Hidden(38)

I think the conversation I had with Officer Douglas might have brought on my dream. He had called last night to tell me they’ve ended their investigation. They tracked down the owner of the land, Mr. Alex Schafer and confirmed that he did pass from a stroke recently. His wife, Ellen Schafer, admitted to the officers that her husband bought the land for my mother and me to live on, and that he was simply trying to provide for her since they had been fostering her since she was thirteen.

I know now that Alex Schafer is the fat man, the one that brought us the boxes. I remember him waving to me through the window. He was the one that brought me Chloe. I just don’t understand why he left us there?

The detective also told me that I’m free to collect my belongings from the house when I’m ready and that Mr. Schafer’s estate has not been divulged as of yet, so the land will remain vacant for now. He informed me that they did question his son, David Schafer, who has taken over his father’s law firm, but David insisted he knew nothing about the land or who resided there. The officer told me they have no reason to bring him in or hold him. He also assured me that there is no reason to believe that David Schafer has any interest in contacting me. I’m assuming David is the skinny man that came in the house and abused my mother. David. He has a name. The man my mother referred to as the devil.

My mother is still under psychiatric care. She refuses to talk about our prison and why we were there. She denies that a man ever visited us and that she was abused and raped. She is still a threat to herself and others and is being closely monitored by doctors and psychiatrists. The overdose of Clozapine caused a heart arrhythmia. Her heart beats too fast. She is being given proper medications, but I’ve been told she’s not doing very well, and that I should come to see her. I’m not sure how I feel about that. I just don’t think I’m ready.

I’m having a hard time with the new information that has come to light. It’s been making me feel uneasy all morning, but Laney and her daughter are coming to visit, so I’m trying desperately to shake it off. Laney set up a doctor’s appointment for me. She’s going to take me and then we’re going shopping again. Then later tonight, we’re planning a big dinner since Dillon’s dad came home this morning.

I’m in Laney’s room pacing. I can hear all the commotion downstairs. They must be here. I’m not nervous around Laney, but I’m so nervous to meet their dad. I look in the mirror one more time to make sure I look normal. I still hardly recognize myself. I watch myself in the mirror as I puff out my cheeks and release a huge breath of air. I rub my clammy hands up and down my jeans to dry them and then open the door. I jump when I nearly plow into Dillon.

“Hey.” He steadies me by holding my shoulders. “What’s wrong?” He dips his head slightly to look directly into my eyes. He knows me. He sees me. He always knows when I need him.

“I’m just nervous to meet your dad.”

“Don’t be nervous.” He pulls me into his chest and rubs his hands up and down my back, with his cheek resting on the top of my head. He gives me a minute and then loosens his grip, bending a bit to gently touch his lips to mine. “Come on. He wants to meet you and Daisy wants you to color with her. You should be more nervous to meet her.” He laughs.

He takes my hand and we walk down the stairs together. Laney is cutting up apples on the countertop for Daisy. Daisy sits on the counter swinging her legs and singing a song about a frozen princess. She has ringlets of blonde hair bouncing all around her head. Her eyes are big and blue. She’s absolutely adorable. Mr. Andrews walks over to me with a smile and his arms open. I hesitantly walk into them and he hugs me tight, I imagine like a father would hug a daughter. He pats me on the back and lets me go.

“It’s so nice to meet you Amy.”

“Nice to meet you too Mr. Andrews.”

“Dillon treating you okay?” he asks with a smile.

“Yes.”

“You have everything you need?”

“Yes sir.”

“Call me Ray, darling.”

Ray is a kind looking man. He has thin, wiry silver hair. He’s plump and wears an oversized flannel shirt with baggy denim pants. He fits the part of a rancher. I can picture him rocking on one of those rocking chairs on the porch chewing on a piece of straw with a glass of fresh squeezed lemonade in his hand and a chocolate lab resting at his ankles.

“Unco Dewin!!” Daisy yells as Laney lifts her from the counter and sets her on the floor. She comes running full speed into Dillon’s arms. He tips her upside down and tickles her belly. Her giggles are contagious. As he sets her down, she pulls on his hand and leads him into the kitchen and proceeds to feed him apples. Watching the two of them makes my insides feel all gooey.