Page 68 of From Me to You

“Who is David?” I asked softly.

Aunty M looked anywhere but me as she tried to busy herself with cleaning up the living room. “Who are you talking about, Evy?” she asked me as if she was confused by my question.

I sighed. “You don’t have to pretend, Aunty M. I heard you yelling in your room. You want to tell me what was that about?”

“Oh, that. That was nothing, darling, just someone at work.” Aunty M was the worst liar. She always got that look in her eyes that gave it away.

“I know you are lying, Aunty M. I can tell.” I gave her a small smile. “What is really going on?”

Her eyes flashed. “Evy, I told you it was nothing. So let it drop.”

“No, something’s wrong with you. You need to tell me what’s wrong!” My voice raised.

“You don’t need to know everything about me, Evy! There are some things that don’t concern you. So, leave it be. You focus on school and enjoy your life with your boyfriend and friends,” she said, her voice stern, like she was done with this conversation.

That hurt. It hurt so bad.

“I am going to my room,” I mumbled as I got away from there.

“Evy, honey, I am sorry,” Aunty M called out, but I didn’t listen as I rushed to my bed and pulled the blanket over my head.

I wondered how everything could go wrong in less than a day. I want to go back to yesterday evening when everything was just fine.

I heard my door open, and a soft thud approached me. A familiar heat settled in beside me and tugged the blanket away from my face.

“Hey,” Jay whispered with the softest smile on his face.

I couldn’t help but return it wider, which almost hurt my cheeks.

“I love you.” I breathed.

“I love you more, sweetheart,” he said, kissing my forehead, lingering there.

I sighed as I got up. I saw he had the green box in his hands. I took it from him and dug in to grab a slice of pie for me.

I took a huge bite out of it, handed him back the box, and gestured for him to take a slice.

“You okay?” he asked

I nodded, still gobbling up the pie. I was fine, but I was hurt that Aunty M didn’t share all her worries with me. If I knew what it was, maybe I could help her. She doesn’t understand that I just want to be there for her.

“Marie left for her shift. She asked me to check in on you.” He tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.

“Oh, so you didn’t come to check in on your girlfriend yourself!” I chided, a smile creeping up on my face.

He rolled his eyes. “Do women find fault in everything?”

“Of course! It is our primary job.” I joked.

Jay chuckled and placed the box on the side table. He gathered me in his arms and held me tight. I sighed. My heart finallycalmed as I buried my face in his neck and inhaled his delicious scent, which felt like home to me.

“I worry about her. I know something has been bothering her lately, but she won’t tell me why,” I muttered.

“Maybe she doesn’t know how to tell you or worry you,” he said, running his fingers through my waves.

“Maybe.” I shrugged. “What are you going to do about your guitar? Do you have another one to play with?”

He exhaled. “I have a spare one. It isn’t as great, but it should do it for now. I really can’t afford a new one right now, or maybe I can rent something.”