Opening Up

The morning after Valentines I awoke early and immediately grabbed my phone to see if Kate texted. Last night I sent a long apology text that went unread, which remained unread until I got up today.

Kate had responded two hours earlier, at six in the morning. It read: Can we meet today sometime; I want to talk to you.

She totally ignored the long apology I sent last night in a panic, I quickly answered agreeing to meet anytime, anywhere. It was Sunday with school tomorrow; she probably wanted to tell me to never talk with her at school again.

In my time of overthinking, a vibration from my phone pulled me back to reality, it was Kate: Okay, do you want to meet at the park at 10? She asked, for what happened last night, her texts were as normal as ever.

I instantly sent back saying I would be there, if we went out like this, we would usually walk to the park together and walk back. But she made no mention of that and simply said to meet there, this wasn't a good sign.

I want into the kitchen to get some water and was assaulted by questions from my nosy sister and even my parents. I shook off their questions with simple, nondescript answers and retreated back to my room.

The weather was cold again today; I pulled on a puffer jacket and jeans when the time to meet neared. I left thirty minutes early, nine thirty to be exact. With the park being ten minutes away, I would arrive early, but it was best to show Kate that I cared.

However, my plan was foiled when I saw Kate already sitting on a park bench, the mid-morning sun shining down on her. I could see her breath; she was rubbing her hands together. Hopefully I didn't keep her waiting long.

I made sure she saw me as I approached, the last thing I wanted to do was scared her in this situation. I gave an awkward wave which she returned to my surprise.

"H-Hey Kate." I said, my throat was dry, my hands were sweating. Seeing her after what happened gave me a headache.

"Hi… Luke." Her voice was low, barely audible and she avoided contact for the most part. I couldn't tell if it was the cold or something else making her tremor. "You can sit." She motioned to the spot next to her.

I gently sat down; glad she was comfortable enough to have me sitting next to her once again. I would let her speak first, I didn't even know where to begin.

Or at least that was my idea, a minute passed, then two, then five.

"Hey..."

"I…"

What were the odds we would talk at the same time!

"You first." We both said at the same time which got the two of us to chuckle, but Kate quickly returned to her fearful expression. I motioned her to speak with my hand.

"…" She opened her mouth then closed it. She had her hands balled up into fists and her bottom lip quivered. Kate was about to cry and soon she did. I usually patted her back when this happened, but I restrained from touching her at all.

"Is this about last night, if so I-"

"No." I started to explain myself, but Kate cut me off before I could get going. "This isn't about last night, none of this is your fault." Questions raced as I listened to that, how was none of this my fault. Her tears subsided as she rubbed her hands and thighs once more.

"Can we go back to my house, its so fucking cold." Kate's crude language shocked me, but she was right, even with my puffer jacket, I was still cold.

"Yeah, we can, as long as you and your mom are okay with that." I said, making sure the two of them were okay with that.

"She doesn't care, just come on, its cold." We swiftly walked back to our subdivision and walked up Kate's driveway, the scenes of last night came rushing back, Kate's face as burnt into my mind.

I just followed her, up the stairs, to the left, and into her room without exchanging words. Kate only cracked the door as she threw off her puffer coat being left in a shirt and pants. She wrapped herself up in a blanket and sat in the corner of her bed allowing herself to see the entire room.

"I am going to tell you." Kate said, I was waiting for more, like I was missing critical context to the situation.

"Tell me what?" I asked standing near the door at the foot of the bed. She motioned to me over to the wheely chair and I listened taking a seat.

"I am going to tell you about me, about the me you don't know. The me I wanted to bury and never talk about again. I thought a lot about this, but… I trust you. Luke-" Her name was caught on my voice, "L-Luke, I have only ever told my mom about this." It looked like she would start crying any second.

I didn't know what to say or had the slightest idea of what was coming, "W-Well, I am honored that you trust me so much…" I said, keeping my hands busy by fidgeting with them in my lap as I slowly spun the chair left and right.

Kate took in a deep breath and let out a long sigh. "I… I am going to ask that you don't share what I am about to tell you with anyone, I trust you, but… Please, just don't. Even if we don't work out or we go our separate ways, just live with the knowledge." Kate pleaded, my mind started to connect some dots, and I had a feeling of what was coming, and it made me so disgusted with myself.

"Okay." Was all I said before Kate started on a long, very personal story.

"My dad abused me…" My eyes widened at her words, oh no…