Get Ready to Run

Chapter Twenty Eight

Chapter Twenty Eight

I was still struggling to register everything in my head. All I wanted to do was scream and throw something, anything.

How could she? How could she expect to waltz back into my life as if she hadn't abandoned me for the past two years? I mean seriously, did she really think I'd receive her with open arms? Because if she did, she's got another thing coming. In fact, I can guarantee she won't come within fifty feet of me or Hailey as long as I have anything to say about it.

"Your mom?" Tyler asked in utter disbelief.

I was still sitting in his lap, an utter wreck trying to compose myself.

I simply nodded as a response.

"What do you mean she found you? Didn't she leave you guys? Why is she all of a sudden trying to look for you now?" He asked, lowering his head to see me at eye level.

I shrugged, "I don't know and I don't care. I don't want to see her or have anything to do with her." I replied, spitting out the words like poison.

He tightened his arms around me, rubbing smooth circles on my back. He made me feel like he understood the whole situation even though he was far from it.

We stayed silent for a few moments but it was Tyler who broke the silence.

"What happened?" He asked, it was almost a whisper.

"What do you mean? With the phone call?" I asked, turning to look at him

"With your mom leaving."

I immediately tensed up.

He quickly noticed my reaction but that didn't stop him, "Why did she leave you and Hailey?" He asked, more confidently.

Swiftly I tried getting off his lap to create distance, but just as rapidly he grabbed me by the waist, bringing me back down, keeping his hand firm and in place.

He looked back and forth between my eyes as if searching for the answer, "I just want to help you. Help me understand. Please Sawyer." He said, loosening his vise grip and replacing it with a gentle touch.

I couldn't look him in the eye or anywhere even. I simply closed my eyes, feeling the tears prick once again. How I could even still produce tears was beyond me.

I shook my head and kept my eyes shut, "I can't. It's not safe. If you know then you'd be on the same boat Hailey and I are on and I can't do that to you. I won't do that to you."

He placed his warm hand on my cheek and navigated my face towards his, I refused to open eyes though because I knew the second I did, I'd tell him everything.

And it's like he knew it too, "Open your eyes. Look at me." He said in a stern tone yet laced with compassion.

I knew it was all over the moment I allowed my lids to open and meet those mossy green eyes.

"Let me help you." He said. He didn't ask this time, almost as if knowing full well I'd actually let him in for once.

**FLASHBACK**

 

"Sawyer where's mom?" Hailey asked as she ate a spoonful of cereal.

It was only getting worse. She hasn't been home in three weeks this time.

It started out with her not coming home over night but showing up in the mornings. Then it turned into her disappearing for the weekend, then a few days and now, weeks at a time, no phone call, no clue where she is or what she's doing.