No, keep it quiet! Too many questions mean she’s fishing! Don’t give her anything she can use! Protect yourself, girl.
But it’s Talia.
And? People switch up every day, Haelyn!
It’s been fourteen years since y’all last seen each other, so imagine how much has probably changed about her.
Just lie cute and keep it moving, babe.
I inhaled slowly and nodded like I agreed with myself because I did.
The truth was messy, complicated, and dangerous in the wrong hands.
“Just a change of scenery,” I lied smoothly.
Talia tilted her head, studying my face as though she could see the pieces I didn’t say out loud.
“What about you? How didyouend up here?” I asked, hoping to shift the spotlight.
“Well… I ended up getting adopted, girl! Lucky me!”
Yeah, lucky you, I didn’t voice the words; I just swallowed the small lump that rose in my throat.
“Oh, my God they were the best parents ever!” she continued bragging. “I wish they could’ve been my birth parents!”
“Wait… you said,were.What happened to them?”
A solemn look washed over her face like a storm cloud crossing the sun.
“They were in a terrible accident two years ago. I’d give anything to still have them here with me, ya’ know?”
I nodded slowly, offering sympathy I couldn’t quite feel.
I didn’t know what it was like to mourn real, unconditional love. My last foster parents were gentle, respectful, and generous with food and clothes, but there were two other kids in the house also. We all had to share the same love, attention,andspace. Nobody wasmine.
“Well, look, I gotta run,” she announced. “But we gotta talk soon! I wanna hear more about this ex of yours, and how life has been treating you since we last spoke. We need drinks, food… a whole catch-up session. Actually, are you free tomorrow?”
I blinked, surprised by how natural the invitation felt… and how badly I wanted to sayyes.
“Tomorrow works,” I finally replied, forcing a real smile.
“Bet.” Talia pulled her phone from her purse. “Let’s exchange numbers before you vanish again.”
We traded phones.
That little phone was charging back on the counter when I arrived at the apartment Dr. Loomis ‘temporary’ gifted me. The phone felt like a lifeline. Now, standing in the middle of a grocery store exchanging numbers with someone who used to braid my hair and steal my socks, it felt like a bridge back to being… human.
“Okay, Miss Haelyn, tomorrow… noon… my treat! And don’t you flake! I’ve been dying to know where your pretty self has been!”
I chuckled softly. “Wouldn’t miss it.”
We hugged briefly. It was awkward, warm, and full of unspoken things.
“It’s so good to see you, Haelyn. Until tomorrow, take care.”
“Likewise.”
When Talia walked away, I just stood there, hands gripping the cart handle.
