I See You

Chapter 4: Perception of Reality

The next night was just as great as the one before, since Dawson opened up a little more about his family. She could tell he didn't like talking about it but knew it would help him, since words carry a lot of emotions. They have a way of hurting us, like they had him for so many years, especially if we hold on to them; but they also have a way of healing us when we let them go. She was determined to use her words wisely, so he'd know he was worth more than what others thought of him, even his own family.

"You know, some people have problems and try to put them off on everyone else, like they're somehow to blame. If you think back, I'm sure your dad has talked bad about other people besides you." She waited for him to say something, but he didn't. "It's probably who he is, but it's not who you are." She laid down on the pillow he brought. "You're a good guy who was born into a bad situation."

He laughed. "You got that right. It would've been better if I wasn't born at all."

"Do you really feel that way?" She knew he did.

"Yeah, I really do," he answered without hesitation. "I mean, I look at other families—normal families—and wonder what I did to be stuck in mine. And you'd think my brother would've stood by me, since he's suffered the same shit I have, but he's even worse than my dad." He laughed, again, even though nothing he was saying was remotely funny. "And he's somehow my mom's favorite. He's a royal asshole—sorry—and she treats him like he can do no wrong. Then, there's me, who was apparently a mistake; like a puppy you never wanted who ends up tied up in the back yard. The funny thing is, after years and years of neglect and abuse, that dog will still hang around, even if he breaks his chain. Why? Because he's afraid. He doesn't know anything else. He doesn't think there's anything outside the small area he's lived in his whole life. Well, now, I do know. There's more for me out there. I've got to get out of this God-forsaken town before it sucks the life out of me more than it already has."

Her heart broke for him. "And you will." Even though she hadn't known him long, she knew she'd miss him. "You'll have to get my number and let me know where you go. Maybe there'll be a tree house close by and I can come visit."

He smiled. "If not, I'll build you one."

The silence that fell on them was heavy. It was okay, though, because it matched the mood. Even so, Landry didn't want it to linger.

"I should've brought snacks," she said.

"You're hungry at three o'clock in the morning?"

"Is it already three?" she asked, since it felt like she had only been in the tree house for an hour or so.

"Yeah."

Thunder rolled in the distance. "Is it supposed to storm?" Normally, she'd listen to the weather or the frogs, but Dawson had become a bit of a distraction. Maybe her dad had been right, after all.

"Yeah, I think a line of storms is moving through, but nothing severe."

"I probably need to head inside, just in case."

"What would your mom do if she caught you talking to me? Or caught you sneaking out?"

"She'd be mad and probably ground me for sneaking out, but I don't think she'd care if I talk to you. Well, she would if she knew I was talking to you out here in the middle of the night, especially with no bug spray on," she added lightheartedly, even though it was true.

"She's not as protective as your dad?"

"She definitely is, but more so when it comes to me hurting myself. Dad, on the other hand, is more protective when it comes to other people hurting me, especially boys."