Page 113 of One More Kiss

Gen

“I don’t understand,why the hell didn’t you tell me?” I demand.

“I didn’t think you could handle it with everything going on and” he begins.

“You didn’t think I could handle it?” I say cutting his explanation off.

“I didn’t mean it like that, Genevieve.” Asher groans out.

“I’ve been handling it since I was in fucking kindergarten, by myself! I didn’t need you to handle it for me then, and I damn sure don’t need you too now.” I snarl, willing the tears welling in my eyes to disappear.

“Gen, I was just trying to help, I swear.” He says reaching for me again.

“How? By making it seem like I had a choice? You made it seem like it was my decision, Asher!”

“I don’t understand, this is the choice you were going to make anyway, why is it different now?” He questions.

“But then it was my decision. Now it isn’t, and you’ve lied to me.” I close my eyes picturing myself surrounded by bricks. Picturing a shelter where no one can lie to me or hurt me and where only I can control what happens.

“How did I lie to you?” he yells causing a nurse to enter the room.

“Is everything alright here?” the nurse asks.

“Everything’s fine, he was just leaving.” I say looking at Asher. Anger flashes in his eyes causing them to darken.

“I was not,” he grinds out through clenched teeth.

“Sir, you’ve caused a disturbance and I’m going to have to ask you to leave or I’m going to have to call security.”

“Leave, Asher.” I say crossing my arms. He shakes his head clearly angry, but turns and storms passed the nurse.

“I n-never liked him,” my mom says arrogantly.

I sigh, “I know, mom.”

Me: Can you bring me my car?

Margot:Mom’s pissed about last night. Can’t. Thought Asher went with u?

Me: Never mind.

Margot:What happened?

Me: Nothing. Staying at my place tonight. C U tomorrow.

“Hot or cold mom?” I ask her as she fidgets with the blankets. I’ve been at the hospital all day and my tailbone is numb from the hard plastic chair.

“B-both.” She stutters as she sweats and shivers.

“Do you want another blanket?” I ask.

“That w-w-won’t make it b-better.” She snarls back, her eyes cold.

I exhale heavily rubbing my eyes before getting up to retrieve another blanket.

“Only time will make it better, mom. Just try to breathe, okay?” I tell her as I cover her.

“Genny,” she says touching my arm with her clammy grip. “I need your h-help.”

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