Flesh and Blood

Not So Pleasant Surprise

I woke up about an hour after the train left and wasn't able to sleep at all afterwards. I was so nervous and scared. What if this goes badly? What if he doesn't really want to see me or talk?? I was letting all kinds of thoughts creep into my head and it kept me awake with worry. The train arrived at the station and I exited and tried to figure out what I should do. I asked someone for directions to the mall he was doing the appearance at. I didn't have a lot of money left and decided to take a cab, but quickly learned that it was going to eat up the rest of the cash. This was going to make going home a little harder. I guess I didn't really plan this out very well. My cell phone was dead and I didn't bring the charger. I was going to be in so much trouble when I got home. Maybe I didn't have to go home. I smiled to myself as the cab pulled up in front of the mall. It was late afternoon and the autograph signing was almost over which was good because I wanted to be the very last one. I went inside and wandered around and made my way into the bathroom. I changed my clothes and tried to fix my hair a bit....maybe next time I choose to run away I'll remember to bring things like a toothbrush and hair brush.  I left the restroom and made my way down towards the Macy's. 

Jon's POV:

This was by far the most exhausting signing I've ever been to. There were more people than expected and Colby and I didn't want to turn them away so we agreed to stay an extra half hour. I stood up and stretched and turned around to collect my things

"Seriously can not wait to smoke a cigarette right now."

"Thought you were trying to quit?"

"I am...I was...I just need one today."

"Uh huh"

I laughed a little and packed up the rest of my stuff as Colby backhanded my arm. I looked up

"What?"

He motioned for me to turn around. I stood up and turned around. I was shocked. She was the last person I expected to see. She looked exhausted and sad. She'd lost a lot of weight since the last time I saw her and it made her look sick and I was starting to wonder what was going on. She wouldn't look at me...at least not directly. Something was wrong....she had a shoulder bag and nothing else and looked like she was alone

"Cassie?"

"Hi"

"What are you doing here?"

"I came to see you."

"Ah. Ok so did your boyfriend bring you?"

She shook her head and was holding back tears

"Cassie are you alone? How did you get here?"

"I took a train"

"You took a train.....?"

"And then a cab"

"Are you kidding?"

"Where did you get money for a train ticket and cab fare?"

She shrugged

"Cassie...don't lie to me. Where did the money come from?"

"I stole $200 from my brother"

"Do your parents know that you're here?"

She shook her head again and I knew this was going to be made into a bigger deal than it needed to be. I turned around and pulled out my phone and called to tell them she was with me. The last thing I wanted was to be approached by the police for kidnapping and I didn't even do anything. I turned back around and she was finally looking at me

"You don't want me here do you?"

"Cassie...I didn't know you were coming. It's not about not wanting you here at all."

"Where's my mom?"

"Cassie I don't think now is the time to talk about your mom"

"Where is she? I want to find her."

"I can't tell you and now is not the time"

She started to cry and was pleading with me and I felt horrible. I went around to the front of the table and gently grabbed her face and wiped her tears

"What's going on with you?"

She pulled away and threw herself against my chest and sobbed. I had no idea what was going on, but she obviously came here for a reason. I wrapped my arms around her and held her tight. I couldn't help but smile a little.  I'd waited a long time to be able to hug my daughter. I just wish it wasn't because she was crying like this. I looked over at Colby and he smiled and then walked over

"What are you going to do?"

"I have to take her home"

She raised her head and looked up at me

"You're taking me back?"

"Cassie I have to."

"Please. I want to stay with you."

I sighed "You can't. I'm so sorry Cassie, but you just can't. Biologically you're my daughter...legally you're not. I have to take you back. I could get in a lot of trouble because your parents called the police when you didn't come home."

Colby and I escorted her to the back and then out to our car. She sat in the back seat and put in her ear buds and stared out the window as we started heading towards her house.