Chapter 17

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...Idk what I even say. I've been getting so many reads! That means so much! Thank you all for supporting this story it means a loooot since I'm such a smol account. So thank you so much to anyone who has voted, commented or even just read this! This is still just a fun hobby for me as I love writing and I love be more chill! But the fact that I have that many reads makes me really happy. So thanks again and ooooon with the chapter!

"Hi Jeremy. I know I've already seen you this morning but I couldn't help coming back. You mean too much to me. I know it's late but I mean...you're already sleeping sooo. But that doesn't matter. How are you Jeremy? I'm alright I guess. Rich has been acting weird again. He keeps asking me about you. That's not the weird part. He went out one night, so I followed him. He went to my apartment, he stood at my door. Right where you...anyway. Has Christine ever come to visit you again? I hope she has. You'd like her company. She was always so sweet...You know how much she cared about you. I know she was the love of your life. I don't think she meant to be mean...she just...wanted you back. I'd do the same you know. I'd do anything to get you back. Anything. Everything."

"Hello?" Mr Heere asked through the phone. He was expecting this unknown number to be Michael's. He'd asked the receptionist on the way out to give Michael his number and call immediately. He hoped he would. "Hi, this is umm, Michael. The hospital receptionist gave me your number on the way out." "Hello Michael, I'm Jeremy's father. I was wondering if I could speak with you about Jeremy." "Ok" was Michael's reply. "You're Jeremy's boyfriend, right?" "Ummm yes sir." "Hmm" There was a pause. Mr Heere spoke again. "I'd like to speak with you in person Michael if that's okay." "Yeah ummm that's fine." "Good, meet me at the Shore cafe." "Umm when?" Michael asked. Mr Heere was speaking in a professional tone. Usually he would never speak like that but he didn't feel like his usual self. He didn't feel like the dad who was always joking around or the guy who loved to laugh. He felt like the dad who had abandoned his son. He felt like the father that never cared. Maybe that's what he was... He had never been there for Jeremy...after his mom left. After Jeremy graduated he left with another woman to go to Europe. And he had never seen Jeremy since. Soon after he'd got to Europe though he realised the woman of his dreams was already married. He couldn't take another heartbreak like that so he stayed inside all his days. Unmoving on the couch. Most days he never even put proper pants on. In fact he was still in sweatpants right now. But when Christine called, he knew he had to go. But he still wasn't sure what to do. He hadn't done this parenting thing for years. But he had to try. And that's why he was meeting Michael. "Right now." He replied.

What are you doing here? Really? You're meeting him? You know he hates you. At this point everyone hates you. You shouldn't be here. Or anywhere. You should just disappear. "Christine?" Someone's voice snapped her back into reality. She tried to push the voice deeper down but it stayed there in her head, taunting her. "Sorry I was just..." her voice trailed. "Well anyway he'll be here any minute so don't blank out again." Jeremy's father warned. "I won't." As if on cue Michael entered the cafe. His eyes searched the cafe for Mr Heere. In a flash his eyes meet Christine's. His eyes narrow. Usually his eyes were so large and full of light. Now they were merely slits in his face. He slowly walked to the table they were sat at. "You must be Michael?" Mr Heere shook Michael's hand. "Mr Heere?" Michael asked. "Yes but please, call me Jason. "And umm, Christine. Hi." He spluttered. "Hi Michael." She replied. Jeremy's dad nudged her. She gave him a dirty look before turning back to Michael. "I... Michael I'm so sorry. I know sorry doesn't fix what I've caused but I need to say it. I'm so so sorry Michael, I should never have come between you and Jeremy, it wasn't right. You know how amazing Jeremy is. I just wanted him back..." Christine stopped talking and started quitely sobbing. Mr Heere patted her shoulder but she sobbed louder. People were starting to stare. Michael took a deep breath. Yes, he knew how amazing Jeremy was. He knew people could make mistakes. But was he ready to forgive Christine? She could just turn back to being the Christine that cheated and lied. But something stopped Michael from turning away. He didn't know why but he sat down next to Christine and held her hand. She looked up. A single tear streamed down Michael's face like a raindrop. But he smiled. And Christine smiled. They knew each other. There was comfort in their love for Jeremy and familiarity in their feelings for him. So they stayed with their hands interlocked, a warm energy pulsing through their bodies.
Michael and Christine turned back to Mr Heere who smiled widely at them. "If you don't mind Michael, I'd like to get to know you. So tell me about yourself."

Michael shoved forkfuls of pasta into his mouth. It was the first time he had eaten in days. Rich smiled. "I'm glad you're enjoying that." He chuckled. "Yeah." Michael slowed down when he realised he had sauce all over his mouth. "So did something good happen today?" Rich asked. Michael ate another forkful before answering. "Jeremy's dad wanted to talk to me." He said finally. "Oh." Rich paused. "Is that all?" "Christine was there too...her and I...well we're friends now." "That's Umm, great Michael. But if you don't mind me asking, why?" "I know it seems stupid but...she's the only one who understands me. I know she isn't a bad prison Rich, she just did a bad thing." Rich opened his mouth to respond but just closed it again. They sat in silence for the rest of the meal, until Michael spoke up. "I don't think I could eat another bite." "That's because you just ate like 5 portions!" Rich laughed. Micheal smiled. Things were back to normal. Back to where they should be. He was happy. He wished he could stay in this moment  forever. But he didn't. His phone started buzzing with a calm from Christine. "Hold on I've gotta take this, it's Christine." He said smiling. Rich nodded and Michael stepped to the side. "Christine? Hi!" He said I to the phone. "Michael! Please! You have to come to the hospital now!" She yelled from the other line. "What?!"

I did it all for love // Jeremy and Micheal  // be more chillWhere stories live. Discover now