Alone

18

Parker looked up at her uncle's study window, he was standing  there watching as she and Austin entered the house. She shook off his earlier warning and made her way to her room, Austin following close behind. They entered and she turned to him.

"You tired?"

"Maybe a little."

"Well do you want to go to bed?"

"That will always depend on you. You know that."

He winked at her. He was still here to please her and be there for her no matter what the hour.

"Austin what do you want to do?"

She laughed as she sat down on her bed.

"I really don't care."

"Then."

She paused, uneasy of whatever she was going to say.

"Yes?"

Austin urged her.

"Would you stay up with me for a while?"

"Of course."

She gestured for him to sit down on the bed in front of her.

"Can I be honest with you?"

"Always."

Came his reply.

"You're about the only real friend I've ever had."

"Ever? I don't believe you."

"I never lived anywhere long enough for someone to actually care about me."

"Well I can honestly say that surprises me because you Parker Ryan, are a very wonderful person."

She looked down and smiled, flushing at his compliment.

"I'm actually afraid of losing you.  I've lost everyone else I've gotten close to.  Ever. Even my old dog."

"Well I'm not going anywhere."

She smiled again and looked back up at him.

"Tell me Austin, does it make you uncomfortable to share a bed with me?"

He paused, curious to the intent of her question.

"It confuse me."

She nodded, casting her face downward.

"Let's put pjs on then watch some tv."

He said, trying to divert her mind from wherever it may have been.

"Sounds good."

So they both went to their opposites sides of the room to put comfortable clothes on before snuggling under the sheets. Parker picked up the remote and handed it to him.  She looked up at his face, half illumined in the minimal lighting of a bedside lamp and the tv.  

He made her feel safe, when she felt his arms around her, it was as if here dad was still alive. Tears came to her eyes as she thought of him, he had been her best friend, her protector, her provider, and her anchor. Austin remind here so much of him.  

Austin rested back on the headboard, but Parker remained sitting forward.  She couldn't snuggle up with him as should would have with her dad, that was his girlfriend's job; so she sat as they watched a show, then two before she grew tied. She ran her hand across here face, Austin's hand caressed her back.

"You ok?"

She looked back at him and said,

"Yeah I'm fine, just getting a little sleepy."

"Tell me Parker, does it make you uncomfortable to share a bed with me?"

She laughed at him and sighed.

"No."

"Well then how does it make you feel."

She hesitated.

"It makes me feel as though my dad's alive again."

"Why's that?"

"Whenever I was feeling anything but happy, he would sleep with me."

She hesitated, then laughed.

"I sound like a child."

"No, you sound like someone who's real. Parker, do you want me to stay."

"You can do whatever you like."

Austin thought for a moment, then grabbed her by the shoulders and gently pulled her back so that she was laying on his chest. She breathed deeply, then closed her eyes.