Page 11 of Fight Or Flight

Yeah, those paramedics gave in quickly.

Riggs had a scary side which was completely unexpected because any time my mom spoke about her friend Robert, she made it seem like he was a rich nerd. If this guy is rich, he doesn’t flaunt it. I mean, that vest must be as old as me and that t-shirt couldn’t have cost more than ten bucks. His jeans look like they’ve seen better days too. But hey, I’m not judging.

The truth is, I don’t know what I would’ve done without him. Even now, I don’t know what I’ll do if he leaves. He’s a complete stranger, and he’s all I’ve got.

He takes a seat beside me and unloads the junk food onto the chair on the other side of him.

“I’ve got chocolate, candy, chips, some weird gluten thing, and some cookies,” he shares. With every item he mentions, he lifts it over his head as if it’s a prize. Then he suddenly freezes and turns to me.

“Hey, do you want ice cream instead? I’ll call Jack and have him bring the ice cream truck here.”

I have no idea who Jack is, but the fact this guy has an ice cream truck on speed dial is pretty impressive.

“What’s your favorite flavor? Me, myself, I’m a fan of chocolate with rainbow sprinkles.”

Yeah, not a nerd.

Strange, though.

Very, very, strange.

“I’m not hungry,” I say as he hands me a bag of chips.

“Nonsense,” he scoffs, popping open the bag. Keeping one hand on the bag of chips, he reaches out, takes one of mine, and shoves it inside the bag. “Eat.”

Sighing, I take the chips from him.

“Thanks,” I mutter. I get the feeling he’s not going to relent so I shove a chip in my mouth and the guy grins like he just won the lottery or something before ripping open a sleeve of Oreos.

“So, this is what stress eating is like, huh?” he questions with his mouth full.

“More like emotional eating, but…po-tay-toh, po-tat-oh,” I say, holding up the bag of chips for extra emphasis. He smiles at my attempt to lighten the mood and I shove another chip in my mouth.

“Is there someone I should call? Your grandparents, maybe?”

I stop chewing and force the chip down my throat with a swallow. Everything happened so quickly back at Kate’s there was no time for questions. No time for me to explain me and mom only have each other.

Tears fill my eyes as I turn my attention back to Riggs. I open my mouth to tell him the truth, but instead of words, a sob slips past my lips. He immediately tosses his Oreos to the side and wraps his arms around me, pulling me close. The tears fall fast and furiously down my cheeks, soaking his t-shirt as he gently strokes my back and I realize no one other than my mother has ever consoled me. No one but her has hugged me so tightly.

“Shhh…it’s okay,” he murmurs. “I’ve got you, kid.”

If only he knew how badly I needed to hear those words.

If only he knew how scared I am.

Lifting my head from his chest, I pull out of his arms and wipe my cheeks with the backs of my hands. Then I meet his concerned gaze.

“It’s just us,” I confess. “That’s why we’re here. The doctors told us she only had weeks left to live and instead of processing she’s dying, she packed our bags, hoping my dad would take me in when she dies.” I pause. It sounds so desperate. “I’ll be eighteen in two months,” I explain, lifting my eyes to his. “So, no, there’s no one to call.”

Not a soul.

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