You Saved Me Once

That's Why Your Mom Started To Drink

When everyone's up, and it's not just Hayes and me, I was able to loosen up.

Hayes hovered me, he was worried from earlier today. I didn't want him to worry, I shouldn't have hugged him. I'll try to keep my distance.

"Let's get doughnuts, Little Richards." Hayes says.

Hayes tosses me his car keys. I look at Jeff.

"Jeff, you want to go with me?" I ask him.

I look at Hayes, he smiles. It's forced, I can tell.

"Sure. Don't scratch it Little Richards." He nudges me.

I toss the keys to Jeff.

"I'm a terrible driver." I laugh.

"If that's okay?" Jeff asks.

I look at Hayes, he's looks at me. I brush him off, because his warmness gives me chills. Hayes nods to Jeff.

"Let's go." I say.

We get in Hayes's car, and drive to Roger's Bakery.

The entire ride is silent, I don't take my eyes off of Jeff though.

The rain gets heavy, and I start to reminisce.

~~~~~

The sky was grey, the thunder shook the house. The lightning was bright.

It was storm season in Versa.

I was 11 years old. It was spring break.

Ms. Bartley's car was in our driveway, I ran to the garage to see her. I hadn't seen her in months, I missed her.

After Ms. Bartley found out about the affair, I thought she hated me. I still thought it was my fault, for everything.

But it wasn't Ms. Bartley in our driveway, it was Mr. Bartley.

I walk up to him, slowly. He quietly watches me, yet he doesn't say anything. He's slumped against the car. He is crying. I've never seen him like this. I've never looked at him for this long.

My mother comes out from behind me and hugs him.

She starts to cry.

I stepped out into the rain to ask him about Hayes. My pajamas are soaked now. My slippers are drenched in the warm rain. I felt butterflies.

I felt scared.

Mr. Bartley ignores my questions. He keeps looking at me but won't say anything. I walk closer to them.

I'm close enough to hear everything, now. I'm close enough to know why Mr. Bartley and my mother were crying. I'm close enough to know what had happened to Timmy, at The Coast.

Everything goes numb. A strong drop in my stomach pulses and doesn't go away. I cry.

"Alex, go inside!" My mother shouts to me.

In shock, I do as I'm told.

~~~~~

"We're Here." Jeff's voice wakes me up.

It's pouring out now. Jeff parks far from cars, which meant we had to dash to the door.

Once we get inside, our clothes are soaked, my slippers are full of water. They bring back memories.