Author's Note:
If you've not read "After You" you might not want to read this chapter. Sort of tie in, so there will be SPOILERS. Unless you don't mind, then go right ahead. Do your thing.
And, thank you so much for all the lovely reviews! My heart goes out to all of you. Thank you for all of the kind and sweet words! I will try to not let you down. You keep telling me your thoughts and it'll fuel me to keep it going!
Honestly, this was just supposed to be a one-shot, but all these ideas keep coming and you all are telling me things like I'm answering questions you didn't get from the book (Which ones? I'd really like to know. That review really astounded me!)
Alright, Dearies, here we go again...
"Uh, Miss? Miss, are you quite alright? I heard screaming. You weren't raped or violated, were you? Do you need an ambulance?" The voice of a young lady barks over me, but I really do not register much. Just that my head is pounding, I'm cold and wet, also I somehow managed to stumble to and lay under a table with an outstretched umbrella. But then, of course, it stopped raining.
"Can you hear me?"
"I can hear you just fine. I'm fine."
"Well, where I came from, it's not a usual thing to lay under tables in the rain and scream like you're being murdered. Are you sure you're okay? Something you want to chat about?" The blonde girl (the shade of blonde that Will has) sits down in the chair above my head and looks through the grates at me. "I'm Lily, by the way. What's your name?"
If Will and Mrs. Traynor thought I was a chatty one, Heaven forbid they meet this girl.
"Why does it matter?"
"Because, you seem like an interesting character. I'd like to hear a little about you. Possibly over some food? I'm starving and you look like you could use some warm tea. Come along, won't you?"
Good Heavens. This is how I imagine Will was when he would travel and not know people. In fact, he said as much.
"You don't know me. I could be some mass murder."
"Your cupcake PJ pants and the Westlife t-shirt, barely make you look like the killing type. I can read you though. You're going through a break up, I bet. Am I right, eh? The worse one of your life. You still love him, so he must've done something horrible. Like, cheating or moving away."
Yeah, moving away, that's one way to put it.
"How about you borrow one of my dresses. I left my backpack in the car. You're about my size."
"If I go, will you please not talk so much?"
"I can not agree to that."
"If I go, will you not follow me home?"
"Alright, deal."
So, I rise to my feet, feeling sick and dizzy. This girl wants to know about me? She's about to get all-exclusive pass to my life. I could use a nice vent. And, probably a hot shower. But, no way am I returning to that forsaken house anytime soon.
"You mind recommending a not-so-expensive place? I'm not from around here. Just here on a mission of sorts."
"What did you say your name was?"
"Lily."
"Lily? Just Lily? No last name?" I wobbly follow her.
"Not the right one, I've come to learn. It's why I'm here. I'm look for my father. The biological one. Turns out I've been lied to all my life, by my own mother! She told me that the man she married was my dad in the sense that he was going to raise me, when I was little I really didn't understand. When I got older I pushed to know more, so she told me he was dead. I didn't believe it. One day last week, she and I were having a squabble; and she let loose with all the things I wanted to know. Told me to just go and find the man she never told about me. It's not like that man she married ever cared about me."
That got deep really fast.
She pulls out a thing of keys and pops the trunk of the car open and pushes through piles of clothes.
"So, do you know who he is? Where you can find him?"
"Yeah. I'm just not so sure that I can now that I'm here."
"Hold old are you?"
"Sixteen. Ah-! This will be good. Nice little romper. I think pale yellow will look nice on you. Did you think of a place to eat?"
Should this little girl be wondering the streets by herself?
"Yeah. Just around the corner up here."
"So, why won't you go home and change clothes? Family too over-baring? Oh, here. Are some flip-flops."
"You could say that. And thank you for the kindness. You're really too sweet."
I'm afraid to leave this little girl alone. So I do walk to her to the cafe.
"Why don't you go change? I'll get us some menus and seats."
"Alright."
I strip my soggy clothes off once I lock myself in the biggest stall, sliding on the romper was a breeze until I buttoned the top. My boobs looked like I purposely shoved them in there, and I'm not even wearing a bra. Proceeding on, I squeeze my clothes and hair in the sink then use a few paper towel to dry some of my body and the hand dryer to dry my hair slightly.
Will would have a field trip with that information if he knew.
No, stop.
I hang my clothes in the stall marked 'Out Of Order' and left to find Lily.
It seems she is eagerly awaiting my return. When I sit down she nearly bursts with her question.
"Have you ever met a man named Will Traynor?"