All My Love

5

"What's wrong with that?" Jimmy asked, still trying to kiss me. I pushed him away.

"Because he's an over-protective father."

Jimmy's face turned pale. I could tell he was trying to keep calm. But hearing my dad's strong, burly voice from downstairs didn't help at all.

"You have to hide, jimmy, or he'll probably kill you."

I grabbed his arms and we ran into my room. I slammed the door shut and looked around my whole room. I had no idea where to hide him. Under my bed was too small, even for him with his skinny body. My closet was full of boxes, clothes, and God knows what else.

I started to really panic when I heard footsteps leading up the stairs toward my room. I grabbed jimmy once more and started to move him around various spots but nothing seemed to work.

I nearly screamed as I heard the doorknob jiggle. I pushed jimmy to the side next to the door because I had nowhere else to hide him. I'd hoped my dad wouldn't be too hard on him.

The door finally swung open and surprisingly, jimmy was in the perfect spot- behind the door my dad had just opened, only inches away from him.

"Hi, honey, how was school?"

"Um, I guess it was pretty good. Same old, same old, y'know?" My voice trembled no matter how hard I tried to mask it.

"Is something wrong?"

"No I'm just a little jittery from some coffee I just had."

Out of the corner of my eye I saw Jimmy's confused face. I could tell he was thinking,"what kind of lie is that?"

"But I thought you hated coffee?" My dad looked at me, puzzled. I really did hate coffee.

"No, I don't. I love it."

"Last time I offered it to you, you over dramatically refused to drink it."

"Maybe I just wasn't in the mood."

"Well, ok. I'm going out for a bit, but your mother will be back home. Oh, and a little surprise- your brother's coming home tonight. But don't tell your mother."

My jaw dropped. I hadn't seen my brother, William, in ages. He was very intelligent and was away at some prestigious school in America. I forget the name, though.

My dad closed the door and then left. Jimmy and I just stared at each other, taking in the fact that my dad had just missed him because of one door between them.

"That was close," I sighed in relief.

"You know, I love a little excitement like that."

He inched his way closer to me, about an inch from my face, stealing a kiss from me once more. But I had to stop.

"Jimmy?"

"Yes, love?"

"Can we go somewhere a little more safe?"

"Sure, if I can even get out of the house!"

"That's not going to be easy..."

"My dad said he was going out. I'll go downstairs, so just stay here. I'll come back up when it's clear."

I walked down the stairs only to see my dad standing in the doorway talking to someone.

"Dad, who's that at the door?"

He quickly turned around,"oh, Lou, this is John. I think you know him. He shares some classes with you, right?"

My eyes widened,"John Baldwin? Um, yeah..."

My dad welcome John inside. Great, just what I needed. John and Jimmy both in my house with my crazy father. I knew that this was going to end badly for sure.

"Mr. Stevens," John began,"do I have permission to hug your daughter?"

My dad stood there, slowly nodding his head. I was surprised he let him do so, even though it was only a two second hug.

"Lou, I have to go now," my dad started again,"will you two behave yourselves? Because I'm really trusting you."

"Yes, sir." John answered.

I just rolled my eyes and waved goodbye as he went out the door.

I went to sit down on the sofa and john sat next to me. It was very quiet until a faint voice called out,"Lou, is it all clear? I heard the door close."

John immediately turned and glared at me. "Who is that upstairs?"

"What do you mean? I didn't hear anything."

He didn't even listen to my answer. He sprinted up the steps and stopped at the door. It was locked, so he knocked on it, waiting for an answer.

"Lou, is that you?" Jimmy whispered.

"No, this is John," he answered forcefully,"who's in there?"

There was no reply.

"Who's in there?" John repeated in a much harsher tone.

"Come out right now and I'll go easy on you."

When I heard that I quickly scurried up the stairs. "John, please, just let it be. I think you're just hearing things."

"No, Lou. I'm not stupid."

I backed away slowly as he began to kick the door. It only took a few times for it to break. He immediately made eye contact with Jimmy and they both just stared at each other, just standing there.

John finally broke the silence,"you, again?" His voice cracked a bit as held back his true emotions, trying not to cry.

Jimmy continued to stare. I stood there awkwardly, not knowing what to do.

"Just why, Jim?" John asked, looking as if he were going to either break down and cry or to murder something- or someone.

He didn't wait for an answer. He bolted down the steps and ran out the door. I had no idea where he was going.

Jimmy turned to me, a downcast look upon his face. Then he turned his head to the front door. Someone was opening the door. It was my dad, again.

"So, Lou, your mother's still not h-"

He made immediate eye contact with jimmy.

"You're not John," he said, sounding confused. But then it all hit him. He charged up the stairs and was running full speed at jimmy like a bull. I didn't want to watch, but I had to see what was going to happen. I knew it wasn't going to end well.