Our Kind of Love

by Shane Morgan

  If my parents are trying to make a mends, then it’s time for me to let go of the hurt too. That’s the only way I can leave Haxtun burden free.

  I twirl back to her and give her a gentle hug. Her embrace is warm, loving, and above all else motherly. It’s what I’ve wanted all these years. I just hope deep in my heart that Reign will understand.

  Thirty-Six

  Reign

  “DON’T CRY,” I whisper to myself for the hundredth time, while standing in front of the dresser mirror in my room. I’m wearing my blue, sleeveless fit and flare cutout dress that’s a little above my knees. My hair is loosely curled and let down into my back, and I’m wearing heels for the first time in months.

  It’s the night of my birthday, my family and friends are downstairs waiting for me, but I’m not feeling happy. Micah still isn’t back from Haxtun. I don’t understand. He said he wouldn’t stay because I’m not there, so why is it so hard for him to leave?

  Perhaps he’s mending his relationship with his father and building one with his mother. Whatever the case, he doesn’t seem to care that he’s missing my birthday.

  “Ugh,” I blow out a razor-sharp breath and straighten my posture. I don’t want to ruin tonight wallowing in my sadness. I want to smile and be grateful to everyone for wanting to help me celebrate.

  Stepping out of my room, I inhale and exhale then meander downstairs. Everyone’s in the living room: my parents, Mrs. Nunez, Aislin, John, Clark, Claudia, her dad Andre and stepmom Eleanor. They’re all waiting for me with broad smiles plastered across their faces.

  I stand in the arch doorway and take in the moment, mentally telling myself that I won’t feel sad. Micah isn’t here, but I won’t feel sad.

  “Oh honey, look at you,” Mom gushes. She strides over to give me a hug. “You beautiful birthday girl you,” she says as she kisses my forehead.

  “Gosh, you’re growing up,” Dad says, walking over. “You mind if I still call you my little girl, even though you’re nineteen now?”

  Dad cloaks me in his big bear hug that always comforts me. I need it right now.

  “I’ll always be your little girl,” I tell him in a whisper.

  “Happy birthday,” he cheers, everyone follows.

  “Okay, okay,” Claudia hauls me over to the couch. She plops down beside me, handing me a gift. “Open mine first,” she pleads, her eyes sparkling like a disco ball.

  I take the box from her and glance at her face, a bit hesitant to see what she bought. “It’s nothing inappropriate, right?” I chuckle.

  Laughter breaks out in the room. She lightly jerks my arm. “No silly. Actually, I would have but your parents are here too.”

  Her dad clears his throat and Eleanor scoffs, flipping her hair off her shoulder. “Gosh,” she mutters under her breath.

  I cut my eyes away from her and open Claudia’s gift. It’s a sweet feminine collection, which includes a body lotion, shower gel, body mist, bronze charm bangles and matching earrings.

  “Aw, Claudes,” I lean over and kiss her on the cheek. “This is so nice, thank you.”

  “You’re very welcome.”

  While I’m being showered with gifts from everyone else, I notice that Dad slips out of the living room. Shortly after, he returns with something large and rectangular, concealed in yellow wrapping paper.

  “Whoa, Dad, what’s this?”

  He and Mom are grinning with each other all sneakily. “Hope you like it,” Dad says as he sets the gift down at my feet on the rug.

  Mom clasps her hands over his shoulder and they both smile at me as I sit out on the couch to peel off the wrapping paper.

  My mouth drops open when I see what it is. “Dad! So this is why you told me to stay out of the workshop.”

  He shrugs, acting modest.

  Dad’s made me an antique-looking oak wood treasure chest. I notice he’s added his own uniqueness to it too. My name’s carved into the lock, and there are sunflower designs on the inside out, which happens to be my favorite flower. My heart flutters when I notice the picture of me and Mary at the bottom. She was seven and I was five at the time. Written at the bottom of the picture in her handwriting is a funny line Mary used to say to me:

  You can always Reign on my parade, little sissy.

  I stifle back my tears, getting up to give Dad a hug. “Thanks, Daddy,” I breathe into his chest. Then I tow Mom in and the three of us clutch to each other. It’s nice to not think about Mary and feel guilty. And I’m more than happy that my parents decided to put out her photos again without worrying they’ll upset me. We can all have some closure.

  When we pull apart, Mrs. Nunez switches some indie music on and everyone shuffles about, indulging in Chef Clark’s exquisite refreshments and drinks he prepared for the dinner.

  As the night progresses, I stop thinking about Micah for a minute and push myself to entertain my guests. Oddly, I end up talking to Eleanor, Claudia’s stepmom. This is rare for me because I find her so uptight and she always manages to make everything all about her.

  I hate how when she talks to people she eyes you from head to toe, as if she’s horrified at how cheap your attire is compared to hers. And Eleanor never wears anything that’s worth less than a hundred dollars so it’s no wonder she’s frowning at my thirty dollar dress from Marshalls.

  “If Claudia had reminded me sooner I would have picked up a nicer gift for you in Italy,” she says with a pretentious smile, showing off her pearly whites. Like I’ll complain about the designer handbag she gave me. “Gosh, it’s such a lovely country,” she goes on, “I just didn’t want to leave.”

  Then why didn’t you stay? I wanted to ask her; instead I smile and nod politely. I spot Aislin over her shoulder and notice she’s looking a bit frazzled because John isn’t paying her much attention.

  I direct Eleanor to her. “Have you met Aislin? She’s really interested in visiting Italy; she studies all things Italian in school. I’m sure she’ll love to hear about your trip.”

  Eleanor perks up. “Is that so?” She twists and starts toward Aislin without even excusing herself from me. Whatever.

  Quietly sneaking out of the living room, I walk around to the passage and sink down on the built in seat under the staircase. I don’t think I can keep up the façade much longer. My heart’s too sad.

  Only a few seconds later, Mom steps out of the kitchen, she catches me at the corner of her eye before going into the living room.

  “Why are you hiding out here by yourself?” she asks, coming over with a glass of wine in one hand and a plate of crab cakes in the other.

  I shake my head but say nothing.

  She sits down beside me, offering me a crab cake. “They’re really good,” she prods. “Clark made them.”

  “I’m not that hungry,” I reply in a low tone. “Thanks though.”

  She sets her glass and the plate down on the small table beside the seat then turns back to me. “Oh honey, what’s the matter? It’s a nice dinner. Not too big, not too small.”

  Resting my head against the wood, I sigh deeply before telling her the truth. “Micah’s not here. He’s not coming back.”

  She’s quiet for a moment then says, “I’m sorry, Reign. But I’m sure he has his reasons, and you’ll probably see him real soon. Don’t get too upset over it.”

  “I don’t think so,” I breathe. “He saw his dad again after so long, and he’s going to meet his mom for the first time. He’ll probably want to stay there and get to know them.”

  Pursing her lips, Mom reaches over to stroke my hair. “I hate that you’re so sad on your birthday. I wish there was something I could do.”

  “No, I’m sorry for being this way. I should suck it up and enjoy myself. You and Dad put this together for me. I’m just being selfish.”

  “You don’t have to force yourself,” she retorts, touching my shoulder. “But at least come cut your cake. I swear Clark has outdone the last one. It’ll definitely cheer you up, if only for tonight.
”

  She stands up first, sticking her hand out for me to take it. “Come on honey.”

  I push up off the seat and hook my arm around hers, walking towards the living room with her. Then suddenly someone rings the doorbell and we stop in our tracks.

  My heart smashes against my ribcage. A chill trickles down my spine. I glance at Mom and look at the door, swallowing hard. She pulls away from me to go answer it. I remain by the arch doorway, anticipation building up fast.

  I don’t see who it is when Mom opens the door, and I don’t peer around either. I’m only waiting. When her eyes narrow and she throws her head back, surprised, I figure it isn’t Micah after all. Then she steps aside and Nate enters, obliterating the little hope I had.

  “Happy birthday,” he says, reaching a small gift out to me.

  Nate inches closer when I don’t take it. He glides his eyes over my body and gasps. “You look lovely.”

  “I’ll leave you two alone,” says Mom, closing the door and walking past us into the living room.

  I look up at him, confused. “What are you doing here? Did my mom invite you?”

  He shakes his head. “No. Of course I remembered your birthday and I had to get you something.”

  “But why?”

  “You know why, Reign.”

  Nate fills the distance between us and places a hand at my elbow. I step away from him. “You have to go, Micah—”

  “Isn’t even here,” he cuts me off. “By the way, I looked him up. He’s been in juvie you know, for school vandalism and for hitting someone. He’s obviously violent.”

  “He’s not,” I hiss. “I know who he is and he’s nothing like that.”

  Nate stiffens his jaw. His eyes get cloudy with tears fighting to come out. “You know this about him? You know and you still want to be with him and not me? I gave you weeks to think it over, to think about what you’re doing, and you still haven’t come to your senses?”

  Even though he’s clearly upset with me, he keeps his voice low.

  “I’m sorry,” I tell him. “I can’t help the way I feel.”

  Nate drops his hands to his side, clutching the gift. His lips shake as he searches for his next words. Finally he manages to speak again. “You’ve really hurt me, you know that?”

  I stay quiet, not sure how to respond.

  He laughs short, sarcastically. “I didn’t even realize I loved you this much until I lost you.” He lowers his eyes to the hardwood for a moment, then he looks at me one more time, and starts for the door.

  “I’m sorry,” I breathe at his back. “I’m really sorry.”

  Opening the door, he stalls in the doorway and places his gift on the table next to it. “I know,” he says. “You can’t help the way you feel.” Nate steps outside and closes the door behind him, leaving me with guilt, and at the same time, I’m contented. Because I think now more than ever, he’ll move on.

  Thirty-Seven

  Micah

  WHEN I RIDE up to the house I see Nate hop in his car and drive off. He seems upset. Why was he at Reign’s birthday party, anyway? I slip off my bike and take her gift out of my pants pocket, walking up the entrance. As I approach the door, I glimpse her in the window of the living room.

  She’s laughing, cutting her beachy looking birthday cake—which has flip flops and a dolphin on top of it—as everyone cheers on. Her parents embrace her with pride. She’s beautiful. Happy without me. Then the thought occurs, maybe someone like me shouldn’t be with a girl like Reign, a girl so innocent and untainted.

  Suddenly I’m afraid to face her; fearful I might ruin her night. She’s probably upset with me for not coming back when I say I would, and now I show up and want to pick up where we left off. How presumptuous of me. Maybe she doesn’t want to be with a guy so indecisive. Maybe I don’t deserve her. Maybe I’m just not good enough for Reign.

  Doubt clouds my mind so much I start to back away from the house, walking down the concrete towards my bike. I glance at her small gift in my hand, a necklace with our initials, and stick it back inside my pocket, towing my bike away from her house.

  I reach only a few steps before I hear her sweet voice call my name. “Micah?”

  I freeze in my tracks and peer back nervously. My God, she’s stunning. In fact, it’s frightening just how gorgeous this girl is.

  Reign slowly walks up to me. I park my bike and meet her halfway. She glances over me as if to make sure I’m really here, then sucks in a deep breath before saying, “I didn’t even know you were coming back, yet you were just gonna leave again without saying a word. I don’t understand. Why were you leaving? Why didn’t you come inside?”

  “I thought you didn’t want to see me,” I tell her, feeling like a complete ass. “I thought that…you were happy without me.”

  “Happy?” she repeats, sounding insulted. “I’ve been anything but happy for the last couple of days without you, Micah.”

  “I’m sorry, that’s my fault I know, and I’m truly sorry—”

  “I love you!” she blurts out, her body shivers as she penetrates me with those killer eyes of hers. “I’ve been wondering for a while, what exactly this is, but I’m sure of it now. I love you, and I…” She stops talking as tears trickle down her cheeks. “I hope you can love me too because—”

  Her words are muffled by my kiss. I couldn’t hold back any longer, especially when she says she loves me.

  Clutching to her for dear life, I kiss her some more, satisfying the wait we’ve both had to endure. Man I’ve missed the sugary taste of her mouth and the addictive smell of her body.

  Her voracious grip on me sends lightening through my veins. All I want to do is kiss her and make love to her until I have nothing left, because clearly, I feel the same way and I need to get over feeling like I don’t deserve something this good.

  Easing her out of my arms, I catch my breath and say, “I love you, too.”

  She smiles from ear to ear and shakes her head slowly. “You do?”

  “Of course I do.”

  I kiss her again, this time we move without haste, only to break apart when her Dad calls out. “Reign, you all right, honey?”

  Mrs. Aldridge walks down the entrance. She slows in her steps once she sees me. “Well, I’ll be…” She smiles. “I’m glad you’re back, Micah.”

  “Hey, Mrs. Aldridge,” I wave awkwardly at her because from Reign’s smeared lips, I’m sure her lipstick is all over my mouth.

  She slants and starts to head back inside. “Well, you two come inside then. We’re about to play some games.”

  I look at the door, Mr. Aldridge nods at me then slip back into the house.

  “Is your dad mad at me?” I ask Reign, bringing my gaze back to her.

  “No,” she smiles and wipes off my mouth with the palm of her hand. “Why, are you scared of facing him?”

  “I kind of am,” I admit.

  She takes my hand and tows me toward the house. “It’ll be fine.”

  “Oh, wait,” I stop her, taking her gift out of my pocket. “This is for you. Happy birthday, baby.”

  A broad grin stretches across her face as she opens the box and takes out the necklace with our initials. “Aw, thanks, Micah.”

  I shake my head as I put it on for her. “No, thank you.”

  She meets me halfway for another sweet kiss. Then we start walking again.

  When we approach the concrete entrance and make our way up to the front door, she asks me, “How was it meeting your mom for the first time?”

  I slide my arm around her waist as we step inside, answering after a long breath, “It was…good. I’ll tell you all about it later.”

  Reign kisses me on the cheek before we walk into the living room and join everyone else.

  Now more than ever, I feel at ease and welcomed into her circle of family and friends. I feel as if I’m right where I belong.

  EPILOGUE

  Reign

  THERE AREN’T too many changes when Claud
ia and I return from Florida two weeks later. Captain’s Choice still has its name, Aislin decided to stay on board, since John and Clark are going to keep working there, including Micah. Dean’s letting him stay after summer onward.

  They did change the interior to orange and made the outside dark though, but they decided to leave the cedar bar and mural alone. Dean’s worked with Clark in adding a few more options to the menu, and they’ve added a little platform for live acoustic performances. I think that’s the best move because now artists like Allysen Callery can stop by. I can see the benefit in doing that because the place has certainly gotten busier.

  Mom finally decided to go back to working as an advisor for teens. She’ll be joining the youth center in Newport this fall. She seems more relaxed these days without the stress of owning a restaurant. And she’s taken up a new hobby with Dad: Yoga. Mom enjoys it. Dad’s still getting a hang of stretching his body so much.

  As for me, I’m a few days away from starting my freshman year in college and I’m roiling in anticipation. It’s a new chapter of my life that I’m happy to take on, and even more thrilled that Micah is there with me.

  He’s been talking about his dreams more openly, sharing things with me he was cautious about before. Like how he’s thinking about being a fitness expert and even considering going to college next year.

  He talks about his family a lot more too, telling me about his sister back home, and how he’ll travel to Haxtun now and then to visit her and his parents.

  I feel like so much has happened between the two of us and in our own individual lives over this summer alone.

  For instance, I never imagined ever getting over my fear of going into the ocean or stop feeling guilty over Mary’s death. But there I am now, spending the radiant Sunday morning sailing around Newport harbor on Aster with Micah. Claudia and Ryan are with us, they finally had a talk and Ryan realized she was the girl he truly wanted to be with. John made that step as well, confessing his feelings to Aislin and finally putting her nerves at ease. They’re sailing with us too. Who knew life could turn out so great?