The Journey 'An Adventurers Novel'

Chapter 8

Things had gone from bad to worse. The psychiatrist and doctor now believed that her precious baby boy suffered from primary insomnia with depression. His success in school had gone downhill. They said that the PID would affect his cognitive development. All the test and different types of medication were not helping. The only advice they had was to try to find the root of all the problems.

    The doctors believed that it had something to do with being adopted and remembering his birth parents. How at the young age of four he remembered his birth parents after three was beyond her knowledge. She and Daniel used to joke about how they all came from Briargrove how the three were meant to be. If they hadn't moved to California when they did would they still have gotten Samuel? All things lead back to Briargrove.

    The two of them stepping off the greyhound bus in that small town just felt foreign. Possibly because Daniel wasn't with them; possibly because she had tied so hard to escape.

    She had left this town as soon as she had her diploma. She had tied to convince her boyfriend of the time to go with her.

"People need me here. I know we have been through hell together but what if it isn't over? You should go don't let me hold you back."

He had said to her. He wasn't here when she came back with Daniel. The army had called him is what she had heard from around the town. A good thing too he wouldn't have taken the news well.

    Tears threaten her eyes but she has to be strong; strong for Samuel.

    "I'm hungry Mommy."

    She hears his small voice say and he tugs her hand. His own hand warm and damp from when he sucked his thumb on the bus ride over.

    "I know sweetie we will go get food after we put up our bags."

    She smiles at her son. Briargrove was for him. She was here to make him better not to stick up her nose at this small town or her horrible memories. Briargrove had given her some good things and she hoped that it could give a little more.

    The cab ride to Flowers Motel and Inn was short and quiet. Although, the driver had kept looking at her though his rearview mirror; she smiled softly as he helped her unload her bags. He gave Samuel a small fist bump and waved as he drove away. No doubt the whole town would soon find out she was here.

    The owner had his son help her with her bags. He had mention how sorry he was to hear about Daniel and all she could do was smile softly and nod. The weird part was when he offered the car to her.

    "No I cannot accept this, sir. The cabs are just fine."

    "I insist Mrs. Clearwater. Ya husband was such a good gentle soul who help Ma wit that case a few year back. Least I can do."

    His hands shake but his voice holds steady as does his gaze.

    "But, Sir." She starts.

    "No buts dearie. I will be fended if ya don't cept. She a spare anyway. Now she old but she take ya anywhere. She ain't failed us. I have Jeffery grab a spare seat so ya son be safe too, ya hear."

    "Thank you, Sir." She says when she realizes she can't deny it any longer and heads to the room.

    It was nice not to have to call another cab to go to the diner. It will be even better not to have to call to take them to the doctor in the morning.

    "Come on Samuel, time to go get dinner." She says to her son.

    "Yay!"

    He yells and grabs his coat. They head out the door. She locks it securely and goes to the car with Samuel in tow.

    She secures Samuel in the car seat; it was actual a really good brand one that she never bought because it was on the higher end. She gets in the driver seat. The owner was right the vehicle was old. She cranks the car and it starts right up; she was also reliable. She drives the short distant to the diner.

    It was funny how little the town had changed but a plus side for her as she still knew all the streets. Almost as if she had never left. She parks in front of the diner and she and Samuel go in.

    Carol's had always been one of her favorites in Briargrove. It always was lively and comforting. Not much had changed. She did notice how many people were sneaking a glance at her. But the whole town would be talking about her soon enough.

    The waitress sat them down at a booth and when to get a booster seat for Samuel.

    "Hello Officers, did you guys find that girl?" A waitress ask someone at the next booth over.

    "Well, my partner did and man was he lucky." One of the Officers says to the waitress.

    "Where was she, Officer Anderson? Who would do this to her? I figured we were all pretty close I just don't understand how that would happen." The chatty waitress goes on to say.

    "Well . . .

    Officer Anderson starts before he hears the other officer clearing his throat.

     "We aren't at liberty to discuss the case." He finishes.  

    She cannot see the other officer only the back of his head but Officer Anderson seems a little older then her, and maybe talks a little too much. He smiles her way and she smiles back. She sees the partner shake his head. Her waitress comes back as the officers are laughing. Her stomach tightens.

    "One booster seat for the young man, and look what I found?" the waitress says as she holds out her hand to Samuel.

    "Crayons!" He shouts.

     As he grabs them in an excited rush some fall out of the box and onto the head of the tuned around officer. 

    She sits Samuel down in the booster and rushes to apologize.

    "I'm am so sorry!" She states, grabbing the crayons without looking at them, embarrassment is splashed all over her face.

    "No problem pretty lady.

     Officer Anderson states before addressing his partner.

    "Right, Richardson?"

    She feels her stomach throb as she looks at the other officer for the first time. She knew she had recognized that laugh. She could have picked it out anywhere.

    He speaks first.

    "Tai is that you?"