The girl in the attic
Chapter 35
Preston’s POV
The next couple of weeks past by quickly. My parents helped me with all the papers to transfer schools and they had spoken to my aunt and uncle about me moving out. They didn’t tell them anything about Katie which I was grateful for. Most days we snuck out early and only came back late at night. We ate at the diner and spend most of the day cleaning our new apartment and kissing. We went to go visit Mickey a few times which made Katie really happy. I also enjoyed the visits and found Mickey to be a really good kid.
He had taken a turn for the worse and although the doctors had changed his medication and were doing everything they could for him things weren’t looking good. I had given my cell phone number to them and told them to phone me immediately if necessary.
It was the Tuesday morning before the end of the month when we got a call from the Sunflower House of Hope. Mickey was found dead in his bed. They thought that he was responding well to the medicine and that he was doing better the night before but they were wrong.
When the nurse told me the news my heart sped up in my chest and I felt sick. I had gotten to like Mickey and this was going to destroy Katie. She’s been doing really well on her treatment and I hoped that the news wouldn’t affect her recovery. She still gets sick and she has lost her hair but after I bought her a wig she felt much better. Katie was still asleep when my phone rang but when I was done talking and put it on my bedside table and turned around to wake her she was lying there staring at me with wide eyes. Through the telephone conversation and the look on my face she must have figured out what had happened.
“Mickey?” she asked softly as tears started forming in her eyes. I couldn’t get myself to speak so I just nodded my head and scooped her into my arms. I held her tight as she cried and sobbed. It must have taken an hour or so until she finally calmed down.
After what had happened Katie didn’t feel like going out so we just stayed in bed watching movies and holding each other. Later in the afternoon I phoned the Sunflower House of Hope to see if they had any information about the funeral. Apparently Lina had broken down when they were on the phone with her and asked them to organize everything. The funeral was scheduled for Friday morning.
My aunt and uncle had shown that they actually had a heart by giving Lina the week off. I was surprised to hear it but also very grateful, it would make sneaking around a lot easier. Katie was still sad but insisted that we go have pancakes at the diner and then add the last few touches to our new apartment
Once we were upstairs and the door was locked behind us she threw her arms around me and pressed her lips to mine. She kissed me with everything she had and I couldn’t help but respond. I kissed her, taking in the taste of her lips and the feel of her touch. I pushed her back slowly until we reached the couch and laid her down with me on top. We kissed some more before I pulled away and got up.
She looked at me with sad eyes but I just couldn’t do it.
“Not now Katie, you are grieving and in pain. Trust me I want to but when you are really ready,” I said with difficulty. There was nothing I wanted more then to make love to her but this just wasn’t the right time. She nodded her head in understanding and then burst into tears. I quickly sat down next to her and wrapped her in my arms.
We spend the rest of the day fixing and cleaning our apartment and by the time we were done we were both starving but very pleased with our work. Our apartment was officially ready to move into and we were both very excited about it.
We went home that night and fell asleep in each other’s arms. We were tired from the day’s work and it felt good to lie down and hold each other. The next day I took Katie for her treatment and Dr. Kremer was very optimistic about how she was doing, she only had two weeks of treatment left before she would be done. Once the treatment was over they would run tests again to see if she needed to come back for another cycle or if she had gone into remission.
Katie felt sick after the treatment so we headed straight home instead of stopping at the diner. I didn’t mention Mickey’s funeral but I could tell that it was on her mind. I knew that she wanted to go but wouldn’t because of Lina so I took it into my own hands to make sure that she went. When my alarm went off the next morning I woke her and told her to get ready. When she asked me for what I just told her it was a surprise. She looked hesitant but did as I asked. Once she had showered and gotten dressed I took her to the diner to get breakfast and then to a little clothing shop in town.
It is a fancy shop that sells all sorts of suits for men and woman. Katie immediately understood what I was doing when she saw the shop. She froze on the spot and started shaking her head.
“I know you want to go to Mickey’s funeral,” I stated pulling her closer to me.
“I can’t, what if Lina sees me,” she said sounding afraid. I hated Lina for what she has done to Katie.
“Don’t worry about her, I’ll take care of everything,” I said before lightly kissing her forehead.
“But…,” she started saying so I cut her off.
“You trust me don’t you?” I asked pulling back and looking into her beautiful big eyes.
“Yes,” she answered still looking horrified at the idea of facing Lina.
“Good, now why don’t we go get you something to wear?” I asked smiling at her sadly.
“Ok,” she agreed so I led her into the shop. I bough myself a new suit and Katie chose a black pants suit as well. Once I had paid we quickly changed into our new clothes and then headed to the next town where the funeral would be held.
I could tell that Katie was really nervous but I knew she would never forgive herself if she didn’t go. There were a few cars parked outside of the church but it seemed like everybody was already inside so we quickly parked our car and headed inside. There weren’t many people and most of them were sitting in the front so we slid in on one of the benches at the back hoping to go unnoticed.
When the service was over Katie was silently sobbing. I moved my arm around her waist and guided her out of the church. We made it about half way to the car when I heard Lina’s voice behind us.
“Katie?” she half yelled sounding angry. I felt Katie’s body stiffen next to mine.
“Let me handle it,” I whispered to her before turning around to face Lina. Her face was red and streaked with tears but there was no sympathy in them for Katie. I didn’t say anything, waiting for her to speak first.
“What are you doing here with him?” she asked looking really upset. Katie whimpered into my side and I felt my anger toward Lina streaming over.
“She’s here because she loves her brother and she’s with me because I love her and care about her unlike you,!” I spat having to stop myself from screaming and causing a scene. Lina looked shocked by my words and it took her a few seconds to recover.
“How long has this nonsense been going on?” she asked Katie as if Katie really had to answer to her after the way she’s treated her.
“Since the day I’ve moved in but you don’t have to worry about it, were not going to tell my aunt and uncle. Your little secret will be safe with us, I’m sure you know I’m moving out of the house on Monday and Katie will be coming with me. I got us a nice little place where she can live the life she deserves and just so that you know, you disgust me,” I stated turning around and leading Katie to the car.
Lina didn’t say anything more and we didn’t bother to look back as we headed over to the graveyard. We stood in the front as they buried Mickey. Lina looked uncomfortable and somehow that made me feel better. When the burial was over we headed back into town to get some lunch and then we went back home.
Katie was a bunch of nerves when we got home so I ran her a hot bubble bath and told her to try and relax. I waited for her in my room and when she came out of the bathroom, she looked radiantly beautiful and relaxed.
“You’re absolutely gorgeous,” I said getting up from the bed and wrapping my arms around her.
“Don’t lie,” she giggled as I spun her around.
“I’m not lying,” I whispered into her ear causing her body to shiver in my arms.
“Of course you are, I don’t even have any hair,” she said still giggling.
“Doesn’t matter,” I stated leaning forward and pressing my lips against hers. She kissed me back enthusiastically. We somehow made our way on to the bed without breaking the kiss and I wrapped her in my arms where she fell asleep.
It was still early but I didn’t mind. I could hold her like that and watch her sleep forever.