CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

KIM

Running away isn’t the answer, but I need a change of scenery.

My friends and I got blinding drunk last night. It was good, forgetting how messed up my life was. Now that I’m awake with a splitting headache, last night doesn’t seem so smart.

The reason I wake up is because Zoey is talking to loudly on the phone. I assume it’s Ryder she’s speaking with. I hear snippets of the conversation. She mentions something about making him a eunuch or shoving his balls up his ass. She isn’t holding back. She’s a loyal friend.

After a hot shower, I feel halfway human. I’ve also decided to get out of town for a while. My friends don’t want me to leave, but they understand my decision. Right now, I wouldn’t be able to handle running into Josh on the sidewalk. It would hurt too much.

I know of a person who will take me in. Mary Lewis. She’s somewhat of a recluse. She enjoys painting and the simpler things in life. Zoey introduced me to her.

I would say Mary is like a mother to me, but I can’t. She’s more like the crazy aunt who is fun to hang out with. This might actually be enjoyable.

I pack a small bag and borrow Zoey’s car. I don’t own one. Mary’s place is an hour away. She doesn’t like to answer her phone, so I don’t call ahead. If she’s gone, it won’t be a problem. I know where she keeps the spare key.

I navigate down the driveway slowly, avoiding potholes on the gravel. This is what I need, a change of scenery. I turn off the car and glance in the mirror. I look like shit. My eyes are red and swollen. Tears are running down my cheeks, and I need fresh tissues. Had to pull over twice on the way here and get myself together.

All I want to do is bury myself under the covers and come out when my heart doesn’t ache. Which could be never. A tapping on the window startles me, and I scream. I’m so deep in my misery that I didn’t see Mary walk up.

She opens the door and pulls me out of the car and into her arms.

“My poor girl, I’m so sorry. Things will improve after a good rest.”

She steps toward the house.

“I need my bag.”

She reaches into the backseat and grabs it.

“Let’s go.” She leads me to the house.

I love her place. It’s just like her—unique and very unexpected. The outside of the house looks like it should be condemned. Paint is peeling off the sides, but if you look closely, the windows are new, and the roof is in good condition.

The inside of the house is dramatically different from the outside. It’s like stepping into an antique store in France. She used to live in Europe, so a lot of her furniture and knickknacks are from there.

I normally gawk when I walk into Mary’s house, but today, I want to hide in bed and let the world pass me by. Mary understands because she takes me directly upstairs to a cozy bedroom colored in dark blues and grays. The room fits my mood perfectly.

“Rest,” she says and gives me a hug. “Come down when you’re ready.”

“Thank you, Mary.” She leaves, and I undress and slip my jammies on, get under the covers. I feel like I could sleep for days. But it’s taking a while to fall asleep. Can’t stop replaying last night in my head. I don’t understand how he could believe my mother. It hurts, and what’s worse, he left without saying anything. The tears fall again. I drift off to sleep with them staining my face.