Ghosts of the Past

Ghosts Of The Past: Chapter 22; The power of Denial

"This is exactly what I warned you about Chloe, how could you be so...so god damn stupid"

This was as close as her mother got to swearing but at this point in time she couldn't appreciate the break in her mother's stoic armor. Her head was hung low and she tears were slowly forming a puddle on the couch cushion between her legs.

Her mother was far to furious to comment on the possible water damage (Gayle did always have to exaggerate) to her favorite couch.

"Answer me!"

"What do you want me to say?" Chloe's head rears up, her eyes fiery despite the water building up in them

"We are past the point of saying anything Chloe, you had your time for that and don't think I am not aware you would have known. You may be stupid but you cannot be that ignorant"

The fire inside her dies, "Then what do you want me say?" her voice submissive, lost like a child far younger than her years.

"Its not what you are going to say Chloe its what we are going to do"

Chloe brings herself back, not wanting to relive that memory. No idea what it came to her now other than the beautiful nature of psychology that allows someone to block something out so long. Denial was always a bitch.

Marshall opens his mouth ready to ask her what she plans to do next but stops when he catches her looking off towards the run-down swing set, her expression is strangely calm and pensive, he allows himself to be selfish not wanting to know the answer and instead just passes her back the bottle. She turns to him and smiles, that smile that could elate him whilst simultaneously invoke a swarm of butterflied nerves in the pit of his stomach. Fuck it was good to be with her but he forgot how much of a liability she was to him, logic went out the window.

"What?" she jolts him from his thoughts

"Huh?"

"You were starring at me, possibly in a 'I wanna wear you as a coat' kinda way"

She keeps her now smiling eyes on him as she takes another swig

"Just tryna figure out the logistics of it. I mean once you get past the smell there is the whole one piece or multiple pieces issue."

"Hmm complex" she nods

"Look there is a lot to consider" he accepts the bottle back from her.
She leans into him, resting her head on his shoulder, silent for a minute or two then finally

"I'd probably go multiple, easier that way and more of a Joseph technicolor dream coat vibe"

He laughs in surprise, spraying beer all over the ground.

Fuck he had missed her.

He stands up, turning back to offer his hand to help her up, she accepts and they start to walk out of the park, he watches as she hurls the empty bottle towards the bin and sinks it perfectly.

*****

Slotting the key into the lock of her apartment Chloe feels his hand on the small of her back, sensing how close he is to her she fumbles unlocking the door.

"Bit nervous are we? Or is the forty going to your head" he asks as she finally lets them into her apartment

"Please, I have a far better stamina than that"

"So I have noticed" he closes the door behind them

She tosses her keys onto the bench and walks over to the couch, he opens her fridge and helps himself to a couple of beers, offering her one as he joins her on the couch.