Page 34 of Fall

I don’t understand how people can’t see that a book isn’t just ink on a page. It’s the window into someone else’s mind, the sorcery that creates images in your own. Great stories make us timeless and limitless with the ability to decide a different path whenever we want.

Much like how I’ve been for the last hour or so, Celeste doesn’t really know what to do. So she just stands beside me as I walk through the aisles, aimlessly touching spines and pulling out random books, chatting about nothing consequential.

We manage to find a few that she might be interested in, and I have to narrow my choices down to what I can comfortably carry in my backpack. I head to the register to pay for my treasures while she takes a seat by the window.

“Evie, come here. You’ve got to see this,” she whispers as if we’re in a library, frantically summoning me with her hand.

I walk to the window, and she continues, “Is that Genna?” She gasps as we both watch Genna stand in front of a bridal boutique, chatting with a woman who looks far too familiar.

“Are they seriously getting married? I mean, I know she got that promise ring and all, but I really didn’t think Caleb was going to go through with it. I mean, it’s a promise ring, not an engagement ring. And from what Justin used to tell me, she and Caleb were strained at best.”

Celeste keeps talking, but I’m no longer listening. I lean my head towards hers.

“Who’s the woman she’s talking to?” I inquire, already knowing the answer.

She squints through the window. “I think that’s Caleb’s mom. I saw her once during freshman year. Wow… it must be serious then.”

She continues, but I’ve stopped listening.

I stumble back into the table next to me.

“Evie, you okay?”

My mind races as I try to remember how to breathe. That woman owned the group home Ivy and I were in under the guise of giving back to the less fortunate. And all that time, she was living the life of luxury while her husband raped me.

I close my eyes and start my breathing exercises.I am not a victim.I keep the steady mantra in my head while I force my body to calm down. The bookstore feels like it’s shrinking in on me and I’m going to suffocate.

“Evie,” Celeste says again, more forcefully, her eyes scrunching in concern.

I take a deep breath in and nod my head. “Yeah, I’m fine. I just got a little dizzy, and it’s a little hot in here. Let’s go.”

“Sure thing, babe. Let’s hit the stores across the street.” She grabs all of our bags, looking like the lead character inPretty Woman, and leads me out the door.

The cool air feels like a balm on my face as we walk across the street. I glance behind me to see Genna embrace Connie in a hug before they get into separate cars, and I walk briskly into the next boutique to hide from the passing cars.

The last thing I need is for her to see me. I don’t need that kind of trouble.

* * *

We walk around different shops for another hour before Celeste decides to call it a day and we head to The Brewery. The place is crowded with the late dinner crowd, but we still manage to get a table and order food rather quickly. Celeste raises her Long Island Iced Tea to me in salute.

“Cheers to our first of many real shopping trips,” she says with a genuine smile.

I lift a rum and coke to my lips while my eyes wander the room. I get about halfway through the motion and choke, spitting out what managed to get into my mouth.

“Hole in your mouth?” Celeste smirks.

I lean in closer to the table, ignoring her comment, and whisper, “Don’t look now, but on your right, near the back corner, is Genna. But get this, she’s sitting with Ryan.”

Her eyes grow wide in shock, and then she immediately turns around to search the area.

“I said not now, asshole,” I grind out, but she ignores me.

Her arms tense as soon as she finds them. “What the hell are they doing here? This place is too poor for that bitch.”

I shrug my shoulders but offer her no answer. How the fuck would I know, anyway?

The waitress takes this moment to bring us our food and effectively blocks the aberrations of humanity from view. When she finally leaves, Celeste finds her voice again.

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