Ross’s POV
Riker and Ratliff came back in. I shouldn’t have brought up Sky. I knew the tears would come. Then our waitress walked over, “Oh Renee!” Renee nervously said, “Hey Lucy.” The waitress, Lucy, said, “What are you doing here?” Renee said, “Just having some dinner with friends.” Lucy said, “Here? Aren’t you sick of the food yet? I know I am after working here for so long.” Renee got up, “Can I talk to you for a second?” She walked away with Lucy for a minute. Then they came back and Renee sat down while Lucy took our orders.
I found it all suspicious. I said, “Renee, what’d you tell her? Do you know her?” Renee looked up at me, “Oh, nothing. Yeah, I used to come here too.” Riker said, “Renee you did amazing on keys.” We got our food, she said, “Thank you, I was terrified I was going to mess you guys up.” I said, “Sorry to bring this up, but, we need to do something about Rydel and Cameron.” Renee said, “We break them up. I’ll take care of it and you get your sister back.”
The next day was Sunday so the plan wouldn’t take place until Monday in English class. But Rydel invited Cameron over and none of us wanted to be there except Riker. He was sitting on the couch with them, trying to make them feel uncomfortable, it was hilarious. He was just sitting there with a goofy smile on his face, staring at them. I got in my car and went back to the diner, when I got there I saw something very interesting.
Dylan was sitting at the counter, drinking a coffee. I was about to run over to him. He was Sky’s roommate and friend. Then, I stopped moving because I saw Renee, on the other side of the counter; she was in a uniform and holding a pot of coffee. I knew it! She works here.
She poured Dylan another cup of coffee, he didn’t look like just a customer, and they were having a conversation. He signaled to her that someone was trying to get her attention for a coffee refill at the end of the counter. She turned around and served them.
I walked over to Dylan and sat down on his left. That way Renee wouldn’t see me since she was on his right, but further down. I said, “Hey buddy how’ya doin’?” He was in shock, “Um, what, wha-“I said, “What am I doing here? Is that what you were wondering? I’m kind of wondering what you’re doing here. I thought you moved to New York.” He said, “Um, I did, I’m just here visiting a friend.”
I said, “Renee?” He said, “Um, yeah, you know her?” I said, “She’s my neighbor.” Renee walked over to us, and then saw me and walked backwards, wide-eyed into the kitchen I looked at Dylan again, “Does Renee know Sky?” He said, “Ross, you need to leave.” I raised my voice, “Does Renee know Sky?” He said, “Calm down Ross, there’s not much the we can tell you.” I said, “We?” He said, “Sky has a sister, Sophie, remember?” I said, “You mean, ’had’, they’re both gone.” She shook his head, “Sophie never died. Charlie saved her and had her name changed. She was later adopted into a very nice family, and I’ve kept in touch with her. Before Charlie died, he left me a note, one of the things in the note was her new name and where she was. He asked me to take care of her, like watch out for her, and not tell Sky.”
He said, “So, I had to tell Sky eventually right? Sophie isn’t dead, she’s Renee. Renee is Skylar’s sister.” I said, “That’s why she reminded me of her.” He said, “Ross, there’s a lot you don’t know, but I’m not the one who can tell you.” I said, “Wait, but I have so many questions.” He said, “She can answer them.” I said, “Renee?” He said, “No, her.”
