Boomerang

Chapter 6. Brotherly Advice

Luke

    “Isn’t that the guy you dumped for Beau?” I asked curiously. I was leaning on the island in the kitchen, drinking another beer. Sawyer stood on the other side sipping on a glass of water.

    “First, don’t say his name. As far as I’m concerned he never existed. Second, I didn’t dump Zeek for douche canoe. Zeek asked me to the fall formal and then douche canoe swept in and fucked with my head.” Sawyer huffed. She still cares for Beau, I can tell. She can’t hide her emotions from me.

    “So you’re going to date Zeek now?”

    “I’m going on A date with him.” Sawyer crossed her arms and rolled her eyes at me.

    “I think one of you is going to get hurt Boog.”

    “What? Why would you think that Luke?” She questioned, but it sounded more like a demand.

    “You’re not over douche canoe.” I said simply.

    “That’d ridiculous. It’s been months and I don’t even think about him.” She barks.

    “See you’re getting defensive. Have you even gone on a date since B-douche canoe?” I snapped back. Sawyer’s eyes drifted to the floor as she stayed silent. “That’s what I thought. It’s because you left without receiving any closure.”

    “I had to leave Luke. You know this.” I could see the hurt flash behind her emerald green eyes.

    “You need to talk to him Boog.” My voice was soft. I understood why she felt she couldn’t, but she needs this. It’s the only way she will be able to move on properly.

    “I know I should, I just don’t know how. What if I he tricks me again? Or worse.”

    “You mean what if you still love him and want him?” I asked. Sawyer nodded in response.

    “Not to sound too cliche, but follow your heart Boog. If you think you can forgive him and work through this, then do it. Don’t worry about what anyone else thinks, because in the end you’re the one who decides what makes you happy.”

    “You’re right, that was way cliche.” She giggled and then lets out a small breath. “I have some thinking to do, but I’m still going on that date with Zeek. He deserves that much.”

    “That’s your choice, just please be careful.” Sawyer nods. “So now that, that’s out of the way. I need to tell you why I’m really here a day early.” I say calmly, but I can see the stress rise in Sawyer’s eyes.

    “What’s going on Luke?” Her voice was laced with worry.

    “Dad contacted me. He came by the shop and ambushed me.” Sawyer stares at me light a deer in headlights. She hasn’t stopped me so I kept going. “He’s sober. I guess after you hit him over the head with your softball trophy, he staggered out of the house. Initially trying to find you, but obviously drunk and injured that was impossible. So he decided he was going to walk to the bar and then he blacked out. Some pastor found him in the ditch of his front lawn over in Crawford.”

    “Nebraska?!”

    “Yeah I was surprised to. Anyway, the pastor took him in and gave him a choice between sobriety or homeless. I guess he chose sobriety. He’s doing that 12 step program thing, he’s at the part where he needs to try and make amends. I told him I’d hear him out, but not to come looking or asking you for anything until I talked to you.” I searched her face for some kind of tell, but she was stone.

    “Trenton wants to make amends?” She scoffed and then started to laugh. It was slow at first, but became louder and more hysterical by the second. “Is *huff* he *huff* insane?!” She could barely form words she was laughing so hard.

    “It’s up to you Boog. I heard him out, but you don’t have too. You’ve been through far worse than me when it comes to him. I’d understand why you wouldn’t want to.” Her laughing stopped. Sawyer stared at me, as if searching for the right answer.

    “He beat the shit out of me and tried to kill me! And now he wants forgiveness?! Ha, what a cruel joke.That twisted sadistic bastard doesn’t deserve forgiveness, not now not ever.” Her face was flushed with anger. I’ve never seen Sawyer like this before. She’d always been kind and gentle.

    “He turned himself in to the police. He’s pleading guilty to all of his charges. If you change your mind, you know where to find him. Like I said, it’s up you.”

    “I’m sorry I snapped at you. I guess I’m not entirely healed from that wound either.”

    “When’s the last time you spoke to Dr.Ryker?”

    “A few months.” She muttered.

    “Sawyer Marie Thompson! That was part of our deal! You have to talk to someone, if Dr.Ryker isn’t working then find someone else.” I scolded her.

    “I, um. I’ve kind of been avoiding his calls.”

    “Why Sawyer?!” I was yelling now.

    “Because he wanted me to talk to Beau too! And I wasn’t ready, I’m not sure I’m ready now! Why can’t you two understand?!” She raged back.

    “This is why Sawyer. You’re not yourself! You need closure! Please for your own sanity, talk to Beau.”

    “No.”

Sawyer stomped away in the direction of her bedroom. I heard her door slam and then lock. Boy is she pissed. But I don’t feel bad. She’s been avoiding the inevitable. She seems happy with her life now, but the little outbursts and the refusal to talk about Beau. Then her bringing Zeek home? She would never do that if she wasn’t so hurt still. I just hope she listens or she’ll end up hurting worse than she already has.

*Author's Note*

Poor Luke, do you think Sawyer should have handled the Beau thing better?

How about the news of her father?!

Should Sawyer talk to him?