2. Secrets
"So how is Sophia?" I asked Carl as we got into his truck.
"We broke up,"he muttered. I looked into his sad blue eyes. I knew how much he care about her.
"I am sorry. I didn't know," I whispered.
"It's nothing. Don't worry about it," he started the truck. I watched as he drove away from the house. This house wasn't my home, I thought. At least not anymore.
"I'll treat you to lunch. Anywhere you want," I said attempting to cheer him up.
"You are a little princess aren't you?"
"I don't care about the money. That's not my mom or dad. I have no idea where I come from," I said as Carl parked the car. I smiled seeing he was at Old Venice Pizza, one of my favorite local restaurants.
"Come on Penny. Daryl and Beth raised you. They put clothes on our back and made sure don't want for nothing. Why turn your back on them now?" Carl asked as we got out the car.
"I can't help but feel out-of-place with them. Like I don't belong. I feel like I don't belong anywhere," I said looking into his blue eyes.
"You do belong, Penny. Daryl and Beth love you. I remember how happy they were when the adoption went through. Beth was so scared someone would take you away," Carl says his shaggy brown hair falling into his eyes.
"I know. I just want to know how my father is. I mean I blocked a lot of my memories out. My counselor said because it was too traumatic for me, but I have started to remember some things," I told Carl as we walked into the restaurant.
A blonde hostess seat us at a corner booth and I could hear soft music playing in the background. This was almost romantic or could be with the right person.
"You want the usual?" Carl asked as the waitress came to take or order.
"Yes," I smiled.
"Two cokes and a large bbq chicken pizza?" The waitress asked with a grin.
"That's right," Carl said handing her our menus. Our normal waitress Carrie brought us our drinks and bread sticks while we waited.
"So will you help me find my dad. I know my biological mom is dead, but my dad is somewhere," I said softly to Carl.
"I don't know Penny. What do your parents think?"
"Beth, I mean mom refuses to talk about him at all. She acts like she is scared of him. Daryl, well is tells me my dad was a psycho and that I am better not finding him," I said taking a bite of bread.
"I think you should listen to your parents. If Daryl says he is trouble then he is," Carl said.
"Please. I don't know where to start, and need someone to support me. You're my best friend Carl," I pleaded.
"Okay. But we should keep it a secret," Carl said taking my head. His eyes locked with mine and for a moment I could feel my body tremble.
"Here the pizza," Carrie said placing it on the table interrupting our moment.
"Our secret," I said putting a piece of pizza on his plate.