Her Tears Don't Fall (Sandman pt 2)

Kaleen closed the door behind her walking into the lounge, dropping her keys on the telephone stand. He stood at the window, just as she remembered him. 'Justin.'

He looked at her. 'I wish you'd call me Sandman. It always sounded so sexy coming from you.'

'Why are you here? I thought you were in prison.'

'Day release.'

'So, why are you here?'

'To see my son.'

'Is that such a good idea?'

'He asked me to see him.'

'When?'

'A while back, but I guess he never told you.'

'No he didn't.'

'Where is he?'

'At school.'

'I'll wait then.'

'He's six Justin why now?'

'Because you ignored every damn fucking visiting order that I ever sent you.'

'Do you know how long it took me too get over you?'

'Not long.'

'Too long.'

'And Mark?'

'We're still friends. He picks Phoenix up from school so that I can get sorted before he comes back.'

He spread his hand across the wall. 'When I get released it will just be us, all of us.'

'He'll be sixteen by then Justin.'

'So.'

'I..;

'Promise you'll wait for me.'

'I...'

'Promise me.'

'I promise.'

He edged forward the door closed Phoenix ran into the lounge Sandman moved away from Kaleen.

'Dad.'

'Champ.' He said picking him up. 'So how is school?'

'Ace.'

'So where's..'

'Who the hell let you in?'

Sandman looked at Mark though a lot older than he cared to remember he was still a dick. 'The landlord talk about thick,I spun him a yarn about forgetting my keys dumb fuck.'

'You are not welcome.'

'I promised Phoenix I'd see him.'

He looked at Kaleen. 'Kay?'

'I'm sorry Mark.'

'I'll see you tomorrow.'

'Okay.'

'Latershrimp.'

'Bye Mark.'

He turned looking dead at Sandman. Storming of slamming the flat door shut. 'Well fuck me!'

'Justin!'

'What's his fucking problem? You two still aint at it are you?'

'No. he was just shocked to see you that's all.'

'So it's cool if I spend time with Phe then?'

'Yeah.'

He smiled pecking her on the cheek.

Candice closed the door behind her the five and six year old ran towards the lounge. 'Kieran, Ashleigh.'

They skidded as they entered the lounge. Candice walked in his dreads hung over his face. 'Ice.'

He looked at her his eyes cut through his hair. 'What are you doing here?'

'I've come to see Ashleigh, unless you have a problem with that?'

'Yes I do we talked about this.'

'No you talked I listened.'

'Where's Justin?'

'Sandy's with your sister right now keeping his promise to the little man in his life.'

'But..'

'She obviously didn't try hard enough like you.' He looked dead at her. 'So can I see my daughter, or not?'

'Guess so now you're here.'

He walked forward Ashleigh and Kieran backed behind Candice. 'It's okay honey this is your father.'

She looked up at the dread locked male he looked a little scary, he knelt down. 'It's finally nice to put a face to a picture.' He looked at Kieran. 'Andwho's this?'

'This is Kieran.'

'Broaden's kid?'

'Yeah.'

'Well nice to meet you I'm Ashleigh's father I hope I can get to know you both.'

'I don't know Ice it's not a good idea.'

He cut his eyes at Candice. 'Let them visit me Candice.'

'What about Broaden?'

'What about him? We'll be watched, so what do you say.'

'Okay.'

He smiled.

Sandman walked out of Phoenix's room after tucking him in and reading him a story.

Kaleen looked at him. 'It's been good today babe, but I have to go my ride's waiting.'

'Okay.'

He pressed his lips on hers kissing her hungrily. He moved away. 'Tell Phe I'll send him a visiting order.'

'Okay.'

'I'd like to see you too.'

'Maybe.'

'Remember your promise to me Kay.'

'I will.'

He kissed her cheek. 'Soon.'

She smiled opening the door. He kissed her check walking out the flat she closed the door walking back into the younger looking out of the window; he looked up getting into the car.

'Well I guess I'll see you soon Candice.'

'I guess.'

'The visiting order will be in the post okay.'

'Okay.'

'I don't expect you to wait for me so just promise me one thing.'

'What?'

'Be happy.'

'I will.'

'Tell the kids I'll see them soon.'

'I will.'

He pressed his lips on hers kissing her. He moved away. 'Soon babe.' She smiled as he walked out getting into the car he smiled as the car pulled away.

Ten years on

It's the ninth of September, college has just begun. Ashleigh and Phoenix have just begun there first year of A levels and are yet to meet.

Ashleigh makes friends easily, and so does Phoenix, but their truths are well hidden. With Justin and Mackenzie in prison they have no idea who the other really is. Kaleen and Candice had gone their separate ways when Ashleigh and Phoenix had turned four

thinking it was for the best them, to never know who the other was. Now they were at the same college and were soon to meet, but would either of them find out the other's deep dark secret?

Ashleigh sat in the cafeteria, a tall dark haired boy, with blond high lights, piercing blue eyes walked over to her. 'Sorry I couldn't help but notice you were on your own may I?'

'Sure.'

Phoenix smiled sitting down opposite Ashleigh 'I'm Phoenix.'

'Ashleigh.'

'So what are you studying?'

'I.C.T.'

'Electronics, well that and Mechanics.'

She smiled.

'So do you fancy doing something this weekend?'

'Sure.'

He smiled. 'Shall I pick you up?'

'I'll meet you in town at eleven okay.'

'It's a date.'

He placed his hand on hers. 'I hope we can be so much more than friends.'

He leaned forward placing his lips on hers kissing her. His friends Wolfe whistled. He pulled away, taking his hand off hers. 'Saturday don't forget.'

I won't.'

He slipped off the chair and walked back over to his friends who patted him on the back as they walked away. A dragon he bared on his coat.

'Who was that?'

Ashleigh looked up. 'Oh Kelley that was Phoenix.'

'He's hot.'

'I know.'

'So what did he want?' she asked sitting down.

'For me to go on a date with him.'

'I hope you said yes.'

'Of course.'

'Go girl men like that don't come round that easily.'

They drank their coffees and pulled themselves up off the chairs.

'Well I'll talk to you later Ash.'

'Okay.'

'Tell me how the date goes.'

'Will do.'

They walked away in their separate directions.

Ashleigh walked out of college in a world of her own. 'Ash wait!'

She turned and smiled.

Phoenix joined her out of breath. 'I thought I'd missed you, Coeb said he saw you ten minutes ago.'

'It takes five to get out the maze of corridors.'

'Yeah I know.'

He finally caught his breath. 'Any way I was wondering if we could go somewhere now if that's okay with you? If there's no hurry for you to get back home.'

'No I'm fine till seven.'

'Sound come on then.' He said taking her hand.

She looked at him, he looked at her. 'This is okay isn't it?'

'Yeah.'

'You sure?'

'Yeah.'

'I really like you you're the hottest girl in college.'

'I wouldn't say that there's plenty better.'

'I wouldn't say that.'

They walked into town in to the pizzeria. 'Well we're here sorry it's not much I've not got much till Saturday.'

'It's fine.'

Phoenix ordered and they sat down.

'So how did you find your first day?'

'Okay I almost got lost twice.'

'Big place isn't it?'

'Yeah god help Kieran next September.'

'Who's Kieran?'

'My younger brother.'

'Oh right.'

'You got any brothers or sisters?'

'No just me.'

'They're a pain in the ass.'

He laughed.

The waitress brought their order over placing it on the table and walked away.

They took slice after slice swigging their cokes between them.

Ashleigh looked at her watch. 'Shit I've got to go.'

'I'll walk you.'

'No its fine.'

'Well let me walk you half way then.'

'Sure.'

They pulled themselves up and walked out of the pizzeria.

They talked till they got to Redwood Drive.

'I've had a really nice time.'

'Me too.'

Phoenix leaned forward placing his lips on hers kissing her, she returned his kiss they kissed hungrily, butterflies circled around inside her. His kiss was so warm, so tender, but she yet had to find out about the real Phoenix.

He pulled away dropping her hand. 'I'll meet you here in the morning okay.'

'Okay.'

'Nine don't be late.'

'I won't.'

'Bye Ash.'

'Bye Phoenix.'

Phoenix walked up Redwood Drive as she walked away heading for Buttermere Street.

She closed the door behind her. 'Where have you been?'

'Nowhere where's mom?'

'Gone to work, she's going to kill you when she gets back.'

'You're nearly sixteen Ke you can look after yourself.'

'I guess you've eaten?'

'Yeah.'

'So who were you with?'

'A friend from college.'

'So you dis me for a friend?'

'I was five minutes late Ke you're my brother, not a friend. I'm going to my room.'

'Sure what-ever.'

Ashleigh walked passed Kieran up the creaky stairs closing her bedroom door behind her. She leaped into her bed plugging her headphones into her ears jamming on some tunes.

She lay on the bed smiling, she'd finally met someone who had taken her for her and not what they wanted her to be, she just hoped Phoenix was better than all the other guys she knew, but how could she tell him that her dad was doing time for murder? He'd run for sure.

Ashleigh met Phoenix at nine where he'd asked her to. He took her hand. 'So you get home on time?'

'Five minutes late. I copped it this morning, Mom flipped said I should be more responsible. Kieran can look after himself he's nearly sixteen!'

'So he's not much younger than you?'

'No about nine months. He would've been in the same year, but he missed out on the entry date by a couple of days.'

'Bummer.'

'Yeah he was pissed, he wanted to leave school.'

'I bet your mom weren't too pleased.'

'Not really, he's only got till April then he leaves.'

'So what's he going to study?'

'I think he wants to do a business degree or something, he'll probably change his mind.'

'Clever is he?'

'Yeah.'

'Well I'm going to have to love you and leave you. Saturday still cool?'

'Yeah.'

'I'll see you then.'

'Okay.'

He kissed her quickly dropping her hand out of his. 'Bye Ash.'

She smiled.

He jogged over to his friends and they walked away.

'Is that who I think it is?'

Ashleigh turned, a bright coloured haired girl had caught up with her. 'Kelley.'

'I called you.'

'Sorry I never heard you.'

'So was that?'

'Phoenix yes.'

'So you got it together then?'

'Yeah.'

'When?'

'Last night.'

'So he took you on a date? How did it go?'

'Yeah he did. It was fine. We went to the pizza parlour in town, he's really nice.'

'So you seeing him again?'

'Yeah Saturday.'

'So he's still meeting you?'

'Yeah.'

'Why don't you just get him to pick you up?'

She stared blank at Kelley.

'I get it your mom right?'

'Yeah she still thinks I'm ten.'

'She thinks your brother is too.'

'Yeah I know.'

'How is your brother anyway?'

'He's fine. You've still got a thing for him haven't you?'

'A little.'

'Go for it I know he likes you too.'

'It was one kiss Ash he never bothered after.'

'He's shy. I'll talk to him.'

Kelley smiled.

Kieran pulled up on his scrambler.

'What are you doing here Ke?'

'Mom coolred me into it to make sure you got home on time. Hop on.'

'Is it safe?'

'Of course.'

Ashleigh swung herself onto the bike sitting down.

'There you are Ash.'

'Phoenix I didn't think I was seeing you till Saturday?'

'I thought I'd walk you home.'

'I cant I'm sorry.'

He looked at her questionably.

'Oh sorry Phoenix this is my brother Kieran, Kieran this is Phoenix the friend I told you about.'

'Nice to meet you.'

'You too, now I know why Ash was late.'

'Can we just go?'

'I'll meet you tomorrow okay.'

'Okay.'

Kieran revved up.

'Bye Ash.'

'Bye Phoenix.'

Kieran changed gear and sped away from the college.

'You sure she's worth it?'

'Yeah.'

'Will she be once she knows the truth?'

'Yeah.'

'Come on Phe stop gorking we better go.'

'Sure Coeb.'

They walked away from the college.

Kieran pulled up out side the house, they pulled themselves up off the bike. 'So he's the reason you were late?'

'So.'

'So where he take you?'

'Pizza pallor in town.'

'Last of the big spenders!'

'He didn't have much.'

'Chill sis he seems cool.'

'He is.'

'Good as long as you're happy.'

'I am.' She said closing the door behind them. 'While we're on happy isn't it about time you asked Kelley out?'

'She won't be interested in me.'

'Why not?'

'She just won't.'

'Well she is so get your butt into gear and do something about it.'