Rhenna

EIGHTY-NINE

I wasn't sure where I was going. My legs were moving on their own accord, and my thoughts were flying a mile a minute. All I knew for sure was, I had to get away. To someplace safe. And eventually, I wound up in Miss. Peta's Dinner. Per usual, the room was mostly empty for the late hours.

Pulling on my blanket, a took a seat at the first booth, and dropped my forehead on the cool surface of the table. It didn't take long before Miss. Peta noticed me.

"Hay there sweety."

"Hi." I muffled out. I lifted my gaze to the dinner, but refused to meet her soft eyes.

"Are you here for waffles?"

I shook my head, burying my face into the crook of my elbow. "No."

There was a pause of silence, before the booth shook. Informing me that Miss. Peta had taken a seat across from me. "You look troubled hon."

I wasn't sure if I should be angry at her, or thankful for the company. In the end, I decided there was no reason for me to be upset with her. Miss. Peta was too nice for that. "I'm okey."

"Where are your friends?"

"Dunno." I admitted.

Last time I saw anyone, other than Johny and Conn, was on Christmas eve. Daniela was still away on vacation. And Mandy was probably upset with me. Her and Gab both.

"How was your Christmas? Good I hope."

A small smile came and went. "It was good." Until I ruined it.

"I have something for you." My eyes flickered to Miss. Peta's face. Her features were soft, reminding me of a mother I never had. "Here." With a smile, she slid over an assortment of red wrapped candy. "My daughter made these special delites. Chocolate carmel." She winked, "And I must say, there mouth watering."

I tilted my head and blinked. "You have a daughter?"

"Of course." She sighed, "Off to college tho. They grow up so fast."

"I guess."

"I remember when you first came around," She began, eyes distracted. "So young. But look at you now." She beamed.

I lowered my gaze, digging my nails into my palms. "Not much has changed." I mumbled. The first time I ever came in here I was fourteen, freshly homeless, and desperate for food.

"Poppycock." Miss. Peta said. Her hand reached over, squeezing mine gently. "Let me ask you something Elinis."

I internally cringed at the nickname, but bobbed my head, telling her to go on.

"If that boy were to see you now, you think he'd agree that nothing has changed?"

"No."

In truth, alot was different. Sure. I was still homeless, but I had places to go. People who were willing to help. Friends. And yeah, they could be annoying-especially Conn. But they were mine.

"That's what I thought." Miss. Peta huffed. She gave my hand a final squeeze before sliding out of the booth. "You've grown so much sweetheart. And if your not proud of that change, I'll tell you, I most definitely am."

Something keen to shock churned in my chest. No one, as long as I could remember, had ever been proud of me. "Thanks Angie." I whispered.

"Now, let me know if you change your mind about those waffles."

I stifled a chuckle. "I will."

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It could have been minutes, maybe hours later, when I awoke to someone tapping on the table. Feeling shit faced awful, I tipped my head back, glaring at the person responsible for waking me. That is, until I realized who it was. "What do you want?"

"Can I sit?"

"No."

Sighing, Mr. Bail man clamped the bridge of his nose than sat down, despite my answer. "You ran off kid-"

"Because I don't wanna talk to you."

His expression was drawn tight, like a man just woken from a three hour nap. My face was probably the same way. If not worse.

"You must know who I am, based off your reaction." He began, voice steady.

I shook my head. "I'm not having this conversation."

"Listen Elin, I wanted-"

"You knew who I was the other day, didn't you? When you bailed Gab and I out of jail."

The silence that followed only confirmed my suspicion.

"I figured it wasn't a good time to bring it up." His eyes bore into my own, reflecting the same grey. "You had no idea who I was."

"And I don't care." I confirmed, "Your just another person who's come in and out of my life. Nothing else."

"I need to explain-"

"I said no." I pressed my hands on the table and rose up. "I don't want an explanation and I don't wanna see you again."

"If you don't wanna talk that's fine. But I want you to listen. Do you think you can do that?"

"No." I slipped out of the booth and hastily walked away.

Unfortunately, Mr. Bail man followed. "Elin."

I shoved open the door, letting it close in his face.

"Elin."

"Fucking leave me alone." I gritted over my shoulder. I did not like the way he was saying my name, as if it meant something to him. It was making my skin prickle.

"I get it." He sighed, "Your angry and-"

"I'm not angry." I snapped. There were so many emotions trying to claw their way up, things I wasn't even aware of. And I had no idea how to process, let alone get rid of them. Angry didn't even scratch the surface.

"You have every right to be upset with me, and your mother-"

I spun around, nearly colliding with his chest. "She's not my mother."

For a man trying so hard, there wasn't a hint of desperation to his face. Only solid determination, and a calm resolve. Like maybe he had done this before. "I understand she hasn't been playing the part well. Hell, from what I've been told, she has no right to any say in your life. But, let me tell you, that women, the one you knew, isn't who Betsy is anymore."

"So your saying I should forgive her?" I growled.

"Hell no." He shook his head, "It's not that easy kid. She needs to prove it."

"What if I don't let her?"

"That's your choice Elin. But it's still her job, as a mother, to make amends. Whether it's easy or not."

"What about you?"

All this talk about forgiving, and never once did he bring himself into the equation. Betsy had done me wrong. But what about him?

"Let me explain the situation, than, I'll leave it up to you." He answered.

I shook my head, and took a few steps back. "I don't want to know."

Maybe it was fear, or hate, but the thought of knowing why this man, my father, left, was making me feel uneasy.

"Alright." He took a step back, widening the proximity between us. "I wont pressure you. But, soon, soon I want us to talk."

My head bobbed automatically.

"Do you still have my number?"

"I think so."

"When your ready to talk I want you to call me. Kay?"

I nodded.

A moment of silence passed, than, without a word, he turned and walked away. Than it was just me, my thoughts, and a chaotic city-

And the shrill echo of my phone buzzing.

I dug it out, and not paying much attention to the caller ID, answered.

"Elinis...."

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Oh yeah! Another chapter. Woohoo. I have shocked myself once more. 😂