Page 29 of Breaking Emilee

“That’s the thing. The teachers and other students see some of it but just ignore it. Her home life isn’t as bad, but it’s not good either, so I don’t think her grandparents see what’s going on. I want to tell the school, hell I want to tell the police, but I know we need some physical evidence, so they can’t deny it.”

“I understand, son, I really do, but you can’t just continue to let this happen to that young girl.”

“I’ll talk to her when I get home and see if she has anything we can use.”

“I don’t like the idea of you waiting to get help, but I trust that you will do what you can. Now back to your feelings. You think you can’t be in love with her just because you have only known her for thirteen days. Is that correct?” All I can do is nod because I have a lump in my throat. “Son, look at me. I fell in love with Leon in less than ten minutes. There is no time limit for love to happen. For some, it takes just one look. For others, it takes years to know. The only person that knows how you truly feel is you.”

“She’s all I think about, all I dream about. When I’m not with her, I want to be with her. I want to hear her voice every day, all day long. She could read me the bible, and I would be perfectly fine to sit there and listen. I want to protect her and give her the world. I want to be the only person to touch her.” I spit out.

Looking up and into her eyes, she gives me a slight smile. “I tell you what. Go upstairs and do what we did. Picture your future. One with…”

“Emilee.”

“One with Emilee and one without. Then come back here and tell me which fills your heart with joy, and which breaks it.” With that, she stands up and starts to wash the dishes.

I leave the kitchen and do exactly what she told me to do. I shut the bedroom door, lay back on the bed, and let my mind picture my future. I can see us in five years, living in a little apartment. I would work at the local mechanic shop, and Emilee would work as a book editor. I picture myself getting done with work and coming home to her warm smile. Her cuts would have healed on her arm, and the smile on her face would always be there. The picture running through my mind makes me feel warm and gooey inside. I don’t want to do it, but I do anyway. I stop, shake my head to help rid that vision, and start again with a faceless woman. I don’t even get a minute into it before the tears start down my face, and my chest feels tight. Sitting straight up, “I’m in love with Emilee,” I say out loud.

“Good for you, but the real question is, does this Emilee love your fucking ugly mug?” I jump a little because I didn’t see Zak leaning against the window.

Picking up a pillow, I throw it at him. “Fuck off, asshole. Good thing I didn’t leave you any breakfast, huh.” I shoot back at him. His face screws up like he’s scared, and takes off downstairs. I hear him jump the last step and head into the kitchen.

“Zakary James Haines, we do not run in this house.”

“Parker said he ate all the food, mom, and you know how much I love your breakfast. You can’t hold it against me. It’s all lover boys’ fault,” he yells the last part.

I just laugh and pick my phone up off the table. I know there will be a lot of messages, so I leave it on the bed while I go downstairs to thank Mrs. Haines and tell her what I figured out. I guess it’s written all over my face because she pulls me into a hug when I step into the kitchen.

“You found the one, didn’t you, Parker?”

“Yes, ma’am, I did. Thank you for helping me. Let’s hope she can forgive me for ignoring her the past two days.” Pulling back, she pats my face.

“Sweetie, if she loves you, then she will hear you out and forgive you. But I mean it. You guys better tell someone about what is going on with her before it’s too late.”

“I promise,” I tell her. I walk back out of the kitchen to get my phone, so I can call my aunt to tell her I’m coming home and tell my Butterfly I’m coming for her. But before I leave the room, I have to fuck with my best mate, so I steal the last piece of bacon off his plate and pop it into my mouth.

“Fucker,” he screams and goes to smack me when his mom throws a spoon at him.

“Language. You would think you were raised by a pack of wolves, idiot.”

I’m right about the messages. There’s a fuck ton, but I need to call Aunt Luna first. She picks up on the first ring. “Parker, bud, how are you?”

God, she sounds so damn worried, and I feel so bad “Aunt Luna…” I stop because admitting to myself that I’m in love is one thing but telling someone else is completely different. I’m scared about what she will say, but I don’t want to hide this from anyone.

“Parker, please talk to me.”

“I’m in love,” I blurt out before I chicken out. I turn and sit on the floor with my back to the wall under the window.

“Oh, Parker, why wouldn’t you tell me? Is it with another guy? Is that why? Hunny, you know I don’t care as long as you are happy…”

Good lord. “No, no, no, I’m not gay. It’s with a girl.” I laugh because she should know I’m not gay, but I don’t blame her because that would be one good reason to be scared.

“Is it Vanessa?”

“God, no. It’s Emilee, the girl from my English class.” I’ve mentioned her several times, so I know she’ll recognize the name.

“Oh, I remember her. So why did you have to leave town then?” She asks, and I can tell that the worry isn’t fully gone.

“I was worried that what I was feeling was just lust. I couldn’t understand how I could be in love with someone I had just met. I thought that if I got away and could talk to Zak, I could get a handle on everything. I’m still young and just scared,” I tell her honestly.

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