Love will Never Die

Avoidance Pt 2

I wasn't going to fight it.

"Jace..." My dad blew air into my eyes.

The air-blowing was having less effect.

I heard frantic footsteps entering the room.

"Put the ice pack on the back of his head." My dad ordered my mom.

Their voices sounded far away.

As the cold ice pack touched my head, my eyes shot open.

"D-dad? Mom?" My breathing was stagnant.

I tried to stand, but my dad sat me back down.

"Dad, I'm fine." I brushed his hands off of me.

"Jace, just take it slow." My dad pursed his lips.

I looked at my mom.

She nodded.

I sighed.

"Honey, I am so sorry I fell on you." My mom rubbed her eyes.

Her eyes were glued to the wooden floor as she ran her hands through her hair, and balled some in her fist.

"It's fine mom...I'm fine." I lifted her chin and pulled off a tight-lipped smile.

My mom and dad sighed in relief.

I'm don't intend to tell them this, but the pain is excruciating.

My dad smiled as he ruffled my hair.

I winced.

"Sorry kiddo." His smile faltered.

"Don't worry, It's all good." I pat his shoulder.

His lips were in a tight line.

My parents looked at each other, then averted their eyes back on me.

"You guys were just arguing because of me..." My eyebrows furrowed.

Silence followed.

My dad's eyes narrowed. "Jace, your mom told me all about how you want to be left alone...and that's fine...but you need to tell me why." His tone was authoritative.

I looked at him.

His expression was the same as mom's the week before...pained.

I glanced at my mom.

She was out of it, unresponsive.

I can't hide it from them any longer. I thought.

I opened my mouth to speak, but nothing came out.

I thought I was prepared to tell them...but now I'm panicking.

I don't even know why!

The only thing that interrupted the silence was the broken smoke detector, that made a noise every 10 seconds...

It was so annoying.

This was my biggest secret yet, how was I supposed to tell them?

I froze.

Breathe....

The peace was overwhelming.

I closed my eyes.

Thank you Holy Spirit. I smiled.

I opened my eyes to look at my parents.

They stared right at me, ready to hear what I was going to say next.