A Kiss to Last a Lifetime

Our Choices are no Longer Our Choices to Make

Chloe’s pov

Shortly after hanging up I stood shocked from the news. Reggie slowly approached me with a raised eyebrow before asking, “Is everything okay?”

“I put my phone on do not disturb while we were in your mother’s presence, because I was trying to be respectful. I’m not blaming anyone or anything, but just trying to explain why my phone has been silent for the last few hours…Dane was in a terrible car accident and he is being moved to Mercy Medical Hospital…” I said still staring down at my phone’s blank screen.

Reggie grabbed my empty hand slowly pulling me closer. “What do you want to do? Is there anything I can do for you? You seem to be in shock.”

“I…I don’t know how I feel or what to do.” I sighed, but continued, “I hadn’t told my parents about Dane's behavior or that he dumped me. They have no idea that I got the temporary order of protection to prevent him from being in my space. They called to ask for my support. But I don’t feel comfortable being around him. I really don’t want to see him, but his parents are saying he has been calling my name whenever he is conscious.”

“Please help me, I don’t know how to move forward. I’m not his friend, but his parents have done enough for me that I could at least return the support, and I don’t want to let them down in their time of need.” I stated as I looked into Reggie’s eyes.

“I want to help with what you’re going through right now. Maybe we should sit down and think about where to start.” He said as he escorted me to a bench.

Now that I was sitting I felt my head unscrambling a bit. “Okay first should I break the news to my parents in person, over the phone or just not tell them until Dane is conscious?” I inhaled deeply, “I can’t trust not telling them. There’s no way of knowing if Dane will use it as a bargaining chip. It’s just frustrating not knowing the right way to handle everything. I don’t want to make mistakes. I’ve already made light of the situation regarding Dane by not informing my parents.”

Reggie cleared his throat before speaking, “So first thing we need to do is to talk to your parents.” Reggie paused for a second, “You should call them as soon as possible and tell them to wait for you at their home, if they are at home, or meet you at a neutral location.”

“Being surrounded and bombarded by everyone’s emotions later will definitely weigh on you, if we don’t try to manage this as soon as possible.” He finished.

“You’re right, I need to call my parents right now!” I picked my phone up to dial their number, and a text came through.

Mom: Dad is driving us to Mercy Medical in a few minutes.

Me: Mom are you at home right now?

Mom: We haven’t left yet, but plan to leave soon.

Me: Mom please don’t leave, please wait for me, and we can go together.

Mom: Honey we can just meet up at the hospital, it’s okay, we will get there safely.

Me: Mom it’s very important that you stay home until I get there, it’s urgent!!!

Mom: Is everything okay, can you talk right now? Should I be worried?

Me: I will call soon, please stay where you are and trust me.

Mom: Okay honey, I told dad we need to stay and wait for you. He’s a little worried, call me.

Chloe calls her mother:

“I’m safe and okay, I promise. I just really need you and dad to stay home and wait for me. I will be home in about 20 minutes. Please no matter what, wait for me. I can’t tell you why over the phone, but I will be home soon to explain.”

“As long as you’re staying safe, and not speeding I won’t worry, and we will stay at home until you get here. See you soon Chloe, love you.” Is how Chloe’s mother ended the call.

I deeply exhaled, “That was a great idea Reggie, without you telling me to get in touch right away they would have already made their way to the hospital! Okay we need to get me home.” I stood up and entered the waiting vehicle with Reggie following my lead. I gave my address to Timothy, Reggie’s chauffeur.

We continued to discuss our plans moving forward. We arrived within 20 minutes, and my mom was waiting at the door. The moment I tried my keys to unlock the door, the door opened and my mom walked out and hugged me.

“Chloe honey, are you okay?” She held me out at arms length inspecting if there were any visible and physical signs that harm had come to me. She did see the bruise on my inner wrist and she looked up once again and noticed Reggie behind me. Being the protector she is, she immediately pulled me behind her.

“Hello, who are you?” She asked Reggie, politely yet guarded.

“Mom this is my friend Reggie. We met last night and he has been protecting and supporting me today. A lot has happened in the last 24 hours.” I said before Reggie could respond.

“Chloe should we have this conversation with this young man, or in private?” Mom asked as she looked at me behind her shoulder.

In a show of solidarity I moved to stand beside Reggie and grabbed his hand before confirming, “I want him here. I need you to hear what he has to say.”

We walked into the living room and I asked everyone to sit and introduced Reggie to my parents. I went onto explain in detail that Dane is a cheater, a liar, a manipulator, he dumped me, stalked me, assaulted me and that I have an order of protection against him as of this afternoon. Reggie confirmed everything and put in a few details I’d missed like how I stopped Dane’s assault, the bodyguards, and the hospital visit earlier with his parents.

Dad’s face was completely red, “If he wasn’t already in the hospital, I would have put him there. I can’t believe his parents knowingly called us to get us to support that sob! What the hell are they thinking!” Dad got on his feet and started pacing.

Mom chimed in, “Sweetheart you know we would want to bring our kids comfort too, if they were ever hurt. Right now his parents are doing what ever they can to alleviate him. Only the doctors know the severity of the accident. I’m not in any way preaching for Dane’s side. I’m only explaining that I understand as a parent what they are going through.” She patted the empty seat beside her encouraging my father to sit.

Dad sat beside mom and held her hand, before looking in Reggie’s direction, “I don’t know you, but we’re grateful that you have supported our daughter. We hope to get to know you better after the dust is settled, but for now you have our gratitude. This does not give you any free passes. We simply don’t know you well enough and have not witnessed any of your interactions with our daughter. I know you understand that we want the best for her, and will do our best to prevent her having another partner like Dane. We don’t want to see her hurt. We love her!”

“Sir, I have every good intention for Chloe. I promise to treat her well and I appreciate you giving me the opportunity to show you what I’m capable of.” Reggie stated.

“Dad Reggie and I came up with a plan on the way home. Reggie will stand in as my boyfriend while we are at the hospital. We will tell the Nelson’s, so there are no misunderstandings. We want to avoid confusion with my being at the hospital. We will support Dane’s parents as best as we can. Loretta and Stan did send a glowing recommendation to help obtain my college scholarship.”

“Having Reggie present will prevent me from having a lot of contact with Dane. I know it’s a lot to take in, but this will prevent me from being alone in Dane’s presence.”

Mom and Dad exchanged looks before mom spoke, “Well honey, if you think this is the way to handle this situation we will follow your lead. However, we would prefer to have the least amount of contact with Dane moving forward. We can’t make the decision for you. If we could we would recommend staying away from his family. We want to provide you with whatever you need to bring you closure with Dane. If that means visiting his family at the hospital we will be by your side through it all.”

I confidently stated, “Okay, we have our plan, let’s go see my horrible ex’s parents!”