Chapter 6: The past catching up

Sage Miller

I'm fucked up, I'm black and blue

I'm built for it, all the abuse

I got secrets, that nobody, nobody knows

-----

My kept glancing at the basement door like she'd gonna walk out any minute.

But that's impossible right? How could she when she's buried under concrete.

I tried keeping up the conversation listening to her as she explained her worries. I couldn't even sympathize with her because I hate her even if she was my mother.

"I haven't seen her since last August." I lied poorly but the woman barely noticed my lack of patience or my jittery movements.

"This is so unlike her. She hasn't been to work too. It's been months. I've checked all her normal sports and none of them have seen her in months. The last time She was going home."

She was pacing. I realised that even if Clara was horrible, she still had people that cared and loved her.

"She never made it. I haven't seen her." I lied again playing with nails.

She immediately snap out of whatever spell she's been under and my eyes widen, my heart pounded even harder than I thought was possible.

I stepped back afraid that she has caught on.

"I'm going. If she comes back tell her I'm looking for her." She declares and pull herself. She walks out the door not telling me her name.

Hearing her my heart returned to normal. I then released the breath I've been holding.

Even though that was a close and it's over I couldn't let the fear that's been lingering around me.

I try to avoid it but I'm afraid of someone finding out what I did. It's not possible right? I try to tell myself that but I still fear it.

The whole morning I tried shaking the feeling but that woman shook me up. People are gonna ask question and I'm scared I'll give myself away.

I showered and got dressed. I drove down the familiar road. The relief I felt driving down the road was unlimited.

I parked next to the floral shop and got out the car.

"Mrs Bell." I grinned at the old lady.

"Sage." She beamed at me. "I haven't seen you in so long, what happened?"

Mrs Bell has own this floral shop for as long as I've known her.

"Nothing Mrs Bell. Just been busy." I explained vague.

"I'm glad you're finally visiting him. I thought you've forgotten him." She frowned for a moment.

"I'll never forget him." I told her and she gave me a sympathetic smile.

"She still refuse to visit." It was more of a statement than a question but I nodded nonetheless.

"She'll come around." She said and I nodded sadly again.

"The usual right?" She asked to lighten the mood.

"Yes Mrs Bell." I replied again.

"Coming right up." She said and we made small talk while she was preparing the flowers.

"She graduated last week you know." I told Mrs Bell.

"Really." Her face lit up at that.

"Yes. She was even valedictorian." I gloat at her. "She's smart."

"I'm so happy. I knew she'd do it. Now you also have to graduate." She said and I smiled.

"You'll have to wait two years for that." I told her and left out the part of me not sure if I want to graduate.

She handed me the bouquet of white and pink carnations and one sunflower.

I bid Mrs Bell farewell.

"See you around Mrs Bell." I did a little wave.

"Be good Sage." She waved too. "Don't be a stranger."

I smiled and drove away. I like Mrs Bell, her persona has a way of calming me.

I'm much more calm than I was ten minutes ago. My nerves has settled down.

I walk up the road I've memorized too well over the years. My eyes travel over each stone as I mentally read the names until I found the one I was looking for.

Mike Peter Miller

A loving father and a loving husband.

I heaved a sigh letting the trouble of this morning got through a sigh.

My tense shoulders relax a little and everything seems to be blown away by the morning breeze.

I knelt down and placed the new flowers on the pot. I smiled as memories of dad and Eve play in my head like a movie.

"Hey dad." I grinned. "I know what you're gonna say. 'Why haven't you come see me'. I'm sorry it took me a while. I have no excuse for that."

I paused for a while letting the breeze blow my hair.

"This past year haven't been easy. But things changed too." I started to explain. "Eve is still angry I guess, she always has been that's why she hasn't been coming around."

For the longest time I sit there just staring at space, completely zoned out. I played the memories of the past year in my mind. A lot has happened and things changed.

"I just miss you sometimes. You always had a way of making things better. I try to be like you and fill your shoes in her life but it's not the same. We found out about her mother. I want to be angry at you for hiding it but I'm glad Clara wasn't her mother."

I layed back like I always do when I visit him. I closed my eyes.

"She's trying though. To except everything but she's stubborn. She angry at you for giving her Clara as a mother but I'll try and make her visit you. I'm not sure how that will help. She hasn't visited you since Aunt Lauren died."

I inhaled and exhaled.

"Clara is dead." I said it out loud for the first time. I held my breath till I couldn't breathe anymore.

I don't know why I did that. Maybe it's because I expected something to happen. Thunder or a storm or something.

After all, he did love Clara. I hate to admit it but they loved each other.

The silence was loud and I breeze caressing my skin softly was burning.

I don't know what would've been better. The storm or the silence.

"I didn't mean to or maybe I did." I frown at my thought. "I mean she was horrible and hurt us a lot. I pushed her a little too hard." I admitted.

I replayed the events in my head.

"She had lost a lot of blood. She wouldn't have survived. I just ended her misery. I had to do it you know."

I tried to explain then realised that it didn't matter why I did it. I killed her. I snapped her neck and finished her off.

"I'm sorry." I whispered into the thin air.

For the longest time I sit there in peace feeling a huge weight being lifted off my shoulders for finally saying it out loud.

"Wren is great." I found myself saying it. "She's great to me and to Eve. She looks so much like Eve that I loved her from the start. She's got a big heart like her."

I continued to gush over Wren to dad. I guess I saw what he saw on her. She's a wonderful person.

"Eve finally had a boyfriend." I said but then frowned. "Though it didn't last. He cheated on her but he got what he deserved. I punched him, very hard."

I explained everything to dad. From Alora to Kate to Sebastian to Connor. I guess I'm not afraid to tell him because he can't judge me.

"She gained a lot of people these past year. She has four brothers now. A big brother. Zac. I don't know how I feel about that. I know Evernly always wanted a big brother and I couldn't be that for her. I tried to fill in those shoes though."

I've always been insecure that Zac will replace me. I'm used to Eve seeking comfort in me that I'm afraid that I won't be her pillar anymore.

"I know I should tell her how I feel but I will sound like a bitch.." I trailed off realising my mistake. "I know, I know. Language."

I continued to tell him about the past year and I leave out the part where I joined a gang.

"Overall dad, it's been a good year." I rethink my statement. "For the most part at least."

"I guess Eve is miserable without Harry and I don't know what I should do. I don't know of I should wait until she forgets about him and heal or maybe I should fix her problem and advice her to get back together with him."

I paused.

"I don't know." I whispered.

I took out my phone and realised that I've been here, talking for four hours. It's past midday.

"I'll visit soon dad." I stood up. "Now to give Aunt Lauren this sunflower."

I started to walk away thinking about how much my Aunt loved sunflowers.

I easily found her grave. I placed the flower on the flower pot. I talked to her for ten minutes or so.

I drove back to my house. My heart feeling a bit lighter, my shoulders a little lighter and so was my mood. My nerves has settled.

I threw myself on top of the sofa, emotionally drained. It's been a long day.

The next couple of days go by easily with me dealing merch for the gang. I made time to spend with Eve. I hanged out with Sebastian and sometimes Connor.

I haven't seen Alora in a while and u haven't talked to her.

Soon a week is gone by and Summer is fully here. You can even feel the air has changed.

It's a Sunday and I was about to enjoy the day alone with Netflix until a loud bang in my door interrupted my tranquility.

I frowned and groaned. I thought I told anyone who might pop up at my house not to do that.

Bang, bang.

I stood up ready to kicked some ass. I opened the door and Sebastian literally falls on me.

I panicked and pulled him inside and looking everywhere for danger. I dragged him to my sofa nd cringed at the blood.

I grabbed my metal baseball next to my door and flung it over my shoulder.

"What the fuck happened?" I asked even though I had made the conclusion that it's an attack from the rival gangs. It wouldn't be the first.

"Connor." He grunted and breathed out the name.

"Connor?" I repeated what he told me very confused. Is he working with the rival gang.

So much was going through my head.

"He found me kissing his mother." He said calmly but there was nothing to calm about.

-----

Cliffhanger *grinning*.

Song: Kehlani - Gangsta

The lyrics at the top of each Chapter is always related to the chapter somehow. Take note.

If you like a finished story instead of waiting for updates. Check out my other book. Unscripted on my profile. It's finished and you get to meet the main Character of this book.