Broken Home

Chapter 7

3 Years Later

I wake to the smell of fresh brewed coffee, I reluctantly pull back the warm cotton sheets. The streaks of sunlight penetrate through the window, blinding me momentarily. I sit up and drag my feet to the ground. The luscious pure white carpet sprawls around my toes, a cushion to walk across. I walk into the picturesque tile floor kitchen, I see a tall skinny figure with jet black hair facing away from me, stirring sugar into his mug.

I stifle a yawn "G-g-good m-morning."

His hair was floppy and tangled, not in his usual upswept do, I could tell he slept well because he had marks from his sheets on his cheek. His eyes sparkled making his washed out sea blue eyes a little lighter. He smiles a sweet smile, making it harder for me to breathe.

"I have an extra mug of coffee, if you want some?" A hint of sarcasm in his voice

I tease. "Sometimes I don't regret picking you up off the street Evan."

I wrap my hands around my mug. I inhale the steam that floats up from my mug. The smell alone wakes me up, the enormous amounts of coffee was one of the advantages of living in California. The change was nice, the weather was the opposite of Seattle. Although living expenses were more expensive, the people were kind and laid back and it didn't remind me of Seattle in any shape or form. I'd gotten a job at Starbucks and Evan was a waiter at a nice hotel across the street from my work we made enough money to pay off rent. Of course I keep in touch with Amanda and my mom but I couldn't go back their yet. The memories were too real, too painful to bear. Amanda and my mom would visit me, but I haven't gone to Seattle yet. Child Protection Services put a restraining order on my dad. My mom divorced him and got full custody of Amanda. Even without my dad in our life, it was still hard. Mom had panic attacks, she sometimes would break whatever was in sight or break down. Amanda would call me when this happened . It was hard to pretend everything was okay.  I couldn't be with Amanda, my dad had scarred us but theses scars would never fade.

Evan and I drank from our mugs in silence, but it wasn't an uncomfortable silence. His long fingers were holding the mug from the handle, his facial expression was unfocused. I examined his facial features for the millionth time, his eyes a sky blue color that constantly changed framed with dark lashes. His nose was sharp, his jaw was cut perfectly. What fascinates me the most are his pink, plump lips on his unmarked bronzed skin, this is the only place he looks vulnerable.

I wasn't sure what my feelings meant, his smile would take me places I never could have imagined. His laugh made my heart beat a thousand beats a minute. Even with all these feelings, I kept trying to get over him but I was unsuccessful. Evan would talk to me about other girls and I'm 100% positive that he would go on dates. I unfortunately was not that appealing to other people. Evan and I never had the opportunity to spark a relationship with all that happened so we were stuck in this awkward part of our friendship. We both know how we feel about each other but never acted on it. The phone rang loudly, interrupting my thoughts. I pick up the home phone and read the caller ID "Hey Bear!"

Evan leans against the counter, his slender figure relaxes.

Amanda's voice was exasperated "Andy you have to come back, Mom is not doing good. I don't know what to do."

I feel my smile disappear, "I'll get there as soon as I can." Evan looks at me with concern.

"Thanks Andy. Love you" She sounds relieved.

"Love you too." I whisper.

I slam the phone on the counter, my breathing turns heavy. I feel dizzy, as if the world is moving to quickly."I can't do this, I can't go back yet. I'm not ready."

Evan touches my shoulder, he's never touched me before. It felt like I thought it would, like being shocked, my heart stutters. My eyes begin to water, no I couldn't cry, I had to be strong.

He talks gently, like talking to a small child. "Look at me Andy." I tilt my head up, our eyes lock. "You're gonna be brave, you're gonna be there for Amanda and your mom. You will be scared, you will remember things, but you don't have to accept it. You changed your future, don't let the past ruin it for you."

I manage a mumble "I better pack."

I can still feel his worried eyes on me. I wish I could look at him but I couldn't, he would read me like an open book. I stumble to my room and pack with dismay.