Read Forgotten for Free Online

unsteadily to the kitchen. “I need some water.”
    “I’ve got to take your car,” I tell her.
    “Where’s yours?”
    “In the shop, remember? I told you that last week.”
    “Oh, that’s right. I forgot.”
    “So can I borrow yours for a few hours?”
    “Sure, honey.”
    It’s pathetic how easily she buys my lie about the car being in the shop, but that’s how it is when she’s been on a bender. It makes me feel guilty, but only for a second.
    I shake my head, grab her keys off the ring by the garage and then leave without saying goodbye.

    ***
    I’m not sure when I decide to go to Natalia’s, but I should have called first. I realize this when I pull up in front of her house and honk my horn. But I’m not really thinking straight. I’m angry. Really angry. Angrier than I’ve been in a long time. I feel pissed at everyone and everything but her. She’s my beacon of hope and I need to see her now.
    But when the front door opens, it’s not Nat who’s standing there.
    I get out of the car and wave. “Hi, Ms. Moore. Sorry to stop by so late unannounced. I know I’m probably not your favorite person right now.” That’s an understatement, I think. She only called the cops on you and tried to get you thrown in jail.
    “Campbell, you’re not welcome at our house and I’m telling you right now that Natalia isn’t allowed to see you anymore.” She’s not wearing a coat, and she crosses her arms over her chest, hunching her shoulders against the slight wind that’s blowing.
    “I didn’t hurt her,” I say. “I need you to know that I would never do anything to hurt her.”
    I glance up at Natalia’s window. The light is on but I can’t see her.
    “Campbell, I’m not going to have this conversation with you. Please respect my wishes and leave my daughter alone.”
    “What about what Nat wants?” I ask. I glance up at the window again, wondering if it would be crazy to just start screaming her name. Would she come down?
    I curse myself for not running away with her earlier, like she wanted.
    “She’s a teenager who doesn’t always know what’s best for her. Perhaps you would be better served if your mother took a stronger role with you as well.”
    Her words are biting, and again I want to tell her she has no right to judge me or my mother. It’s bad enough that she tried to have me arrested, but now she’s going to stand there and treat me like I’m a piece of trash.
    But the words don’t come. I look up at the window and see Natalia there, watching. Her face is lost in the shadow, but I can see her dark hair, illuminated by the light behind her. “Nat!” I yell, and put my hand up, waving at her. Come on, open your window. Run downstairs. Tell her you want to be with me. Fight for us, Nat.
    But she doesn’t move. I stand there, looking up at her for what feels like forever.
    “Campbell,” Natalia’s mom says. “Please go home.” She steps inside, closing the door behind her. But I don’t go home. I stand there, looking up at Nat. She doesn’t open the window, or say anything, or even acknowledge me. And then she turns away, disappearing into her room.
    I feel rage bubbling up inside me. As soon as I’m back in my car, I peel out, spinning my tires like the dumb teenage jock Natalia’s mom thinks I am. Let her think it’s that simple. Maybe I will be that guy. Maybe it’ll make things easier.
    I drive
    for a while, not even sure where I’m going. My thoughts are racing. Why didn’t Natalia say something, why didn’t she come outside when she saw me?
    I try and reason with myself, try and calm myself down but nothing’s working. It’s driving me crazy that I have no way to talk to her, and I feel the anger inside me building and building.
    Before I know it, I’m at Dom’s Wine and Spirits over on East Main Street, in the bad part of town. Dom’s is the one place that’s almost guaranteed to serve liquor to minors. I park out front and walk inside. The place is