the stairs, I come to a stop in front of him. Folding my arms, I say, “I’m okay. Only a small headache.” My head stays down because I know the moment I stare into those familiar eyes long enough, I’m screwed.
“That’s good. I was hoping we could spend today together?”
“Thanks, but no thanks. Not today.”
Jase takes a step closer to me. A shiver runs down my spine. “Charity, please don’t shut me out. I care about you.”
I move back and glance up at him. “Who could ever want to be with someone as broken as me? On the outside, I appear normal and happy, even. On the inside, I’m a tornado of anger, hate, confusion, and the list goes on. I can’t put that on you. I won’t put that burden on you.” Tears sting my eyes.
Jase reaches for me. I twist and move again. “Charity, I know what I want, and it’s you.”
I hold my hand up, and he stops.
“Just don’t. Please leave.” Jase opens his mouth—I’m sure to protest—but I simply turn and go back upstairs. My head is already too full and dark. I need to find the light at the end of the tunnel, and I can’t do that with Jase around. As much as he says he wants me, I won’t be a weight on his shoulders. His own father is burden enough.
After clawing my way back beneath the sheets, I pull the blanket over my head, shutting out the world and drowning myself in darkness.
What feels like hours later, my blankets are ripped from my body.
“What the hell?” I growl.
“Get out of this bed. I won’t let you fall into the same pit I did,” Mom says. “Now, get out of this bed and get dressed. We’re going to put your bed and desk in today.”
“What if I don’t want to?”
“I won’t let you wallow. We are going to work and talk through this. Now go and get dressed, and come have some lunch, and then we’ll get started.” She exits and takes my blanket and sheet with her—I’m guessing so I can’t just curl back up and go to sleep. Gee, she can be a hardass.
Taking my time, I slowly get dressed and then make my way downstairs where Mom has a sandwich with a glass of juice ready for me. She points to a place at the table. “Sit and eat. You’re not getting out of this. Paul has taken the kids out for the afternoon.”
“I’m not hungry,” I grumble.
“I don’t care. Take one bite, and we’ll get started.”
“Gee, drill sergeant much?”
“Don’t give me the lip. I’ve been where you are, only I lost a child. Now she’s in front of me, and I can see her spiraling like I did. I won’t let that happen to you. You have an appointment on Monday with a psychologist, and we’re going to work through your stuff together whether you like it or not. I love you and care about you. And so does that young man that was standing in the doorway this morning.” She jabs a finger at the front door. “He told me how you acted last night, and that’s the final straw for me. I won’t let that evil man break you or break your spirit.” Her voice cracks. A weight settles in my stomach as her words slowly sink in.
Reaching out, I take her hand. “Sorry, Mom.”
“You’re stronger than you think, and you need to give that young man a chance. I’m not sure if you know this or not, but he wrote you letters after you left. He gave them to me to send with my letters and gifts.”
“What? I just assumed you both forgot about me. I resented you and hated him. When I first saw him, I didn’t want anything to do with him.”
Mom shakes her head. “I’m guessing your father destroyed the letters so you would assume that we didn’t care about you, and I’m truly sorry he did that. But take my word for it when I say that Jase cares about you, honey. He loves you. He told me so himself this morning.” She gives me a weak smile.
“Okay, I’ll try to do better.”
“Honey, you’re already doing better. You don’t have to be perfect here. We all love you, flaws and all.” She kisses my forehead and walks away with unshed tears in her eyes.
After I finish my sandwich, we head out to the shed. “You ready?” Mom asks as her hand grips