Read Uncovering You 5: Confessions for Free Online

turn to my side and bring the blanket to cover my shoulder. I stare out at the sea. Moonlight reflects off the glassy water and makes it seem to sparkle.
    I cannot wrap my mind around what could have possessed Stonehart to say all those things to me. It’s the closest thing to empathetic I’ve ever seen him.
    I do not think he was mincing words. Why would he? The justifications he had for his actions make little enough sense as they were.
    Little enough sense to someone normal . He imprisoned me to keep me safe ? He locked me up to develop trust ?
    That is not how those things work.
    One other thing he said, just before walking out the room, has me more confused and uncertain than ever.
    “Some things go so much further back than you can ever know.”
    Was he alluding to the reason I’m here? To the reason why I was the one he chose as his prisoner?
    I can’t be sure. But I know one thing: Whatever he meant, it was important. The sincerity he showed in giving that twisted explanation for his actions tells me, without a shadow of a doubt, that I am important to him.
    I suspect I was important before I even came to California.
    Why? and How? are the prevailing questions that haunt me as I drift off into a restless sleep.

    ***

    Bleary-eyed and groggy, I wake up the next morning to Rose shaking my arm.
    “Miss Ryder, it’s time to get up,” she says in an apologetic, soft voice.
    I groan and roll onto my back. It feels like I just fell asleep minutes ago.
    “Miss Ryder, you really can’t wait any longer. It’s almost nine-thirty, and—”
    I jerk upright, more awake than if I had chugged five Red Bulls in a row.
    “The flight’s at ten!” I gasp. “Jeremy said you’d wake me at eight, and—”
    “Shh, shh, it’s okay,” Rose breaks in, cutting me off. “Mr. Stonehart saw how soundly you were sleeping and wanted to give you a little more time to rest. You’ll be taking a separate flight to Portland, leaving at noon.”
    Relief swells inside, mixed with a hint of disbelief. Stonehart changes plans because of me ?
    “But you really mustn’t tarry,” Rose says. “We’re cutting it close. If you want, you can take a quick shower. I have everything packed for you.”
    I let Rose lead me out of bed. I slip a robe over my shoulders as she chatters on. Even though she’s trying hard to retain the degree of formality that defined our very first conversations, she can’t keep some things from slipping out.
    “It’s wonderful to be able to see you again,” she keeps telling me. “Oh, and I’m so excited for your trip. I hear Portland isn’t the grandest of cities, but I’ve never been, and it’s beyond time you get out of the house…”
    On and on she goes, in that same, bubbly vein, as I get dressed and then sip the espresso she brings me.
    “Oh my God!” I exclaim as the first bit of caffeine hits my bloodstream. “It’s Christmas! I forgot all about it, Rose. Merry Christmas.”
    “And to you too, dear,’ she says with a coy smile.
    “I don’t have anything to give you,” I admit. Even though I never had much money, I always made a point of putting some small gifts together for my friends during the holidays. Most of them were useless knick-knacks, but they were always appreciated. I wish I had something for Rose.
    She smiles at me in a very endearing way. “Just seeing you healthy and happy is enough for me,” she says. Then she claps her hands together. “Now, come along, please. I’ve got your luggage lined up for you at the front, and the limo’s waiting. The driver’s been idling—“
    “Hold on,” I say, stopping short. “Where’s Jeremy?”
    “Mr. Stonehart took the ten a.m. flight as planned,” Rose tells me. “He arranged for his plane to return to bring you to Portland this afternoon.”
    My eyebrows rise in surprise. So he really did have to get there early. And still, he left me here on my own, just to give me a few extra hours of sleep?
    “That was very