Page 134 of Just One Kiss

No. That wasn’t who he was. Not anymore anyway. He hadn’t had a violent outburst in years. But the details of that day were still so foggy, floating in the space just outside his memory. And the threat of it had been enough to drive him away for a very long time.

Robotically, he opened his car door, strode across the street, up the walk and onto the porch. He lifted his hand to knock on the door, but it opened before he could.

His mother’s face brightened at the sight of him. “Joshua.”

“Is Dad here?”

“He’s in the backyard,” she said. “Do you want something to eat? Or some coffee?”

“No, Mom.”

“What is it, Joshua?” his mom asked. “You look upset.”

Josh stuffed his hands in his pockets and studied her, overwhelmed with one thought—get her out.

“I’ve got money now, Mom.”

“I know, dear,” she said. “We’re so proud of you.”

“No, I mean—you don’t have to stay here anymore.”

Her face fell. “Joshua.” She leaned in closer, lowering her voice. “What are you talking about?”

“Let’s cut to the part where we stop pretending things are okay,” Josh said.

She frowned. “Things are fine, Josh. You haven’t been home in ages—everything is fine.”

“Everything is not fine, Mom,” he said. “He’s still the same controlling, abusive loser he always was. You don’t have to live like this.”

His mom tossed a glance over her shoulder, as if to check to be sure his father couldn’t hear. “It’s fine, Josh. This is the life I chose.”

“You’re not safe.”

“That’s not true. He’s not like that anymore,” she said.

“Why? Because you do whatever he says?” Josh knew his volume made his mom uncomfortable, but he didn’t care. She needed to understand the seriousness of the situation—how could she not? How could she still, after all that had happened, pretend everything was fine?

“I don’t.” She smoothed her shirt. “We’ve just learned how to live with each other.”

“You can’t tell me you’re not scared, Mom,” he said.

“I’m not scared,” she said simply. “We hardly even argue anymore.”

“You don’t even see it,” he said. “You’re so blind. You know what he’s done. How can you just pretend you don’t?”

From behind her, a shadow passed through the entryway and his father appeared in the kitchen doorway. He glared at them, eyes locked on Josh.

“Gloria?”

His mother’s face went pale, and Josh could see that despite what she said, she was terrified.

“Mom.” Josh spoke softly, hoping his dad wouldn’t be able to hear. “Come with me. I’ll put you up in a nice house. I can support you. I’ll make sure you’re taken care of.”

Her lower lip trembled and her chin dipped, eyes on the ground—meek, just the way her father had trained her to be. “My home is here,” she whispered.

“What are you saying to her?” His dad made quick work of the distance between him and the front door.

His mom spun around. “He just came over to give us an update on Jaden, honey.”

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