jasper’s p.o.v.
i rush through the door and it slams closed.
“jasper, is that you?” my dad’s voice speaks up. i see him in the kitchen along with my mom and i walk over there. “hey, jasper—“ mom starts but she sees my distraught appearance and my hunched shoulders. “what’s wrong?”
“you—“ i start, but i place a hand over my chest to calm my breathing. “when were you going to tell me?” i start, but my dad’s eyes go wide.
“we—your mother and i—thought a new lifestyle would be better for you. a new town and—“
“what?” i ask and my face goes pale and my hearts start to race. “what are you talking about?”
“oh no…” mom whispers and i look to her.
“”oh no” what?” i ask and i see cardboard boxes in my peripheral vision and my throat goes dry. “no,” i deadpan. i turn to them and i ball my fists. “how could you?”
“now, son—“
“don’t you dare!” i yell and it startles them both. “i came here to ask why you were splitting valerie and i up, but now i hear that we’re moving?”
“it’s for the best…”
“no it isn’t! i’m content here and…” i trail off, my words falling short in my mouth. the microwave beeps and i jump. nobody moves.
“we all have been through enough trauma in the last few years and a new, clean slate would help, jasper,” mom says and i look at her with narrowed eyes.
“i’m an adult now, mother. i’m staying here.”
“we know,” she says and dad nods. “but, it’s up to you for that decision. we lost you, baby. we thought we lost you forever and—“ she chokes up and tears form in her eyes as dad rubs her back. my throat constricts with new tears and i’ve never been a crier, but i realized i am one. “we all thought you-you were… dead…”
she starts to sob and my dad smiles at me sadly. “we missed you so much, son. we just think it’s best for a new beginning. you can apply for college down south and you can make new memories, you know? a brand new life where nobody knows your name. here, everybody knows your name and story. down there, you can be whatever you want, whenever you want. do you see where we’re coming from, jasper?”
i look away and their words wrap themselves around my ribs and through my thoughts and i’m left speechless.
a new beginning.
“what about valerie?” i whisper dejectedly.
“she needs a new beginning, too, love.”
i close my eyes tight. i hide my face with my fringe and i sigh deeply.
“just think about it, okay? we’re not rushing you into things. just… think about it.” dad says and i don’t say anything. “okay?” he repeats.
i nod slowly and there’s a heaviness in my chest. “sure, dad,” i quietly respond. “i’ll think about it.”
mom pulls me in for a hug but my arms stay at their sides. i feel numb and i inhale her vanilla perfume scent and it feels like home. i left them for a whole year. they were worried sick. they thought i was dead. i wrap my arms around her.
“i’m sorry,” i whisper to her. “i’m so sorry.”
