BrookLyn's Journey, page 7
What did I do to deserve her? If you could feel love in every inch of your body, then maybe she was in love, because that is what she felt like. A slow smile spread across BrookLyn’s face as she realized it. She was in love—in love with a girl, yes, but finally in love with something other than her books. She never wanted to go back home. Not even to get her clothes. She knew she had to, but she didn’t have to want to.
Gabby made some sounds down in the kitchen, it sounded like she was preparing dinner. The thought of food made BrookLyn’s stomach growl. She was about to go check if Gabby needed any help and in she walked with a pizza and some soda. It was BrookLyn’s favorite pizza. Maybe she had been watching her like she’d said she was. It isn’t everyday someone orders the crazy toppings that BrookLyn did.
“How’d you know I liked pepperoni, onions, mushrooms, pineapples, and ketchup on my pizza?”
She slanted BrookLyn a sly look and took a bite of the pizza. “I know things.”
So, she is a stalker. I read about those and heard about them on the news, but those ones weren’t good people.
“No, I’m not a stalker.”
I know she didn’t just snatch a thought out of my head. “Really?”
“I do that sometimes.”
It’s time to start thinking only about the moon, the stars, and the sky. “That’s not fair. You didn’t tell me anything about being a mind reader.”
“I can’t read minds all of the time, but if I listen closely I can hear you.”
“Well, that’s the same thing isn’t it?” BrookLyn thought it was. She felt like Gabby was violating her thoughts, like she was snatching them out of her head as if she had a right to. I have to think about something else other than her.
Gabby started laughing.
Not having a lock on her door was bad, but this was a million times worse. BrookLyn finally stopped trying to change her thoughts because the more she tried, the more Gabby laughed.
***
They finished eating the pizza. BrookLyn was trying so hard not to think anything that she didn’t want Gabby to know. She didn’t want her to overhear the battle between her heart and mind. That wasn’t fair. Besides she might think BrookLyn didn’t care. She decided conversation was best. “So, how do you get to stay alone and I get smothered at my house?”
“Well, my aunt knows that I can take care of myself. Plus, she has her own family.”
“Does your aunt have a name?”
“Her name is Jenna.”
“Aren’t you afraid to be here alone, without your Aunt Jenna?”
“Not really. Besides sometimes my cousins are here. I’m not always alone. They work and stuff, but sometimes they hang out here with their girlfriends or boyfriends. It’s like one big party.”
BrookLyn wished her life were as happy as Gabby’s with no adults guiding her every footstep. She may need them, but not every minute of the day. Her parents were not good parents. They fed and clothed her but that was about it. They beat their children just because they were there. Why didn’t anyone keep us safe from them? People had to know what they were doing to them in that house. Ms. Cora seemed to know.
“I’ll keep you safe from them,” Gabby said.
Another thought violation. BrookLyn hated that she could read her mind. Maybe she can’t help it. Maybe she sometimes did it on purpose.
“No, I don’t. I try not to do it. Sometimes I can’t. I have to be really focused for it to happen.”
“Do you read everyone’s thoughts?”
“Only people that I’m close to, and it has to be very close.” She leaned in playfully.
“Did you know that I would be your girlfriend when you asked?”
“Why do you ask that?”
“Because I am not stupid.”
She busted out laughing so BrookLyn knew the answer. She was a little annoyed and embarrassed, but laughed too.
“Since I was a little kid, I was sometimes able to read what people were thinking. Like I said, I don’t do it often but I can.”
“Are you psychic?”
“Not really. Sometimes I just have a way of figuring things out before they’ve even been said.”
“Well, that my friend is psychic.”
Gabby shrugged her shoulders. “Let’s watch TV.”
BrookLyn was happy that she could watch videos. At home she usually got stuck watching the news with her parents. They said it was because they thought she’d learn something. She did. She learned that she absolutely hated the news.
“So, how are you planning on keeping me safe from the monsters that I live with? I have to go back home to their reality eventually, don’t I?”
“You could stay here with me—I mean, if you want.”
That’s a good thought, but what if we don’t like each other anymore, or if she stops loving me? That would mean hiding out. BrookLyn was fine not seeing her parents ever again, but she wanted to see Peyton, Jayde, and Ebonee again. They didn’t see each other now, but they were the only people who knew the pain she’s been through. They’d lived the same pain. The thought of not seeing her brother and sisters ever again was too much. They had kept her laughing and had given her hope that things would get better. Their relationships existed only by telephone, but at least it existed.
Her father stopped hitting Peyton because he got as big as him. He stopped hitting Jayde and Ebonee because they left. BrookLyn was the smallest in the bunch, the one left alone. He hit her mother sometimes, but as long as one of the children was there, he focused on them.
“I love and treasure you...okay?” She turned her mesmerizing eyes toward BrookLyn again. “And I will do my very best to protect you.”
It was like getting hypnotized staring at the dancing flame on a candle, and as expected, she melted in Gabby’s loving arms.
“We won’t just be hanging around the house all day. Let’s go out and have some fun.” Gabby kissed BrookLyn on the forehead.
She was excited that they had no adults watching them, and she felt truly free for the first time in her eighteen years of life. Her brother and sisters probably lived and breathed this feeling. It felt good and BrookLyn planned on holding onto it while she could. “Where are we going?”
“I have some friends that I want you to meet, so we’re gonna go and do that. I’ve been talking about you for about a year and they’re tired of hearing about you. They want to meet you.”
“I’m never around anyone new really, so I’m a little nervous.”
“There ain’t anything to be nervous about. You’re with me.” Gabby turned around and checked herself out in the mirror. “My friends are quite interesting. We’ll have a lot of fun.”
“So you say.” BrookLyn shrugged her shoulders, not convinced. “Are they...different...like you?”
“Not everyone is psychic, but isn’t everyone a little different? What kind of world would it be if we were all the same?”
BrookLyn wondered what her mother and father were doing. She was glad they went away, despite the reason. Her mind drifted off to some of her friend’s parents. She imagined them being as mean and cruel as hers. She shuddered at the thought, and cringed, thinking of a world where misery was the norm. If they knew I was over here, would he beat me to death? A chill soared down her back. She quickly pushed the frightening thought out of her head. She knew the answer. A slow painful death would be her reward.
“Let’s clean up and go,” Gabby announced, pulling BrookLyn’s mind back to the room. Then she grabbed the napkins she was using, balled them up, and placed them in her empty cup.
BrookLyn smiled, watching Gabby act like she was on the basketball court defending the ball for her team. After bobbing and weaving around her imaginary defender, Gabby reared back and tossed the cup into the wastebasket. Then she hissed as if she were a roaring crowd and raised her arms in the air. BrookLyn laughed, as did Gabby, who then continued cleaning up without the extra imaginary game play.
“All done.” Gabby sat down and started scrolling through her phone. “Go get ready, Sweets.”
***
After she got dressed, BrookLyn combed her hair into a ponytail, topping it off with the hat that Gabby had given her, hoping a little flash would take the focus off her cheap jeans. When BrookLyn came back in the room Gabby announced they were going to the mall.
“What for?”
“We need to get you some new clothes and sneakers.”
“I don’t have any money for that.” She never had money for clothes, or anything else that she ever wanted.
“I’ve got money and need to grab some stuff for me too. So, I figured we could get you some things.”
Gabby didn’t need any clothes. BrookLyn had seen that she had two large closets full of clothes. In fact, the light-colored jeans, light blue polo and navy blue jacket she had on now seemed to have a hint of newness to them.
Still, BrookLyn was excited. She never shopped at the mall. She was lucky to get hand-me-downs from her sisters, or people at church. Her parents wouldn’t let her have a job, so she had no choice but to wear them. Her brother and sisters had to buy all of their own clothes and they didn’t have that much money left over to help BrookLyn. They had received partial scholarships and still had to pay some tuition. They were all trying to escape and if it meant she had to suffer in hand-me-downs, so be it.
“I’m ready!” BrookLyn couldn’t hide her excitement. Since she didn’t seem to be able to hide anything from Gabby anyway, why try. She did a little happy dance and it made Gabby grin.
“Me too. No more hand me downs for you!” Gabby locked up the house and they were ready to go.
BrookLyn wondered how they were going to get to the mall.
“I have a car. It was in the shop.” Gabby said innocently, invading BrookLyn’s thoughts again.
“Oh, what happened?”
“Nothing. Just regular service.”
She gave Gabby a playful nudge. “I didn’t know you could drive.”
“I know. That wasn’t really a secret-secret. So, I guess it’s okay that you know that.” She nudged BrookLyn back and they both giggled.
“Ha. Ha. You’re such a funny girl,” BrookLyn said as smugly as she could.
She watched Gabby open the garage door. There was a sky-blue Honda SUV in it, already running.
“Do you start cars with your mind too?”
Gabby jingled her key ring in front of BrookLyn’s face. “I have a car starter.” She chuckled. “I’m good, but I’m not that good.”
***
“Here we are,” Gabby announced.
BrookLyn looked up and they were at the South Park Galleria Mall. She’d never been to the mall before. She could barely contain her excitement.
“Let’s go get you some clothes.” Gabby kissed BrookLyn on the lips right in front of a lady and her little girl walking to their car. They must not have noticed, or the mother was really open minded, because they didn’t look at the girls in horror. Gabby grabbed BrookLyn’s hand and walked her into the mall.
“We won’t be here that long. We have to meet everybody in about an hour. Can you shop quickly?”
“I’ve never shopped here before, but I am sure I can.”
“I’ll lead. You follow.”
BrookLyn nodded in agreement, her eyes wide, looking around at the many stores and clothes. They walked into what Gabby said was her favorite store. BrookLyn must have had a stunned look on her face, because Gabby looked at her and giggled.
BrookLyn couldn’t believe she was in a store full of True Religion jeans. Some of her classmates wore them to school and she’d always liked them. Once she looked at the price tags, she was even more aware that she was out of her element. She tried not to gasp out loud. Being here in the mall was another dream that Gabby made come true for BrookLyn.
They walked around for a bit then Gabby grabbed a few pairs of jeans, a couple of shirts and one jean jacket and tossed them over her folded arms. She already had a pile of clothes, but continued searching the circular racks, pulling clothes off for BrookLyn to try on. “I’ll wait out here while you try them on.” She handed her some of the clothes.
BrookLyn looked at the salesgirl who was getting ready to unlock the dressing room. “Can she come in with me?”
“Well, we’re not supposed to let you do that but sure, go ahead.” The sales girl winked. “Ain’t my store.”
BrookLyn thanked the girl and held the door open for Gabby. Then she planted a big kiss on her cheek after the door was closed. She hadn’t told Gabby her size before she started piling up the clothes for her to try on, but they all looked right. “So, you know my size, too?”
“Baby girl, I know all there is to know about you including your favorite color, shoe size and favorite jeans. When are you going to believe me?”
“The problem is, I do believe you, but I can’t believe it.” They kissed again, this time on the lips. And then BrookLyn realized that she would have to get undressed in front of Gabby. I should have thought about that. She had been concerned about having Gabby there to tell her what looked good and what didn’t—she had no clue—but she had forgotten this part.
“I’ll turn around.”
“I’m sorry.” BrookLyn was happy that Gabby had read her mind that time. At least she didn’t have to say it.
“Don’t be.” Gabby turned to face the wall.
BrookLyn removed her jeans to try on the new clothes. It was the happiest she had ever been in her life right at that moment. She could feel her heart filling up as she put on a pair of the jeans that Gabby had pulled off the rack. Then she added the t-shirt and jean jacket that Gabby had brought into the dressing room.
“You can turn around,” she said.
“It’s about time.” Gabby turned and looked almost as happy for BrookLyn as BrookLyn felt for herself.
“You like?” BrookLyn modeled the outfit around the small space, strutting in front of Gabby in her seated position. She had placed a hat on her head and BrookLyn thought the way Gabby wore it was sexy. She almost lost her breath.
“You have no idea just how much I like it.” Gabby grabbed BrookLyn around the waist pulling her close. She tore the tags off the clothes and said, “You can wear this outfit tonight and the rest we can take home and leave at my house.”
“I need to try them on. Don’t I?”
“Not really. They’re all the same style and cut. You’ll be fine.”
BrookLyn held her breath and glanced at the pile of her old clothes—her old self. She plopped down on the dressing room bench beside Gabby as tears surfaced, trying to ruin their shopping party. She looked at Gabby, as if seeing her for the first time, and her heart was melting from the extreme joy she felt. She stood back up not realizing she was chewing her fingernails, until Gabby called her out on it.
Gabby touched her hand removing it from her mouth. “You do that a lot. You okay?”
“I’m good. I just do that sometimes. I guess it’s just stress. I was wondering what my parents would think if they knew I wasn’t upstairs in my room alone.”
“Don’t cry, Sweets.” Gabby lifted her cap off her head and stroked the tear that streaked down BrookLyn’s cheek.
“I’m not sad. I’m just so happy. No one has ever done anything like this for me before.”
“No one but me, and that’s because I love you with every fiber of my being. Now wipe those tears away.”
BrookLyn pulled herself together. She may have been broken, but she was not going to let her parents ruin this. She couldn’t.
“I’ll take the tags up front so I can pay for this stuff.”
“What’s this?” BrookLyn pointed to the silver-gray piece of plastic attached to all of the clothes.
“Oops, I forgot about those. Those are security tags. Take off the clothes real quick, she can remove them, and then we’re good to go.” Gabby stood and turned her back so BrookLyn could change.
That simple little gesture made BrookLyn feel so at home with Gabby. Respect. Privacy. She was so not used to getting those things. It almost made her tear up again. Instead she thanked Gabby and took the clothes off, handing them to her.
“I’ll bring them right back.” She took all of the clothes, leaving BrookLyn in the dressing room wearing her bra and panties.
She looked at her old clothes again. She wanted to throw them all away, burn them even, but she couldn’t, she had to wear them home. She felt so great in the new ones since they were in style. The new clothes felt different. They made BrookLyn feel different too. She never thought she would ever wear a pair of brand name jeans until she had left home and was able to buy her own. She couldn’t wait for Gabby to bring them back to her.
Gabby knocked on the door then came in with her eyes closed. She had lots of bags in her hands. She handed BrookLyn the new clothes to put back on and she got dressed then tapped Gabby on the shoulder. She put the jacket on.
Gabby turned around. “Here, this hat matches better than that one and the sneakers do too.” With Gabby it all had to be as impeccable as she was. Gabby grinned. “Don’t let anyone tell you any different. Life truly is a fashion show.” She pulled BrookLyn close, kissing her with passion.
“I only saw one of the tags but I know it cost a lot, and I’m sorry Gabby.”
“Nothing is ever too much for you. Remember that.”
BrookLyn nodded. This has to be a dream. I don’t want to ever wake up if it is. I don’t care what Gabby said. My life ain’t ever been grand, until today.
They walked to the car and put BrookLyn’s new clothes in the trunk. As they leaned on the passenger side door facing each other, she looked Gabby dead in the eyes and realized something. I might really love her. She loves me. My parents will be horrified.
