Page 140 of Now and Forever

As we walk inside the house, my heart beats hard and fast. Eric won’t forgive me for any of this. All the secrets that were tormenting me have come to light at the same time.

When I walk into Flyn’s room, the boy is in a cast. I try to go to him, but Eric blocks me.

“How could you disobey me? I said no skating.”

“I’m sorry, Eric.” My voice is a whisper.

He looks at me scornfully. “Of course you’re sorry.”

I close my eyes.

I knew this would happen someday, but I never thought Eric’s reaction would be so intense. I don’t know what to say. I just see his cold gaze. Moving to one side, I approach the boy and kiss him on the forehead.

“Are you all right?”

The kid nods.

“I’m sorry, Jude. I got bored; I took the skateboard and fell.”

“It’s OK. I’m just sorry you got hurt.”

The boy nods sadly. Eric takes me by the arm and pulls me out of the room along with his mother and sister.

“Go to sleep. I’ll talk to you later. I’m staying with Flyn.”

I don’t know what to do. I sit down on the bed in our room and hang my head. I want to be with Eric and Flyn, but I know Eric won’t let me.

36

The next morning, when I go down to the kitchen, Marta, Eric, and Sonia are sitting around the table, arguing. They fall silent as I walk in, and that makes me feel terrible.

Simona caringly makes me a cup of coffee, asking for forgiveness with her eyes.

“How is Flyn?” I ask as I sit at the table.

“Thanks to you, he’s in pain,” he says with a hard gaze I don’t like one bit.

Sonia growls at her son, “Damn it, Eric! It’s not Judith’s fault. Why are you always trying to blame her?”

“Because she knows she wasn’t supposed to teach him to ride a skateboard,” he answers, furious.

I don’t know what to say.

“Are you really this stupid, or are you pretending?” Marta butts in.

“Marta ... ,” Eric hisses.

“Don’t you see the kid has changed thanks to her? Don’t you see Flyn isn’t the introverted kid he was before she came here?” Eric doesn’t answer, and Marta goes on. “You should thank her every time you see Flyn smile and actually behave like a boy his age. Because you know what, little brother? Kids fall down, but they get back up and learn; apparently, you’ve never figured that out.”

He doesn’t respond. Instead, without even looking at me, he leaves the kitchen. My heart sinks.

“Don’t worry, I’ll talk to him,” I mutter.

“Give him a slap upside the head. That’s what he deserves,” Marta says.

Sonia touches my hand. “Don’t blame yourself for anything, dear. Not for having Hannah’s bike or for going out with Jurgen and his friends either.”

“I should’ve told him about it,” I declare.

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