Her saving Grace

Chapter 25

But the thing was, I was worrying. For some reason, Carson has become my friend and I couldn’t help

but be concerned as to what was bothering him. “Carson as I said before, I don’t mind. You can tell me

anything.” I replied, prodding him to speak.

“Just as you can tell me anything.” He said, looking at me intensely. I looked away from him then. I

know exactly what he was referring to. He was talking about the bruises that he saw on my neck on

Thursday.

He had a point. I was selfish to tell him that he could tell me anything, when I myself was hiding

something from him. But it was different. I couldn’t tell him what he needed to know, because I would

be in real trouble with my stepfather if I did so. I wouldn’t risk that.

I cleared my throat and spoke. “Carson, I don’t know what you are talking about. I don’t need to tell you

anything.”

He looked at me for a very long time. I was starting to get uncomfortable under his intense gaze.

Finally, he spoke. “Okay then. If you say so.”

He became quiet again and I sat in front of him waiting. A few seconds had passed before he spoke. “I

came because I couldn’t be at my house anymore. I couldn’t sit and listen to my father putting me down

once again.”

“What do you mean?” I asked tentatively. I was glad that he was trusting me to tell me what was

bothering him. I didn’t want to say anything to turn him off. I was even afraid to breathe, in case he

decided to change his mind.

He sighed again, heavily this time, before he finally looked at me. “My father thinks I’m throwing my life

away because I won’t do what he wants me to do. He’s also upset because I’m always getting into

trouble. He is well known in the business world for owning one of the largest manufacturing firm in the

States. It would affect his reputation if anyone knew he had a rebellious son.”

“That is terrible. How can he think that?” I exclaimed questioningly.

He shrugged. “Well, he does and he doesn’t fail to tell me how disappointed he is of me.” He replied,

then finally added. “He wants me to take over the family business, but I won’t.”

“Why does he wants you to do that?” I asked.

“He wants his own flesh and blood to be his successor, but I don’t want that. I told him that I wanted to

become an engineer.” He replied.

“Wow,” I said, leaning my back on the chair behind me. “I guess he wasn’t happy with your decision,

huh?”

“No. Every chance he gets, he would try and convince me. What he doesn’t understand is that my mind

would never change.” He said laughed dryly. “He even went as far as saying that if I continue in this

path, he would not fund my tuition for college.”

My eyes widen as realization hit me like a ton of bricks. “So that is why you fight for money. You want to

fund your own way into college.” I said. It wasn’t really a question, because I already knew the answer.

Everything was clicking into place now.

Carson nodded his head in confirmation. I became quiet for a while, deep in thought. Carson doesn’t

want to take over his father’s business, which could be the reason of him acting out.

I then looked at him and said firmly. “I think your father is very foolish. Firstly, you are an intelligent boy.

You are getting good grades in your classes, surely he must see that.” I said, leaning my elbows on the

table. “And second, it’s your future. He should allow you to choose what you want to do and respect

your decisions.”

“Try telling that to my father.” He said, crossing his arms over his chest. “He doesn’t want to hear

anything, unless I’m going to get my business degree and take over the manufacturing firm when I

graduate.”

“I’m sorry that you have to go through this.” I said. I couldn’t imagine having a father that doesn’t want

his own son to follow his own dreams.

“Yeah,” he replied, then looked at me. “Thanks for understanding. My mom doesn’t agree with him, but

there is nothing she can do. She had talked to him about it one time, but he wouldn’t listen to her either.

She didn’t bring it up again. She is trying to keep the family together.”

I looked at Carson again. It was obvious that what his father wanted from him was getting him down. It

really hurts me to see him like this. Somehow Carson has entered my life and allowed me to have

feelings that I’ve never experienced before. I wish there was something I could do to make this better

for him.

Carson looked at me again and gave me a small smile. “So, when do you leave work? I can bring you

home.”

“It’s almost six thirty.” I said, as I looked at my watch. “It’s almost time to leave.” “So, I kept you from

your work.” He teased. “I’m a bad influence.” I laugh lightly. “No, it’s okay. I didn’t mind at all.” I said, as

I got up from the seat. “Go on ahead, I’ll wait for you out front.”

I went back around to the back of the cafe and changed back into my original clothes. While doing this,

I couldn’t help but feel happy and guilty at the same time. I was really happy that Carson considered

me a friend to tell his problems to, but I felt really guilty that I had my own problems that I won’t tell

anyone or him about.

I finished changing and waved goodbye to Miranda, Sam, Kerry and Riley as I walked back out to the

front. I saw Carson through the glass windows of the cafe standing casually near his car, waiting on

me. I really wanted to tell someone; to tell him about my stepfather, but I just couldn’t. I sigh as I walk

outside. I was really afraid of what Allan would do to me if he found out. I was really afraid of him. I got

in Carson’s car and he drove me home.