Page 15

I get up and look around before sitting on the bed, I can tell that Aunt Josie had it redone.
The walls used to be pink with white flowers everywhere. The furniture and bedding was a crisp white that always made me never want to touch it. There’s just something about the color white that makes you not want to touch it because you know it’s gonna get dirty.
There used to be carpet in here, and it was the ugliest shade of pink you could think of. Now, in its place are hardwood floors. She even replaced the furniture to a more mature setting. Everything about this room now screams teenager, and I’ve fallen in love with it.
When did she do this? Did she do it for me? I have so many questions that I don’t want answers to. “No, I want answers to why did my parents leave me alone like this.” I sob even harder, then I hear someone enter the room.
“You aren’t alone, little one.” The bed dips as he settles down beside me, pulling me onto his lap. “I’ll always be here and will never leave you.”
I look up into his face as he tells me what I believe are lies. Searching his eyes, I see nothing but the fatherly love he has for me.
He’s doing his best to reassure me that everything will be okay. I want to believe him, and when he pulls my head down on his chest, I listen to the steady beat of his heart and know that he’s telling the truth.
A simple, “Okay.” And he leans down, and places a gentle kiss on my forehead.
“Now, your Aunt Josie is trying here, and you must do your best to try as well. Can you do that for me, little one?”
“Yes.” This close to his face, I see he has laugh lines licking the skin around his eyes as he smiles down on me. I plaster on a half-smile, showing him that I really will try for Aunt Josie, and for him.
“Excellent. I must go now, but I’ll be by to check on you, if that’s okay.” He lets me go and gets up, getting ready to leave.
“It’s okay with me.” I whisper, missing the warmth from his body as it wrapped around me.
“I will see you later, yes?” Pulling back the covers, he ushers me in.
“Yes.” I mumble as he finishes the task of tucking me in.
“Good, now be a good girl and rest.” He plops me on the nose, turns, and leaves my room.
Before I know it, I’m drifting off to sleep.
As time passed by, Bash stayed true to his word and came by Aunt Josie’s house what seemed like every single day to check on me. I’m just being extra dramatic, but that’s what it felt like.
Ever since that first day I came to live with Aunt Josie and Mr. Bash showed me how sweet and caring he could be, I developed a crush on him. I sigh as I write in my journal about the way he makes me feel.
Knock, knock, knock.
“Athens, baby, get the door for Auntie, please.”
I close my journal, and slide it under the mattress in my room, where hopefully Aunt Josie won’t look, and head downstairs to answer the door. “Okay.” I call out, bouncing down the stairs.
I swing open the door, and I’m greeted by the handsome man I was just writing about.
“Mr. Bash, what a pleasant surprise.” I beam, opening the door for him to come in. He looks so handsome with his laid-back attire. Today, he has on black slacks with a cream, long-sleeve, button-down shirt and black loafers. His silver hair is slicked back with a part to the side, exposing his beautiful face.
“Athens, I’ve told you countless times to just call me Bash.” It’s stern, a direct order, but when he smiles, and it touches his eyes, I know he means well. There are those laugh lines I’ve come to love seeing.
“You know old habits die hard.” I chuckle, shrugging my shoulders. “What brings you by?”
“I’ve come to tell you and your Aunt Josie some good news.” He has a huge grin on his face as Aunt Josie comes into the living room.
“Who was at the door, baby?” She asks, rounding the corner and seeing Bash there. Her face falters for the slightest of moments, but then she quickly masks it, and a smile that mirrors Bash’s takes its place. “Bash, how nice to see you.”
“Nice indeed. I’ve got some news I wanted to share with you and Athens in person.” We both look at him expectantly, waiting for him to say more. “Right, well, I’ve come to inform you that your home no longer belongs to the bank and isn’t on the market to be sold anymore.”
“What exactly are you saying, Mr. Bash?” My ears are hearing what he says, but my brain doesn’t want to believe it.
“What I’m saying, little one, is that I bought your home back for you, and it’s ready whenever you are.” I’m too stunned to do or say anything besides just stand there with my mouth hanging open. Luckily, Aunt Josie speaks up first.