You Make The Pain Fade Away

Chapter Twenty-Eight

A week later...

"What?" I blurted out. "You don't like macaroni cheese?"

"Nope, I'll never eat it," John said, making a face.

"I like my...," I trailed off. "Mom's macaroni, I don't know, she had this secret ingredient, I guess. I'm sure it'll change your mind."

"Oh yeah?" he said lightly. I nodded. He delicately pushes a few strands of my hair behind my ear. "How about pizza?"

I shrugged, shivering at his touch. "Sounds good."

"Hey," he said, grabbing my arm, halting me. "I'm sure ya mother's macaroni is delicious, but ya have to admit that pizza is even better."

I smiled broadly, rolling my eyes. We strolled across the street to the Grill. We sat at our common spot, ordering the pizza. Over the past week, I've learned several things about John. His favorite color is green, he wants to go sky diving one day, he wants to leave this town for good, he used to think he could fly, his first time riding a bike he broke a leg, he attempted to run away, and he hates school.

I find John a very interesting guy. He isn't boring like Tyler was, because all Tyler wanted was sex.

"Who gave ya the bracelet?" John asked, gently touching the charms. I grin just thinking of my uncle.

"Stewart," I replied instantly. He looked up at me and raised an eyebrow. "My Uncle Stewart, you've met him before."

"Ah, yes, the one who took ya away from me?"

"Yeah," I mumbled, giggling. He took a sip of his coke. He glared out the window, which made me curious at his sudden change of mood.

I glanced out the window, trying to track his target. I saw a man, the same man I had seen under a tree, who was drunk and asleep. He was talking intently with another man.

"Isn't he--," I began.

"Yeah," John barked as if he had read my thoughts. I glared at him. The least he could do is answer me properly or even let me finish my sentence. I hate his mood swings, it really aggravates me. It makes him confusing.

I glanced out the window and the man was gone. Wasn't he standing there a few minutes ago?

"Howdy son," a raspy voice said. "Who's this lovely girl?"

It was the same man, who'd been outside not so long ago. Whoa... Did he just say son? So, is this John's dad?

"What do ya want?" John snapped, who had stiffen. I swallowed, suddenly nervous.

"Is this ya new girl? What happened to Sarah? Or Daisy, ya ever gave her a chance?" he smiled a crooked one.

"Shut up and go away," John said glaring at him icily.

"Hey son, I'm just trying to catch up with ya. There's no need for ya to disrespect me," the man said.

John laughed bitterly. "Disrespect ya? Don't make me go there."

The man eyes turned cold and then he smiled an easy one at me. He held out his hand out at me. "Sorry about that. I'm John's dad."

I took it repentantly. "Ashley."

He squeezed a little too hard, before letting it go. He nodded and walked away.

Okay, that was awkward and now, I feel the tension growing. All this makes no sense. Why does John have such pure hatred towards his own dad?

"I.. Uh.. I'm going to use the bathroom," I stuttered, standing up. John nodded, glaring at his drink, not once looking up at me.

I strolled to the bathroom, finally breathing calmly. The tension back there was choking me up. I washed my hands in the sink and I stared at myself in the mirror. My gray eyes seem faded for some reason. My hair was down, cascading over my back. I picked my hair up in a ponytail and then strolled back to the booth. John was already eating a slice of pizza.