Torn (Torn Heart)

by Brewer, Annie

  “Thanks.” I shut the hood of a mustang, similar to my old one. I have a truck now, got it soon after graduation.

  “Hey, after this car, you’re free to go. You could use a break.”

  “You mean go home? For the day?” I wipe my sweaty brow with my greasy hand. He nods. I lift the hem of my shirt and wipe my face. I could use a shower. “Thanks Mick.” He pats my back as he walks away.

  “Hey, Jackson.” I look to my left when Jake and Monica approach. Brayden was born a couple weeks early, and two days after, Monica was up and walking around again. I was there for the birth, at least in the waiting room. But I took pictures of the seven pound baby boy when I visited them. He was the cutest thing; very little hair but big brown eyes and the cutest little nose.

  “Hey guys.” I put my hand out, “I’d hug you but I’m drenched in sweat and grease. What are you guys up to?”

  “We wanted to invite you over for dinner. Mon’s parents are watching Brayden for a few hours. Come over and hang out. We can break out the Xbox later.”

  “That sounds good. It’s not like I have anything else to do.”

  “Yes, I’ll cook you up a nice home-cooked meal.” Monica smiles at me. Jake kisses the top of her head.

  “Okay, sounds great. Your dad just gave me the rest of the day off anyway. But I need to go home and shower first. I’ll meet you there in a bit.” When they leave, I put the rest of the tools away. I drive the car around to the front and drop the keys off with the paperwork for the owner. “I’m taking off, Mick.”

  He comes out of his office. “Alright. Have a good day.” I reach the door and he says, “Jackson.” I turn around. “You’ve been a great asset. I appreciate your hard work.”

  “I appreciate you giving me this job.” I walk out to the lot and get in my truck.

  When I get home, I take a quick shower, get dressed, and comb my hair, using some gel I recently tried. I leave the bathroom and enter the kitchen for a bottle of water. The mail key is sitting on the counter. I grab the key and check the mailbox, taking the stack inside the house and set it on the counter. I go through it, not that there’s anything worth looking at. I’ve been here a month and all I still receive are bills. In this stack, it’s mostly junk or bills, a magazine, a coupon book, and then…my eyes widen. A letter sized envelope. A letter from Skylar.

  I sit down at the small table and stare at it for a long time. I run my finger under the seal and carefully open it. First I find a small picture. Actually, it’s a bunch of pictures, some she painted and some she took. There’s one of her too. With a smile and tears in my eyes, I read her letter.

  Jackson,

  I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to finally write you. I’ve been so busy, trying to adjust to this time change thing. It’s gorgeous on this side of the world and I wish you could see it. But I sent you some pictures of Paris, the Eiffel tower, and one of Rome. I’ve painted some sights too. I can’t tell you how beautiful it is here, so I thought I’d show you. We’ve been to Berlin too. We wanna go to Australia while we’re around. And possibly Warsaw, Poland. I miss you so much. I’m really sorry I haven’t called you. You must hate me, or think I’ve forgotten you. But believe me, that’s far from the truth. I love you so much and can’t wait to see you again. My mom is having so much fun. I’ve gotten her to drink with me, since I’m of drinking age here. She’s a riot when she lets loose.

  Anyway, I hope you’re doing okay. Please tell Monica and Jake I miss them and can’t wait to meet Brayden when I get back. Be good. I added a painting of myself for you. It was a picture my mom took in front of the Eiffel tower and it came out really good. So I painted a replica of it. Okay, I’ll write again soon. Love you.

  Skylar

  P.s., how’s Bailey-girl doing? I sure do miss that furball. I hope you’re giving her lots of love.

  I fold the letter and stick it back inside the envelope. I’m instantly in a better mood, happy to finally get a letter from her. I memorize her painting, of her and smile. It’s beautiful. Her hair is longer, her eyes show love and life, her lips…the lips I’ve kissed so many times, that I’m dying to kiss right now, are pink and pouty and adorable. I wipe my eyes on my shirtsleeve. I can’t wait to see her again. I put the picture on my desk, standing up. I’ll need to get a frame for it.

  Before I head out, there’s a knock on the door. I grab the keys to my truck and get ready to go. When I open it, Jared’s standing there, looking disheveled.

  I tilt my head, “What are you doing here?”

  He shoves his hands into his pockets. “I got a call, it’s dad.”

  My heart pounds frantically in my chest. I push him out of the way, “What the fuck happened? Where is he?”

  He waves me over, “Come on, I’ll drive. He’s at the hospital. There’s been an accident.”

  Jesus. My blood runs cold. I feel numb, but I follow him to his truck and get in. I don’t even bother with the seatbelt.

  On the way there, so many scenarios fill my head. An accident; a car accident, a fall, a car hit him while he was walking, what the fuck kind of accident? I shake my head and force myself to believe that he’s okay. He’s gonna be okay. We have a fishing trip coming up in a couple of weeks, he has to be okay.

  I clench my fists together in need of a cigarette and holding back a scream. I take my phone from my pocket with shaking hands and text Jake to let him know that I won’t make it for dinner. He responds right away that he’ll meet us at the hospital.

  I finally tell Jared, “I got a letter from Skylar today.” I need to distract myself.

  He keeps his eyes on the road. “Really? How’s she doing?”

  “Better than we are.” I try to keep my tone calm, but my nerves are shot to hell. Don’t think negative.

  As soon as we arrive, I waste no time getting out. Jared follows me and we jog into the E.R. We probably look like a couple of punk kids ready for a fight. When we approach the desk, a lady in front of us is talking to one of the receptionists. I’m about to yell at this bitch to shut the hell up so I can find out information about my father, when the woman turns around so I can see her face, the air escapes my lungs.

  She smiles kindly but she appears worried, recognition shows plain as day in her eyes. “Hi Jackson.”

  It’s our mother…

  Stay tuned for more of Jackson and Skylar’s story in the sequel, Fighting for Love, due to release in Spring 2014.

  Contact Me:

  Blog: www.anniebrewerwrites.com

  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anniebrewer82?ref=hl

  Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2739138.Annie_Brewer