Kellan pulled his pants on and said, “Abby, I told you, it’s okay. She won’t let him do anything. Do you trust me?” he asked.
I looked up at him and said, “Of course. How can you ask me that?” I stood up and ran to him, dropping the sheet on my way.
He was standing next to my bed, wearing only his pants and holding my naked body against him when Nancy came barging through the door.
“I had to see it for myself! You’re in big trouble!” She looked first at me, and then her glare stopped on Kellan and she said, “Both of you!”
Kellan grabbed a blanket off the bed and wrapped it around me. “Get out, Nancy!”
“Not this time! You’re going to jail!”
I was shaking and I clung to him, terrified.
“Really? Hmm, well, then maybe we should ask for adjoining cells. Abby’s not going to press charges against me. We love each other. So, how long can I really get: A year…at the most, eleven months off for good behavior and a spotless record? Not to mention high honors at Yale? Hmm, but what about you? How much time do you think you’ll get?” he asked, calmly and with raised eyebrows, knowing he had her.
“Get out!”
“I have a plane to catch, so I guess you’re going to get your wish, there.”
“What the hell? I told you both to get dressed and meet me in the living room!” Joe barked, storming back into my room.
“We’ll get dressed and then Abby’s coming with me to the airport. Isn’t that right, Nancy?” he glared at his former foster mom.
“Yeah, fine. Whatever. If you want to sleep with your sister, go ahead.”
He just smiled and pulled me closer. I didn’t understand the dynamics of their conversation, but I could certainly tell Kellan had the upper hand. As I looked up at him I knew without a doubt he was going to be a great attorney.
“Get out, both of you. I want to spend my last few minutes alone with Abby,” Kellan shouted, finally irritated by them.
“The hell we will! She’s only 16 years old. I’m calling the cops!”
“She’s 17 and she was willing. I’ll get off easy, but what do you think they’re going to do to you, Nancy!” he said, facing her now.
“What the hell is he talking about?” Joe asked Nancy.
She was visibly shaking and said, “Leave them, Joe. Let them go.”
“What?”
“You can’t call the cops!” she shouted.
“Why not? She’s a minor!”
“He’s right, she won’t press charges…she’s always been in love with her brother!” she sneered.
“Nancy, what the hell are you talking about? He’s 20 years old and he had sex with a 16…17 year old girl in our house!”
“Actually I’m 21, so that makes it a felony,” Kellan grinned.
I looked up at him with eyes that said to shut up, but he didn’t seem to care.
“I’m calling the cops!” Joe said and stormed out of the room.
“You gonna stop him, Mom?” Kellan snapped. I had never heard him call her mom before, and I knew it was only to make a point, but for the life of me, I couldn’t figure out what the point was.
“JOE! STOP!” Nancy shouted and ran after him.
I managed to get dressed and I followed Kellan into the living room. Joe was glaring at Kellan and Nancy was glaring at me. “I um, I’ll be back, later,” I said, not knowing why I said anything at all.
“You said you were a good girl. But, you’re a liar!” Joe spat.
Kellan walked over to him and said, “She is a good girl…”
“I’ll bet!”
Kellan backed Joe into a corner and said, “You’re not going to give her any grief whatsoever, Joe! Trust me, if you do, you will regret it!” Kellan backed up and glanced over at Nancy and said, “That goes for you…especially! I still have the pictures, Nancy. They’re locked away, but I have them. If you give her any grief, if I hear anything out of the ordinary from her, I’m going to the cops…”
“What the hell is he talking about?” Joe asked.
“Fine! Your sister will be well taken care of…I promise,” Nancy sneered.
“Don’t make promises you can’t keep. Just leave her the hell alone. Make sure there’s food in the house for her and that she’s safe. Otherwise, just leave her alone!”
Nancy nodded slowly and Kellan backed up and grabbed my hand. “Let’s go, Abby.”
I was shocked by what I had just seen and heard. I followed along obediently to Kellan’s car and stared at him in awe and wonder as he started the engine.
“What just happened?” I asked, completely confused.
“I called her bluff.”
“What does that mean? What pictures? What were you talking about?”
“It doesn’t matter. Like I said, Nancy won’t do anything to you, I promise. And she won’t let Joe call the cops on me, either.”
“Why did you tell them you’re 21 and it’s a felony? Are you crazy?”
“It’s true, Abby. I can’t legally touch you until your 18 in the state of California; whether you were willing or not.”
“But, why would you tell them that?”
“I told you, I was calling her bluff. Abby, I don’t want to get into it right now, but believe me, she’s not going to do a thing about us.”
“What pictures?” I asked, still lost.
“Do you really want to spend our last couple of hours together talking about them, or would you rather come and sit by me and let me wrap my arm around you?”
I scooted over, but said, “I still don’t understand…what pictures?”
He pulled into the airport terminal labeled rental car returns and said, “It doesn’t matter.” He leaned down and kissed me and soon I had forgotten all about the pictures he mentioned…or anything else for that matter.
We only had a few minutes once we got to his gate. It took forever to get the car returned and I was standing there holding onto him for dear life as they called first class passengers to board.
He was holding me just as tight as I was holding him. “Abby, do you always feel like this when I leave?” he asked, looking down at me.
“How do you feel?” I asked through tears.
“Like my heart’s being ripped out of my chest.”
“Yeah, that’s pretty much it!” I sobbed and held him close.
“I’m sorry. I never knew…”
“Only 88 days until Thanksgiving,” I sniffled.
“Eight-eight days? Really? Don’t forget about me, okay?”
“You’re kidding, right?”
“Yeah, I am. I love you, Abigail Shepard. Maybe I can fly in for a weekend before then.”
I was still holding onto him for dear life and nodded. I was too hysterical to let him go. Finally, they called his gate and he had to go. He kissed me one last time and then said, “Thanks, Tyler.”
“What?” I asked, looking up at him.
“Hi, Abby.”
I turned my head without letting go of Kellan and saw Tyler standing behind me.
“I asked him to pick you up for me. He’s going to take you to dinner and maybe to his house for a while. It’ll give Joe and Nancy time to cool off. Is that okay?”
I nodded, “Okay.”
“I have to go, Abby. I love you. I’ll call you tonight. And, don’t worry about…earlier. They’re not going to do anything, believe me.”
He finally had to pull my arms from around his neck and he walked to the gate. He stopped and smiled at me before getting on the plane. As usual, I ran to the window. Tyler followed me, but all I could think of was Kellan.
When his plane was out of site, Tyler sat down next to me. “Are you okay?” he asked.
I took a few deep breaths and said, “No, not really. But, I guess I don’t have a choice, do I?”
“He’ll be back. He always comes back for you.”
I reached up and started to hug him, “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t ask you to comfort me.”
; He pulled me to him and said, “We’ll always be friends, Abby. You can always count on me.”
I let him hold me and I cried for a long time. I didn’t know how long, but I noticed another plane had boarded and left from the same gate while I was sitting there crying over Kellan.
I finally pulled myself together and said, “Thank you, Tyler. I’m sorry you always have to see me like this.”
“You’re always beautiful to look at, even when you’re crying. Come on; let’s go get something to eat.”
“I’m not hu…hungry,” I sniffled.
“Kellan told me to make sure you ate and since he’s always scared the hell out of me, I’m going to do what he asked.”
I gave him a small smile and nodded. We walked out to his car, and always the gentlemen, he opened the door for me and closed it behind me once I was safely inside.
“So, how about seafood on the pier?”
This started a whole new torrential downpour of tears.
“What did I say? You love seafood…I thought.”
“I do, I’m sorry. It’s just…”
“Let me guess, Kellan took you for seafood…recently?”
“On my birthday,” I sobbed.
“Okay, no seafood. What would you like?”
“Seafood’s fine, Tyler. I’m fine, I’m sorry. I thought it would be easier this time, but it’s so much harder.”
“So, I’m assuming he got past the foster sister thing?” he asked.
“Yeah, but it took a while…until last night,” I blushed.
“Oh, okay. Wow, he waited that long? I have to give him credit for some serious will-power.”
“He’s stubborn. But, I wore him down…I guess.”
“You guess?”
“I had pretty much given up on…that, for the summer. But, then…Oh, I guess I shouldn’t talk to you about this.”
“It’s okay, Abby. I’m kind of…in love, too.”
I turned to him and smiled, “Really?”
“Yeah, she’s great. She’s still not you, but she’s…wonderful.”
“I’m so happy for you. Is it Stephanie?” I asked.
“Yeah.” He grinned shyly, but I could see the adoration in his eyes when he spoke of her.
“She’s beautiful. She seemed really nice that night we met. Um, but, were you in as much trouble with Stephanie as I was with Kellan?” I asked.
“She um, she didn’t speak to me for a week.”
“Oh, no. I’m sorry. You’re not going to get into trouble for tonight, are you? You can just take me home…its okay.”
“I told her, she understands. She knows we’re always going to be friends, Abby. She’s accepted it, and I think Kellan has too.”
“I’m surprised he called you.”
“He called me a couple days ago, but he called again today to make sure I’d be there. He sounded worried about you.”
“Yeah, I’m sure he is.”
“Can I ask why?”
“Um, yeah,” I took a deep breath and said, “Joe and Nancy came home early…unexpectedly…this morning.”
“So?”
“They still think I’m dating you…and boy, were you in trouble for a few seconds!” I had to smile through my pain.
“What did I do?”
“Nothing…but, they thought it was you…in my bed, this morning.”
He turned to face me and almost ran into oncoming traffic. He quickly corrected the car and said, “Wow. I almost got blamed again for not doing the same thing I didn’t do last time,” he laughed.
“Not that you didn’t want to,” I teased.
“Not that I still wouldn’t do, if I could,” he smiled softly and squeezed my hand.
“Tyler…”
“I know, I know. You love Kellan, and actually, I’m very happy with Stephanie. I um, I love her.”
“Is she going to school with you?”
“Yeah, she is. She has family in Washington, too. It’ll be great.”
“I’m happy for you, Tyler.”
“Thanks, and I’m happy for you. I guess we both got what we wanted…well, almost,” he grinned at me.
“When do you leave?”
“In three days. We’re all ready.”
“Hmm, that makes sense now.”
“What?”
“Why Kellan would ask you to come today. He knows I need to say goodbye to you, too.” The tears started again.
“Abby, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean…”
“I know. I’m happy for you, really. I want you to go and be happy. I’m just feeling a little lost right now.” I dried my eyes for the twelfth time and turned to face him. “I really am happy for you. You deserve a nice girl. She seems really great.”
He grinned, “She is.”
We shared a nice dinner, talking about old times and even though I was desperately missing Kellan I found that I had a good time with Tyler.
He finally took me home around 11:30 and he walked me to the door.
“Goodnight, Abby,” he said and reached over and hugged me. I hugged him back, probably a little longer and harder than I should have, but I needed comfort before I faced the firing squad that I knew was meeting me on the other side of the door.
“I’ll keep in touch, and I’ll text you my new number and address, okay?”
“Thank you. Tyler, be happy, okay?”
“I will,” he touched my cheek softly and said, “And so will you. You won’t be seventeen forever.”
“No, it’ll just feel like it,” I grinned and waved at him as he walked back to his car.
“So are you sleeping with him, too?” Joe asked.
“Joe, she’s home, let’s go to bed.” Nancy barked.
“What is up with you? Are you seriously going to just let her get away with this? I mean, for God’s sake, she slept with Kellan…her brother…in our house!”
“He’s not my brother! I love him, and I always have. Frankly, I guess I should thank you both, because if it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t have him. Goodnight.”
Nancy followed me down the hall and as I reached my room she said, “Are you missing something?” she asked, holding up my package of birth control pills.
“Where did you get those?” I asked, reaching for them.
She pulled them back from me and said, “I found them in your drawer. Since your brother is gone now, you won’t need them, will you?”
“I’ll just get more, Nancy. Go ahead, take them. You’re right, I don’t need them right now, anyway,” I said, and slammed the door shut.
I tried my best not to cry, but the tears flowed freely once I stepped into my room and saw my bed. I laid down on it, praying for a trace of his scent, hoping I could just fall asleep and wake up on my 18th birthday, so that this torture would be over. It wasn’t too long before I learned exactly what torture was…
JUST ONE NIGHT
The next two weeks dragged by slowly. I was a senior and I should be having the time of my life, but instead I dragged through every day, praying for Thanksgiving so Kellan would come home.
I was asked out by numerous guys at school now that Tyler was gone. After about the 14th one, I calmly and politely said, “Thank you, but I have a boyfriend.”
“I never see you with anyone?” Devon said, obviously assuming I was just trying to turn him down politely.
“He goes to Yale.”
“Hmm, a college guy. I guess you’ll be following him next year, then?”
“He’s in law school, so yes, I’ll be moving to Connecticut this summer.”
“Oh, an older guy. Well, I hope he knows how lucky he is,” he smiled and walked away.
“I’m the lucky one,” I smiled to myself, looking forward to our phone call tonight. We had agreed to only call each other once during the week, on Wednesday’s and twice on the weekend. So far, that hadn’t happened. Neither of us had been able to go more than one day, and I loved it.
“Only 73 days left,” I said, a countdown I love
d to say each night when he called. Each night brought me one day closer to seeing him.
“I’ve been meaning to talk to you about that,” he sighed and continued, “I don’t think I can come for Thanksgiving, Abby.”
“What?” I asked, panicking.
“I have to take a pre-bar exam and they screwed up the dates. I can’t miss this test…I’m so sorry.”
I swallowed hard, but quietly said, “It’s okay, I understand.”
“Do you? Because I’m mad as hell! I tried to trade the date with everyone, and no one will do it. The test is on Saturday and I have to study for it all day Friday. I’m so sorry.”
“Its okay, Kellan. So, when can you come home?”
“Christmas break…but then I can stay for three weeks, okay?”
“Three weeks?”
“Yeah, since I’m taking the exam over Thanksgiving, I get an extra break for Christmas.”
“Well, I guess I’d rather have you for three weeks for Christmas than only two days for Thanksgiving. I wonder how many days...?”
“One hundred and one,” he answered, knowing I needed a new countdown to get through the days.
“What?”
“Its one hundred and one days until Christmas break. Think of it this way, it’s five weeks closer to your graduation…and to your 18th birthday…something I have huge plans for.”
“No fancy hotels,” I giggled, even though I was dying inside.
“No, it’s much better than that. I promise.”
“Hmm, I’m really glad you kept your last promise, even if it was on the very last day of summer!”
“Well, I’m nothing, if not a man of my word. I love you, Abby. I’ll talk to you this weekend…oh, who am I kidding? I’ll call you tomorrow. Sleep well.”
“You, too. Goodnight.”
I hung up the phone and climbed under the blankets in my bed. I spent a lot of time sleeping just so the time would pass. Tyler told me I was wishing my life away, but I told him I was only wishing my 17th year away. After that, my life would be wonderful.
I woke up about two am and realized I wasn’t feeling very well. My stomach was in knots and I knew it was because I had just added 28 days to my already very long countdown. I walked into the kitchen to grab a snack to settle my stomach and ran into Joe.
SEPARATED: CONCLUSION TO UN-RELATED Page 4