Escaping Love (Rewrite) [Book #1]

Chapter 27

Disclaimer/Trigger Warning: This chapter mentions/contains verbal and physical abuse!

|| CHARLOTTE ||

|| Friday, December 27th ||

"I want to tell you that Jackie and I are together," I said, "How does that sound?"

"You can't just drop the bomb on them," Jackie said, lying on the bed as I looked in the mirror.

"Maybe this whole idea was a mistake," I said, buttoning my blue flannel.

"Hey, we are going to be here with you. You're not doing this alone," Jackie said as she sat up and moved over to me. I watched as she took the towel off my hair and began drying my hair with it.

"Okay," I said.

She held her hand out, and I handed her the comb. I let her run the item through the wet strands. I was watching them untangle as my mind filled with thoughts.

Jackie finished combing my hair and rested her chin on my shoulder. "Please don't forget to breathe. I'm going to be sitting right next to you."

After dinner, the whole family sat in the living room watching the sports channel. I fidget my fingers as I try to find the best way to tell them.

I walked over to Avery, cleaning up the dining room as everyone else remained in the living room and kitchen.

"Hey, Avery," I said.

"Yes?"

"So, what I was thinking of doing is telling my parents out here in the dining room. We're going to be sitting on the couch. If you could maybe glance over a couple of times, it would be best. I don't want to gang up on my family. I want to try and have a nice conversation," I said to her.

Avery looked at me with a look of sincere. "Okay, I'll glance over once in a while. We will interfere if something starts to happen."

"Thank you," I smiled, and I helped her clear everything and bring it to the kitchen. I looked at the clock, and it was 8:00 PM. I sighed heavily and found my parents sitting on the couch, "Hey, mom, dad, can we discuss something out in the dining room."

"Of course, honey," my mother said as we made our way to the sofa. Jackie came along and handed me a water bottle.

I smiled, sipping it before sitting down next to her.

"So, what is it that you wanted to discuss with us?"

"Well, I don't know if mom told you," I said, looking from my father to my mother as I finished this sentence, "Do you remember when I told you I was dating the guy?"

"Yes, Jay, he sounds sweet and delightful," my mom said.

"Ahh, Jay, you finally found yourself a man who treats you correctly," he said. I could hear the joy in his voice, and it's giving me more anxiety.

"About that..." I said, feeling more nervous.

"What? Did you want to mess with us to see how we would answer?" My dad asked and laughed.

"No, of course not. The reason I told you about Jay was because of my fear," I said.

"Fear? Of what? Getting into another relationship and being nervous about getting our approval?"

"Yes," I said.

"Honey, he sounds like a brilliant man. We would love to meet him one day," my dad said.

"I'm not scared of your approval. I'm scared of your acceptance," I said. "What if I were to tell you that Jay isn't a man?"

"What do you mean?" My father asked. "What do you mean that Jay isn't a man? Is he too kid-like?"