Page 5 of Entwined

“I’LL MISS YOU.” I rub Simone’s nose, then bend down to scratch Ollie between his ears, “I’ll miss you too.”

“We need to leave. Boris could show soon.”

“I know. Once all I thought about was escaping this place…now I never want to leave.”

“Maybe he’s right.”

“What?”

“I hear things… Most people look right through me or forget I’m even here. But you never did.”

“Of course, Will. You are my only human friend here at Exmoor.”

“He thinks that he damaged you. Made you love him. His therapist told him so.”

I walk toward him, placing a gloved hand on his arm. “This is very important Will. I need you to remember everything you heard.”

He shrugs, “I was inside the house. I needed to ask Mr. Devillo permission to order new supplies for the barn. I stopped outside his door when he was on the phone. He had it on speaker. He was adding logs to the fire in his office—it was a woman. He kept referring to her as Dr. Evans. She told him you had something…a syndrome. I don’t understand…”

“It’s okay. I do. I know exactly what they were saying.

“What does it mean? Are you like me? Did they make you like me? Did they give you a disability?”

My heart hurts for him. He’s so innocent. Sweet, loyal and unassuming.

“I-I I’m not autistic Will. My heart hurts. I-I loved…love Mr. Devillo.”

“But he doesn’t love you?” He asks innocently.

“I-I thought he did.”

“So, you love him?”

“It’s not that simple. I do. But he doesn’t believe me. He and his therapist, I gather, well they think I have Stockholm Syndrome.”

His eyes light up. “Yes. I remember now. That’s what they called it. Are you sick? Do you need a doctor? I’ve never heard of this disease before.”

“No. I’m fine. All I need is him.”

“Mr. Devillo?”

“Yes,” I nod my head, trying not to cry.

“Maybe, you should find out.”

“Find out what?”

“If they’re right?”

I squeeze his hand, “You’re a wise man Will. Don’t ever let anyone tell you differently. Sure, some people are book smart—school smart but are dumb as fools. You see everything. Everything important in the world. You saw me too. Knew I needed a friend. Knew I needed a reason to get up in the morning and fight. The horses. You helped me…” I trail off, blinded by clarity. A giggle escapes me. I found my purpose. It just hit me like a bolt of lightning here, inside a barn half way around the world on a chilly December morning. I want to help people like him. I want to work with disabled children.

“Jessie?” He’s confused by my sudden excitement.

“Oh Will! Thank you! Thank you so much for being my friend, for showing me…just thank you!” I throw my arms around him. He’s stunned, at first, but then awkwardly puts his arms around me. I pull back, his face is red.

“I-I’ve never had a friend who isn’t like me before. All my friends are like me. I used to attend the school for autistic kids. Then I went to a group home. Then Mr. Devillo found me. He spoke to me one day… he saved me Jessie. He gave me a purpose, helped me get a proper job working for him here with the horses. I know people say he’s a bad man. But he’s not, is he?”

“No, he’s not. And I’m honored to be your friend. Where are your parents, Will?”

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