“Waffles?” His eager face brightens up.
“Sure. Waffles.” We walk for another six blocks before finding an out-of-the-way diner.
Seating ourselves like the sign says, I choose a table away from the windows, close to the back exit, and hand Sawyer a menu. His little nose scrunches up as he reads it over, trying to decide what he wants.
We have another hour before The Snug opens, and I can collect what will likely be my last paycheck from them, and it makes me a little sad.
“Morning, darlings. Can I get you some drinks?” An older server arrives at our table with two glasses of water, and her face softens after one look at us.
“Coffee and a glass of orange juice for me, please.” We both look to Sawyer, and I can see the stress in his eyes. Talking to strangers is hard for him. “It’s okay, kiddo. Get whatever you want.”
Placing the menu up like a divider between him and the older woman, he leans forward and whispers to me, “Can I have a milkshake?” He points to the birthday cake one.
“You got it!” The woman winks when his startled eyes meet hers.
“Thank you.” I smile at her, and she turns to get our drinks. “Do you know what you want yet?” I ask Sawyer.
With an enthusiastic nod, he turns the menu to show me waffles with whipped cream and bananas. “Can I have bacon too?”
He’s so eager that I can’t tell him no. “Anything you want today, Sawyer.” Forcing back the panic bubbling up in my chest, I smile as the server comes with our drinks. His eyes widen as large as saucers when he sees how big his shake is.
“Do you know what you’d like?” After ordering, I allow Sawyer to enjoy his treat as I slip into the booth behind me to make a couple of calls while still keeping an eye on him.
After a quick message to his school, letting them know he won’t be there the rest of the week and requesting them to email me any work he needs, I call my boss. She's had her suspicions, so when I tell her we’re leaving, she assures me that everything I’ve earned will be in my check and she’ll have it ready once we’re done.
My last call is to my college counselor at Brighton River. Leaving school isn’t something I want to do as I explain some of our situation to my counselor. Like my boss, she’s intuitive and knows not all is well at home. After requesting she email me for contact from now on, I see the waitress arrive with our food and take a couple of deep breaths before joining Sawyer again.
Things are changing, and I’m not sure what our next move is just yet.
* * *
Three cab rides, a one-mile walk—half of it carrying a very exhausted Sawyer—and I’m standing in front of a house that appeared much more welcoming when we arrived yesterday. I ditched my cell phone after the first cab ride just in case, but now as I stand here, I wonder if I’ve made the right decision.
“Hey!” a feminine voice calls behind me, and I nearly fall over before solid hands catch me. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.” She smiles at me, her eyes softening as she sees Sawyer sleeping. “He must be heavy,” she points out, and I nod. “Would you like to come inside?”
Peering up at the house and back to the girl, I catch a glimpse of the burn scars on the side of her face, and tears well up. I cried for her. “I don’t know,” I reply honestly.
She frowns, and the men next to her share a look. “Can I take the boy for you?” one of them asks.
My hold tightens. “I’d rather not.”
“No problem,” he says as the men both back up slightly. To appear less intimidating, I assume; but it doesn’t work because they’re massive, and it’s likely just who they are.
“This is Seven and Severo. I’m Aria. What’s your name?” Aria brushes the hair off Sawyer's face, and her gasp is enough for me to know Sawyer’s bruise is worsening.
My chin wobbles slightly, and I begin to word vomit. “I know who you are. I cried for you, the hardest I ever have in my life. I can’t imagine.” My head shakes, and my body begins to shiver. I realize exhaustion is kicking in, and I don’t know how much longer I’ll be able to stand upright.
“What’s your name?” she asks again, slipping one of the bags off my shoulder. In hindsight, I probably shouldn’t have brought so much, but I wanted to be sure Sawyer would have everything he needed.
“Noelle Rose,” I finally say.
“How’d you get here, Noelle?” Staring down the long driveway, I try not to think of the exhausting trek we made.
“We took cabs. Three. So he couldn’t track us. But we walked the last mile. Sawyer, he was so tired, I had to carry him the last half,” I explain.
The realization of what I’ve done starts to sink in, and I don’t feel so good.
“Go get Daddy,” Aria says to the twins. “Can I take Sawyer for you? We can put your bags down and sit out here for a bit. Until you’re ready.”