Young Forbidden Love: Young Forbidden Love, #1

TO MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY, thank you for your, patience. Thank you for still loving me even when I was stuck in my bubble for days at a time and for still loving me when I wouldn’t answer my phone.

BTW, this is a work of fiction, so for those who will try and read more into it, don’t bother.

To Mr Marshall Mathers, Thank you for the album Relapse. It was the only album I listened to while writing this book. Thanks again.

I’ve known him for years, but it wasn’t until today that I have really noticed him. I have no idea what has changed in me, but all of a sudden, I want him. I want him to be mine and mine alone. I know it’s useless; we can’t be together, but that doesn’t stop my hormones from raging within me. I’m only fifteen, and he’s nineteen. His name is Adam: six foot two with dark hair and an Italian background that had blessed him with a beautiful olive complexion.

The obstacle standing in my way isn’t the age difference, but the religion our families are involved in. We are part of the Jehovah’s Witness organization. Neither Adam nor I am baptised, but we have to stay within the confines of the rules of our religion.

Then a voice close to me whispers, Kaylee, what are you looking at?

I jump a little, shoot to my side, and see that my mother’s friend Greg is standing right behind me with his chin almost resting on my shoulder as if he is trying to use the same eye line to see what it is I am staring at.

I didn’t notice you, I tell him in a rush, sounding more defensive than I had anticipated. "I wasn’t

staring at anything."

‘Great, now he knows for sure that I was staring at Adam,’ I think.

Oh, yes, you were. Looking at the very tall and handsome Adam that is standing over in the corner, were you? he raises his eyebrows. The only answer I can give him is a wry smile. My tongue is tied, and I just know that my cheeks are flush.

Oh, you were, weren’t you? Do you want me to ask him out for you? he says encouragingly. Greg has never really been one for following the rules, so I am not really shocked by his disregard of my age.

You wouldn’t. Would you? I ask in disbelief. ‘There is no way in hell he’ll do it,’ I think.

As I glance back over at Adam, I see that he is staring at me, and I abruptly look away, immediately feeling embarrassed. I notice that his sister-in-law Diana is standing by his side.

I turn back to Greg and tell him, You can’t talk to him while she is there. I discreetly point in their direction. Diana hates me for some reason, I shrug. I’ve never had anything to do with her. I’ve never talked bad about her or done anything to hurt her, so I don’t know what the problem is. But I can tell you now, she will add her two cents’ worth, and I know that her addition to the conversation will be a nasty one.

Greg waves me off. Leave it to me. He then walks in Adam’s direction.

I feel my stomach churn, and I panic. Quickly, I look around and try to find a distraction, any distraction to help me keep my nerve, and that’s when I see my grandmother sitting alone in the middle of the hall. I walk over, and I take the seat next to her and snuggle my head into the nook of her neck.

What’s the matter, my girl? 

There is no way I can tell her what Greg is doing because I know for a fact that she will not approve of my trying to date at such a young age.

Nothing, Nan. I’m just ready to head home, I look up and smile at her.

She smiles in return. I can always count on my Nan to make things better. I know how you feel, my love. Your granddad is busy with the other elders. I have to wait until he is finished with his commitments.

Elders are like the priests of the Jehovah’s Witnesses. But unlike other religions, there are more than one per congregation so that they can spread the responsibilities between them as they all have families of their own to attend to.

It must be frustrating at times for you, Nan, having to work around Granddad’s schedule. I take her hand in mine and study her veins for a moment.

"It’s okay. Some people need more support than

others. I think of it as your granddad being helpful to those who need it the most." She reaches up and pats my head.

While she is distracted, I sneak a look over in Adam’s direction, and I see that they’re all staring over at me. Of course, I immediately feel like an idiot and shrink down in my chair, hoping that I am shielded well enough behind my Nan.

A couple of minutes later, Greg walks back over and stands in front of us. ‘Oh god, no, don’t, not here in front of my Nan,’ I think.

Brother Greg, you are looking well, Nanny greets him with a kiss on his cheek.

Not as good looking as you, Sister Margret, he smiles and then looks over towards me. So, Kaylee, I talked to Adam.

What about? Nan asks him before I can get a chance to say anything.

‘No, no, no, no, no, no.’ I try to telepathically get Greg’s attention, but unfortunately for me, he doesn’t hear my calls for help.

Kaylee here has a little crush on Adam, and I was just putting in a good word for her.

My eyes closed. I know exactly what’s coming next.

Open your eyes, my girl, and look at me. So I do as I’m told and open them until I meet her gaze.

Kaylee, you know you are too young to be dating. You shouldn’t even be thinking about boys yet. You are only fifteen years old. There will be plenty of time for that in the future.

Immediately, I see the look of disapproval on her face, and I slump in my seat. I know, Nan. I’m sorry.

She turns to Greg and asks, Well, Brother Greg, you may as well tell us what he said?

Greg scrunches up his face. I’m really sorry, Kaylee. He said that you were just too young.

I’m not surprised, but it still doesn’t stop the feeling of disappointment sweeping through me. Oh, okay. I figured that would be the case. Did his sister-in-law Diana add anything to the conversation? I ask Greg.

You weren’t wrong about her. She did have to have her say on things. He rolls his eyes in exasperation.

What did she say? I drag out the words while exhaling.

She said, ‘Why would he date her? Look at her. She is too young and too immature. He could do better.’ I’m sorry, Kaylee. I asked her what her problem with you is, but she didn’t have an answer.

I can feel my Nan’s grip tighten on my arm. How dare she say anything about my granddaughter? Kaylee has done nothing wrong.

She begins to stand, but gently I pull her back. Religious or not, my family is very, very protective. If God himself were to insult me, I would not put it past my Nan to take him on. That’s just how she is.

It’s not worth it, Nan. I will prove her wrong, I tell her as I take her hand in mine.

You don’t have to prove anything, Kaylee. You worry way too much about what people think of you, Greg adds.

A moment later, my granddad walks to where we are seated. Are you ready to go, Margret? he asks.

Yes, I was just waiting for you. Nan leans in and kisses me on the cheek and says her goodbyes to us. Then I stand and kiss my granddad on the cheek.

The moment they’ve left us, I take a deep breath and thank Greg for trying with Adam. I then seek out my mother and sisters. All I want to do now is go home and shove my head under my doona covers and never come out.

After searching the hall for a few minutes. Finally, I find my sisters talking to one another in the corner. Julia is thirteen; she is tall and skinny and has very long brown hair. My other sister, Chloe, is only eleven. She too is tall and slender and has shoulder-length blond hair, but she is the biggest tomboy I have ever come across.

Julia, Chloe, do you know where mum is? I want to either go home or hide in the car. I want and need to escape from here, now, I whisper eagerly.

What happened? Julia asks curiously.

I take a breath and prepare myself for the mocking I’m about to receive. I’ll tell you, but you have to promise me that neither of you will ever repeat it. They both nod their heads in agreement.

Okay, I just realized I had a bit of a crush on Adam. And unfortunately for me, Greg caught me looking at him.

Oh god, what did he do? Julia asks. She knows how bold and forthcoming Greg can be at the best of times.

I can’t help but laugh. He went over to him and asked him out for me. In front of Diana!

Chloe begins to laugh, He really can be dumb at times.

Yep, but it isn’t all his fault; I am also to blame for that one. Anyway, Diana did what she does best and said all this bad stuff about me. So, I’m giving up. In the back of my mind, I was disappointed in myself for being so forward. If you keep your thoughts to yourself, it’s harder to be put down.

Chloe sits back in her seat. But what did Adam say? I think that that’s the only part that counts, Julia asks and I realize that she’s right.

He only said that I was too young. So I guess that part wasn’t so bad. I pause a moment and look around. Anyway, where is Mum? Have either of you seen her?

She was in the back room, having a private chat with the elders. Julia points towards the back of the hall.

Immediately, my eyes roll. I guess I’m going in. I hang my head while I walk past Adam so that I can get to the back room to speak to my mother without having to face any more embarrassment.

Once outside the back section of the Kingdom Hall, I knock on the back-room door and wait a moment to enter. When I do, I see my mother with tears in her eyes and two elders seated on either side of her.

It was just a little over a year ago now that my father walked out on us. It’s been the hardest year on Mum. She loved my dad more than anything, and now, he’s gone. He simply didn’t love her anymore, and he hadn’t believed in God for quite some time. I speak to him every week, but I don’t see him much since he moved away, to avoid any kind of awkward run-in with my mother or any other family members.

As soon as I’ve entered the back room, both of the elders who are consoling my mother look up at me with sympathy washed across their faces. I hate that look.

Hi, I’m sorry to interrupt, but I just wanted to tell mum that the girls and I are going to wait in the car.

Both elders nod their heads in recognition. Quickly, I back out of the room and close the door behind me, but as I turn to walk back to the girls, the very tall and very handsome Adam stands in my path. Kaylee, can I talk to you for a minute? he asks.

I can feel the butterflies fluttering in my stomach, and I have the instant urge to throw up, but I manage to blurt out, I really can’t at the moment. I’m sorry, and quickly, I walk away.

When I reach my sisters, I tell them to grab their and Mum’s bags so that we can go out to the car as fast as we possibly can and wait in peace. It’s considered rude to run in the Kingdom Hall, so instead, we power-walk out to the safety of the car.

How long do you think Mum will take this time? Julia asks me.

I don’t know. The record is two and a half hours. I don’t know what the hell they could have left to talk about. Dad left over a year ago now. She really needs to move on before I stick a fork in my eye, I answer her.

I take my phone out of my handbag and dial my best friend Ness’s number. It only takes seconds for her to answer. Hey, Kay. What’s up?

Not much. Just waiting in the car while Mum sits in the back room driving the elders mental, again.

God, I’m sorry, but WTF. There can’t be anything else they can do for her. No offense, you know I love your mum, but I think it’s time for some prescription help. I smile to myself. ‘God, I love this girl,’ I think.

I’m with you, Ness. I think I will have to gently suggest she make an appointment with her GP, just to see if there is anything that needs attention. ‘Besides everything.’

Good luck with that conversation. I would rather slit my wrists than be around for that one. Ness laughs.

In the background, Chloe starts yelling, Ness, make her tell you what just happened with Adam Battaglia. I turn in my chair and give her an evil stare, but she just smiles and bats her eyelashes.

What the hell happened with Adam?

You people are assholes, I say.

Yeah, yeah. What happened? Ness pushes. 

I was kind of staring at him and was busted. By Greg.

Oh crap, what did Greg do? she asks laughing.

He proceeded to approach Adam. In front of Diana.

Bullshit! What did he say?

Well, Greg asked Adam out on my behalf, and Diana told him that I was too immature and too young for Adam.

Bitch. No wonder everyone hates her. But more importantly, what did Adam say?

All he said was that I was too young.

That’s not all bad. Maybe he just said it because Diana was standing there. Adam doesn’t like her knowing anything about his life. At all.

True. He did come up to me out the back when I went to see Mum.

And what did he tell you?

I didn’t give him a chance to say anything. I told him that I was in a hurry, and I bolted to grab the girls. I had to get the hell out of there.

Idiot. You would have known by now how he really felt if you had just given him one minute, Kay. I think he likes you. You could have just royally stuffed that up.

What will be, will be. PS. I love you, too.

You know what I mean. Anyway, I have to go. Mum’s making me go to the afternoon meeting. I’ll talk to you later?

Of course. Bye, Hun.

See ya, Kay. 

When my phone is back in my handbag, I take out my book and begin to read. I always have at least one novel on me at all times. I am addicted to the way a book can take me away from my day-to-day life and help me forget about the problems that surround me.

Another thirty minutes pass before we see Mum emerge from the hall’s exit. Thank goodness. I’m starving. It’s like two thirty, way past lunchtime. I swear that could be regarded as child neglect, I say to my sisters.

My mother climbs in the car with tears still streaming down her cheeks. She doesn’t utter a word, she just turns on the car and then drives us

home.

The instant we’re in the house, I strip off, get into some comfy clothes, and hit the kitchen.

There’s next to nothing in the fridge or the cupboards because we’ve been too lazy to do any shopping this week. Considering I work at a grocery store, lazy isn’t even the word for it, so we end up boiling some pasta and grate some cheese on top. Yup, that’s what we’re down too, pasta and cheese, but halfway through my lunch, the house phone rings. I place my food down on the bench and pick up the receiver.

Hello.

Hey, it’s Adam. Is that you, Kaylee? he asks. I feel sick at the sound of his voice, my lunch threatens to come back up. Adam’s never called me before, and I don’t know what to say.

Um, hi, I manage to blurt out. Immediately, I stretch the phone cord far enough to be able to lock myself in my bedroom. I take a seat on the edge of my bed and ask, What’s the matter?

I just wanted to make sure you were okay. I’m really sorry, but you’re just too young. I don’t know what Greg told you. And I know how rude Diana is. I just wanted to make sure I hadn’t hurt your feelings in any way. Are you okay?

It takes a moment for me to find my voice. Yes, I’m fine. I was mucking around with Greg, and you know what he’s like. He just goes that step further, I manage a nervous laugh.

That’s what I thought. I am glad you’re okay, though.

I’m fine and thank you. I had better go, I tell him.

Oh, I was hoping we could talk some more. I don’t know a lot about you, even though we have known each other for years. We’ve never really been one-on-one before.

‘I can’t believe what I’m hearing, why would he want to talk to me? He doesn’t want to date me so why bother talking to me? Could Ness have been right? Does Adam have a thing for me?’ I think.

Well, there isn’t much to tell. Dad walked out, we had to move to a new house that I hate, and, well, you know my sisters. Other than that, there really isn’t much more in my life at the moment, I say to him.

I’m really sorry about your dad, Kaylee. He was a good guy.

He still is a good guy, but that’s life. It infuriates me when Jehovah’s Witnesses talk about my father in a past tense. He isn’t dead, but they would sure as hell prefer it if he was.

I was my daddy’s little girl. The day he walked out shattered my heart into a million pieces. I didn’t see it coming, not at all. I don’t get to see him every other week like normal kids do when it comes to divorced parents. But I still love him with all of my heart. I don’t like to talk about it much. I feel a tug on the phone cord.

Kaylee, I need the phone, Mum yells.

Adam, I’m sorry, but I have to go. My mum wants to use the phone.

No problem. Would it be okay if I called you again sometime? he asks me.

No probs. See ya.

Bye, Kaylee, and he hangs up.

I open my bedroom door and hand Mum the phone. Who was that, Kaylee? she asks. I hesitate for a moment. Well, who was it? she repeats and gives me a sideways glance.

It was Adam, I whisper out of embarrassment. 

Her eyebrows raised curiously. Do you mean Adam Battaglia from the congregation?

Yep, that one. I cringe.

What did he call for? she asks while tossing the phone back and forth between her hands.

I hang my head in shame. Oh, it’s so embarrassing, Mum. Greg caught me looking at Adam. So he decided to go over and ‘put in a good word’ for me. In front of Diana. My mother gets along with most, but even she doesn’t like Diana.

Ouch. Mum laughs but then composes herself again. You do know you’re too young to date, though, don’t you, Kay?

Yes, Mum, I know. I already got that lecture from Nan.

How does Nan know? she asks.

"Greg came back over after talking to Adam.

And told me what he said, in front of Nan. He is so

lucky he is your friend, Mum. I could have killed him. I don’t know how I get myself into these stupid situations," I tell her.

No harm was done. Just keep in mind that you are too young okay? Concentrate on something else. How’s work?

It’s okay. I can’t complain. I shrug.

Good to hear.

I’m going to finish my lunch, Mum.

Okay, I have calls to make, she tells me as she walks off in the opposite direction, so I walk back into the kitchen, pick up my bowl, and see that it is now empty. Hey, who ate the rest of my lunch? I call out.

I hear, It wasn’t me, at the same time coming from both my sisters and then I look down and see Lister, our cat, licking his paws.

Seriously, Lister, you couldn’t get your own food? but he continues to ignore me, licking his paws.

I begin to feel frustrated, and I go to my room, where I lie back on my bed and stare at the roof.

I still can’t believe Adam called me. I know what my Nan and Mum told me, but he said that the only reason he won’t date me is because of my age. Maybe I do have a chance with him, sooner rather than later.

So I lay there for the next hour, daydreaming about Adam’s and my wedding day and what our kids would look like. Eventually, I drift off into a

peaceful, much-needed slumber.

THE NEXT MORNING, I get up and get dressed for school. I’ll level with you now. I hate school, and I hate most of the people in it. One of my so-called friends, Louise, drives me insane. Everything that comes out of her mouth is either about her obsession with some dumbass TV show she likes or her other obsession, America.

Most of the time, I wish she would pack up and move there and never come back. Louise claims to detest bullies, but she's never come to realize that it's actually her who's the biggest bully in our year level. The girl is hairy and just plain ugly, but she doesn’t seem to think so. Louise has never clicked that that is the reason no one will date her. Well, that, and her wet-blanket personality. She has absolutely no sense of humour, and everything is a drama with her. I know now that she will end up being an old cat lady, just like the one on The Simpsons.

Now, my other friend, Erika, is amazing. She has me in fits of laughter all the time. I love her, but the majority of my friends are males. I just seem to get along better with them. They don’t take things too seriously, we can just laugh without offending each other, and there is never any drama around them.

I walk into the locker bay, and straight away, I spot two of my boys. Hey Matt, how was your weekend? I ask as I approach him.

Awesome. I got the new Snoop Dogg album. Matt is obsessed with Snoop and Tupac. The poor guy is white but talks like he’s black and is in no way anything like Eminem.

That’s great, I try not to sound sarcastic. Do you know if Ryan is here yet?

Nah, I don’t think he’s in yet. Why do you want to know?

I was meant to meet him on Saturday, but I had to work. I’m just hoping he isn’t pissed at me. You know how he can be at times, I say as I open my locker and get out my class books as well as a novel I’m reading at the moment for English class.

Yeah, I know. But you do know the real reason he gets so pissed off with you, don’t you? Matt asks me.

No, why? I ask, feeling confused and left out.

He like-likes you, Kay. He’s been asking Jake and me if he should just ask you out. We both told him no. We couldn’t see you being interested in him in that way. At all, ever.

Oh crap, are you serious? Why would he think I like him in that way? I don’t make the impression that I like him, do I? I close my locker and snap the padlock shut.

Nah, that’s why we both told him not to. Poor bastards got no clue. Just take it easy on him, okay?

Will do. Alrighty, I guess we had better get to class, I say as I begin to walk out.

What’s your hurry? Matt calls. I haven’t seen you do any schoolwork, ever.

He’s right. I’m the worst student at this school. And that’s including a kid named Tardy that hangs around us. Tardy has some mental issues, issues that make him act like a six-year-old.

Yeah, well. The sooner I’m around a lot of people, the better the chance that Ryan won’t talk to me.

First up for the day is English and I feel for our teacher, Mr. Jacobson. He tries so hard to get me involved with the class, but I keep telling him that for his own mental health, he really should just give up. He’s started to get the gist of it, but it doesn’t stop him from trying when he can.

Hello there, Kaylee. Should I bother to ask if you bought in the homework I gave you on Friday? Mr. Jacobson asks.

Hmm, I wouldn’t. You’ll just be disappointed. Again, I tell him. He exhales loudly and points to my chair that is positioned at the very back of the classroom where I take my seat next to Matt and proceed to slouch back in my chair. The classroom door opens a moment later, and another friend, Jake, walks in. Following him in is

Tardy. Oh, this should be good, I say to Matt.

Jake told me that DOCS were around at Tardy’s place on the weekend. 

God, what happened now? Social services are frequent flyers at Tardy’s home. His mother is also mentally ill, so there is always an issue to deal with. I am always surprised when DOCS walk away, leaving Tardy at home and not take him straight into government care.

Jake went over to his house, and Tardy was a little more unstable than usual. So Jake got a few guys to go around there for a laugh. They were all in the front yard when Tardy’s mum came out of the house naked and started running around without a care in the world.

I can’t help but laugh because I can just imagine it. I wish I’d been there. But deep down, I really do feel sorry for him and his family. I know my mother can be mentally unstable at times, but she’s never been so far out of whack that she runs around in public naked.

He tried to call you, but you were at work.

Stupid job, I would have killed to be there. Jake and Tardy sit next to us at the table. I hear there was a party at Tardy’s place on Saturday, I chuckle. I know it isn’t something I should encourage, but unfortunately for all of those around me, I have a sick and twisted sense of humour.

"It was awesome, Kay. I tried to call you, but your

sister told me you were at work."

If you tell me right now that this kind of incident could happen again, I will quit my job right this second in anticipation.

Jake starts laughing. It’s Tardy and his mum. Anything could happen.

I see Tardy stand up. Where are you going? I ask. He points towards the front of the classroom. Tardy doesn’t talk much; it is rare to hear him speak. He walks to the front of the room and opens one of the cupboards, climbs in, and closes the doors behind him.

I throw my hands up to my mouth, desperately trying to silence my laughter when I hear him start singing, The wipers on the bus go swish, swish, swish.

The majority of the class is in hysterics, except, of course, the ones like Louise, who have absolutely no sense of humour whatsoever. I look over at Mr. Jacobson, and he is shaking his head. Just ignore him and get on with your work. I’m going to call the office, he tells us, exasperated.

Within minutes, the school nurse and counselor come in and escort Tardy out of the room. I watch them give chase as he gets away from them, zigging and zagging through the school grounds.

Well, it’s never a dull day around here, is it? I say to Jake.

I’ve known Tardy since kindergarten. I haven’t had one dull day in eleven years, he laughs.

Jake gets back to work, and I take out my novel and begin to read. Engrossed in my book, I don’t hear the classroom door open, but when Matt leans into me, I know what’s coming. Don’t look now, but Ryan is here.

I see Ryan hand his late slip to the teacher, and he takes a seat next to Jake. He says hello to Matt and Jake but ignores me altogether.

Are you serious? I whisper to him while leaning over Jake’s back. I couldn’t meet you because I got called into work.

If looks could kill, I’d be dead. I went into your work, and you weren’t there.

Did you ask for me? Because I was unpacking boxes most of the day out the back.

I see his features soften a little. Umm, no, I didn’t. Sorry, Kay. I thought you were lying to me.

That’s okay. Just ask me next time instead of accusing me of being a liar.

I will. Sorry, Kay. He then looks down at his work.

The moment English is finished, I head on over to the principal’s office. It wasn’t too long ago that I was banned from fibers class because I had engaged in a heated argument with my teacher. I’d had a hard time at home the previous night, having to listen to my mother cry until one a.m. So when the teacher questioned me about what I was doing, and I answered her truthfully, she accused me of lying. I couldn’t cope with anything anymore, so I started yelling at her. And since then, I have been spending fibers class doing odd jobs for the office workers.

When I arrive at the principal’s office and knock on the door. Come, I hear. I open it and walk in. Kaylee, I take it that it's second period, Monday morning?

Yep, it sure is, Mr. Coswald. What would you like me to do today? I ask.

On the coffee table, there are some papers that need sorting. They’re all numbered so that you won’t have any hassles.

No problem. I’m on it. I place my bag and English books down and start sorting through the paperwork. I kind of like coming here. Mr. Coswald doesn’t question me about anything since we had our long talk after the fight I had with the fibers teacher. I explained what had happened the night before with my mother, and he was very supportive and understanding. He knows I’m a bad student, but he also knows that I’m not a bad person.

The rest of the day dragged just like every other school day does. The minute the bell rang, I went out the front of the school grounds and met up with Julia. I hate walking home; it’s all uphill. So, how was your day? I ask her.

Same as any other day, I guess. How was yours?

Tardy didn’t disappoint, I shrug and go on to tell her the story about the nude mum and cupboard incidents.

I wish he were in my class, she laughs. 

There should be a Tardy in every class, strictly for entertainment purposes. I laugh.

Once home, we have a snack and wait for our auntie to drop off Chloe after she has finished primary school. Our mother works crazy hours, so most of the time, it’s just us girls fending for ourselves. Within half an hour, our aunty Tracy is in the house, dropping Chloe and a big tray of lasagne off to us.

Tracy takes such good care of the girls and me. And she’s constantly worried about us since Dad walked out. My dad is her brother, so I think she feels obliged to take over, at least, part of the role he left vacant.

Her husband, Tim, is also very caring and there for us whenever we need him. Tim is what you would imagine any surfer to look like—blond, medium height, and a tan any girl would kill to have. Not to mention, he has an amazing sense of humour. Tracy hit the jackpot when she married Tim.

Hey, girls, Tracy greets Julia and me.

Hi, Trace. Thanks heaps for picking Chloe up from school. I lean in and hug her hello.

Not a problem. I’ve managed to work my shifts around Chloe’s school hours.

Well, we appreciate you for doing it for us. It’s been so crazy around here since Dad left. I don’t think that Mum is coping too well.

It’s my pleasure. Your mum is doing the best that she can.

Tracy takes my hand and leads me through to the kitchen, away from my sisters. So, how are you and the girls coping? She points to the kitchen chair. I drop into it while Tracey takes the chair opposite me.

We’re coping as best we can, considering, I shrug.

Have you spoken to your father recently?

Yeah, we still talk several times a week, I answer.

How is he?

Tracy was close to my dad; he was her only sibling, and they did everything together. At one point, they opened up their bakery and shared the workload. God, do I miss those days.

He’s doing well, actually. He has a beautiful house close to the bay, and he has set up a business he runs from home.

What kind of business is he running?

He makes things out of wood, stuff like baby changing tables, wine racks, coffee tables, you know all of that kind of stuff. He already has a big customer base.

That’s your dad for you. He always knew how to land on his feet. A man with many talents is what he is, she smiles. How are you coping with him not being around? You are the one I worry about, Kay. You and your dad were like Siamese twins that were never separated. That has to be tough on you.

I turn the coffee mug in front of me with my fingertips, and then I pick it up and take a sip. It was harder to cope with in the beginning. Now, it’s not so bad. I shrug.

Just remember, we will always be here for you, no matter what, she practically whispers as she places her hand over mine.

I know. Thanks, Tracy.

As soon as Tracy has left, I call my best male friend, Mike. I’ve known Mike my whole life. He’s twenty-three, very, very tall, with short blond curls. I’ve never been attracted to him as he has always been in the older-brother category. Even though my Nan tells me I shouldn’t be looking at boys just yet, she also constantly tells me that I need to save myself to date, Mike. She would love to see us married with children, but I hate to be the one to tell her that that will simply never happen. She’s convinced herself that he is waiting for me.

Hello, he answers.

Hey, Mike, what are you doing tonight? I ask.

Nothing. It’s Monday. I don’t have work tonight. Why? What’s up?

Nothing’s wrong. Mum’s at work till late, and it’s just the girls and me. I was just seeing if you wanted to come over and keep me company?

"I’m meant to take Mum shopping,