Page 3 of Second Chances

The old man nods.

“How do I know you aren’t lying.”

“You don’t. You must trust me. I no longer speak to my daughter. She and the man who’s your father are no longer allowed in my house after they abandoned you. I knew she didn’t want you, but I had no idea the lengths she’d go to get rid of you. If I’d known, I’d have never let her out of my sight as her due date approached.”

“You know my father as well?”

The old man nods again.

“I’m sorry to say, yes. He destroyed my family and poisoned your mother against me, not that she took much persuading. It’s my understanding it was her decision to get rid of you. The heartbreak killed my wife. She died shortly after you were born.”

“My grandma?”

“Yes. She would’ve been, I suppose.”

I suddenly don't feel like any more of the pizza. The portions I’ve already eaten are sitting heavily in my stomach.

“Do you know where my parents are?”

“No. They left my life, and I haven’t tried to contact them since. I’ve spent all this time looking for you. I came here as soon as I found you and learned about the way your foster parents have been forcing you to live.

“Are you going to take me with you?” Hopes for a different future suddenly spring in my heart. A life away from the drudgery of the one I currently suffer.

“Would you like to come? I’m old but can help look after you. We must be careful, though. Your parents can’t find out I have you with me. They’d be so angry. I’d fear for my life and yours.”

I bite my lip to temper down the anger I feel at my grandfather’s revelation.

“I’ll keep it quiet. They won’t know.”

“Good. We can get you clean clothes and lots of food. I know you’ve not had much schooling. I’ll hire a tutor to help you learn everything you want to know.”

“Can I learn how to be a spy?” I lean forward, my eyes widening with excitement and my heart beating faster. “I saw this show the other day on the television. It was so good. The spies were so skilled, and they had cool weapons.”

“If that’s what you want to be, then I’ll do everything in my power to help.”

“Thank you.” I hand the pizza box to one of the burly men standing next to my grandfather and fling myself at my newly discovered relative. My thin arms wrap around the old man’s body, and I bury my head in his chest. “I love you, Grandfather.”

The old man stiffens, and I put it down to the stress of having searched for me for so long.

“Before we go, we have to do something. Your foster parents…they can’t tell anyone where you’ve gone.”

“Ok, I’m sure I can just get in the car and go with you. They probably won’t even miss me.”

“No. We have to do this properly.” My grandfather’s face darkens. If I’m honest, it’s a look that scares me a little, but this man is promising me a better life. My current one is shitty, so at this point, I’m willing to try anything.

“Ok, Let’s go.” I say, jumping into the car. I immediately start to play with all the cool buttons that when pressed make phone calls, produce ice, and even play my choice of music, loudly, throughout the entire journey. The car pulls up outside my rundown estate, and I lead my grandfather and his two men to my house. When I open the door, both Chantelle and Dwayne are in drug induced highs on the sofa.

“Drugged up, waste of spaces.” I hear my grandfather mutter under his breath.

“They’re like this whenever they inject that stuff into their arms. At least they leave me alone when they do it.”

“No child should see this.” My grandfather frowns and slams his fist against the door. “Prepare two more syringes,” he orders his men. “Be careful what you touch.”

The men set to work heating up the white powder until it bubbles. They pull the needles from Chantelle’s and Dwayne’s arms and re-fill them before shoving them back in.

“Done. You want us to inject?” one of the men asks, stepping toward my foster parents.

“No.”

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