“Okay,” I agree readily, and it seems to make her even happier.
“What’s your favorite?” she asks, and I shrug.
“Don't know. I’ve never seen any.”
“How is that possible?” Frostie gives me a skeptical look like I’m not telling her the truth. So I decide maybe it’s time I give a little since she’s already given so much.
“I, um, I grew up in a kind of a cult.”
She blinks at me a few times and blinks slowly. “What?”
“My mom died in childbirth, and my father was part of a cult. He raised me until I was fifteen and then kicked me out.”
“I have so many questions,” she whispers as she takes a seat on one of the chairs behind her.
“It’s a long story and doesn’t make me feel real good when I think about it,” I say, and she nods.
“Yeah, I can imagine. Never mind, you don’t have to say anything else.”
“How about two questions?” I offer, and she nods, already agreeing.
“Why did they kick you out?”
“Because I wouldn’t marry another girl my age.”
“Oh my god.” Frostie brings her hands to her mouth, and I nod.
“Yeah, it was pretty awful. But the good news is that it broke up a couple of years after I left.”
“What did you do after they kicked you out?”
“I lied about my age and entered the military. I was always twice the size of the other boys, and I didn’t have proof of birth because of the compound. I found someone to help me forge documents, and that was that.” She bites her bottom lip, and I can see she’s still got lots of questions floating around in her head. “One more?” I offer.
“Have you ever seen any of your family since you left?”
“No,” I say, but it doesn’t feel like enough of an explanation. “I saw them in court during the sentencing but chose to go no contact afterwards. That’s not who I am, and it’s not the life I want.”
“I can understand why.” The worry in her eyes does something to me, and I take a step closer to her.
“I’m okay now,” I say to reassure her. “Before the military, I lived my life surrounded by people I hated with nothing of my own. So I knew one day when I finally welcomed someone into my space, it would be because I needed them there.”
Frostie bites her bottom lip, but this time it’s to hide a smile as she nods toward the boxes. “Then let’s cheer this space up.”
“I’d like that,” I agree.