The Fighter

Chapter 22

2 months later.....

March

After my Dad died, Kyle stopped being a dick and actually talks to and hangs out with me again. They all came to the funeral although they didn't know him. They all came for me and Avery. Julie and Gavin have been together for four months now and they are getting very serious. They're talking about moving into their own apartment now that she works at the nursing home and he's working at Papa's shop. Greg and I have been dating for two months and a lot has changed between us. He fights with his parents regularly about his life, not about the part that I'm in. I swear that he's bipolar and I have since the moment that I met him. He gets so depressed and then randomly gets happy and has these bursts of energy. I think the worst of it for me is, when he talks about wanting to go back to Virginia. He went back down for a visit a week ago, and asked me to go with him. I thought about it, but I said no because of Avery. He understood and promised me that he'd be back. He came back yesterday. His dad got him a job at a metal shop in Utica and he works there during the day while I do my school work and hang out with Kyle or John. Kyle was supposed to go back to work in February, but he was delayed because of paper work, so his next bet is going back in April. I believe that we're all caught up now.

Gavin went to work and I went to the station. My computer was acting dumb and I had a test to do. So, I figured that I would do it up there. John was in the office when I walked in. "Hey." He smiled. "Hi, what are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be working?" I asked sitting at the computer. "Yeah, I have a doctor appointment at noon, so they're having me come in after. I'm staying late tonight." "Oh, I'm bringing Greg lunch at noon, so we'll probably be leaving here about the same time." "Yeah, probably. What are you doing here? I thought you had an online test this morning." "I do, that's what I'm doing right now. My computer isn't working right, so I figured I'd come here." "I'm glad you did. I was getting lonely." "I bet you were." I laughed and logged in. When I was done I sat next to him at the table. "Can I ask you something?" he spoke up out of nowhere. "Yeah, of course you can." "Did you think that Greg was going to stay in Virginia when he went last week?" "Yeah, he liked it so much better down there. He said that he was thinking about staying there. I'm glad he didn't. My heart was honestly breaking the more he talked about it." "Do you love him?" "Yeah, it killed me to think that he was leaving. After everything that he promised. Did you think that he was going to stay?" I turned to him. "Yeah, I did. I was surprised when he came back." "Me too."

Later, Avery went with Julie, Gavin, Grandma, and Papa to our cousin's basketball game. I didn't feel like going, because I went to everything all last week. I needed a break, so Greg came over and we sat on the couch and had a movie on while we talked. He was happy to just have time with me." "How was work today?" I sat on his lap and put my arms around his neck. "Not too bad, I was putting a fan in today. It kept shocking me." "Sounds like a blast." "How'd you do on your test?" "Good, I hope. I checked back after lunch and he still hadn't posted the grade. Whatever." I smiled and he smiled back. "I love you." I kissed him. "I love you too." He smiled and just kept looking at me. I loved the way he looked at me. He always looked tired, but I think that's because his eyes were soft. They were always soft and had this light in them when he looked at me. I loved it. He held me like he always does and then kissed me over and over and over again. We went into my room to be alone.

"You drive me crazy." He smiled and kissed my head. "You drive me crazy too kid." "Hey, watch it with the kid stuff." He laughed and tickled me until I did my high pitched laugh that he loved so much. I hated it, but I always laughed when he stopped tickling me. I looked up at him. "What?" he asked. "You." "You." He kissed my head. "You're mine." "And you're mine." We were like two little teenagers in love. It was sweet and sickening at the same time.

The pager went off a little after 10:30pm. It was a Motor Vehicle accident and they needed someone to direct traffic. So, I went and saw all of my boys. Especially Kyle, whose truck was hung up on the guard rail. "What happened?" I asked when I saw that Greg had traffic control. "There was a car in my lane and I moved over to avoid it and I hit ice." He shrugged. "Are you okay?" "Yeah, I'm fine. Tommy Pinnt was on duty tonight. He was training someone so, he had to give me a ticket for my inspection. Oh well." "I'm glad you're okay. It looks like we're going to be here for a while." "Yeah, I know. I'm surprised that your boy toy is here. I didn't think he was coming back from Virginia the way that Pete was talking." He said quietly so only I would hear. "Yeah, no one did. Not even me." "You doubted him?" "Yeah, I did. For a split second, but I did."

4 hours later, we got his truck off the guard rail. They had it towed to the shop, so in the morning they could check it out and see if it was still drivable. I drove Kyle home on my way home. It was the least that I could do.