The Past
Chapter 23- The Job
I lay on my bed looking up at the ceiling, my mind tracing through the events of the night. It seemed hazy. I couldn’t even remember if it was real or if it was some vivid dream or hallucination. Was Harry really right in front of me? My mind was saying yes but my heart refused to believe it. I couldn’t comprehend what my mind was trying to tell me. It was as though I had seen a ghost- like a boy had come back from the dead. I had convinced myself that Harry had died that night to make it somehow less painful- like he hadn’t chosen to leave me. That was what I started to truly believe.
A knock at my door pulled me from my thoughts. Surely Harry wouldn’t have come through the front door? That would be way too risky. It surprised me further when mum appeared in door frame. I couldn't help but be disappointed. She wasn’t meant to be back until tomorrow. I hadn’t seen her in months. She had a 4 month contract in an American testing agency and asked my neighbour to check in on me every day. Only my neighbour stopped caring after the first visit, which relieved me. Mum had left about a week after the shooting. I hadn’t told her about Harry, and she blamed my lack of energy on the flu which I agreed was the reason for her piece of mind.
“Darling!” she called opening her arms. Tears were forming in her eyes. “I missed you so much!”
It was good to be in her arms again.
“How was work?” I asked as we sat on my bed together.
“It was a great experience and amazing pay! I got given this amazing house to live in. Oh Lucy you would have loved it! Right on Malibu beach, it was a mansion- a bit lonely on your own but amazing. I got an amazing work car! Really would have been the most amazing thing if I got to share it with you.” She sighed. “But America is no UK right?” Her tone held light sarcasm.
“Right” I smiled. America was way too overwhelming.
“Darling, I have been offered a permanent position. Same pay, we get the house and car permanently. It is an offer that I just can’t pass up. I took the job! We are moving to America! You have finished school now, and the universities around there are amazing. You will meet so many people, and there are so many connections. You will do so well with your journalism degree over there! There are rich and famous living all around, and I already have so many connections for you! Sounds amazing huh darling? I caught the early flight home because I couldn’t wait to tell you! We move at the end of the week!” She looked so happy.
She looked the opposite to how I felt. I couldn’t leave here! Ask me that a week ago and I would have said, I can’t wait to meet new people and live somewhere other than here. But having Harry make a surprise appearance, I just couldn’t leave.
“I can’t leave mum.” I said, trying hard to fake a smile.
“What?” She looked shocked.
“My life is here- with Harry.” I spoke quietly.
“Darling, I am not going to let you throw away your future for some silly boy.” She tried to hold power in her voice.
“He’s not silly mum. I love him.” I tried to remain calm.
“Love is temporary." She was still bitter about dad, no doubt. "Anyway, I didn’t want to say anything before, but that boy is trouble. Someone I was talking to at work recognised his name, and told me some stories about his rough and dangerous past. And then I hear you were in the midst of shooting, and that Harry had killed a guy. And I know you didn’t tell me, but I found out that he left town, and you two are no longer together and that was the only reason I left for this job. I shouldn’t have to feel worried of my daughter hanging out with her own boyfriend.” Confusion washed over her face. “Wait, is Harry back in town? Have you been seeing him?!” She stood up.
“Mum, I know about his past.” I lied “I still love him. Nothing could fade my feelings for him. So what if he has had a rough past. He has changed! I can’t move to America anyway, it’s too busy. My home is either here or Australia. And I am not moving again!” I sighed at mum’s obvious sadness. “I am 18, I’ll find a place. I want you to take the job. I’ll visit all the time.”
“Find a place... with him?” She asked nervously.
“I don’t know...” I doubted Harry would let me stay with him anyway. It was too dangerous with what was going on at the moment.
“I am going to have to think about this Lucy. This is ultimately my decision. There is no way I will be letting you stay with Harry. I don’t want you staying by yourself either. 18 is still too young for that. I don’t feel comfortable with you even being in the same room as Harry, let alone living together!” I knew what she was getting at. She had no idea that Harry and I were having sex. She had no idea I had ever had sex, period.
“Mum! I am 18!”
“If you feel you are old enough to do this young lady, then you are old enough to fund everything. You don’t have any money Lucy, and you don’t have a job. It is my decision unless you want to fund everything.”
I went silent. That, was something I hadn’t even begun to consider. I just pointed to the door, signalling mum to leave. I had to think about this. I needed Harry. I needed someone I could talk to that would understand.
A knock at my door pulled me from my thoughts. Surely Harry wouldn’t have come through the front door? That would be way too risky. It surprised me further when mum appeared in door frame. I couldn't help but be disappointed. She wasn’t meant to be back until tomorrow. I hadn’t seen her in months. She had a 4 month contract in an American testing agency and asked my neighbour to check in on me every day. Only my neighbour stopped caring after the first visit, which relieved me. Mum had left about a week after the shooting. I hadn’t told her about Harry, and she blamed my lack of energy on the flu which I agreed was the reason for her piece of mind.
“Darling!” she called opening her arms. Tears were forming in her eyes. “I missed you so much!”
It was good to be in her arms again.
“How was work?” I asked as we sat on my bed together.
“It was a great experience and amazing pay! I got given this amazing house to live in. Oh Lucy you would have loved it! Right on Malibu beach, it was a mansion- a bit lonely on your own but amazing. I got an amazing work car! Really would have been the most amazing thing if I got to share it with you.” She sighed. “But America is no UK right?” Her tone held light sarcasm.
“Right” I smiled. America was way too overwhelming.
“Darling, I have been offered a permanent position. Same pay, we get the house and car permanently. It is an offer that I just can’t pass up. I took the job! We are moving to America! You have finished school now, and the universities around there are amazing. You will meet so many people, and there are so many connections. You will do so well with your journalism degree over there! There are rich and famous living all around, and I already have so many connections for you! Sounds amazing huh darling? I caught the early flight home because I couldn’t wait to tell you! We move at the end of the week!” She looked so happy.
She looked the opposite to how I felt. I couldn’t leave here! Ask me that a week ago and I would have said, I can’t wait to meet new people and live somewhere other than here. But having Harry make a surprise appearance, I just couldn’t leave.
“I can’t leave mum.” I said, trying hard to fake a smile.
“What?” She looked shocked.
“My life is here- with Harry.” I spoke quietly.
“Darling, I am not going to let you throw away your future for some silly boy.” She tried to hold power in her voice.
“He’s not silly mum. I love him.” I tried to remain calm.
“Love is temporary." She was still bitter about dad, no doubt. "Anyway, I didn’t want to say anything before, but that boy is trouble. Someone I was talking to at work recognised his name, and told me some stories about his rough and dangerous past. And then I hear you were in the midst of shooting, and that Harry had killed a guy. And I know you didn’t tell me, but I found out that he left town, and you two are no longer together and that was the only reason I left for this job. I shouldn’t have to feel worried of my daughter hanging out with her own boyfriend.” Confusion washed over her face. “Wait, is Harry back in town? Have you been seeing him?!” She stood up.
“Mum, I know about his past.” I lied “I still love him. Nothing could fade my feelings for him. So what if he has had a rough past. He has changed! I can’t move to America anyway, it’s too busy. My home is either here or Australia. And I am not moving again!” I sighed at mum’s obvious sadness. “I am 18, I’ll find a place. I want you to take the job. I’ll visit all the time.”
“Find a place... with him?” She asked nervously.
“I don’t know...” I doubted Harry would let me stay with him anyway. It was too dangerous with what was going on at the moment.
“I am going to have to think about this Lucy. This is ultimately my decision. There is no way I will be letting you stay with Harry. I don’t want you staying by yourself either. 18 is still too young for that. I don’t feel comfortable with you even being in the same room as Harry, let alone living together!” I knew what she was getting at. She had no idea that Harry and I were having sex. She had no idea I had ever had sex, period.
“Mum! I am 18!”
“If you feel you are old enough to do this young lady, then you are old enough to fund everything. You don’t have any money Lucy, and you don’t have a job. It is my decision unless you want to fund everything.”
I went silent. That, was something I hadn’t even begun to consider. I just pointed to the door, signalling mum to leave. I had to think about this. I needed Harry. I needed someone I could talk to that would understand.
Omg please update i really like this story ans otherwise i not stay up so long!! ♡♡♡
1/4/14