Page 13 of Found By Him

“Families? As in, you had to be moved around?”

She nods. “I think I was placed with five, maybe six. I didn’t keep count. I did have one wonderful foster mom for about two years when I started high school. Her name was Clara. Unfortunately, she was older and couldn’t take care of me for long. But I would still visit her even after she went into a nursing home.” She fiddles with her wineglass. “Mychildhood is probably why I stayed with my ex for so long. I was afraid of being alone again.”

I’m at a loss as to what to say. Even with having an aunt and cousin who love me, I understand the feeling of abandonment and loneliness that comes with being left by a parent.

As I’m trying to figure out how to explain that I can relate, she says with a look of embarrassment, “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that last part. Let’s talk about something else.”

Wanting to ease her discomfort, I smile. “So I obviously know where you work, but what do you do there?”

She laughs. “Yes, you obviously do know, since you can creep on your vehicle. I’m the Controller.”

I don’t admit that I checked the tracker on my G-Wagon long before sending her lunch because I was curious about her and where she was. “Wow, accounting. So you’re intelligent and beautiful.”

A blush teases her cheeks as she rolls her lips over her teeth. Her voice is low and breathy as she replies, “Thank you.”

I shift in my seat. I love the sound of her voice, especially like that. “And outside of work?”

“Well, I bake,” she says, and I smile. I can’t wait to try one of her cookies. “I read a lot. And I volunteer a couple of times a week.”

“Where do you volunteer?”

“At a senior assisted living facility.”

“A senior center? So you do what? Play bingo?” I tease.

She smiles wide. “Every Saturday, in fact. Have you ever played?”

Chuckling, I shake my head.

“Well, don’t knock it till you try it. Because it is quite fun.”

“I will take your word for it.” I know she wanted to change the subject away from her childhood, but I’m curious. “Is Clara the reason you volunteer there?”

Surprise filters through her features. “She is, actually. Everyone there was so nice to her. And to me. Their kindness helped make a difficult time a little more…bearable.”

After she finishes her sentence, she continues looking at me with a mystified look.

“What? Why are you looking at me like that?”

“I was with my ex for five years, and he never put it together that Clara was why I volunteer at the senior center.”

9

Ella

Icontinue to stare at Jack, embarrassed by the emotions tightening my chest. Clara was the only person I ever really felt saw me. That’s why I always excelled at work. It was never personal. It was only about how hard I worked and never about who I was. It didn’t hurt when no one cared enough to really know me because they weren’t supposed to.

But Jack. With him, I get this crazy feeling inside me that he sees me and accepts me. And I’m not exactly sure how to handle those unfamiliar feelings.

I’m grateful when the waitress comes to our table to bring our food. While Jack asks her a question, I take the opportunity to pull myself together. I glance down and pick up my purse, grabbing my chapstick and noticing a text notification. As soon as I unlock the screen, a chill passes through my body. The blood drains from my face.

Unknown: Who the fuck is that?

I whip my head around, looking over the back of the booth. My eyes flying to every face, searching for…anything.

“Gisella? Are you okay?” Jack’s deep voice brings me back.

With one last glance around the restaurant, I pivot back in my seat to find Jack watching me, concern lining his face.

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