3,000 Miles

Chapter 20

When our plane touched down we got off the plane we started the long drive home, and I felt an unsettling knot in my stomach at the thought of returning home after the occurrence yesterday. But Wesley knew just what to do to comfort me.We finally pulled into my drive way and as we got out of the car I got the nervous shakes, but when I felt like like turning and making a run for it I felt a gentle hand wrap around my waist, pulling me close. I looked up at Wesley and my eyes in an unspoken language said, "I'm scared, please don't leave me". He just smiled and kissed my forehead, reassuring me that he'd always be there, and despite my churning stomach, I felt a sense of relief.

We walked up the porch steps and I hesitantly reached for the door knob. I took a deep breath and pushed it open. The smell of alcohol dancing around the room. A light smog filled the air giving it an eerie haze. Mom was sprawled out on the couch obviously still drunk, and it made me wonder, what had gone wrong that had made her want to drink, and where was dad?

My thoughts were interrupted when she stood up and stumbled to us and smiled.

"Well, look who came crawling back" she snickered, "Oh, and you brought him " she said gesturing to Wesley. Her hand motions were lazy and sloppy as she sprung her finger towards his face. His face tensed and I could see his jaw clench, but he said nothing.

"I'm just here to get my things." I said quietly.

"And just where do you think you're going?" she said strutting towards me.

"With me" Wesley said stepping in front of me "And if you think you're gonna lay one hand on her, you've got another thing coming." He was serious now, as I'd never seen him before.

She just laughed. It was an evil laugh, a laugh so cold it made my spine shiver.

"Anna" Wes whispered "go upstairs and get your things, now." he pronounced sternly, his eyes still on my mom.

"Wes..what are you gonna do...?" I questioned. He turned only his head.

"Now." he said in a harsh tone. "go upstairs" I was startled by his tone but I slowly shuffled up the stairs, looking back at Wes a few times, but he was still locked in a cold stare with my mother.

I quickly packed my things, running to and fro trying to think of what to pack. I couldn't find the things I wanted to pack, and my hands wouldn't stop shaking. I tried to listen downstairs to see what was going on, but I heard silence. I turned and tried to focus on the task at hand. 'what do you pack for a world wide tour?' I thought. Everything, I have to pack everything, I don't ever want to come back to this horrid place. I packed up my whole closet, my knick-knacks, and all the other essential things. I heard steps coming up the stairs and I froze. Wesley burst through the door, grabbing my suitcase.

"Are you ready? I don't want you coming back to this place, no one should have to live with that." He scoffed. I shook my head and zipped up my other suitcase, which he quickly grabbed.

We walked to the stairs,

"Let me go first" Wes said stepping in front of me, "I'd rather her hit me."
I stopped at his words. Surely she wouldn't hit him.
We walked down the stairs and Wesley stopped at the bottom step.

"Ann, go get in the car." he said handing me my suitcases.

"How dare you, you can't leave me, I'll find you." Mom screamed, charging at me. Wes stepped between us. She pushed against him,pounding his chest, but her strength was nothing compared to his.

"Ann, now." he whispered, still holding her off.

I obeyed and walked to the car, and put my suitcase in the trunk. I stopped in fright, when I saw mom still trying to pushing past Wesley. I turned trying not to look, and got into the car. Wes held her inside and shut the front door, he quickly jogged over to the car, and got it. She had already opened the door again, and wash charging for the car. Wesley reached across me and locked my door, right as she reached the car. She began to beat on the window, yelling curses, and making a scene in front of all the neighbors. I leaned back from the window, completely terrified. Wesley looked cool as a cucumber as he put the car into reverse and pulled away from the house his jaw still tense. He wasn't even paying my mother any attention.

We left her standing in the driveway and sped off. I was frozen in the same spot, traumatized at what I'd just seen. After a while Wesley pulled over onto the shoulder of the road.

"Hey, I'm sorry I yelled at you back there, I just wanted to keep you safe. Anna?" he said shaking me lightly with his hand, but I just began to cry.

"Hey, babe its okay, you never have to go back there again, you can stay with me." He pulled me to him and rocked me back and forth. We stayed this way for a while. He stroked my hair and made quiet shushing sounds.

"You okay?" he asked holding my chin up to look at him. I nodded, but I wasn't ready to speak.

He pulled my forehead to his lips, and held it there.

"I'm sorry, I love you." he mumbled into the kiss. I smiled when he pulled back to look at me.

"Can we leave, please?" I said, clearing my throat. He nodded and pulled the car back into the road. I laid my head on the window. I looked into the rearview mirror, watching the town I knew as home disappear.

And as I watched it disappear I felt a heavy weight lift from my shoulders, a weight that had been there for years.

I was finally getting out.

We drove to the airport, and the whole way Wesley kept his hand intertwined with mine. It was only about an hours drive, but I took a short nap on the way there. I was completely exhausted after the events that had taken place over the past few days.

When we got to the airport Wesley gently shook me awake.

"You're sure?" He questioned as we got out of the car. "Cause I could always take you back to my house, or Landon's house." he said looking at me over the car.

"No, I wanna go." I murmured, rubbing my tired eyes.

"Okay" he replied, grabbing his suitcase and one of mine out of the trunk. I grabbed the other suitcase and shut the trunk, following him inside.

We walked to the front counter and purchased our tickets to Houston.

We walked to security, and went through the long process. I went through, emptying all my pockets, almost falling over from exhaustion. When the whole thing was over I sat in an arm chair and waited for our plane to board. Wesley joined me and instantly wrapped my hand in his.

"Why are you so protective of me?" I asked "You haven't let my hand go since we left home."

"I-I just don't want you to hurt anymore." he stuttered.

"Wes, I'm safe with you, I know that. you don't have to worry about me, I want this tour to be fun and I don't want to you to be worried about me the whole time." I proclaimed.

"I want this trip to be fun too, I just care about you too much I guess, but I'll give you space, if that's what you want" he said withdrawing his hand from mine.

"Hey" I said, "you can still hold my hand. I want you to." he smiled and kissed me, just as they announced our plane was boarding. We got up and walked to the plane terminal.

"You ready for this?" he asked.

"Hand in hand, we can concur the world." I laughed. He giggled back as we boarded the plane.