Chapter 51 - THE BONES

I confess everything.

I hold nothing back.

It feels liberating to not have to keep that secret from her. No more lies, no more sneaking out, no more guilt. 

I expect her to freak out, or ground me, or ship me off to an uninhabited island like Paris' parents but she's taking everything well…at least well enough that she hasn't had a heart attack. For ten minutes, she doesn't say anything. I guess that is the part where she is processing everything and I don't blame her. If my teenage daughter told me that she has been dating a twenty-three year old man for five going on six months under my roof, I'd probably be seething.

She is disappointed, and rightfully so because I'm older and meant to ''be more responsible' to put it in her words. It is a tearful experience for the both of us, even moreso for me because I'm in both physical and emotional pain.

...........................

The hospital discharged me three days ago. Doctor Carlos gave me crutches and said my right leg would heal nicely if I don't push pressure on it by engaging in strenuous activity. The lacerations on my skin have also faded a bit. The dark red bruises have been covered by layers of skin and I don't feel as much pain as I did before.

Also, I'm not going to school till further notice. Mum called Principal Grande and told him that I'm not well enough to attend school. Of course, she was rather vague and left out the important details, but said that I'd attend school next week. In the meantime, Paris volunteered to drop off all notes and assignments I'd miss. I haven't told her the whole truth either. Per my request, mum sent a quick text to tell her I was 'unwell.'

The media has been busy too. As I predicted, the 'shootout at Lakedale Road' is a trending topic. It's all they ever talk about. The police haven't given an official statement, so all they have as information is that there was a shooting, a Jeep and a sedan were found at the scene and a teenager was found a few miles away from the shooting.

I haven't heard from Bob, or at least heard from the police about Bob. They've been radio silent ever since they visited me at the hospital and it's driving me crazy. Is he alive? Was he injured? Is he in a ditch somewhere? Someone needs to tell me something!

I've been checking my phone non-stop, hoping that he'd call me, or text me that he's okay, but it's been four days and my hope is thinning. I don't pray for the worst, but in situations like this, a missing person's case (if I can even call it that), it never end well. 

And the thought alone is debilitating.

Because I love him. I love him and he loves me and maybe we would have had a shot at being together in the future. This is my first real relationship and it's going to shit already before it hits a year. I don't regret anything. I was only sorry that I hadn't told my mum the minute it started but I don't regret any and every moment I spent with Bob. Dare I say, they were the happiest moments of my teenage life. 

It hurts so bad, being left in the dark, but I have to be calm and focus on getting better so I can figure out what the fuck is going on.

There's so much that doesn't make sense to me. Why were Bob and I targeted? Who was the shooter? What vendetta did he or she have against us-against Bob-if my suspicions are correct? Also, what is Bob's connection to Jason?

''Melody, are you okay?'' Mum asks, concern gracing her face. She took a break off work to take care of me and is doing the things I normally would have done if my right leg wasn't fractured: taking Sophie to and from school, cooking breakfast, making dinner and doing house chores. I must admit, being sick is awesome because I can't remember the last time I was doted on by mum. 

All the doting and attention goes to Sophie and that's understandable but it's nice to be the centre of attention-even if it's under the circumstance of my right leg being bandaged.

''I'm good,'' I respond with a small smile. Her small frame fully enters my bedroom, a glass cup in her hands. ''I brought you sweet tea. I know it's your favourite.'' She settles the tray on my bedside table. ''I also have Oreos and I could get you Maltesers if you like.''

I raise a suspicious brow. I know I'm sick, but I could have sworn we were on a sugar cleanse-she was on a sugar cleanse, but if she's on a cleanse, then Sophie and I are on a cleanse too. ''Mum, I know I'm out sick and all, but are you okay? What's with all the sugar?''

Dr Carlos gave me a strict warning the day I left the hospital and said that I should avoid any and all sugary foods. I don't know the relationship between a fracture and sugar, but the doctor knows best.

And my mum's a nurse so she should not encourage my sweet tooth.

She ignores my questions. ''Why is it so cold in here?'' 

''Oh, I didn't turn on the heater.'' I got so lost in thought that I forgot to turn on the heater. ''My God, do you want to freeze to death?'' With a quick step, she turns on the switch of the thermostat on the wall and the heater comes on in full blast. 

''You didn't answer my question. What's with all the sugar?''

She winks a little and settles on my desk chair, angling it to face me. ''What Dr Carlos doesn't know won't kill him.''

Okay then.

I stretch my hand a little and pick an Oreo from the china plate. ''How's your leg doing?''

''Considering I've been in bed all day, save for all the times I went to the bathroom, I think it's healing quite nicely.'' 

''That's great. But are you really okay? I can't imagine the horror you went through that night.''

Sighing, I take a bite of my Oreo. ''No, I'm not. I hate being left in the dark about everything and the police haven't said anything. Also, I don't know if Bob is alive and that's driving me crazy.''

At the mention of Bob, mum's eyes narrow. It's obvious she doesn't like him. She said so three days ago and swore she'd have him arrested. I think it's ludicrous to not like someone you haven't met. I wish she'd get over the age difference and the fact that I kept the relationship a secret for as long as I did, but knowing her, that won't happen anytime soon.

Besides, I knew she'd react negatively. That's why I kept my mouth shut.

''I know you may not like him, but I love him, mum.'' I explained in clear details about how I felt about Bob when I broke down and told her everything in the hospital. ''I can't help how I feel, Mum.''

''You're still young, Mel. You don't know anything about love.''

I know enough.

''I don't need to know everything about love,'' I counter with defiance, ''but I know that what Bob and I have is real because he loves me too.'' No teenager likes to talk to their parents about their love life but I don't even feel awkward saying all this in front of her because I'm always in tune with my feelings and I vowed to her that I'd be honest about everything going on in my life.

It also helps that we've always been close.

Mum shakes her head in disbelief. ''He doesn't love you. He loves the idea of having a younger woman on his arm. You're a teenager for God's sake! He should be arrested for statutory rape.''

''NO.'' I yell. ''We didn't have sex. He can't be charged for statutory rape.''

''Tell that to a judge.''

I'd rather die than let that happen.

''Mum, everything we had was purely consensual on both sides. If anything, I seduced him.'' Which is partially true.

''Can't you see that he manipulated you,'' she says, raising her voice a little. ''You can't love a MAN. You're just a child.''

Miss me with that bullshit.

''Mum,'' I say calmly. ''You and I both know that I am not the type to be coerced into doing anything.'' Except if I'm held at knife point, but that's another story. ''I may be seventeen but you know how mature I am. I literally run this place and I take care of Sophie when you're not here, all while maintaining stellar grades.'' And dealing with Mariah and Jason's bullshit at Adelaide. ''Trust me, I'm more mature than you think.''

''I can't believe what I'm hearing!''

''I don't want to argue with you,'' I really don't as this shouldn't even be up for debate. ''and you're the one who taught me about honesty, so this is me being honest with you. I've said it before and I'll say it again. I love him, and I won't let anything get in the way of that.''

Her cloudy eyes glaze over at me as she tugs at her sweater. With one final sigh, she rises up from the chair and proceeds to leave, but turns back. ''You'd be willing to risk your relationship with me for love?''