Page 105 of The Version You Hide

“Okay,” she says hesitantly. “Where are you going?”

“Milton.” It’s the only word I need to say out loud. The rest can be communicated through one look.

Her brow shoots upward and I know she understands what I’m telling her. Suddenly, the atmosphere feels charged, a tension falling over us.

“Do you need me to come with you?” she asks.

I shake my head, knowing I need to do this alone. “Maybe next time.”

“Okay.” She stands and moves toward the hall table, digging for the keys in her bag. She places them in my palm. “Be careful.”

“Thank you,” I say, clutching them tightly in my fist. “I’ll be back before my shift starts at the tavern tonight.”

She nods as I turn toward the front door. I pause when I hear her call my name. “Mackenzie?”

I swivel back around and then her arms are around me, squeezing me tightly in a warm sisterly hug. It’s obvious, at least to me, why I’ve never been a fan of physical affection. The only human contact I’ve ever had has been forced or abusive, but I relish this moment here in my sister’s arms, allowing her to hold me.

“I’m proud of you,” she whispers.

When her grip loosens from around me, we share a knowing look, before I turn and walk down the front steps. She watches from the porch as I reverse back down the driveway, offering a small smile and a wave.

Forty-five minutes later I’m pulling into the Rykers rehabilitation facility. I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t considered turning around at least ten times on the way here. I consider it once more now, but I’ve come this far.

Nerves overwhelm me as I approach the front desk. Again, I second guess whether I should even be here. I know I don’t need to be. That this is my choice. I don’t owe anything to anyone else, but at the very least, I need to do this for myself. I need to see this through.

“Can I help you, Miss?” I’m greeted at reception by an

older woman with a stern disposition.

“Uh, hi,” I say timidly, my voice smaller than I intended. “I’m here to visit Greg Riley.”

“Do you have an appointment?” She barely makes eye contact with me as she begins flipping through a stack of paperwork on the desk in front of her.

“No, but I really need to see him.” I was afraid she might ask me this.

“I’m sorry,” she replies bluntly. “Even if he has visitation rights and you are an approved contact, I can’t let you in without an appointment.”

“Please. It’s really important that I see him. I’m his daughter and – ”

“I really can’t help you today, but you can make an appointment for next week if you like.”

“I have to see him now.” Desperation has begun to seep in through my veins. I can’t go another week without seeing him. I’ve already left it too long as it is. “There’s been a death in the family.”

I realise I’m giving the term ‘family’ more meaning that it deserves in this context.

The lady at the desk goes still. This time she finally looks up at me, her features softening. “I’m so sorry to hear that. Alright, we may be able to make an exception. Let me see if I can help.”

She begins tapping away on the keyboard in front of her. “Greg Riley, you said?”

“Yes,” I answer eagerly.

“Can you confirm your father’s date of birth?”

I rattle off my father’s birth date and she gives a brief nod. Her expression doesn’t give anything away as she continues tapping away some more on the keys.

“And your name?”

“Mackenzie Riley.”

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