A Touch From You

Makayla

He was here, in the flesh. Jason was really here. I scanned the gym, looking for his girlfriend but she wasn’t here, probably too lazy to come.

“Hi Makayla, fancy seeing you here”, he grinned.

“So you think a girl can’t go the gym”, I teased.

“No, no. Nothing of such, just thought girls didn’t like all these stuffs”, he said lamely.

He was making a fool of himself and we both knew but I didn’t care because he looked cute doing that.

“Makayla, I’ll be in the car if you need anything.”

“Yes mum, I’ll be out in a bit”, i said as my mum left the gymnasium.

“Mum?”, a guy with salt and pepper hair who stood beside Jason blurted.

“Oh boy, this is getting interesting”, Jason laughed.

The guy in question was going red in the face. His ears and face burned like he was standing beside an open flame. Suddenly, I understood everything. Apparently, red-faced guy thought my mother was actually my sister and was planning to hit on her when he got the rude shock.

“You thought that was my sister? Well, sorry to burst your bubble darling but that’s my mother and you better stay clear or else my dad would have you for breakfast”, I laughed with tears streaming down my eyes.

Red-faced guy walked away muttering. He was clearly embarrassed from that little show and wanted to save the little dignity he had.

“Is he your brother or… I see no similarities though”, i said.

Jason stared at me with open adoration, oblivious to what I just said. This was getting a bit awkward and I snapped my finger to get back his attention.

“I’m sorry, I spaced out a bit. Yes, I mean no he’s not my brother. He’s my best friend”, he smiled.

“Oh I see. Well I’ll be on my way, say hi to the red-faced guy”, I said.

“His name is Dylan and wait? You’re leaving?. You only just got here”, he said with a sad look in his face.

“I can’t stay for long, I just came to check out this place. I’ll start officially next Saturday but it was really nice seeing you again” , I smiled.

“It was. Errm, Makayla can I get your number please. I’ll like to keep in touch”, he said sheepishly.

This was the part I dreaded. I specifically selected the people who had my number and saying no to Jasom was kinda mean. I didn’t know him that well, I mean I only just met him yesterday and for crying out loud, he had a girlfriend who might I say is a control freak.

“If you’re thinking of my girlfriend Sophia, we broke up last night. It’s not something I’ll like to talk about”, he said, sadly.

Maybe it was out of pity or sympathy for him but at the end, I gave him my number and he give me his.

“I’ve really got to go now, my mum’s waiting”, I said.

“Sure, I guess I’ll see you some other time then”, he said, taking my hands in his.

“Yes, you can let me go now”, i laughed.

“Oh shit, I’m sorry. See you around Makayla”, he grinned.

“See ya”, I said before leaving the gym.

I made my way to the car where my mum sat patiently waiting as she scrolled through her Facebook account.

“Hey mum.”

“Oh, you’re done. I hope you like the place?”, My mum asked.

“Yes mum, it’s nice.”

This morning before coming here, I got a call from my doctor who advised I should start working out to get my body back in shape after my illness. No one knew this with the exception of my parents and Harry but for some years now, I’ve been suffering from a terminal illness. It’s an on and off thing which only surfaces when I’m deeply stressed or under severe pressure.

It’s characterized by chest constriction, heavy breathing and me constantly loosing my strength and might I add, I’ve had to use an inhaler.

I’m somewhat lucky though and that’s because for the past two months, I’ve had no sign of it returning.

Due to my past records, my doctor advised I should start working to reduce it’s re-occurence and this, I was grateful for. Meeting Jason was a complete surprise, I didn’t expect to see him so soon after the train journey.

“Who’s that young man we met at the gym”, my mum said as she drove out of the building.

“Well, this might sound strange but we met on my way back home yesterday at the train station. I don’t even consider him as a friend, more like an … acquaintance. His name is Jason and that’s all I know about him”, I said.

My phone lit up with a new text from Harry reminding me of our movie night in his house this evening. I sent him a reply, acknowledging I’d be there.

“Just be careful my dear, I wouldn’t want you to get hurt a second time”, my mum said quietly.

I sighed, the memory of my previous relationship still fresh in my mind. It was terrible, the emotional damage I got from that would last me a lifetime. Good thing I had supportive Parents and Friends who helped me throughout that dark phase.

“I will mum, I promise.”

“My sister Pat and Megan would be staying with us for a little while before they head back to Georgia”, mum said.

The problem with Aunt Pat and her husband was getting worse and I feared for their safety. Megan shouldn’t be brought up in that kind of environment where she constantly saw her father being arrested for one drug related crime or the other.

“Mum, isn’t it possible for them to move in permanently. I mean, Aunt Pat could easily get a job here and Megan could enrol in a new school”

“My dear it’s not that easy. This is the time that Ronald need his wife and daughter the most, taking them away from him would be disastrous.”

I was angry, how on earth would that be disastrous when his family’s life was at risk.

“Mum, you’re her elder sister. Please talk to her”

My mum sighed as she pulled into our driveway. I could tell that her sister’s issue was taking a toll on her. It was a delicate matter and she didn’t want to do anything that could put a damper on their relationship.

“I’ll try but you know your aunt, she could be stubborn at times. She wouldn’t want to leave her job in Georgia and go running from something like this.”

“And that something is very important mum. What if some of the people he’s supplying these drugs to revolt against him and hurt his family? Would that make you guys happy? Mum, let us do what we have to do now before it’s too late”, I said, slamming the car door as I stormed into the house.

I was tired of having to wait before drastic measures are being taken to curtail an issue. It was a bitter experience I learnt in the hands of my ex-boyfriend. If I had known, at the first sign of his violent nature, I could have ended it immediately but no like the fool I am, I suffered in silence until it nearly cost me my life. Never again would I allow that to happen to the people I love, I have vowed to protect them no matter the cost.

“Hey honey, you guys are back?”, My dad called from the living room.

“Yes Dad but I’m not in the mood to talk. I’ll be in my room if you need me”, I said.

My dad remained silent, apparently noting the anger in my tone. I wasn’t in the mood to talk, i just wanted to sleep then head over to Harry’s house in the evening.

Shutting my room door, I sat on my queen size bed as tears of anger and frustration spilled from my eyes. I felt totally helpless and useless, I needed to help Aunty Pat amd Megan escape from the lives they lived. I needed them to stay far away from him before he hurts them, Megan shouldn’t constantly be filled with fear for her father and the life he lived.

I didn’t know what to do. Even as I thought about this, the first drop of rain hit my window sill and soon, it was pouring. I stared out the window watching the rain fall down in torrents as the cloud took on a dark hue. My eyes landed on the picture Megan drew last summer, it was a picture of me and her walking hand in hand under the clear blue sky. I smiled and suddenly, I felt better. I felt better not because I had a solution to the problem but because I knew everything would be alright.

At a time like this, our best bet was to keep up hope that everything would be fine. As long as Aunt Pat and Megan were here, nobody could hurt them. The rain settled into a light drizzle and soon, it was just a Pitter Patter of sounds. My phone lit up with a new message, I knew it was Harry, once again reminding me of our movie night but I was shocked to discover it was from Jasper.

J: It was nice seeing you today ?

M: Same here ?

The text icon floated, indicating he was typing. Soon, the message came in.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

J: I thought I’d text you to see how you’re doing☺. Guess I’ll see you around, bye Makayla?

M: See ya?..