Baby

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Fifteen: Late Night Texts

unedited

The early morning hours found me abruptly waking up around 3 am, tormented by nightmares that seemed to be growing more intense. I had previously seen a therapist in New Orleans, who worked with the orphanage, and I had discussed my nightmares with her. She had provided me with various techniques to suppress them, but recently, they hadn't been effective. I was at a loss for what to do next. 

I reached up to wipe the beads of sweat from my forehead with the sleeves of my sweater. Suddenly, my phone buzzed behind my pillow, and without a doubt, I knew who the text was from. I reached for it and unlocked my phone.

For a few days, Silas had been checking in with me after my nightmare episodes. It was thoughtful of him in a way, but it also meant he was witnessing my trauma, making me feel somewhat embarrassed at times. But it's earned him an official name in my contact list. If you can count an initial a name.

S: Hey, you alright?

Yeah, I'm fine. Thank you. 

Typically, after confirming I was okay, I rarely received a response from him, so I began to put my phone back. However, to my surprise, it beeped again, signaling another incoming text.

S: I wanted to ask you a favor.

My heart rate quickened as I read the text message. This was a first; he had never asked me for a favor before. I couldn't help but wonder what he needed.

What's up?

A handful of minutes passed, and I began to wonder if either he forgot or fell asleep. But just as I was about to put my phone down, it vibrated in my hand once more.

S: My mother requested to see you again. Given her state, I don't really refuse her anymore.

My eyebrows shot up in surprise at his message, but I also felt a slight sense of satisfaction knowing I had apparently made a good first impression on his mother. However, a sudden thought crossed my mind, causing a mix of emotions. Perhaps she wanted to see me to lecture me about not trying hard enough with her son? But how would she know? Unless he had spoken about me to her. Yeah, probably not, right?

Oh... sure. When do you want me to come and see her? I didn't know she took a liking to me. 

S: Hell, you're all she's been talking about. I can pick you up from Quinley later in the afternoon, around three?

Three is fine with me. I'll see you later then. 

The silence from his end left me without a response, so I placed my phone back under my pillow and laid down.

I took deep breaths, gradually soothing myself back to sleep, carefully avoiding thoughts of seeing Evangeline again in a new context. I focused on positive thoughts, allowing myself to sink into a deep slumber.

;?;

I woke up at around 10 in the afternoon, just in time for my 11 o'clock class. Thankfully, it was Thursday, which meant I only had one class to attend, but it was math. Not exactly my favorite subject, as I often struggled with it. It had only been a few weeks, but I was already battling with the material. 

It was my only class that didn't align with my major. But I chose it as an extra, hoping that it'll look good for my grade. Which might've been not a good idea.