Chapter 9 Laynie
Iwoke up and could see the sun shining through the enormous windows. The sleep had helped me forget about my tongue but the minute my eyes opened the pain returned. I noticed saliva and blood on the pillowcase. Realizing where I was, I felt the sudden need to hide it. I don’t think he would care. I was nervous to leave the room, but my bladder and my stomach were betraying me.
When I finally felt the courage to open the bedroom door, I saw a blonde woman sitting at the dining table. She had tattoos that covered her right arm completely. She was typing away on a laptop until she heard me enter the room.
She looked up at me, a little surprised but also concern in her eyes.“Hey girlie pop. You hungry? I’m J.C. by the way.” Her voice was bubbly and bright. It was normal. I hadn’t heard a normal girl in so long.
I nodded my head. I wanted to avoid talking because of my tongue.
“So it’s already like 11 a.m., so I feel like lunch is good. We can order in. What’s your fav food? I really like Thai food, but I am feeling like the wound my brother mentioned on your tongue would catch on fire and you would probably die.” She sat for a moment as if she was thinking. “Oh, there is this amazing sandwich place with soup to die for. How does that sound?”
“Good.” I croaked. She was his brother. My head was spinning. She seemed good. Like something in her soul didn’t have the darkness I was used to.
“Okay, awesome sauce, ordering now. She pulled out her phone and ordered as I sat on the stool next to her. I was still in Linc’s shirt and boxers.
“How is your tongue? Do you want some water?”
Before I could answer, she was already getting me a glass.
“Is your real name Alayna? I think I found your missing person report.”
I nodded. “That’s me.”
“I thought so. Your mom is a fucking bad ass, by the way. That woman has started an entire organization in your name. Helping find missing girls because of trafficking. It’s called Alayna’s Hope or something like that. Pretty neat.”
She spoke with such nonchalance. But hearing her talk about my mom was too much. I felt the tears building and spilling over.
“Oh gosh, I’m so sorry.” She ran to get my tissues. “Look, my brother is going to get you out of this. Once he has his mind set on something, he will go through hell to make sure it happens. Right now, he is determined to set you free and he will let nothing stand in his way until it happens. You can trust him.” She placed her hand on my arm while I wiped away the tears. “Here, come sit down.”
She led me to the couch and handed me a blanket. “Do you want to watch t.v.?” She tried to hand me the remote.
I shook my head.
“Okay, well, I will sit next to you and work if that’s okay.”
I sat there for the next two hours listening to her explain things she was working on. We ate, and she still talked. One thing I learned about J.C. was that she loved to talk. I didn’t understand even 1/8th of what she said, but her voice was kind and soothing. I knew Charlie would have understood everything, and this thought made me sad. My Charlie. I wondered if she had read about Charlie. This was the first time I had really spoken more than a couple of words to her. “Did you re-read anything about Charlie in that mi-missing persons report?” My voice was cracking when I spoke.
“Girl holy Tennessee Orange,” she said, commenting on my accent. “I read she was taken as well. But nothing else came from that. I didn’t read about her parents looking for her or anything like your mom. No one has found her yet. I know she was your childhood friend, based on the report. I’m really sorry.”
I only nodded. I wondered if she was still alive and part of me felt sad if she was and if she wasn’t. Both seemed equally sad. I couldn’t imagine Charlie in this position.
I laid my head against J.C.’s shoulder and watched again as she worked. Every now and again, she would lean her head against mine. I felt safe.