Page 8 of Composed at Randy's
How fucking embarrassing. I know I’m being cagey with my words, but come on. How eager would you be to admit to perfect strangers that you don’t know a single piece of contact information that could help you reach your loved ones?
Until this exact moment, I’ve always thought Kai was being overly strict with how he manages me, but now I realize he’s been coddling the shit out of me.
If I were him, I wouldn’t let me out of the house without a bodyguard.
“You need someone to keep an eye on you for a few days until you feel better, Wren. Are you sure there isn’t anyone you can contact?” Gwen’s face is scrunched up in concern.
It doesn’t matter how many times I ask it; my brain keeps coming up with a big fat goose egg. “I’m sorry, but there really isn’t. Everyone is gone.”
Both Bael and Gwen look really sad right now, and I’m right there with them. I miss all three members of the Wren support crew, and I can’t wait to see them again. Bael and Gwen are probably able to pick that up from me.
I don’t want them to be sad, though, so I smile and say, “But don’t worry! I’m really good at being on my own.” Big lie. “I can totally recover from this by myself. No problem.” Huge fucking lie. “I don’t need anyone to take care of me, I promise.” Great big, huge motherfucking lie. “I’m basically good to leave now if you need me to go.” That’s the Titanic of lies right there, and if they take me up on it, I will crash, burn, and sink without leaving survivors. I don’t think I could even walk five steps right now without keeling over, let alone find my way home without my phone.
If thereisa god, they’re probably watching this show through their fingers in horror right now.
“I’m sorry, Wren, but I’m going to have to insist,” Gwen says firmly. “I’ve already violated half of my professional morals by treating you this evening. I can’t treat you here long term because this is a private practice, and I can’t let you leave here alone either. We need to find a solution that will allow me to continue sleeping at night.”
Oh thank JesusBuddhaFrankChristMacGee. If she’d said yes, I would probably die moments after leaving.
When I tell you Kai would be pissed…
I’d be lucky I was dead, otherwise, he’d make me do something horrible like help him with my taxes.
He did that once.
I never forgot to put my shoes away again.
Shudder.
“He can hang out with me for a few days.”
Gwen and I both turn to gape at Bael.
“He’s not a stray kitten, Bael. You can’t stick him in a box with a towel and a bowl of food.”
Actually, he probably could if the towel was clean, the box was big, and the food was pizza. I’m pretty small. I’m also really sleepy right now, so any flat surface not covered in bees will do.Also, spending a day or so getting to know Bael doesn’t sound like the worst thing that could happen. It’s certainly better than pretending I’m well long enough to leave here and then pass out cold in an alley as soon as I’m out of sight.
“I’m fine with Bael taking care of me if Bael is,” I announce.
Gwen looks at me like I’ve gone insane. “Seriously? You’re willing to put yourself in the hands of a total stranger? What if he turns out to be a serial murderer?”
“Hey!”
”He doesn’t look like a serial murderer.” I point at Bael in his leather harness, eyebrow piercing, leather dog collar, and towering physique. Nope. No red flags there that I can see.
“No one looks like a serial murderer, Wren.”
“I’m not a serial murderer!” Bael cries indignantly, and I notice his mouth is a beautiful cherry red. I’m not mentioning this to you for any particular reason. I just feel like it’s information you might want to know.
“See? He says he’s not.”
“How are you still alive right now, Wren? Maybe I should just take you home with me,” Gwen says in concern.
“I thought you liked me, Gwen.” Bael looks and sounds like a kicked golden retriever puppy. “Do you really think I kill people for fun?”
“Of course not, Bael. You’re a fucking angel, but Wren doesn’t know that.”
“Well, I do now. Consider me informed.” My eyelids are getting pretty heavy now, and the dizziness is starting to take over. I’d really like to stop being an adult now. I yawn hard enough to suck in a low-flying bird. Fortunately, we’re inside, so it’s a nonissue.
