He looked almost the same, except his hair had a dusting of gray forming around his ears while the rest remained a darker blond. His face still held its strong jawline, and he was just as handsome as he was when I was little.
As the little girl pulled on his arm, he broke eye contact with me and looked down, smiling at her. I knew that exact smile she was receiving, as I was once on her end of it.
My eyes stayed glued to the two, not even blinking. Of the scenarios I played out in my head of seeing Dad again, me being stunned and speechless was not one of them. I had role played it many times in my mirror—yelling, cussing, and condemning him to hell. But nothing would come out.
Dad whispered something into the little girl’s ear, and they began walking over to my table. The surge of anger that I thought would be there at seeing him again was nowhere to be found.
“Hi Savannah.” His gravelly voice was exactly the same even after all this time.
I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. I gave a little cough. “Hi.”
“How are you?” He actually sounded sincere.
“Fine.” I didn’t want to be rude, but the awkwardness was sparking my anxiety.
“You sure are beautiful.”
“Thanks.” I almost called him Dad, but didn’t know if I should, fearing my sister had no clue I existed.
“Savannah, there’s someone I’d like you to meet.” Dad pulled the little girl gently in front of him. “This is Sydney, your sister.” I couldn’t hold back the gasp or the feeling of panic that rushed through my body. I’d never heard the words ‘your sister’ from him before, and all of the sudden it seemed too real.
Having Grams tell me about Sydney was one thing. Sydney could have been on TV for all I knew. I never saw her or even pictures of her; it was just a name. But hearing the words out of Dad’s mouth was a sucker punch.
Blinking back tears quickly, I looked at Sydney. She was unbelievably adorable and had Dad’s and my eyes.
“Hi Sydney. I’m Vann.”
“Vann? Daddy said your name is Savannah.” Sydney’s voice was incredibly soft and small.
“It is, but I go by Vann. You can call me either.”
“I like Vann.”
“Okay.”
“Daddy told me that you lived … by the beach.” Her words stopped me. Had Dad told her about me? He must have.
“I did. But I’ve moved back.”
“Good. Will you take me for ice cream?”
My eyes widened. “Hmm. Sure.” Looking up at my dad, I asked, “You told her about me?”
“Of course I did.” Staring at my dad, I didn’t know what to say. After Mom and I left, I hated him with every fiber of my being … and still did. He held most of the blame for what happened. If he hadn’t cheated on mom, none of this would have happened.
Dad sighed. “Look Savannah. I’d love to talk to you, get all this out there so we can move past it. I love you and miss my baby.” He paused. “Will you come to dinner tomorrow night?”
With my head spinning, I thought I may pass out, but I knew what I had to do. And then looking into the blue eyes of Sydney confirmed it.
“Yeah. I’ll come.” I saw Sawyer out of the corner of my eye. Her eyes grew large as if I had a horn sprouting out of my head.
“Great.” Dad pulled out a piece of paper and scribbled something on it. “Here is our address. Be there at five?”
“Sure.”
“I’m so happy you’re coming.” A very genuine smile came from Dad’s lips.
“Me too,” Sydney’s small voice chimed in. “I can show you all my Barbies!”
My eyes went back to Sydney to see her smiling, too. “I’d love to see them.”
“Bye, and we’ll see you tomorrow.” With those parting words from dad and a couple of waves, they took off.
“You’re going to see him?” Saw questioned.
“Yes. It’s time. Can we get out of here? You were promised shopping.” I needed to get out of this room. It felt as if it was enclosing on me quickly.
Sawyer smiled. “Sure, let’s go. But we will talk about this.”
“Of course.”
Shopping with Sawyer was so much different nowadays. Before, I didn’t have two dimes to rub together, but now, I could buy what I wanted. And even buy Sawyer a few things.
“Try it on!” Sawyer exclaimed when she picked up a stunning bright blue tube dress. It would be perfect for about anything, but after being Sawyer’s puppet for the past three hours, I was beat.
“Nah. I’m ready to head out.” I waved my hand toward the door.
“Come on … one more. Please?” Sawyer gave me her beautiful puppy dog eyes, and I had no choice but to cave. “I’ll wait out here.”
Feeling defeated, I gave in. “Fine.” Heading down the long hallway to the back dressing room, I held the dress up to my body. Looking down, it hit right above the knee and would show off my legs.
Suddenly a hand was latched against my mouth, muffling my attempt to cry out. Dropping the dress, I tried to claw at the hands trapping me. I assumed from the bulk it was a man, but wasn’t completely certain.
The person restrained my arms behind me using one hand, while the other was kept around my mouth. I tried biting, but came up unsuccessful. My kicks were all aimed for the jewels, assuming this person had them, but my legs didn’t make contact.
I was being dragged farther into the dressing room toward the back, still fighting and trying to scream. Then the voice came … “Stop. You want that pretty little thing out there to be hurt?” I shook my head no and stopped screaming. “Good. I just want to talk. So stop fighting and listen.” The voice was one I hadn’t heard before … or at least I didn’t think so.
Pulling me to the dark corner of the back room, I searched my surroundings, trying to find someone to help me, but there was no one. I didn’t believe this person was here to ‘talk’. Not for one second. And not after the letters I’d gotten over the years.
“How ya doing, Gabriella?” a low voice said. My entire body stilled at his words. He knew my pen name. I should have known he’d find me. Shit.
“Can’t talk … oh right. My hand. Well, I’m not moving it. When you didn’t show up after my letter, I wasn’t happy. So we need to do it this way.” Letter? What the hell was this guy talking about? And why did he smell of fried chicken? Gross.
“I want you to come away with me … and since you won’t do it on your own, I’m gonna help you out. You know I had to track your ass from California to here and it wasn’t easy. But you have to know that you are mine. Will always be mine. Now we are going to disappear so I can help you live out all your sexy fantasies.”
My stomach coiled. My legs began flailing, my arms grabbing at anything I could reach. A thought came to mind and I figured I had nothing to lose. I pulled my head as far forward as I could muster and whipped it back as hard as I could. I somehow made contact with his nose, which I only knew from the spots of red blowing across my face.
The man instantly released me. “You bitch!” he yelled. I ran—I could hear my shoes stomping on the floor underneath me. The once beautiful blue dress I was going to try on was laying crumpled on the floor.
Bursting through the hallway, I ran into Saw’s arms. “We have to get out of here now.” I pulled her arm hard, yanking her out of the store.
“Vann, what is going on?”
“He’s here. He tried to take me.” My entire body was shaking uncontrollably, but I was able to keep my feet moving. “Unlock the door.”
Sawyer hit the key fob and we climbed in. I immediately locked the doors. “Drive,” I ordered.
“Vann, what happened? You’re covered in blood. Are you okay?” Sawyer’s panic was evident.
“Call Z for me.”
Sawyer dialed the phone, beginning a one-way conversation with him that I was trying desperately to follow, but the panic in my body was not subsiding.