James
Renee and I are waiting for her mom to come downstairs. I take a seat next to her at her kitchen table. Her house has high ceilings. It looks well lived in. There are pictures of Renee as a little kid with her parents. I also see pictures of little Cindy.
"Hello James." A deep voice says. Uh oh. I look towards the voice. It's obviously Renee's dad. He has thin wire rimmed glasses, green eyes, and light brown buzz cut hair.
"Hello Mr. Mabbit." I smile.
"Where did you take my daughter this afternoon?" He leans against the counter.
"The Sunset Restaurant." I answer.
"Nice place. Beautiful view." He smirks. He looks at Renee.
"It was really nice." Renee smiles at her dad. I'm glad she finally spoke.
"I bet." Renee's dad bursts into laughter.
"Dad?" Renee gives him a funny look.
"I tried to do the whole intimidating dad thing. I couldn't." He continues to laugh and takes off his glasses.
"Oh my god." Renee looks away.
"James I have just have one thing to say. Treat her right and bring her home. You hear me?" Mr. Mabbit gets serious.
"Yes sir." I hear footsteps on the stairs and turn around to see a beautiful older woman. It must be Renee's mother. She has shoulder length brown hair and pale green eyes. She walks down the stairs with elegance and grace. She's wearing a light grey dress that compliments her eyes. She pairs it with black stilettos.
"You must be James." Renee's model mother smiles as she walk toward us.
"Yes ma'am that's me." I smile back.
"It's so great to meet you!" Renee's mom pulls me in a hug. I stand up to hug her back.
"Great to meet you too Mrs. Mabbit!" I tell her.
"Honey, call me Grace." She laughs.
"Ok Grace." I smile and sit down next to Renee. She's been really quiet.
"James, tell me about yourself." Grace leans against the counter.
"Well, as Renee must have told you, I was just released from juvie." I look down at the table.
"Yes, we know." Grace looks at me, her lips pursed.
"I'm not a bad guy. I swear. I take care of Renee. I think I love her. She's everything I need." I tell her parents. Renee looks away.
"James, I'm a very good judge of people when I first meet them. I think you're a good kid. I just want to know more about you." Grace smiles.
"I'm 16 years old. Almost 17. I've been in and out of foster homes my whole life. I'm kind of a softie. I love running. I love my little sister. I love my mom. I'm James. I show exactly how I feel. That's it. That's who I am." I'm raising my voice.
"James no need to get mad." Grace puts her arm on me.
"Please don't touch me." I pull away.
"James." Grace looks hurt.
"I'm sorry, I need to leave." I walk outside.
"James!" Renee runs after me. "Please don't leave."
"I'm sorry. I'll see you tomorrow." I hug her. "I need to call Rob's mom."
"Ok." She hugs me back. I'll always love the way she smells. She goes back inside. Her hair swishing back and forth.
YOU ARE READING
Write Me Back By Deborah Escobar
Teen FictionA story about a boy in jail who one day receives a letter from a random girl. They become friends. After a year they fall in love. Or is it love? Being teenagers Renee and James don't really know.
