Chapter 47
"Does it fit?" I call through the closed door of the bathroom. Genevieve has agreed to an offer of at least staying the night, if nothing else.
"Umm... More or less... It'll be fine!"
Genevieve opens the door and walks out in the pajamas we picked out for her. They're some old things of mine. Both the shirt and pants are covered with little donuts. I thought for sure with all the clothes we have owned over the years, something would fit her. However, nothing fits her tiny waist. It's ok though, I decide. I mean, at least the pants aren't completely falling off, right?
Her hair is damp and knotted from the shower she took. She looks really adorable and I have to refrain from giving her a random hug. I gently push her back into the bathroom and turn her to face the mirror. She jumps a little at her own reflection.
"Didn't realize how pretty you are, did ya?" I say playfully.
She chuckles and starts to turn red again. I go into the drawer for my bright orange hairbrush.
"Ok don't judge me, I like vibrant colors, I say realizing how weird this brush actually is.
Gen's eyes widen as they fall on my brush. Her eyebrows go up with the corners of her mouth. "That's adorable," she chuckles.
I roll my eyes teasingly and begin to take the brush through her hair, ever so gently. I try not to pull too hard on the rats but doe times it can't be helped. Gen handles it all very well though, barely showing the pain. I didn't ever realize that her hair is actually really long. As the years of knots begin to come undone, her hair reaches its full length; a little bit past her waist.
Gen stares into the mirror thoughtfully as I continue to smooth out her hair. Sometimes it seems she's on the verge of tears...
But maybe it's just me.
"I literally want your hair!" I exclaim.
She throws a half-hearted smile into the mirror. Then she sniffs and quickly looks down into the sink. "Oh my word," I barely hear her whisper.
I put the brush next to the sink quickly- and then freeze up. What am I supposed to say?
Gen speaks before I can think of anything.
"Ugh, sorry. I'm such an emotional wreck." She quickly wipes a couple of tears that have escaped her eyes. Then, she turns around and gives me a warm smile.
I smile back slowly. "You sure you're ok?"
She turns back toward the mirror and rests her chin on her hands. "Yeah I just...." She sighs.
"Yes?" I push.
"I'm fine. It's all just so bittersweet," she admits, mumbling. "You guys remind me of my family...."
I know what she means. Coming here. Being with my family is... Bittersweet.
"Gen, you know you don't have to stay. We'd love to make you family but we won't force you to do anything."
She quickly turns to face me again. "Oh no!" she exclaims. Then she continues chuckling half-heartedly, "I... I'd like to stay. Being with you guys has given me this amazing feeling that I haven't felt in too long."
I smile and can't keep myself from throwing my arms around her anymore. She returns my embrace.
"How does your hair manage to stay so soft even after...?" I mumble, stroking her long locks.
"After I haven't brushed it in literally years?" Gen laughs.
"Yeah!" I chuckle. I take a couple clumps of her hair and run them through my fingers while separating myself from Gen. It probably creeped her out a bit but she took it well.
"Hey girls!"
I wheel around to see my mom at the entrance of the bathroom, smiling wide. "You look great, Gen! How do ya feel?" she asks.
"Amazing, thank you so much," Gen replies.
Mom gives her a pat on the back and then looks at me. "She can sleep in your room and you can sleep on the couch. Until we figure something out," Mom whispers.
I'm about to shrug and nod but Genevieve heard the whole thing and is not standing for it.
"I can't steal her bed! I'd honestly be totally fine sleeping on the floor," she says with utmost sincerity.
"Oh Honey, we're not going to make you sleep on the floor!"
Suddenly I get an idea. With a mysterious little glint in my eye, I say, "I've got a better idea."
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Gen, Lacy and I step out into the cool crisp air of our backyard with nothing but a few sleeping backs to lie in. We couldn't convince the older kids that camping out in the backyard would be fun and Liam said he's scared of bears. There are literally no bears except in the local zoo around here but no matter how much we tried to convince him if that, he insisted that he was better sage than sorry.
So it's just the three of us. Gen takes a deep breath and raises her eyes towards the sky. It's especially starry tonight it seems. The air hums with the gentle sound of crickets and the rustle of the wind in the trees. It's absolutely perfect.
Gen throws her sleeping bag to the side and simply lies down in our overgrown grass. I laugh a little and decide to to the same, if only just to see what it feels like.
"You have really comfy grass," Gen teases, her eyes sparkling. I giggle and smile back.
"Why thank you. It's the finest around."
Lacy looks at us like we're a couple of weirdos and spreads out her sleeping bag before hopping into it.
I smile in her direction. I can't help but smile constantly lately. It's still so hard to believe that Lacy is here with us. I literally have pinched myself several times today, afraid I'll wake up from this dream.
I turn to face Genevieve again. Her hands are propping up her head as she gazes out into the night sky. She appears to be deep in thought again. I wish that whatever family she had could have experienced a miracle like our Lacy had.
"You miss them... Don't you?" I ask softly.
She turns her head to look at me, blinks rapidly and looks back at the sky. "Every day," she whispers.
I purse my lips to stop myself from crying as I look at her. I know what it's like to lose someone. This girl gave up part of her so I wouldn't have to feel the hurt she does every day...
"You can tell me anything. You can let it out any time," I whisper. Gen swallows hard and shakes her head.
"I hate talking about it."
I nod, very honestly understanding.
"You guys are like them in a lot of ways," she says quietly. "Which is why at first, I didn't know if I wanted to stay." She pauses and takes a deep breath. Propping herself up on one arm she looks over me, at Lacy. I didn't even notice that she's already sleeping.
"I'm afraid to lose anyone else again," Gen whispers, her voice full of pain.
I swallow the lump in my throat and look at Lacy. Turning back to Gen I say, "Don't be silly. Gen, you saved her. Because of you she still has a chance. You're the one who told me to not give up on her so easily."
She lies back down and sighs heavily. "I know. Bridge, I'm not as brave as I may have sometimes sound," she says.
"I beg to differ," I say with a little smile in her direction. She smiles weakly back at me.
"You said the fact that... We remind you of your family was why you didn't know if you wanted to stay... At first..." I say hesitantly.
Gen turns her head again and laughs lightly.
"So..." I continue, "Does that mean...?"
She flips onto her side and flashes one of her brightest smiles. "Yeah," she says. "This is home."
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