Page 99 of Your Side of the Offense

We all laugh and the night goes by with more jokes and trolling. By the end of it, I am lighter, all my worries are forgotten.

By Monday, I decide to stay. I miss my parents and somehow, I’m still not feeling going back to the mess that is my life.

"Su." My mother's voice wakes me up from sleep.

"Mama." I breathe out, waking up to my mother in my room on Monday.

She comes closer and I open my arms.

"My baby." She hugs me and I sit up when she pulls back.

"When did you get here?" I yawn.

"A few minutes ago. You are really staying, right? It isn't a prank."

I snort. "Why would I prank you about that?" I get out of bed, and she sits down on it.

"You and your grandmama and sister get bored."

I roll my eyes.

"I'm staying," I say and head to my bathroom.

There is silence for a beat. I grab my toothbrush and paste then rinse my mouth first.

"So, why are you staying?" mom asks from the room.

"Why aren't you assuming it's because I miss and love both you and Dad and I want to spend time here?" I start brushing my teeth.

She leans on the door frame. "Because you have that look once more. What's wrong, honey?"

"Mom, you just got here. Are you sure you want to hear about my problems so early? I mean, we have the whole week." I say after spitting then I rinse after.

"Only if you are sure." I hear the concern in her voice and look at her.

"We have all week to talk. Besides, I'd like to preserve whatever good image you have of me in your head."

I look away when I see the questions and the door to my room opens.

"Is my baby sleeping?"

"No, we are in here," mom says and dad peaks in a second later.

He comes in and I go for the hug, sighing in my father's arms. I always feel so secure and accepted in his arms. He's the only man I've never had issues with. After I get done convincing him I'm fine and they both watch me make my bed, we head downstairs.

The week flies by and I don't even talk to the guys aside from sending each a text that I'm fine and asked for space. I put all my issues on the back burner and just enjoy my family.

We have breakfast every morning. Nana and I have brunch dates, and sometimes see a movie. Sometimes there’s shopping and I accompany her to her errands before we go back home in the afternoon. I have conversations with my sister every night and we sleep in one bed every day.

My family and I have dinner every night then watch TV. Mom and I have a few conversations, she too doesn’t tell me what I should do about my situation, just that she trusts me to do the right thing. My father and I share a glass of whiskey for the first time, and he reminds me he is proud of me.

It feels like I'm going back to a warzone on the morning I have to leave.

29

STILL LOVABLE

Summer

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