The Cruel Truth (chapter 2)

He chucked the phone back, picking up speed as he reached the main road, only minutes from home now. He took deep breaths, knowing he needed to keep calm when he arrived, for Rebecca’s sake. He sped up the road, and then turned a sharp left and parked outside his house as quick as he could. Expecting to see Jenny holding Rebecca, but instead she had left her in her seat on the front step, a note scribbled on top. He ran out the car, taking Rebecca in his arms although she was asleep, he squeezed her gently, letting her know she was safe, but as soon as he did so, she began to cry. 1

‘Shit, I don’t need this, Jenny you stupid bitch,’ he glanced over to Sophie, almost asleep in the back. 2

He quickly unlocked the door, and walked in, placing Rebecca in her cot, hoping she would settle down and go back to sleep. As he did so, she did quieten and he exhaled with relief. He flicked the light switch and then ran out to the car, tucking his hands under her legs and around her back, he carried her inside to his bedroom and placing her beneath the sheets, tucking them around her. 3

As soon as he left the room, she opened her eyes, it was dark, but the moon shone through the window, giving a little light. She sat up slightly, taking in the strong scent of his room, a mixture of cigarettes and cologne. She listened to his foot steps the other side of the door, and then slumped back down, wrapping the sheets around her, feeling safer than ever, knowing he was near.4

He knew he shouldn’t have gone out there for Sophie, but her mum had called, moaning about how she had gone missing again, and Clay had felt compelled to say he didn’t know where she was, just as he had felt compelled to drive to her. Images of the days he had known her flickered through his mind as he walked out and sat on the porch, lighting a cigarette. He remembered when he’d taken her to the video shop and bought an aged fifteen movie for her, when she was only eleven or so, he recounted her bright smile, as she stood beside him, feeling as grown up as he was, but then he saw the disgusted faces of the people around him, thinking it was wrong to buy her that movie, the notebook, it was one of his favourites, being a hopeless romantic.5

Another time, when she had come over in hope of someone to talk to him, and he had felt guilty for having a girlfriend over, and sent her away straight away, making hot chocolate for Sophie to drink. 6

He remembered that night, when she had broken into his house while he was sleeping, just to feel safe she snuck into his bedroom, and lain beside him. He was awake, he knew she was there, he could hear her calm breaths, as she sat up, staring into his closed eyes, he remembered knowing he should have opened his eyes and sent her home, but instead he stayed still, as she reached out, running her hands over his face, across the stubble on his chin, and over the soft flesh of his eye lids. He felt unable to move as she traced the lines of his face, and then he suddenly rolled over, still pretending to be asleep, as she lain beside him, and finally drifted off. But just those moments had caused him several sleepless nights, and he didn’t have a single clue why. 7

He had reached the age of twenty-three now, and while his friends of similar ages were out drinking in pubs and clubs, and socialising every night, he sat there after working at the timber yard, a beer in his hand, alone. Some nights girls of his past would visit, but he was always distracted, and paid little attention to them, sending them away quick enough. Other nights he would go down the local pub, but only because his liquor cabinet was empty. He spent most nights on the porch, reflecting on his life and all the opportunities he had thrown away. One that stuck in his mind, which he had regretted most, was the band. A rock band he had created, loved, devoted his life to, until Rebecca was born, and he devoted his life to the people he most cared about, namely Steve, Rebecca and Sophie, as well as her father whom he had befriended many years ago. 8

Sophie stood, hearing Clay crack open a beer on the porch. She crept into the darkness where she wouldn’t be seen, and watched as he sat on the top step, staring out over the fields. She often wondered what he thought so deeply about, she knew he cared about whatever it was so much; she’d seen the dark shadow floating over his face whenever it crossed his mind. Shivers ran down her spine as she stood, the cold whistling in from the half open window in his room. She took the nearest shirt of his, off the back of his straw chair, and slipped it on over her shorts and t-shirt. 9

Rebecca began to cry loudly, so he stood, placing his beer down, and walked in to tend to her. Sophie urgently climbed back under the cream sheets, knowing he would check on her. He walked into Rebecca’s room, picking her up in his arms, staring into her pale blue eyes. He gently wiped away the tears on her soft cheeks, and then took her teddy into his hand. 10

‘Sophie go back to sleep, or you’re going home,’ he whispered, creaking open the door, a slight smile wrinkling his cheeks as she pretended to be asleep. 11

He held Rebecca in his arms, grabbing her sheet to wrap around her. He took her out onto the porch, holding her so that she could see the bright moon. 12

‘You’d better make a wish on that shooting star,’ he whispered, as she curled her little fingers around his thumb. She giggled, as he passed her the little teddy bear he had bought her when she was born. 13

He smiled brightly, he had no idea how such a small, little girl could make him feel so happy, when his best friend Steve spent ages trying but often failed. He tickled her stomach slightly, and she grinned again, her one tooth gleaming through her opened mouth.14

‘What would I do without you, eh?’ he asked, and then glanced away, realising all the things could have done with his life if he hadn’t lived so recklessly to begin with. 15

Being with Rebecca reminded him of his parents, how they’d been so strict and harsh to him, and at the start he had been harsh to Rebecca, wanting to get back, revenge, but after several long talks with Steve, he had realised it wasn’t the answer, and had become soft and gentle with her. 16

He took another sip of his beer, and then glanced down to her, realising her eyes were almost shut, he stood, strolling towards her room, and placing her gently in the cot, her golden teddy beside her, as he tucked the white sheet around her.17

‘Goodnight sweetheart, love you,’ he whispered, placing a kiss on the thin layer of hair on her head.18