Page 7 of Sorry

Once we had finished eating, I told her to go and relax in the living room, while I cleared the table. With the dishes washed, and kitchen cleaned, I made us two cups of delicious, Turkish, black coffee; that I called ‘the rocket fuel’ because it was unfiltered coffee that would keep you up for two days, if you weren't used to it. Then I made my way to the sofa.

As I sat down, I set our coffees down on the coffee table and handed one cup to Baka. I sat on the sofa beside her arm chair, and tucked my legs under myself to get comfortable, with coffee in hand.

“Thank you Sam, I needed it after that meal.” Nodding at her coffee, she sighs and takes the first sip. “Mmm good. You did good." She praised my coffee making skills.

I noticed how much she aged in these last few years that I have been visiting less. My heart hurt, I would have ran away from Kyle a long time ago, from the prison I was in, and came back here to live with her, to care for her. But I couldn't. I couldn't risk bringing her in this mess, I didn't know how far Kyle was ready to go to keep me, to control me. So I chose to not see her as much to protect her and to hide my shame. To hide the fact I was not strong enough. My parents would have been devastated if they knew how their only son was being treated.

She sighed and said, “Tell me. How are you, really?”

My heart stopped beating for a second. I took a deep breath and schooled my face like I trained myself to do and say, “I am good bako, I am enjoying work and still helping in the book store, so I am tired.” I repeated the lie I had told her hundreds of times. It sat bitter on my tongue. I was not helping in the book store and I was not fine, but she looked like she didn't believe me. I knew she was a smart, sharp woman, she always was. But I would continue to lie until I was blue in the face.

“Ah.. okay. I know you tell lies my son, I know that that… govno od coveka is no good! I see things, I’m old, but I am not stupid,” She exclaimed, calling Kyle a piece of shit. “But don’t vorry, Baka got you,” leaning back into her chair. she tapped my knee lovingly and winked at me.

My breath shuttered. I sat up straighter, trying not to break my cool facade and stuttered out, “Wh…what do you mean by that?”

She crossed her arms over her belly, closed her eyes and said, “Nothing... I need to nap, I ate too much, put the load of washing in for me while you are here.” she dismissed me, and actually started fake snoring.

After I was done doing laundry and sweeping the whole house, I came to find her really sleeping. I kissed her forehead and headed home as it was getting late. My phone pinged with the text from Kyle, asking me where I was at 7pm, on a Monday. My heart rate skyrocketed. I picked up my keys with shaky hands, trying not to wake her up and ran out of the house.

CHAPTER 8

ALEX

Tess was back Sunday night and was acting all weird. It continued into Monday evening. She asked me how my weekend was. She never asked me anything nowadays apart from, “When will you try to get a normal job?” and telling me, “You should pick better friends to hang out with, ones that will give you better opportunities to grow.” But never how was I? Or how was my weekend? It was freaky.

I went to work this morning, did my two hour gym routine to avoid her, but I had to come home eventually, but now. But now I had to leave the house. I took my phone out and texted the guys.

THE CREW CHAT

ME: Guys are you at the apartment?

MATT: Yes man we are what's up? Is everything ok?

JAKE: OHHHH SHHHIIIIIT

JAKE: He did it!

JAKE: You did, did you??

JAKE: It was only a matter of time…

JAKE: I knew it

MATT: What on earth are you talking about Jake? What is he on about Alex?

JAKE: He finally snapped, and drowned the banshee in the sink full of dirty dishwater.

JAKE: HAHAHA

MATT: There is something truly wrong with you, you need professional help.

JAKE: You love me just the way I am, don't pretend now,

MATT: I... I honestly don't know what to say to that.

ME: No I didn't Jake, but I think she is planning my murder… She was… Nice to me…I am scared.

JAKE: Well shit man.