sour

chapter 3

The next few days at my new home was mostly settling in and getting to know my family's true character. Two-Bit was an amateur comedian who could take just about nothing seriously and spent more time outside of his home than in. And my mom was an independent woman who worked hard to take care of us, I truly admired her for that. It made me wonder all the more why such genuine people like the two of them could leave behind the other half of their family. I knew I needed to find out.

When we were all relaxing quietly in the small living room one afternoon, I figured it was a good time to ask. I'd felt much more comfortable around them than I had only a few nights ago.

"I'm not sure how to phrase this, so I'm just gonna ask," I stated bluntly, "Why did you guys leave me and dad behind?"

I waited for an answer for several moments, watching the changes in the expressions on their face. Two-Bit looked straight up confused and my mother looked surprised almost, like this was news to her. Two-Bit then looked to her, also waiting for an answer.

"Leave you behind?" she repeated what I just asked. "Is that what he told you?"

"Yes.."

"God he's insane. No, I would never have left my baby behind. Your father and I, we began to fight a lot after you were born and one day we finally decided we shouldn't see each other anymore. He took you with him and I was so young at the time I didn't think anything of it. I thought he was going to move across town and we could visit often, but he went half-way across the country. I was dumb-founded having not a clue what to do. So Keith and I visited a few times when you were still young but your father moved again. It was hard to find you, nearly impossible. I trusted you were in good hands and I knew one day I'd see you again."

I couldn't believe this. I was beyond furious. Being told lie after lie and I believed it. I didn't know what to think of any of this. How could my mother trust my father and not even contact him to see how I was doing?

"I need to be alone right now," was all I mumbled to the both of them before making a clear path to my room.

I took a seat on my bed and tried to process all the news I'd just heard. I couldn't stand being here right now, I felt trapped. I needed to get out. I left the house for a walk, immediately regretting my decision when I was faced with the below freezing temperatures. My mind was so many other places that preparing for the cold wasn't a thought. After only walking a few blocks I stumbled across a park that looked nice enough. I sat down on a bench near by wrapping my arms around myself in an attempt to keep warm.

My head was clouded with thoughts, making me sick to my stomach. I didn't know how to deal with the amount of overwhelmed I felt right now. A single tear rolled down my cheek. Before I could quickly wipe it away I was startled out of my seat by a tap on my back. I jumped up and whipped my head around only to reveal Two-Bit holding back a laugh while trying to look upset.

I scoffed and took my seat back on the bench. He sat next to me.

"Are you okay?"

"How okay can one be after finding out they've been lied to their whole life?"

"I hear ya kid," was Two's way of comforting me. I just nodded my head and agreed. He held out one of my flannels, "You must be freezing."

I slipped it on, thanking him. He got up and began walking a different way then how I'd got here.

"Where are you going?" I asked.

"To my friend's house, ya wanna come? They said they wanted to meet you."

To be honest, I really didn't want to go and I was already in a bad mood, but it was probably a good idea to try and make friends around here.

"Sure I'll tag along."