Sweaters by Heaven Evette Creater (chromebook ebook reader TXT) 📕

“In the morning I woke up in a bathtub…and it wasn’t even in the same building we had the party in and there was some guy in there with me sleeping on the floor.” He laughed.

I started to laugh with him. “I bet the place was a mess!” I said laughing.

“Yea, there were people everywhere, things in places that shouldn’t be there and trash all over the place.” He giggled as he placed one kiss on my neck. I turned to face him and I wrapped my arms around his neck and we had our foreheads together.

“Some party huh? Did you have fun?” I asked with a smile.

“I would say yes if I didn’t have a huge hangover the next day.” He said regretfully.

“Like you’ll have in the morning?”

“I guess.” He said with a smile.

“Can you call the school in the morning and tell them I won’t be coming?” he asked.

“No problem.” I said softly as I gazed into his eyes.

It was quiet for a minute.

“…Tamar…” he called.

“Yes?” I answered still gazing at him.

“…I love you.” he said softly as he hugged me a bit tighter.

My smile faded and I didn’t know what to say. It was quiet for a second before I responded.

“….no…you don’t.” I said pulling away.

“But I do.” He confirmed.

“You’re drunk. You don’t mean it.” I said persuaded.

“Let me show you…you have to let others show you that they love you Tamar.” he said softly. “I know you’ve been hurt before but you have to learn to trust others. Now please, let me show you…that I love you…” he said as he reached for my hand and pulled me close. “Please?” He asked as he slowly kissed me once more.

“…Ok.” I replied as I slowly nodded my head like I was hypnotized.

He rubbed my cheek softly with his thumb. His hands sneakily strolled up my back and he unfastened my bra again. I didn’t refuse this time and he gently pulled it off. He took off his t-shirt and pulled me closer to him and kissed me. He took my hand and we walked back towards his bed.

Secret:

“Miss Stone? Miss Stone, you woke?” Elliot asked.

I just laid there on my side with my back facing him. I was awake, but I didn’t feel like talking.

“Miss Stone?” he asked once more.

“Did you hear anything?” I asked him softly still not facing him.

“I heard it all…” he said freely, “you ok?”

“I’m fine,” I answered, “I just don’t feel too good.”

“Oh…so I guess you not coming then…” he said flatly.

He sounded really disappointed. I didn’t say anything.

“You caint leave anyways…you gotta stay wit yo mom…she loves you.” he said disappointed again.

He sounded like he was a bit jealous. I wanted to believe him but I just couldn’t. Something in my heart just wouldn’t let me believe that Tamar would come back for me or that she really cares.

“She’s not my mama.” I said softly.

“She is…I peeked out of the curtain when she first came…you was sleep but you look just like her. You got the same face as her…you kinda look like that white dude too…but only when y’all together. Y’all look different when you’re separated.” He giggled.

I didn't respond to him right away. “What white dude?” I asked curiously after a few minutes.

“The one with the long hair, he has a funny voice.” he responded

“Oh, him. He's not white, just a lil pale. And his voice is funny because he has an accent. He’s from Mexico and he’s just my teacher.” I corrected.

“Well I thought he was your dad, but I wasn’t sure.” He said confused.

“Why would you think that?” I asked finally turning on my side to face him.

“I don’t know, he just kinda acts like a dad. Like he cares or somethin. Your mom cares too…wish mines did…” he said pitifully.

“I’m sure they do.” I responded.

“What? How can they? I mean, look around, do you see where I am? My parents nor anybody else gives three fucks about me.” he said sadly.

“They just want to put me with some random ass person, let em beat on me, and give em my check and I'm not having that shit, forget it!” he said stubbornly as he folded his arms.

He seems so…“Hood like”.

“Well, if they didn’t love you, at least an inch, then they wouldn’t put up with you in the first place…no matter how they treat you.” I said calmly.

“Oh really?” he asked sarcastically.

“Yeah, or at least that’s how I see it.” I said turning my back towards him.

“And how would you know? You’ve never been abused.” He said forcefully as he folded his arms. He sounded a tad bit jealous. I looked down and didn’t respond for a moment.

“Can I tell you a secret?” I asked.

“Yeah, a brotha aint no snitch.” He said holding his left hand up as if he were in court. “That can get you killed.” He said finishing it off. What he said scared me a bit and I decided not to tell him anything; I tried to change the subject.

“You ever been to school before?” I asked curiously.

“Oh yeah, I usually get straight A’s. Maybe even a B or two might sneak up.” he said rubbing his eyes. I was kinda surprised by his answer. Not the fact that he does go, but the fact that he said he’s getting straight A’s. Especially in English? I’m barely passing because I'm not doing my homework.

 “Oh, that’s really good…where you from?” I asked looking down because I’m still thinking about his last answer.

“Atlanta, Georgia.” he said proudly.

“Oh, that’s nice.” I smiled weakly.

“Yea, you like peaches?” he asked.

“Yea, they’re one of my favorite fruits.” I responded.

“Well, you ever had a Georgia peach?” he asked curiously.

“No, I’ve never even been outside of Chicago.” I said flatly.

“Aw shoot! That mean you aint never had a real peach until you’ve had a Georgia peach.” He said with a huge grin.

"What’s so special about it?” I asked eager to know.

“Cuz man, they just the best…Sweet Georgia, home of the best peaches.” He said softly looking up as if he were reliving a precious moment.

I looked up too trying to see the moment he saw. “Why you here in Chicago?” I asked.

“Our apartment building was burned down when I was seven. We moved out here and moved in with my grandma. She died a few years ago and left my mom the house and stuff.” He said laying on his back with both hands behind his head and gazing ahead as he thought about his memory.

“You got brothers or sisters?” I asked. “I got a big sister. She left home when she was like 15. That was years ago.” he said quietly.

“You?” he asked.

“I'm an only child.” I said.

It was quiet for a while and then he broke the silence with a yawn. He shifted and squirmed a bit in his bed until he was comfortable lying on his side.

“What was your secret, Secret?” he asked giggling.

“Never mind.” I said quickly.

“How come you won’t tell me?” he asked.

“It’s not important anymore.” I said flatly as I turned to lay on my side with my back faced towards him.

“Alright then, I don’t mind you keeping secrets.” He said calmly not even caring.

He let out another yawn and it became quiet. I turned just slightly just in time to see his eyes starting to close just a bit.

“So, you’re not leaving?” I asked him.

He didn’t answer me, so I guess he went to sleep. I turned back around and laid my head on the pillow. It was soft and hot so I flipped it over to the cooler side, perfect. After a while, I started to nod off and a woman dressed in a red suit with a vase of flowers came in, accompanied by a nurse, and set them on Elliot’s night stand.

“Is this him?” she asked the nurse quietly.

“Yes, Mr. Elliot Timothius Jones.” She said with a smile.

Timothius, that’s his middle name? Haha, that’s a funny name for him. She lightly caressed his head and then kissed him on his forehead. The nurse pulled the curtain divider closed and then they both left. I started to nod off again; but until I actually fell asleep, I started thinking about everything that happened today. I still don’t know why I’m here or what happened. Why is my mom here and what happened between us? Why is Mr. Rodriguez still sticking around? Why won’t he leave? So many questions ran through my head, even ones that had nothing to do with today. Like whatever happened to Mr. Ming and his shop? After Mrs. Ming died, I stopped going in there.

I attempted to go in one time. But once I touched the door handle I backed up and walked away. I just couldn’t do it. It looked like the restaurant was empty all the time anyways. And Where the hell was Daniel? I was wondering where he’d been. Not that I expected him to show up. But still, I was wondering. Does he love me? I guess he did…but then again, it didn’t seem like it. Sometimes he showed it…and sometimes he doesn’t. He used to when I was smaller. Maybe because I’m older now, he doesn’t like me. Sometimes I just wish I could jump right into his head and see for myself…

Daniel:

I can’t do this anymore, I need to go back. Sheila’s in the bathroom playing with her hair. She pulled me from the ground and dragged me out of the building. Desperately trying to flee, not caring about my injuries. We’re staying in this small ass motel. We’re in Indiana, about a half hour away from Chicago. I guess we’re staying here for the night and leaving early in morning. I think she tryna take us to Alabama.

That’s where she’s from. Sometimes I wonder what would have happened if she would have left me there. If she would have been selfish and took off without me. She is selfish, and I knew she would have left me if she could. She knows that I would have told if she did…if I was still alive. I rubbed my right shoulder and my neck to soothe the aches and pains on them. That man’s blows to my face and chest almost knocked me clean out.

 I still don’t understand who he was or where he came from. I don’t even know him. He looked so familiar, like I’ve seen him before. Something about his eyes and hair triggered the familiar features of him. He was mad though…real mad. I don’t know why though. He just came in my house and picked a fight.

For what though, what did I do to him? Sheila knows but won’t tell me why. I know she knows because I heard him say somethin on his way out but I couldn’t hear him that well. My left ear had completely shut out all sound for a while and everything else sounded muffled in my right. When I think about it, I sometimes wished he would’ve killed me. I wish he would’ve punched me in the face so hard my breathing would just stop instantly.

I wished he would have pounded the side of my head harder than he did so my neck would twist. I wished a lot of things but some…no, all wishes don’t come true. My mind and my body were sore. I was sore from the wounds, the emotions, and the confusions. I don’t know why, but I couldn’t keep Secret off my mind since we left. Every time I try and think of something else, my thoughts end up wandering back to her…just like now. I know she thinks about me sometimes, and no doubt, I think about her too.

I wonder what’s goin through her mind all the time. I wish I could see for myself, cuz lord knows she aint