Beyond Appearances

Come With Me

I wake to find Hunter and I tangled. I laugh to myself. He'd be blushing if he was awake. My giggle stirs him. Sure enough, when he realizes the position we are in heat crawls up his cheeks making them a crimson shade. I laugh a full belly laugh.

I look at the clock it's 5:00. I gasp. "Hunter you're late!" I start shooing him out of bed. He just laughs his ass off. I'm not amused.

"Ron, I took the day off. The calf was made up so I can surprise you. Sarah messaged me last night and said she'd be here this afternoon. I wanted to be here for you as moral support." My jaw drops, and he closes it for me. "Let's just go back to bed. I get to sleep in for once, don't ruin it for me." I punch his side but obey. I take a peak at my phone. A bright lit up message appears.

See ya at 2:00!

I smile, knowing my childhood hero is coming. It puts me at ease. I cuddle back into the side of him.

We wake back up at 12:00. I hurry up and rush to get ready. I don't want Sarah thinking I'm a complete mess who's let herself go. I attempt to tame my auburn frizz. I get it to go into a nice ballerina bun. I apply some mascara and eyeliner to match my black tank and jean shorts. Same me, just spiffed up from the last week.

At 2:05 Hunter answers the door to find Sarah. She looks the same. Perfectly straight blonde hair, dressed like Kate Middleton, and not a thing is out of place. She smiles when she sees me.

I run over to her and pull her into a huge hug. She's grunts obviously being surprised by my affection. I hold her for a minute. Just taking her in. Years of not seeing her all being washed away as I hold her.

"RJ! You're cutting off my air supply."

I laugh and let go.

"I'm sorry. I just missed you." I can't stop smiling.

"Alright baby sis, let's catch up." Concern laced her face as she says this. She knows it took a lot for me to call her. She knows me as the hard ass who never shows emotion, so my mushiness is throwing her off.

"Hunter will you excuse us?" He nods his head, and gives me his signature kiss. "I'll just be in the other room."

Once I hear the door click, I drag her to the futon. I tell her all about how I worked myself to the bone at Marv's to start paying the bills, the never ending flurry of fighting or things smashing, and the drug use. Her face contorts from anger to guilt.

"You're telling me I left you to deal with that? When I left they just fought here and there. Why didn't you call me?" She starts crying.

"You started a whole new life. You had gotten your dream. I never wanted to ruin that. You took care of me long enough. I wasn't alone. Hunter has taken care of me."

She shakes her head. "I'm so sorry Ron." She pulls me into a tight hug. When she pulls back she smiles. "Want to see pictures of your niece and nephew?" Excitement plays over her face. I shake my head yes.

She shows me pictures on her iPhone. They are twins. She gestures to the photo, "That's Landry, and that's Trent Jr." The boy looks just like her, and the little girl looks like her father. Both of the 5 year olds are absolutely adorable. "Sarah! They are beautiful! Why didn't you tell me?" Her face drops again.

"I didn't want mom or dad to know about them." I nod my head, understanding. "Ron, after hearing all of this, I want you to come back to Louisiana with me. I have a room you could have. You could finally meet the kids, and see Trent. I can't leave you here again. I just can't." She tears up again.

I'm in shock. I just stare at her. "You want me..." I point at myself. "To live with you. In Louisiana?" She nods excitedly. I take it all in. "Sare. I gotta think about it. I mean, I've got Hunter, and everything has always been here."
She nods. "Take all the time you need. I don't leave for a week." With that she gets up, hugs me, and walks out the door. I'm still sitting, trying to process what she asked me.

"Can I come out now?" I forgot Hunter has been hiding out in the bedroom. I gesture for him to come sit with me.

"Hunt, she asked me to go with her. She wants me to live with her." He looks at me, staring into my eyes. He's trying to read me. Finally when he realizes there's nothing there, he asks, "Well, what do you want? You can stay here and we can get an apartment with two bedrooms, stay here and be cramped, or you can go with her. You can do whatever you want."

I sigh. I cuddle up to him. I don't know what I want. "Hunt, if I left, would you be mad?" He pulls away, and looks at me. "Ron, this is your life. Don't worry about me. I'm always gonna be here for you. In fact, 20 years from now, I'm going to be doing exactly what I'm doing now. This is your life." He makes sure to emphasize "your."

He pulls me back in, and I speak up, "I think I'm going to go. Maybe there's something better for me there." He nods his head. I start crying again. I'm so confused. He just holds me.

It's Tuesday. I wake up to feel cold next to me. When did we get in the bed? I look over at the clock next to me, 9:30. I call Sarah.

"Sare, I want to go with you."