Big Girls Don't Cry ✔️

First date with a bit of trouble

Kelsey

After that day in my room, we came to an understanding. Martin wanted no secrets between us, and I agreed. Plus, it was a huge relief not to have to hide anything.

Friday arrived, and we went on our date. He came to pick me up, and dad cautioned him. Okay, he threatened him but isn't that what good fathers do to their daughter's suitors? Martin assured him his intentions were honorable. That was a good thing; the last thing I needed was to deal with someone who wasn't.

We went to get something to eat before the movie. Martin took me to a burger joint, and we found a booth to sit in at the restaurant. Both of us ordered a burger, fries, and something to drink.

"I know it's nothing fancy," he started to say when I cut him off, "it's perfect."

"Martin, I don't need anything fancy, just something simple. Simple is nice. Just being with you is enough," I replied as I smiled genuinely at him.

"I'm glad because Kelsey, you're the only one I ever felt comfortable about telling about my home life," he explained.

I looked at him as he continued.

"I had been so angry with everything and everyone that I didn't want to bother with getting to know anyone, until you," he spoke sincerely. That made me feel good.

As we sat there and the waitress brought our food, we begin to eat when someone said something to us, "it's about time we found you."

We turned to see a man and woman standing there. Martin's expression changed, and he furrowed his brows.

"Martin, who are those people?" I asked him.

"My past," he spoke through gritted teeth.

They walked towards us as Martin stood up.

"How long did you think you could hide from us?" The man asked him.

"Does it bother you that you don't have access to my money?" He asked the guy.

"You're a minor, and we have custody of you. If it weren't for us, you would be a ward of the state," the woman told him.

"It doesn't matter, in a few months I turn eighteen," he shrugged as I sat there and watched them.

"That's what you think," the man threatened him as police emerged in the burger joint.

I stood up as Martin's facial expression changed to horror. I gently squeezed his arm, causing him to look at me. I mouthed, "run."

He nodded and took my hand; we took off through the back. The man and woman ran after us as the police went out through the front. Martin and I ran as fast as we could. We needed to hide and quickly.

We came to an alley and ran down it until we went to a fence. Martin hoisted me up, and I climbed over. Then he climbed up after me and jumped over. As soon as his feet hit the ground, we ran, taking every shortcut I knew to get home.

Once both of us reached my house, we ran inside, and I slammed the door shut. That alerted my parents, who came out to see what was going on.

"Kelsey?" Dad said to me a bit confused.

Then there was knocking on the door.

"Open up; it's the police!" The officer announced.

"Dad I can explain, but right now I need to hide Martin," I said in between breaths.

He nodded as we ran upstairs while he handled the police. They questioned him, and of course, he lied for me. They ended up leaving as we emerged from upstairs.

"Are they gone?" I asked him.

"Yeah, mind telling me what that was about?" He asked us.

I looked at Martin as he looked at me then said, "my aunt and uncle are looking for me. I ran away and took whatever money I had left from my parent's murder. They want to take me back so they can have access to the money."

Mom and dad looked at each other than at us.

"He's not lying," I said to them then looked at Martin, "maybe you should show them." He nodded.

My parents grabbed their coats and followed us. Dad drove us to the house. Martin showed him where the home's location. He pulled up front and we got out of the car. We walked up to the front door, and Martin opened it. My parents stepped inside and were stunned by what they saw.

They looked around as Martin stood there with his hands in his front jean pockets. I stood there waiting for them to say something.

After a few minutes, dad turned to Martin, "how long have you been living here?"

"For about a year," he whispered.

They looked at him with empathy.

"I lost my parents because some scum wanted a few measly dollars. They left me life insurance money for my future, and I got social security because I'm a minor. I never saw a dime when I got sent to live with my aunt and uncle. They spent whatever they could get their hands on, then pushed me aside. All I want is my parents. I don't care about the money," Martin commented truthfully.

While my parents were assholes for kicking me out, Martin lost his. It puts a lot of things into perspective.

Dad looked at mom, and she gave him that look, I knew all too well. It was the look that says, "we need to take him in." I pretty sure if stray animals were roaming around, my parents would take in every single animal.

"Martin, how about you stay with us?" Dad suggested to him.

Martin opened his mouth, not knowing what to say.

"Look, I can't let you stay here, and you don't deserve treatment like an afterthought. You can stay until you graduate and go off to college. At least we will know you're safe," Dad reasoned as I stood there.

Martin looked at him stunned.

"Go on," dad ordered him as Martin walked out of the room and grabbed some clothes.

I looked at dad, "don't even give me that look, Kelsey." I couldn't help but smile as mom kissed him on the cheek.

Once Martin finished, he carried out a couple of bags full of clothes and other essentials. We walked out of the house, and Martin set his keys on a table before closing the door and locking it. Sometimes we have to let go of our past to move on to our future. It was just a step.

Dad also took him to retrieve his car from the burger joint before he got a ticket for an abandoned vehicle. Once they return home, I showed him to a bedroom. Since we were living in the same house, dad decided to set down some ground rules. The truth was, we didn't need them. We didn't plan on doing anything anytime soon. I was so not ready for that. I still wanted a date first.