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“I don’t know,” he answered. “I mean, I guess I could tell her now, but then she’d leave. I don’t want her to go. Not yet,” Warwick paused and sipped his drink. “I love her. I just wish I knew if she’d stay with me or not.”
“You have to tell her the truth,” Kevin said quietly.
“I know. I will. Just not yet,” Warwick said. “I just want to enjoy this time with her. Give me a day or so more, and then I will.”
I glowered at the food in anger. Warwick knew it was safe for me to go home and was lying to me. That seemed impossible. He’d acted like he wanted me to go as much as I wanted to. I turned and stormed back to the kitchen. How could he be lying to me when he knew how badly I needed to see my family?
I sat in the kitchen and tried to figure out what to do. On the one hand, I loved being here with Warwick, but on the other, I wanted to be with my family. The fact that Warwick was lying to me seemed incomprehensible after all he’d done to protect me. Was it all lies? Had he been secretly planning to keep me here all along?
I knew this wasn’t the case. He’d told Kevin he’d tell me in a day or so, but my mind just couldn’t get over the fact that he’d lied. And for what? Didn’t he think I wanted to be here with him? Why hadn’t he just come clean and told me the truth? That he wanted me here. Maybe we could have worked it out in some way, but what kind of relationship was it if he felt the need to lie about something so big?
Just ask him. Give him a chance to tell the truth.
Warwick came in an hour later and saw the sandwiches, untouched, on the counter.
“Are these for us?” he asked. I nodded mutely.
He shoved a huge bite in his mouth and smiled. “These are great!”
“Can I ask you a question?”
“Of course, what’s up?”
“Is it safe for me to go home now? Is Alex going legal?”
Warwick hesitated. “Maybe,” he said. “I thought I told you that?”
“You did,” I said and stood. “I’m going to take a shower.”
“Okay.” He looked confused. “Are you mad at me?”
“No,” I called over my shoulder. I wasn’t mad. Mad didn’t even begin to describe what I was feeling.
Maybe I’m overreacting.
In fact, I knew I was, but once I started, I couldn’t stop. I took a long shower, and by the time I came out, Warwick was gone, a note left for me on the bedside table.
Sarah,
I’ve gone for a long run. I’ll be back in two hours or so. I want to talk to you about something.
Love, Warwick
I flipped the sheet of paper over and scribbled my reply.
Warwick,
I’m gone. Don’t find me this time. I know you’re lying to me about it being safe for me to go home. Have a nice life.
Sarah
I quickly grabbed a small backpack with only essentials. I knew I had to leave before I changed my mind. Sure, it was a small white lie and one day didn’t make much of a difference, but the fact that he’d lie at all was what bothered me. I’d leave the clothes Warwick and Maria bought me for him to deal with. Let him pass them to the next girl for all I cared. They wouldn’t fit me soon anyway.
On a whim, I crept into the bedroom and dug through Warwick’s top drawer. I’d seen him put his wallet there before and he always had cash on him. I’d need it if I was going to make the long walk to town. I felt guilty as I pocketed the five hundred in cash that Warwick had stashed, but the feeling passed as my body surged with adrenaline at the prospect of taking off and going home.
I gave the chalet one last glance and closed the door behind me. I jogged as quickly as I could towards the nearest town. According to the internet, there was a bus station there with a bus that left early the next morning. I’d sleep there if I had to.
It took me four hours to get to the station. I stopped twice for snacks and water while I debated what to do next. I didn’t even know where my mom was, I realized. What was the point of going home if she wasn’t there?
