Free Beginnings by J.M. Sevilla Page A

were you come in.” I saw Adam's head shoot up. “I need your help hacking into hospital records to see if there's anything on him. We think he may be in a coma.”
    “Annie, stop, please. How do you know we can trust him?” Adam's voice was begging me.
    I looked his way. “We need him. He's the only person I know who can access the records we need.”
    “So this Adam guy, he's here now?” Jeremy asked, eyebrows raised.
    “Yes, he's always with me.”
    “This is a lot to take in.”
    “I imagine it would be.”
    “You know this sounds crazy right?”
    “Why do you think you're the first person I've told?”
    “This is the kind of thing they lock people up in padded rooms for.”
    “I agree.”
    “Huh,” he slouched over his elbows, “Okay, if he's here then he can tell you how many fingers are behind my back.” He moved his hands behind him. I looked to Adam who just stared at me, eyebrows scrunched together.
    “Please.”
    “Three.”
    “Thank you.”
    “Three,” I answered. “No, wait. Seven. Ten. Six. One. None. Nine.”
    “Wow, okay. One more.” He pulled out his wallet and unfolded a piece of paper. “Read to me what's on here.”
    “Jeremy, please pick up after school: Milk, eggs, dish soap,” I chuckled at the way his jaw dropped.
    “Holy shit this is crazy!”
    I smiled at him, “So will you help us?”
    “Hell yeah I will!”
    My smile got bigger, “Good.”
    “Wow,” he sat back and shook his head, “This is crazy. Why do you think only you can see him?”
    “I have no idea. It doesn't make sense.” I shrugged my shoulders, “I think we needed each other. We were both lost.”
     
     
    ********
     
     
    “Adam, say something please.” We were back in my room after spending all afternoon answering Jeremy's questions. Adam hadn't moved from his chair in over an hour. I had no idea what he was thinking, “Are you still angry with me?”
    He let out a long sigh, “No, I'm not angry. Well, I'm angry at myself but not with you.” He looked at me with such sadness in his eyes, “This isn't right, you and me. I shouldn't be here.”
    “Where do you belong more than here with me?” I was feeling my chest tighten up. He ran both hands through his hair and down his neck resting them on his shoulders.
    “Nowhere,” he sighed. “Oh Annie, what are you doing to me?” He looked so tortured, “I know staying here with you is wrong, but I can't seem to bring myself to leave. That's always been the problem. I’ve always been too selfish to let you go. Sometimes I would be frustrated that nobody could see or talk to me, but then you would be there smiling, eager to take on a new adventure with me, and I knew I was right where I belonged.
    “I've watched you over the years forgoing playing with other kids so you could be with me. At times I would feel guilty for how self-centered I was being and other times I didn't care. I needed you too much. I can't help but wonder what you would be like if we never met. It's not right that I stayed for so long.
    “What happened at school wasn't right. The pain I put you through tears me up inside. I don't want to be what holds you back in life. The world needs to know who you are. Hell, I'd be happy if only a handful knew, but it can't just be me. You deserve more than what I can give you.”
    I didn't like hearing him talk this way. “What would you leaving now change? We can figure this out. We've never been this close to finding real answers before. Please, Adam,” my voice was begging him.
    He stood, walked to the window, and stared out.
    “Adam, look at me. Can you honestly walk away from us?” His shoulders rose and fell. His head fell forward. When he turned around he looked tormented. We met at the bed and both laid down on our stomachs next to each other. He moved his arm so it was between us and I let mine sink in on top of his.
    “I love you, Annie. No matter what happens, I need you to know that.”
    I never knew love could feel