“So then why come? You could have just stayed,” I ask her, knowing that my reason to come was mainly to get some closure, or maybe answers. And it seems to be working seeing as I now have recollection of the last time I truly saw my brother.
Alli looks down at her feet
“Just a few weeks ago, I got a letter in the mail,” she starts and I keep my eyes steady on her, but she doesn’t continue.
“Okay?” I grasp for more, waiting for her to explain.
“It was from mydad, Olivia.”
My eyes widen. “What?”
“You know, my mom told me she got pregnant and didn’t know who my father was,” Alli starts, keeping her arms crossed over her shoulder as she whispers to me. “Said it could have been a few different guys. But then I remember when I was ten, my mom and I got into a fight and I told her I wished I was living with my dad. I was just a kid acting out in anger. But that’s when she let it spill that my dad didn’t want to be a father and that’s why he left us.” I can hear the heartbreak mix with something conflicting in her tone. “She told me two different stories and I won’t lie, it’s been with me ever since. I don’t know how to figure out which one was a lie or if any of them are real”
“Well, which one do you believe?” I ask, wondering if she’s thought about it.
“Honestly, I don’t even know. And I’m not even sure it matters. I can’t even be sure that the man who mailed me the letter is even telling the truth either. But it was addressed to my full name, which not many people know, and he says he has proof. But I can’t ask my mom from six feet under and I am kind of curious to find out. I don’t have much to lose.”
“Well, what did the letter say?”
She puts her hands in her back pockets and rocks on her feet. “Well, that he was sorry for waiting so long to reach out. He couldn’t find me for the longesttime and he knows it might be too late but he wants me to come down for the summer to meet myfamily. I guess he has a wife and a kid and he owns some property with his friends that they spend the springs and summers in.” She looks back up to the sky. And here I thought I was the only one with problems.
“Are you gonna go?” I ask.
“That letter is part of the reason I wanted to do this whole small town tradition,” she rolls her eyes playfully. “It didn’t really appeal to me otherwise. But I’m not sure what I’ll do. If I do leave, it’ll be with zero regrets. I just wanted to do something for me before I decide to let anyone else into my life, ya know.”
Oh, girl. I know more than you fucking think.
Alli steps up to me and reaches for my hands.
“I’m sorry if it seemed like I was trying to pressure you into coming up here. I could tell you were battling with that decision and I feel shitty for not accepting the fact that you weren’t going to come. I just knew I would have hated not having you here with me. But I’m glad you came.”
“Well, I’m not so sure I can say the same for me,” I start. “I’m starting to think I came up here for all the wrong reasons.”
The admission hits me in my gut. I, too, would rather leave this town free and clear; no regrets and no unanswered questions. But part of me feels more unraveled yet simultaneously trapped than I did this morning.
“Well, if you decide to leave this town, I’ll support that decision. I might be right behind you.” She reaches out to gently pat my shoulder.
“Thank you,” I respond with a soft smile. “I’m gonna go back to the cabin and take a shower,” I start. “Andyouare gonna go cuddle up to Banks and enjoy the rest of your night.”
“He could probably care less about me,” she sighs.
“No, I saw the way he looked at you earlier,” I tell her, causing her to smirk. “We’ll catch up later,” I say as I turn on my heel to start my way back to the cabin.
But before I get too far, Alli sing-songs from behind me, “Have a killer time.”
I freeze.
My blood runs cold.
What did she…
I slowly turn to look behind me, seeing that she’s disappeared into the darkness of the crowd gathered around for the movie. Her voice still echoing off the soaked tree trunks.
I tilt my head.
What the fuck did she just say?
After making it back to the cabin, I let out a sigh of relief. Quiet is what I need. Something about this forest is causing me to fall deeper and deeper into my head, wondering who the fuck I can trust and why I’m even here in the first place. But I can’t help but to succumb to the feeling that, as the night goes on, something bad is going to happen.
