Page 26 of Kisses

Chapter 10

Lyla

After our heavy session in Sully’s office, it is somewhat awkward seeing him class. We both keep it professional, but the tension is there. At one time, I caught him glancing and winking at me. For fuck’s sake, it gave me chills. This is a new feeling for me. I have never experienced chills in my life with a man. It’s just unusual. I shimmy at the thought of it.

At home, I am sitting at the homework table. It’s been a while since I have researched my mother’s killer. I figure if I truly want to put my emotions into reporting, then I must continue with my mother’s story. Her assailant’s name was Gregory Maddox. He was twenty years old and suffered from a psychotic break. I am not sure what triggered him to go ballistic that day, but he did. Through my research and interviews with individuals that knew him, I learned he was a troubled teen. He was in and out of psych centers. From my understanding, this wasn’t his first time suffering from a schizophrenic moment. The time before that, his father was able to stop him and calm him. There was even a police report about the situation. The story was that he started beating himself at his home. Going so far as throwing himself against the wall causing damage to himself and the wall. His mother called the police because they couldn’t get him under control. After this incident, he was admitted. Unfortunately, he was sent home a week later.

Looking through all the history of mental issues, the system really failed him. There’s no excuse for what he did. I just feel it could have been prevented. My mother and the others did not deserve to die. It frustrates me to this day. I have so many unanswered questions. What I wouldn’t do to be able to interview his parents. I know they know more than what they say.

***

Deep into my research, my phone whistles. I grab it and see that I have a text. I smile. It is Sully. Why the hell am I smiling? I swipe open and read the text.

Sully: What are you doing?

Me: Research.

Sully: On a Saturday night?

Me: Yeah. See, I have this asshole professor who tells me that I suck at criminal reporting.

Sully: LOL. Is that so?

Me: Yep. I have to prove to him that he’s full of shit.

Sully: Sounds like you are quite determined.

Me: Determined is an understatement.

Sully: Maybe I can help you out.

Me: How’s that?

Sully: Private tutoring session?

I giggle.

Me: Hmm. Let me think about that.

Sully: What’s there to think about? Free tutoring session with this asshole professor.

Me: I guess since it’s free.

Sully: Not 100% free ;)

Me: I see.

Sully: Give me your address and I’ll be over. Or would you prefer to come over here?

Me: I’ll give you my address.

I provide him my address and go back to researching and note taking.

Moments later, there is a knock on my door. He is here. I smirk in excitement. Oh, my goodness, fucking again. Not happy with these stupid emotions.

I walk to the door and open it. Sully is standing there with a bottle of wine. Okay, this is weird. He looks sexy as can be ? tight white shirt and blue jeans. This time, he has on black rimmed glasses. It is a combination of sexy and cute.

I grin and let him in. As he walks by, he leans in to kiss me. Our lips touch gently. It is a simple kiss, nothing special. For two people who agreed to have only sex, this feels like it is more. I’m not sure what that is all about. I am probably overthinking it.