I had a great time," I said to him and his lips twisted into a smile
"I am glad you had."
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