Stripes of Gehenna

by Lara Hues

  "Yes?"

  "I want my mom and dad."

  ***

  Three Weeks Later

  My parents were in their room and Shar’s mom had finally decided to let him out of her sight again.

  "How are the stitches healing?" Shar asked.

  I pulled my shirt up a little, showing the long scars along my torso and at the base of my ribs.

  "They look like stripes." I marveled that my lungs hadn't collapsed.

  He traced them with his soft, dark fingers. His touch sent shivers up my spine. I pulled my shirt down and he grabbed my hand instead as I heard my parents' bedroom door open.

  "I guess I brought some stripes of Gehenna home," I said. He grinned and we sat silently while my dad took his place in the blue recliner and pulled out his book. My mom busied herself in the kitchen getting lunch ready.

  "The, uh, tigers have been put down," Shar said, sadly. He swallowed hard and glanced over the bookshelf.

  "Habib?" I squeezed his hand.

  "Yeah,” he said.

  "I'm sorry," I offered.

  He pulled me onto the couch beside him and wrapped his arms around me. "Let's not talk about it anymore."

  I looked over to my parents. My dad read silently in his recliner, and although I knew he was occupied, my face got red wondering what he was thinking. He was probably happy to see me with someone. Then he smirked as I watched him and for a moment we locked eyes. Just long enough for him to wink.

  "Are you staying for dinner, Shar?" my mom asked from the kitchen.

  "Actually…we're going out," he said.

  I turned my neck around and looked at the clock above the oven. "We have plans." I smiled.

  "You do?" my mom asked, setting the frozen corn dogs on the counter.

  "Where are we going?" Shar asked.

  "We have a double date with Melissa and Ryan. Dinner at that Asian buffet place and then we're going mini-golfing."

  My dad shut his book temporarily, keeping his thumb between the pages. "I'm glad you're finally getting a life." He chuckled and looked at us.

  Shar stroked my hand and nodded to my dad. "Not sure why she had to almost die to get one."

  I blushed. If my parents hadn't been there, I would have kissed him. Reluctantly, I pulled my hand away and found my brown shoes in the front closet.

  I kicked the slippers off my feet and sat in a poorly padded chair at the dining room table.

  "What time should I be home?" I asked.

  "Wow, you're asking for a curfew? I thought you were all grown up now." My mom teased, resting her hand on top of my head. I leaned into her, then stood up and gave her a hug. The horn of a car beeped outside.

  I glanced at Shar before replying. "Maybe part of growing up, is knowing when you don't need to."