Chapter 171 Morning Goodbyes
The morning sun is cracking through the breaks in the trees as I stuff my luggage into my trunk. I can still feel the cool breeze tussle my hair. I don't mind. It's calming my racing heart.
Rick, ever the awesome big brother he is, insisted I get a car, so he bought me a cute little Honda Civic. He didn't have to, but it was brand new with almost zero miles on it! He made sure all the safety features were included. He did not want me getting into an accident on the way to school, especially when I would be two hours away.
He also replaced Josie's train wreck of a Toyota and bought her a new Chevy Colorado. I guess he's worried about something safer in the snow. Honestly when it's storming here, I don't know it there is anything that can go through a white out and not end up on the side of the road.
But I don't have to worry about the snow right now. It's late August, and the morning is already starting to heat up. I have my hair in a pony and I'm wearing a thin tee, and still, I'm already dripping in sweat.
Jos throws her arms around me and gives me a very awkward pregnancy hug. Her belly is bigger than she is! But she's glowing, and I'm so sorry I may not even make it for the birth. I'm going to try my hardest... But even if I'm not here for 'the event' I'll still be here shorty after so I can coo and spoil my niece.
"Are you sure you can't go to the community college here?" she chokes out. She's been begging me to say, and I hate it that this is putting so much stress on her.
Those hormones are going to kill me! I thought she had been moody after James had attacked her. Well, this little one is kicking my sister's butt big time. And as much as I'd love to calm her nerves, I just can't stay.
"I know your gonna miss me Jos, but yes, I need to go!" I tease, because if I don't, I'll end up crying. Then I'll never get out of here! "But I'll be home every weekend."
At least, that was the plan. I don't know how that will turn out when homework starts piling up and I'm cramming for exams. Maybe I can facetime? I don't know, but I'll have to figure something out. I'm leaving my family and heading out on my own. I've never done this before. And it scares me. But I can't let her know that!
Josie doesn't know that I have to go. I can't stay here any longer! And I need to make it not a big deal. I don't want the attention. It has nothing to do with the college I chose and everything to do with escaping our uncle.
It has been months since Rick took us all in, but that doesn't change the fact that the Taylors still live in this damn town. They are out there walking free. I still see them when I'm out and about, and I still feel his eyes following me; and I need to get out of it!
I can't let him find me while I'm at school. I don't want him knowing I'm leaving. (Not that I expect my sisters to blab, but Liv is still close with our cousin Ava.) I refuse to let him hurt me again. And if that means I need to escape to get away, then so be it.
I don't care if that makes me a coward. I'm trying to do what is best for me right now.
That nightmare wasn't just a memory; it was a punch in the gut telling me I can't stay here. I know my uncle hasn't come near me since Jos married Rick, but soon she'll be distracted with a baby. Liv is distracted with her boyfriend. So, where does that leave me?
"Be warned Charlie, my little dancer will probably be calling you ever few hours just to make sure you're okay," Rick teases with a wink. "She's probably gonna drive you nuts until you decide to come home!"
We all crack up, and Jos hits him on the chest. But the thing is, he's probably right! Josie has been like a mother to me since we lost ours five and a half years ago. She's known every fever and injury I've ever had... well, except for one. And I'm planning on keeping it that way.
"Oh! Here!" she thrusts a Ziplock full of cookies at me. "Hailey wanted to make sure you took a little bit of home with you," she sniffs.
I chuckle. "Well, give her a hug for me. These will keep me busy at least until next weekend, so make sure she makes me another batch," I tease, trying to keep this light. Hailey and Josie know I love those cookies! I swear I'm going to bawl my eyes out over chocolate chips!