Show Me the Scary Part, page 16
“Sure.”
Charlotte showed Ryder and me around this magnificent house, and I found out that this was one of my grandmother’s homes that she owns. She owns several throughout the states, but this is one she hardly comes to because the heat and humidity don’t agree with her.
Once she was done with the tour, she showed me to my room, and there was also a nursery for Ryder, which was beautiful, and I wondered how they got all of this done so quickly.
This place was so nice and beautiful, but I’ve lived in beautiful places before, and I know places like this don’t make you happy. What I wanted was what I had at the Thornton’s, and I probably will never have that again, but I was grateful for the time I did have there.
Charlotte finally left me alone, and I sat on my bed and fed Ryder. Once he was finished and burped, I lay down with him on the bed.
I was away from my mother, and that’s what I wanted, but I felt sad at the same time. I’ve gotten what I’ve always wanted, but I’ve also lost everything. I lost people who genuinely cared about me, and it made me sad.
So I cried for my victory, and I cried for the things that I’ve lost.
I cried for Nadine.
* * *
Nadine
My mother stayed and held me for most of the day. I was a wreck.
Lenny warned me she told me not to fall for her, but I didn’t listen. I let myself fall for her, and now she was gone.
“You don’t want to go for a walk or something, sweetie,” My dad said.
I was lying on my mom’s lap in the living room, she was reading a book while stroking my hair.
“No, Dad,” I said simply.
“Just leave her, Alex. She’s never been through something like this before. She needs time,” My mom says.
“I don’t like seeing you like this, sweetheart. What can I do to make it better?”
“Can you bring her back?” I asked.
He frowned. “No, I can’t do that, but I can give you my credit card.”
He tried to joke, but I didn’t laugh.
“Not now, Alex,” My mother warned.
“I’m sorry, maybe with my connections I could find where she is.”
I know that my father could most likely track her down, but I didn’t ask because that would be selfish of me. Whitney didn’t leave because she wanted to; she left because she felt like it was the only way to be rid of her parents. I care too much about Whitney. I didn’t want to jeopardize her freedom because I wanted her back.
“No, Dad, she left for a reason. I’ll just have to get over it, I have to get over her.”
Another set of tears started to form.
My dad’s phone started to ring in his pocket, and he took it out and looked at it.
“It’s the front gate,” he says, then answers. “Hello…yes, it’s alright, let her in.”
He hangs up the phone and looks at us.
“It’s Whitney’s mother,” he says.
I suddenly felt this rage at the mention of her, because of her, Whitney’s gone. It was because of her that I’d probably never see Whitney again.
I sat up and I wiped the tears from my face.
“Nadine, sweetheart, why don’t you go upstairs? Your father and I will handle this.” My mother said, stroking my back.
“No, I’m not going anywhere,” I said.
My parents gave each other a look, knowing that all hell was about to break loose. They knew that their daughter voiced her opinions. Nothing can stop me from doing so, even them.
“Just go easy on the lady, honey, I don’t want to have to use my connections to get you out of jail,” My dad joked.
I don’t think he understood that I wasn’t in a joking mood.
“Alex,” My mother warned.
“Okay, I just want you to keep hold of your emotions,” he says.
“Sure, Dad.”
The doorbell rang, and my father went to get it. And when he returned, Whitney’s mother was with him.
“I’m here for my daughter and that child of hers,” Vanessa said without any regard for us.
“She isn’t here,” I said, standing up.
“If this is some little trick you’re trying to pull, young lady, know that I’m not the one to fool with. Either you cough up my daughter, or I will bring the full power of the law down on you,” She threatened.
I almost laughed, my father is the damn law.
“She’s gone; you ran her away with your threats and ultimatums. Your tyrannical ways scared her off. As much as I hate that she’s gone, I’m happy that she got the hell away from you.” My emotions were getting the best of me now.
“You don’t know what you’re talking about. I care for my daughter,” she defended.
“Tell that to your fake ass rich friends, I see right through you. You never cared about her, you just care about your image, and how good people make you look. You don’t want Whitney back because you care about her; you want her back because you couldn’t control her anymore.”
She looked at me coldly. “I’m calling the police,” she says.
I closed my eyes and shook my head, calming myself down.
“She’s not here. She found happiness here, and you took that away from her. You’re going to get what’s coming to you, you cold-hearted bitch. Now leave, you’re not welcome here.”
“I will find her,” she threatened.
She then walks off, and my father follows, making sure she leaves.
I took a deep breath once she was gone, and I prayed because I felt so completely helpless. I prayed that she’d never find Whitney, and that Whitney would have the happy life that she deserves.
* * *
“What the hell is this supposed to mean?” Scott said, holding up the letter Whitney wrote to him.
I had to let Scott know that Whitney had left; it was the least I could do. After the past couple of days, I kinda liked him, just a little bit.
“She couldn’t stay here, Scott, you understand that, right? She had a breakdown on that beach, and it’s no telling what would have happened if she had to move back with her parents,” I said.
“What about my son? Am I supposed to accept that I’m not going to see him again, that he won’t know who I am? I just need a moment to process this. I can’t believe this is happening,” he was distraught.
Scott loves Ryder. I can see that, I know that he was crushed by this news.
“She didn’t say anything to you?” he asked.
I shook my head. “No, she just left.”
“How are you doing?” he asked.
I fought the urge to cry. I didn’t want to cry anymore.
“It doesn’t matter how I’m doing. Whitney is gone, but she’s away from her mother, and I’m happy about that. It doesn’t matter how I’m doing.”
“I’m never going to see my son again. I don’t know if I can live with that.”
“How do you think I feel? I’ve been there since he was born. I’m going to miss that little boy terribly, but Whitney has made the best decision for him.”
“He’s my son, too. She could have told me what she was going to do.”
“In all honesty, Scott, you wouldn’t have been able to be the father that he deserves. You’re still very tied up in what your family wants and not what’s best for him.”
“As much as it pisses me off to hear you say that, you’re right. I’m not what’s best for him, but you were, and it sucks that you won’t be there for him.”
“Whitney may be gone, but don’t be mistaken, I’m still here for them, no matter what.”
“You’re unbelievable, they are lucky to have you.”
I gave him a small smile. “I was lucky to have them.”
* * *
Whitney
“Marshall Ryder, come here.”
Most of my days were spent chasing after an energetic 1 ½ year old; he loved running away from me while he laughed.
Once I got close to him, I scooped him up and gave him kisses while he giggled.
“Mommy!”
“It’s breakfast time, baby,” I said to him.
“Food?” he questioned.
I smiled at him; he only knew a few words, ‘food’ being his favorite.
“Yes, we’re going to go and eat some food.”
I carried him to the kitchen and placed him in his highchair, and I proceeded to make him breakfast.
“Here you go, baby.”
I placed one of his little sectioned plates in front of him with scrambled eggs, fruit, and toast.
I sat down with my plate, and I smiled at my son, who was stuffing his face.
“So mommy’s starting college today,” I said to him.
He looks at me, and his eyes widen. Then he started his babbling.
I smiled at him widely.
I left home 14 months ago, and so many things have happened since then. I couldn’t stay in my grandmother’s mansion; I just didn’t want my son to grow up there. I wanted him to live in a home and not a house.
My grandmother kept in contact, and I asked her politely if I could move to someplace smaller. I didn’t know what she would say to that, but she didn’t hesitate to accommodate me. Charlotte was able to find me the house I’m currently staying in, and I was absolutely in love with it.
I was afraid that my mother would find me for a little while, but the months passed, and she didn’t find me.
I couldn’t finish school, but I wanted an education I wanted to provide for my son. So I decided to get my GED. It wasn’t what I wanted. It would have been nice to graduate, but I needed to take control of my life.
When we were done with breakfast, I grabbed Ryder and we took a quick shower, I got him ready, then myself.
“Alright, baby, watch TV while mommy gets our stuff together,” I said, sitting Ryder on the couch.
I looked at him, making sure he stayed sitting down, then I went to pack his diaper bag and grabbed my books for my class.
When I got everything ready, I went to grab Ryder, but he was not on the couch. The house was baby-proof, but it still freaked me out when he ran off like that. I knew where he was, though; he always ran away to the same place, the kitchen. He was a greedy little boy; he’ll eat all day if you let him.
I found him in the kitchen trying to open a drawer that was baby-proofed.
“What are you doing, buddy?” I said.
He just stared at me, pointing to the cabinet where his snacks were, and then he started to babble.
“No buddy, come on, it’s time to go.”
He looks back at the cabinet longingly before looking back at me.
I smiled at him. “Come on, baby.”
I reached my hand out for him to take it, and he came toddling up to me and took my hand.
My first stop was Ryder’s babysitter, who was a nice lady that I found through an agency, and this would be only the second time Ryder was going to her. Ryder hasn’t been with anyone but me, so he cries a lot when I leave him with someone. If I could take him with me, I would, but I can’t.
I gave him so many kisses when I dropped him off, and he cried bloody murder when I left. I hope he calms down. It broke my heart seeing my baby cry, but I knew it was something I had to push through.
The ride to the campus was nice. I listened to music and sang along to some of it. I love music; ever since Nadine introduced me to some artists, I became infatuated. I started searching for music and listening to different genres, finding what I liked most.
I thought about Nadine a lot when I listened to music; sometimes a song would remind me of her, or my mind would wander when I was just listening absently. Sometimes I thought about her for no reason at all.
I wrote in my letter to her that I would think of her every day for the rest of my life, and I can say that I kept that promise.
Classes today were easy because we just went over the syllabus, and all of my professors were nice. I had a good day today, and I couldn’t wait for classes to get started.
I walked to my car, excited to go and get my boy, when I saw two girls sitting on a bench that wasn’t too far from my car. I glanced at the girls they seemed pretty cozy.
It made me think about my self-discovery, that I like girls as well as guys. It never crossed my mind when I was younger. I never really thought about it then because I wasn’t allowed to. The world I lived in would have never allowed it. It was amplified when I started developing feelings for Nadine.
The closer I got to the bench, though, both girls appeared familiar, and I couldn’t believe it. I think I must have been dreaming.
As if they could sense me watching, they turned to look at me, and it just confirmed it for me.
“Whitney?”
That voice, I freaking knew that voice.
I approached the bench with a smile warming my face.
“Nadine.”
SIXTEEN
Nadine
I could swear I’m imagining things. Whitney was standing there, staring at me in disbelief. A girl I thought was lost to me, a girl I thought I’d never see again, was right here in my presence.
“Whitney, I can’t believe this. You’re here in Florida,” I said, getting off the bench and approaching her.
She smiles at me and nods.
“Are you okay? How have things been?” I rushed out eagerly.
“I’m okay, and things have been good.”
We didn’t say anything for a moment; we just stared at each other, soaking up the fact that we were both standing here in each other’s presence.
“You’re not going to introduce me, babe?”
I could not take my eyes off Whitney. She looked great, she looked happy.
“Nadine,”
My thoughts were interrupted by someone.
“Are you going to introduce me?”
I felt my hand being grabbed, then I looked to my side, just realizing that Parker was still here.
“Whitney, this is Parker,” I looked at Whitney and smiled. “Parker, this is Whitney.”
“Hi, I’m Nadine’s girlfriend.”
“Nice to meet you,” Whitney said.
“Parker, can you go to the car? I’ll be right there?” I said, handing her the keys.
Parker walked off to my car, which wasn’t far.
Once she was gone, I looked at Whitney, and I couldn’t help the smile on my face.
“I can’t believe you’re here,” I said.
I was still in disbelief that she was standing right in front of me.
“I was afraid that I’d never see you again, and here you are 14 months later.” My face was starting to hurt. I was smiling so much.
“I know, I thought I’d never see you again, and the thought crushed me.”
“Seems like fate has a way of bringing people back together,” I said.
She laughs. “Yeah, like you and Parker’s fate seems to have brought you two back together.”
I looked down, trying not to make eye contact with her.
“She’s changed,” I defended.
“I’m sure you wouldn’t be with her if she didn’t,” She gives me a smirk.
I laughed. “I understand you giving me shit about it. I’m weak when it comes to matters of the heart.”
She raises her eyebrows. “I wouldn’t know.”
I smiled widely at her. She was still the same.
“So, how is my Marshmallow? He has to be huge by now.”
Whitney lights up when I mention her son.
“He’s wonderful, and so damn cute,” She beamed.
“I miss him so much, and I’ve missed you.”
She takes a breath. “I missed you too, Nadine, like you wouldn’t believe. It killed me to leave, I hope you know that. There was no place I wanted to be more than with you,” She voiced.
I touched her arm briefly. “I understand, Whitney, you did what you had to do. I just prayed every day that you were safe and happy. Ever since I met you, that’s all I have ever wanted for you. I hope you are happy.”
She regards me warmly. “I’m doing okay.”
That was vague, but I decided not to dig any deeper at the moment.
“That’s good to hear.”
“So, I’m assuming you go to this college—that means you live here, right?”
“Yes, I live here now.”
“Then we should catch up, and Ryder would love to see you,” I said.
I smiled. “I would love to see him, too.”
“Do you have the same number?” She asked.
“Yes, but do you have it? You left all of your electronics in Maryland?”
“I wrote your number down before I left,” she smiled.
“You did? Why?” I wondered.
“Why wouldn’t I?”
I looked at her fighting a smile, but was unsuccessful.
I heard a horn sound, and I turned around and saw Parker in my car, motioning for me to come. That annoyed me.
“Okay, I guess that’s my cue. Call me soon, okay, like tonight,” I said.
She laughs. “I will.”
I looked at her and sighed. “It’s so good to see you, Whitney.”
She gives me a modest smile. “You too, Nadine.”
I did not want to walk away from her, but the promise of seeing her soon helped me a little. If it were up to me, I wouldn’t let her out of my sight again.
I got into my car, not saying anything to Parker, and I just watched ahead as Whitney pulled off.
“Who is she?” Parker asked.
I looked at her.
She’s the girl of my dreams. I thought.
“She’s a friend,” I said.
I put the car in reverse since Parker had already started it up, and I started to pull out of the parking spot.
“I’ve never seen you act that way around someone,” she pressed.
“Well, you’ve never seen me reunite with a friend that I haven’t seen in a long time, forgive me for being excited,” I defended.
“There’s no need to get jumpy, I’m just asking a question, we were having a pretty good time before she walked up.”
I glanced at her before looking back at the road.
“I’m sorry, I’m just a little shaken up,” I said.
“Okay.”
“I’m going to take you to your apartment. I want to be by myself tonight.”
