A Faltering self (Distorted Reality book 2)

Chapter 49- Seen this before

(Kalston's POV)

I want her. Her touch, her eyes, for it to be back to only us in our little world away from it all. And so much more that I'm trying hard not to push her for before she's ready. Yet, it stays in the back of my mind, waiting. That one spark threatening to cause a blaze I'm afraid won't stay contained, but needs to be. I need to be better and try harder not to be someone who takes things between the sheets so quickly. I used to be one who could wait, but after Adeline, after that life, it's hard not to let myself want it so much that it's all I think about.

Another practice that gets put into place, not for God, but for her.

Don't think that this is me aligning myself with your ways.

Things are lively and I notice glances my way from our new guest, Indy. She must be wondering what she missed with her late arrival. I'm sure she'll want to dig into it later; she has a history of being on the outskirts of the drama. Or at least she seemed to used to, but the past few years have settled her down. Her posts have veered from the latest gossip and playing caring for those affected by family drama to recipes and parenting videos. Becoming a mom seems to have changed her.

Ema told me once that becoming a parent makes you see things from a different lens. That one moment, everything that used to seem so necessary doesn't seem as such after, and in a way, things that didn't sometimes change too. I'm not sure exactly what she means by that, but she says that, too, is to be expected. Her words exactly, 'I know even telling you this won't mean much until you experience it yourself. It's like living in black and white one moment and in color the next. Everything is the same, but the coloring of it shifts to something else entirely. The way you experience and explain things suddenly is completely different, but the same for everyone else.'

"So, are we praying?"

Asher speaks up before Indy does in a teasing tone.

"Yes, we're praying. Would you like to be the one to lead us, Ash?"

"No! I'd rather not do that. It's Bailey's home, she can pray."

Asher has a vibe about him that's all too familiar. Though it hasn't been said, I know he's autistic. He seems well adapted compared to many, but he used to be far from it. I wasn't able to dig up much, but of what I was able to, he was a part of the same therapy group Madison was when she was younger. He joined later than she did, which was something else I couldn't find much about. Everything revolving around that group and even Zalaph Industries seems to be sealed up tight. They have been smart about how they've kept things quiet.

I've not even gotten a full list of everyone who was a part of the group, or much about it at all. All I've even conjured up about the group is an old video offering openings and a repeated pattern of Madison being taken out of school for a period of time. Looking into the latter led me to see the same with Asher, but only in his sixth grade and senior years. That's what led me to assume his entry to the program was late. I'm still digging to find out more, or at least a friend who is really good at her job and getting past firewalls is. After too long of hitting them on and offline, I figured the extra hands would be helpful.

"I'll, uh, I'll do it."

Madison's words take me by surprise. The hesitation doesn't. I didn't assume she would be someone to pray in front of everyone. She seems like it would bother her anxiety too much, but then again, she's clearly still anxious

You surprise me every day, Love.

Though I would much rather skip over the prayer, I play the role for her.

"Dear heavenly Father, We come to you in prayer to thank you for the blessings of today. Thank you... thank you for, food, and us, together. Please, bless the food... we're about to eat. Help this evening... to be... end well. Help us all to get home safe... and..."