Playing for Keeps

Family

Lily POV:

I am scrummaging through my closet when I hear my phone ringing. When I see it's my mom I groan, I am trying to get out the door on time and I have a sinking feeling in my stomach this is not going to be a short conversation. I reluctantly pick it up, knowing I am going to get another earful. 

"Hey mom, how are you" I say continuing to look through the closet for those corduroy pants I like so much. 

"Hunny, don't freak out ok?" she says, trembling in her voice. This makes me stop in my tracks and forget about the pants. 

"Mom, is everything ok?" I ask as my heart rate begins to pick up.

"Hunny, your father had a heart attack. He is ok, but he is asking to see you. I- I know you don't care much for us but..." 

"Mom, I care about you and dad and even my brother, it's Mike that I don't care about" I say dropping to the bed, realizing that I most likely will have to go back home. My father has been the only one to not pressure me about my whereabouts, texting every week or so asking me about random things. "What are the doctor's saying?" 

"He will stay in the hospital for a few days. Why don't you facetime him? I know you don't want to come back, I wish you would tell us why." I can hear the sorrow in her voice and even if it's not the correct time, I need her to know it's not them. 

"Mom, I- I want to go see him. Let me think about how or when, but I need you to ensure Mike doesn't know. I've never told you why I ran, why I am hiding but I think its time. " There is a knot on the pit of my stomach, but I owe this to myself. Jack has helped me realize I am not giving myself the love I deserve with keeping this from my family. 

"Oh Hunny, anything as long as we get to see you." she replies.

"I- I left because Mike was being abusive. Mentally and at the end physically. I couldn't stay and before a few months ago, I couldn't even speak about it."

The line is quiet, no response. I sit on the edge of the bed motionless, waiting for my mom to say something, anything. 

"Mom? I know you guys love him but I am not lying" I say as I panic thinking about her not believing me, about not being able to see my dad again. 

"And he still came around, looking for you? That piece of shit.  He had diner in our home telling us how sorrowful he felt, and all this time he- he's a bastard" My mother yells on the other end. I release the breath I was holding, hearing her believe me makes me feel less heavy. "You don't worry about him, he moved to Kentucky to live with his parents."  

"Thank you mom, for believing me" 

"I wished you would have said something sooner, but I understand you had to live your process. I will tell your father and brother, and I will tell them you are coming back" 

I freeze, because even though I love my family I don't want to go back. "Mom, I will go visit dad but I am not moving back. I love San Diego."

"As long as we get to see you, and San Diego that is wonderful. I have to go back inside please call me when you know you are coming. We- we miss you" and with that the heaviness and sorrow and pain I had been carrying has left my body. 

I stay sitting on the end of the bed for a few more minutes before I text Tanya that I will not make it to the double date with Liam and Josh. I didn't want to go anyways, I knew It would end again with me leaving right after they arrived, but I had planned to stay in Downtown and go to a few bars.  I know I won't be able to go and have fun now. I tell her the truth, I had to plan my trip back home because my father was ill. Tanya replies she understands and will go out with Liam alone, I am sure Josh is glad he didn't have to tag along.

I am working on moving my schedule around, when my phone beeps again. I grab it thinking its Tanya telling me how her date with Liam alone is going but see its Jack.

I am in a celebration mood, wanna have a digital diner?

My dad had a hear attack

Well, shit. Is he ok?

He will be, I told my mom the truth about Mike.

wow, you had a busy day. How she take it?

She believes me, I am working on going back home to see my dad

I leave Friday, will be gone a full week

Wish I could go with you, fuck. 

I will be out of town most of next week

He wants to go with me? He wants to meet me and my parents at the same time? My eyes move from one side to the other panicking thinking about what he means by that. I'm probably reading too much into it, we are friends and he wants to be there for me, I am sure that is it. 

Its fine, I wouldn't be able to explain.. this to my parents anyway 

I bit on my lower lip waiting for a response but nothing comes through. I sigh dropping the phone and continue to set up my flight and schedule, I have a plane to catch in 2 days.