Page 72 of Finding Molly Parsons

“Yes, I forgive you. I will not live my life angry like you, Dad.”

“Faith,” Maureen sobbed.

“Mom, you need to leave him. You’ve taken enough beatings, enough abuse.” Pride swelled up in Molly as she watched her wonderful niece stand tall and sure. “I believe what Aunt Molly says. Grandma and Grandpa would be devastated if they saw how we lived. How he treated us. I want more for my life. I want that for you too, Mom. But that’s your choice. Dad, I hope you get the help you need. I truly do, but… if you come for me again, I will press charges. I am eighteen, a legal adult. I have enough people around me to support and love me. All of whom won’t let any harm come to me.”

“I’m still deciding if you should go through the windshield,” Carmen scowled. Molly looked at Carmen, who was rigid, the anger pulsing off her entire body. Mateo placed his hand on her shoulder, calming her a fraction.

“Like I said, I have good people around me now. Get back in your car and go home.” Faith walked up and stood shoulder to shoulder with Molly.

“You heard her, Alan.”

“You are dead to me,” Alan hissed.

“You’re not dead to me, Dad, or you, Mom. But I know for now it’s goodbye.” Faith turned on her heel, walked to Carmen, linked their arms, forcing Carmen to move. Molly stood guard, waiting for Alan to leave. She could see him battling with his anger. How sad it was to see her one and only brother so lost.

“Go,” she whispered. Their eyes locked. Alan opened his mouth but snapped it shut before turning and climbing back into the car. Maureen turned her eyes from a retreating Faith to Molly. “You have a choice,” Molly spoke. “Make the right one.”

Chapter 18

Faith

Faith’s nerves were surprisingly calm as she ushered Carmen into the ranch. They didn’t stop until Carmen’s butt was planted in a kitchen chair.

“You okay?” Faith asked, filling a glass with cold water. Carmen looked beyond angry.

“Shouldn’t I be asking you that?” Carmen replied, her jaw tensed.

“I’m not the one who looks like my head’s about to explode,” Faith chuckled.

Carmen’s shoulders dropped. “Shit, sorry, Faith, this can’t be easy for you. I’m fine, are you?”

“Surprisingly, yes. I thought I was going to vomit when I saw their car but then, I don’t know, when he started yelling, the fear left me. I had you and Mateo in front of me. I could hear Molly, and then it hit me. I’m not alone now. Not like when I lived in their house. I think that’s why he had so much power over me. I was alone, and the longer they kept me from people, the easier it was for them to keep me locked in that fear.”

“But you got yourself out.”

“Yes, only because I knew I had an aunt out there somewhere. For once, I had hope. Since meeting you and Mateo, and then Molly, that fear has slowly drained. I just didn’t know until I was faced with them again.”

“You’re an amazing young woman, Faith. Really, you should be so proud of how you dealt with that… unlike me,” Carmen chuckled. “I’m sorry, I just saw red.”

“Never apologize for wanting to protect me, Carmen. I… I see you as family. You and Mateo. Molly’s my aunt by blood, but you guys are… how did you phrase it, my chosen family? Family in every way but blood.”

Faith yelped as Carmen shot out of the chair and scooped her up into a mammoth hug. “You have a place with us, always. Remember that you never have to be alone ever again.”

“Hey,” Molly’s soft voice echoed through the kitchen. “Everyone alright?”

Faith gave Carmen one last squeeze before stepping back and heading to Molly. “Thank you, Molly.”

“Nothing to thank me for. You were more than capable of handling the situation.”

“Yeah, but that couldn’t have been easy for you either?” Faith thought it might actually have been harder for her aunt. Molly had waited for closure for nearly twenty years. Faith knew it wasn’t the end result Molly dreamed of, but she hoped her aunt could put her past to rest now.

“I’m good, really. It had to happen and even though it’s not what I expected, I wouldn’t change the result. I got you out of it, didn’t I?”

“You sure did,” Faith beamed, taking Molly into her arms.

“Well, that was a dramatic end to the show,” Enid barked, walking in and taking Faith and Molly in her arms.

“Enid,” Molly rasped. Faith giggled. Enid was holding them both so tight it was difficult to breathe.

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