Shattered Illusions

Chapter 9.


I didn’t see Luke for the rest of the weekend. He wasn’t in school on Monday and that night my parents told me that Luke and I weren’t allowed to see each other for two weeks. I felt my heart fall to my stomach. I went upstairs and cried until I was sick. I never went to sleep that night. I stayed up all night long on my window seat crying and hoping to catch a glimpse of Luke. I didn’t.

At six a.m. I came downstairs barely able to see through my burning, swollen eyes to find my mother cooking breakfast. This was something she didn’t do very often.
“I want you to eat breakfast then go back to bed. I know you haven’t slept so you aren’t going to school today.” She gave me my plate and sat
across from me.
“I know you’re hurting, Julianna but you two have to know there are consequences for your actions. Especially Luke.”
I poked at my food. I wasn’t hungry.
“Honey, Luke needs help. In fact, he’ll probably have to go to some sort of counseling through the court. He goes in 2 weeks so you’ll get to see him then. I’m sure he’ll want you there.”
“He needs me now mom. I need him!” I pleaded with her. “I’m sure he’s learned his lesson.”
“I doubt it. He’s been in trouble before.” Mom told me.
“What do you mean?” I put my fork down.
“He’s been suspended from other schools for fighting and once for carrying a knife to school.” She must have seen the puzzled look on my face because she then said, “Ceilia and Danny told us. We had a long talk with them on Saturday and they really care for Luke and want to help him. They are hoping if they provide a loving family environment it may save him. Maybe it won’t be too late for him.”
“Too late for what?” I asked.
“ For becoming a career criminal. Quite honestly, he’s headed down that path.” Mom said, sipping her coffee.
My mind was spinning with all the information she gave me. Luke never told me about his trouble before. I wondered why.
My body was completely exhausted from lack of sleep and crying all night. I couldn’t think straight.
“But mom he needs me now. I need him. I don’t think I can make it two weeks without seeing him.” I pleaded.
“You can and you will.” she said. “You’ll see him in school. Now eat your breakfast and go to bed.”
“I’m not hungry.” I pouted.
“Julianna, don’t make this any harder on yourself. Cooperate please.” She pointed to my plate.

I was too tired to argue, not that it would do any good. I had to do what they wanted for mine and Luke’s sake. I didn’t want to do anything that would keep Luke and I apart any longer than we had to be.
I ate my breakfast and went back upstairs. I looked out the window and saw that it was starting to rain. Just before I closed the curtains I saw Luke hurrying to put the garbage out to the curb. It made my heart ache for him. On the way back in, Luke stopped as if he knew I was looking so he turned and looked at me and smiled. He put his hand to his heart and pointed to me then waved and hurried back inside. I felt my heart swell and started to cry again. I finally started to feel like things would be right again.

The next morning I saw Luke before class. I ran to him and hugged him tight. “Luke I’ve missed you so much! You have no idea.”
“Yes I do because i’ve missed you too.” he said kissing my nose. “I’m so sorry, Jules. I never meant to hit you. I just swung and wasn’t thinking straight.”
“I know. I know. That’s what I tried to tell the cops and my parents but they won’t listen. We can’t see each other outside of school for two whole weeks!”
”I know. It’ s going to be ok. Why weren’t you in school yesterday?” he asked.
“I didn’t sleep at all Monday night so my mom made me stay home. I cried all night long after they told me we couldn’t see each other for two weeks.”
He hugged me tight and kissed me and said, “Don’t worry. It will be ok.”
The bell rang and he said, “See you in class.” We had 4th period psychology and lunch together.
We ate our lunch out front under an oak tree away from everyone. Luke filled me in on the details of his trip to the police station and the days since then.
“Ceilia and Danny have been pretty cool about it. The are telling me I will probably have to go to some kind of counseling. I think it’s bullshit. I’ve been before but I’ll go so they won’t keep us apart. I wish they had taken me in years ago. They are nice people.”
I decided not to say anything about the things my mom told me. I was afraid he might think of it as a betrayal by his foster parents for telling my parents the details of his life. I didn’t want to say or do anything that might make him mad.
We ate our lunch in silence until I noticed Luke looking at me and grinning so I asked, “What are you thinking?”
“I’m thinking about how much i’d like to make love to you right here under this oak tree.”
I giggled. “Yeah but I think we might draw a crowd.”