Page 32 of Stay With Me
Pam: WOOOOOO
Abby: My girl!
Amelia: That’s my girl.
Me: Okay, I’m going to bake some cookies with Jess. I’ll see you in a couple of hours.
Amelia: See, you scared her, Pam. Hey, is Penny good to come over? I thought that maybe if she ever comes over or to the farm, it’d be good if she isn’t scared of Penny.
Me: Of course Penny can come! That’s a great idea! See you soon!
Pam: Can we plan a girls’ night soon? So then we can gossip.
Me: Yes, please.
Jess comes back into the kitchen, and I have her wash her hands.
As she dries her hands, I ask, “Do you want to make chocolate chip or peanut butter cookies?”
She wrinkles her nose as I say chocolate chip. “Peanut butter, please.”
I laugh, “I’m not a big chocolate fan either.”
Her eyes go wide. “Really?”
“Yeah, I’ve tried it different ways, but isn't something I acquired a taste for,” I admit, double-checking that I grabbed everything needed to make the cookies.
SIXTEEN
Luna
“Andthat’sthelastof them.” I set the final tray of cookies on the counter and wipe my forehead with the back of my hand.
The last two hours have been amazing.
While baking and making the chicken for the salads, we played what Amelia called twenty questions. It’s amazing how alike Jess and I are, even though we’ve been apart for ten years.
I don’t know what I was expecting her to ask, but she asked some really good questions about me leaving. Why did I leave? When did I know I was leaving? How did I get away without people realizing?
I was honest because she deserves the truth.
I left because the closer it got to my wedding date with Matthew, the more I realized that something wasn’t right about this process. I also asked questions that I would get in trouble for, like, why couldn’t we spend more time in town? Why did I have to get married? What made me the chosen female? I don’t know what made me start asking questions, but I never got any answers.
I knew I had to leave before the marriage ceremony. I couldn’t go through with it, even if the Father said it was written in the stars. I also told her that Aspen helped me escape and that both she and Aspen were supposed to come with me, but something happened, and only I could get away.
Aspen.I need to remember to make sure Jess’s therapist asks about her. It’s been too long since I received a letter from her, and that worries me.
I tiptoed around how and why she left until we work with the therapist about how to talk to her about it, but maybe if I feed her tidbits about why I left, she will open up more about hers.
“Luna,” Jess giggles.
“Yeah?” I ask.
“You have something right here.” She points right next to her nose.
I rub the spot on my face. “Did I get it?”
She laughs harder at me, and between trying to catch her breath, she forces out, “N-no. You made it worse.”
