Page 75 of Neo
“Enseguida. Llevaré dos.”
She gives me a knowing look as she walks away to grab the sodas, a look that my mother would probably give me, telling me without saying out loud to stay strong.
“I understand everything you’re saying, Dad. I made a mistake five years ago that I will regret for the rest of my life, but I don’t think you and mom should have to suffer the consequences of the decision Jake and I both made that night.”
“The decision you both made?” He echoes.
I’ve told him the story a million times, but I just don’t think he was far enough removed from grief to ever hear it, so I tell it again.
“Jake and I had been to a house party at Mika’s house. We were all drinking, but Jake had way more than me. He couldn’t see straight, much less drive. I’d had two mixed drinks and hadn’t been driving long, if you remember. I didn’t want to get behind the wheel, but Jake made me. It was either that or we call one of you to come get us, and neither one of us wanted to do that. You would have known what we had been up to and there would have been hell to pay.”
My father takes a seat on one of the rattan couches, almost as if he needs to steady himself to hear the rest of the story.
“It was raining that night and I couldn’t see for shit. I barely knew how to work the wipers or the fog lights, and Jake fell asleep as soon as we got in the car. When we spun out, I saw my life flash before my eyes, Dad. I really thought we were about to die and there was this tiny part of me that was glad that at least neither one of us would die alone. When we hit the guardrail, tipped on our side, I panicked and called the first person that came to mind–Mom.”
He finishes the story for me.
“And when we met you at the scene, your mother and I had already decided what the story was going to be if our worst nightmare had come true. If Jake was gone, we knew we had to protect you at all costs.”
“I know that things would be different if we called you that night,” I continue. “We would have been on punishment for a week, but Jake would still be alive and playing for the Rangers. I get that. But I loved my brother. I worshipped him. I did whatever he told me to do and I probably would foolishly do it again. I just wish you wouldn’t hate me for it.”
“I could never hate you, Neo,” my father murmurs. “But I’m scared. I can’t lose both of you. Your mother and I will never survive losing the only son we have left.”
Lucia walks out again, apologizing for her disruption but setting the drinks on the table along with a tray of freshly fried corn chips and guacamole.
My father and I sit in a long and loaded silence, considering all that we’ve shared with each other today. I think we both heard each other in a way we may never have before and suddenly my decision is made.
I know what I need to do.
I’m just not sure if I can live with it.
violet
Tonight,I’m sitting in the best seats in the house of the rink wearing my special edition Valencia Suns jersey with the number seventeen on the back and the name Major above it.
The way the girls are staring at me tonight has been a bit unnerving, but I’m starting to get used to it. It’s just par for the course if I’m going to be with Neo.
Over the past few weeks, I’ve learned that standing up to Kennedy about Neo was what needed to happen. She’s not mad about it or avoiding me. In fact, we’ve been getting along great, as if nothing’s happened. She was the one who asked me about abusing my new status as “the marked one” to get us great seats at the game, and I was all too willing to oblige.
I’ve noticed that things between Shane and Kennedy are not as playful as they used to be. I would say they acted very much like competitive siblings, but not any longer. Now things are very weird. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that Ray from the football team is sitting behind us with his hands all over Kennedy’s shoulders.
“If I can get you good seats to our game next weekend, will you come?” he asks Kennedy.
“Both of us?” Kennedy smiles.
“Of course, I know you don’t do anything without Miss Violet over here.”
“Violet?” she asks, not assuming anymore that my answer will be a definite yes like it used to be.
“Let me check and see if I have plans with the captain over there and if I don’t, I’d love to go, Ray.”
“Perfect,” he smiles. “The tickets will be at will call and if you can’t use them, then maybe you can transfer them to someone who can.”
“Sounds good,” I say, and Kennedy just smirks, happy that things seem to be moving in the right direction with Ray. Maybe a little too happy for Shane. He’s been giving us the evil eye all night.
The game against the Chiefs is a tough one, and the tension in the air is palpable. I can feel the electricity buzzing through the crowd, a mix of excitement and anxiety. I’m nervous for Neo, but I can’t help feeling a surge of pride seeing him out there on the ice, a true leader in every sense.
Kennedy leans in, shouting over the roar of the crowd. “This is the Neo I was talking about, Violet. He’s on fire tonight!”