Fighter

Chapter 15: We Need Eachother

Tommy and I sat awkwardly in the living room, flipping through channels not knowing what to watch. He kept glancing over at me, and I kept pretending not to notice. He looked like he was gonna say something, but then shook his head and looked back at the TV.

"So, how long were you a soldier?" He asked, his voice low and thick, I turned to look at him, he was trying to make conversation. Jade said he was gonna stay with us, he was bringing some extra money in and things were getting a bit better, we always had food in the house now.

"Three years" I mumbled, playing with my tags, mine and my brother, whom I lost to battle. He looked at me nodding. Not knowing what to say next.

"Why you with that asshole, man?..." He asked now, eyes on the T.v I sighed.

"Why do you care?" I snapped, pushing my dark hair behind my ear. We both stayed silent.

"I don't" he scoffed, shrugging "just don't understand how you out up with that fucking asshole" he shook his head.

"Thanks Tommy..." I mumbled, he looked at me I'm confusion. "For uh... For making him leave..." He nodded, chewing thoughtfully on his toothpick. I left him in the living room, walking out onto the balcony and pulling out a cigarette, thinking to myself.

I stared out into the city, sighing deeply. Jade joined me eventually, sitting next to me and taking a cigarette.

"You feeling better?" She asked, she had popped a few more pills i could tell, but at least it wasn't Heroin... I nodded, leaning my head on her shoulder.

"Thanks for sticking around..." I spoke sadly, she chuckled.

"You don't need to thank me, you're family, that's what we do" she smiled, kissing my head lightly. I smiled, my family was gone, all of them, I wouldn't know where I'd be without her. Probably in a veterans bar every night, drinking until I couldn't see, and I'd probably still be on DMT. I thanked God that she came into my life when she did, and prayed that we'd always be close.