Which Path to Take?
Rachel
The man in front of me had just asked the question I had hoped to hear for months. I truly longed for someone to offer me help, but no one had shown up.
Now, everything was different. Thompson was right in assuming Sarah no longer needed help moving forward. But what about me? He was offering to assist, and I needed to consider what to ask for.
Then, as if a memory had flashed into my mind, I recalled all the times Sarah had said we should work like any other "normal" person. Although I was already doing that now, severing ties with Enrico would be truly beneficial for me.
"I would like a job, Thompson," I got straight to the point, "If you can offer me a job, whether at Mitchell or elsewhere within the company, I would be eternally grateful."
Thompson seemed slightly surprised, but after a few moments, he retrieved a sleek business card from the inner pocket of his tailored jacket, listing several contact numbers.
"Call me tomorrow," he requested, "I will try to find a place for you, but given that you don't have a college degree, I can't guarantee a position at the higher levels of the company."
"I understand, and I'm not expecting something like that," I made it clear, "When I say this, Thompson, believe me, I'm being sincere."
"Great, then," he looked at me attentively once more, and I tried not to show discomfort under his penetrating gaze, "I look forward to your call, Rachel."
Before he could take the first step to leave, I stopped him. Curiosity wouldn't let me off so easily.
"Thompson," I called out.
“Yes?" he asked, waiting.
“How did you know it was me sitting here and not Sarah?” I queried.
That question had been troubling me because few people, without knowing us intimately, could discern who was who. It didn't seem to be the case for Thompson, and his expression made me even more suspicious, like someone caught off guard.
“By your clothes... you've always dressed differently," he justified, though sounding somewhat uncertain.
“You're partly right," I replied skeptically, "But it's always been Sarah who wore jeans and a t-shirt, not me."
Thompson straightened up, clearing his throat as if buying time, eventually convincing me.
“You forget that Sarah is paraplegic.”
“You're right," I agreed, embarrassed, "I'm a bit shaken up over some personal matters."
We bid farewell with a handshake, and I felt Thompson hold my hand longer than necessary, which made me uncomfortable again. It wasn't until he left and I was sure he wasn't lingering outside the cafe that I headed for the exit.
************ ❤️***********
I arrived at Joseph's house well past one o'clock, heading straight for the kitchen as I was truly famished. The donuts and coffee hadn't managed to satisfy my hunger, and I planned to whip up something quick and easy to eat. It was then that Lindsay entered the kitchen and told me something that surprised me greatly: Joseph was in the living room with a visitor.
“Visitor?” I repeated, surprised “Joseph?”
“Yes, Rachel," Lindsay confirmed, smiling faintly, "There's a visitor chatting with Joseph. And you won't believe who this unexpected visitor is!"
All that suspense tied my stomach in knots, as all I could think about was the possibility that Joseph's visitor was Enrico.
“Don't make that face, Rachel," Lindsay said, softer now, "It's not who you're thinking. In fact, your brother Ryan came to visit us."
Well, among all the people who could visit Joseph, Ryan was the least problematic, and I couldn't say he had ever been bad to me.
I recalled the scene at his apartment when I tried to seduce him, and I felt mortified once again at the mere memory of what happened that night, after all, he's my brother.
How did Ryan find out we were back in Seattle, and specifically in this house? This was all very strange.
“Actually, I imagine it was Enrico who notified him," Lindsay pointed out astutely, "I don't see any other more plausible possibility."
“How long have they been talking?" I asked curiously.
I didn't mark the time he came in, but it's been quite a while, I'd say," Lindsay recounted, "What do you think if I go there, ask if they want anything, and listen in on their conversation a bit?"
“That wouldn't be appropriate, Lindsay," I disagreed without hesitation, "If Joseph wants us to know about their conversation, he'll tell us himself."
Lindsay seemed embarrassed by her suggestion, her face blushing completely.
“You're absolutely right," she quickly agreed, "I was just so curious, I ended up thinking about that possibility."
Joseph appeared in the kitchen a few minutes later and shared about Ryan's visit and the reason he claimed for coming, as well as some topics they discussed.
“So, he found out we're here and decided to come visit to see for himself if you were okay," I summarized what Joseph had just told us.
“At least, that's what he told me," Joseph shrugged nonchalantly, "Actually, I quite liked the young man. Without his sister around, he seemed more relaxed and courteous than the night he was in London, at Enrico's house."
“Speaking of Enrico," Lindsay picked up on Joseph's words, turning to me, "I believe he was the one who alerted your family about your return to Seattle, hence why Ryan came to check it out for himself."
“Probably."
What else could I say? I wasn't surprised that my own family was concerned about my return to Seattle; after all, I had done so many wrong things that their concern was justified.
I had thought a lot about all this since I landed in Seattle, and my resolutions were so many that I could hardly determine which path to follow from now on. However, one thing was quite clear to me: I had no more interest in harming anyone's life just to get what I wanted.
I took the opportunity to recount the meeting with Thompson at the café and his offer to help me in some way, as well as my request for a job.
“Don't you like working here?" Lindsay asked with a hint of sadness that made me uncomfortable, "After all, we're all working in Joseph's house."
Before I could respond, Joseph spoke up.
“I understand why Rachel prefers to work elsewhere now," he said, looking at me attentively, "She no longer wants to have contact with my son and therefore no longer wishes to stay in my house. Am I right, Rachel?
“Yes," I confirmed without hesitation, "It's time to face life and stand on my own two feet, without using anyone as a stepping stone."
It was embarrassing to admit this, but extremely necessary. After spending countless nights reliving everything that happened in my life and all the things I did just out of whim, including causing Sarah to be in a wheelchair, I realized that path would only bring me closer to the edge.
“I've always relied on my sister and used the love she felt for me as a bargaining chip to get what I wanted," I summarized, "Now it's time to leave behind old habits and grow. I have a child in my belly, and they can only rely on me. So, I'll be a better person for my child.
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