“You really do suck at games, Bird. Next time I’m picking.”
I laughed as his arms squeezed me even tighter, making it difficult for me to breathe, but I didn’t care as long as he didn’t let me go.
“How did it feel, hearing about his past?” Marie asked, and my gaze snapped back to her, sadness weighing heavily on my chest.
“It broke my heart. Brock came off as this tough guy. I had no idea.”
“You think because he was tough that he didn’t experience pain?”
I shrugged, not wanting to think about Brock anymore, but I knew Marie wasn’t done.
“You can be rather sarcastic,” she continued. “Do you think you use that to keep people at arm’s length?”
“I guess.”
“Is that because of what you’ve been through?”
“You tell me. You’re the one sitting on that side of the table.” I rolled my eyes, and Marie sat back in her seat.
“Brock was the same way,” she said. “He used intimidation to keep people out. You have a lot in common with him. It makes sense that the two of you would be drawn to each other.”
“Moth to a flame. Somehow we both got burnt.”
“You did great today, Delilah. This is the most you’ve shared with me about your past. You’re making progress.”
“It doesn’t feel that way. It doesn’t feel good to talk about it.”
“It’ll get easier. That’s the point. One day at a time.”
I gave Marie a weak smile as I pushed myself up from my seat and made my way to the door. My hand was on the knob as I looked over my shoulder at her. “You should consider some fake plants.” I nodded to the sad pink flower on the sill that strangely now appeared wilted and dead. Perhaps I’d been here longer than I’d thought.
Maria laughed as her head shook slightly. “I’m not very good with living things. Better a flower than a house cat,” she joked.
“Thank you,” I said. I knew I didn’t make it easy on Marie, but her taking the time to listen to me really did help.
She smiled back at me, and I left, needing to get as far away from this place, the truth, as possible.
Chapter Two
Escape
I managed to make it to my psych class today, but my mind was so focused on the session with Marie that I didn’t absorb anything the professor said. As I sat around waiting for Trish to make it back to our apartment, I grabbed my cell phone and called my uncle, who I’d lived with when I’d first left Mississippi.
“You never call anymore. I thought you forgot my number,” Uncle Greg joked, but his laugh turned into a hacking cough. I pictured his overgrown salt‐and‐pepper hair, his body doubled over as he struggled for breath. He was a good fifty pounds heavier than he’d been when I was a child.
“I’ve been busy.” I sighed audibly as I dug through my closet for a shoebox I kept hidden away with keepsakes from high school.
“You know I worry about you, Delilah.”
“I know. I’m sorry. I’m really liking college.” My tone was positive as I found the box and pulled it onto my lap. I flipped off the lid, and my fingers ran over a photograph of Brock from the shelter.
“I’m glad. You deserve to be happy. You’ve been through a lot this past year. No one would blame you if you took a year off.”
“Everyone blames me for everything.” My teeth dug into my bottom lip as I looked at Brock and me together. We were so happy.
“That’s not true,” Uncle Greg said.
“I want to go see him,” I said quietly, as I stared down at Brock’s face.
“That’s not a good idea, Delilah. He told you not to come back. You said yourself that Florida was a new start for you.”
I heard the front door to our apartment open and close, and I knew Trish finally had returned. I put the lid back on the box and quickly hid it under a pile of clothes.
“I know. I’m sorry…I have to go. My roommate just got home, and we’re going out tonight.”
“Be safe.”
“Always,” I replied, as I hung up my cell and made my way into the living room. Trish’s eyes met mine, and she smiled as she dropped her bag onto the couch.
“You ready?” she asked, as her eyes looked me over. I had changed into a jean skirt to show off my long legs but kept my tank top on. I wasn’t much for getting all dressed up.
“Yeah, I just need to grab my purse.”
“I’m going to change, and then we can get some food on our way to the party. Don’t want to be seen eating like a pig in front of all the hot guys.” She smirked as she wandered off to her room. I groaned but didn’t make a comment. This was the world I’d chosen to throw myself into, and I’d never be accepted if I fought Trish on everything.