The Last Summer

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-One..... Kayleb

My time at the hospital was great. I was going home tomorrow, but I was under orders to be extremely careful. The one thing that only slightly bothered me was that my dad hadn't come to visit me once. It was late at night. Waverly was asleep in the comfiest chair that was located in the far corner. I was still awake because I was excited to go home tomorrow. The door opened, and the person that I had least expected to see stood in the door way. My dad. He stumbled towards me. He was still five feet away and I could smell the liquor on his breath.

"You." He said, pointing at me. "Do you know how much money this hospital bill is going to coat me? You just had to get involved with that darn girl." I felt myself growing hot. How dare he insult Waverly!

"I just happen to love that girl, dad." I said, gritting my teeth.

"Yeah, well for all I care she could've gotten raped by that guy." He said.

"You take that back!" I roared. Waverly stirred in her sleep.

"What's going on?" She mumbled.

"Nothing. Go back to bed, Waves." I ordered.

"No. Oh, hi Mr. Corelli." She said, noticing my horrible father. She exchanged a look with me that told me that she could tell that he was drunk.

"Don't you 'hi' me." He yowled. He stumbled towards her and slapped her. She clutched her face.

"Don't touch her! Don't ever touch her again!" I shouted. "I never want to see you again. Just leave us all alone!"

"What is going on in here?" A concerned nurse asked.

"Ma'am, I would like this man escorted out of my room and as far away from me as possible." I asked.

"No, that won't be necessary. I'm his father." He tried to explain.

"Just because your blood runs through me does not make you my father." I said.

"I'm sorry, sir, but if your upsetting the patient then you must leave." She said with a cool and collected composure. "I will summon security if I have to." He stumbled out of the room.

"Thank you so much, ma'am. Can you bring some ice to my room? I'm afraid that he hit my girlfriend." I said worriedly. She glanced horrified in Waverly's direction and hurried out of the room quickly.

"Kayleb, how long has he been like that?" Waverly asked concerned. She climbed into the bed with me, resting her head on my chest. I embraced her tightly.

"He's always been like that." I answered truthfully.

"Was he the one that gave you that bruise?"

"Yes."

"Kayleb, I am so sorry. I had no idea." She responded.

"It's okay because now I have you." I said.

"You are too sweet. I don't know how I went without you for so long." She blushed.

"I love you." I whispered. I couldn't resist syaing it to her. She deserved to know. I just hoped I hadn't scared her off with my sudden outburst.

"I love you to." She answered with a small smile and the tiniest hint of a blush on her cheeks. And I fell asleep with her in my arms.