Caught In The Way You Got Me (Book One)

Let Me Save You, Hold This Rope

Brendon:

I didn't want to be the one to change her but I also especially didn't want Davey to do it either. It was awkward but...intimate? This is scary. I haven't felt like this about anyone in a long time...but she seems to be liking me a lot more right now. Maybe this will work. Maybe I have a chance. I start to help her into the front seat but a nurse rushes out and stops me.

"Hold on! She'll get sick! She needs to sit in the back." I nod and she let's out a sigh as I help her into the back seat this time.

"Sit with me?" She asks quietly. She looks helpless and terrified. I would be too. I nod, buckle her in, and head over to the other side to get in the back with her.

"Davey, please drive really careful. That seat belt will hurt her if you break too hard." I don't want to give him orders but I don't want her to get worse.

"Don't worry, he's a really good driver," Asteria chimes in. Davey laughs.

"Yeah. So if Asteria ever drives and you witness it, don't let that be a reflection of me teaching her."

"Hey! I'm a great driver!" Davey and I both laugh but she seems like she was being serious.

"Whatever, I don't need my driving skills to be validating," she says with an eye roll. She looks so different without make up and her hair is in a bun but its going in all of these different directions.

"Asteria, how excited are you to shower?" Davey grins at me and I kick his seat. She doesn't seem to notice.

"Ugh, I'm dying for it. Hey where do I live anyway?" She starts looking out the window and taking in the scenery that New York has to offer. We're at a red light and a homeless man comes up to the window.

"Davey quick I need a dollar!!!" She rolls down the window and Davey hands her a five. "Here you go! Make sure you get yourself something to eat!"

"Thank you, miss Asteria! You take care of yourself!" The light turns green and she turns back to us confused.

"How did he know my name?" She's starting to panic.

"Don't worry, it's okay! You know a lot of the homeless around here!" I tell her in an attempt to sooth her. "You're always giving them food from your bag or some change. You're like New York's walking rescue mission!"

She seems proud of herself, but there's a sadness to her.

"Davey, have I ran into him?" She asks carefully as she looks back out the window. I feel a discouragement. Is she in love with someone?

"No, munchkin. We'll talk about that when we get inside."

He parks the car and I get out to help her. Davey takes her purse and I take her arm as we start walking to the apartment building door.

"Wow, I live here?"

"Yeah. You get a lot of financial aid."

She struggles going up the stairs so I scoop her up bridal style and she let's out a small yelp of surprise. The last time I was here I thought I'd be taking her on a nice date...and now she has no idea she even lives here. She seems happy as she looks around the apartment building and I slowly put her down when we get to her door.

"Here we go..." Davey unlocks the door and motions for her to go inside. We both look at each other and swallow nervously as she starts to observe the apartment building, hoping that she gets some of her memory back.

"Wow it's clean in here! I'm glad I didn't turn into a slob! Oh my god my kitchen is adorable!" She goes through the apartment and heads over to her computer desk where the pictures are hanging. She stops as she looks at them and stays quiet.

"Come on, come on," Davey mutters.

"Who's this?" She points at a photo. It must be more recent.

"That's a musician that you worked with. You usually do work with musicians since, you know, Fueled By Ramen."

She nods and keeps studying the board. She looks back at me with a big smile.

"I met you once! I remember that! I just wish... I remembered everyone." She rubs her head and sadness covers her face.

"Sit down, Asteria. I kind of want to get this one out if the way." I feel like an unknown third party in a lot of this. Davey can help her so much and I can hardly help her at all. We all sit on her living room couches.

"Earlier you asked me a question." She looks down at her hands.

"My dad...have I seen him?" I'm relieved that it wasn't a boyfriend but she never mentioned her father to me. Davey looks at me starts off.

"Just to fill you in, her dad bailed when she was a kid. She met him when she was twelve. That didn't work out very well...he was a nice guy but...he blamed her for a lot of his mistakes. Saying that he wouldn't have gone into drugs or anything if she had been around. Fucked up right?" My anger boils as he talks. What kind of a father is that?

"So when we were in high school we were walking home from a football game and we ran into him...he was on the streets. But she couldn't do anything for him. Neither of us could."

"That's why she takes care of the homeless?" Davey nods at me and when I look over at her she's crying. I pull her close and wipe her tears.

"So, Asteria. Your dad...he's back in jail. It's not looking good this time. He'll be in there a while. You don't visit him or write him but he writes you."

"What did he do?" We both ask.

"He um...he almost killed someone driving drunk." We both tense up.

"Who?" She chokes out. She's going through this all over again...she doesn't deserve this. Now Davey starts crying.

"My brother..." My jaw hits the floor.

"What?" I can't believe it...I didn't think there would be something that heavy between them. Her father killed his brother. This is insane.

"Yeah. It was a while ago. But...I think that's enough crying for one day." He pinches his nose. "She needs a minute. Come with me to get her stuff ready for her shower." I look at him and back at her. I want to help her. I want to be there for her. But I have no idea what to say or what to do...So I decide to listen because he knows her best.

I give her shoulder a small squeeze and follow Davey into her room. It's actually very beautiful. Her bedspread is black and grey and her walls are a very soft tint of an almost teal color. There's a chandelier hanging in the center and everything is very organized. Davey opens her closet and grabs a striped towel and a couple of other clothes.

"Sorry man but you're gonna have to help her shower."

"What?!" He bursts into laughter.

"I'm just kidding she'll be fine. But you will have to help her change again." I open my mouth to contest but before I can he takes off into the living room.

"Asteria, here are your favorite lazy day clothes and your softest towel. Brendon will help you change again is that okay? I don't wanna see you naked."

She looks nervous but nods and heads to the bathroom.