“I haven’t been sober for months. So it won’t really matter,” Adam said, a little embarrassed.
“Oh, great. In that case, we’re definitely meant to just be friends.” Jessie smiled again, and Adam thought that he hadn’t ever met anyone who smiled so much.
The bar was getting crowded with the after work crowd, and their daytime bartender had ended his shift a couple of hours prior. There was a young girl with a short skirt and tight top running the length of the bar, missing half of the people in front of her who needed drinks. Adam only cared that his and Jessie’s drinks were full as they talked well into the night.
***
The next morning, Adam woke up face down on the bathroom floor. The tile was cool on his cheek, but the pounding in his head made him want to kill himself. “Shit!” he said groggily, his voice hoarse.
He looked in the toilet. Fuck. That sucks. Adam hated throwing up.
He washed off his face letting the cool water revive him a little. Thank God, I took a couple of days off work to get my shit together.
He stumbled into the kitchen, his dry throat begging for something wet. But his stomach promised him that it wouldn’t keep much down. Adam tried to remember the night before. There was a girl. There wasn’t usually a girl. No matter how drunk he was, he didn’t usually mess with the girls. The only girl he had ever been with had been Brynn, but since he couldn’t love her anymore, he couldn’t imagine himself with anyone else.
He chugged a glass of cold water and immediately regretted it as it came up as quickly as it went down. SHIT!
Adam was angry. He felt angry often. All of the time, actually. He didn’t want to be angry, but there was no other emotion he felt at home in anymore. He wanted a family with Brynn for so long, and when the time finally came, it was taken from him far too quickly. He blamed Brynn. He knew that it wasn’t right, but he blamed her anyway, and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t stop.
He splashed cold water on his face, over and over.
He stumbled around his apartment. He hated it. He missed his big house. He stared at the bare walls. He hated it.
Shit.
Suddenly he heard a sound. A groan?
What the hell? He froze. Where was I last night? How did I get home?
He heard it again. A small, almost imperceptible groan. Shit! Who is that? What did I do?
He stumbled into the bedroom, trying to focus his eyes. The room was dark. There was nothing in his bedroom except for his bed and a bunch of boxes. He hadn’t even bothered to unpack. He had been living there for months, but he couldn’t bring himself to take anything out of the boxes. All he had unpacked were his clothes, as he needed them, which were mostly all over the floor.
The room was dark and he squinted trying to find the source of the noise.
There!
He stared at the bed and saw a perfectly naked girl laying there, twisted in the blankets, red hair spilling over her beautiful ivory skin.
Oh, shit. What did I do?
He looked down at himself and realized for the first time that he was naked.
He looked up and saw a big pair of beautiful green eyes staring at him.
“Hi,” the pretty red head said bashfully.
“Hi.” he said feeling embarrassed.
“How are you feeling?” the pretty girl said, her voice hoarse, sounding concerned.
“Like Shit,” he said, smiling wryly.
“Me, too,” she said smiling back at him, her pretty teeth perfect and white.
They stared at each other, both unsure of what to say.
“Do you remember anything?” the girl said, pulling the sheet up around her naked chest.
“Not really. You?” Adam said wishing he could disappear, his head feeling as if it were going to explode.
“Some,” the girl said, her cheeks turning red.
“Um… what is your name?” Adam hated asking. He didn’t know what else to say.
“Jessie.”
“I’m Adam.”
“I know,” Jessie said, knowing that he didn’t remember who she was. She looked at Adam’s naked body and remembered how he had cried in her arms. They had just lain together in their nakedness; neither of them able to do anything more than just hold tight to one another. She loved lying next to him, staring at him.
Adam felt ashamed. He had never done anything like this before and wasn’t sure what to do next. She looked like a perfectly nice girl—too young for him, but beautiful.
“I don’t remember much from last night. I had a bad day, yesterday.”
“I know. It’s okay. I’ve had a lot of bad yesterdays,” Jessie said smiling again. “Come, lay with me.”
Adam hesitated. He wanted to be alone. But something about her made him want to lie next to her, too.
“Come. I won’t bite you,” she said pulling the sheet around her, covering her body up. “Besides, you need to sleep and so do I. I promise I won’t do anything to you.”
I have never been in bed next to anyone but Brynn. But Brynn is gone now, forever. She will never be with me again.
Adam felt the tears welling in his eyes.
He walked slowly to the bed and laid down, his head pounding, his body stiff from lying on the hard bathroom floor. He needed sleep.
He laid down, pulling the sheet over him. Jessie snuggled up next to him, and he could feel her warm flesh against his. Her even breathing made him relax as he felt her warm breasts on his back, her arms wrapped around him. Her body was nestled against him, and he felt immediately at ease.
For the first time in a long time, Adam didn’t feel completely alone.
He closed his eyes, and he drifted off to sleep, his mind deliciously blank.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Million Dollar Baby
“MILLIONS? MILLIONS?” Brynn was beside herself.
“Yes, millions. Actually, more than millions,” Ellie said matter of factly.
“Who are you that you have that kind of money?” Brynn asked, completely stunned.
“The question you should be asking is ‘Who am I?’” Ellie said, almost as though she had rehearsed this.
“Okay. Then who am I?” Brynn asked, not sure that she wanted to know the answer.
“You are Eva. Granddaughter of James and Amy Harper. Harper Enterprises? I think you know about Harper Enterprises,” Ellie said as Brynn noticed a trace of pride in her voice. “Of course, you’ll need a DNA test, but I’ve assured them that you are the real deal.”
Brynn stared at Ellie, her big brown eyes much larger than usual. “How can this be?”
“It’s easy,” Ellie sighed as she hated explaining the details. “I am their daughter. You are the granddaughter. They went missing years ago, presumed dead. I have a son who is you’re half-brother, Noah. Noah needs constant care and can’t be on his own. He has the mental capacity of a five year old, though you will clearly see that he is much older than that.”
“So why did you even bother to tell me about the money? You could have pretended like I didn’t even exist and kept it all to yourself.” Brynn wondered what Ellie wanted from her.
Ellie paused.
“You’re right. I could have just pretended that you didn’t exist. But I have more money than I need. And when I’m gone, Noah will need someone to look out for him, to visit him, to explain things to him, and help take care of him. I’m the only family he has now, and he needs someone else in his life.”
“What do you mean? He needs someone else in his life?” Brynn was confused.
“He needs family. A mother. A sister. People who understand him, who will take care of him. The money provides for his physical needs, but he needs more. God knows I’ve been a shitty mother, but this is the one thing I can do for him.” Ellie was tired of all of the explaining. She just wanted to go home and medicate so that she didn’t have to think of anything else.
“You’re young so you’ll be around for a while. Why now? Why not wait?” Bryn
n felt like she was being set up. She couldn’t figure out what Ellie wanted no matter how hard she tried.
“You never know what will happen in life,” Ellie said, her voice low and distant. “Like I said, I haven’t done much right in this world. This is the only thing I can think of to do that can possibly buy me some decent karma.”
“So you just assumed that I would do it? That I would step in for you after what you did to me? Why would I take care of a brother I have never met when YOU abandoned me?” Brynn’s voice was rising, and Ellie took a step backwards.
“I-I-I just thought you would want to know your family,” Ellie stuttered.
“Why would I want my family when my family didn’t want me? Why in the hell would I want you when you dropped me off on the side of the road like a piece of garbage?” Brynn was furious, her hands clenching uncontrollably.
“It wasn’t like that Eva… I mean Brynn. It wasn’t like that. I didn’t mean to… I was just really messed up at the time. I’m just not a good person. I’ve made horrible, horrible choices.” Ellie was pleading with her.
“You are not a good person! You’re not even a person. I don’t know how you can even live with yourself. What kind of person leaves their child by the side of the road?” Brynn felt her face getting hot. She had dreamed of this moment her entire life, and now that it was here, she wasn’t sure if she would be able to find the words. “You left me! And then you left your son in a home for other people to take care of! You’re not even a mother at all! You don’t even take care of him. I can’t even imagine what happened to my father, or to Noah’s father, but neither of them are obviously in the picture anymore.”
“You don’t want to know, and you’re right.” Ellie stood up to leave. “I know that it’s a lot to take in, Brynn. I know that you hate me, and you have every right to, but I’m just thinking of what’s best for Noah now. And that will be you, his sister, one day.”
Brynn turned around and refused to look at her birth mother. She had been staring at Ellie in shock and disbelief. But mostly Brynn was stunned by how much she resembled Ellie. She was even more surprised by how secretly pleased she was by the resemblance. Brynn hated that even after everything Ellie had done and how so much time had passed, she still wanted this woman to love and need her. And now, here she was telling her that she needed her, and Brynn needed to fight it. Fight Ellie.
“I’m leaving my number for you. I’ll wait for you to call me. I want you to meet Noah.” Brynn heard Ellie set something on the end table, and then she heard the sound of her footsteps walking away, and the sound of the door opening and closing behind her. She didn’t turn around until she knew that she was gone. She didn’t want Ellie to see the tears cascading down her face.
Brynn picked up the card with her name and phone number on it. She took a picture of it with her phone and slowly tore the card up, piece by piece.
A brother! Family!
She thought about Noah. How old is he? What does he look like? Would he even care that I’m his sister?
I wish I could tell Adam! Adam would know what to do. Adam would help me.
Brynn felt a pain deep in her chest. It didn’t matter how many times a day she thought about Adam, it was never going to change for her. Adam was gone and so was her baby, Sophie.
Brynn had enough for the day. She took a sleeping pill that her doctor had prescribed and laid down in her bed. Maxie was happy for any excuse to be on the bed, and snuggled as close to her as he could. Brynn closed her eyes praying desperately that sleep would overtake her as quickly as possible.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Noah’s New Friend
“NOAH! IT’S TIME FOR LUNCH!” Kelly the pretty caregiver called out for him.
Noah liked this time of day. Lunch was his favorite time, and they were having his favorite food—hot dogs and macaroni and cheese. He had been looking forward to today’s lunch all week.
“Lunch!!” Noah cried out, enthusiastically as he ran to his chair throwing his tall, lean body into it.
“What do we say about running, Noah?” Kelly said chiding him with a smile.
“No running! Sorry,” Noah said, hanging his head. His dark brown hair falling into his glittering green eyes.
“It’s okay. I just don’t want you to get hurt, silly!” Kelly smiled. Noah was her favorite patient, and she loved working with him every day. Noah reminded her of her younger brother whom she missed terribly and who was away at college. I wish that Noah had a normal life so that he could be away at college now, too.
“Okay, Kelly!” Noah’s smile reappeared instantly as he stared down at his hot dog. “Ketchup, please!”
“Ketchup?” Kelly said giving him a funny look. “You don’t like ketchup!”
“I know, I was just teasing!” Noah smiled at her again and then took a big bite of his plain hot dog. “Is my Mommy coming today?” he asked with his mouth full.
“I don’t know, Noah. Please don’t talk with your mouth full,” Kelly said, dreading having to answer the same question every day. “I haven’t heard anything, and she usually calls when she is coming. I’m sorry, buddy, but I don’t think she will be here today.”
Noah’s face fell. It had been forty-seven days since he saw his mommy last, and he missed her. He was keeping count on the calendar even though Kelly told him that he shouldn’t.
Kelly shook her head, trying to mask her annoyance. Why wouldn’t she come see him? He doesn’t even need to be here! She could take care of him at home with help, if she ever wanted to. He’s such a joy! Kelly knew that when she had children of her own one day, she would never abandon them or leave them, as Noah’s mother had. She was raised in a close-knit family, and she couldn’t imagine not being with her own child when the time came.
“Okay,” Noah said, chewing slowly, trying to remember not to talk with his mouth full. He took a sip of his drink and swallowed carefully. “It’s been forty-seven days since I’ve seen Mommy, Kelly. That’s a long time.”
“I know, buddy.” Kelly said smiling warmly at him, her pretty face making him forget his sadness. “Let’s finish lunch, and we will go make a new friend.”
Noah liked this game. Kelly would take him around and introduce him to people that he didn’t know yet. People were always coming and going there. When someone left, someone always took their place. Noah liked where he lived. He always got to make new friends.
When Noah was done eating, he cleaned up his tray like Kelly had taught him and washed his hands carefully. He didn’t want to spread germs and make people sick, so he was always careful to wash his hands, and he did so lots of time during the day.
“I’m ready,” He said cheerfully. “Where are we going?”
“Let’s just go for a walk, and we’ll see who we find.” Kelly said happily. She loved watching Noah meet new people. He was so friendly and easy to talk to, and the older residents loved meeting him, even the grumpy ones.
They walked down a long walkway for a while past the beautiful green lawn and a large koi pond. There was a woman sitting at the koi pond feeding the fish.
“Hi!” Noah said, walking right up to her and extending his hand. “I’m Noah.”
“Hi.” The woman said, surprised. She looked at Noah with curiosity. He seemed familiar to her, but she didn’t know why. She took his hand slowly and shook it.
Kelly looked at her with curiosity. She doesn’t appear to be very old. I wonder what her story is.
“Are you new?” Noah asked standing too close to her wheelchair. The woman was visibly uncomfortable and wheeled herself back slightly.
“Yes, I’m new,” the woman said smiling nervously.
“I’m not. I’ve been here for a long time. Since I was three. I love it here,” Noah said happily. “But I live in a different part of the building. This part is for old people.”
“Noah!” Kelly scolded. “Don’t be rude.”
“I’m sorry! I meant...” Noah was embarrassed. He usually had be
tter manners than that.
“It’s okay,” the woman said graciously. “Why have you been here for so long?”
“My Mommy can’t take care of me,” Noah said sadly.
“Oh, I’m sorry.” The woman said, immediately feeling bad for him.
“That’s okay. I like it here,” Noah repeated. “Do you have any kids?”
“I don’t know. I don’t think so,” she said squirming in her chair. She wasn’t used to such direct questions from a stranger. This one was young, and he wanted to know a lot. The only reason she was talking to him was that he seemed familiar.
Kelly watched Noah and the woman with deep interest. Aside from their eye color, they had a strange strong physical resemblance and a few of the same mannerisms. Am I crazy? Am I really seeing this? Who is this woman?
“Why don’t you know?” Noah asked the woman, not realizing that he was over stepping the line.
“Why do you ask so many questions?” the woman said, visibly annoyed.
Noah was sad. He didn’t mean to make the nice lady mad at him. “I’m sorry. I just like to make new friends.”
The woman looked at Noah. He was in his late teens, tall, with dark brown hair and beautiful green eyes. His eyes were a little too close together, but otherwise the woman thought he had a handsome face. She could tell that he was a nice boy, and she felt drawn to him in a strange way. But she was uncomfortable with the questions he asked. Why does he want to know so much about me?
“Well, you shouldn’t ask people so many questions. It’s rude,” the woman said scolding him gently.
“I wasn’t trying to be rude,” he said his voice quiet. “I’m sorry that I bothered you.”
He turned around and started to walk away.
The woman realized that she didn’t really want him to go.
“Wait, young man,” she said, calling after him. “I don’t want you to leave.”
Noah turned around slowly. He looked at Kelly and she nodded at him, smiling. She could see why the woman was drawn to him. It was the same reason that everyone was drawn to him. His energy and enthusiasm made Noah hard to let go of.
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