Sick Love

Part 2

Chad began to pull away and my body froze. I didn't want him to stop kissing me. He reached out and grabbed my hands and set them on his lap. He rubbed small circles with his thumb on the top of my hand. Every time he touched me, my body lost control. I didn't realize he was staring at me. I was too focused on his hand on mine. I looked up at him and noticed his eyes looked dark; mysterious. His eyes locked on mine. I had no idea what was going on. I sat there awkwardly waiting for him to do something...anything. Then,out of nowhere, he laughed. Was he laughing at me? I looked at him confused. "Sorry. It's just...do you know me? Like do you recognize me?" He asked awkwardly. I had a feeling that's not why he was laughing. What was he keeping from me? Did I do something wrong? Should I know who he is? "Uhh. No...should I? Where do you go to school?" I rubbed my arm awkwardly not knowing how he would react. He laughed again and let out a sigh of relief. What the hell was happening? Am I dreaming because I didn't have a fucking clue as to what was happening. "No no. You shouldn't know me. I graduated from the high school last year. I'm taking a year off before going to college. Waiting for my friends that are seniors to graduate." I was shocked. He was only a year older than me and had friends in my class. "Umm. I'm a senior. At the high school." He looked at me as if trying to act surprised but he seemed as if he already knew. I was about to ask him who his friends in my class were when he got up from the booth and started walking away. I got up to go after him when he stopped and came back up to me. "Give me your phone. I'll give you my number." Without thinking, I pulled out my phone and handed it to him. He put himself into my contacts and then texted himself so he would have my number. Then he handed me back my phone and started walking away again. He didn't look back he just said "Bye Mel". I stood there frozen still trying to comprehend what had just happened as he walked out the door of the cafe. I looked around me and noticed everyone was staring at me. I felt extremely uncomfortable. I quickly walked towards the door and headed for my car. When I got to my car I noticed a folded up piece of paper taped to my window. I removed it and got into my car. Once I sat down I opened it. It said meet me here tomorrow after you get out of school. Hurry. -Chad. I was even more confused. How did he know which car was mine? Instead of being rational and questioning him, I started to think did he really want to see me again? I thought I looked like an idiot but maybe not. What if he liked me? What if we fell in love?
I drove home with a smile plastered across my face. I couldn't stop thinking that maybe I had found "the guy". I knew nothing about him but for right now that seemed okay. We knew very little about each other but we had already kissed. We had to have some kind of connection. Right?
When I got home, my mom was standing at the counter in the kitchen holding a letter. She quickly turned around and shoved the letter in her purse when she heard me coming. "Mom...what's that?" She looked nervous. Any time she was acting like this, it had something to do with my dad. He left us when I was 5 years old for another woman but my mom still hopes he will come back. It's been almost 13 years but she hasn't lost hope. "Oh honey. It's nothing. Just-just bills and stuff". I walked closer to her and looked her in the eyes. "Mom. Please don't lie to me. Does this have anything to do with dad?" She quickly looked away and began to cry. I lead her to the kitchen table and had her sit down. I kneeled down next to her and held her hands tightly in mine. "Mom. Please tell me." She continued to cry but she limply pointed to her purse. I walked over to the counter and grabbed her purse. I came over and kneeled back down next to her waiting for further instruction. She dug through her purse and pulled out the folded letter. She handed it to me. I walked over to the chair next to her and sat down. I unfolded the letter and began to read it. Dear Chris, I've missed you so much. We really need you. I know you have your family now but we need money. I know you just sent us some last month but I don't have enough to support Mel. Please Chris. Thank you, Amy.
I looked up at my mom in horror. She had wrote a letter to my dad. She was asking him for money. I knew my mom didn't get much working at the salon but I didn't think she was getting money from my dad. "Mom. What the hell? How long have you been getting money from dad?" I tried to hold back my anger but I couldn't. I was furious. I wanted nothing to do with my dad. I couldn't believe she was begging him for money. "Mel. Please. Please just try to listen to me. We need the money. I'm not making enough at the salon. Your dad feels bad that he isn't here to support you so he sends me money." She started to cry harder. She placed her head in her hands. I wanted to feel bad but I couldn't. "How long." I asked again. "Ever since he left...he sends money every other month." I got up and headed for the door but then turned around to look at her again. "I can't believe you. I could have gotten a job. I want nothing to do with him! I don't want anything that he has paid for!" Before she had a chance to respond, I stormed out the door and headed for my car. I grabbed my phone and texted Mia. She was my only friend but she graduated 2 years ago. She told me I could come over and stay. As I was driving, I started crying. My vision began to blur. I couldn't drive. I had to pullover. I pulled over to the side of the road and rested my head against the steering wheel. I closed my eyes and continued to cry. I just wanted this day to be over. All of the sudden, I heard a knock on my window. I looked over and noticed Chad from the cafe standing at my door. I looked at him in shock. What the hell was he doing here?