Truth be told

Chapter 20

The police arrested Aaron after taking my mothers statement. Aaron still maintained that Mom was to blame. Police worked out that the damage to the house and her injuries were consistent with what she said. Aaron was denied bail.
I told Mom about the miscarriage. She was devastated.
As well as recovering physically, she had to grieve her loss and the trauma caused by that asshole.
When Mom came out of the hospital, I moved back in with her to help take care of her. Brendon was sad but understood the reasons.
Between college and caring for Mom, I barely had time to see Brendon. Kaylin and Sarah came home for the holidays, and I didn't really have the time to see them. I needed to talk to Brendon. I invited him over.
"Hi babe." He said, kissing me on the cheek.
I swallowed, half smiled, and asked him to sit down.
"Beebo," I sighed, " this is really difficult for me to say, but I think we should break up." The look on Brendons face when I said that I will remember forever. I can tell I blindsided him.
"W-w-what w-hy? Aren't you happy with me?" He asked.
"Brendon, I have never been happier than when I am with you. But this isn't fair on you. My time is all split between Mom and college. I have no time for you, and that makes my heart ache. I feel like I am preventing you from finding someone else." I wiped a tear away.
"I don't want anyone else, Lizzie. I love you. Please don't do this."
"I am sorry, Beebo. I have made my mind up. You go find someone else to make you happy." The tears were pouring down both of our cheeks.
"Lizzie......." He whispered.
"Go, Brendon. Please." I said.
"I will wait for you, Lizzie."He got up and left. I wailed like a banshee with pain.
Mom limped into the living room and held me.
"Shhh baby. Are you sure you made the right decision?"
"Yes, Mom. It's not fair on him. I am doing this because I love him."
"I know, honey."

It was Christmas. My heart had broken into a million pieces. I missed Brendon so much I physically ached. My mother hated seeing me like this, but the pain I was in would be worth it so Brendon can have a happy ending.
I managed to see Sarah over the holidays, but not Kaylin. I texted her and left a voicemail, but nothing. Sarah had seen her. It was like she was avoiding me. Sarah thought that I had made the wrong decision regarding Brendon, too.
I was still working at Ray's Records. It was busy due to Christmas.
It had been an exceptionally long and busy day. I walked through the door. On the console table, there was a gift. I picked it up and took it into the kitchen. I left it on the kitchen island and warmed my dinner up. I went into the living room with it, to say hi to my mom.
I sat and ate whilst we chatted.
"Did you get the gift?" She asked me.
"Oh that's for me?"I inquired.
"Yea, Brendon dro-." She stopped herself. " I wasn't supposed to tell you that part."
"You saw him? He came here? How was he?"
Mom looked sad. "In all honesty honey, he looks terrible. Worse than you."
"Oh." I said looking down at my dinner. I finished my food. "Mom, I am going to bed. I am exhausted. At least it's Christmas Eve tomorrow. Goodnight Mom."
"Goodnight Liz."
I put my dishes in the dishwasher and went to bed. I instantly fell asleep.

It was Christmas Eve. I helped Mom bake cookies and we made popcorn string to go on the tree.
Sarah came over and we went out for a bit. We caught up and exchanged gifts with Caitlin. I told her about Brendon bringing my gift over.
"How are you not over there right now?" Caitlin asked. I shrugged.
"This is for the best." I said. We carried on chatting and then Sarah dropped me off back home.
I cuddled up with my mother and we watched Home Alone together. We shared a bowl of popcorn too.
I hadn't checked my phone for a couple of days. After I cooked dinner and cleared, I decided to have a hot bath. I soaked for ages. I got out and wrapped a towel around myself. As I padded across the landing to my room, I heard my phone vibrating somewhere. Ah, it will wait. After getting dried and some pjs on, I went downstairs. I found my phone in my bag. I looked at my messages. There was one from Brendon.
'Merry Christmas, Lizzie. I hope you like your present x'
I walked into the kitchen and picked Brendons gift up off the island.
Back upstairs I sat on my bed and started to unwrap the present. I took the ribbon off, followed by the red lid. There was a card. I read it.
'Merry Christmas to my darling girlfriend. I love you forever.
Brendon x'
I smiled at the card. I removed the tissue paper. It was drumsticks. I was confused at first, but then I remembered back in the summer I had mentioned about my perfect set of drums. They weren't really expensive, but I had always wanted a set.
Wait, does that mean....? Had he? I threw on a pair of leggings and a jumper over my pj's. I put my vans on. I picked the drumsticks up along with my phone.
"I won't be long!" I called out. I didn't even hear her reply as I got into Franny and started her up. I tried to call Brendon, but he wasn't picking up, then it started going straight to voicemail. It seemed that all the red lights were working against me tonight. At least, that's what it felt like anyway. I finally arrived at Brendons' apartment complex. The parking lot was more or less empty. Just Brendons car and another one I didn't recognise.
I approached Brendons door and exhaled my anxiety. I knocked softly, but I heard nothing. I knocked a little harder and still nothing. I tried the door, and it was open. I entered the apartment and walked into the kitchen.
"Beebo?" I called out. "Bren? You here?" As I stood there, I heard a soft noise and voices coming from Brendons bedroom. I frowned and walked towards the door. I turned the handle and opened it. Nothing could prepare me for what I saw in front of me.