AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I thought I loved her,” I tell her honestly. “Have you?”
“I’ve loved, but I don’t think I was in love. My first boyfriend in college.”
“It’s overrated.”
“Is that what you believe?” she asks. “Why?”
“My mother cheated on my father, yet she claimed to love him. Aren’t you meant to protect those you love?” I tell her, truthfully.
“I guess, but one bad outcome shouldn’t deter you. My grandparents had the greatest love, and one day, I want that for myself,” she tells me, and her honesty surprises me.
“You’ll get it.”
“Just not with you, right?” she says, turning back over and lying down.
“Do you want to play another game?” I ask, avoiding her question.
“No,” she answers, not even looking my way.
“This doesn’t have to be so painful, you know.”
Lottie doesn’t answer me.
It’s probably for the best.
Who knows what else I might say to her?
Who knows what else she could bargain from me?
“Whiskey,” Lottie pushes.
I swear I just passed out.
Why is she waking me? I want to sleep.
She pushes me again, kicking me in the leg. “Whiskey.”
Opening my eyes, I see her next to me, her hands on my chest, my sheet on the floor.
“You were screaming,” she says, her eyes not moving from me, her hand flat on my chest. “What were you dreaming about?” she asks.
Sitting up, I wipe the sweat from my face. “Go back to sleep, Lottie.” I climb out going straight to the bathroom, slamming the door shut and leaning against it. Checking the time, it’s only been an hour. How the fuck can it only be an hour? I felt like I was trapped in that dream and couldn’t escape for hours. I haven’t had that nightmare for quite some time. It’s been a while since I’ve seen my father’s face, white as a ghost hanging from our garage ceiling.
Standing under the cold water, I let it wash over me hoping it will bring some relief to the hell I was just in.
As I close my eyes to calm my racing heart, I see him again. I’m not even in bed yet and I already know sleep is not going to be happening tonight.
I turn off the shower, get out, and dry myself off.
Lottie is sitting up, looking at the door. She turns to me when I walk out and climb into bed. “Are you okay?”
“No.” Why lie?
“I usually sleep like the dead, but your screams scared me,” she says, shivering. “They sounded painful.”
“It’s over now. Go back to sleep, Lottie.”
“Did you need me to do anything?” she asks.
