With You

Chapter 7

E.J.'s POV

"You can't be serious," I told my aunt and uncle. I wanted anything for this to be a cruel joke. My aunt and uncle gave me a sympathetic look and my aunt put her hand on my shoulder rubbing it gently.

"It's all up to you E.J., we can't force you to do anything but we wanted to let you know." My uncle told me. I looked up and met eyes with Ashlyn who gave me a sad smile.

I thought about what my uncle said. It's all up to me. I had made my mind up right away. The answer was no. My mother had decided to contact my uncle and aunt and tell them she wanted to meet with them and with me. My mom abandoned me when I was 8. She chose a life of drugs and partying rather than her son. At that point in my life, I was taking care of her rather than her taking care of me. Her lifestyle was the reason I was born. I don't know and probably will never know who my dad is. My mom didn't even know. Based on when I was born she used to tell me there were too many guys for her to figure it out. I felt that was a lie. I look nothing like my mom so there must be a guy out there who looks like me.

After 8 years my mom decided parenting wasn't for her. She decided to give up her rights and send me with her brother, Ashlyn's dad and my uncle, to live with him, his wife and at the time, a 7-year-old Ashlyn. When she did it, I was so confused. I didn't know what I did wrong and why she gave me up. When I first moved in, I used to write my mom letters but she'd rarely respond. I was put in therapy to express my feelings and it helped a lot. As I got older I realized she was a terrible parent and I wasn't missing out, she was. I had a great life with my aunt and uncle and now all of a sudden she wants me back in her life.

My answer was no. I didn't need her. I had my aunt and uncle. They were always there for me. They were my number 1 supporter at all my water polo games. They got me everything I ever wanted and needed without making me feel like I was a burden. I was their nephew but I was also their son. When I first started dating Nini, they were so sweet and kind to her. They made her feel like she was apart of the family. When I realized I was bi, they were so understanding and supportive. They were so sweet to Ricky the first time they met him. They knew what was going on at his house and didn't hesitate to let him sleepover whenever he needed it.

"I don't-I can't," I started to say, stuttering over my words.

"It's okay E.J., you don't have to do it," My uncle told me. "Only if you're comfortable. I'm going to go just to see my sister. What she did to you is unforgivable but at the same time it's kind of a good thing because we got you in our lives."

That was true. Had my mom not given me up, I wouldn't be living the life, I'm living now. Still, all of this was a lot to process. I could feel my chest tightening. It felt like I couldn't breathe.

"Can I go to my room?" I asked urgency in my voice. "Yes go ahead. We're here for you E.J.," My aunt said her voice full of concern. I just nodded my head and rushed to my room. I closed my door and began looking for my inhaler. My inhaler was meant for times like this when I had too many emotions going on in my head.

I laid on my bed and cried. I didn't know I fell asleep until I heard someone knock at my door. I looked at the time and saw I slept for more than 14 hours and needed to go to school. I answered the door and there stood a concerned Ashlyn.

"Hey, you okay?" She asked me concerned.

"Yeah, I think I'm good," I told her.

"Are you going to school?"She asked me. "You need to talk to your boyfriend. He's worried about you."

"Yeah, I'm gonna go to school. I'll call Ricky right now. Meet you downstairs in 15," I told her. I grabbed my phone and saw I had a few texts and missed calls from Ricky. I also had one from Gina and Nini. I clicked Ricky's contact and the line began to ring. I waited anxiously to hear my favorite voice on the other line.

"Hello? E.J.?" Ricky asked on the other line.

"Hey, Ricky, sorry for not responding last night. I wasn't feeling well and fell asleep." I told him. That wasn't exactly a lie. I wasn't feeling mentally well and I did fall asleep.

"E.J., you know you can always talk to me right," Ricky told me through the phone.

"I know, I'll see you soon. I'll come to pick you up." I told him. He agreed and hung up the phone. I got ready for school and met with Ashlyn downstairs. She handed me a bag.

"Here, it's breakfast on the go since you didn't eat this morning." She told me. "You're the best Ash," I told her grinning. We left and went to go pick up Ricky and then headed to school.

"Caswell, you didn't answer my call. We were all worried about you," Gina told me "Sorry I fell asleep," I told her holding my hands in defense. She stared intently before letting her guard down when her girlfriend came.

The rest of the day went by pretty quickly. Soon it was lunchtime and I was on my way to the cafeteria when I got a text from an unknown number. I opened it thinking the person just had the wrong number.

From Unknown:
E.J., it's your mom. I stole your number off of my brother's phone. I would love for you to meet with me one day. I want you to meet your siblings.

I stared at the text in my hand not knowing what to do. I went to the bathroom instead of the cafeteria just to go cry. I can't believe my mom has other kids.