“I assumed, at first, that you had been at an all girls’ school from the statement your father made three weeks ago, but you don’t peg me as a girly girl.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You don’t care about your looks, or money,” he said. “And you aren’t all that proper like what a girls’ school would teach.”
“How do you know a girls’ school would teach such things?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Movies?”
“Well, you’d probably know better than me.”
“So, what’s your story?”
“I don’t have one,” I said, turning to look back out to the fields.
“You do, but that’s okay. You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to. Whatever reason you’re here for, it must be important.”
“Someone hurt me,” I said quietly.
“And that person wants you dead now?”
“Something like that.”
“Okay,” he said, folding his hands and leaning on the banister, matching my stance.
“So, let me take a guess here.” He turned towards me, leaving one arm holding him up slightly. “You’re here, hiding, because someone wants what they can’t have. Now, you don’t seem the type to be having boy issues, since you most likely don’t even realize that two of the men keeping you safe are having peeing contests over you.”
“They aren’t-“
“They so are, Scarlett. And it’s kind of entertaining to watch and all. I haven’t hardly known you guys all that long, but I’m a pro at reading people. You don’t see it, but Zevon and Dominic have feelings for you, ones that run deeper than they should. Now, I am almost one hundred percent sure that neither one of them will think of pushing for more. That’s because you’ve been hurt, and they are handling you like broken glass.”
He paused, letting the words soak in as he looked at me from head to toe. What did he see me as? Did I look as weak as I felt? Did I appear to be a waste of space and time?
I was sure I did. I may be becoming a bit stronger slowly, but I knew I was still worth nothing. I wasn’t worth the time or effort of these people who thought they could help me.
“Uh…I think I’m done here,” I said, getting ready to make my leave.
“Wait,” he said, grasping my wrist lightly. It was loose enough that, if I wanted to, I could pull away and he’d let me. Slowly, as if he were afraid that I would run away if he dropped his hand from my wrist, he took a step back.
“You remind me of my sister in some ways. She’s been through a lot too, so I can see more than meets the eye. I’d have to, since I was always the one who was there to pick up the pieces.” He paused, seeming to debate on what, and how much, to tell me. “She’s finally at that point where she’s seeking the help she needs, and she’s doing really well.
“She suffers from anxiety, so much so that she tried to kill herself. Can’t blame her, either. Not after the abuse. We’re not all so different. It all just depends on how you deal with it.”
“How do you deal? With it all, I mean?” I asked, turning to look at him.
“One day at a time. I deal with knowing that my sister, the one person in my family, is well and alive. I live for her.”
“And your sister?”
“She’s figured out what she wants from the life she was born into. With Dad in jail, she won’t ever have to fear him again. She’s living upstate, in a nice apartment and seeking therapy.”
A few moments passed before he hummed, then said, “Close your eyes.” When I did, he continued softly. “Who do you see before you?”
I didn’t answer, knowing it’d give away way to much. I knew instantly who I wanted to stand before me, confessing their feelings for me. But, I also knew I wouldn’t be able to return those said feelings, no matter who it was.
I wasn’t loveable. I wasn’t desirable. And I sure as heck didn’t need more complications to my boring yet crazy life.
I also saw myself surrounded by friends and family. Happy and content.
