The small towns bad boy

Chapter 11

Mikes P.O.V
"I'm staying here cause my dad and I got into a fight. It got kinda physical and the cops got involved. It wasn't the first time so my dad kicked me out. I'm just staying here until I get a job and get a room at the hotel since there's no apartment buildings here and I won't be able to afford a house." I rub my arm where my scar is.

"What do you mean it wasn't the first time?"

"My dad is an alcoholic and he beats my mom. So I try to stop him. But I'm too weak." She grabs my hand and holds it.

"Your not weak, you stood up to him. Most people would just let him boss them around, but you didn't." I let go of her hand.

"I didn't stop him. He's still beating my mom." I run my hand threw my hair. "I told you why I'm here now tell me why I can't call you Mere." She sighs.

"My mom used to call me Mere." Really? That's it? She doesn't want me calling her Mere cause her mom does?

"So?"

"So when I was ten my mom vanished. She didn't tell anyone where she was going or that she was going at all. No goodbye or reason. Ever since then I don't let anyone call me Mere."

"I'm sorry" I feel bad now for bringing it up.

"It's fine. You didn't know. And that song I was singing, it wasn't about an ex boyfriend." She looks down.

"It was about your mom" I finish her sentence. She nods.

"I wrote it when I was thirteen. My family doesn't talk about her. We don't even say her name." That's when I remember the name on the tree.

"Wait, is her name Sara?" Mere looks at the Willow with the names on it.

"Yes, I'm guessing you saw our names." I nod. "She carved them when she was pregnant with me. She told me when I was six that someday when I get married I'll carve my husbands name into it, and our kids names."

"That's really corny but I guess in a way it's sweet." That actually sounds really sweet. But I don't want to think about who she'll marry.

"Ya, I just wish she was here. So one day if I do get married she would be here to see their names." She fiddles with her hands. I don't now what to say so I just look down. "I'll talk to my dad about you maybe staying at our place."

"No it's fine Meredith, I can stay here" She stands up.

"No it has to be uncomfortable sleeping in a tent like that. My dad won't mind."

"Really Meredith it's fine, I can manage" She takes my hand and pulls my up.

"If it's ok with my dad, which I'm sure it will be. Your staying with us. No complaints" I roll my eyes, she's so persistent.

"Fine, whatever you say"