PART TWENTY-ONE | A MORNING CALL

Mom told me that Dad used to be a gentleman. After several years of marriage, his behavior started to go downhill. She didn't even know the guy she married anymore.

My phone buzzes like crazy. It is probably Saturday morning, not really sure. But a tinge of orange peeking from behind the curtain indicates the sun is shining outside. My hand reaches for my phone. My brother's name, Oscar, is flashing on the screen.

The realization hits me hard. I abruptly get up, sitting on the edge of Jeremy's bed. He is still sleeping beside me. The white bedsheet covers half of his bare torso. He sleeps peacefully, no snoring, just steady breathing. Hair scatters on the pillow, I realize that it gets longer from the first time I met him.

His pink lips are slightly open. Reminding me to our conversation last night.

"Your lips are pretty, Tara-Jane," he said. The Archies was playing on the gramophone. Jeremy ran his index on my lower lip, testing it before gave me a small peck on the lips. "Why do we kiss with our lips?" He asked.

I cocked my eyebrow. "Because... it was supposed to be?"

He shook his head. "Your lips are the softest, the thinnest, and the most sensitive part of your body," he explained.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. So, it feels good when you're kissing." His eyes flickered to my lips. He gave me a small peck once again. Afterward, he lowered his lips to the area where my neck met the collarbone, grazing his teeth gently. My breath became heavier and my head tilted slightly to grant him more access.

He giggled and said against my skin, "And this is another sensitive spot on your body."

I shift my gaze from Jeremy to the ceiling above. "Hey," I say to my phone. My voice is raspy from sleep.

"Finally, you answer."

I shut my eyes, pinching the bridge of my nose. "Yeah, sorry. I'll be home soon. Sorry."

I hear Oscar is sighing on the other line. "I heard about the party from Julia. Need a lift?"

The sting on my breast is long gone, but the memory is vivid on my mind. Jeremy stirs in his sleep. Last night, after listening to The Archies we sneaked out to the kitchen, we sat on his kitchen floor with a bowl of ice cream on our hands. Jeremy was only on his shorts, leaving his torso shirtless. Ice wrapped in a towel was pressing his right ankle. Our back was leaning idly on the counter behind us.

"You don't like a raisin, do you?" Jeremy asked.

I shook my head and scrunched my nose. "Definitely not my favorite."

"What about the bean sprout?" He scooped the vanilla ice cream, with raisins in it, to his wide mouth. "If you have to pick one of them... bean sprout or raisin?"

I shrugged. "I'd rather starve to death."

He let out a chuckle. The strawberry ice cream slowly melted on my bowl. It fell on my dress when I was about to lick it from my spoon. I swept it with my thumb, then brought it to my mouth, sucking it.

"I'm sorry for leaving you on the parking lot like that," Jeremy said.

I giggled as I pressed the spoon on my lips. It felt cold. Probably, Jeremy thought it was not a normal reaction to show when people were apologizing. "That was vile. But, I was being an annoying person too," I said. "I'm not ashamed of you. You should know that, Jer."

Jeremy placed the bowl beside him. "C'mere," he said. I scooted closer obediently. He kissed my forehead. It was a sweet gesture of him, as sweet as his smell. "I don't fully understand what's goin' on inside the smart brain of yours. I want to know you better, Tara-Jane."

I put my head on his broad shoulder. His fingers were stroking the side of my temple, soothing me. "I think too much... most of the time," I said.

He closed his eyes and murmured, "S'okay. We'll be fine."

We stayed silent. However, his tranquil breathing soothed me like a lullaby.

"Jer," I said.

"Hm?"

"Is it okay?" I asked, pointing to his ankle.

"Yeah, for now," he said. "Coach asked me to go to the doctor tomorrow. I need to wrap it tonight."

It looked better after he iced it. His foot was flaming red and swollen when he first took off his sneakers. "You shouldn't come to the party. You need a rest," I said.

He shrugged. "I had a feeling you were coming."

"Fortunately, I came," I said. "Let me put a bandage on your ankle, then."

"Oh... yeah, please," he said. "It's in my room." Jeremy got up from the floor, hands on the counter to support his weight. I joined him, putting the empty bowl on the sink. My hand reached for the knob and the water fell from the faucet.

"No. Leave it there. I'll do it tomorrow." Jeremy stopped my hand but I recoiled.

"It's okay," I said with a smile on my face. He surrendered and stood patiently beside me while I continued to wash the dishes. Jeremy helped me to put the bowls back on the cabinet above. Taking advantage of his tall figure. Then, we walked back to his room through the pitch-black hallway.

Jeremy sat on the ottoman chair with his left leg on my lap. His shorts is hiked up a bit, showing me more of his skin. He flinched when I slightly bent his ankle, trying to make his foot on a ninety-degree position.

"Don't kill me, please," Jeremy hissed.

"No. Not today," I said. "Can I ask you something?"

"You did," he answered, a mischievous smile plastered on his pretty face. I looked at him, giving him my annoyed expression. He was goofing around even in pain.

"Am I exaggerating? I mean, I slapped Ted," I said. Now my hands were wrapping the bandage on his ankle. His eyes were on my face, staring at me intensely. I shifted my gaze to his foot, didn't want to stare back. Pulling the elastic bandage to wrap the base of his foot, then moved to the top, made a figure of eight.

"Tara-Jane," he said softly. He placed his hand on my shoulder, squeezed it lightly. It moved to my collarbone, and to my jawline. "You did the right thing. He deserved that. Really."

I bit my bottom lip, suppressing the tears on my eyes. I still remembered his gaze on my body. The disgusting gaze that made me nauseous. "I don't want to meet him ever again," I stated. Now, his foot is covered with the bandage. I clipped it with the clip-fasteners.

His hand was cupping my left cheek. "I'll make sure he won't come near you again."

I looked away, a tear rolled down my cheeks. His hand was wet from my tears. Stroking my cheek, he said, "Hey. Don't worry."

Jeremy was embracing me. My body trapped between his long legs. I buried my face on his neck while he was stroking my hair. "I love you, Tara-Jane. I really do," he whispered to my ear. And that made me cry harder.

"Tara? Do you hear me?" Oscar's voice is retreating me back. I don't pay enough attention to him.

I clear my throat and say, "Sorry?"

"If you need a lift, you can send me the address," Oscar says.

I shake my head, knowing that Oscar couldn't see me, I say, "No. I'm okay. See you at home."

I end the call. Jeremy seems undisturbed in his sleep. I gather my phone and purse, then tiptoe to the door. When I step down the stairs, Diane sees me. She is still in her robe. A cup of coffee on her right hand.

"Hi. I'm sorry for disturbing your morning, Diane. Sorry," I say quickly, avoiding her eyes.

She smiles. "Hello, Honey. It's okay."

"I have to go. Sorry, Diane. I'm really sorry for barging in." I rush to the front door, leaving her with her morning coffee.

I, in a crumpled dress and an embarrassing state, walk home while cursing myself from oversleeping on Jeremy's bedroom.

***

hey, this was pretty intense. what do you have in mind?
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