Page 20 of Scarred By Love

"More like a bad reality show."

"So where are you now?"

I flopped back onto the bed. "Kodiak Island, Alaska. I didn't even realize Alaska had islands. I guess that's what happens when you get a GED and not a high school diploma.”

"Oh stop it. You made the best of the shitty life you were given, and besides, look at you now. You're rockin' life. Your blogs are amazing and people all over the world are inspired by your designs."

She was wrong. When I first started posting about my thrift store projects, it was just a therapeutic way of letting out my creativity. I never expected it to take off or to be my main source of income every month.

"Besides, now that the community thought you were dead, your page follows have doubled."

"Missy!" I didn't hide my shock.

"Girl, I'm just saying. This could be huge for you. Just think of all the publicity you're going to get when the world finds out you're alive."

I cringed at the thought. As much as I loved blogging, I loved it for the anonymity of it. Sure, I took a picture of myself with my work every now and then, but for the most part, people followed the blog to see what I created. Not for how I was doing.

"Food's ready!" William shouted from down the hall.

"Look, I have to go but I'll call you tomorrow."

"You better. I want more details." I could hear my friend start to choke up. "Oh and, Sarah?"

"Yeah?"

"I love you and I'm so glad you’re alive."

Now it was my turn to feel the tears come on. "I love you too. Talk soon."

I hung up the phone and made my way down the hall to the kitchen. Graham was already seated at the table in a pair of basketball shorts and a t-shirt that looked to be about one size too small, that was how tight it fit around his muscles.

"Come." William waved me over. "Get some food in your belly. God only knows how long it's been since you last ate."

I looked over at Graham for direction. I didn't know how much he had told the old man about our time since the crash of the plane.

"Yes, it's been awhile."

Okay, so apparently we were evading. Good to know. We ate in silence. William looked like he wanted to ask questions but Graham was giving off the vibe that he didn't want to talk. I, on the other hand, kept my head down and focused on eating my soup and grilled cheese.

Both tasted heavenly after living on stale bread and water for a few days.

When we were all finished, I helped William clean up before going back to the bedroom. It was then that it hit me once again.

I had to share the small bed with a very big Graham.

"I'll sleep on the floor." It was like he could read my mind.

"Absolutely not. Both of us need proper rest and you can't get that on the floor."

Graham looked between the bed and me a few times before finally saying, "That bed is barely going to fit the two of us."

That was probably true but there was absolutely no way I was letting this man suffer more after everything he had done so far. "Then I guess it's a good thing I like my space and hug the edgeof the bed when I sleep. That should give you plenty of room. Now get in bed so that we can both sleep for once."

I wasn't even sure the man slept while we were in captivity. I sure never saw him do it. I pulled the covers down and crawled into the bed, making sure to take up as little room as possible.

It took a few moments but Graham finally followed me in. I heard rather than saw him because I was facing the edge. I expected that to be it, so I was surprised when a second later I heard, "Good night, Sarah. Sleep well."

"Night, Graham. Sweet dreams."

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