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Lies and Other Truths Chloe tried to appear normal as she slipped into a booth in the tiny café. She was only a few blocks away from her house. However, she didn’t know if going home that was a good idea.
“School let out early today?” the waitress asked, inclining her head at Chloe’s bag. “I signed out for a dentist’s appointment,” Chloe replied. “Once again, no cavities.” The waitress laughed. “Want to celebrate with something from the dessert menu?” “Um, sure.” The girl hoped her smile seemed genuine as she scanned the proffered menu. “Just a chocolate milkshake, please.” “Be back in a minute.” Chloe merely nodded. She forced herself to think about the guy, Lance, and their encounter at school. She didn’t understand what had happened. ‘How did he know about me?’ she wondered. She was grateful for the momentary distraction when the waitress reappeared with the milkshake. However, the woman was quickly gone again. She was finally aware that her head was throbbing. With a sigh, Chloe rummaged through her school bag until she found the bottle of pain reliever. She took two, washing it down with some of the milkshake. Yet, she couldn’t drink anymore of it. That guy could be still looking for her, she realized. The knots in her stomach intensified. “What am I going to do?” Chloe murmured aloud. She couldn’t sit in the café forever. If she stayed too long, she knew that she would draw further unwanted attention to herself. Yet, she was reluctant to face Lance again. The ruse wouldn’t work twice. “You want anything else?” the waitress asked. Chloe shook her head. “No. Just the bill please.” When she received the bill, Chloe left enough money to give the waitress a generous tip. She grabbed her bag and left the café. Hoping that Lance was busy looking for her elsewhere, the girl decided to head home. * * * * * “Chloe! Where have you been?” For a moment, Chloe was speechless as her mother hugged her fiercely. The girl dropped her bag and returned the embrace. “Mom, why are you home?” “The school called,” Sandra said, finally releasing her daughter. “What happened? Why did you cut class?” “I didn’t cut. Well, not intentionally. There was this guy. He tried to take me.” Sandra’s grip tightened on her daughter’s arms. “Take you where?” “I, I don’t know,” Chloe stammered, shaking slightly. “He said that he wanted to take me to his friends. He knew me. I don’t know how, but he did.” “But you got away. You’re safe now.” “Mom, don’t understand. He knows about me. He might know where we live. He might come back.” “Maybe not,” a soothing male voice said. Chloe glanced past her mother, finally noticing the two other people in the room. She grabbed her mother. Her head ached as she tried to pull Sandra out of the house. “I’ll be damned,” the younger man said, shaking his head. The two women seemed to be disappearing before his eyes. Although he couldn’t see them, Scott heard the struggle between the mother and daughter. They were still in the house. It was amazing. “Chloe, please hear us out.” The professor moved his wheelchair forward. “We want to help you.” “Please, honey, just listen,” Sandra implored. Mother and daughter suddenly reappeared. The girl was visibly pale, her freckles a dark contrast against her skin. “Okay. Talk.” |
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