Run

:6: MЄЄƬƖƝƓ ƬӇЄ ƤAƦЄƝƬS

:6: Meeting the Parents

“Camic, I’m fine,” I loudly say, as I argue about how I don’t need him to stay in bed with me any longer. Last night wasn’t horrible, but I don’t want that to be a regular thing and I sure as heck don’t want to become used to him sleeping beside me. I just don’t want to get attached- and if something were to happen…

“I’m not leaving Carnate- unless you need something. Then again, there’s always Jess and Belle to help with that-”

“No way Camic, you need to help around here too while mom and dad are at work.” Jess butts in, coming into the room immediately, and informing Camic what he is obligated to do..

“Jess get out of here, I’m busy, go make breakfast in the kitchen with Belle. She stayed the night in my room, so go wake her up.” Camic orders, making Jess sigh heavily but immediately turn back to do as told.

“It’s amazing that he listens to you like that,” I say, as I look over to Camic sitting up beside me in the bed.

“Yeah, well, with my parents barely around anymore…I have to take control of things more than I had to before.” he says, adjusting himself as he looks back at me still lying down under the covers. “Jess knows to listen to me.” I nod, about to say something more until I hear boots tromping in through the missing front door.

“Why is there no door?” I hear a low voice yell, tromping further into the house.  

“Dad!” I hear Jess then screech; his feet pounding against the hard wooden flooring. “You’re finally home! I have so much to tell you!”

“First, you should explain to me why the front door is missing! Once your mother is done outside with her flowers, she will be very upset to see that. I mean, you kids should really be more responsible with the things around the house! Seriously- look at this place! It’s a mess!”

“Yes, I know, but I do have a good reason as to why everything looks the way it does.” Jess replies, before shouting for Camic. Sighing, he pushes aside the covers and slides off the bed, looking over to me.

"Want to come with? I can help you walk?” I nod willingly, watching as he comes over to my side of the bed and pushes the blankets down to my feet. Sitting up slowly, I swing my legs around to the floor. Camic then grabs my hands and pulls me up gently, catching me in his arms.

I smile, realizing that that small movement made me realize that Camic isn’t here to hurt me, but to care for me with all his will.                

“You okay?” he asks, as I look up to him soundly.

“Yeah, I’m fine.”  I shyly tell him, as he leads me over to the hallway- being careful not to hurt my waist. We walk slowly at first, but soon I actually start walking faster than Camic does beside me, and I smile, for it’s only been two days I’ve been bed bound so far and I’m doing excellent!

“Camic.” I hear Jess sigh as we make our way down to them all. My eyes scan the room quickly, noticing the many pots, pans, chairs, lamps, and furniture thrown about- but land fast on the tall, broad man standing beside Jess. He wears a dark blue and black uniform, and tall gray boots which match his receding gray hair. I knew instantly it was Camic’s father, for the same dark green eyes lit up his face.

“Why are there girls in the house? I thought I had told you no visitors till we came home?” his father starts to yell a bit, making me pull on the back of Camic’s shirt lightly. His father seemed so sweet and caring the last time I had been here with my mother. Then again though, that was before the bombings, before life got rough and hard- and before I was afraid.

“Just let me explain-”

“What went on in here?” I hear a woman scream, making my eyes dart to the front door. Camic’s mother I presume, walks in. Her long green and blue dress sways as she walks over, with her graying brown hair tied back in a bun and her brown eyes half closed with bags; most likely from lack of sleep.

“Mom, I was just about to-”

“And why are there girls in this house? Get them out of here immediately, you two boys are too young to start a family!” she yells, reaching for me.

“No!” Camic yells, locking me in his arms tightly; still cautious of my ribs though. “No, just listen to me alright!” he yells again, sending silence to echo throughout the house. “This is Carnate. You remember her, don’t you?” Camic asks his parents, as they questionably look me over. Their scanning eyes get uncomfortable after some time, but soon I see a smile gleam across Mrs. Sears face.

"Oh my, yes, you were just a small little thing when we first got acquainted. Your mother brought you over here to visit Camic didn’t she? How’s she doing?” Mrs. Sear asks, smiling a glorious white smile.

"Uhm, she's fine..." I lie, holding onto Camic’s hands wrapped gently at my stomach, before I listen to her as she starts to speak again.

“In case you have forgotten, my name is Nora and this here is George.”

“Mom, I think she knows that.” Camic butts in, making Belle giggle a bit beside Jess as she comes walking into the room as well.

“Well someone’s a bit crabby today, did you sleep well honey?” Nora asks Camic, as George just rolls his eyes.

“Mother!” Camic groans, looking over to Jess in annoyance.

“Carnate ran away from her father because he abuses her. Now if you both want to help her, you won’t tell anyone she’s over here. Okay?” Jess spits out, looking over to me. I didn’t know Jess put the puzzle pieces together about me being abused, but I guess he’s smarter than he seems.

“Carnate is this true,” Nora asks, looking over to George standing tall beside her small figure. I nod shyly, watching her eyes turn to sadness.

“That’s why she’s here. She has a broken rib...she’s been bed bound for two days now. Her father came to the house and tried to get her back, but she and Belle hid; that’s why the house is a mess.” Camic sums the rest up pretty nicely, leaving out the details about last night, for example…

“Oh Carnate, of course you can stay here as long as you want,” Nora tells me kindly. "Your mother is welcome here too, but considering you said she is fine, I think she would rather stay in her own home."

“And we won’t tell anyone,” George adds in, wrapping an arm around Nora calmingly. “You’re safe here now. Of course, I’ll have to pick up a new door soon…one with a lock.” he says, chuckling lightly at himself. I smile too, realizing how nice he has turned out to be and look over to Belle smiling back at me as well….