Run to Me

Tell Me What You Think

"Don't move."

Diane dabbed peroxide to your forehead, eliciting a hiss from your lips. You didn't listen to her, instinctively moving your head away from her. She smiled and grabbed your chin, keeping you in place. Her grip was somehow gentle and commanding at the same time. She dabbed at it again, the sting now drawing tears out of your eyes and down your flushed cheeks. You saw her eyes dart to them, and look back to your eyes quickly, drawing in a ragged breath. She seemed uncomfortable at your discomfort, but then again she had run you over.

She put on a couple of butterfly band-aids over the cut and sat back in the kitchen chair she had put in front of you. She let go of the grip on your chin and brought her hand up to your face and gently brushed the tears that stained your cheeks away. You gasped at her cool hands on your hot skin, never having felt something so gentle and caring. She smiled at you sweetly, your heart suddenly aching at the sight. You coughed to make it go away, you didn't like to feel weak.

"You shouldn't need stitches. It's deep, but small. Why don't we get you something to eat before you take a shower. Don't need you to pass out from the steam," she said, getting up and going over to her fridge. 

You sat back in the chair, looking around the kitchen. It seemed like it hadn't been updated in the last ten years, but was also incredibly clean. It was as if she didn't actually cook in it. She brought the ingredients to the counter and turned on the stove. You began to feel awkward as you watched Diane making lunch as the realization that you were sitting in a complete strangers home after they had hit you with their car. As if Diane sensed a shift in the atmosphere, she suddenly turned around, her focus back on you.

"You said you didn't have any family?" she asked, crossing her arms across her chest and biting her lip. 

"Huh?" you asked, confused by her sudden nervous demeanor. 

"Earlier, when I- well you said you were new here but that you didn't have any family. So what brought you to town?" 

"Oh, yeah.  Someone I grew up with in one of my foster homes who I was really close with came here when she was 18 to go to the school here and get a fresh start. I heard how well it worked for her and decided to do the same thing. Plus I thought it would be easier to move across country if there was at least one person I knew in the area." 

The smell of the food began to drift through the air and your mouth pooled with drool. You hadn't eaten a real meal in nearly three days. Your stomach growled and revealed just how hungry you were. It was loud and you knew she heard it, and your cheeks flushed red once again, embarrassed. You quickly picked back up the conversation to distract from it. 

"So yeah, once I saved up enough money for a bus ticket, I left. The trip took about a week and a half and I was here literally ten minutes before you hit me with your car," you chuckled nervously. 

Diane looked at you, worried, but you flashed her a smile to let her know you weren't upset. She seemed to relax instantly and she smiled so wide she actually covered up her mouth with her hand as if she was embarrassed. She turned around to stir the food that was now beginning to sizzle on the stove. 

"So do you live here by yourself?" 

Diane seemed to tense at the question, but she relaxed almost immediately afterwards, sighing loudly.

"Unfortunately, yes. But I keep myself pretty busy in my garden and teaching. A quiet life has its perks, but sometimes it gets lonely." 

She came over and put a plate full of sautéed vegetables and chicken in front of you. She sat back in the chair across from you, watching you with a smile. You looked at her, almost afraid to eat it.