Page 10 of Blade

“I’m really sorry. That’s awful.”

“It’s okay. It won’t always be this way.”

“We, my sister and I, we had to keep our heads down so I don’t remember how people looked at us, but I do know that we made it and you will too.”

“You’re really strong to have made it through all of that,” I defected. I didn’t know if I was going to make it. Every fucking day was hard.

“I struggled for a very long time, even after we were out of danger. I wouldn’t be where I am without the support of my friends.”

I nodded, but pain bit at my heart. I hadn’t had friends for a long time and often the loneliness was heavy.

“Now you have friends who support you and you’re going to get away from him too.”

That was a nice thought, but these people didn’t know me. Soon enough, I’d be back on my own.

***

We pulled into the driveway of one of the biggest houses I’d ever seen. It was massive and had a wrap-around porch. I studied the rocking chairs enviously, and swore that one day I’d have a porch with a rocking chair too.

Rogue put the car in park and shut it off before turning to look at me.

“How did you know what a Daddy Dom was?”

I hesitated.

“You don’t have to answer me if you don’t want to. I won’t be upset. I just…”

“You just what?”

“I hate to see someone scared to be what they need to be. I spent a large part of my adult years trying to pretend I wasn’t a Little and I was miserable. I don’t want you to be miserable either.”

That was a really super brave thing for her to tell me. I could be brave too.

“I have never been in a dynamic, but yes. I i-identify as a Little.”

“Thank you for sharing that with me. I won’t tell anyone, but I hope you will. We’re all friends now and you can share anything with us.”

I smiled. “Thank you. I’m not ready to have it made public yet.. .”

Well made public again, I corrected myself in my head. When Billy found out about my desire to be a Little, he berated me in front of the entire church and then beat me while they watched. He felt like my desire in BDSM must have been sent from a demon. I was so fucking stupid because I’d believed him and tried to snuff out my Little.

“That’s okay, you take all the time you need. Just don’t feel like you have to keep it a secret, okay? We will accept you no matter what.”

“Ya’ll don't even know me. I could be a serial killer or something.”

“You’d be a really bad one. We’ve been in my car for half an hour already and you haven’t even stabbed me yet,” Rogue teased, sticking her tongue out.

***

Blade

“Why are they just sitting in the car?” I asked, peeking out the window.

“Why are you watching them like a loon?” Tyler laughed, lifting his and Elliot’s Little girl out of the highchair and setting her on her feet.

“Like a loon!” she parroted.

“Tinsley, shouldn’t you be taking a nap?” I teased.