Chapter One-Hundred and Twenty-Six
Clarissa stretched, looking over to where her daughter was curled under her blanket, the dark skin of John's arm looped over her side as he matched the curve of her body with his own. She smiled as she watched the slow rise and fall of his chest behind Claire's back, able to see that his fear was no longer controlling him but instead it was his love and comfort for Claire that was ruling over his mind.
"How can you smile at that?" Snapped Mrs. Hernandez, waving a hand at the sleeping teens. "It's not right!"
Clarissa glared at the woman, pulling her away from the young couple as John began to stir in his slumber and curl around Claire as if to protect her. "I am Claire's mother. If I am okay with them sleeping together like that, then they can. They know the rules and boundaries, that Thomas and I have set for them." She glanced over her shoulder as a small sound escaped John. "And until you know what John has lived through, do not judge him."
"Hasn't he been known to sexually assault girls?" Mrs. Hernandez asked, motioning to John as he moved closer to Claire's body. "After all, with his past-"
"His past has nothing to do with it. John's past is in the past. But that is the only reason he came in here last night at all. His jackass of a father used to beat him in storms like the one last night. It may not be obvious to you, Mrs. Hernandez, but John has severe PTSD from his childhood, and I have always encouraged him to seek a family member out when he's in a bad place." Clarissa turned as John's voice called for her, able to see that he was just starting to wake up. "Don't judge my child, because of what people say about him. I am his mother, so if you have a problem with him, you come to me." She turned on her heel, kneeling beside John and Claire on the floor and brushing her fingers through his hair as he slowly came out of his slumber.
"Mom…" He smiled, resting his head on her lap as he realized that the storm had passed.
"Good morning, Pumpkin." She chuckled, feeling Claire roll over as she wrapped her arms around the boy's thin frame.
Mrs. Hernandez shook her head. "So perverted." She muttered, jumping as John shot to his feet.
"Mrs. Hernandez," he motioned to his jeans, pulling the flap that hid his zipper back to show that it was fully zipped up, "My fly is zipped, my jeans are buttoned, and we didn't even kiss on the mouth last night. What, may I ask, is so perverted about sleeping fully clothed with the woman I am going to marry?"
Mrs. Hernandez huffed, backing away as Clarissa moved toward her like a mother bear ready to defend her cub. "It's not right for teenagers to be in the same bed together."
Clarissa pulled John close, letting him relax against her. "Don't mind her." She whispered, leading him toward the drinking fountain as she recognized that he was slightly dehydrated and knowing that he had to have thrown up the day before. "I'll take care of it."
"It's fucked up." He stated, taking a drink of water and letting Clarissa wet her hands under the water to wash his face. "I hate that all they see is Jacob."
Clarissa shook her head. "They just don't understand. But you are not Jacob. Jacob, would never keep as close of an eye on Claire as you do. He would let her face the world alone. But you, go out of your way to protect her." She smiled as she combed her fingers through his beard. "You are not Jacob. You never were, and you never will be." She tapped his nose. "You are Johnathan Kurtis Bender, you will never be anyone else." She chuckled as he wrinkled his nose. "Don't listen to anyone who tells you any different."