Page 10 of From the Ashes
My jaw fell slack. “I… I’m not in trouble?”
“No. You did the right thing.” She gave me a stern look. “But next time you want to do the right thing, try a non-violent approach please.”
“I can try that,” I nodded.
“You’re a good boy with a kind heart. Let’s keep it that way.”
“Okay.”
“However,” she said, glancing down at my hand. “We’re gonna need to get that taken care of. As far as I’m concerned, healing a broken finger is more punishment than you need for what happened today.” She patted me on the cheek and grabbed her car keys. “Come on. Let’s go see what the damage is.”
I followed her out to the car, feeling extremely proud and guilty at the same time. Proud that I’d protected my friend. Proud that my mother thought I was just as good as my father. But guilty that I’d caused her strife and probably no small amount of medical expenses. It was a good thing her work provided decent insurance because itwas already hard enough to keep things going with just her income taking care of us.
I made a promise to myself that I’d make it up to her. Somehow.
Reaching under my shirt, I fiddled with the opal arrowhead and thought of Nix. I wondered how terribly things were going at his house right now. Would his parents be as understanding as my mom? They were good people, but a two-week suspension and a well-spun lie coming from Jordan and his friends was hard to defend.
“Is… Is Phoenix gay?” my mother asked, surprising me as she pulled out of the driveway. “I’ve never seen him hanging around any girls, so I was curious.”
I nodded. “But don’t tell anyone, okay? I don’t want to betray his trust and I’m not sure if his parents know.”
“Of course. It’s just between us,” she said. She was quiet for a moment. “But that’s sort of lucky he is gay, huh?”
I looked up at her, my brows furrowed in confusion. “What do you mean?”
“Well… I…” She let out a long sigh. “Don’t take this the wrong way, Charlie, but I know you two spend a lot of time together. You’ve been inseparable since the day you met.” She glanced at me. “I couldn’t help wondering if there was… wellmorebetween you two than just friendship.”
My jaw went slack.
“And if you are gay, that’s totally fine, honey. You know I love and accept you no matter who you are.” She let out a little laugh. “Actually, if you were gay, then I don’t have to worry about any accidental babies. That would be a relief.”
Summoning up all the courage I had, I said the words I’d been too afraid to say for a long time.
“I… I think I might be…gay.”
“So, you and Phoenix are?”
“Just friends,” I replied a little too quickly. My mother gave me a discerning look. “He’s my best friend. We could never be more.”
She clicked her tongue. “Never say never,” she sighed. “Your father was my best friend for years before we ever dated. Did I ever tell you that?”
I shook my head, my heart doing flips in my chest. Could it be possible for Nix and I to get closer? To finally be more than friends in the way I’d been dreaming about for years? I wasn't sure. But I was sure that a small spark of hope had lit a fire in my belly.
“But what if he said no?” I uttered before I could stop myself. “He… He might hate me.”
“Honey, I don’t think Phoenix could ever hate you. That boy worships you.”
Me? Why would Nix worshipme? What did she mean? Could she see something I didn’t?
“Ask him sometime,” she suggested. “Be subtle and see how he reacts. You might be surprised.”
I was silent for a moment, trying to get my sudden rush of emotions under control.
“Hey Mom?”
“Yes, honey?”
“Can you call Mrs. McKean and let her know Nix didn’t fight today? I was the one that hit Jordan. Nobody else. He shouldn’t get in trouble for that.”