Yours Truly ❁ n.k.h

• chapter twenty five •

My vision blurred in and out of focus as my steps staggered closer and closer to the entrance of the tattoo shop. It felt like being at the dentist and having the lady constantly flick between a first and second slide that showed no goddamn difference.

"Normani!" I blinked a few times, trying to adjust to the colors around me, and mainly the voice that just said my name.

I don't think Sawyer's ever actually said my name before.

"Hey...?" I mumbled, in a direction that looked like red hair. My imagination was doing wonders for me right now. I could barely see her smiling.

"I heard about your daughter, I'm real sorry about that. I bought her something, I was thinking you could take it back to her whenever ya' see her next."

Everything felt like it was moving too fast for me. My eyes were slowly focusing, thank god, but it didn't erase much of my confusion. Sawyer was gone from the reception area but the familiar ghost of her brother wasn't even there.

"Where's Thomas?" I nodded at the empty seat, craning my neck towards the interior of the shop.

"Just getting over a stomach bug. He should be back tomorrow."

The redhead reappeared holding her arms behind her back. I could see the outline of a stuffed animal peeking out.

"What is that?" I quirked an eyebrow.

She smiled warmly, pulling the teddy bear from behind her back. It was a tan color with a red ribbon wrapped around its neck. It reminded me of the ones you see at shops during Valentine's Day rush.

"I got this for your daughter! I know it's not much but I didn't really know what else to get, I just wanted to get something." She nudged the ball of fluff into my hands.

I nodded slowly, trying to digest her words. How did she know about Angel? And if she knew, then who else knew as well?

"Thanks." My mouth felt dry as I swallowed. The thoughts wouldn't stop but I knew I came here with an agenda. "Is Gary here? I really need to talk to him."

Sawyer shook her head. "No, but I can relay a message if ya' like. Everything okay?"

My hands prodded at the plush toy on my hands. I looked around the shop and the busyness of it all. At the interior I'd tried and tried to seek solace in during a confusing nearly two months.

Burning the bridge wasn't going to be easy, and I hadn't learned all that I ideally wanted from Gary. But if I was being honest with myself, that wasn't the reason I came to Asheville. It's just the one I kept telling myself to soothe my own guilt.

"I have to resign."

Sawyer's back straightened almost immediately. Her face was caught between surprise and skepticism.

"Like a two weeks notice?"

I shook my head, looking at the bear in my hands. "No, like effective immediately." Before she could speak again, I continued. "My daughter is going through a lot and I think... that it's best I go be with my family. I understand it isn't professional to resign in this way but I—"