Sanctuary of Mine Read Online Free PDF

at the table, quiet in his way as he always is when we talk about Kelly.
    ‘There’s always going to be times when we feel her loss more than others. Is there something bothering you Tyler?’ Concern creases across mum’s forehead. She’s still youthful for her age and I’m comforted that in my eyes she doesn’t seem to age. I’m reluctant to tell them about Mackenzie. Not because I’m embarrassed that I like her, but because I don’t want them to worry about me and my feelings. But like most things, I never keep anything from my parents. These days it’s almost lame for a teenager to disclose every single aspect of their life to their parents, but when you are as close-knit as we are and have endured what we have, things never escape being discussed or talked through.
     
    ‘Not really bothering me, just … it’s complicated.’
    ‘Sounds like something serious,’ dad offers.
    ‘That’s probably putting it lightly.’
    ‘Well you know you can tell us anything honey.’ Mum’s encouraging look is all that is required for me to spill my guts.
    ‘I like a girl.’
    ‘Well, son, that’s the most natural thing in the world,’ my dad grins.
    ‘I think she may be anorexic. Or bulimic. Or both.’ My mum’s cutlery clangs with force onto the glass table top and my dad’s mouth hangs open.
    ‘Oh,’ he says, uncertain how to proceed.
    ‘Are you dating this girl?’ Mum manages to choke out.
    ‘No, but I want to. I want to get to know her, but I’m not sure if I should.’
    ‘Well I’m sure she’s a very nice girl, but this is something you’ll have to think very seriously about, Tyler. As you know, having this disease brings a lot of baggage with it. When making decisions on who we bring into our life, we always have to consider – do they make your life more enriched from being in it, or do they take something away from it? Only you will know the answer to that question. But remember, if she does have either one of those diseases it’s going to be hard on you to.’
    I nod, understanding what he’s saying. ‘Dad?’
    ‘Yeah?’ He takes a mouthful of steak, appraising me, man to man.
    ‘I think she’d be worth the fight.’
    ‘Then son, I’d say this girl is very lucky to have your interest.’
     
    Mum’s eyes have watered up. I know she misses Kelly so much but, with equal passion, she relishes in the child she still gets to see grow up to become a man. If there is one thing I’m certain, I will never take that away from her. I will always be a son she can be proud of. I will always give her those milestone moments where she can see her child grow into and live the dreams she had for me when I was just a baby. I’m thankful for the family I have, who support me to the moon and back. But now I need to help someone else. Mackenzie Deeks may not want friends but I’m determined to be hers, whether she likes it or not.
     

Chapter Six
    Mackenzie
     
    Thankfully , for the rest of the week school is relatively pain free. Levi becomes a staple at my side. He’s funny and endearing, despite his own torment. I find myself looking forward to his puppy dog expression, grateful for his company. Lunch times are the same each day for both of us. He fills his tray to the brim while I stick to my apple and milk. We laugh a little.
     
    Friday sees us both heading to the library for fifth period, so we walk on over to the building block that houses an impressive collection of literature, happy to escape in the world of fiction for the remainder of our lunch break.
     
    It’s a sunny day, clear skies with a gentle breeze that keeps the temperature down. I draw my cardigan around me, using it almost like a security blanket. Levi talks animatedly to me as we cross the quadrangle on the concrete footpath. He’s telling me about a Game Of Thrones episode he’d seen on the telly last night. One minute he’s walking right next to me, the next he’s flat on his arse. The pained expression on his face