Ice and Fire novel Chapter 620

Seeing Bill's awkward situation, and knowing Bill was blameless, Lawrence owned up and told his Father,"I went to the bar for some drinks, and when I got home, I saw Violet laying on the floor injured,"

"You!" seethed Jackson, anger radiated in his eyes, and he lifted his hand to strike.

In that second, Cherry stepped away from Jackson's side and was in front of Lawrence. She knew what Jackson intended, and clung tightly to her son. Jackson was going to hit their son, but, she would never allow that.

Jackson's hand stopped, and hung there, frozen, in the air. He wanted to release his anger, but Cherry had jumped in front of Lawrence, and he didn't want to hurt her.

"Jackson!" Derek uttered surprised at his friend's reaction. In a flash, Derek was next to Jackson holding his arm as he reminded him,"Calm down, please."

Lawrence buried his face in his Mother's arm and started sobbing uncontrollably. He thought it was all his fault, but his Mother still protected him. Lawrence willingly shouldered the responsibility of his mistake. He didn't mind if his Father punished him. But, Lawrence didn't mean for his Sister to be harmed. He never expected any of that to happen.

Releasing Lawrence slowly, Cherry turned and glared at Jackson saying,"Even if it is Lawrence's fault, I won't let you hurt my boy!"

Seeing anger flash in Cherry's eyes, Jackson became flustered immediately. He didn't want to hit their son, Jackson loved their son very much. But, just then, his impulse was to strike the person responsible, and he didn't know how he could have reacted in such an irrational manner.

Afterwards, holding Lawrence's hand, Cherry led him to the landing.

On the Landing, Cherry remained calm and asked,"Lawrence, I want you to tell me what happened yesterday?"

Something must have happened to Lawrence yesterday, and Cherry knew just looking at her son's expression that his heart was breaking. When he called her the other night, she knew he was struggling with something, but she never considered he would end up at the bar the next day. He wanted to drown himself in alcohol and forget. All of which led her to the realization that her son had a secret held in his heart that was ripping him to shreds.

"I had a good friend at school, and until yesterday, I trusted her completely, and believed that she treat me honestly too. But yesterday, Mike and I found out that she was using me for money and something else she wanted to get. She was pretending to care about me Mother!" exclaimed Lawrence, crying. Even though what he was telling Cherry was personal, he knew he could share anything with his Mother, and Lawrence never intended to hide it from her.

"I was angry and hurt, so I went to the bar to have a few drinks. Mike knew the mood I was in and that he couldn't stop me. So, Mike went with me and stayed by my side. When I sobered up, it was twelve midnight, and I went home. As soon as I stepped in the door, I saw..." Lawrence couldn't go into detail about the scene he saw in the dining room last night. He could only apologize to his Mother in a gravelly voice,"Mother, I am so sorry for what happened to Violet. I didn't take good enough care of her, and it's my fault."

Tears rolled down Lawrence's cheeks for the first time in many years. He felt so sorry for what happened to his Sister, and it was his carelessness that led to what happened. How could he forgive himself? His heart was filled with regret and feelings of guilt. Which left him unsure how or if he could come to terms with it and be happy in life.

Cherry hugged her son tightly to her, rocking him in her arms. Her eyes were moist with tears, and she completely understood what happened now. Both of them were her children, and both were cut and hurting, but, which one was to blame? Maybe, instead of blaming either, she should consider her daughter's future.

"Lawrence!" Cherry straightened up, let go of Lawrence, and wiped the tears from his cheeks telling him,"I want you to listen to me. Go home and rest. Your Father and I will stay here to look after Violet."