Page 47 of Trusting You
When we got back to Aaron’s parents’ house, I quickly changed Brooklyn and myself into our swimsuits. I’d promised him that I’d take him swimming, and it’s all I’ve heard about since we left the ceremony. Aaron had other plans though, and when I left him standing in his room with a hard-on he wasn’t too happy. I couldn’t help but laugh as I slipped through the open door.
Now, we’re all standing around the deck waiting for Nick to fire up the grill. There are people everywhere. The coaching staff from the university, friends of the family, and all of Aaron’s friends from school. I bet there are at least a hundred people here. The crowd has even spilled onto the beach.
“That was not cool what you did earlier,” Aaron handed me a drink as he whispered in my ear. “Rubbing one off is not what I wanted to do this afternoon when my girlfriend is in town.”
“Good things come to those who wait,” I smiled as I accepted the cup he was handing me.
“I’ve never been good at waiting,” he smirked.
“Patience is a virtue,” I volleyed back.
“What are you? An inspirational calendar?” he chuckled. “Come here,” he wrapped his fingers around my wrist and tugged gently, leading me over to the stairs that led down to the ground level.
“You can’t leave your own party,” I squeaked as I jogged after him.
“I’m not,” he called over his shoulder. As soon as my feet hit the ground, he led me over to the far corner under the house. “I’ve been waiting to do this since we left my bedroom,” he yanked me into his chest and growled as his mouth descended on mine. It was a quick but deep kiss, and when he pulled back he left me breathless. I rose up on my toes, trying to continue it when a grin spread across his lips. “Sucks, doesn’t it?” he snickered as I pouted. “Two can play this game, and I always win,” he stepped back, leaving me confused. “You think about that for a few hours and then we’ll be even.”
“Aaron!” I turned to watch him jog up the steps. He paused before throwing my line back at me, “Good things come to those who wait.”
“You are so not funny,” I growled.
Aaron
Today had been perfect. I had my girl and all my family here to celebrate. My parents had planned a huge party which was still in full swing. The sun was setting now, and soon I’d be able to take Mel back and do all the things I’ve been thinking about doing to her all day. Brooklyn had fallen asleep a little bit ago, and thanks to my mom no one had to leave the party. She had taken him back to the house and returned with a monitor that they used when I was little. I was thankful that my mom had accepted Brooklyn and Mel into our family. My dad, on the other hand, was trying. I could tell he wanted to let the walls down, but I know his history with my real mom was keeping them firm in place.
“You wanna take a walk?” I sat down on the lounger beside Mel. “My mom will listen for Brooklyn.” The truth was, I just wanted to get away from the crowd so I could touch her like I’d been wanting to all day.
“Sure,” Mel smiled as she scanned the deck. Uncle Nick and my dad were in some deep discussion about football. Aunt Leah and my mom were harassing Em about wedding plans, and most of my friends had left at this point to go find a girl for the night. “We won’t be gone long, and we’re not missing anything here.”
I reached for her hand, and right when she stood up there was a commotion over by the stairs that led to the sand. “You can’t keep me away! Where is he?” the voice was almost a screech.
“You need to leave,” Dad growled and I could tell he was barely holding onto his anger. I knew the signs.
“I’m not going anywhere. He’s an adult. You can’t keep him away from me. He gets to choose now!” The figure pushed my father out of the way and staggered in my direction. “Aaron? Aaron!” she stood there scanning the crowd before our eyes met.
I don’t remember much from when I was little, but I’ll remember that face forever. Years of therapy couldn’t even make me forget.
“Aaron!” her voice was sweet at first, like a snake charmer. “Bring Mommy a beer,” she pointed toward the kitchen. At four, I didn’t think to tell her no. I didn’t understand that she shouldn’t be drinking because she was an alcoholic. All I knew was that when I gave her the bottle, she was happy and I wanted to make Mommy happy.
When my feet didn’t move fast enough, Doug, Mom’s boyfriend, would demand my compliance. “Did you hear your mother, you little shit?” he yelled, causing me to race around the corner. I stumbled, and when I did I dropped the beer causing it to spill. “Look at what you did!” he pointed at the floor.
“He’s worthless,” Mom rolled her eyes in disgust at me. “Cameron has turned him into a pussy. He’s not good for anything,” she flopped back against the couch.
“I’ll help him man up,” Doug stood from the couch and advanced on me. Before I could get out of his reach, he fingers wrapped around my arm. He sneered as he leaned so close to my face I could smell his rancid breath. Yellow teeth greeted me along with pinpoint eyes. I didn’t understand that all the things that protected me from them were what was also making them this way. The needles and spoons on the counter weren’t my refuge at the moment, they were the enemy. I was normally thankful for them. They made Mommy and Doug sleepy and I could watch TV. Today they didn’t use the needles so they were angry.
“You’ll listen to your mother and me, you little shit!” he tossed me on the bed face down. Before I could scramble away from him, he put his knee into my back, holding me there. I tried to go somewhere else in my head like the last time, but this time I couldn’t. There was no time to prepare for what came next. The sting of his belt met the soft skinof my lower back multiple times. I pinched my eyes shut as I tried to hold my cries in. The last time it happened, I cried for my daddy. Doug didn’t like that. It only made him hit me harder. This time I wouldn’t let him hear me. This time I’d be a big boy like Daddy always says I am.
My fingers released Mel’s hand as I took a few steps forward. “You’re not welcome here, Sara,” Dad gritted out. “Leave! Now!”
My mother’s body swayed again as she stumbled toward me, a brown paper bag swinging in her right hand. She lifted it to her lips and took a giant gulp before glaring at me. “Came to see my son graduate,” she pointed at me.
“Do you want me to call the cops?” Avery hissed from my dad’s side.
“No,” he brushed her off.
“No love for your mother?” my mom staggered closer and smiled at me. Her teeth were yellowed like I remembered, her body frail, and her hair looked as if it hadn’t been brushed in days.
“Aaron,” Mel’s voice was faint beside me. She wrapped her arm around my waist, but I went stiff, causing her to pull back. I tried to not go back there, but every time I talked about my mother, I remembered what she did to me. I had bruises for weeks at a time after visiting her. I spent years in therapy.
