I stood at the kitchen sink, staring out the window and trying to stay calm. Gulping down a glass of water, I heard a truck door slam from the yard. I wasn't ready to be this mad.
Without a knock, the screen door was yanked open and a voice bellowed "Hullo,". I refused to turn around.
"I'm guessing you heard,"
"Yeah, I fucking did,"
Derek was my older sister's ex-boyfriend, the one we "got in the custody battle" after my mother threw her out of the house, chasing her out of town for good. He was a stocky farm boy who'd become like a brother, or a best friend - helping me cope through high school as the one obviously gay kid. We'd hang, play PS4, drink. He'd even helped my mom and I get jobs after I graduated. He was family, and he was leaving.
"Ricks, I wanted to be the one to tell you- my Uncle in Baltimore, he passed. My Aunt needs me to help run his shop. I'm leaving for the funeral tomorrow," I turned to look him in the eye and watched him near. He'd taken off his cap and was nervously fiddling with it.
"But you're not coming back are you?" He closed the gap between us.
"Not for some time I'm afraid," His voice was hushed, his eyes downcast. I wanted to burst out in tears, Derek was all I'd had in this shitty town. I studied his face, the scruffy jawline, long brown lashes, and flushed cheeks.
"Which is why I want you to come with me," Our eyes met as my mouth slowly fell open. I couldn't believe how quickly my heart changed. I found myself instantly scared of everything, but lost in Derek's hopeful face.