Shatter

6. Leaving

    So the next day I plan on inviting him over for dinner. But then my sister calls and tells my mom what I dreaded to hear.

    "Honey, your sister said we need to leave town for a while. You know why and they already found out some how. We leave tomorrow morning. I'm sorry."

    "I was worried this would happen. Can I have him over for dinner tonight?"

    "Okay."

    So I go upstairs and call him. I hate having to tell him goodbye but I have to protect him.

    "Hey Ash, do you want to come over for dinner tonight?"

    "Sure I'd love to. What time should I be there?"

     "I will pick you up around 7."

    "Okay if you want too. See you then."

    We get everything ready. Then I put a smile on my face and go pick him up. This is really hard but it's necessary for his safety. I get to his house and he's standing outside smiling as I pull up.

    "Hey baby. How are you?"

    "Hey, I'm okay."

     He gets in and kisses me. Then we ride back in silence until we are almost there. Then he looks at me with a worried or confused look, I can't tell.

    "Are you okay? You seem different today."

     "Yeah I'm fine, just didn't sleep well I guess."

     We go inside and they have dinner ready on the table. We all sit down and it's an awkward family dinner. Everyone stares at each other and then their food, not daring to say anything. Then mom pipes up to break the tension.

    "So how's your family Ash?"

    "They're good thank you."

    "I hear you took Luna on a horse back ride. I bet she loved that. "

     "Yes it was fun. She told me about how you guys used to ride the neighbor's horses."

     "Every week until they had to get rid of them."

      After dinner we watch a movie. By the time it gets done, it's 11 pm. I need to take him home and then I have to tell him we are leaving. It's the longest car ride ever all the way back. I have to fight the tears constantly. I can finally breath once we get there. And then I feel even worse when we get out.

    "Ash there's something I have to tell you. This is really hard to say and I'm so sorry. But we are leaving town for a while and I can't be with you anymore."

    "What do you mean you can't be with me anymore? I don't care if you live out of town. I'll drive to you everyday, walk if I have too. I don't want to....." I interrupt him to make him stop talking. 

     "Dont make this harder than it already is. I can't be with you, it's not safe for either one of us. Don't call or text me anymore. I don't know when we are coming back. Try to have a normal life without me. I'm sorry I love you." I kiss him one more time and then walk away. 

     "I love you too." He says as I drive away.  He just stands there in shock frozen in time. I start crying as I watch him disappear in the rearview mirror. By the time I get home, he's already called twice and texted a few times.