Read Online Every Shattered Thing (Come Alive) by Elora Ramirez - Free Book Online
Authors: Elora Ramirez
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can walk as close as possible to stay warm. He leans over and kisses my temple and just responds, “Not as fascinating as you, Stephanie.
I’m pretty sure you’re the only girl I know who would stare down an intruder while calling the police and calmly asking them to come and handle the situation while the crazy drunk points his gun at you.” He squeezes my shoulder and lowers his voice a little. “In all seriousness, Steph. Next time something like tonight happens, please call me...after you call the cops, of course.”
I look at him and nod. “I think I can manage that - as long as you don’t join Tyler in taking my place of pulling the trigger on my father. If anyone should have the privilege of ending his life...it should be me.” Kevin looks horrified and I laugh - “I’m kidding, Matouse. Kind of.” I wink at him, “Now, let’s go get me hyped up on sugar, shall we? I need to stay awake through this physics test.”
And with that, I smile and take off running, leaving Kevin confused for a split second before he laughs and starts chasing after me.
Chapter Six
We get to my house, out of breath and exhausted from our midnight run.
“You’re pretty fast, Steph. Have you ever considered going out for track?”
I laugh and look at him with complete disdain. “Are you serious?!” I look down at my figure.
“I’m not the most athletic person. I trip on my own two feet walking on level ground. The only reason I was able to outrun you is because, well...I’ve had practice.” I shrug my shoulders. “Not necessarily something I like to make known to everyone, you know? Running from your father who is in a drunken stupor and completely out of his mind isn’t every girl’s dream. So, no. I’ve never considered track. I think I’ll just stick to my pen and paper—I’ll leave the nasty sweaty stuff to you.” I smile to reassure him, and then wink. “Now, be quiet while I go inside and grab my stuff.” I look at him closely. “No noise, got it?”
He holds up two fingers, scout’s honor, and whispers. “I’ll be a church mouse.”
I laugh quietly and turn away when all of the sudden I feel him grab my arm and yank me back towards him.
“What the...” I cry, ready to throw a punch to counter the force of his hands pushing me down to the grass.
“Steph...down. Now.” His urgent whisper catches my attention and I immediately pay attention to what’s around me. Only then, lying flat in the grass, do I notice my dad’s truck pull into the driveway.
Kevin must have seen the headlights as my dad turned on to the street because now, pulling in, the headlights were off. I glance at Kevin and he’s staring intently at my father. The look on his face is that of someone ready at a moment’s notice to step in between me and whatever force coming my way. I can’t think straight with my heart beating a violent rhythm against my chest.
What is he doing getting home so late? I wonder to myself. And then I see her. In the passenger’s seat. Giggling and playing with her long, jet black hair.
Valerie.
I grab Kevin’s hand and squeeze it, a silent code.
Does he see what I see?
He squeezes back and watches my reaction. I close my eyes and count to ten, leveling my heartbeat.
Valerie? My heart sinks. It doesn’t make sense - not to someone who doesn’t know my father.
Unfortunately, I do. I know his preference for young flesh all too well. I shudder as memories pass through my mind—memories I thought were gone.
My dad walks around to her side of the truck, opens the door and then helps her down to the pavement. Wrapping her in his arms, they move towards each other in a lingering kiss. I wrinkle my nose in disgust and bury my head in my arm to avoid watching, but the picture is already burned into my brain, along with about a million other pictures I wish weren’t there.
“You better go, kitten. You have school tomorrow, dontcha?” My dad’s voice drawls and sways from the
I’m pretty sure you’re the only girl I know who would stare down an intruder while calling the police and calmly asking them to come and handle the situation while the crazy drunk points his gun at you.” He squeezes my shoulder and lowers his voice a little. “In all seriousness, Steph. Next time something like tonight happens, please call me...after you call the cops, of course.”
I look at him and nod. “I think I can manage that - as long as you don’t join Tyler in taking my place of pulling the trigger on my father. If anyone should have the privilege of ending his life...it should be me.” Kevin looks horrified and I laugh - “I’m kidding, Matouse. Kind of.” I wink at him, “Now, let’s go get me hyped up on sugar, shall we? I need to stay awake through this physics test.”
And with that, I smile and take off running, leaving Kevin confused for a split second before he laughs and starts chasing after me.
Chapter Six
We get to my house, out of breath and exhausted from our midnight run.
“You’re pretty fast, Steph. Have you ever considered going out for track?”
I laugh and look at him with complete disdain. “Are you serious?!” I look down at my figure.
“I’m not the most athletic person. I trip on my own two feet walking on level ground. The only reason I was able to outrun you is because, well...I’ve had practice.” I shrug my shoulders. “Not necessarily something I like to make known to everyone, you know? Running from your father who is in a drunken stupor and completely out of his mind isn’t every girl’s dream. So, no. I’ve never considered track. I think I’ll just stick to my pen and paper—I’ll leave the nasty sweaty stuff to you.” I smile to reassure him, and then wink. “Now, be quiet while I go inside and grab my stuff.” I look at him closely. “No noise, got it?”
He holds up two fingers, scout’s honor, and whispers. “I’ll be a church mouse.”
I laugh quietly and turn away when all of the sudden I feel him grab my arm and yank me back towards him.
“What the...” I cry, ready to throw a punch to counter the force of his hands pushing me down to the grass.
“Steph...down. Now.” His urgent whisper catches my attention and I immediately pay attention to what’s around me. Only then, lying flat in the grass, do I notice my dad’s truck pull into the driveway.
Kevin must have seen the headlights as my dad turned on to the street because now, pulling in, the headlights were off. I glance at Kevin and he’s staring intently at my father. The look on his face is that of someone ready at a moment’s notice to step in between me and whatever force coming my way. I can’t think straight with my heart beating a violent rhythm against my chest.
What is he doing getting home so late? I wonder to myself. And then I see her. In the passenger’s seat. Giggling and playing with her long, jet black hair.
Valerie.
I grab Kevin’s hand and squeeze it, a silent code.
Does he see what I see?
He squeezes back and watches my reaction. I close my eyes and count to ten, leveling my heartbeat.
Valerie? My heart sinks. It doesn’t make sense - not to someone who doesn’t know my father.
Unfortunately, I do. I know his preference for young flesh all too well. I shudder as memories pass through my mind—memories I thought were gone.
My dad walks around to her side of the truck, opens the door and then helps her down to the pavement. Wrapping her in his arms, they move towards each other in a lingering kiss. I wrinkle my nose in disgust and bury my head in my arm to avoid watching, but the picture is already burned into my brain, along with about a million other pictures I wish weren’t there.
“You better go, kitten. You have school tomorrow, dontcha?” My dad’s voice drawls and sways from the
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