Chapter 12- A New Life                    

I eagerly finished eating and stood up. “I’m ready to leave now,” I sighed. “When do we start?”

“Es... are wewe sure you’re up to traveling right now? wewe still don’t look very good,” Tom replied. “I don’t want wewe to strain yourself,” he looked straight into my eyes again.

“Tom. You’re overreacting... Like usual,” I grinned. “I’ll be much better as soon as we can get out of here,”

“Well...” he was hesitating to answer. Not a good sign. “Fine. But we’re going to be stopping regularly and frequently so wewe can rest,” he alisema grabbing my bag and walking to the waiting car. Abby followed him after making sure I wasn’t lying and also after giving me a warm smile. I followed immediately after her. I was eager to escape, there were many reasons for my eagerness. For one I would get to see Lilly again. It had been years since I’d seen au heard from her. I would finally be free from the horrors I’d been suffering from the past few years. Probably the most exciting, and also the most terrifying was the fact that, soon enough I was going to be a mother soon.

I got outside and Tom helped me get into the backseat of the car. “It will be much zaidi comfortable for wewe back here,” he explained. I nodded knowing that I could sleep during the journey if needed. I sat in the kiti, kiti cha and looked out the window. We were waiting on Abby before we could leave, she had gone inside to get pillows and blankets as well as plenty of water. I was assuming this was going to be a long journey. As soon as she was in the car, Tom took off. I felt myself drifting within five dakika of the journey starting. The inayofuata thing I knew I heard voices calling me back to consciousness

“Esie? We’re here,” it was Tom. I was sure of that. I slowly opened my eyes. “Huh?” I asked still mostly asleep.

“Esme?” I heard a voice calling to me from the side. I turned my head. “Lilly?” I asked smiling now. “Lilly!!”

“Esme! It’s so great to see you! It’s been too long!!” she ran over and hugged me. I suddenly felt salama again. Safer than I had in years.

Tom helped me get out of the car. I was still half asleep, though, and needed support. Lilly was half hugging me still as we walked up the path to her house.

How was I still so tired though? I’d slept the entire six saa drive here.... was it possible to be so exhilarated yet so.... drained at the same time? I was, even if it didn’t seem at all possible.

Tom walked in with us and helped me sit down on Lilly’s living room. “Es, wewe look half dead.” he told me, his voice was coated with worry.

“I feel like I am too,” I looked up at him. “I think I’m just tired. If I can get a good nights rest I should be fine,”

He nodded hesitantly and looked at a clock that was placed over the mantle. “Well. Abby and I had better be going if we want to get nyumbani kwa tomorrow. We’ll come visit soon,” he told Lilly and I simultaneously

I leaned up to hug him. “Thank wewe again Tom. wewe and Abby are the only reason. I’ve been able to get through this even partially sane,”

He hugged me back. “I’m glad we were able to help Esie.” he moved back after our quick hug and stared at me for a moment. Then he turned and walked out the door with a slightly awkward looking expression on his face.

I looked around and realized for the first time that Lilly hadn’t been in the room for my goodbye with her brother. She walked out of what seemed like the jikoni area a moment later and sat on the arm of the chair I was resting in. She hugged me again and smiled handing me a glass of water which I gratefully accepted with a smile. “Thank wewe for letting me stay with wewe Lilly,” I told her.

“I’m glad I’ve been able to help,” she laughed. “I’ve missed wewe so much!”

“Oh Lilly!! I’ve missed wewe too.” I hugged her again. “Tom has been great but I’ve wanted to see wewe for so long. I just.... never got the chance to get away before now. I never had the courage,”

“I’m sure wewe did,” she looked at me and moved to the chair inayofuata to mine. “We all just can’t make our courage prominent when it’s really needed,” I looked at her. Now I realized why I missed her so much. Lilly was like my own voice of reason. She always had an explanation for why something happened. She always made everyone smile as an extra to that.

I nodded agreeing with her. “I think you’re right . . . well. Really I know you’re right. wewe have always been right about everything that’s ever happened. I can think of so many examples wewe can’t argue with me,”

“Oh really?” She laughed. “Tom tells me that too, I don’t think so but that’s probably just because I never think about it,”

“Well. I’m sure it’s true and I’m glad I get to see it again.” I smiled. “I’ve missed that the most about you,”

“I’ve missed everything about you. Even your rebellious personality,” she laughed. “You always did everything opposite of what wewe were told to do, unless it involved your parents. Because wewe were always afraid of being punished.”

I nodded. “You have me down to a tee Lilly,” I looked at her seriously then broke out laughing.
She laughed too. “And wewe always smile. No matter what,” she noted.

“That’s true too,” I smiled more. “You really know me.” That was what I really missed. Someone getting me so completely.