"Who am I Eric?"
I looked longingly at him. Did he have the answers I needed or was he just as lost as I was. As he stood and looked at me, tears ran down his face. At that moment I understood why he came to his room and had left us all in the living room.
"I don't know what all you need to know Perri. I just can't believe after all this time we found you. Some people tried to convince me you were dead. I never believed them." He came forward and wrapped his arms around me. "I know you don't remember us Perri, and I promise to give you all the time and space you need. But for this moment is it ok if I just hold you for a moment longer? I have missed you so much. I know we aren't the same kids anymore and you have to go back tomorrow but please don't shut me out of your life. Give us a chance to be the friends we once were. I don't know what I would do if I lost you again." I had felt Erics honesty in his words as he had spoken them.
That's when I lost it, I had held it in for the last few days and standing there while Eric held me, I had let it all out. I didn't know how to explain it other than being in his arms had felt like home. Like a missing piece I never knew my heart was missing. We stood this way for some time. Just holding each other. I was trying to comprehend all that had happened, and I knew Eric needed time to come to terms with the fact that his best friend was found. But am I still the girl he needed so much or had the years apart been too much of a strain for him. And would I ever remember him? Little things feel familiar, but it was as if the memories he cherished, for me they were missing.
"Eric I'm not going anywhere. I want to find answers and you are a big part of those answers. Besides I thought we were friends before I understood all this?" I laughed a little as I tried to lighten the mood.
"Yea, we are friends. Always, always Periwinkle." We both laughed and then he got a semi-serious look on his face. "I do have to admit something to you though. I only said half of the truth to you the other day. You know how I said I called you Periwinkle because you reminded me of the fairy? Well, I honestly did mean that. But the other reason is I was trying to see if you remembered. You see, your full name is Christine Periwinkle Levine."
"Oh, well at least you didn't outright lie to me. And I'm sorry I don't remember everything that you do."
"It's ok like I said you will need time and I will respect that and when you want to talk more about the past I'll be right here."
"Look Eric, here's the deal though. I want to know who I am, but I want to do it at my own pace. Including I don't want my real parents knowing about me just yet. Wow! I can't even believe I just said that. I need time to process all this, ok?"
"I understand. We are really close though to Anthony and Miranda and they have been through a lot, so I won't let another year go by without them knowing you are safe and alive. Can you understand this from my point of view?"
"Yes, I do, and I promise it won't be that long. It's just, I want to find a way to confront my mom alone, without police invading our home. OK?"
"OK Perri, now how about we go find something to eat?"
"OH NO! I forgot I was making breakfast for everyone. It's probably ruined now!"
As we headed towards the kitchen, we heard giggles and saw everyone else had already been eating without us. When we entered everyone stopped and looked at us. I knew our eyes were probably blood shot and puffy, but they had acted as if someone had died.
"What's going on? Who died?" I asked trying to get rid of the awkward silence.
"Are you ok girl? Like really?" Mallory came around the island and hugged me.
"Yes, I'm ok Mal. I know it's your job and all, but you don't have to worry about me so much. It's a lot to swallow but as long as I have all of you, I'll be ok."
"Are you sure you're ok though Perri? You're not mad I went to Eric first and not you?"
"No Colton, I'm not upset about that. Honestly, I probably would have laughed and thought you were crazy. And then no way would you have been sitting at the table with the older chicks any longer. Besides I went to Mallory before the two of you. I understand you needed to talk about it with your brother first like I needed my best friend."
Colton got up and hugged me then. No wonder I always felt the need to look after him. Somewhere hidden deep within me I had known all along he was an important piece of me.
"I'm sorry the breakfast I had made was not edible after everything. I'll make it up to you all the next time Mallory and I come to visit."
Everyone agreed that it was fine, and they would all hold me to my word the next time we were here. After we had finished breakfast, we all got ready and headed to the campus. Mallory and I got the tour of the dorm rooms and just walked around enjoying the whole college feel.
We ate at Ports of Italy for dinner then headed back to the house to play a few rounds of Fortnite. We had a very relaxing evening just enjoying being with each other.
I knew we had to go back tomorrow but I was a little scared of confronting my mom. How was I going to do this? What would she say? Would she admit what she did? Would she honestly tell me why? And the biggest question of all, could I do this? And was I ready?
In the morning while I was eating at the island in the kitchen Mallory approached me. "Hey girl, have you thought about what you're going to say to your mom yet?"
"No, I have no idea what to say or how to even approach the subject. What do I do over dinner tonight say, 'hey mom by the way why did you take me away from my real parents when I was younger?' Yea like that would go over well."
"I have an idea!" Colton suddenly said from beside me.
"Oh yea? Let's hear it little prince." Mallory said. She was always giving him a hard time with that darn nickname she came up with for him.
"Well at the end of next week in science class we are supposed to collect a form of a DNA sample from our parents then we are going to do those blood sample thingies. I was honestly going to try and get out of it. Seriously who wants their fingers poked? But how about you start by just asking your mom for a piece of hair or something?"
I jumped up out of my seat and gave him a hug. "Colton you are a genius!"
Doing this I didn't have to verbally confront her yet. On the other hand, though, could I wait another week or two? How long did it take for results like that to be available? I needed all my proof ready for when the time came to confront her. I was going to need the boys to help me get photos and such. Then what? Would she be taken away from me? What would Anthony and Mirandas reactions be? Would I remember them? Why can't I remember them now? Too many questions with no answers.
We finished eating, loaded up the cars, and headed back to a house that no longer felt like my home.