Hurricane

Chapter 7 - To believe or not to believe

               Lyla was pacing the tiny well-kept house.  Harley and Brendan had approached the situation as a new challenge and Lyla was amazed at their support.  She felt Harley would eventually be a good friend to her.  Jaden came back a little frazzled but he was able to lend some quick thinking on the changes they had in mind.  She wasn’t sure if Jaden liked her or supported their decisions but he seemed amiable enough.  Together they created a plan and she hoped it would work. 

               The doorbell rang.

               Mr. M opened the door and ushered them toward the living room.  Her mother ran over to her and wrapped her in a big hug.  “You’re okay?  You’re okay?”  She was touching Lyla on the head, neck, shoulders, searching her face.

               Relief flooded Lyla.  She wasn’t sure how her parents were going to take the marriage but at least this confirmed she was still their daughter.  “I’m good, mom.  Actually, I’ve never been better.”  Her father came over and hugged her.

               “You know we never meant for you to be hurt.  You know that, don’t you?”

               “I wasn’t hurt.”  Then it donned on her.  “You mean the dying thing… yeah, well…I would have probably done the same thing if I was a parent.”

               Her parents gave a sigh of relief.

               Lyla looked around.  “Where’s Mr. M?”

               “He’s getting Chinese take-out.  I think he wanted to give us some time alone.”

               They sat down in the small quaint room facing each other.

               Her mother spoke up.  “So, will we get to meet this boy?  What’s his name?”

               “Chase.   Yes.  He’s showering right now.”  Lyla paused.  “How is this going to work now?  I’m married, I’m in high school, I’m wanted by people.  It’s confusing.”

               “I don’t see why we all can’t continue the same way until school ends.  Isn’t the marriage just a formality?”

               Lyla knew her father would say this.  She also knew how hard it would be to be away from Chase even for a little bit.  Lyla looked down at her hands and spoke.  “Mr. M offered to let us stay here.”

               “What?  No!  There’s no reason. Your too young for all this, you can come home until you finish high school!  No!”  Both her parents were vocal at the same time.

               Lyla jumped back in her seat, her parents had a way of stopping any form of speech from coming out of her mouth.

               “Mom, Dad, I know this has been a shock.  But not knowing what I was up against almost killed me.  I love Chase, I need him with me.  We’re stronger together.”  She felt close to tears and willed them away.

               “This is ridiculous.”  Her father stood and began pacing.  “We did this for your own good we kept you safe all these years.”

               “I know Dad.  But now the question is over.  I would have died no matter what.  I’m just grateful you came here and that Mr. M was prepared.  I don’t know what will happen if we’re separated that long.  There’s nothing in the texts about it.”

               The front door opened and Mr. M and Jaden came in carrying packages of Chinese take-out boxes.  Lyla stood to help them, grateful for the distraction.