I feel the warmth of blankets, but something else was around me...
I slowly opened my eyes to see grey. I realize it's your pajamas, your arms are cradled around me. You look so cute when you're sleeping. I decided to wait till you awoke to move, I'm not going to say I enjoyed it but I definitely didn't hate it.
A little while later you woke up. It was a little awkward when you figured out I had been awake for some time. I'd been feeling better since this morning/and or yesterday.
"Hey, so are we gonna talk about what happened?" You asked kind of concerned.
"I want to take a shower first. Then eat maybe while we're eating Gav... I just wanna relax cause it's a lot to handle." I responded.
I didn't want to talk about it, clearly I just wanted to avoid it. You wouldn't have it, cause I knew you'd just continue to ask about it. I know I couldn't just show up at your place without an explanation.
I went up stairs, I opened the closet pulling out a grey towel and I shut the door. I could feel tears running down my face, I quickly turned on the shower to hide my tears. I undressed stepping in the shower the warm water hitting my skin crawl. I sat down.
I didn't feel like standing, I started bawling I had didn't want to fight them cause it wouldn't be worth my strength.
Then I heard a mumble. And then I heard you outside the door.
" Lenora, hey are you okay do you want me to come in? You can close the curtain and we can talk to something. I can her you crying please don't hide it from me."
I didn't want him to know, why I was here. How things went wrong. Because I am burden enough... but the words just came out of my mouth.
"You can come in. I guess."
My words weaker than my legs. It was probably a whisper but he heard it. Cause the door clicked and swung open. All I could see was the figure of him, behind the grey shower curtain.
Then he sat down.
"Lenora you know I'd understand. Maybe not be able to relate, but I'll listen. I'll be here for you even if you don't want me to be."
His voice was soft but on edge. I bet he was hoping to receive an answer of why I was being this way. But my mind was messier than a scribble painting from a four-year old.
"Okay, I know you're here for me. But I-I just don't know... My parents, you know how they are Gav. It got really bad this time, my brother Luke is getting worse. They were bickering about the hospital bills, then it got physical. My dad started throwing things, my mom was screaming at him-I just needed to leave."
My voice was going in and out of pitches.
"Lenora... oh Lenora your family is going through a lot.. I can't relate at all you know that though. I've known you since- like forever. This started when Luke got-
I cut him off "Yeah, can we just not talk about it?Please."
"Sure, anything to make you feel comfortable.
Well, after you change do you mind if we go to the festival in town? It might cheer you up. My mom is in charge, you know she's the "always busy type" but I'm sure you'd enjoy something there."
He was persuasive you could tell. I gave in, and responded with a "Yeah okay". I wonder if he knew my story was twisted. I stepped out grabbing the towel.
I yelled "Hey can you get my bag? It should be near the fort or something."
You could some clatter then a rush up the stairs. A click from the door and my backpack was there, just like that. I changed. I was wearing a pastel yellow long sleeved shirt, and some overalls. I mean I had sometime to pack. I maybe got more than a weeks worth of clothes. Some other necessities, like a brush, toothbrush and stuff.
I walked out of the bathroom. I looked to my right to see Gavin, sitting on the floor on his phone. He looked up, and than a smile grew.
"You ready to roll? We've got maybe an hour in the car. We should get there around 6:00 pm.
But first we stop for snacks. Maybe, around your place to pick up some stuff, aren't you staying awhile?"
"Yeah I am maybe for a month or two. I hope my parents don't mind. I mean I feel like they'd find it to be a blessing considering it's summer, and they wouldn't have to feed me."
Being quite honest they don't mind. My eldest sister would come off and on for a month and she'd walk in anytime of the day then leave. My parents didn't care what she did, where she went, or about her grades.
I thought maybe by going to Gavin's place would be a nice change considering he lives on the outskirts of our small town, and he's 17 living alone cause his family can afford it.
Then returning to the conversation.
"I'd like to pick up some more clothes and money from my secret stash in the wall. Cause you know my moms addiction to alcohol. So, I can grab that and we can be on our way."
"Yeah totally." He responded getting himself onto his feet and starting to head down the stairs.
I hope my parents aren't home. They're probably somewhere getting high, or sleeping.
They'll never be able to afford Lucas's treatment at this rate. God I miss my little brother so much, maybe if he didn't get that illness we'd still be a somewhat functional family.
But oh well, it is what it is. All I can do is pray, and work for the money to keep paying his bills.
We headed out the door, Gavin shortly behind.
