His Seventh Shot

Chapter 3

I was going home today. Just a year ago, I thought I'd never see home again. I was so beaten down that I could barely stand. It was like clock was hanging over my head to tick away to my death. Nothing was severely wrong with me. I didn't have any broken bones or fractures. Just some bruising and several cuts and scrapes. There was the bullet wound, but it was sewn up. My mom walked next to me as I was wheeled out of the hospital. Dad was getting the car pulled up. We reached the door leading to the front entrance. I felt the cool July air wrap a warm blanket around me. It felt so nice to breathe in the fresh air.

Getting up from the wheel chair, I looked at the doctor. "Thank you for all that you've done."

The doctor smiled. "That's what I'm here for."

Dad pulled up with the car. I got in and Mom also thanked the doctor. She got into the passenger seat and shortly after, we were on our way home. I rested my head on the window and watched the world blur past me. A smile slowly crept on my face. I'm finally home. An all too familiar face popped in my head: Skylar. How did she handle herself all these years? Before I knew it, we were home. I got out of the car. Mom got out and walked up to the house. I followed behind her. When I got into the house, I noticed someone standing in the living room. The girl turned around. My jaw dropped.

Skylar saw me. She ran to me and pulled me into a deep hug. Suddenly, she started crying. Now I started crying. We couldn't break away from each other. I felt her bury her head in my chest. Mom was tearing up. Skylar pulled away.

"I – I can't believe you're home." Skylar wiped tears away.

I pulled her into another hug. I rested my chin on top of her head as I ran a hand up and down her back. "I'm never leaving again."

Skylar finally calmed down. I pulled away. Mom and Dad left the room. "I was so scared I wasn't going to ever see you again."

"I'm here." I smiled. "I'm here now. Don't think I'm leaving again."

Skylar smiled and chuckled. "Thank you." I asked Skylar if she wanted to go upstairs to talk. She said okay. So that's what we did. We talked for hours. Skylar had to leave. I gave Skylar another hug.

"You wanna meet up tomorrow? We can meet up for lunch." She offered.

"Yeah. No problem." I smiled.

She gave me the details and she left. I now felt alone. I walked downstairs and saw Mom writing something down. She looked up from what she was doing and smiled.

"Hi honey." She patted the seat next to her. "How are you doing?"

I shrugged as I walked over to sit down. I told her about Skylar and how we are meeting up tomorrow. I asked to borrow the car. She was fine with it. There was so much I wanted to tell her. I had no courage to even admit anything. But tomorrow's a new day. I'll work on how to say it.

A couple weeks have passed. I finally got a new phone and got a car. Dad was sitting in the living room when I came downstairs. I asked where Mom was. He responded with "she's out". He's in one of his moods again. I sighed.

"What's wrong?" I asked him.

Dad shrugged. "Nothing."

I wasn't moving from my spot. Dad looked over at me. He started to tell me how I've been around the house too much. I need to go out and get a job. Whatever else. Anger boiled inside me.

"I just got out of the hospital and you're gonna tell me how to live my life?" I spat at him.

"Son, please. That's not what I meant." Dad responded in defense.

"Sure it is. I forgot how terrible of a father you were." I walked out of the door and slammed it behind me.

I spent the day at Skylar's. Landon was coming. Today was gonna be the first day I see him in eight years. Skylar sat in the living room with me.

"What happened?" She asked.

"What do you mean?" I looked over at her.

"When you were hidden away."

I sighed. "I'd rather not talk about it right now."

There was a knock on the door. Skylar got up and walked over to it. She looked back at me and smiled. I watched her open the door and there was Landon. A smile formed on his face. I got up and he pulled me into a hug. "Nice to see you again." Skylar stood by the door. A big smile formed on her face.

"We gotta catch up sometime." Landon pulled back.

"Yeah. That'd be nice." A smile formed on my face.

"I gotta go though. Sky can text me your number. Sound cool?"

I nod and Landon left. Skylar sighed. Something felt off about it. Skylar must've sensed it. An awkward silence filled the air. "I should probably go." I muttered and walked out of Sky's apartment. I don't feel safe. I wanted to tell her, but I couldn't bring myself to say it. Now I just must go home. I felt safe there.

Later that day, Skylar called me. "Hey. Are you okay?"

I shrugged even though she couldn't see me. "I just felt uncomfortable. Not about you. I was in a bad mindset. I'm sorry."

Skylar sighed. "It's fine, Jay. You need to tell me what happened when you were gone."

I knew she was pressuring me. Skylar had to know. She must know the truth. I still love her. And so I did. I told her everything. And when I was finished, there was silence on the other end. My heart dropped when Skylar didn't say anything. And then I heard a shaky breath on the other end.

"I'm so sorry. I wish we could've done something more."

"Don't worry about it. It's in the past."

Skylar and I talked for a little while longer before she decided to get some sleep. She hung up and I was left alone. I could hear all my thoughts now. Not good ones either. They're more like taunting me. A knock rung through my silent room. I sat myself up and called the person in. My mom's slim figure appeared in the door way. A defeated sigh left my lips.

"You heard?" I asked as I threw my legs over the side of the bed.

She nods as she sits down. "Jason, why didn't you tell me?"

"It wasn't the right time. Besides, if Dad knew, God would only know what he'd do."

"It was the right time. I know this is hard to talk about. But keeping it bottled up? It's gonna kill you. The doubt is gonna make you lose your mind."

Tears formed in my eyes. Mom wrapped an arm around my shoulders and pulled me close. I cried into her shoulder. "I'm scared. I'm so scared."

"We'll be right here. You'll be okay." Mom cooed.

She better be right. Ihope everything will be okay.