Page 4 of Fourteen Years

Well this was odd. She usually kept things to text to keep anyone from prying lately. I clicked on her name to call her as my answer, sitting up on the worn couch and clearing my throat.

“Hello?” her voice was quiet, coming to me like she was sitting with me instead of across our small town of Reading, Pennsylvania.

“Mon,” I replied, “What’s up?”

“I have something weird to ask you and if you want to say no you can…”

“What? Anything.” I replied, cutting her off.

“The school's father daughter dance is coming up in a month.”

I closed my eyes, pain shooting through me, knowing how much that had to hurt her and Lexi. I could remember taking Lacey when she was that age. The memories it had created and what it meant to those girls to have that experience.

“Lexi was going to ask Lucas, but remembered he has Nat now…”

“I’ll take her.” I butted in. “Let me know the date, time, and the color dress she’s wearing.” I spoke gruffly.

“Trev,” Monica’s voice broke.

“I’d do anything for that little girl.” I continued. “She’s like a daughter to me, and she’s my actual daughter’s sister. You never have to worry about asking me anything regarding things like this.”

“Thank you.” she whispered, sniffling.

“Mon, are you okay? Do you need to talk?” I asked, trying to bridge that wall she’d erected around herself.

“I’m fine. Actually. I think I hear Lacey. I’ll have her call you in the morning. Thanks. Bye.” And she was gone.

I sighed, tossing my phone onto the low coffee table.

Shaking my head, I spoke out loud.

“Keep running, Monica. I’m coming after you and you're going to let me help.”

Chapter 03

“You beat me here.” I said, sliding into the creaky booth of the cafe across from my best friend. This place was so old, my parents had dated here when they were young. Styled to look like a fifties diner, it had turned into more of a hometown Starbucks under the fifth generation of owners.

Becks smiled at me, looking radiant as always. My eyes glanced over at her, taking stock. She looked like she was doing well, all those raven curls thrown up in her typical messy bun, not unlike my own. Her dark eyes narrowed at me behind her glasses.

“Stop giving me the once over, Monica.” she laughed in her husky voice. “Everything is fine.”

I tilted my own brunette head with some sass, pushing my glasses up my nose and leaning forward.

“I can’t help it.” I said. “Ever since everything happened I still expect you to be hurt in some way.” I said, my voice was smaller than it had started out.

Her eyes softened and she put her hand on top of mine, squeezing reassuringly.

“I feel the same way about you.” She said pointedly. “Open up Monica.” She said suddenly. “Talk to me. I know things are hard right now and you’re hurting. You absolutely refuse to talk to anyone-”

“Stop.” I cut her off, alarmed. Sitting back in the booth. I picked up a plastic menu and hid behind it, clearing my throat. “This isn’t about me right now. I’m fine. What were you going to tell me?”

Becks sighed and I could sense her stare through the menu.

“Fine. I’m letting you get away with this one more time, but eventually we’re going to talk, Monica.”

I waved her off, dropping the menu and picking up my mocha latte she’d ordered, to take a sip.

“Mmmmmmm.” It tasted divine.

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