Page 24 of Chase
“Are you sure?” I ask. He leans his head down a little further, his lips touching mine. He subtly increases the pressure and I melt into him even further, parting my lips. I give him the okay.
Chase deepens the kiss and takes my breath away. He pulls me tighter, if that’s even possible. I can taste coffee on his tongue. Before I know what I’m doing I moan in his mouth and clench my thighs again. Chase pulls away a little, and his eyes have darkened. he’s looking at me like I’m his next meal.
“Wow.” I’m breathless. That kiss was everything and more.
“Just in case that kiss didn’t make it clear, yes, I’m sure.”
There you go. I guess Chase really does want to spend time with me. He pulls away. I immediately miss the contact, but he weaves his fingers with mine and starts to pull me through the house.
As we walk into the kitchen, I can hear Millie chatting away. She isn’t normally this chatty so early in the morning.
The table is covered with pancakes, bacon, eggs and toast. There is a jug of orange juice and a pot of coffee as well. As I look around the table, I notice Millie’s plate is piled high with food.
Beside her is an elderly man, I’d say mid seventies. He smiles at me and I notice how similar his smile is to Chase’s. He must be his grandfather; he looks familiar.
At the end of the table is a woman who I assume is Chase’s mum. She has dark blonde, shoulder length hair; her eyes are the same colour as Chase’s. She stands and walks towards us. Approaching with caution. I take in her appearance. She’s wearing pjs with sloths on them and a long grey cardigan that swallows her small frame.
“Yasmin.”
I stare at her. That one word and the smell of pancakes causes a memory to crash into me. I know this woman. I remember her. I blink rapidly trying to prevent the tears from falling. A memory of sitting at this exact table eating pancakes.
How did I not remember when I was here last night? It felt familiar but I couldn’t figure out why. The tears fall down my cheek. I feel Chase squeeze my hand lightly, reminding me he’s still there.
Those feelings I first had when I saw him make sense. I did know him. I loved him. He was my best friend. The woman standing in front of me raised me. She’s the only real mother I had.
I look over at Chase’s mum. Her face is streaked with tears.
“Mumma Nat.” I choke out and that’s all it takes. She takes the three steps towards me and engulfs me in a hug. Chase lets go of my hand but moves closer so he can rub my back. I can’t hold back the tears. As Nat holds me tight, her familiar scent of pineapple and coconut washes over me as the memories continue to come strong and fast.
“I’m so sorry Yasmin. I should never have let them leave. I’m sorry.” She keeps repeating over and over.
We stand like that for a while. I don’t know what to say. All I remember is one day I was here like every other day before it, and then the next day Dad put us in the car and told us we were never coming back.
I was only young, but I cried for weeks. Nat was the only mother I had. I must have supressed the memories because until I saw Nat, I didn’t remember anything. She pulls away and Chase pulls me closer, comforting me.
I wipe my face while I try to sort through the mess that is my head. Nat speaks again, her voice soft and gentle just as I remember.
“I didn’t think I would ever see you again.”
“I had no idea. I felt like this was familiar. I felt like I knew Chase, I was drawn to him.” This makes her chuckle.
“You pair were inseparable. As babies, neither of you would calm unless you were together. Once you were toddlers, nothing changed. I’d put you in separate beds and you would always find a way to end up together.”
I look back at Chase. It doesn’t appear he remembers any of this either.
“Please sit and eat. I’ll explain everything. I just hope you can forgive me.”
Chase guides me to the chair opposite Millie. Her eyes are glassy with unshed tears. She ducks her head and picks at her food on the plate.
Chase’s grandpa clears his throat. I break away from looking at Millie and stare at him, Chase taking a seat beside me. His hand goes straight for my thigh. He rubs small circles there.
“Yasmin, it’s great to see you again. You probably don’t remember, but I’m Grandpa Wilson. All the kids call me GW now.”
I look over at him again with fresh eyes. I remember him always being here. He used to sneak us cookies when Nat wasn’t looking.
“You used to sneak us cookies?” I ask by way of response.
“I did. It was hard to say no to you,” he says.
