I found them easily enough. In the years after I left home, I spent my time exploring the world. I had been far too sheltered for too long. I wanted to know for myself how the world worked. I know they thought they were helping me by keeping hidden away and presenting a false facade to the world. In the end they could maintain the illusion without my ever being there at all. I made the choice to be real. I made the choice to leave.
Was it easier to play along? Definitely. But if you ask me if it was a mistake to leave, I’ll tell you the truth: the mistake was not leaving sooner.
So I traveled (by foot) and observed the world. I took a series of odd jobs. It was amazing to truly experience life rather then be instructed on what life was like. I had heard the word “freedom” many times before but never truly knew what it felt like.
I was on my way back one day when I came upon them.
It was in the old historic district, a place I sometimes visited when I was homesick. The proud old mansions reminded me of my family.
In a field by the through road, a lizard was standing on a rock gesturing to a tall blonde woman sitting cross legged in the grass.
“We need more help.” Said the blonde
“We don’t have more help.”
“What about the pickpocket? What was his name?”
“Kenneth. Unreliable.”
“And the kid that helped us with tracking the ferret?”
“Too green.”
“Can you be a little more flexible?”
“We agreed risk management was my area.”
“It’s not risk management if you eliminate all the options.”
I moved closer as the breeze rustled the grass and cars passed on the road. The blonde girl looked up, alarmed, then a slight smile crossed her face. The lizard didn’t move.
“You might as well come out.” The girl called, looking through Jess to the bushes behind her. Jess smiled.
The lizard was sniffing the air. “Interesting… earthy, human… almost… floral.”
She hesitated just a beat, then walked nervously over to them and sat facing the girl, mirroring her pose with the lizard directly between them. The girl’s smile broadened as she observed the grass compressing beneath Jess’s weight, and she focused her eyes roughly on Jess’s. The lizard faced her, still sniffing the air. It was the girl that spoke.
“Welcome, stranger. My given name is Sarah, but most know me as Diamond. This is Jenn.”
Diamond seemed utterly at ease and was almost glowing in the fading afternoon light. She was dressed simply, in an off white short sleeve, jean shorts, and sandals. A string around her neck bore a cross. Crisp, welcoming, and uncomplicated.
Jenn observed the grass compress, glanced at Sarah, and cleared her throat.
“What brings you to our neck of the field, stranger?”
Diamond laughed. “Tell us your name and be a stranger no more.”
Jess breathed a sigh of relief and the words just came spilling out. It had been too long, far too long since she had spoken a single word, much less had a friend or even an acquaintance. Young as she was, she longed to belong somewhere and to know someone.
“My name’s Jessica, but my friends call me Jess, at least they did when I had friends. The rest… well, if they mention me at all, they call me ‘that girl’ or ‘invisible girl’ or sometimes “Jess Solo”, even though I’ve never seen Star Wars… should I call you Sarah or Diamond? Or Sarah Diamond? And Jenn, like Jess except with N’s. Easy to remember.”
Jess realized they were both staring at her, Diamond’s eyes twinkling and Jenn’s mouth slightly ajar.
“Anyways, I uh… It’s nice to me you.” She thrust a hand towards Diamond, but hit the lizard, knocking her off the rock into the grass. Jess recoiled in horror. “Oh. Sorry! I was - I thought I should shake your hand - her hand! Not that I don’t want to shake your… I should be quiet now.” She lowered her eyes in resignation, bracing for the inevitable blow off.
Diamond was grinning at her as Jenn pulled herself up and starting dusting herself off.
Then Diamond burst out laughing. Jess was speechless. Jenn looked annoyed.
Inbetween laughs, Diamond managed to reply.
“Jenn, I think we found a third.”
Jenn’s head shot up in shock and she buried her face in her claws.
Diamond kept laughing. “Try to see the upside. You certainly can’t see her!”
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