Page 58 of Only the Small Bones
Ryan:Good. I wasn’t sure if you and Xavier were friends again. I’ve been gone a long time.
I knew what he meant by “friends.”
Me:There’s no one else.
Ryan:Okay. And I know you want to tell me I don’t have to, but I already know that. I don’t have to do anything I don’t want to. No means no. And stop sometimes means no too. And I have a right to change my mind. Anyone who doesn’t agree is the one with the problem, not me. That’s what Dr. Shwartz said. I’m starting to believe her.
Me:I see you’ve picked up mind reading lol. Dr. Shwartz is right, though. And have I told you how freaking proud I am of you?
I got another blushing emoji.
Ryan:Did you get my note?
Me:Yes. I’m glad you didn’t let me change your mind. And she’s safe.
Ryan:She?
Me:Yeah, it just felt right from the moment I held her.
He sent through three laughing emojis. I wondered what he’d think if he knew I’d named the violin too.Isabella.
Me:My mother still worries about you.
A pink heart came through before a lull in the conversation. It was one in the morning.
Me:Are you still there?
Ryan:Yea
He’d forgotten the “h.”
Me:Are you tired?
He sent a sleepy emoji.
Me:Get some rest.
Ryan:Bye.
Me:Goodnight.
I fell asleep counting down the seconds until Thursday.
Wiliam
Safe Haven had a system in place for visitors. There were days designated for family and friends. But outside of that, no one without pre-authorization was allowed to just “drop by,” or show up at the facility. Authorized visitors were sequestered in areas where visits took place, private rooms on the third level of the community hall, right above the floor where the classrooms and yoga studio were located. When the weather permitted, the courtyard and gardens were safe zones too.
Visitors weren’t allowed to roam freely. They were provided a Safe Haven liaison to escort them to and from their meeting place. Most of our residents were hesitant to strangers, and our number one priority was providing them a safe place.
Residents were free to come and go as they wished. We weren’t running a prison system, and saw it as a great improvement when they felt strong enough to venture outside on their own. It brought them one step closer to starting a productive life outside of our walls.
Many knew me as the founder, and were always grateful and happy to see me stroll through Safe Haven’s doors. But there were others, survivors who’d more recently arrived and had yet to meet me. They would be leery. I didn’t want to be treated differently, didn’t want any special privileges. So I went through the proper protocols before showing up for my lunch with Ryan.
A group of young women I’d met before hung out in the sitting area playing cards. They smiled and waved as Peggy led me through the community hall lounge and into the dining area.
“You’re soaking wet.”
“I rushed out of the car without my umbrella. Felt pointless going back for it.”
