A/N: I could make excuses all day, but I'm updating so no matter.
And thanks to Wallypog for telling me Gordie's mother's name :D.
He showed up to my house the next afternoon, my mom wouldn't let him in the house. No matter how much she liked Chris, she didn't want any violence in her living room. I stood hidden at the top of the stairs, hearing her say, "Just let it cool off for a couple days, you boys don't need to be at each other's throats over some girl."
Surprisingly he didn't shimmy up the tree later that night. I laid awake waiting for him to show up and he didn't. In the darkness of my bedroom my stomach dropped with disappointment. The fact that him and Marlene weren't a couple, maybe it was a lie, what if he were to tap on the glass and want only one thing. Grief lapped at me, I frowned into my pillow. Besides, him not being some girl's boyfriend didn't make everything okay again. It didn't take back our fight in the bathroom or how he abandoned me, but maybe I was being dramatic, being a girl about it. I wasn't a girl. Clenching my teeth I rolled over to face the other side of the room. I wasn't going to worry about it, or at least force myself to stop.
A few days passed, I don't know how many I tried not to think about it. As apart of my punishment I wasn't allowed out of the house. So I didn't make attempts to sneak out. I spent most of my time parked in front of the T.V. just staring at it not really watching. It was eating a hole in me. My mom was doing household chores, I didn't bother offer to help; I stayed glued to the flicking images on the screen. I practically jumped out of my skin when the doorbell rang. I bolted off the couch calling, "I'll get it." Skidding to a stop at the front door my heart thundered against my chest as I reached for the knob. My mom came up behind me as I opened it. It was Mrs. Chambers, I looked around her, craning my neck to see around her maybe Chris was hiding, but he wasn't. "Gordie, don't be rude let her in." I stepped aside at my mother's command the corners of my mouth turning down slightly.
Mrs. Chambers was pulling off her mittens, "Dorothy I really wanted to talk to you." She gave her best heart warming smile, "Nice to see you Gordie." She addressed me before they both disappeared beyond the kitchen door. I peered out onto the porch, cold air smacking me in the face, just to make sure he wasn't there. I closed the door. My hands were itchy. Normally I would press my ear to the wood and strain to listen to them but I just didn't have the heart. I shuffled back to the living room.
I was lying almost lifelessly on the couch by the time they emerged. Mrs. Chambers left, and my mom came to perch next to me. I looked up at her as she brushed hair out of my face. "You need a hair cut." I moved away from her a bit, propping my head into my hand.
"What did she say?" I asked, my hands still itchy.
"She asked how you were, and we talked about what happened. They're going away for the holidays, and Chris wanted to stay behind." I just looked at her, hoping she'd continue.
"I told her that maybe you two needed some more time to clear your heads." She patted my shoulder, my throat felt a little too tight. "But she told me Chris wouldn't budge on it, he wanted to stay here in Castle Rock. So she asked me to keep an eye on him, while they were gone." She stood up, "But that doesn't mean I want you over there Gordie."
I felt a tinge of betrayal. "I'm not mad, mom." I told her, "I just want to apologize to him."
"Gordie, your still not allowed out of the house, you'll have to talk to your father about it." Of course, she'd stay with his punishment. I needed some air; I didn't care if it was freezing outside. I pulled myself off the couch. "You could call him." She offered trying to be helpful.
"I don't want to call him, I want to see him." Came out of my mouth before I could stop it. I never used that harsh of a tone with my mother before.
"Gordon Lachance, you should know better." She scolded with angry eyes. I was taller than my mom; it had been a long time since I needed protecting from the monster in my closet. I took a breath and stalked right out of the living room. I went up to my bedroom. I fumed there until I heard her banging around in the kitchen.
Creeping down the steps, and snagging my jacket I tried to be as quiet as possible. "Gordie?" She called. I yanked open the door and made a break for it. I practically flew across the front yard. My mom call after me, "Gordie! Gordie! Get back here this instant!" I wasn't going to look back.