After breakfast I decide to go home for a bit. Jackie's at some summer camp type thing, dad and Brenda are at work today, so I have the entire house to myself. I shower in the down stairs bathroom and walk around in a towel, turning on the tv to listen to while I boot up the computer. I'm not really paying attention to the tv until I hear something that makes me turn it up to max volume.
"Police are looking for this man. He is 6'3", approximately 180 lbs, brown hair, goes by the name of Zeke, last seen wearing blue shorts and a brown shirt. Statements have been made of physical assault and rape. If anyone has any information, please contact your local police station."
There's a picture on the screen with the information. Just then my cell rings from where I left it on the counter when I got home. I run over to it, somehow knowing it would be Lyssa. "Did you see the news?" I run back to the living room but it's gone on to something else.
"Yes, I just saw it! Are you going to call them?"
"I don't know. This scares the shit out of me, Em. It just happened like, yesterday. I don't even remember that much."
"That doesn't matter. Anything you can tell them will help."
"You'll be with me the whole time?"
"Of course. Where are you right now?"
"Home. My mom took the week off work but she just went out to the store. I was able to find my phone but I don't know when she'll be back."
"How are we going to call if she's hanging around all day?"
"I don't know. I wasn't going to call them, remember?" I sit on a chair and try to think.
"Is there any reason she'd go out for more than say, 20 minutes?"
"I have no idea. I could ask her if she'd rent us a movie or think of something I want for supper that I know she doesn't have everything for."
"Okay, that's fine. We shouldn't need that long." I look at the clock. It's just after 12. "I'll come by around like, 2?"
"Shit, I have to go. 2 is fine, I'll think of something. Bye." I hang up and close my phone, exhaling deeply. I turn the tv off and go back to my phone, suddenly wanting Adrian's company. Before I can send him a text there's a knock at the door. I get up and almost answer before I realize I'm still in my towel. I go to the door, clutching the towel.
"Who's there?"
"It's Adrian." I blink and then open the door. He looks down at my towel before looking at my face. His is full of concern. "I heard on the radio about-" I cut him off and pull him inside, shutting the door and pressing my lips against his. He hesitates at first but then wraps his arms around my back, pulling me close to him. We stand in my kitchen, kissing until the need in me subsides. I pull away as far as his arms will allow.
"I should.. put on some clothes." Adrian laughs and lets me go. I go up to my room and shut my door, leaning against it while closing my eyes. What was that about. I dress in shorts and a flowy top that's not too hot and head back downstairs. Adrian is sitting at the kitchen table looking at Bren's bathroom choices. "Want a drink?"
"Sure." I grab two bottles of water from the fridge and sit at the table with him. He's about to open his mouth but I stop him.
"If it's about the news, please don't." He shuts it and we sit in silence for a bit until I decide I'm hungry. I get up and look in the fridge but don't find anything to my liking. I decide I have enough time before going to Lyssa's. "Want to walk down to Miss Muppet's with me?" He agrees so I grab my keys, phone and wallet and lock the door behind us.
It's quiet on the way to the cafe and I feel kind of bad for cutting him off, but I just don't want to hear his sympathy. And it's not even for me, which somehow just makes it that much worse. "Lunch is on me." I get a ham and cheese wrap and he gets an egg salad sandwich. "Hey, I'm sorry for cutting you off back at the house. I didn't go through it so I don't feel like I should get any of your sympathy, you know?" Adrian nods.
"I know. I wasn't actually going to give you any. Would you like to hear what I was going to say?" I feel a blush creep its way up my neck.
"Ah, sure."
"I was going to say that if Lyssa wants anyone to talk to, let her know I don't mind listening. I won't go into detail, but I've been through a similar experience myself. No one really knows until they know." I'm kind of stunned. Now I feel even more stupid.
"Oh. Shit, I'm sorry." He shakes his head slightly.
"No, don't be. It was a long time ago, I've moved on. Lyssa should know that someday she will, too."
"I'll relay that. Thank you." He smiles and moves his hand across the table toward me, palm up. Clearly intending for me to bridge that gap and so I do.
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