transitions ✓

part 14

CALEB

"wh-what do you mean you're worried about micah?" i stammer as i look over at my family. they're still yelling at each other and my mom is trying to get monica off of matthew. that quick?

"our mom, doesn't really like him. she's always out to get him or something, our dad doesn't give shit." he says bitterly. "she doesn't support him and she really doesn't like how you're helping him. she thinks it's just a phase or something to get her to kick him out, but she won't. she continuously tortures him because he's a sinner."

"she's always hitting him and screaming in his face. whenever we try to stop her, she tries to get us to join in. tyler is eight and he's more accepting than our mom. if i leave i won't be able to stop it, he'll continue to get hurt." he says quietly as he looks down.

my heart drops and i gulp at his words. i knew micah had a hard time at home but i didn't know know it was like this. "i'm so sorry." i say quietly and travis is quick to shake his head.

"don't be, but i think you guys should get going. this probably won't end well of you stick around." he says gesturing to my family.

i chuckle bitterly and nod, i get up and walk towards my family. "get out or i'm calling the police." matthew says loudly and they all just scoff.

"guys lets go." i say and they all look at me. i have a small smile on my face as i grab my plate, "if he wants us out? we won't pay. simple."

everyone smiles at me and they grab their plates as well, walking out of the restaurant, me following behind. i look back at him and flip him off, sending travis a smile.

on our way home i send micah a couple of messages, hoping it goes well.

you
hey, baby are you awake?
8:55pm
you
i was thinking of something and it might be a big step but...
8:57pm
you
we graduate in two months, we'll be legal adults and out of school. we can move in together, apply for college and live happily.
9:00pm
you
we both can be happy and you won't have to worry about anyone.
9:01pm

i turn my phone off as i walk inside of the house, kicking my shoes off by the door and bidding monica and lauren a goodbye and goodnight. leaving only my mom and i.

"i'm sorry about tonight." she sighed as she rested her head against her palms, her elbows resting against our island. "i didn't know he owned that dammned restaurant."

"it's okay, mom. you didn't know and besides i still had a nice night." i told her truthfully and she smiled at me. i pressed a kiss to her cheek and bid her a goodnight as i walked towards my room.

^*^*

two painstakingly slow weeks had passed since my last encounter with my father. micah still hasn't agreed to living with me, but he also hasn't said no.

"come on, baby. please, you'll be happy." i say with a pleading tone and he just sighs as he rests his head on my shoulder.

"cal, i want to. i really want to, but my mom-" he starts and i immediately cut him off.

"she wouldn't approve, i know. but she doesn't have to know, i spoke to travis-" i say and it's his turn to cut me off.

"you spoke to travis?" he asks and i nod, his smile soon turning into a frown. "when?" he presses and i sigh.

"the night i saw my dad, he was our waiter." i rushed out, "but as i was saying, he told me how ellen treats you and i don't like it one bit. you deserve to be happy and to fight what she puts you through, micah. you're a boy, you shouldn't have to live with someone who goes against that."