Last Stop

Chapter Seventeen

I have been here for two and a half months now. Two weeks I have known that my father lives here. I know that he doesn't work on weekends and he has two children, my half siblings. Caden who is nine and a girl who is six. I often found myself watching him from my truck across the road but never had I encountered him. Until today that is.

It was a rainy day, Mr Jackson had sent me in to the hardware after school to collect some cement and a glue gun refill for him. I was in my own world really, school had been busy since everyone is prepping for the winter holidays coming in a few weeks, before which there would be the schools annual sports festival and Christmas play. Since we were seniors we were made to participate for extra credit as well as the last fun we would have as the end of the year was fast approaching. I was a thug along with Declan in the play and my aunt said she couldn't wait, apparently they had already brought tickets. I was excited too because for the first time I would have someone cheering me on in the audience. Not to mention that Mr Jackson was setting up the barn with a wide screen for us after the play to view Christmas movies. It was a tradition. So again for the first time I couldn't help but feel the Christmas spirit. 

That is why as I was running to the door I missed the guy dragging in a sign from outside, colliding full force and sending me skidding across the pavement, scrapping my face and bruising my backside.

"Are you okay, son?" His deep voice boomed. I have heard him talk at a distance but never has it been addressed to me, a large hand is thrust in front of my face "Sorry about that."He says helping me up but I have lost my voice, feeling like a child, lost all over again. His eyes are the same as mine. There was no denying that. His deep eyebrows furrow when I don't reply "What's your name, son?" I know he is calling me that demurringly and not because it is true but still my heart is beating against my chest.

"C-cameron Edward..."I trail off as I see his eyes widen a fraction. I now know why my second name was Edward. Whenever I had asked my mom said that it was because she liked the name but I always knew I didn't believe her. I was named Cameron after my grandfather. 

"Cameron?" He asks and I nod, shuffling on my feet. By this point we are both soaked as we stare at each other. I think he realises. "You are new in town?"

I nod and he scratches his chin. "how old are you?"

"I'll be eighteen in a few weeks." I whisper this time I glance down. "I came to get cement and glue refill." I say quietly wanting to walk away from this atmosphere. It is tense and my heart is squeezing. I didn't expect it to be sunshine and rainbows when he figured it out. Well, if I am being honest in all my daydreams he would embrace me and dance about his found son. I know how ridiculous that is but for so long I have been all alone and only just learnt to trust adults. 

"Lets go inside." He says gesturing for me to go first." I comply, standing in the entry sopping wet with what I am sure is blood on my chin and cheek. He stands next to me, waving a clerk over to go and get me what I need. "Is your mother here? father?"

I shake my head staring at my feet "My mother is still in New York I am staying with my Aunt Millie."

I see him visibly swallow as he takes in the new information. "And you said you are nearly eighteen?" I nod again "You said you don't have a father?"

"My mom always told me it was her highschool boyfriend but I never met him." I whisper and he takes another deep breath. The clerk says he has all the stuff and I follow him to the check point to pay. Eddy still stands in the doorway as I pick up the concrete and refill glue to head to the car. 

"I guess I will see you around." I whisper as I head out the door. He is still frozen in place as I leave, my heart heavy as I head to the truck. Late again and looking like I was in a war zone. Well at least feeling like one.

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"What happened?" Is the first thing Mr Jackson asks me as I dump the cement in the barn as well as the refill glue. I am shaking from the cold rain, dressed only in a shirt and jeans. 

"I was at the hardware." I say drawing my arms over my body "Eddy works today." His eyes widen in understanding.

"Right." He says running a hand through his peppering hair "Well, I think you need to take the afternoon off son. Go be with your aunt." I shake my head, wanting to work. "Yes, you can shower and clean up and then David will drive you home." He says, gripping my arm and firmly leading me through the dense rain to the porch. I am made to strip as a towel is passed to me and I head to the shower. After I am warm in David's clothes Mrs Jackson cleans up by face. David and Mr Jackson watches as she declares I do not need stiches. I am relived I hate hospitals and I hate stitches. Spencer isn't there, he had to stay at school for extra play practice since he is one of the main parts and I am glad. I don't need him seeing me like this, particularly when things are going great between us. 

The ride home is silent on my part but David chats about all sort of things until he pulls up by our porch, saying he will see us tomorrow and bring my truck since our families are having a small barbeque get together, I nod. Thanking him as I jump out the car and head inside. As soon as my aunt sees me she ushers me to the couch to sit down next to Mark. I tell them what happened and they nod, sighing. They both know it was bound to happen sooner or later. I just wished it happened later. I go to bed heavy. Not knowing whether Eddy will want nothing to do with me. Even though my aunt assures me she doesn't think that is the case. I mean, he picked his life up, he is in recovery, the memory of my mom, of me, might not be a great thing for him.