Page 29 of Sporty Girls Don't Fall For Loners

“Bye,” I say to Mom with a small wave before exiting her room and making my way down the hallway and out of the front doors.

Ally’s car is in the parking lot. I don’t know why a part of me assumed she’d leave me.

Her head lifts and she smiles as I get in the car and shut the door. She must notice I’m not in the mood to talk because she places her hand on my arm, giving it a gentle squeeze. Then she starts the car and we pull out of the parking lot. I appreciate that she’s giving me space to make sense of my thoughts and feelings. But really, there’s nothing to make sense of. Mom is exactly how she’s been for the past six years and I don’t think it’ll ever change. Still, I’ll make sure to visit her as often as I can so she won’t be alone.

About an hour and a half later, we drive into Edenbury.

“I’m thinking we should get pizza for dinner,” Ally says. “What do you say? Or would you prefer something else?”

I shrug. “I’m fine with whatever.”

She pulls into a spot in front of Barnie’s Pizzeria. “Want to come in or wait here?”

I like being alone, but I don’t want to think about the pain my family went through and I need a distraction. “I’ll come.”

She smiles. “You can choose whatever pizza you want. Believe me, Barnie’s has all kinds.”

I follow her into the pizzeria and inhale the delicious smell of cheese and sauce. It’s been a while since I’ve had good pizza. My previous home wasn’t big on unhealthy food and the pizza at school was crap.

Ally leads me to the counter where we examine all the different kinds of pizzas they have here. She turns to me. “Zack and I like plain cheese. So does Zoey. But like I said, pick whatever you want.”

Some of these toppings are so strange, I have no idea what to make of them. And really, I’m not that picky. Pushing some hair out of my face, I say, “I’ll go with plain cheese, too.”

“All right. Two pies to go, please,” she tells the guy behind the counter.

I examine the place. There are so many families eating here. Parents, kids, grandparents. Happy and smiling and enjoying each other’s company. I never met my grandparents because two died before I was born and the others died when I was pretty young. I wonder if any of them would have taken me in had they been alive. Some kids at the group home I was in told me their grandparents didn’t want to take care of them. Was too much work.

“Here ya go,” the guy behind the counter says as he hands Ally the pies. “Enjoy.”

“Can I carry those for you?” I ask her.

“Yes, thanks.” She passes the boxes to me. “Smells so good, doesn’t it? There’s nothing better than fresh pizza.”

I nod, wanting to say more, but I guess I’m not in the mood. Seeing all these families makes me remember the good old times.

Ally and I return to the car and head home. She talks a bit here and there, but for the most part it’s quiet. She herself isn’t such an outspoken person. She told me she was very shy when she was my age.

We reach the house, get out of the car, and Ally announces to the others that we brought pizza. Zack’s watching TV and Zoey’s probably in her room.

As Ally goes to the kitchen to place the pizza on the table, Zack motions for me to join him on the couch. He shuts the TV off.

“How did it go?” he asks me.

I want to shrug, but my shoulders are as stiff as wood. “Fine.”

“Anything you want to talk about?”

I shake my head.

He places his hand on my arm. “You don’t have to go through this alone. I’ve been there. I know exactly what you’re going through. So please, if you ever want to talk, I’m here.”

My throat burns as I nod. “Y-yeah, I know, thanks. But I don’t have anything to say.”

He watches me for a little bit. “It’s okay to be angry, you know. Or sad, or however you feel. But it’s not okay to keep everything bottled up. And if you don’t want to talk to me or my wife, maybe we can make another appointment with Dr. Hanton.”

“I’m not going back to him.”

He holds up his hands. “All right. It was just a suggestion.” He pats my arm again. “I just want to make sure you’re happy.”

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