Chapter 44
Olivia wondered about Kat and what this little reunion would bring forward. She didn't need this to set Amanda back, but she didn't want to tell her no. Kat was just a kid like Amanda and from what Amanda shared, here life was hell too. "Liv! Melinda's here. I'm going to take a shower. Will you listen for Kat?" Melinda headed for the kitchen, "Yeah baby go ahead." Melinda raised an eyebrow, "Olivia did she say Kat? As in Kat her roommate from Georgia?" Olivia turned to face Melinda, "Yes. She's here in New York. Apparently her aunt passed away and she's here for the funeral." Melinda looked concerned, "What are we doing about this?" They continued to talk about the situation while Amanda was in the shower. Suddenly, Olivia heard the door and then saw Amanda run to get it. "Remember we're being supportive of whatever this is for both of them. I have one, how about you take the other. They both laughed."
"Amanda!!! Oh my gosh, you look good." Kat gave her a big hug and didn't let go. "Kat it's good to see you, come on in. Let me take your bag. This is my girlfriend, Olivia and our good friend Melinda, she lives down the hall. Guys this is Kat, my roommate from Georgia." They both greeted Kat and their faces showed everything they knew. "Let me guess, you told them what happened." Amanda's face fell. She was worried about this when Kat sent her a text. She had been wondering how she was doing and missed her, but she didn't want her new friends to look at her like she was broken. "Yeah Kat, I did. They've really helped me through all of this, I wasn't in a good place. I'm sorry, I didn't think… I'm sorry." Kat sat on the couch, "It's ok. Don't worry. I'm glad they helped you." Olivia felt the awkwardness in the air, "Well Kat it's nice to meet you, Amanda looks up to you quite a bit. How about we eat, I'm starving." Dinner conversation was slightly normal, until Kat asked for wine, when Olivia and Melinda poured a glass. "I'm sorry, I thought you and Amanda were the same age. You're 21?" Kat almost giggled, "Well I'm 20 now, I'm a little older than Amanda." Olivia moved the wine bottle, "Well that's not 21 and I'm a cop, so not tonight."
After dinner, they moved to the living room. Kat explained that a lawyer called her last week and said her aunt passed away. She left her a townhouse and money. She didn't even know her, she was her mom's sister and Kat's mom died when she was 16. Kat had been on her own ever since. So now she was thinking about moving to New York and leaving Georgia behind. Amanda didn't know much about Kat. The only thing they shared was the nightmare, but something made Amanda care. Melinda listened to Kat's nonchalant attitude and saw straight through her, she was hurting. Melinda was raped, so she saw it, the hurt, the pain, the hiding. "Do you have a place to stay tonight?" Melinda asked. Kat looked up, "No I can't get the keys until I sign the paperwork tomorrow morning. I'm just grabbing a hotel somewhere." Olivia said, "Kat it's New York, you can't just stay anywhere. We have a guest room if you'd like to stay." Kat looked at them both, "Thanks but I don't want to intrude." Melinda tried to help, "I have a spare room Kat and it's just me. You are welcome to stay. It would be safer sweetie." Kat agreed to stay with Melinda, she didn't feel comfortable staying with Olivia and Amanda.
Olivia stood up, "Well I'm gonna put the food away and clean the kitchen, while you and Amanda catch up." Melinda stood up, "Let me help, it's the least I can do for a free meal." They left Amanda and Kat talking and headed to the kitchen, "Okay Melinda say it." Olivia grabbed an empty container and started putting the food away, "She's got a tough road and she's hiding her pain, probably with alcohol since she asked you for some, maybe more. She cares about Amanda though, I can tell that. What are you thinking?" Melinda stared at Olivia, "This is gonna sound bad, but I'm thinking Amanda has been doing well and doesn't need the distraction. Amanda is a wildcard and even though she's a good kid, sometimes her past has a negative effect on her. Unfortunately she feels guilty about what she wasn't able to do that night. Kat needs help and Amanda isn't in the place to do that, but if I know her, she will try."
"You look good kid." Amanda rolled her eyes, "Not you to, I'm always the kid. Kat I'm sorry they know about what happened to you. Hey they helped me, maybe they can help you too." Kat shook her head, "I'm fine Amanda. I don't need help and now I'm better, I have a house and money. So, what do you do around here for fun?" Amanda shifted in her seat, "That doesn't make you fine and you know we don't exactly have the same type of fun. I'm really involved in school, got back on track when I moved here and will probably finish with an associate's in June." Kat smiled, "I'm impressed kid and I'm really happy for you. So if I stay here, I have a friend right?" Amanda hugged Kat, "Of course!" Kat relaxed, "I'm gonna look into schools here and transfer, start back for next semester. Amanda I was worried that you would hate me. That night was my fault." Amanda put her arm around her shoulder, "If I have learned one thing, it was their fault not ours."
Amanda decided to go to Melinda's apartment and help Kat get settled for the night. "Liv I'm just going to walk them down and I'll be back." Olivia said goodnight to Kat and Melinda, "Kat you mentioned signing papers tomorrow, do you know where to go?" Kat grabbed her bag, "Yes, I have the address. Once I get to the house, I'll send the address to Amanda, so at least someone knows where I am. I don't know anyone here except Amanda." Olivia stepped forward and hugged Kat, "Well that's not true, you know Amanda, Melinda, and myself. Here is my number and want you to put it in your phone. Call me if you need anything."
