P.S. I Lime You

Chapter 39-Wesley

The dinner table was quiet. My dad chewed slower than usual. I could tell he was thinking. Bree was moving her food from left to right. I still couldn't believe she did what she did. I decided to break the silence.

"Dad, how was your day?" I asked.

"Not good Wes, not good," he said, staring at the edge of the table. I looked at Bree and she looked at me, we both knew what was coming.

"I'm going down to your school tomorrow Brianna to talk with the principal and look at the camera clip he wants me to see, is there anything you want to tell me now?"

"No, I think I'll just take my punishment and go," Bree replied.

"I'm putting you in foster care," my dad said.

"What!" Bree and I both said in unison.

"Dad, come on is that necessary!" I said.

"Wesley stay out of this! Bree I've had enough of your shenanigans. I can't be responsible for you and your actions anymore. You don't want to follow my rules, then you don't live here, it's as simple as that" my dad said angered by what she had done.

"You've never gone over any rules with me dad!" Bree shouted.

"Are you kidding me, you've heard me give the rules to Wesley plenty of times, don't you dare play dumb," he raised his voice.

"I just thought...." She started saying.

"You thought what huh? Bree you have caused nothing but havoc in my life. I love you sweetheart, but I can't function with you. I only did what I did so you could have a better life, and then you go and take it for granted. Putting you in the system is the best option for all of us," he explained. Bree was a sobbing mess by the time he finished his sentence.

"I'm sorry, I can be better!" She pleaded.

"I'm sorry too, you're leaving when we move. End of discussion," he said.

Later that night I went up to Bree's room and she had her bags packed. All her clothes, and shoes.

"You're not leaving for another week, why are all packed up?" I asked.

"I figured I'd get a head start in case he changed his mind, and sent me sooner."

"Why did you do it?" I asked.

"I'm not talking about this with you."

"I'm the only one fighting for you, I'm worth taking a chance on."

"So there's this guy, Jaxon. We've been going out for like a month now. He told me he was going to break up with me if I didn't get more physical in our relationship," her voice was trailing off. "So I gave him oral, and he still broke up with me." Bree pulled her legs up to her chest and closed her eyes and cried. I pulled her in close and hugged her tight. She sobbed on my shoulder.

I remember the look on Taylor's face the day after we had sex. She saw me at school and asked when we were going on a date. I laughed in her face, and said "didn't your brother tell you it was only a one-time thing." Her faced was bright red, like she had been ashamed. She slapped me so hard my face turned the color of hers. Later that day I went to go apologize and she got her father involved, and I was expelled from school. I tried apologizing but she never took me seriously. We had a small court date so I could explain to the judge what really happened, but she tried to make it seem worse than what it was. It resulted in our family having to move to Washington state.

I knew I couldn't shield Bree or protect her from every bad thing in life, but I still wanted the chance to be a part of her life. I went downstairs to try and plead my case, and beg my dad to keep Bree, and then warm him up to the idea that I wasn't going to Alaska with him.

"Hey dad, can we talk?" He took off his glasses and raised his eyebrows like he was annoyed.

"So I'm just going to come out with it. I'm not moving with you to Alaska," I said.

"And where do you think you're going?"

"I'm staying here, and living with Mariah," I said boldly.

"Yeah, and I'm going to win the lottery tomorrow. Keep dreaming son," he said going back to his work.

"Dad, I'm staying," I said again. My dad got up and walked towards me. He looked angry and worn out. He was eye level with me.

He cleared his throat and said "you have one week to say your goodbyes and then come with me, or you're cut from everything, do you understand me?"

"Yes, sir," I said. "Oh, and Bree's not going anywhere."

"Oh, she isn't?" My dad said sarcastically. "Why do you think that?"

"Because I checked state laws, and you can't put a child in foster care after you've already adopted them without good enough reason," I mentioned.

"We'll see about that," he said, walking back into the kitchen.

I got one of my wishes. It looked like the three of us were headed to Anchorage, Alaska. I texted Mariah and asked her if I could talk to her. I put on my jacket and walked to her house. We sat on the second step of her porch, the same spot where we got to know each other. Her eyes were full of sorrow, and mine were tired from the constant fighting.

"I lime you," I said, grabbing her hands.

"I lime you too," she said broken-hearted.

"This isn't goodbye you know, it's just a see you later, it's a seasonal move, we'll be back in six months," I assured her.

"What if your dad doesn't get stationed back in Colorado Springs, then what?" She asked.

"Then I'll come up with a new plan, don't worry about," I said.

"Wesley! Please, stop sugar coating everything. I understand that you have to go and I have to stay, just don't tell me if you find another girl."

"I have to go," I said, getting up and walking down her driveway.

"Wesley! You'll always be my best friend," she said. My heart was full of too much emotional. I couldn't stand to look at her anymore, it hurt too much, I waved and went back home. Time heals all wounds, but I could only imagine how long it was going to take to heal this one. Cancer was nothing compared to the heartbreak I felt with saying goodbye to Mariah. There are people who you have to associate with, and then there are people you choose to be with. If I could only have one choice, it'd be her.