KJ's POV
I head back to my office and resume my seat at my desk with Charlie's enigma of a drawing. As I read it, I soon realize the one paragraph is actually two stories. Depending on the word I put in, it decided the tone.
Once upon a time, in a quiet suburb...
Once upon a time, in a haunted suburb...
I read it through several times, trying to make sense of the convoluted story. In one, its a story about a girl and her mom against the world. In another, its about a community that upheld the abuse of a child. Both are dark. Both leave me torn. I spend the rest of the day dissecting it, trying to understand Charlie better, but coming up empty.
"Maybe I should just let her stick to drawing," I mumble to myself as I get my things, ready to head home for the day. Today Vin let me take the truck, so I plug in my aux and pull up some hip hop to listen to.
When Vin and I first came out here, I used to get a surreal feeling heading back to the house. Every time I made the drive I was reminded of that first time, after the death of Layne's mom. Now, it was just a drive to me.
When I get back, as I enter the house I'm hit with an intense wave of marijuana, sending me back to my college years.
"Vin!" I shout for him.
"In here!" I find him in the kitchen, stirring a pot, "Hey, Baby girl."
He kisses me, and it's like licking fresh bud. "Hey, Kid what's going on?" I ask, already knowing. I can recognize the production of weed butter anywhere. Especially the scent.
"A couple of the interns at work wanted me to make them some edibles for this get together we have coming up," he explains, "They heard about what we did back in Colorado."
"Okay," I stop him, "But babe that was in Colorado. Where it was legal. And we didn't have formal jobs to hold down."
He rubs my shoulders, "Ssssh, don't worry about it this is a one time thing."
"Vin---" I start to protest but he kisses me again.
"Are you actually happy doing what you're doing?" he questions me. I look him in his eyes, which are about as red as a tomato. Anything he says to me for the next few hours needs to be taken with a grain of salt.
He produces a pipe, "Like old times?"
"Shit why not," take it and he lights it for me, as I inhale the smoke easily, the habit coming back to me with ease.
I blow it out. He has me take another hit, "Feel better?"
I feel my head clear, a wave of relaxation falling over me. Even if I tried to be stressed about something right now, it wouldn't work. I kiss him, "I could feel more better."
He kills the stove and picks me up, carrying me to our bedroom.
"I missed us," he kisses my neck, "Just so you know."
"I missed us too," I reply, our clothes melting away.
***
I awaken and glance at my phone. It's just past three in the morning, but I'm not tired. I slide out of bed and turn back to Vin, the shadows of the room making his sharp features appear even sharper. I get dressed in running shorts and a sports bra, then head out for a job. The cold autumn air hits me and a shiver ripples through my body.
I still force myself out into the cold, my feet finding their rhythm and carrying me down the drive and onto the main road.
Less than a year ago I graduated. This summer I moved here. I've gotten a job. I'm reconnecting with friends. I'm in a relationship-- convoluted it may be. Yet I feel numb. I feel myself slipping.
YOU ARE READING
no savior.
Romance(What if you broke someone's heart?) When KJ Parker left for college, she left her true love, her last name, sexuality and the drama of high school in her hometown. But now it's time for her to go back. (What if they didn't remember?) Having s...
