As Good As Dreams

By: Christina K.

Chapter 15: Hand Me Down

(A/N: Okay guys, here's the chapter that I couldn't stop crying, while I was writing. Mainly, because this one definitely touches home base with me. And I can really relate to this song. Hand Me Down by Matchbox Twenty. It'll help a little if you listen to it while reading. It helped me write this, which is really sad. Enjoy and I'll post 16 in a day or so, depending on work. Enjoy!)

Lightning illuminated the sky as I looked on the sight I had hoped to see only in my worst nightmares.

Travis had betrayed me.

My mind had stopped functioning and my legs trudged slowly up the stairs, moving on their own accord. I was like a zombie.

When back up in the bedroom I shared with Travis, I picked up my cell phone and dialed a number on the key pad.

"Hello?" It was Robbie. I was sure that I had awakened him.

"Robbie, it's Delilah. Can I crash at your place until I can get my flight time changed? I'm going home."

"Delilah, what did he do?"

"Can you please come pick me up? I can't be here any longer." As soon as I finished the sentence, Travis burst through the door, fear and guilt clouding his once again grey eyes.

"I'm on my way," and he hung up.

"Delilah, I can explain." I cut him off by shaking my head.

"Don't. I don't want to hear it." I started putting clothes into my suitcase.

"Please, don't leave. She kissed me," he pleaded.

"You lied to me Travis. You told me that I wouldn't hurt anymore. You lied and it will be the last time. This," I took the ring off of my finger, "meant nothing to you, and now, means nothing to me." I grabbed my suitcase and walked out of the door, pressing the ring into his chest as I walked past him and letting it fall to the floor.

Someday they'll find your small town world on a big town avenue

Gonna make you like the way they talk when they're talking to you

I sat outside on the sidewalk, dripping wet from the rain, but not caring one bit. I felt too empty to care. Robbie pulled up in front of me and I climbed in.

All he said was, "It was Lily, wasn't it?" My silence gave him his answer and he stayed quiet until we pulled into his driveway.

"Do you want me to take you to the airport tomorrow?"
"Could you? Thank you for everything, Robbie. I'm glad I met you. You're a true friend." I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him on the cheek.

He opened the door and set my luggage by his bedroom door, walking to the bathroom to grab me a towel to dry off.

"You can take my bed. I'll sleep on the couch." He paused. "You know, when he told me how he felt about you, I was shocked. He's never just came out and told everyone how he's felt, not even with Lily. When he told me, I thought that nothing could have ever come between you two. Kind of makes me regret walking away. He doesn't deserve you and I wish I had seen it before, so I could have stopped you from this pain."

Gonna make you break out of your shell cause they tell you to

Gonna make you like the way they lie better than the truth

I looked into his eyes, attempting to see if what he was saying was true. I saw no traces of malice of any reason to not trust him, but I still couldn't bring myself to it. I had lost all ability to trust.

"Thank you," I whispered and bid him goodnight. We could always talk in the morning.

I lay down in Robbie's bed, knowing sleep was impossible. My eyes were wide open and my mind was reeling.

Somebody ought to take you in

Try to make you love again

I picked up my cell phone and turned it on. To no surprise, I had four voicemails, all from Travis. I didn't bother listening , just erased them and dialed Melanie's number, knowing she would be wide awake, out at some club, and sadly, only got her voicemail.

"Hey Mel, something came up and I'm going to be leaving Canada early; tomorrow in fact. Don't worry about picking me up at the airport. I'll catch a taxi. I'll see you when I get home." I tried to sound cheery, but knew she would see through it all and guess what was wrong.

Try to make you like the way they feel

When they're under your skin

Never once did you think they'd lie when they're holding you

I got a few fitful hours of sleep and before I knew it, we were standing at my gate, my boarding call sounding out over our heads.

"So, I guess this is it," I said, setting my carry-on bag down on the ground and put my arms around his neck. "Thank you for everything, Robbie. I don't know what I would do without you."

"Oh Delilah, you'll be okay, I promise. Now, go get on your plane. By the time you get back to Florida, you'll be feeling ten times better. Just wait and see." He gave me one last squeeze before he kissed me on the cheek and walked away, leaving me alone, once again.

You wonder why they haven't called

When they said they'd call you

He was half-right. When I stepped off the plane and into the always busy Miami International Airport, it was good to be home. And that was exactly where I was headed; home.

You start to wonder if you're ever gonna make it by

You'll start to think you were born blind

I gave Melanie a call to let her know I was on my way home and went outside to hail a taxi.

My somewhat higher mood dropper down again at the sight of the weather. The rain had followed me home and the downpour was dragging down my spirits.

From what I've seen

You're just a one more hand me down

Cause no one's tried to give you what you need

At my door, I turned the key and heard the lock click. As I walked in, I saw Melanie sitting on the couch, looking at me sympathetically.

I'm here for the hard times

The straight to your heart times

Whenever it ain't easy

You can stand up against me

She lifted up a steaming cup of coffee and said, "Come here, Del."

And maybe rely on me

And cry on me, yeah

Oh no, no, no

I walked over and laid my head down in her lap, crying for the first time since last night.

"Shush, it's all over now. You're home now." She stroked my hair comfortingly.

So lay all your troubles down

I am with you now