Hopeless Honey

Home

The day we left, we decided we were going to stay in the blue house. Since my mom was staying full time with the girls, the house was usually empty.

It was too hard for either of us to go back to the Callahans mansion. It didn't feel right.

His mom was coming home today, and she was coming to see him before we left the hospital.

She came early, around 9 in the morning, it looked like she came straight from the airport after her flight. She knocked on the door slowly and walked in.

"Xavier? I'm so happy you're okay" she hugged him. He seemed unsure, but hugged her back loosely. "I'm sorry I didn't come sooner, I wasn't sure you wanted to see me." She said in a hushed tone.

"Why don't you leave him?" He said abruptly, getting straight to the point.

"Xavier, I-, he's your father" she stuttered. "You know I can't do that"

"I'm going to the cops mom, I don't want him around my sisters, and I think you should do the same." His tone was cold, but I could tell it was hard for him.

"You can't do that, you- you-" she tried to grab his hand but he pulled away "Xavier please, listen to me" she wiped a tear. "I'm your mother"

"No, you've never raised me, you never did anything for me!" He snapped. "You're not my mother." His face was red. "Please, get out"

She didn't say anything this time, she walked out of the hospital room without another word.

The other night, Xavier and I decided we were going to talk to a social worker and file a claim against his father.

He just couldn't let his father hurt anyone else, he wouldn't forgive himself. His baby sisters were his world and if he could do something to protect them, he would.

The social worker was coming at 12 to talk to both of us. I could tell he was nervous, and I knew it was going to be hard for him to open up about what happened to him.

I thought about how many times he had black eyes and bruises all over his body. His parents always said it was lacrosse or fights at school, and I never questioned it.

The social worker was a short lady with dark brown hair. She had paperwork in her hand and was very polite.

"Xavier Callahan?" She walked into the room.

"Yeah, that's me" he smiled.

"How are you doing? The doctor tells me you're leaving today?"

"Yeah, I feel so much better, I'm happy to go home" he said

"I understand you wanted to talk to me about what happened, and your home life." She said kindly.

He looked down hesitantly and looked over at me.

"I can give you some privacy" I stood up, ready to leave so that he would feel more comfortable.

"No, don't go" he grabbed my hand and pulled me back to him. He looked back at the social worker and started.

"The first time he hit me I was 8. I had the chance to score the winning goal at my soccer game, but I missed." I just wanted him to be proud of me.

"I didn't understand why he was always mad at me. It like I could never do anything right."

The lady looked at him with a sorry look and began hitting down notes

"When I was thirteen he broke my arm. That time my mom bought me a new phone the next day."

"He was hard on her too, he was unfaithful, and treated her like shit" he spoke freely.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to curse" he apologized to the older lady.

"Listen, I don't want him to go to jail, I just want to make sure he doesn't have the chance to hurt my sisters the way he hurt me."

He told the lady a bit more and she asked the both of us multiple questions. He held my hand tightly the whole time.

"Thank you for being so brave" the lady shook his hand and left the room.

I kissed him softly and hugged him.

"I'm so proud of you" I whispered in his ear.

We packed up the rest of his things and had one last chat with the doctor. We thanked all the nurses and said our goodbyes. We took an Uber from the hospital to the blue house.

It looked the same, as always. The blue paint was a bit chipped on the side and the roof was still pale yellow. The door knob was rusty and the steps creaked when you stepped.

I helped him up the stairs and into my bed. I called my mom to bring clothes for him tomorrow morning and she agreed.

We watched movies and ate takeout all night until we both fell asleep.

For the first time in a while, the blue house felt like home.