This chapter is not that long, or that good (I blame the fact that I am ill) but I will update again really soon. It is the first part of a two three part chapter arc. Please be patient, I am sorry if you hate it. Tyson's POV.
Chapter 9 Mother Knows Best
I don't remember the feel of a mothers touch. My mother died when I was very young and my father never re-married. To be honest I barely remember the feel of a fathers touch: my father spends a lot of time away and most the details about him get fuzzy. I have a brother, but like my father he is always away.
First I stayed with my uncle and then, after Kai killed him, my aunt moved in. She promised that my father would come home and stay…I was still waiting.
My aunt was a nice woman. She was cheerful and affectionate her attention never felt dangerous, never felt like a burden. Sometimes I pretended that her gentle touches: her quick hugs or gentle hair ruffles, came from my mother. Sometimes I pretended that she was my mother, I had always wanted one.
She took me on weekly shopping trips and sprang for movies, I could tell that she felt guilty, I could tell that when the scandal about her brother had come out she was not shocked. I could tell that she had known about his violent temper, she had known and she hadn't helped.
I didn't care about that. I was just so glad that I had someone there, some one to care.
She was so sweet and fun that all of the neighbourhood kids liked her, well, all but Kai. She would stare at him whenever he passed. She was curious about he boy who killed her brother, it was natural. But Kai didn't seem to understand that so he glared at her and ignored her overtures of friendship and forgiveness.
Months went by and she became the most popular woman in the neighbourhood. I was so proud, all of the mothers would talk to her at first just pleasantries, then later secrets. I knew that they talked about Kai. I would listen at the door and wait to hear his name.
The mothers hated him. He was breaking them apart with their husbands, with their sons…the only mother that didn't come over to seek confidence was Tala's mum. I hoped that it was out of loyalty, that she thought of Kai was her son.
My hopes were dashed the day she turned up on our doorstep in tears.
I listened at the door as she told my aunt. Her husband had moved into his own room and practically moved Kai into it with him, that her husband and Tala competed for the affections of an affectionless child…that last night her son had tried to kill Kai and that her husband had beat her son to stop him. She cried that Kai had stolen her family, screamed it.
My aunt watched and listened her face cold. I grew scared. What would happen to Kai? What would they do? My aunt was obviously taking this woman's side, this evil woman who should have just kept her mouth shut.
I ran across the road to find Kai. He was like my mother now, I loved her that much…but I would sell her out in a second for him. She loved me true, but had she killed for me?
I found Kai sitting on his doorstep smoking. It was obvious that he knew what was happening but the way he was watching my house.
"They are talking about me?" he asked his voice more forceful than usual.
"Your mum…Tala's mum…yes they are." I stuttered back. His presence to me had always been suffocating.
"What will they do?" he put out his cigarette and patted the step beside him.
"I don't know. They all come to her, all the mothers." I sat down beside him, hoping that he would turn and touch me, kiss me. He filled me with confidence, he could deal with this, he could deal with anything.
"They want to hurt me." he raised his hand to my face then dropped it, "Especially your aunt. She hates me, she's been asking too many questions."
"She…" I wanted to defend her, "She's a bitch."
He nodded. "Do you love me?"
"Yes." I choked out.
He nodded again. "People have been saying that to me allot lately. How much do you love me?"
"I would do anything…"
He leaned over and kissed me. It was a long kiss, intense but not violent, he even closed his eyes.
"Wow." was all I could say when he was done.
"Can you do me a favour?" he asked.
"Anything."
"Deal with this little problem for me."
"How?"
He leant over and whispered the answer in my ear.
"What about Tala's mum?" I asked.
"Leave her to me."
I looked at him for a long time. I think that he could read the doubt on my face because he kissed me again.
"You said that you would do anything."
I nodded and walked slowly back to my house. I was dazed, scared…I wondered if I would ever see Kai again.