A Day in the Park

Chapter 8

You leave work to pick up Chloe. To your surprise you find Liam there. How did he know where your mother lives? You sit on the porch listening to your mother and Liam talk. She is going on about how close you and your sister were. She is about to tell the story of your last foster home and you get up and go in to make her stop. That is not something that Liam needs to know. At least not if we don’t work out. “Hi everyone.” You yell when walking in the house. You don’t hear anything. That’s a good sign right? You ask yourself. You walk into the living room and you see that your mother has pulled out the photo book. The only time she opens that book is when she wants to see Kayla. Your heart saddens. You sit down next to your mother and give her a hug. “What was that for?” Your mother questions. “Because I wanted to.” You respond. “You didn’t have to. I know how you feel about hugging.” “I know mom but I wanted to give you a hug.” You tell her. “You don’t like to give hugs?” Liam questions with a pouty face. You giggle and you mother responds “She doesn’t like people touching her unless she allows it.” That gets Liam’s attention.

Your mother tells you that Chloe is in your old bedroom sleeping. You head to the room with Liam following you. “So you don’t let people touch you?” You hear Liam whisper behind you. “It’s not really like that” You start but you mother yells “Yes it is, don’t lie to the poor guy, Kenzie.” You just stand still in mid motion; your face turning red. “Okay so I am like that.” You say shyly. “So why was I allowed to touch you with not really knowing you?” Liam questions. “I don’t really know Liam. It was like I couldn’t not let you touch me.” You say with a small voice. Liam walks to you and hugs you. “I know how you feel. I feel like I can’t live another day of not touching you.” Liam whispers in your ear. You stand there hugging each other for a few minutes. Liam pulls away and says “We are going to be late for dinner if we don’t get going.” You two head to the room and wake up Chloe.

“Where we going, Liam.” Chloe asks. “We are going to the fancy restaurant up town.” “Why are we going there?” You question with a panicked voice. “Because I want to treat you two to something nice.” Liam answers. You sit quietly in the car leaving your car at your mother’s house. You arrive at the restaurant. You can see that there are people out side with cameras. “Liam I don’t think this is a good idea.” You say starting to panic. “Everything is going to be fine Kenzie. We are going in through the back. Management arranged everything for us tonight.” Liam says squeezing your hand. He gets out and heads to your door and lets you out, then goes and gets Chloe out. You head for the back door quickly so no one sees you.

 You are inside and are being lead to your table. Liam puts Chloe in her chair and goes to pull your chair out so you can sit down. You sit down while thanking him, and he walks over to the other side of the table and sits down. The waiter comes over and you know him from foster care; it was Shiloh. You just sit there with your mouth agape and staring at him. Chloe leans into you, and closes your mouth and Liam laughs at Chloe and you. You can hear Liam asking if everything is alright but all you can do and see is Shiloh. Is this a sign that Liam and I aren’t going to work out God? You question. Shiloh gets to your table and sees who you are. “Hi!” He says to you without looking at Liam or Chloe. “Shiloh” You finally were able to say. That's when he looks at Liam and Chloe. His smile turns to a frown. You knew exactly what he was thinking. Why from all this time would he think that he ever had a chance especially with everything that had happened. Liam looks at you and you give him a half smile. “We will like waters and juice for her.” Liam tells Shiloh pointing at Chloe. Shiloh lives to get our drinks.

“What’s going on Kenzie? Do you know him?” Liam asks with worry in his voice. “That’s Shiloh.” Is all that would come out of your mouth. “Who’s Shiloh Kenzie?” He questions looking at Chloe then to me. “Someone that I use to know.” I say trying to get back to reality. “Are you sure you are okay? We can leave if you want.” “I will not leave because of him.” You say with disgust in your voice for him asking you that. He doesn’t know Kenzie. You can’t be like this when he doesn’t know. You say in your head. “I am so sorry Liam. I don’t really know what got into me. Please forgive me?” You say with pleading in your voice. “Everything is fine Kenzie, but if you need to leave; we can go.” Liam says with the sweetest voice that you have ever heard. “I can do this. I’ll be fine. Let’s order so Chloe can eat.” Liam signaled for Shiloh to come back to take our orders, than goes and sends them in.