Many Chance Summer

The Past Always Comes Up

     I hug my parents. We talked a little about my rape at brunch two days ago but we didn't go into details. Now we did.

     "Ugh." Mom wipes her tears. "I just wish you felt like you could...talk to us. Naeya. You know how I feel about-"

     "About keeping things in, I know, I know, mommy."

     She sighs, her eyes tired and sad.

     "But-but we know now." Dad puts a strong hand on my shoulder. "And we need to work from here."

      I sniff I bury me head in my dad's chest.

     "Oh...gosh." I turn around and there is Jason.

     "Oh."

     "S-sorry we keep meeting like this." He laughs nervously, looking between me and my parents. "Hello...I'm Jason. I am, I guess, the 'pool boy'."

     "Hello, Pool Boy." Dad smiles tightly at him. His eyes are red.

     "Hello, Jason. I see you two know each oda."

     Jason nods and looks at me.

     "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt."

     He moves silently around us and we watch his body disappear down the hall.

     I smile up at my parents.

     "Okay, okay. Enough."

     "Are you sure you'll be okay? We can stay longer if you want..." Mom says.

     I give her light pats on her shoulder with my fingers.

     "That's fine, mom. Really."

     "And this...boy of yours. Remind me of his age..." Dad this time.

      I roll my eyes.

      "He's 20 guys."

     Mom crunches her eyebrows I win worry.

     "And he's in his third year of college?"

     "Yes."

     "Can-can we meet him? Like, you've never dated anyone that much older than you. "And so are Kendra and Caressa and Six and Erick. Okay? I don't want you to ever feel alone."

     I sigh.

     "He's two years older than me. That's not that much!  Plus, I'm-"

     "An adult, we know." Dad sighs in exasperation and runs his hand over his face. "Well...I guess we cat say no. Even if we did you'd still see him 'cause you'll be here alone and then you're going to college..."

     "You understand me so well."

    My parents hug me and then I say goodbye to Petra.

     "I wanna stay here with you!" She pouts. "Imma miss you. It's so boring back home." She steals a glance at our parents.

     "Aw, yeah, oh well. We'll keep in touch, I promise."

     "You could've done this vacation thing before. Like, you goin' to college this year."

     "Sorry, baby."

     She rolls her eyes but kisses me.