Page 110 of Margot
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
LENNOX
I had to talk Sutton into trying to reach out to DuBois’ students again but this time I told her not to meet anyone without me. I was supposed to be meeting these people with her anyway. I wanted to be angry with her for going alone but I couldn’t be.
She did something she felt she needed to do without me. She stood on her own and confronted her demons. As much as I adored Sutton, I couldn’t fight every battle with her or for her. It ripped me to shreds but she had to experience that shock and pain alone before I stepped in. Everything happened for a reason and that’s what I was going to tell myself.
Once she calmed down, she was open to searching for more of DuBois’ students. She wanted me to sit with her though. So we sat on the couch with a movie playing in the background while I rubbed her feet and she sent out messages to parents.
“What’s Margot think about this?” I asked her.
“I don’t know. She’s kind of deep in the forest.”
Dr. Adler told us that some people with DID saw a house where their alters gathered, others saw a field or a beach. Sutton and Margot saw a forest. I thought it was interesting. It represented Sutton so well.
She was like a forest. She was full to the brim with the most beautiful things. She was quiet and strong but delicate enough to need protection from people who tried to burn her.
“Okay,” Sutton breathed, “I sent out five more messages. I’ll do more later on. Someone has to want to come forward, right Lennox?” I couldn’t say anything but yes to those big brown eyes.
“Of course, Sutton. This didn’t only happen to you.” I knew that’s what she was starting to think and I wanted to deter her immediately. It didn’t matter to me how many meetings we had to go to, we’d find someone who was tired of being hurt and who wasn’t only after fame.
…
I made sure to be there for every meet-up Sutton scheduled over the next few weeks. And at every fucking meeting, we got scared ass parents who ran off in the other direction shaking their heads claiming DuBois wouldn’t hurt a fly. It was infuriating.
Margot remained buried deep in the forest and Sutton was starting to panic. “What if I’m just crazy, Lennox? What if none of that shit happened and somehow my broken brain made it all up?” She blinked away tears and I felt a surge of anger swell in my chest.
“Sutton, don’t you dare start second-guessing yourself. Nobody locks away that kind of trauma only to have it not be real.” Her sad eyes locked on to mine and I felt her tenacity slipping through the cracks.
Not on my goddamn watch.
I gripped her face in my hand and made her look at me. “You are doing an amazing job. I know we’ve had some setbacks but it’s not for nothing, baby.” I let her face go so I could smooth back wisps of her silky hair. “I refuse to let you give up on something that means so much to you. Once it means the world to you, guess what? It means the world to me too and I damn sure don’t give up. I believe you, Sutton. Margot wouldn’t have been created for nothing. Have faith in what she’s been showing you all this time.”
Sutton wrapped her arms around me so tight my breathing paused for a moment. I hugged her back and caressed the side of her face. I didn’t care how many people I had to reach out to, I was determined we would find at least one person brave enough to step forward.
I wanted to take Sutton’s mind off of everything so I took her to dinner at the restaurant we ate at with Ebony and Jovan months ago. I remembered there being a live jazz band that Sutton seemed enamored with. I thought listening to the music would put her at ease.
Ever since we’d been on the hunt for parents willing to step forward against DuBois, she’d been cutting her practice time down. I know it stressed her out. It also showed me how important getting DuBois locked up was to her.
“Isn’t this the restaurant Ebony and Jovan’s friend owns?” Sutton asked when we parked and got out. The weather was much warmer now that spring was in full effect so Sutton was able to wear things to show more skin.
I was so damn busy admiring her toned brown legs that I barely heard her.
“Huh?” I smirked, looking into her eyes.
“Lennox English, eyes up here.” I laughed a little and pulled her curvy frame against me.
“I’m sorry. You know how I get when you show leg.” I nipped at her neck and she giggled. “But yeah, this is the spot you’re thinking about. I thought you might want to hear some jazz.”
“God, how did I luck up with you?” The way she smiled up at me made me feel like a king.
“Lennox? Sutton?” I tore myself away from Sutton’s hypnotizing eyes only to have them land on Ebony and Jovan.
“What’s up?” I faked a smile and pulled Sutton close to me.
“Man, I’ve been meaning to catch up with you,” Jovan said. We slapped hands and I went right back to holding on to Sutton’s slender waist.
“Why? Everything okay?”
