Beneath The Surface

Chapter 22

Jamie

I rush out of the garage and slam the front door behind me.
He quickly does the same.

"Jamie! Jamie, wait!"

God, why can't he just shut up!?

"Leave me the fuck alone!" I yell back.

"No, come back!" He calls. "We need to talk about this!"

"There's nothing to fucking talk about, Ian! You fucking did it! It's not like you can take it back, for God sakes, it's written in your fucking skin! Goddammit, you're such a hypocrite!"

I half-run-half-walk home, him following me the entire time.

I didn't realize how long we were in the garage. It's already dark.

I wonder what time it is.

As I walk, my house in view, I see a long, dark shape parked in the driveway.

Shit. I just can't catch a break, can I?

"Jamie, no."

He grabs me by the arm, his newly scarred skin against my faded scars.

"I told you I wouldn't let you run away again. You can't just leave. Please. Talk to me."

"Ian, I stopped. I stopped for you. But clearly I don't mean as much to you as I thought I did."

I pull away but he steps in front of me.

"Jay, you mean everything to me. That's why it took so long to tell you. You were doing better and I didn't want to fuck things up for you. I know you're mad, and I don't blame you, but please. Just come back home. Don't go in there."

"Why not?"

"He's fucking deranged, what do you mean 'why not'?" He protests.

"Like you give a shit."

"Jamie- "

I look at him dead in the eyes, my vision blurry with tears, and whisper almost inaudibly.

"Just leave me the fuck alone, okay?"

I rip my hand away from him and run to the porch, sobbing and watch his worry- filled face disappear as I slam the door closed behind me.

☾

"Where the hell have you been, you little bitch?" A gruff, familiar voice calls.

I ignore him, clawing at the tears escaping my tired eyes.

"Listen to me when I'm talking to you!" He yells from the couch, his words slurring together.

"I'm not in the mood, okay?" I say, as calmly as I can.

He stands and walks up to me.

"What did you say?"

"I just don't feel like talking right now, okay, Dad?"

I try to save myself but I know he's too far gone.

"I didn't ask you what you don't feel like doing. I'm your father, now answer the Goddamn question!"
He spits in my face and pushes my shoulder into the wall.

I take a deep breath.

"I was at a friend's house."

"A friend?" He laughs.

I nod.

"You little liar. No one likes a fag."

A fag.