I pulled myself together before I had to go to work at the diner. After getting ready, I walked outside to find a note waiting for me.

FIRST OF ALL, I AM A GUY. SECOND, WHAT'S WRONG WITH WANTING TO BE MORE SOCIABLE AND MYSTERIOUS AT THE SAME TIME? I DON'T HAVE THAT MANY FRIENDS EITHER.

I WANTED TO GIVE YOU A BIBLE VERSE TO KNOW HOW YOU WOULD REACT TO IT.

YOU CAN RANT TO ME ALL YOU WANT. I WILL LISTEN OR SHOULD I SAY READ?

I'M NOT SCARED. ARE YOU? I HOPE NOT.

P.S. He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. – Psalm 147:3

I reread the note throughout my shift at work until I had to leave to go home. Once I was in sight of the house, I see lights on inside and a car in the driveway.

Why is my aunt here?

I pick up my pace until I enter the house. My aunt is sitting in the kitchen, talking on the phone to someone. Probably one of her clients; she's a lawyer.

She glances in my direction and straightens in the chair that she is sitting in.

"I'll have to call you back, okay?" She asks, but it sounds more like a statement. She puts her phone down on the table. She stares at me for what seems like hours, but in reality were only a few minutes. "I've been worried about you."

"Why?"

Her sharp, green eyes narrow and she reminds me of the wicked witch of the west or the evil step mother. "Because you are my niece, Lillian."

"And?" I question. "If you actually cared about me then you would call every day or come to visit at least once a month."

"I offered to come live with you."

"I shouldn't have had to grow up so quickly at 16."

"Well, I can't do anything about the past."

"You could have."

"You know what? I don't need to hear your little, bratty mouth right now. If you need anything, call me." She states and grabs her purse along with her phone. She hesitates at the door, but goes outside to her car anyway.

"I needed someone a long time ago." I whisper to no one, but myself. I lock the front door and head to my room. I turn on my radio/stereo system. I search through the stations until I find one that I like. I change out of my uniform for the diner and into something more comfortable. I see the note peeking out of my black pants and grab it. I carefully reread it again. I tear out a sheet of paper from a notebook I never used.

I'M GLAD YOU ARE A GUY. NOTHING IS WRONG WITH WANTING TO BE SOCIALBLE AND MYSTERIOUS.

I'D RELALY LIKE IT IF YOU KEEP WRITING BIBLE VERSES IN THE NOTES YOU GIVE ME. THEY REALLY HELP AND ENCOURAGE ME.

I'M NOT SCARED. AT LEAST NOT FROM YOU AND THESE NOTES.

CAN GOD REALLY HEAL MY BROKEN HEART? MY LIFE ISN'T WHAT YOU MAY THINK IT IS.

I HAVEN'T HAD A GOOD DAY TODAY. THE ONLY THING THAT KEEPS ME GOING ARE YOUR NOTES.

P.S. Life goes on.