The UnKnown (A Novel) (14 page)

After we finished our food we headed out. I needed to be home at a decent time. I didn’t want Russ to be angry again. He and Aunt Silvia had been so kind to me.

“Where are we headed?” Drake asked, as he dangled the keys in front of me.

“We should probably head home. I don’t want them to be upset with me about coming in too late. Russ was really pissed at me the other day.” He had been so upset and I hadn’t talked to him since. I needed to apologize for making them worry about me. I knew his only concern was that I didn’t upset Aunt Silvia. He loved her the way that I loved Drake. I could see it in the way he looked at her.

 “I hate that the night is ending, but I know you have to get back. I want you to know that this was the best night of my life, aside from what happened at the diner.” I knew he was furious about that and I hoped his friendship wouldn’t end with Kyle over me. Kyle seemed kind in his own way, but had moments of being an ass.

“I know what you mean. This has been the best day of my life. I haven’t had a day like this since before my parents died. I have been through a lot, Drake, and you have become my light.” I meant every word. I couldn’t imagine life without him.

The ride was short. Drake pulled into the driveway of my house and we just sat there. He didn’t want to get out of the car and neither did I. It was half past eleven and I knew I needed to get inside, but still neither one of us moved an inch. I finally moved over to unbuckle my belt when Drake caught my hand.

“Let’s move in together. You won’t have a curfew and we can be together all the time.” Drake’s eyes were full of hope and promise. HOLY SHIT was he kidding me? I didn’t know him well enough to move in with him. I barely freaking knew myself.

“I don’t mean to scare you. I just can’t stand being without you and I miss you when you aren’t in my presence. Look what happened last time. I wasn’t there to protect you. I’m filled with guilt at what almost happened.”

“I’m not scared. Surprised, yes. I love you more than ever, but there is no way I am ready to live on my own yet. I haven’t even started my job. I want to go to school, which may require me to have part time hours. Aunt Silvia has agreed to let me stay as long as I go to school. I have a support system in place here. I have never had that before. I would love nothing more than to live with you and have our happily ever after, but now is not the time. Do you understand?” I hoped he didn’t take this as a form of rejection.

“I can take care of you. I have an inheritance my grandfather left me that I haven’t touched. I am going to split it with my brother, but there is more than enough to take care of us for many years. You won’t have to work. You could just concentrate on school if you’d like.” God he is being pushy about this. He was not going to let this go was he?

“Babe, let’s just take this a day at a time. We know we love each other, but there are things you don’t know about me. I am sure there are things I don’t know about you. We have all the time in the world.”

“I guess you are right. I got caught up in the moment. You don’t know how badly I just want to take you to my home and never let you go.” His eyes looked so sad and defeated.

“I know. We will see each other every day.” I pulled his hands into mine and laced them together. I was going to miss him so much. “I have to go, walk me to the door?” He nodded and we exited the car. Once we were at the front door Drake unlocked it and then handed me the keys.

“Until tomorrow, Peaches; dream about me,” he said as he stooped down to kiss me.

“Always and forever!” I called out after him as he walked away. He turned and rushed back to kiss me hard and long.

“My God, Peaches, you are going to be the death of me. I am so lost without you. Stop talking or I will never leave.” With that he gave me another quick hug before making his way to his car to leave. He was only gone for a few seconds and I missed him. I waited until he pulled off before I walked into the house.

The house was dark and quiet. I didn’t want to wake anyone up, so I tip-toed up to my room when I was nearly knocked off my feet by someone. I couldn’t make out who it was at first because it was so dark.  It was a small person, I could tell that. When I turned on the hall light I saw Lee lying in the middle of the floor.

“Lee, what are you doing?” I shook him, but he didn’t move. I was in a panic. I ran over to Aunt Silvia and Uncle Russ’s door beating on it for them to come out. Then I ran back over to Lee and I felt for a pulse; there was one. He was breathing, but he wouldn’t wake up.

“What in the hell is going on?!” Russ emerged from his bedroom looking half asleep. His hair was a mess and his pajamas where all twisted and tangled.

“It’s Lee! I found him in the middle of the floor. He is breathing and has a pulse, but he won’t wake up.” Aunt Silvia was now standing behind her husband. Why didn’t they look at all concerned that their son was lying in the middle of the floor?

“It’s fine. This happens often. Lee sleep walks and it is very hard to wake him. I’ll go put him back in his bed. I am sorry; we should have told you. I know this probably startled you.” Startled wasn’t the word, it nearly gave me a heart attack! I thought something was seriously wrong with him.

“I nearly died when I saw him lying there. Good to know he is ok.” I picked myself off the floor and opened the door for Russ as he carried the sleeping boy in his arms. “I guess I will go to bed. Goodnight.”

“Goodnight,” both of them said simultaneously. I chuckled and proceeded to my room. What a bizarre kid. He had a long road ahead of him. I guess Lizzy must sleep hard as well because she didn’t come out of her room.

I got out of my clothes and threw on a pair of shorts and a t-shirt. Climbing into my big comfy bed, I pulled out my phone to see if Drake made it home safely.

Me: Are you home?

Not even a second passed by before my phone dinged. I needed to check how many minutes I had left.

Drake: Yes and missing you already. What’re you doing?

Me: Lying in bed thinking about you.

Drake: Hmmmm, I like the sound of that. I wish I was with you.

Me: Me too.

Drake: What are you wearing?

Oh Lord. There he goes with the pillow talk. I needed to end this before he had me driving over to his house in the middle of the night.

Me: Clothes. I’m saying goodnight before we’re both in turmoil.

Drake: Goodnight Peaches. I love you.

Me: I love you too.

I put my phone on the night stand and dozed off. Once again, I awoke later in a cold sweat. I could hear the sound of the man unbuckling his belt; the feel of his cold, wet, sweaty hands on my body. I smelled his nasty breath on my lips before his lips touched mine. I felt instantly dirty. I got up out of the bed to see that my sheets were completely soaked. “Shit.” How long was this going to go on? A look at my phone showed that it was two thirty in the morning. I grabbed my towel and headed for the bathroom. My body needed to be scrubbed clean of the filth I was feeling.  I turned the shower on as hot as it could go. The bathroom filled with steam quickly and I got in and scrubbed and scrubbed even harder than before. Once I felt somewhat clean, I turned off the water and toweled dry. Wrapping the towel around my body, I returned to my room to put on a fresh pair of pajamas. The sheets; I needed to change the sheets. I rummaged around in the hall closet and found a pair of fresh sheets. When my bed was able to be slept in again, I laid back down and tried to get some sleep.

I didn’t know how much more my body could take not sleeping well. The only time I did sleep well was in Drake’s arms. He made me feel safe, and here in this room, I was all alone. I hated that feeling. Here I was having nightmares again when I was finally getting my life back. I had them after what happened at Miss Donna’s, but then I had met Lucy and she helped me overcome them. She understood because it had happened to her.

Thinking about Lucy brought a smile to my face and I couldn’t wait to see her. What was her life like? Did she look the same? I would get to see that beautiful smile that got me through the toughest times again. Maybe, between her and Drake, I could beat this. I really wanted to tell Aunt Silvia, but I needed to see if I could truly trust her first. When I tried closing my eyes again, I saw his face and I sobbed until my eyes were too heavy to keep open.

Chapter 18

Drake

I stayed up most of the night thinking about Misty. She was just so perfect. I wanted to say too perfect. I knew she would reject the proposal of us living to together. I never thought of using my grandfather’s inheritance money so soon, but if it meant having her nearby, I would do it in a heartbeat. My internship was a paying one, but it wasn’t enough to take care of us both. The realization that we had made love came to mind again. I made her mine and there was no turning back. I also needed to truly make sure she was okay with us having a sexual relationship. She was the best I had ever had, although I only had one other to compare to. How pathetic was that? I was twenty-one years old and had only been with two women. Almost three if you wanted to count Emily. God, I hoped Misty never found out about that. After Misty’s last message, I got out my video games and played most of the night. For some reason I just didn’t want to go to bed. Maybe I was still high off Misty’s love. Or maybe I just wasn’t tired. I played well past four in the morning before I decided I was going to try to get some sleep. I changed into some basketball shorts and threw myself into the bed. I had a stupid grin on my face when I finally fell asleep.

It was well after eleven a.m. when I woke the next morning. I guess maybe I was a little tired. It was a weird day yesterday. I picked up my phone to see three missed calls. They were from Kyle, Sara, and Misty. What the hell did Sara want? She probably heard what happened last night. I would not be calling her back. Kyle and Misty, on the other hand, I would call. I hit Misty’s number and she picked up on the second ring.

“Hello,” she sounded exhausted

“Good morning, baby.”

“Morning, Drake. Sleep well?” I heard a huge breath in and out. I assumed she was yawning.

“Not really. I needed you beside me.”

“Me too. I had another nightmare.” The news that she had another nightmare ate me up inside.

“God baby, I am sorry. You should’ve called me, I would’ve come over,” I said.

“I know, but I didn’t want a repeat of what happened last time. I am ok. I was finally able to go to sleep.”

“Listen to me, Misty. I don’t think you are crazy or anything, but maybe you should go talk to someone. You can’t continue not sleeping. It will catch up with you.” She was really starting to worry me. I wanted so much for her to get help. I knew this was something that I couldn’t fix.

“I know you’re right. I will do some research and see if I can find a free clinic. I don’t want to worry my family about this yet. I’m just a little tired. I can sleep just fine during the day.”

“What can I do to help?” I asked.

“Nothing, you are already doing enough by being there for me. When I am with you I feel like me. It is when I’m alone that I feel the aftermath of what happened.” I felt like this was still my fault. I failed at protecting her.

“I’ll continue to help as much as I can. I still think we should move in together. I can take care of you.”

“Drake, not this again. I told you I am not ready. When we get to that stage, I will let you know. What are you doing today?” She was trying to change the subject. I decided to let her.

“Not much. I am going with my dad to the doctor, but after that I am free. What are you doing?”

“I’m going to have lunch with my friend Lucy. She moved here after she aged out of the program. Then I have tea with Lizzy this afternoon. I am open for dinner,” she replied.

“How about dinner and a movie? Let’s go on a real date.” I could hear the smile through the phone. That smile she had when she was truly happy melted my heart.

“Sounds good to me, my sexy man. Listen, I have to go get ready for lunch with Lucy. I will call you when I get back. Does seven sound good?”

“Perfect. I’ll talk to you then. I’ll be counting the hours until I see that beautiful face of yours.”  We said our goodbyes and I was alone once again.

I did have to accompany my dad to the doctor’s office.  My mother needed a break and I wanted to give her one. Plus I wanted to know what was going on and how severe the cancer was, although I knew that he was now cancer free. I had been doing some research on the computer and looking at how diet and exercise play a vital role in the health of a person with cancer. WebMD said that organic foods are really good for the immune system. I decided to go to Whole Foods and stock up on some fresh fruits and vegetables. I wanted to take my dad with me so after I moved out he could continue his diet. We all wanted to keep him around as long as possible. I also spoke with Mike from the local gym and signed Dad up for some personal training. Yes I did all this without talking to him first, but I just wanted him to know how much I cared, that I wanted him around and that I didn’t hate him. I loved both my parents very much. Although, I did wish our relationship was different and that they were there for me when I was younger. My brother Sean was doing well for himself and hopefully I could follow in his footsteps. I never knew he was actually doing something with his life. My parents always made it seem like he was a huge screw-up.

Dad informed me that his appointment was at three o’clock this afternoon when I called him to find out the details. That would give me about three hours to spend with him, which was plenty. I didn’t  know what we had in common. I just knew he was a damn good lawyer. In the meantime, I decided to go to the kitchen to grab something to eat. My father needed to have my full attention today so I wanted make sure that I wasn’t starving. After making my way down to the kitchen I settled on a sandwich and some chips. I was midway through making it when my mom entered the room. She looked radiant. Like years had been lifted off her. I couldn’t pinpoint what it was, but she looked great. She was smiling big when she saw me. My mother was still fairly young compared to my father. She was eighteen when she had my brother and twenty-one when she had me. She was also very stylish and well put together. Today was no exception. She was only forty-two years old; with two grown sons and a loving husband. She still had a good part of her life left to live.