“If you knew my life, you’d know friends are not something I’ve ever tried to do.”
“So, we are like your first friends?” At my slow nod she went on. “That is amazing!”
“Why?” Miles asked, cocking his head to the side.
“Have you seen my story in the news? It’s been everywhere for the last few months.”
When Miles shook his head, I took a deep breath, prepared to give him the Cliff Notes of my hellish life. But Sawyer beat me to it.
She told Miles pretty much everything that had been posted in the news. A lot of it had been taken far out of proportion. It was almost scary to know how far reporters stretched the truth. “So, in my opinion, Scarlett was taken by a family member and kept hidden away from the world. Only to return when someone from her family noticed who she was, and where.”
Did she ever breathe? Her words were rushed, as if she were just that excited about her theory. Parts of it made sense. I was saved by having to answer to any of that just yet as the waiter came to get our orders. I ordered a simple chicken basket, not sure what else would even be good, and I wasn’t all that hungry.
My heart beat was steady, but I could feel the anxiety rising. I went to take a drink of water, but my hands shook too badly. Either the two I sat with didn’t notice, or they didn’t want to comment on it because they wanted to know the truth.
“It’s not our business,” Sawyer said when I still didn’t speak after a few moments. “But you’re still big news. It’s gonna happen sooner or later. Especially at group.”
“The first part is partially true,” I finally was able to mutter out. “I was taken from my backyard right before I turned five. The man who took me wasn’t family. I still have no idea what he wanted to accomplish. A lot happened with that man, which I don’t want to talk about anytime soon.”
“H-h-how were you f-f-f-found?”
“By a friend,” I grimaced. There was no way I was going to mention Lisa or the role that she played in all of this. I still wasn’t sure what her angle was. My heart panged at the thought. “Long story short, I was found by my biological family, and now here I am.”
“Huh,” Sawyer said. “I didn’t expect that. Are you still in contact with any of your family then, with you being here alone?”
“Somewhat,” I said. “They’re all behind me with figuring out who I am.”
“You’re Scarlett, the amazing girl I keep running into,” Sawyer laughed.
Our food was placed down in front of us. At first, I picked at the chicken strips and fries, still on edge about things I couldn’t change. The nervousness of talking about myself had thankfully passed.
“I watched my dad kill my mom, then take his own life,” Sawyer said all of a sudden. At her words, I jumped. “
“I know sorry won’t cut it,” I said gently. How was she not more messed up after seeing something like that? I knew I was, after seeing what Alan did to Lisa.
“I’m okay, for the most part. My brother isn’t so sure, since I don’t stick to one place very long. Or make friends. But I really think you two changed that. He worries way too much.”
“Don’t all brothers?”
“She’ll w-w-w-want to m-m-m-meet them.”
“Who?” I squinted at Miles.
“Dr. Mayes,” Sawyer answered. “She likes to meet everyone in our lives, to get an understanding of our background and home life. She’s the one therapist I’ve met that actually cares about us. Not just as another paycheck, but as a person. I’ve had some shitty shrinks who thought I had the answers. But Dr. Mayes really is one of a kind. She really listens and gives advice.”
“I think I’ll just skip that part,” I laughed. “I mean, a guy who drugged me is now like a best friend, despite other issues he’s dealing with right now. A brother isn’t sure how to let me go and acts more like a father. The man who is my father won’t talk to me. Then there’s another friend who’s not faring well with me way out here. And I may like him more than I want to, and I have no clue how to handle that.” The words spilled out without my consent. “Shit. So sorry. That was way too much all at once. Just ignore me.”
“I thought my family was a bit crazy,” Sawyer said. “But don’t ever apologize for venting. She’ll want to meet them someday, if she can. It’s just how she is. Plus, it gives the family members someone to talk to about issues, too.”
“Collin would so not go for that,” I shook my head.
God, I missed them all.
“W-w-who’s he?”
“My personal doctor,” I said, lifting my arm to the table and showing my mark that filled me with shame, yet pride at the same time. “He patched me up, and we’ve grown close, I guess.”
After dinner, Sawyer and I walked towards our apartment and Miles went the other way. On the way, I couldn’t stop the feeling as if I were being watched. Maybe it was the after effect of what I had done at the diner.
