On The Run: Part Two

Chapter Twenty-Six - "The Haunted Hunted"

'The Barron's Extending Family Tree.'

The headlines were simply tasteless. Sarah was more affected by them than I was; she'd bought every single one of the Love child or wedlock ones at the vendors down the street - they were all sitting in black bags in the apartment front hall.

"Mind if I join you?" he asked.

"No, of course."

He pulled out the chair and sat, "How are you?"

"I'm okay. It's all very new and a little overwhelming, but I'm fine."

"Yeah? That's good," he looked down at my history textbook, "School?"

"Yeah, I started a couple weeks ago."

"Let me guess, Fairless High?"

"Yeah," I answered, "How'd you know?"

"I know Sarah." I smiled, as he added, "How is she?"

It was curious that he'd ask me when they were friends, and he seemed to read my mind as he said, "I haven't spoken to her in a while. Been so busy."

"She's good. Really busy too," I answered.

He nodded slowly, a wistful look in his eye.

"So, what are you doing here?" he asked, "I'd think with your raving social life, you'd be at some country club do."

I laughed, "No. I've never even been to a country club. Sarah doesn't really like that scene, and I don't think I would either. I'm . . . killing time."

"Till?"

"Dinner. It's Sarah's dad's girlfriend's birthday, and they want to have seafood, so there's that. And I don't like being alone in the apartment. Everyone's doing something."

He smiled, "Are you happy?"

I nodded, "Yes, I am. Definitely."

"That's good. It's really good to see you."

I smiled, "You too."

"I should go. I have to get back to work," he said, getting up. As he did, I thought about it - it was good and coincidental; I never saw him around. Considering that he was good friends with Sarah, I'd have thought I would have, but it never happened. Until now. Right when I was haunted by dreams I couldn't tell anyone about.

I could see it again - Sarah lying in the street. I felt like I was reliving her devastation along with mine, and even when I tried not to think about it, it came unbidden into my mind.

"Hey, are you okay?" Jake asked, pulling me back to reality.

Reality. A beautiful place. I could have snorted.

"Can I talk to you about something?" I asked.

I don't know why I asked, but I had the sudden fear that if I didn't try to let go of it, I would revert back to my old frightened self. And that, I couldn't do. I didn't want to.

He sat back down, "What's up?"

Maybe because I had no one else to talk to, or because I already felt guilty enough lying to Sarah, maybe it was the fact that he simply ebbed this kind of warmth that reminded me of someone I couldn't put my finger on, or just because he was a cop.

I don't know why, but I asked, "Do you know . . . um . . . do you know how I was conceived?"

He looked taken aback, "Chloe, I think you should be talking to Sarah about this."