Stranger, Help Me

TEARS FOR YOU

"Evangeline? Are you okay? I was so worried!"

"Everyone hates me. My step-mother won't talk to me. I don't remember the last time I had a decent meal."

"My god-"

"My sister Tammy refuses to speak to me. They locked my bedroom door from the outside. I can't get out. Cooper... He's scared of me. I don't know what stories my step-mother told him. The father doesn't do anything. He pretends I don't exist. Well, I might as well not."

"..."

"Gale?"

"..."

"A-are you... Crying?"

"You g-go through all this... And even though you... try to make yourself seem worthless to l-lessen the pain, you're so strong."

"Then why are you crying?"

"You've cried enough tears, so I'm crying for you."

"..."

"Now I'm crying!"

"Evangeline, don't forget that you are worth it. Your existence is something precious to me! Do what you can for yourself! You've done enough for others. Do something for yourself."

"B-but... How?"

"What do you want to do?"

"What... Do I... Want to do?"

"Tell me, Evangeline."

"I want to hug Cooper and say I'm sorry. I want to tell the father everything. I want to visit my own father. I want to tell my sister the truth. I also want to make waffles. I want to tell my step-mother what happened after she left the house. I want to get out of here. I want to be somewhere else. I want to be with you!"

"..."

"I... I..."

"Do you?"

"...what?"

"Want to be with me?"

"...I...yes."

"Then one of the things you want is completed."

"What?"

"The day you collapsed, I contacted my mother. I told her about you, and she told me that if you desired, you could stay with us. You know my brother, Elliot? He can help us. He can help you."

"Ohhh..."

"Aw, don't cry, Evangeline."

"That's not fair! You're so nice to me. We've met only once and all I do is ramble about my problems to you..."

"But along those weeks we've earned a friendship."

"You talk so confidently. When can I talk like that?"

"Didn't you know? Whenever. You can. When you get comfortable, your voice doesn't shake. Now, it doesn't shake as much. Evangeline, you just have to believe. And then, you can."

"I never did anything to deserve you, Gale."

"You were beautiful and you and perfect. It's me who's pretty damn lucky."

"I hear you sniffling."

"Sorry. Okay. So. Thank you. I'm lucky to have you. You...you're the best, Gale."

"Anytime. So what are you going to do about the rest of your list? You're locked in?"

"My father used to lock me in. I've learned a few pick-locking skills."

"Wow. Teach me?"

"Secrets."

"Hilarious. I'll tell my mother tomorrow morning about you, okay? Then you tell me where you live and I'll bring my brother when we pick you up."

"This is so real. But okay."

"Of course. Now I need to sleep. Do your best, Evangeline."

"Thank you."

Beep, beep...

"Thank you so, so much."