Last Stop

Chapter ten

Spencer's party was delayed for a few weeks because his mother was away but now that the whole family is here his party, which is a barbeque and water sports themed get together is in full swing. His father and I set up the giant slip in slide while his older brothers hauled out all the umbrellas, drinks and cooler boxes. People are arriving in all forms. Looks like most people from the town. I was early to help set up along with Anna and Declan. I stand next to them to watch the proceedings, mostly Spencer getting smothered by aunts and relatives.

"Man this is gold." Declan says holding up his phone as he watches Spencer get kissed by his great aunt. He almost disappears in her hold. His face is mixed with uncomfortable complacency. Anna chuckles behind her hand as a glare is sent our way. At least I am not the only one it is directed at now.

"Cameron!" I lift my gaze to where Audrey is making her way over with a smile, dressed in a yellow summer dress. I can see that she has her bikini under the dress. I am also wearing dark blue swim trunks and a open dark denim button up. Feet bare. My usually pale city skin has gotten a golden hue thanks to all my outside work as well as the fact that I spend most days when I am off outside. Enjoying the heat. Before fall   and then winter truly kicks in. Millie says that there is snow here through December till February.

I smile as she all but jumps into my arms. I like Audrey, she is sweet and cute, but I don't like her more than a sister. "Hey Auds." I say as she comes to stand next to us. I see David saunter over, grin present, eyes on Audrey and I grin. Looks like she caught someone's attention.

"Hi, Audrey." I am surprised when she greets him with a blush and a shy 'Hi David' I smirk, match made in heaven, truly. The next few hours are spent trying to best each other on the slide, with nerf guns and water guns. I find myself having more fun than I have had in my life. There are kids of all ages running around, giggling and screaming with joy. Some of the adults join in while others cook and stand around chatting. This feels like family more than anything I have ever experienced. Spencer even looks like he is having fun and Audrey and David have been flirting non-stop, I love it.

I smile as I watch Aaron dump a whole bucket of ice over Henry and Anna who are standing in line for a hotdog. Their reactions are priceless. Hotdogs abandoned as they chase him down and tackle him into the pool. Clothes and all.

"So Cameron, how are you enjoying our little town?" I turn to see Spencer's mom, Julia at my side. She is small and her eyes are the same brilliant green as Spencer's. I met her a few days ago and she is amazing. Just like the whole family.

"Nice," I say but I know my grin is guarded and protected "Love the sun."

She chuckles with a nod "I see you have benefitted from that resource." She says mentioning my tan and I nod. "So Do you have any siblings?" She asks as we watch Adam throw Spencer down the water slide before being pushed by Kelly.

I shake my head, my chest panging as I think about home, It is true you can't run from the past. "No, just my mom and me."

She nods "I knew your mom from school." I am not surprised everyone seems to have known her from school or highschool. This was a small town so most of the adults here knew her. "She was one of the kindest people I ever met." her eyes get a soft look and I cringe, she knows what happened, she knows. "I think everything started to change when she started dating Eddy."

I pause, I have never heard his name before. "Eddy?"

Julia nods, eyes still facing outwards, still sad. "Yeah they dated in Senior year, right till your mom left unexpectedly, he wasn't the best influence, into drugs and all that." Julia sighs "He has cleaned up since then, "she nods towards a small boy who is loading his nerf gun across the yard "That is his son, Caden, he is nine and he has a daughter who is six, he had to take her to a dance recital practice that is why he isn't here." I nod my brain whirling with this new information. Eddy. I knew my father was my moms highschool boyfriend, I never received a name though, she never wanted to talk about it and I always guessed she didn't remember.

I watch the kid, Caden. He has dark brown hair and blue eyes. But those are the only similarities I see. I sigh, turning to Julia "Does Spencer know about..."

"Your mom?"

I nod

"No, honey, that is your business." I smile in thanks and she pats my back before heading off. Leaving me with a lot to think about. But a second later I am hit with water and the fun and games begin again.

It isn't until later when all the teenagers are sitting around the bonfire that I get my answer.

"Cam, your phone is ringing." Anna says holding my phone up from one of the tables. "Someone from Angel Rehab Facil-" I quickly cut her off my grabbing the phone quickly and standing up, ignoring the stares I get as I walk away answering the phone, a little breathless.

"Hey mom."

"Cam, did I catch you at a bad time?" I tell her that she hasn't, asking her about her week. I like these weekly calls. I let her talk before she tells me to spit out whatever I am holding in.

"Is my fathers name Eddy?" I ask and I hear a sharp intake of breath from the other side, almost confirming my question.

"Who said that?" She asks and I shrug despite the fact that she can't see me, "Cameron, it is better that you don't dig through my past, not in that town, you won't find anything good." She doesn't realise that I know her enough by now to know that by her avoiding the topic basically confirms my question.

"Apparently he has turned his life around." I continue and I hear her sigh, she sounds exhausted by the conversation so I don't mention the kids.

"Cameron, please leave it ." I tell her I will even though I won't. With a sigh she continues "So the doctor says I will most probably be able to be out just after Christmas, then you can come home and we can put all this behind us." My stomach clenches the thought of going back to New York. My gaze finding the group by the fire, everyone is laughing and smiling, I have never had anything like this before. My eyes meet those brilliant green ones, he isn't smiling but I can see concern in his eyes as much as he tries to hate me he still cares and that is enough to settle my stomach as I listen to my mom prattle on about how we can start a new life. I don't want to go back, for the first time I am scared, I have tasted this life this friendly, warm and welcoming life. I have tasted the drug of happiness and I am not so sure I can go back.

"Sounds good mom." I say and she tells me she loves me before hanging up, apparently it is poker night. I slip the phone into my pocket and glance at the group, no ones attention is on me so I slip into the shadows, as I reach the drive way I feel my chest tighten, Christmas isn't that far away. So Instead of heading back I call up Uncle Mark asking him to fetch me. Texting Anna that I am heading back home, tired.

He pulls up twenty minutes later and I slide exhausted in the passenger seat he doesn't ask why I am not staying the night like originally planned, he doesn't say anything when tears start gliding down my face out of relief because for the first time in my life I have an adult that is there for me, unconditionally. Someone who picks me up without questions and drives me home. Making me tea and telling me to go shower. And yes, Mark tucks me in with a cup of tea and I let him . Not protesting that I am too old for that treatment. I let him stroke my hair and tell me he is here when I want to talk.

I cry myself to sleep. Unsure what the future holds and wanting so badly to remain in this oblivion for as long as possible.