Empty Eyes Ch.2 - All Grown Up

  -now-

       The dust blew up from underneath the tractor as Aaron steered through the tall stalks of corn. He wiped sweat from his forehead and squinted his eyes from underneath his hat's bill. Taking a break, he turned off the ignition and sat back. He could feel his white beater sticking to his back. "Aaron!" His mother called from the porch, " I made lemonade!" Aaron took off his hat and waved it around. Beads of sweat rolled down the side of his tanned face. He jumped down from the tractor and pulled off his gloves.

 Lainey stared down at the busy New York traffic beneath her. Her light blonde hair blew in the wind, her new light brown low lights stood out against the almost white, blonde color. She gripped the balcony railing and trailed off in thought. "Lainey?" A voice called from inside the penthouse apartment. Lainey looked over her shoulder to see her step dad, Mr. McKinley, smiling at her. "Are you ready to go?" He asked, waving his keys around. She sighed and pushed away from the railing. "Sure.. why not..." She muttered.

 "You've been working really hard honey..." Aaron's mom complimented, "I'm proud of you." He silently nodded, taking another drink of his unsweetened lemonade. "You're father would've been proud too.." She added, as if he wouldn't hear. Aaron cleared his throat, "Yeah well how proud can he be?... he's dead." His mother frowned and bowed her head. "Sorry mah' ... " He sighed. She wiped a small tear from her eye, "I know you're mad at your father Aaron... but the best we can do is forgive."  Aaron smiled, "This isn't like your favorite country song mah' , I cant forgive and I definatly can't forget..." He pushed his chair back and rose. "I'm going to finish rounding up the corn now.." He explained, kissing her cheek before he returned outside.

 "You're going to absolutely love them...." Lainey's step father beamed as they neared the restraunt. She bowed her head and picked at her black nail polish. "Lainey... I don't want you to think this is because we don't want you anymore.. we just don't think we're much help is all.." He explained, reaching to grab her hand. She slightly jumped and moved her hand away. "Sorry.." He frowned, "I didn't mean to... I forgot.." Mr. McKinley,  her third foster father, grew silent and continued to drive. Lainey wiped the tears from her cheeks.

 Aaron finished the yard and once again shut off the tractor's ignition. He jumped down, tossed down his gloves for the last time and lifted the bundle of corn. Walking back towards the house, he paused and glanced at the old abandoned house down the street. The windows were all broken and the siding was falling off. "Thinking about her again aren't you?" His mother smiled from the back porch. "More like wondering if she's even alive..." Aaron muttered, looking away and walking towards his mom. He dropped the bundle at her feet. "Aww sweety..." She caressed his cheek, " Look at you.. all grown up.."