I got to the motel around ten that night. I paid forty dollars for two nights. I figured I could find an apartment by then. At least I hoped I could.
    I now sat on the side of a bank over looking a river. Lucy sat beside of me, getting all the latest drama from my life. She was almost like my therapist. I knew I was supposed to be hers, but it wasn‘t the best arrangement.
    “Love sucks, Lucy,” I said while rubbing my eyes. I had just told her about what happened between Alexander and me.
    “I used to think that, too. Then I met Xander, he really made me open my eyes, and see. Love is everywhere you look, Damien,” Lucy said looking at the trees reflection in the green water.
    “I can’t see it, though,” I said, I felt like she was right, but I didn’t know how she was right.
    “It’s because you’re looking too hard,” she said as if it were obvious.
    “Can you help me see it?” I asked. This was a mystery I couldn’t solve myself.
    “Only you can help yourself,” God, she sounded like Dr. Anozi. He always had the wise attitude. The helpful advice that still left you with hundreds of questions was his specialty.
    I fingered the locket he gave me. I still hadn’t found the owner of the other half. Lucy didn’t have it; I had asked her earlier. She had wanted the half I had been given. I told her one day, I would give it to her. She seemed happy after that. Actually, during the conversation, she had seemed smug. I didn’t understand why, though.
    “You haven’t told me about your time in the mental institution yet,” said Lucy looking up at me.
    “I haven’t, have I?” I smiled slightly. She shook her head, her pony-tailed hair bounced. “Well, I was bored.”
    She laughed. “I’m sure you were. Did you talk to people while you were there, or were you isolated?” Lucy asked seeming genuinely interested.
    “I talked to my old psychiatrist, Dr. Anozi. He would’ve loved you, Lucy. You two are a lot alike.” She grinned a little bit. “I talked to my nurse, Deborah; I discovered she was a bitch a few weeks ago. I was with your father a lot,” I thought about Alexander and me talking in my room at midnight. Whatever our hearts desired, we would speak of, or do. Once we wanted to look around in the cafeteria at night. The cooks always told us it was haunted. One night we went down there, and held an investigation. We didn’t find anything, but it had been fun. We had put ketchup on the wall to look like blood. It had gotten the cooks attention the next day. It was hard keeping a straight face when they asked about it. “I talked to some college professors. Trying to get study materials, and such.”
    “You didn’t interact with Grey while in the asylum?” she asked.
    “No, I didn’t. She never came to visit me. I didn’t want her to, but it was still hurtful that she didn’t,” I said.
    “Oh,” Lucy nodded. We sat in silence for a few moments. I didn’t want to talk about my life anymore. I started to feel depressed.
    “Why is Xander homeless?” I asked, suddenly. The only thing I knew about the situation was his mother kicked him out at age ten.
    “As you know his mom kicked him out,” she said.
    “Why?” I asked. What kind of mother would kick their child out of their home?
    “She was getting divorced from her husband. Delilah managed to find a new boyfriend during the divorce. Xander didn’t like him, and they fought all the time. Delilah became fed up with it, and kicked Xander out,” Lucy said. Delilah was my mother’s name. There wasn’t a relation, though. Lucy showed me a picture of his mother. She was blonde with brown eyes. My mother looked more like me, black hair and blue eyes.
    “Why not just leave the boyfriend?” I asked. If I choose between a partner and my child, I would choose my child. Partners come and go, but your kid is going to be there a while.
    “I don’t know, but it really hurt him,” said Lucy. She looked concerned for Xander. I understood, that had to be hard for him.
    “He shouldn’t let it get to him,” I said.
    “I know, and I’ve told him that. He’s really trying, but some days are just too much for him,” Lucy shook her head. On the side of her face was a cross. It was apart of her makeup. Mrs. Blevins hated designed black makeup down her face, that’s why she wore it. I personally liked it, and thought it suited her.
    “He will get through it,” I said and patted her back.
    She looked up at me. “You really think so?”
    “Yes, he will be fine. Just give him some time,” I said, and gave a slight smile. I hoped it would reassure her.
    “I’d better get going,” Lucy stood up, and dusted off her tight black jeans.
    “Do you need me to walk you home?” I asked. Normally, she would stay with me as long as possible. Now she seemed like she was in a rush to get going.
    “Uh, no, but thanks anyway,” Lucy waved me off, and started up the hill I sat on.
    “Bye,” I waved. She turned around and gave a small smile. Lucy waved her hand, and left. I sat there for a moment, and I could hear her sneakers beating up against the pavement. She was running. Was she running from someone? Was she late? What was going on?