Page 55 of Crash and Burn

Picking up the phone I said, “This is Amelia.”

“Hey Amy!”

Panic instantly flooded my veins, and I could feel my chest tighten. “Kevin…What doyouwant? You gotsomenerve calling me here.”

“Amy, I just wanna talk. You left and said nothing.”

“Kevin, I’ve been gone for over a year. I’m not doing this with you.”

“No…see, that’s where you’re wrong. Meet me. I wanna talk.”

“Kevin, you treated me like shit. I had burns because of you. You trashed my shit, said crazy things to me, you were controlling... I’m done. I’vebeendone with you. The time for talking passed a long time ago. Don’t ever call here again.”

“Amy, I wouldn’t hang up if I were you. I’ve been watching you…”

“Are you drunk? You’re a mess. I’m done, Kevin.”

“I fucked up, Amy. I’m sorry. I want you back. I’m better for you than that asshole you’re with.”

I couldn’t breathe. I realized he was talking about Hudson. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m not with anyone.”

“DON’TLIETO ME!” I jumped at his scream.

“Goodbye, Kevin.”

I hung up the phone and turned around to see Donnie standing there with his arms folded. “Who was that, Amelia?”

“Nobody, Donnie. It’s fine. I gotta get back to work.” I wiped my hands on my apron because they were starting to sweat.

“Amelia!” Donnie’s tone was sterner this time. “It’s not going to end well if you keep ignoring it. What did Hudson say?”

I got mad. “What’s Hudson say? Hudson isn’t even around, Donnie. I can take care ofmyself. I don’t have time for this. I need to finish my shift. Don’t worry about Kevin.Ican handle him.”

Donnie walked over to me, looking down at my scars. “Like you handled him before?”

I shoved my hand into the pocket of my apron to hide my scarred skin, tears stinging my eyes. “Donnie…don’t.”

“Amelia!...I’m sorry. I just care.”

“I know, Donnie. I know.” Shaking my head, I turned, clocked out and left.

*

I was so damn tired. It was so cold outside, too. The bus would be there any minute. I hoped Jimmy was driving that night. I had lost track of the days and my mind was a jumbled mess. Kevin’s phone call didn’t help one bit. He was drunk and I wasn’t surprised. He said he had been watching and I wondered if he had been watching me for the past year? I tried to comfort myself,No way. He isassumingme and Hudson are together because of his last visit to the diner when Hudson and Donnie made him leave. This is so stupid. I hate him for this shit.

Life with Kevin was fucking shit. He was abusive, physically, and mentally. Mostly mentally, but it was enough to make me second guess every damn choice I made.

I could feel my phone buzzing. “Hey mama! What’s up?”

“Amelia, I need to tell you something and I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner.” Fuck…my stomach instantly hurts.

“What’s the matter? What happened?”

“I thought Kevin was just being Kevin. You know, clingy. So, I didn’t say anything because I wanted you to just move on with your life.”

“Mama, spit it out. What are you talking about?”

“He’s been calling pretty consistently since you left. Sometimes he pops by, and I have made it really clear he isn’t welcome in my house. But every now and then he calls and usually he’s drunk and rambling on about missing you.”

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