Spank bank? Oh my God! Tommy is great.
Yeah, I like him. Can I meet him?
“No, you can’t, Kate.”
“Wait, is Kate one of the people living in your head?” Tommy asks.
“Um, yeah.” I feel myself going back into my shell, more reserved. Dylan takes my hand in his while Scott brings out some platters of food.
“Don’t be embarrassed. It’s okay, you can tell me anything.”
“Kate lives with me,” I say as I add in a humorless chuckle.
“That’s cool. Who are the others?” Tommy reaches across and begins to fill his plate from the various dishes Scott has placed on the table. “Unless you don’t want to tell me. Which, you will in time, so you may as well tell me now.”
I really like him. He makes me laugh.
“Me too,” I answer Kate. “Well, Kate’s talking to me now. She wants to meet you, she says you seem like lots of fun. Kate likes having fun.”
“Well, hi Kate.”
Tell him I said hi.
“She says hi.”
“And who else lives with you?” He bites into his food, chewing it while he watches me.
“Tommy,” Dylan warns with a slight head shake.
“It’s okay,” I reply. “Um, well, there’s AJ, he protects us. All of us. And there’s Neve. Neve’s young, and she um…” What do I say about Neve. “She likes to color. And she likes Harry Potter.”
“And AJ is male?”
“Yeah. He’s really protective.”
“Wow. This is super intriguing, but I won’t ask any more questions. But I will say, I’ll listen to anything you want to tell me. I’ve never met anyone with multiple personalities.”
“It’s not called multiple personalities. It’s DID, which stands for dissociative identity disorder,” Dylan explains.
“I must admit, I did a bit of research online when Dylan told me about you, and I watched some YouTube uploads. Really interesting. I take my hat off to you, Molly. You’re a strong person to be able to get through that every day.”
“It’s not about strength, it’s about learning to live together with three other people. Just like any family. Sometimes they come through without giving me a second’s warning, but we’ll work it out. We have to if we all want to live together.”
“I think it would be strange, but then again, I’m strange, so maybe strange times two equals a normal.” He begins to laugh.
“Yeah, you’re weird. Probably weirder than me.” Dylan chuckles. “Thank you for lunch, though.” I drag a platter over to me, and move some of the food onto my plate. “So, do you have a girlfriend?” I ask Tommy.
“He has me,” Scott replies.
“Oh, you’re gay. That’s cool. My bosses at the gym where I work are married and gay.”
“We’re not gay,” Tommy says.
“Oh, I thought.” I point between him and Scott, now not fully understanding the dynamic between them. “I thought from what Scott said, you two were gay.”
“He couldn’t handle this.” Scott flippantly waves his hand at his body.
“We’re brothers,” Tommy adds.
“Brothers? I thought he was your chef.”
“He is. And my brother. Same Dad, different Mom. You know, our father had an affair with my mother, and they had me. He’s older, I’m better looking,” Tommy says.
“You’re better looking? If you need to tell yourself that to get through the day, then you do that,” Scott says. “But yes, he’s employed me to be his chef. Because he’s an antisocial bastard who doesn’t like people, so he chooses to not go out anywhere, and he can’t cook. So I come in to do a massive cook once a week, and whenever else he needs me.”
“Aww, you’re sweet. Are you married?” I ask.
“Nope. I’m not the marrying kind.”
That’s a weird thing to say. “Why aren’t you the marrying kind?” I ask.
“I used to be a junkie. Tommy paid to get me clean, and since, I keep to myself and try not to socialize with many people. Especially the people who I used to hang out with. My habit nearly killed me, and Tommy saved me.”
“So you’re a good guy,” I say to Tommy.
“He’s always been a good guy,” Dylan replies. “If he likes you, he’ll have your back.”
“Shut up the both of you,” Tommy says to Dylan and Scott. “You’re making me look soft in front of this gorgeous young lady. Hey, you know, I’m better hung then that shithead over there.” Tommy sidles up close to me.
“You have the smallest dick anyone has ever seen. By seen, I mean, you need a magnifying glass to see it,” Scott teases.
“Do you look at your brother’s penis often?” I mock.
“Oh, she’s got you there.” Dylan slings his arm around me, and gives me a kiss.
Zhen comes back from discovering the garden, and sits at my feet. “He’s so well trained,” Tommy says. “I’d love a dog, but I don’t know.” He shrugs.
There’s a deep bell sound coming from inside. “I wonder who that can be?” Scott says as he stands and walks out to the door.
“I’m not expecting anyone.” We all turn to see Gemma following Scott. “Gemma?” Tommy asks as he stands. “I… ah, whoa.” He fixes his hair, then rubs his palms down his jeans. Oh my, is Tommy nervous?
“Hi Tommy. It’s been a long time. But, I’m actually here for them.” She looks over Tommy’s shoulder toward Dylan and me, but I notice her cheeks turning pink when she sees Tommy.
“How did you find us?” Dylan asks.
“Really? You’re asking me how I found you?” her voice raising in pitch. “You both need to get back home.”
“Why didn’t you just call?” Dylan asks.
Gemma’s cheeks flush with a quick tinge of red. “First your phones are turned off, and second I thought I’d enjoy coming out for a drive.”
“A three-hour drive? Okay, then,” Dylan says.
He doesn’t see it, but I do. Tommy and Gemma like each other. Probably have for years, and neither of them have said anything. “When do we have to head back?” I ask.
“Now,” Gemma replies. “David needs you.”
My fists clench at my side, as my body trembles. I find my breathing has escalated too. “What’s happening?” I ask. A sudden shot of ice forces its way up my spine, and into my blood.
“They’ve got him.”
And with only those three words, my life is forever altered.
The ride back home is quiet. Dylan occasionally speaks, but my mind is working so fast. Kate, AJ, and Neve are all talking at the same time. Neve’s frightened of what’s about to happen.
I’m scared.
“I’m scared too,” I say to her.
We’ll get through this, I’ll protect you. AJ’s strong and protective.
“Are you okay?” Dylan asks as we approach the police station.
“I’m um…” Tears are welling in my eyes. “I’m terrified. Absolutely terrified. I feel like my stomach is twisting and churning. My hands won’t stop sweating, and Neve’s not coping very well. Kate’s trying to talk to her, and we’re all trying to calm her. But this is scary.” My throat constricts, and I start coughing, unable to get air into my lungs.