Splinters: Part One

Part One | 19

"I kinda felt like the faith was... forced on me. I had to learn it."

"That's understandable."

"But I get what you're saying."

"Technically, I'm not allowed to suggest religion, but I do, I do think that you'd be better if you knew you had God."

"What if I don't really want to have Him?"

"Then you need to find other ways to cope."

"How?"

"Well tell me more about St. Anne's."

"Okay," I sighed. "Well, I had two best friends there. Jake, he's eighteen now and he lives on his own. He's been at the orphanage for as long as I can remember and he's always looking out for others. He's always sacrificing. It was so hard when he left."

"How long did you know him?"

I counted in my head. "Six? Seven years?"

"So he's like a brother."

"Yeah, kind of."

"And what about your other best friend?"

"Josephine. She's fourteen now."

Tears sprung in my eyes. Countless of times with Jo came to me. Watching movies, playing games, talking. They all came to me. And I missed her. I missed her so much.

"I miss her."

"It's okay to miss her."

"I haven't seen her since I left."

I shouldn't have left. I should've stayed for her. I should've stayed to be there with and for her. She needs me. What if someone has her now? What if they're doing things to her like her last foster father did?

I wiped my eyes and sniffed.

"What hit you so hard?" Dr. Johnson asked, handing me a tissue.

"I feel bad."

"About what?"

"Leaving her."

"Why do you feel bad about that?"

I took a deep, shaky breath. "Josephine had it hard," I cried. "She had it so much worse than I did."

"What do you m-"

"She deserves to be adopted by Melissa! Not me!"

"Brayden, calm down."

"If only she were a boy," I snickered, shaking my head. "Why a boy? How could they limit their choices to a boy?! They already have a million girls. Why not another one?!"

I was angry at Melissa and Greg. It wasn't fair of me, but I was. Did they have to want a boy? Why couldn't they have taken Jo? It's not like money would've been an issue.

I sobbed a little more, but I tried to breathe carefully. Dr. Johnson waited.

"What about Josephine?"

"She was molested by her foster father. She was so scared to be near men, sometimes even the boys that were older than her. What if she was sent to another home and she's getting hurt again?"

He didn't reply, but just stared at me. It almost looked like he felt sad. His facial expression showed me that he felt bad about Jo. And he should. Everyone should. She didn't deserve anything he did to her.

"Maybe you should go see her."

"What?"

"Why don't you go see your two friends again? I think it would be very good for you. You'd receive some closure and your questions would be answered."

I stared at him. Go see them? Melissa wouldn't consider it, but maybe if he talked to her about it, too. Maybe she'd take me to St. Anne's. Somehow, I'm sure I'd be able to get a hold of Jake, and I pray Josephine is still there. I agreed with Dr. Johnson. This just might be the best advice he's given yet.

...

After my session with Dr. Johnson, he spoke to Melissa for a little bit. She didn't seem impressed when she told me it was time to leave. In fact, she looked annoyed. I didn't listen on to the conversation, but I really hope he talked about going to St. Anne's.

Driving home, it was silent. I was so tempted to ask if Dr. Johnson suggested anything, and I was about to do it, but she spoke first.

"So, Brayden, I think you should invite Colleen over."

I raised an eyebrow, completely shocked. What?

"What?"

"Colleen. I'd like to meet her."

"H-haven't you met her before?"

Melissa nodded. "Vaguely, and not the way I'd like to."

"So..."

"Why don't you invite her over for dinner or something," she suggested. "I think it'd be a great time for us to really get to know each other. The right way."

"You don't hate her?"

"Goodness, no! Why would I hate her?"

"Well, because of Ursa-"

Melissa sighed, turning left onto the freeway. "I do wish she hadn't peer-pressured Ursa into doing something... what she did, but I'm sure she's changed." I lowered my gaze, not entirely sure what she was talking about regarding the word 'peer-pressure.' She glanced at me. "She seems to really like you and I can tell you really like her." I blushed. "I just want to know who she really is rather than assuming from what Ursanne's told me. I want to make sure that you're spending time with a girl that's good for you."

"O-okay. But she's kind of sick right now."

"Bummer," Melissa frowned. "When she feels better, mention it to her."

"Okay."

I didn't want to. I really really didn't want to. I could only imagine what would happen if my entire family had dinner with Collie. Ursanne would, no doubt about it, be in her worst mood possible. Everyone else, I hope, would be open-minded. I guess except for Odera who's all up for having Ursa's back. I understood that. I just hope she'll be nice to Collie when she does come around so she could meet the real Collie Mathers.