Page 56 of Crash and Burn

“MOM! You didn’t think that was good information to let me know? This whole time. Even after he showed up here at the diner? I talked to you. I told you.” I was breathless and it felt like I was having a panic attack. My chest was so tight.Breathe, Amelia.

“Amelia, I’m sorry. I know. I thought it would be okay and once he knew you were with Hudson, that he would go away. That he would realize it’s finally over between you two. And for a while, he stopped calling. But then he called again tonight.”

“Mom…I’m not WITH Hudson. And Kevin called me tonight too, drunk, at the diner. This is fucking shit. I can’t believe you didn’t tell me.”

“Am, I think you should go to the police and get a restraining order. It’s time.”You fucking think?If I had known he’d been calling this whole time I would’ve done that a long time ago.Ffffuck!“Am, you there?”

Watching my heavy breathing in the cold night air, I finally said, “Yeah, I’m here. Listen, I’m waiting on the bus to pick me up from work. I will go to the police station tomorrow. I can’t handle this tonight and it’s getting late. I really don’t want to be out much longer riding the bus around town.”

“I understand. Promise me. Promise me you’ll go to the police tomorrow.”

“I promise.” The bus was pulling up. “I promise mom, but I gotta go. The bus is here. I’ll call you tomorrow once I’ve got the restraining order.”

“Ok, be careful, Amelia. Text me so I know you made it home. I love you.”

“Love you too. I will. Bye.”

The bus pulled up and I was relieved when the doors opened, and I saw Jimmy’s bright smile. “Hey Amelia, babay. You ok?”

I was fighting back tears. “Yeah, Jimmy. I’m ok. I’m just so tired, ya know?”

“Yeah, sweetheart. I know what ya mean. Life can get like that sometimes. Take a seat and get some shuteye if you’d like. I got you until we pull up to your place.”

I smiled. “Thanks Jimmy.” As nice as it sounded, I was too livid to close my eyes. The revelation that Kevin had been harassing my mom for a year had me completely spun up. I felt sick to my stomach. I wished Hudson were with me. I hadn’t heard from him in two weeks, and I didn’t even know what to think of it. I just knew I wanted him there.

I had been lost in my thoughts and didn’t even realize we had pulled up to my place. I grabbed my things and headed for the front door. “Thanks, Jimmy. It was good to see you. I know it’s been a bit.”

“You too, sweetie. Tell Hudson hello for me.” I just smiled and waved goodbye, wishing I could.

Everyone seemed to think that because me and Hudson spent time together, that we were steady and of course they would. Why shouldn’t they have thought any different? He should have been there with me, or maybe I should have been with him. I didn’t know. I just knew I missed him something fierce.

Opening my front door, I waved back to Jimmy again, flicking my front light off and on. I closed the door and locked up, tossing my keys and bags on the buffet. The apartment smelled funny. It smelled like burning wood which sent all the red flags up. I went to check the kitchen, but it was empty. I made my way to the bathroom—empty. I wondered if Steven was home, upstairs. I was so tired; I hadn’t even paid attention when we pulled up in front.

Shutting off the kitchen light, I turned and walked to my bedroom to change my clothes. Pulling my earrings out of my ears, I flipped the light on above my dresser when I noticed the candle lit, scattering goosebumps across my skin. I paused and that’s when my door slammed shut. I spun around to see Kevin standing there. Panicked, I took a step back and bumped into my dresser. I didn’t have anywhere to run. “What are you doing here? You shouldn’t be here, Kevin.”

“Amy, I told you we needed to talk. I want you back. I’m sorry I hurt you.” He took a step toward me making me retreat backwards toward the other side of the room. He paused. My phone was in my back pocket. There was no way I would be able to call anyone before he freaked out.

“You’re sorry you hurt me? Kevin, Sheila is on her way here. Let me call her and tell her not to come. She was supposed to meet me here for drinks when she finished her shift.”

He shook his head. “Amy, you shouldn’t be drinking. Why are you drinkin’ withthatold lady?”

“She’s my friend, Kevin.”

“NO!” I jumped, startled by his reaction. He whispered, “I’m sorry. I just mean, she’s not your friend. She isn’t good for you.”

“No one was ever good for me. They were all bad, right? It’s how you kept me so isolated. She’s going to show up here, Kevin.”

“Am, I swear if you’re lying to me…” His hand balled into a fist. My heart felt like it was going to beat right out of my chest. “Call…in front of me. Don’t try anything stupid.”

I nodded. I dialed Sheila’s number…please pick up. Please pick up.“Sheila, hey. Don’t come here, okay? I know, I know. Drinks sounded great, but it’s a b... bad night. I’m so tired from my shift.”

“Gimme the phone, Amelia.” He whispered.

“Okay, I gotta go. Bye, Sheila.”

I hit end and handed him my phone.

“Amelia…were you lying to me?” His tone was low, and suspicious.

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