No Shame (Book 2 - No Regrets)

Chapter Twenty-Eight - Where there Was Light

KATIE'S POV

   Christopher is inside his house talking to his mom, he's been in there for nearly half an hour. We were heading to my house to study for our math test. Sawyer had planned to join us and study for his classes; but this afternoon baseball team announced an impromptu game between the upper and under classmen. I offered to come and cheer him on, but Sawyer said it was more a team building event than an actual game. "You would be sitting alone on the bleachers, totally bored. You should study for your test." He said.

  Christopher and I hadn't pulled out of the parking lot of the school when his mother called and demanded he come home. I didn't hear what she said exactly but I heard her tone, it was fierce and almost angry. Christopher didn't say much while on the phone with her, I watched his face to see what he might have been feeling; but I couldn't find a trace of even annoyance.

  The drive from the high school to Christopher's house is not too long of a commute. When we arrived, Christopher parked his car in the driveway and went inside, all without uttering a single word. He left the keys in the ignition and the car running as if he knew it would be a while. 

  I have never been inside Christopher's house, there is an unspoken understanding between us. Christopher's immediate family, his house, and his home life exist behind a sky-high invisible wall. One I can't and won't ever attempt to climb. I have never met his parents, I have only seen them in a couple photos around Sawyer's house. All I know about them are the little details Christopher has shared.

I spot Christopher's motorcycle in the driveway with a cover over it. Maybe we can take the motorcycle. I muse in my mind. Mom and Dad, while not forbidding me from ever riding on it, are not keen on the idea of me riding Christopher's motorcycle for a distance longer than around our neighborhood. I find my thoughts going on to recall the car wash. I can still see Christopher and Amber sharing jokes.

Dominick apologized for missing the car wash, he made a donation to the team in the amount he would have spent at the car wash. He explained that Mr. and Mrs. Wilton are the same repulsive people they have always been; and made a show of their depraved humanity. I can't blame him for not showing up. It wouldn't be fair of me to be anything less than understanding and empathetic.

The garage door roars to life in front of me. I jerk my head up. Muffled yelling can be heard as the door raises up to reveal Christopher holding one medium-sized cardboard. He walk to the trunk of the SUV, he is tenser than a rubber band ready to snap. The door beeps before it slowly begins to raise up. "Sorry for the detour and wait, Katie." He says as he sets the box down in the trunk. "My mother wanted me to pick up stuff to run by the donation center on my way home." He presses a button and the trunk door begins to lower.

"No problem, I don't mind." I say as he gets in the driver's seat.

"Mmm." He says in response. He looks behind him as we pull out the driveway. He holds down on a button on a ceiling console above the rear-view mirror. The garage door begins lowering.

"How is your mom doing?" I ask.

"She's good." Christopher says. "Same as always."

"If you want, we can go by a donation center on the way to my house." I say as we begin driving down the street.

"Actually," Christopher says, a hint of mischef in his voice. "do you think your parents would notice an extra box in their garage?"

"Oh." I say, thinking about the catch-all-the-attic-overflow, that is our garage. "Probably not, I can find a spot to put it where it won't be messed with." I say.

  Christopher smiles, "Thanks Katie, you're the best."

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