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“Where have you been?” my father yelled as I tiptoed into the house. “The diner closed an hour ago! Your mother’s been sick with worry.”
I entered the den where my parents were watching a show. The other days I’d been with Rocky, I’d only been thirty minutes late and told them I’d been chatting with Brenda. Something told me they wouldn’t believe me this time.
“Answer your father, Ella. And don’t lie. We know you weren’t with Brenda.” Mom shook her head, and disappointment rolled off her in massive waves.
How did they know I wasn’t with Brenda?
“I’m waiting, Ellassandra.” Dad crossed his arms over his chest. “Who were you with tonight?”
“A guy,” I said truthfully.
“What guy?” Dad asked.
“Just someone I met while working at Apple Andy’s. All we were doing was hanging out.” I shifted from one foot to the other, still a little buzzy and tingling from being with Rocky.
“Was it the biker?” he asked, with a glint that told me he knew exactly who I’d been with.
I blinked rapidly, unsure of what to say.
“Ella, he’s a dangerous man. What were you thinking?” Mom asked in a chiding tone. “And much too old for you.”
“Only two and a half years older.” I rolled my eyes.
“Nineteen?” Dad said, aghast. Good thing I hadn’t said almost twenty. “We can have him arrested.”
“For what? Talking and hanging out with me? Don’t be ridiculous, Dad.”
“Ella,” Mom hissed.
“What? He hasn’t done anything I didn’t want him to do.”Oops. I snapped my mouth shut.Stupid, stupid girl!
“What has he done to you?” Dad jumped out of his chair and faced me.
“Nothing. Jeez, Dad. Relax. He’s a nice guy.”
He paced the room. “People will talk. Our new church family will judge you, and then they’ll blame me for your sins.”
“Wow, some church family.” I sighed, walking away. “Where’s the grace, mercy, and forgiveness you preach?”
“Don’t get smart with me. You’re never to see him again, Ellassandra. Do you hear me? I will make you quit your job and ground you from leaving the house.”
I froze. Rocky might go ballistic if my dad kept me from him. I’d lose my mind too.
“He’s taking advantage of your innocence, sweetie. Manipulating you.” Mom’s voice cracked.
I spun around. “I’m not a child. I’m not being manipulated, and you can’t keep me from seeing him!” I ran to my bedroom, slammed the door, and locked it.
I put my hand against my heart. It was racing faster than I’d ever felt. Could it be a heart attack? Was I about to die? Never get to experience love and sex?
I took my phone out of my purse and saw the dozens of missed calls and texts from my parents. Great. I was lucky they hadn’t called the sheriff’s department. Quickly, I texted Rocky.
Ella: My parents know about you. They don’t want me to see you anymore.
Flopping onto my bed, I waited for his reply. Seconds turned into minutes. Then fifteen minutes. Thirty minutes.
Why wasn’t he texting me back?
Ella: Rocky, are you there? Please don’t ghost me because of my parents.
