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Me: I’ll take you up on that.
I took a shower to calm my nerves and then wrapped my knuckles. I took some time to sit and chill to give her some space. I need to talk to her again, so we can fix this. If she loves me, we will fix this, and I will make this work. I sent her a text asking her to come back over, but it went unanswered.
I saw Mom and Pops pull in and wanted to get ahead of this so we didn’t have to explain anything to them, but when I walked in Mom was holding a note. All the blood rushed from my face, and I ran up the stairs.
She was gone. The only thing left was the music for the play. I sat down on her bed and put my head in my hands.
“What happened?” I didn’t hear her come up, but Mom stood in the doorway.
“I fucked up, Mom.”
She cleared her throat as a warning, and I’m sure she gave me a death stare because of the swear word, but she didn’t comment further.
“I’m sorry,” I added.
“It sounds like I’m not the one who needs an apology. Fix it, Lincoln. Your father is beside himself. He is blaming himself. For what, I have no idea. I told him to let me come up here because he looked like he was going to punch something, punch you. He is going to want you to explain this, you know.” She handed me the note.
Dear Dad and Liza,
I know this may come as a shock since we had such a great morning, but I’ve decided to leave after everyone comes for my birthday in a few weeks, and I will be leaving alone. I need to go home and get back to life in Connecticut.
I’m going to stay at my friend Dan’s for a few days. I need some quiet to finish something for the local high school at home. I’ve been neglecting it way too long because I’m having too much fun with you guys.
When Brie arrives, she and I will get a hotel for a few days so we can have some actual sister time alone; surprisingly, we never do that. I think I need a little space, and I’ve inconvenienced you guys enough. I want to give you a little break and one less mouth to feed.
Thank you so much for letting me stay. I will be back so you can meet Brie and me for dinner one night maybe, and I’ll be back to stay once Brie leaves until I’m ready to go home, if that’s okay. If not, I can grab a hotel for the remainder of my stay. The last thing I want to do is uproot anyone and hurt anyone else. I’ll be at work every morning till two, and if Lincoln still needs my help, I will help him after that at the school, but I’d like to take the weekends off unless you absolutely need me. I’ll be busy helping Callie with some plans over the phone. They are hoping for a fall wedding, but she needs everything planned right now.
I’m sure you will want things explained. Just know I didn’t mean for any of this to happen, and I’m really sorry. I am sorry that I hurt Lincoln. Please know that was not my intention, and I will forever regret it. I am sure we will get over it soon. I promise everything will return to normal. I love you both so much, no matter what. See you in a few days.
With Love, Aubrey
“She called him Dad?” I asked, hoping she would explain. I looked at my mom and saw the hurt in her eyes.
“They had a pretty good morning. Aubrey discovered some cool things about her and your father’s past that she was really excited to share with you. I’ll let him give you all the details. What I want to know right now is what really happened, and why did she leave? Why aren’t you running after her?”
I handed her my phone. “She sent me this by mistake, and my temper took over as soon as I saw her. I literally flipped and broke up with her the minute she tried to talk to me. I didn’t even let her talk. The only fucking relationship I’ve ever had, ever cared about lasted two fucking days. What the hell is wrong with me?” I hung my head even lower. I was so embarrassed.
It surprised me when she didn’t yell at me. She was weirdly calm for just finding out about Aubrey leaving. My eyes went wide in accusation.
“You knew? You knew she was going to leave me and you didn’t bother to tell me…I’m your son.” I started to get up because I knew if I stayed, I would say something I would regret, and I couldn’t hurt another person I loved today.
“And she is our daughter, Lincoln,” Pops spoke from the hallway. “She was going to ask you to date long distance. She even asked us how we would feel if she asked you to go with her. Guess you not only ruined that, but you pushed her away from us too.”
“What? How would you know she wanted—"
Pops got a bit louder as he stepped into the room toward me. My mom rose and placed her hand on his chest so he would stop moving.
“I know, Lincoln, because she told us! She was telling us because you leaving affects us; she was being God damn considerate for the other people in this family! She obviously didn’t know what your answer would be but just in case, she wanted us to know so we weren’t blindsided by losing you and her simultaneously.” He looked down and then back at me after taking a few breaths. “For the record, this is what I asked you NOT to do. I told you not to treat her like one of your throwaways, and you couldn’t do it. Aubrey is a part of this family… What the fuck Lincoln?”
I put my hands over my face and sat back on the bed. “I’m a fucking dumbass idiot.”
“Boys, the swearing,” Mom said in a hushed voice.
Pops turned and walked back out the door. “I couldn’t agree with you more. You said it, Link, not me.”
Mom touched my shoulder, “Give her time, Lincoln. When she returns, talk to her. You are both important to us no matter what.”
“I will, Mom. I’m sorry I raised my voice.”
