Finding Dani

Chapter 7

Danielle POV

When my eyes open I am surprised not to see Taylor in here. Today is our birthday and our party is tonight. She has been on to me about how we have to stay to our schedule today to make sure we are ready. She has arranged for us to get our hair and makeup done and the whole nine yards.

I get out of bed and look at my phone for the first time. It is about 9 a.m. It almost feels like I overslept. I walk out of my room and to the bathroom. I brush my teeth and wash my face. The house is silent and I feel like something is up. She wouldn't leave without me, would she?

I walk over to her door and knock. I don't hear anyone say come in, but I hear someone in there. I turn the door knob and walk in. I walk right back out and scream.

My eyes are scarred for life. Moments after my exit, Taylor comes out in an oversized t-shirt. "That is not what it looked like."

"Yeah I'm pretty sure it is." I was trying everything to get the image out of my head.

Taylor has a guilty look on her face and she knows she can't deny what I saw. "Please don't tell mom. I will be down in about 10 minutes."

She goes back into her room. The last thing I would ever tell my mom is how I walked in on my sister giving her boyfriend a blowjob. Seriously? At nine in the morning? I walk down the steps and my nose leads me into the kitchen.

On the island there were two plates with eggs and bacon on them. I take a seat and walk with my mom. She comes up behind me and gives me a hug, kissing my head. "Happy birthday."

"When did you guys get back?" I ask as I start to eat.

She takes a seat on the opposite of the island, "I got back this morning. Your father isn't going to make it back for your birthday."

I feel like I should be upset, but I'm not. I know Taylor will be. "I need to talk to you about something." I take my fork and start messing with my eggs scared she might think I'm trying to seek attention.

"What's going on?" She looks at me giving me her undivided attention.

It's one thing talking about getting help, but it's different actually doing it. "I need to get in counseling."

My mom crinkles her forehead as she looks at me. "What for? Rivers work their problems out themselves, we don't need a second party."

I knew this wasn't going to be easy. "I've tried and it isn't working. I need help." I know this isn't the best day to tell her, but it's coming out. "I need help before I try to take my life again."

I keep my eyes directly on hers so she knows I'm not making it up. My mom looks like she saw a ghost. "Ok. I will call my friend who can refer me to a good place."

"Thank you." I drop my eyes and stare at my plate.

My heart is pounding. I don't know what she is thinking and it's a bit frightening. She didn't ask what I did, so does she not care? I don't want her to ask, but then again I want her to care. I hope counseling will help these confusing thoughts that run through my head.

"Where is Taylor? I was expecting her to be down here at least an hour ago." Not a surprise she changes the subject to Taylor.

Unfortunately for me the image pops back in my head. "She should be down soon."

Right on cue she comes walking in. "Did I hear my name?"

Taylor takes a seat and starts to eat. "When you girls are finished you need to get going. The people are already here getting the back ready. In about an hour the rest of the crew will be here doing the inside."