Thanks SO much for the support! You guys have really gone above and beyond, and I am grateful for each and every one of you.
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I had been riding around aimlessly for close to an hour and it wasn't long before getting dark outside. I focused on the loud chirping of what sounded like thousands of crickets and the feel of the cool breeze against my sore face and refused to allow myself to think of anything else as I road alongside a back road.
The sky was a pretty mixture of blues, purples, yellows, and pinks. I couldn't remember the last time I had ever just looked at it and really payed attention to it. My head had been through too much bullshit lately.
I heard the loud rumbling of my stomach signaling me that it was time to eat, but I wasn't ready to go home. It was close to dinner time, so Jimmy and his family were probably gathered at the dinner table discussing how their days had gone. I didn't want to show up in the middle of it with a fresh bruise and get 'em all riled up.
Honestly, all I wanted to do was see her. I knew she would nag me to death but bein' able to jus look at her would make it worth it.
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Twenty minutes later, I found myself on her front porch, knocking on the door. When she answered, she was holding a phone up to her ear. She glanced at me quickly, surprised. She held a finger up to shhh me and welcomed me inside.
"Yeah, that's what I told him but he just won't give up."
"Who?" I asked, wondering if she was referring to me.
"Not you." She mouthed. "Uh huh. Yeah. Hey-look, Mom? Can I call you a little later? One of my friends just stopped by. A man. Yes. No, just a friend. Ok. Alright. I will. Love you too."
She clicked the phone and let out a long sigh before looking at me. "What are you...hey-wait, what the hell happened to you?!" Her eyes widened as she noticed my busted lip and she immediately leaned her face in to get a closer look.
"It's nothin'. Who were ya talkin' about?" I couldn't help but feel a little paranoid, despite what she had said.
"No one. Jesus, Daryl, what happened? Are you alright?"
"I said it's nothin'. Jus drop it already."
"Well, excuse me. You showed up at my house, unannounced, with a split lip. Forgive me for asking if you're alright." It was obvious that she was irritated.
"Jus don't worry about it." I licked the soreness of my lip. "Who were ya talkin' to yer mom about?"
She snorted. "So you can repeat the same question over and over but I'm supposed to just drop it?"
"Look, I just ain't in the mood to talk about it today."
"You're never in the mood, Daryl. But I'm serious. Tell me what's going on. Tell me who can't keep their fucking hands off of you."
I let out a long sigh and buried my face in my hands. My elbows were resting against the island counter. "If I tell ya, ya gotta swear not to sayin' nothin' to nobody."
"Daryl, you obviously need help..."
"I'm serious. Not a word to nobody. I don't need no extra trouble on my hands. I got enough as it is."
She chewed on her bottom lip, contemplating my words. "Fine." she breathed. "I won't tell anyone. Just...tell me."
"It's my dad." I didn't even hesitate to answer. "He's got a bad drinkin' problem, and he gets angry when he drinks. Usually I try to stay outta his way, but sometimes it just don't work out like that."
Her eyes widened, full of sorrow and anger. "So...I mean, how long has this been going on?"
"I'ono. Bout six er seven years. It got worse after mom died."
She swallowed. "How... did she..."
"Burnt the whole fuckin' house down one day when she fell asleep with a lit cigarette. She wasn't much better than he was, but she never laid a hand on me."
"Do you have siblings?"
"A brother."
"Does your dad mess with him too?"
"Nah. Well, when he's around, I guess. But he ain't never around no more."
"Where is he?"
"He been in an outta juvey since he was a kid. He's in prison now 'till October."
She sighed and tilted her head against a tall cabinet. "I don't even...know what to say." She said, shaking her head.
"Ya ain't gotta say nothin'. Just quit askin' me about it. Now ya know. You gotta beer?" I scratched the corner of my nose, ready to change the subject. It was startin' to make me feel uncomfortable. Feels...weird.
She walked to the fridge and pulled out one beer and a large bottle of wine. She handed me the beer and uncorked the bottle right as I popped the tab. "Do you need a place to stay?" She raised an eyebrow as she poured the sparkling, white liquid into a crystal wine glass. Pointless, when you could just drink it outta the damn bottle.
"Nah. I'm stayin' with a buddy of mine."
"Is that who's house I drove you to the other day?"
I nodded my head and took a large sip of beer. The coolness felt good against the soreness of my lip.
"So...are you going to press charges against your dad?"
"Look, I don't make a habit outta sharin' my problems with people. I done told ya all I gotta say. Just drop it."
We stared at each other momentarily until we both had an equal understanding. She nodded her head once before disappearing to the living room.
After a second or two, she returned with a piece of paper in her hand. Upon handing it over, I immediately recognized it as my test from earlier. I thought my eyes were gonna bulge right outta my skull when I saw a the letter A- and 92% marked in red.
"No way." I scanned the paper over and over, not even believing my own eyes.
"Yes, way. You did really good." She smiled, friendly.
"You must'a changed some a these answers around." I continued to stand and stare in disbelief.
"Look them over. It's still your handwriting."
Damn sure is. Holy shit. "Damn. I ain't made an A in forever."
"That's because you haven't studied in forever either." She chuckled, tucking a loose strand of dark hair behind her ear. "See? I told you, if you apply yourself you can do anything you want. You're smart, Daryl. That right there is proof."
I can't tell you why because it's something I don't understand, but I suddenly wanted to cry. Thankfully, those thoughts were interrupted by a loud knock at the front door.
Ms. Roberts, however, didn't look so relieved.