Chapter 14
CHAPTER
FOURTEEN
GIRL ONE
“How do we know if it’s the right one?” I ask Nova. There are so many choices to select from inside this book that I’m having a hard time settling on one.
“It should be something that has a meaning for you,” he tells me.
“What would you suggest?” I query.
This is a big, life-altering decision and it has me feeling anxious and twitchy.
“Traditionally, women go with things like Hope, Faith, Honor… those types of names because that’s how they’re feeling,” Nova explains. “But none of those seem to fit you two. What did you feel like when you were leaving today?”
“Like I was breaking free of the chains that had surrounded me my entire life,” I confess. “For the first time, I was able to breathe freely.”
He nods his head and turns toward my sister, and asks, “What about you, Two?”
She clears her throat and says, “You’re going to think it’s stupid.”
“Try me,” he insists.
“I felt like a goddess. Wielding power by not following Father’s rules. I felt strong, and loved feeling the breeze on my face, even though I’m not a fan of the sun. I could feel the love and beauty of the world surrounding me.”
“Like a goddess, huh?” Nova asks, humor dancing in his eyes. “I’m personally a fan of Norse Mythology. I have a name in mind that fits you and I think you’ll like it.”
“What?” Two asks, curiosity shining in her eyes.
“Freyja. Here, let me look her up for you,” he states, pulling out his phone and searching the internet… new concepts to us both. Nova has opened up an entire world for us with that device.
I watch intently as Two tilts her head so she can read the information about this Goddess Nova called Freyja.
I watch as a smile graces her face and she emphatically nods her head.
“Yes. I love it. It’s perfect.” I’m a little jealous of the fact that hers came easily to her and I’m still sitting here debating.
Nova, who’s sitting between the two of us, leans over, and whispers. “You said you felt like you’d broken the chains around you today, right?”
“Yes,” I whisper back. “Why are we talking like this?”
“I didn’t want to disturb your sister while she reads about Norse Mythology. Plus, I didn’t know if what we’re about to discuss is something you want her to overhear until you come to a decision. I don’t want anybody, including her and me, to influence you in any way.”
“You have an idea about what I should call myself, don’t you?” I question.
“I do. There’s a name that reminds me of your description,” he taunts, not telling me what it is.
“Well,” I snap, my patience waning. “What is it?”
“Chaney,” he answers.
“Chaney,” I repeat, letting it roll off my tongue so I can get a taste for it. “I like it. It feels right.”
“I thought you might,” he laughs, taking a swallow of his beer. “That’s step one, now we need to move on to step two.”
“Which is?” I inquire.
“Middle names,” he remarks.
“It never ends,” I complain.
“That’s life, unfortunately,” he expresses, his demeanor taking on a serious stance. “It’s a never-ending loop of trials and tribulations. Some are easier to overcome than others. Believe it or not, this is going to be the easiest challenge you and your sister are going to come up against.”
“That’s not soothing, Nova,” I chide.
“It’s not meant to be, Chaney,” he counters.
My entire body ignites when he uses that name in reference to me.
It’s like I finally have a sense of ownership over myself.
Something to be proud of. I’m a new person, not that beaten down woman that he rescued earlier in the day.
That may sound ridiculous to the average person, but to me, it’s the perfect definition for the emotions flowing through me.
This is mine and Father can’t take it away from me.
“Freyja Destiny, and Chaney Freedom. Both strong, meaningful names,” Nova says, nodding his head with approval. “Now, you said earlier you didn’t want to use your father’s surname of Jennings, so what do you want to use instead?”
“We talked about it while you were plating our food, and we voted on it and came to the conclusion that we want to use your last name, Nova,” I announce.
“Mine? Why mine?” he asks.
“Why not yours, Nova? You’re the only good person we know. It’s our way of thanking and honoring you,” I repeat, voicing the reasons Freyja and I came up with together. “You didn’t just rescue us, Nova, you saved us in more ways than one and are keeping us safe. It’s what we want. Are you mad?”
“Not at all,” he quickly says, correcting my assumption. “It just caught me off-guard.”
“Freyja and Chaney Cruz has a nice ring to it, don’t you think? It just flows off your tongue like it was meant to be,” I point out, wanting him to agree.
“It does. Are y’all sure that’s what you want? You can’t take it back once it’s finalized and documented,” he states.
“It’s what we want,” I forcefully say.
“Alright then. I’ll let Booker know and he can start working on getting y’all a paper trail.
We’ll find a couple with that last name who’s passed, hopefully recently, and put them on your birth certificate.
We’ll get y’all some homeschool transcripts and lay out some breadcrumbs so it’s hidden that y’all are self-taught and were restrained by your father. ”
“That’s a nice way of putting it,” I complain.
“We’ll give you a good life, even if it’s make-believe. We don’t want anyone asking any questions that we’ll have to come up with a cover story for. You two being sheltered is one thing compared to the actuality of how you grew up.”
“Does this mean I’ll be able to get a job and learn how to drive?” I ask, excited about doing something as thrilling as those things.
“Let’s take it one step at a time. The Feds still need to locate your father and take him into custody. I don’t think once he realizes you two are gone he’ll let you go so easily,” Nova instructs.
“I’m not scared of him,” I scoff, crossing my arms across my chest in a show of rebellion.
He looks skyward before leveling his eyes on me, saying, “You may not be, but are you willing to take that chance with Freyja? You aren’t the only one he’ll go after, Chaney. You need to remember that when you decide to be stubborn and antagonistic.”
I feel properly chastised with that reminder and zip my lips, determined to not be argumentative. Especially when I’m wrong. “You’re right. I’m just ready to start living.”
“We’ll get you there. You’ve gone this long, a little longer won’t hurt anything.” I nod my head at his words because he’s right. It pains me to admit that, even to myself, but I refuse to put my sister in a situation where the outcome may not be a good one.