Home Away From Home

Chapter 12

Nick woke up happiest in weeks. He looked down at Valerie, sleeping still. She's so beautiful, he thought. Last night, was the best night of his life. All he had were happy thoughts in his mind, until he thought about his mother. His smile went upside down. Valerie put her hand on his face, he looked down at her. She smiled at him, and he smiled back.

"Don't think about it too much." Valerie said.

"It's just that I'll be so incomplete without her."

"When my mom died, I felt as though someone stabbed me in my chest. I had a whole in my heart, but you were there to heal it. I never got a chance to say goodbye. My mom died so fast. Her last words to me were, 'Val, I forgot to buy Zack a present for his birthday. I need to go get him the football he wanted. I'll be back as soon as I can. Love you.' She then kissed me on the cheek. I didn't even get a chance to say something back." A tear rolled down Valerie's cheek. Nick wiped it gently with his thumb. "You have an opportunity not many people have. You have a chance to say goodbye. If I had that chance, I would tell my mom I love her, and I don't want her to leave. I know it's hard to say goodbye, but at least you have the chance to." Nick stayed silent for a few minutes. He put his arm around her waist, and laid there. He knew she was right.

"I don't want her to go." His eyes were glued to the wall as he tried not to cry.

"I know." They stayed silent for a few minutes, just laying there.

"Val?"

"Yeah?"

"Did your dad ever come back?" Valerie stayed silent. Nick sat up. "Val?" She avoided his gaze.

"No." Her voice was harsh.

"I'm so sorry, baby." Nick hugged her tightly.

"Don't be. I haven't seen him for almost 2 years. I don't care about him anymore." She spoke with anger. She knew she didn't care about him anymore, but it still hurt.

"You don't need him."

"I know I don't."

"How's Zack holding up without him?"

"He's been busy with football. He's doing his hardest. He wants a scholarship. I hate that he knows we can't afford it. You know he's the captain now. He's the total opposite of what I was in high school. He's just like you." She smiled at her last words.

"Is he treating the girls correctly?"

"Well of course. He learns from the best."

"It's me, right?" Nick smiled.

"Yes." Valerie laughed." But you know what worries me? He gets into a lot of fights, too many. The principle has warned him that if he gets into one more fight, he'll be kicked off the football team."

"Has he fought since?" He furrowed his eyebrows, showing a worried expression.

"No, but I think it's to take his anger out. He's been so mad at my dad and he takes it out on people. But first he finds a reason to fight them. Let's say he's mad and he sees a boy disrespecting a girl, he fights him. He hasn't gotten hurt as much as they have, but I don't want him to be known as a monster."

"I'll take care of it."

"Maybe I should."

"Trust me; I know where to take him to let his anger out." Valerie kissed him.

"Thanks."

"Where is he now?"

"Probably sleeping." Valerie looked over at the time.

"At 1 in the afternoon? Yeah, he's definitely like me." Nick chuckled and got up. He put on his boxers and then his jeans. He then put on his shirt and sneakers.

"Where you going?"

"To get Zack." Nick went in the bathroom and then came out 5 minutes later. He looked at Valerie. "You look really comfortable."

"Yeah, who knew your bed is this comfortable?" Valerie smiled.

"Well, now you do." Nick winked. He kissed her. "I'll be back later." He walked out of his house and onto Valerie's front porch.