Read Online Vain: A Stepbrother Romance by Chelsea Hunter - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Chelsea Hunter
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lesson I’ve taught a million times before. Today
it seemed monotonous, somewhat cold and uncaring. Perhaps because I am too
consumed with my own problems to remember this is supposed to be a fun time for
them. It pained me to watch them holding hands, helping each other, laughing
and enjoying each other’s company. That kind of love seems so far away for me.
I must have been staring too long as Mr. McCall—or Jim, as he asked me to call
him—turns to me and begins to speak.
“Do you have a boyfriend?” The question seemed overly intrusive.
“What?! Oh, no… not really. Well, it’s complicated.”
“Young lady, it’s always complicated. Is that what is on your mind? Is that why
you seem so distracted?” There is something about his face that makes me feel
like I can talk to him. He’s a kindly gentleman who has obviously seen his
share of ups and downs.
“Yes. I’m sorry, has this lesson not been what you wanted?”
“The lesson has been great. You’re a wonderful teacher. But can I give you a
piece of advice?” he asks with a somber look on his face.
I shrug. “I guess I could use a little advice right now.”
“I am not a man of infinite wisdom, but there are some things I do understand.
So forgive me if I am sounding too much like a Hallmark card. Love is not about
where you start, but where you finish. At the start of anything, it is
complicated, but there is something to be said for perseverance. Love is not
easy—not always. It is easy to be in love when everything is good, but true
love is staying in love when things are hard. When I met my wife, I was in a
relationship, but it was a lifeless, soul-draining relationship. She freed me
from the confines of it, and fifty years later, we are still together.”
As if I wasn’t consumed in thought before, his prophetic words thrust me deeply
into thought now. Jim seems so happy, so much in love. I never gave Mick a
chance to explain. I at least owe him that. Maybe he is in a relationship that
is stifling. Maybe he wanted out long ago. I won’t know unless I ask. Before I
can turn to thank him, he and his wife are already waving goodbye and making
their way down the beach.
I stand, silently staring at them as they hold hands. I wish
I had someone to hold my hand. Just before they leave my sight, Jim turns
around and nods, as if to say, “I know where you are. I have been there
before.”
I sit awhile, staring out at the ocean, wondering what the best next steps are.
Am I being naïve to think of talking to Mick, or am I being naïve if I don’t? I
have no idea anymore. I don’t remember packing up the van, nor do I remember
much about the drive home. My mind was just that consumed in thought.
As I pull into the garage, I am numb. Tonight, the van can stay full. There is
too much to think about, and honestly, the thinking has exhausted me. Walking
out of the garage in a daze, I don’t notice someone standing right in front of
me.
“Hello, Sam.”
My
heart pounds. I recognize that voice. That is a voice I will never forget. It
runs through me like a paper cut. Slowly, I turn, hoping the voice will not
match the person I know it belongs to.
I look into the eyes of my abusive ex and swallow thickly. “…hello, John.”
“Where have you been, Sam? I have been looking all over for you.” The creep
factor in his voice is like something out of a horror movie. I’m scared. Very scared.
“Uh, I have been around. Just wanted a change of scenery.”
Thankfully, my phone is in my hand. Long ago, I made preparations for this very
moment. All I have to do is press and hold 7 on my phone, and it will text the
local police a
it seemed monotonous, somewhat cold and uncaring. Perhaps because I am too
consumed with my own problems to remember this is supposed to be a fun time for
them. It pained me to watch them holding hands, helping each other, laughing
and enjoying each other’s company. That kind of love seems so far away for me.
I must have been staring too long as Mr. McCall—or Jim, as he asked me to call
him—turns to me and begins to speak.
“Do you have a boyfriend?” The question seemed overly intrusive.
“What?! Oh, no… not really. Well, it’s complicated.”
“Young lady, it’s always complicated. Is that what is on your mind? Is that why
you seem so distracted?” There is something about his face that makes me feel
like I can talk to him. He’s a kindly gentleman who has obviously seen his
share of ups and downs.
“Yes. I’m sorry, has this lesson not been what you wanted?”
“The lesson has been great. You’re a wonderful teacher. But can I give you a
piece of advice?” he asks with a somber look on his face.
I shrug. “I guess I could use a little advice right now.”
“I am not a man of infinite wisdom, but there are some things I do understand.
So forgive me if I am sounding too much like a Hallmark card. Love is not about
where you start, but where you finish. At the start of anything, it is
complicated, but there is something to be said for perseverance. Love is not
easy—not always. It is easy to be in love when everything is good, but true
love is staying in love when things are hard. When I met my wife, I was in a
relationship, but it was a lifeless, soul-draining relationship. She freed me
from the confines of it, and fifty years later, we are still together.”
As if I wasn’t consumed in thought before, his prophetic words thrust me deeply
into thought now. Jim seems so happy, so much in love. I never gave Mick a
chance to explain. I at least owe him that. Maybe he is in a relationship that
is stifling. Maybe he wanted out long ago. I won’t know unless I ask. Before I
can turn to thank him, he and his wife are already waving goodbye and making
their way down the beach.
I stand, silently staring at them as they hold hands. I wish
I had someone to hold my hand. Just before they leave my sight, Jim turns
around and nods, as if to say, “I know where you are. I have been there
before.”
I sit awhile, staring out at the ocean, wondering what the best next steps are.
Am I being naïve to think of talking to Mick, or am I being naïve if I don’t? I
have no idea anymore. I don’t remember packing up the van, nor do I remember
much about the drive home. My mind was just that consumed in thought.
As I pull into the garage, I am numb. Tonight, the van can stay full. There is
too much to think about, and honestly, the thinking has exhausted me. Walking
out of the garage in a daze, I don’t notice someone standing right in front of
me.
“Hello, Sam.”
My
heart pounds. I recognize that voice. That is a voice I will never forget. It
runs through me like a paper cut. Slowly, I turn, hoping the voice will not
match the person I know it belongs to.
I look into the eyes of my abusive ex and swallow thickly. “…hello, John.”
“Where have you been, Sam? I have been looking all over for you.” The creep
factor in his voice is like something out of a horror movie. I’m scared. Very scared.
“Uh, I have been around. Just wanted a change of scenery.”
Thankfully, my phone is in my hand. Long ago, I made preparations for this very
moment. All I have to do is press and hold 7 on my phone, and it will text the
local police a
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