The Decision

3. Saying Goodbye

"Scar, you can do this.” That is what she would say. Well, first she would tell me not to save her and when she realized I wasn’t going to take no as an answer, she would say that.

I wish I still had someone to say goodbye to. Maybe I will go to our neighbors on my last walk down this street. I don’t know why our parents left but all I remember is the note and the fire of tears behind my eyes. I can’t think of them now. At least someone knows us around here.

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“I heard that they were having a special event in Death Valley in a few weeks and I thought maybe Alex and I could get a quick little set to perform.” I hate lying to them but I can’t tell them where I'm trying to go or they will alert the Council and try to stop me. When that thought sinks in, my stomach sinks too. Maybe this isn’t such a good idea, then my sister’s life flashes before my eyes and then I recover. “Where is Alex anyway?” asks Anna. A beautiful and smart woman, a wonderful wife and the mother of 3 children: Alfred, Micah, and Georgia. Alfred is 16, Micah is 19, and Georgia is 17. I hesitate a moment but recover and say flatly, “She is already there, waiting for me so I best get going.” I had to get out of there or I was going to crack and let all my secrets loose and I couldn’t risk that. Jeff, Anna’s husband, gives me a tight hug to where I almost can’t breathe. Alfred just shakes my hand without looking me in the eyes. Micah gives me a light hug and I catch his eye as he lets go and his cheeks flourish into the red of a rose. I find a giggle bubbling up inside me. Georgia always said that Micah was in love with me but I never believed her till now. I hug her, then get the sudden urge to tell her and Micah my whole plan. All of a sudden, I pop out of my daze and see Anna coming in for a hug. I squeeze a little and so does she, a sign of reassurance. My vision begins to blur but I blink a few times and they go away. Suddenly, there is a hand on the small of my back and I look over to see Micah, looking down and walking me out of the house, his hand on my back all the way through. When we reach the chilly porch he looks at me and says,” I know you are doing something dangerous and secretive and I want to come with you.” I stare at him blankly for a moment, at first not realizing what he is saying. When I finally do, I laugh a little and say, “First of all, I'm not going anywhere ‘dangerous and secret’ I'm going to Death Valley to find…meet my sister for a performance.” He glares at me and I start to believe that I didn’t really fool him. “Scarlett, stop lying to me and take me with you.” I ponder for a moment and say, “Even if I was going somewhere, and I did take you, what would your parents say?” We wait in silence until he walks in his house. I don’t know why I wait for him but I do, and when he comes back out he states proudly “Did you leave the car at your house?”