Saved By a Stranger

Chapter 2: Family Matters

Taylor sat at the table lost in her own thoughts. Blaire slid down across from her. "I told the waitress to come back. Wasn't sure what you wanted," she said sheepishly handing her a menu. "You could've ordered a drink or something..." Blaire said, looking through the menu. "Eh," Taylor replied, shrugging.

"Hey there," the waitress chimed, startling the girls. She had a thick southern accent. Her curly red hair was tied back in a tight bun. She was a large older woman with lots of freckles, a toothy smile, and bright green eyes hidden behind a thick pair of glasses. She had an aged name tag pinned to her uniform that read "Lorianne". Fitting. Blaire glared down at her menu, annoyed by the woman's presence, as well as her overly chipper attitude.

"So, what can I get you girls?" she asked, flashing a smile. "I'll have a Coke. Vanilla, if you have it," Taylor said, giving Blaire a sideways glance. "And what about you, dear?" she asked, turning to Blaire. "Same," she muttered, grimacing. "Alrighty. Well I'll get these for ya girls, then I'll be back to get y'alls order," she said before shuffling off to get the girls' drinks.

Taylor burst out laughing. "You should've seen your face when she started talking," Taylor squeaked between laughter. Blaire looked at her blankly for a moment. She could feel her face begin to grow red. "Was it really that good?" she smiled sheepishly. "I wish I'd gotten a picture," Taylor said, "It was great." Blaire laughed.

Lorianne brought the girls their drinks and took their orders for food and rushed off. "Chicken tenders?" Blaire laughed, "What are you six?" Taylor looked away and huffed. "I don't tell you how to live your life," Taylor muttered.

"Technically..." Blaire looked away. Taylor immediately grew serious. "I'm still curious about this whole situation. How'd you ended up this way," she said, frowning. Blaire looked down silently. "If you want we don't have to start off with that. You could just tell me about you instead," Taylor said, offering a half-hearted smile.

Blaire looked at her, but said nothing. Taylor frowned. "Would it make you more comfortable if I told you about myself first?" Taylor asked. Blaire shrugged. Taylor gave her a look. Blaire sighed, then nodded.

"Alright..." Taylor said, "Let's see... My full name is Taylor Louise Cantor.- People used to think that it was funny that my initials were 'TLC'. I got a lot of crap about that in middle school." She gave a small laugh. "I'm twenty-six. I work as an RN at Saint Michael's hospital. I live in a two-story house over on Skybolt Avenue. I have an extensive collection of videogames, music and artwork. Uhm... I run, game, sing, paint, bake, and occasionally write..." she paused, "Well that's it all I can really think of for now. If there's anything else you want to know, just ask."

Blaire thought for a moment. "Well... My full name is Blaire Rose Meridian. I'm seventeen, but my birthday is in two weeks. I got crap about a lot of things in middle school..." she looked away and frowned, " I go to Clearview Senior High. I live in a small house on Crusader. You know, the shitty area down town? I don't really do much. I write, but that's about it. And I don't do that much anymore since my parents keep taking and throwing away my journals." She glared down at the table.

"Don't get along with your parents, huh?" Taylor asked.

"That's an understatement..." Blaire said, looking up at her, "I'm pretty much the black sheep. They love my brothers and sisters, though." She forced a smile.

"Taylor frowned. "I didn't exactly have the best relationship with my parents either," she said.

"Oh?" Blaire said, puzzled.

"Yeah... Father was a drunk. He'd get beligerent and fly into these bouts of rage. Beat the hell out of my siblings and I more times than I could count. Mother was one of those over-religous nut jobs," Taylor said, looking away, "What are your brothers and sisters like?"

Blaire took a deep breath. "Well, Ana is four years younger than me. Crazy as hell. She got diagnosed with Multiple Personality Disorder, or whatever the hell they're calling it now. My brother Gabe is three years older. Has severe anger issues, along with, well... 'other problems'." she sighed, "I was supposed to be a twin. But my sister was still born."

The both sat in silence for a few moments. "What about your siblings?" Blaire said, trying to break the silence.

Taylor gave a half-hearted smile. "I had an older brother and a younger sister like you," she said, "Damon was six years older than me, but we were still extremely close. He had severe depression as a result of my father. He was the only one to ever stand up to him when he tried to hurt one of us. Then there was my younger sister, Faith. She was two years younger than me. We were constantly fighting, mostly because she followed my mother's views."

Blaire gave her puzzled look, "Why do you keep saying 'was'? Are you not close with each other anymore or something?''

Taylor sat back in her seat and her smile faded. "They're dead," she mumbled.