that has holes in it.
I’ve worn the outfit five times since I’ve been here and it’s getting old.
She heaves the duffel bag onto the foot of the bed and then
positions her hands on her hips. “You need to work on getting
better and getting out of here. It’s making our family look bad.”
I carefully hunch forward, because moving too fast still hurts
my side. “And what do you suggest I do, mother, because the
doctors seem to think differently. They think I need to stay here
and heal.”
“I don’t give a shit what the doctors think.” She unzips the
bag with a tug. “What I care about is that you get dressed in some
normal clothes, get everyone thinking you feel better, and then
come home so we can start planning what we’re going to do if
Caleb Miller presses charges.”
“I could always plead mental insanity.” Sarcasm drips from
my voice. “Maybe they’d just keep me here instead of sending me
to jail.”
Her face flushes red and she shifts the handle of her purse
higher onto her shoulder. “You think this is funny? Maybe I should
have your father come down here and talk some sense into you.”
No matter how hard I try, I’m sent straight back to that place
where I’m lying on the floor bleeding to death and completely
ready to accept it. I rub my hand across my face and then say
through clenched teeth, “I’ll see what I can do.”
She smiles and it looks out of place, like she’s the evil villain
about to execute her evil plan. She kisses my cheek and I can smell
the wine on her breath. Then she moves back and rubs her thumb
across my cheek. “I got lipstick on you.” She pulls her hand away
and smiles again. “Let’s work on getting you out of here.” She pats
my leg and then walks out of the room, leaving the door open. I
hear her say something to one of the doctors and then a nurse
shuts the door.
I take a long-sleeve thermal shirt out of the bag, which is
filled with jeans, shirts, and socks, and slip it on over my head.
Then I reach for a pair of jeans, ready to put on my full costume
and go lie to the world, just like I’ve been doing my entire life.
Chapter 4
#67 Reunite with something you thought you lost
Callie
We arrive in Afton late at night when the moon is a
ginormous orb in the charcoaled sky and the blizzard is creating a
veil in front of the truck, making it hard to see. We would have
made it here by dinnertime, but Seth made us stop for lunch and
play in the playhouse at McDonald’s. But it was kind of all our
faults for getting so carried away and staying until we got in
trouble by the manager.
I think we were all avoiding something. But what that is, I’m
still trying to figure out. After a very long, exhausting drive, Seth and I sneak up into the garage and crash on the bed without
having to talk to my mother. The place holds one of the strongest
memories in my head, and when I first walked in, I nearly fell over
as I remember how it felt when Kayden touched me, kissed me,
became a part of me.
“I’m bummed,” Seth states as we lie face to face on the bed
in our pajamas. The space heater hums in the background and the
glow of it and the lamp highlights the spackled spots on the walls.
He fakes a pout. “I was totally looking forward to meeting your
mother.”
I gently pinch his arm. “You liar. You’re so glad she’s asleep.”
He giggles and then rolls to his side, propping himself up on
his elbow. “I know. I wish I was, but from what you tell me about
her, she’s not going to be that fond of my colorful personality.”
I sit up in the bed, take the elastic out of my hair, and then
refasten my ponytail. I let my arms fall into my lap and I chew on
my lip, thinking about tomorrow and seeing Kayden.
Seth touches my bottom lip and my initial reaction is to
flinch, but I work at it and keep it under control. “A penny for your thoughts?”
“It’s nothing.” I sigh and flop down
I’ve worn the outfit five times since I’ve been here and it’s getting old.
She heaves the duffel bag onto the foot of the bed and then
positions her hands on her hips. “You need to work on getting
better and getting out of here. It’s making our family look bad.”
I carefully hunch forward, because moving too fast still hurts
my side. “And what do you suggest I do, mother, because the
doctors seem to think differently. They think I need to stay here
and heal.”
“I don’t give a shit what the doctors think.” She unzips the
bag with a tug. “What I care about is that you get dressed in some
normal clothes, get everyone thinking you feel better, and then
come home so we can start planning what we’re going to do if
Caleb Miller presses charges.”
“I could always plead mental insanity.” Sarcasm drips from
my voice. “Maybe they’d just keep me here instead of sending me
to jail.”
Her face flushes red and she shifts the handle of her purse
higher onto her shoulder. “You think this is funny? Maybe I should
have your father come down here and talk some sense into you.”
No matter how hard I try, I’m sent straight back to that place
where I’m lying on the floor bleeding to death and completely
ready to accept it. I rub my hand across my face and then say
through clenched teeth, “I’ll see what I can do.”
She smiles and it looks out of place, like she’s the evil villain
about to execute her evil plan. She kisses my cheek and I can smell
the wine on her breath. Then she moves back and rubs her thumb
across my cheek. “I got lipstick on you.” She pulls her hand away
and smiles again. “Let’s work on getting you out of here.” She pats
my leg and then walks out of the room, leaving the door open. I
hear her say something to one of the doctors and then a nurse
shuts the door.
I take a long-sleeve thermal shirt out of the bag, which is
filled with jeans, shirts, and socks, and slip it on over my head.
Then I reach for a pair of jeans, ready to put on my full costume
and go lie to the world, just like I’ve been doing my entire life.
Chapter 4
#67 Reunite with something you thought you lost
Callie
We arrive in Afton late at night when the moon is a
ginormous orb in the charcoaled sky and the blizzard is creating a
veil in front of the truck, making it hard to see. We would have
made it here by dinnertime, but Seth made us stop for lunch and
play in the playhouse at McDonald’s. But it was kind of all our
faults for getting so carried away and staying until we got in
trouble by the manager.
I think we were all avoiding something. But what that is, I’m
still trying to figure out. After a very long, exhausting drive, Seth and I sneak up into the garage and crash on the bed without
having to talk to my mother. The place holds one of the strongest
memories in my head, and when I first walked in, I nearly fell over
as I remember how it felt when Kayden touched me, kissed me,
became a part of me.
“I’m bummed,” Seth states as we lie face to face on the bed
in our pajamas. The space heater hums in the background and the
glow of it and the lamp highlights the spackled spots on the walls.
He fakes a pout. “I was totally looking forward to meeting your
mother.”
I gently pinch his arm. “You liar. You’re so glad she’s asleep.”
He giggles and then rolls to his side, propping himself up on
his elbow. “I know. I wish I was, but from what you tell me about
her, she’s not going to be that fond of my colorful personality.”
I sit up in the bed, take the elastic out of my hair, and then
refasten my ponytail. I let my arms fall into my lap and I chew on
my lip, thinking about tomorrow and seeing Kayden.
Seth touches my bottom lip and my initial reaction is to
flinch, but I work at it and keep it under control. “A penny for your thoughts?”
“It’s nothing.” I sigh and flop down