After making my way to my seat, my mom comes over, wraps her arm around me, and cries into my shoulder. I know she saw it too. From that moment on, I let the tears fall, enjoying the feeling of relief each one gives me.
* * *
The rest of the service flew by. I couldn’t wait for it to end.
I want to call Adam. I want to be by his side and feel this free in his arms. It’s because of him that I’m able to be this way, and I want to share it.
People approach me, saying how amazing my performance was. I take it all in, letting the happiness wash over me.
Once I’m ready to leave, I step outside and see Linda with a puzzled expression on her face. All the glee I was feeling washes away as I search around for sights of either Cailin or Adam nearby.
I approach with caution, having no clue if she’s even talked to Adam about me at all, especially when it comes to church. “Hi, Linda.”
Her sigh tells me instantly that she knows. “Miss Russo. Sarah. I … I just don’t know what’s going on, and I’ve tried very hard to stay out of Adam’s personal affairs because, honestly, they are none of my business, but …”
She lets out a long sigh, and my heart breaks in two.
Please don’t let her think badly of me.
“I asked Cailin if she wanted to come with me this morning because I actually enjoyed the sermons, and I thought it would be good for her to continue to hear things like that. But they said—”
I place my hand on her arm. “Please, I can explain.”
She holds up both of her hands in front of her face in surrender with her eyes turned down to the street. “No, you don’t owe me any explanation. As I said, it’s none of my business.” She looks back at me. “Just please don’t string them along. I get the feeling he really likes you. He’s had a hard life, and there are not many people he trusts.”
My eyes well with tears as she places her hands over mine.
“Just be careful with his heart. Whatever reason you didn’t want them here with you is yours, but please don’t lie to him. Tell him the truth. Believe me, he’ll thank you for it.”
I nod as I inhale a shaky breath. “I didn’t mean to lie. I promise there’s a good reason.”
She nods. “And I believe you. Just”—she pauses, glancing around at the people leaving the parking lot—“be honest, okay?”
“I will. I promise.”
She wraps her arms around me. “He’s an amazing man. Don’t let him slip by, you hear me?”
I nod, sniffing and wiping my eyes. She gets in her car, and I slowly make my way to mine.
My father’s glare is seen from the front door of the church, but without a second thought, I head straight to Adam’s house. His chipper voice at the call box gives me the strength I need. I know he’ll understand. I just hope I have the strength to tell him about my past.
25
Sarah
To my surprise, Linda is there when I pull into the long driveway. I meet her at the front steps.
“I thought you’d be coming here.” She smiles, and I feel the weight lifted just a little. “I’m grabbing Cailin, so you guys can talk.”
I whisper, “Thank you,” just as Cailin comes running out of the house.
“I’m ready!” she yells, holding her small purse over her shoulder. “Miss Russo! I didn’t know you were coming over.”
“She surprised us,” Adam says as he steps through the front door, dressed in dark jeans and a long-sleeved Henley scrunched up to his elbows.
Cailin’s puzzled expression makes me laugh, as she glances between the two of us, not sure who she should hang out with.
“It’s okay. Go with Linda. I’ll be here when you get back, and we’ll play a board game.”
