Chapter 8
“Is that Jeff?” Molly asked from the sofa where she lay covered in a blanket. Matt stood by the window and looked out.
“Yeh, it’s his car.” He replied as he walked to the front door and opened it. No signs of life came from the car and it was still to dark for Matt to see inside, he just waited with Molly at his side.
“Thanks Jeff.” Leah said as she unbuckled her seat belt.
“Your welcome.” He said yawning. “Is it ok if I come in now?” he asked smiling at her.
“Yeh of course you can, for now anyway.” She said returning his smile. “I need some sleep.” She said as she watched him open his door and she followed suit. She stepped out and she saw Molly running towards her. Before she knew what was happening Molly had her in a bear hug and she was finding it hard to breathe. “Mol.” Leah said now gasping for air. No response came from Molly.
“Mol babe. I think she needs some air.” Matt said pulling Molly from Leah.
“Sorry. I’m just so glad your ok.” She said as she wiped a tear from her cheek.
“Me too.” Matt said as he put a hand on Leah’s shoulder. “You look tired. Why don’t you go up to bed?”
“Yeh, I will. Thanks.” She said as she walked past the three of them and up the steps into the house. Molly followed her leaving Matt and Jeff alone.
“Where was she?” Matt asked Jeff.
“On the edge of town.” Jeff replied looking his brother dead in the eye. “She looked so frightened. I didn’t know what to do. I’ve never seen her look like that; she’s always been so cold so…I don’t know. I just thought she was one of those girls who took everything on the chin. If I had of known yesterday, about the name I mean, I would never have said it. The way she shook when she cried, when I held her it made me feel so bad Matt, I knew it was my fault she had been out there all that time and I just felt like holding her until the pain I caused her was gone.” Jeff said sighing.
“You like her don’t you?”
“Not a lot, it’s just I hurt her and I hate to hurt a girl, especially about something as delicate as that. I remember how much it hurt me when mum died, and she lost her dad too. I couldn’t imagine that.”
“You did good Jeff. I didn’t think she would come back with you.”
“Neither did I.”
“You made Molly happy. Thanks Jeffy!” Matt said as he embraced his brother before going into the house where Leah lay on the sofa sleeping and Molly lay on the blanket on the floor asleep. Matt looked to Jeff as he bent down and picked Molly and carried her up the stairs. Meanwhile Jeff looked down at Leah who slept soundly on the sofa, or so her thought. He grabbed the blanket and placed it gently over her. He ran his hand down her arm and smiled as she moved slightly. “Night.” He whispered as he went and sat in the chair over the other side of the room. He slumped in it and kicked his shoes off before going into some much needed sleep.
back to Chapter 7
