A Light in the Dark Part Three: The Storm Blows In

Matty:

Three girls were kicking a student, soft sobs catching my attention. Clearing my throat, they laughed cruelly in my direction. Getting back to kicking her, her hair floated up as a fist met the leader of the group. Crashing into the locker, a busted Lily struggled to her feet. Bruises covered her face, blood dripped from a cut on her lip. Picking up the lead bully by the collar of her designer t-shirt, her foot met her sunglasses. The plastic broke upon impact, the fifteen year old Lily tossed her to the side. Her black vintage dress bounced with each step, her ponytail dancing with each step. Running after her, my worn Converses caused me to slip. Catching me in her arms, time stopped. Her real smile lit up her features, my heart falling for her in a second.  Helping me to my feet, she dusted off my black band t-shirt and ripped jeans. Fixing my hair, her laughter twinkled in the air. 

“I am Lily Kavat. I like your piercings.” She introduced herself with her hand out, the formality of it throwing me off. “You should try to stay on your feet more often.” Scarlet painted my cheeks the moment she picked a piece of lint from my wild mane, the bruises on her face not tarnishing her beauty. 

“Sure will.” I stammered nervously, her schedule trembling in her hands. “Do you need help getting to your classes? I want to-  I want to be your friend.” Covering her mouth with her hand, her hair fell off of her shoulders. Her lips parted to speak, the bell stopping her.

Snapping awake, a slender man with a messy mop of brown hair wandered in. Scanning the room for something, he paused at the counter. His eyes struggled to meet mine, his fists clenching on the counter. Shaking in his suit, his lips parted several times. 

“I am looking for Lily. I was looking to see if she was okay after the incident in the diner. Her aunt hit her.” He choked out awkwardly, fixing his cheap gray suit. “Can you give this? It is some of the things from the police station. My good friend said that they were going to burn the evidence and I was wondering if she wanted to go through it.” Intense rage burned in my eyes, Lily walking in with a beautiful vintage orange dress hugging her ample breasts while floating away from her hips. Pausing in front of him, she took an application from underneath her arms. 

“The diner said that they would hire you as a line cook. I know it isn’t much but you can get back on your feet again. We go way back. The oldest cook retired.” She explained with a sweet smile, placing it in his palm. “He knows you went to jail and everything. Don’t lie.” Stunned by her kindness, she noted the box of evidence bags behind him. Picking it up, she picked up a premade sandwich and gatorade from the cooler next to us. Pulling a twenty from her pocket, her slender fingers placed it into the register. 

“Take the food. You look like Hell.” She joked tenderly, sliding him a pen. “Do you need help filling it out?” Nodding nervously, she set the box behind the counter. Guiding him through the steps, I couldn’t figure for the life of me why she was being so gentle with him. A couple of hours passed, the end result was the poor man was blubbering in her arms. Confused by this, she flashed me her real smile. Helping people made her happier no matter who they were, my heart skipping a beat. Leaving with the application in his hands, I popped up behind her. Her laughter twinkled in the air, pride swelling at the small bump underneath my palms. 

“I know that we have all day to flirt but your mother wants us to come to dinner tonight.” She claimed as she spun on her heels. “I said that we would attend. I feel like I have to make up for the other night.” Kissing my lips passionately, time stopped. Thump! Our hearts were the only sounds for a second. The bell rang, both of us snapping to attention. Getting back to work, her customer service was flawless regardless of how they treated her. The clock was ticking down, Sammy came in with the three girls. A bag hung in her hand, the girls barraging Lily with a million questions. Setting them down on the counter, Sammy waved me over. 

“I used to sew for a living with my mother, so I tailored my old maternity clothes for her.” She admitted sheepishly, watching Lily play with the girls. “I added what I thought her taste was. Is she eating enough? She looks a little skinny. I have a fix for that. This is anti nausea tea that worked for me. Really, how is my girl doing?” Touched by her caring for my Lily, I leaned onto the counter. 

“I think okay. She has good days and bad days. Today is a good one.” I answered with my crooked grin, Sammy smiling softly to herself. “You are welcome to dinner anytime. I owe her that much. If you need anything else, give a call. Girls! You can play with her more the next time she babysits.” Running up to Sammy, they left us all alone. Looking in the bag of clothes, Lily held her hand to her heart. 

“Thank you!” She shouted as they left, Sammy nodding her head once as the next suckers came in for their slice of Hell. Climbing into my car, it was getting easier with each passing moment. Placing the clothes in the trunk, she pulled out a wrapped present from underneath the seat. Judging by the size, it had to be a picture frame. Clipping her seat belt, her hands rested on the picture frame. Saying nothing, the usual numb look took over her face. 

“Are you okay?” I asked lovingly, taking her hand. “My mom won’t bite. If anything, you might die from suffocation.” Cold silence met me, tears welled up in her eyes. Anxiety mixed with sadness, her grip on my hand tightening. Pulling up to my mother’s home, my mother waved from the porch, her mane bouncing with every motion. Getting out, she tucked her hair behind her ear. Smoothing out her dress, she let my mother give her a bear hug. Moving onto me, her white blouse felt soft against my skin. Holding my shoulders, she ruffled the top of my head. Inviting us in, there were three spots at the round table. Memories of us playing together at the table played out in my mind, the fact that my father divorced her not ruining her smile. 

“You look beautiful.” She gushed over the trembling Lily, a deep concern dimming her bright smile. “This isn’t your first time over, right?” She had stopped coming over once her parents died, my mother missing her everyday. Chewing on her nails, the good day was over. Presenting the present with her eyes hidden, my mother accepted the gift graciously. Ripping it open, tears of joy flowed down her cheeks. One of our recent ultrasound pictures rested in a simple frame.  

“I hope you like it.” She blurted through a wall of tears, teardrops meeting the worn wooden floor. “I didn’t come back after my parents died because I was afraid that you would hate me too. Ssssorry.” Embracing her in another one of her bear hugs, Lily sobbed into her shoulders. Motioning for me to get the baked spaghetti from the oven, I took a step into her sage kitchen. The white counter tops were clean as always, my fingers curling around the oven mitts. Taking the baked spaghetti out of the oven, one deep whiff had me relaxed. Noting my mother wiping away her tears, Lily looked beautiful the moment. Accidentally touching the hot pan, a steady stream of curse words flooded from my lips. Rushing over to me, a weeping Lily held my hand under cold water. My heart fluttered away. 

“You aren’t supposed to touch a hot pan.” She joked tenderly, drying off my hand. Kissing my burn, a deep crimson colored my cheeks. Watching my mother hang the photo on the wall next to my baby picture, she hummed happily to myself. Picking up the baked spaghetti, Lily set it on the pot holder. My mother popped up behind her, telling her that she had the water. Lily’s face paled, her hands cupping her mouth. Running off to the bathroom, the sound of vomiting echoed down the hall. Pushing me aside, she went to fuss over her. Hovering in the bathroom door, my mother was holding her hair back. Rubbing her back, she helped her to her feet. Laying her down on the couch, Lily looked like death warmed over. Rushing out to get the tea, the chilly night air nipped my skin. Snatching the tea from the back, my mother intercepted me at the front door. 

“Spend the night if you don’t have work tomorrow. She should probably sleep that off.” She suggested sternly, pointing to the slumbering Lily. How on Earth did she know we had the next day off?  Giving in, her Cheshire Cat grin bespoke of her victory. Letting me back in, she snatched the tea from me.  Scooping her up, my mother carried up a couple plates of food behind. Tucking her in, my mother passed me a plate. Sitting at the end of my bed, the all black walls embarrassed me.  My emo stage never really left, the band posters only making me feel worse.  

“Thanks for the food, mom.” I thanked her with a tired smile, her fork twirling around the plate. “Do you think that I will be a good father?” Cupping my hand, silent tears stained her cheeks. Dark secrets lay underneath her bubbly personality, a long sigh pouring from her lips.  

“You are nothing like that jerk. I can assure you of that, my little vampire.” She promised, setting her plate aside. “I divorced him because he found another woman to love. I cried every night but kept smiling for you. When he left, you shut down. I was scared for you. Then Lily came along and you couldn’t shut up about her. I had doubts at first. Watching you two together warmed my heart. You couldn’t help but look at her with those puppy dog eyes.” Letting my hand go, her words stuck in my head. Had I been that moody and selfish?

“Did you know that she admitted that she liked you to me?” She continued jovially, working on her food. “She told me not to tell you. Hell, she joked about you falling into her arms. I like her. Marry her.” Setting my plate aside, my appetite was gone. Gripping my pant legs, the fork slid around the plate the moment she stood up. Fishing around her pockets, she pulled out a black box. All the breath left my body upon realizing that it was my grandmother’s ring, her shaking hands placing it in my palms.  

“I don’t have the money for a w-” I protested through a wall of tears, averting my gaze at the tan carpet. The mattress groaned as Lilly sat up only to throw up in the nearby trash can. Pointing to my plate of food, it all made sense. Apologizing, my mother simply placed it outside the door. Fighting another bout, Lily leapt from the bed. Skidding into my bathroom, her fingers gripped the sides of the bowl. Holding her hair back, my mother had left the room. Laying on the floor, she mumbled something about the white tiles feeling good against her flushed cheeks. Curling into a ball, her hand clutched her stomach. 

“Don’t worry about me. I am just experiencing extreme morning sickness.” She huffed angrily, holding her bump. “I can’t wait for this to get easier.”  A knock stole our attention, she held a cup of that miracle tea. Sitting up, Lily took a sip. An exhausted smile dawned on her face, her eyes flitting between the two of us. A knock made my mother jump ten feet into the air, Lily running past us clumsily. Stopping in front of the door, an odd look came over her face. Gripping her mug, she opened the door. The weird guy from before held the evidence box in his arms with a black truck rumbling in the driveway, Lily’s polite smile doing little to hide her obvious morning sickness. 

“You forgot this at work.” He uttered anxiously, his eyes falling on my fuming mother. “I got the job and you can come in for a free meal anytime you want." Marching up to him, my mother’s slender hand yanked him down by his tie. My eyebrows twitched at Lily waving her hands around in an alarmed manner, my mother letting go of his tie. 

“I should be the one who is furious with him but he served his time. I haven’t forgiven him completely but he is trying to make his life better.” She exclaimed with a stern expression, taking the box. “Besides, he saved me from my aunt. I would like to become friends with him eventually.” Shock rounded both of our eyes, tears welling up in his. Trembling in his spot, her compassion knew no bounds. Something changed in my mother’s face, an uncomfortable expression replacing the pissed look she had seconds ago. Clearing his throat, he mumbled a goodbye as he turned to leave. Grabbing his wrist, a bewildered expression met hers. 

“Do you need a sponsor for AA meetings?” She inquired awkwardly, a sad smile dawning on his face. “You look like you wanted to drink a second ago. My uncle would have the same expression before he hit the bottle. Let me put in my number.” Taking his phone, she typed in her number. Passing his phone back to him, quiet smiles spread across our faces. ‘

“Why would you do that?” He stammered awkwardly, silent tears staining his cheeks. “You don’t have to do th-” Taking his hands, a warmth came from her real smile. Hugging him with the world’s most awkward hug, she cupped his face. 

“How the hell would I be a decent person if I didn’t help you out? You lost your girlfriend and I don’t want you to do the same thing. Let’s keep ourselves alive, yeah?” She assured the sobbing man, her hands patting his back. “Come by for dinner sometime and I can make your favorite dish.” Fishing around her pocket, she pulled out a couple of twenties. Pressing them into his palm, he shouted a shaky goodbye as he ran out to the car. Closing the door behind him, she slid down the door. Fighting back tears, the mug smashed against the wall. The tea dripped down the wall, her whole body quaked violently. Crawling over to the broken glass, fat teardrops hit the floor. Every breath grew shorter, one of her panic attacks were beginning. Clutching her to my chest, her fingers gripped my shirt. Burying her head into my shoulder, scream after scream burst from her lips. Picking up the glass, a deep concern dimmed my mother’s features. Was all this kindness worth it? Kissing the top of her head, her wet eyes met mine. Smiling wearily at my loving gaze, the panic attack had subsided. 

“I am sorry about your mug. I just got really frustrated with my mixed emotions. Nothing is making sense to me anymore.” She apologized brokenly, my mother crouching down to her level. Ruffling the top of her head, her hand cupped hers. 

“I don’t care about a stupid mug. You are so brave for what you are doing.” She comforted her with her motherly energy, rubbing the back of her hand. “I wouldn’t have the resolve to be kind to him. I am so proud of you. You always have a place here. You are carrying my grandchild after all.” Fresh tears flowed freely from Lily’s eyes, her real smile illuminating her features. Leaping from my arms into hers, something told me that it was time to ask her a question. Clearing my throat, they rose to her feet. Getting on my knees, I pulled the box out of my pocket. 

“You stole my heart the first day of high school by catching me. I suppose I never learned to stay on my feet. I promise to follow you through Hell and help you heal your broken heart. Let’s do this family thing together!” I blurted out with a nervous smile, her hands cupping her mouth the moment I opened up the box. “Will you marry me, Lily Kavat?” Waiting with bated breath, she held her hand out. 

“You really should learn how to stay on your feet.” She joked tenderly with tears of joy sliding down her cheeks, my heart fluttering at the pure moment of happiness. “I said yes, dummy.” Sliding my grandmother’s golden band onto her ring finger, the black pearl glistening in the light. Rising to my feet, she leapt into my arms. Spinning her around, my mother grinned ear to ear with her creepy Cheshire Cat grin. Kissing her feverishly, a weight had been lifted off my chest.  Letting her go, my mother descended upon her with wild hunger. Fussing over her, Lily allowed her with a flat expression at times. Thanking the universe for our win, Lily was going to be my wife. My wife, that sounded so wonderful on my tongue. Jumping into the air, I spun around. Let this wedding go off without a hitch.