I'm Blind Not Fragile

Chapter 8

"Raine, what you have is a gift. Sure it came at a cost, but you've made the most of it nonetheless. And I want to make sure you know that there are plenty of people proud of you. And your father is a shitbag if he doesn't see how kind and talented you truely are." Jake declares

"Thanks Jake, you always know what to say to make me feel better. Especially when it's about my father."

"Of course hun, you know us people with crap fathers have got to stick together" He likes to say that a lot, sometimes I think he's a closeted Kelly Clarkson fan.

Jake's father kicked him out of their house when Jake came out as gay when he was 15. He and Shawn became quick friends when they met. In fact Jake is Brandon's godfather.

We taked about things like how his husband and their daughter Emma is. Brandon came back just in time for us to catch the cab back to my house. That's where Hank is going to pick us up for a night full of suffering.

The cab ride was silent. Brandon was tense about something, but I knew better than to ask about it. He would tell me what it's about when he's ready. Brandon tells me everything, and this would be no exeption.

Brandon payed the cabbie and we waited on my front steps for Hank to arrive. We were sitting in a confortable silence when Brandon turned to me. He didn't say anything, just looked at me. After a minuet I finally asked:

"What's up Brandon?"

W-w-what? What do you mean?" He stammered.

"You've been staring at me for almost two minuets." I explain

"Oh, you noticed? Sorry." He apologized but didnt explain any further.

"Of course I noticed! Do you remeber what your dad said about me when we first met?" I ask

"That you were a modern day Sherlock" He muttered

"That's right, so I can tell when something is seriously bothering you. So, what's up?"

"Hank's here." Brandon says, not even trying to be subtle in changing the subject.

I sigh "Well go on, be a gentleman and help me up," I mock as I grab my cane.

After Brandon helps me up I walk up to the car that I can hear running and put my hand out to feel for the handle. I burn my hand on the hot car. The car is dark colored car and has been sitting in the sun all day, which means Hank has been busy today.

Once I finally get into the car Hank asks me without turning around:

"Raine, is there something you would like to tell me about the tall boy trying to get into the car?"

"Oh yeah sorry Hank, I invited my friend Brandon to keep me sane durring this shopping trip. So please let him in."

"Fine, whatever." Hank sighs and I can hear the car doors being unlocked on the other side of the car.

"What was that? Did you change your mind on asking me come? Because need I remind you, I didnt want to come in the first place!" Brandon explaimed once he got in the car next to me.

"Calm down Brandon, I forgot to tell Hank that you were coming. So he didn't know who you were and locked you out." I explain. Brandon lets out a humph. Well at least he's back to his own self.

"So where are we going exactly?" Brandon asks.

"It's a dress place called Zowella's. Also Raine" Hank turns his attention to me, "It's more of a dress fitting than a shopping trip. Your father picked out two dresses he likes so me and Brian here are to pick the one that suits you better." Hank explains.

"It's Brandon" Brandon corrects.

"I don't care Bill." Hank says, I'm silencing the laughter with the back of my hand.

"Listen here" Brandon starts but I silence him with a hand on his shoulder. He stops talking almost instantly. He is probably just starting to remember earlier when I told him he was coming as my best friend, not as the son of a gang leader. He takes in a breath and then he exhales. Brandon sometimes overreacts to little things and needs to breath to calm down. Once he finishes and I hear his heart slowly stop racing, I smile and nod my head in thanks. I don't need Brandon going all gang member on my driver.

The car slows down and turns off the road. The traffic sound quiet and a slowly the car parks. It's silent until Hank anounces "We're here!" Great. I get out of the car and unfold my cane.

"Here Raine, let me." Brandon offers befor linking our arms and leading me towards what I assume is the store. Hank catches up and walks beside us. Hank opens the door and I can hear the bell chime. We all step into the store. Well not at the same time. That might have been painful, so let me try rephrasing that. Brandon led while I was behind him and Hank brought up the rear.

Once we stepped in I was enveloped in cold and the air smelled like expensive perfumes and nail polish. In the background there was soft oprah music playing.

I leaned over to Brandon and wispered "It smells like rich people in here." I feel him shake in silent laughter. It makes me smile. Ok, it's time to turn on wealthy heiress mode. Goodby Raine, hello Ms. Gertrude Lewis, happy daughter of Howard Lewis the famous CEO of Lewis corp. The nice girl the public adores. The reporters were a nightmare after mom died. Fortunatly a couple of months later when me and Eric moved the reporters didnt follow us. And I haven't seen them in over a year. Technically I haven't seen anything in over a ear. But you know what I mean.

I lift my head and start practically oozing confidance. I mean I still know how to act and be on the high social scene. I may stay out of my fathers buisness, but that doesn't mean the poparazzi stayed out of mine. Though they haven't made an apperiance in over a year I still remember what it was like to always be the confident good girl the public adored. The girl who even though she was blind still managed to live a simple life.

I stand silent as Hank speaks for me.

"This is Gertrude Lewis here for her dress fitting appointment." He says to someone who wreaks of perfume.

"Yes, of course Ms. Lewis. Follow me, your companions can wait in the showing room." She says.

I squeezed Brandons arm and followed the sound of the womans steps.