Page 68 of Sugar and Skulls

I close my eyes and listen. Katie’s voice whispers on the wind.I don’t want to go back.

I don’t want to go back either.

Hours pass as the tree shelters me from the sun and I learn that the sun does indeed still chase the moon. My eyes drift shut, as the gentle breeze wisps me away to a dreamworld. When my eyes open, I blink a few times trying to decide if my dad is real or a remnant of my unconscious mind.

“You were sleeping so peacefully I didn’t want to wake you,” he says, smiling.

Using my palms, I rub my eyes then I try to stand. My stiff body protests louder than it should for someone as young as myself. Christ how long was I out? Once my cracking bones bring me upright I notice my dad is still sitting against the tree opposite to mine.My dad came for me!

“I knew you would come for me,” I say shyly, brushing my hair away from face as the breeze teases it against my cheeks.

“Oh, baby girl.” He runs his hand over his short dark hair.

“I told Dirk I had school. I don’t know what he was thinking dragging me up here.”

He pats the spot beside him. I lower myself back down reluctantly. He pulls up a knee and rests his arm over the top of it. He takes a deep breath before he speaks. “I’m not here to take you off the mountain.”

My eyes bounce back and forth over his face. What is trying to tell me? I have to go back. I have school. I have Katie. I have Sugar.

He laughs as he runs the tip of his index finger between my eyebrows. “Your mama used to scowl at me just like that.”

“Did you have someone kidnap her too?” I pull my head away, turning away from him.

“Actually, yes.”

When I glance at him I see he isn’t teasing. He actually had my mother kidnapped.

“Only once. When she was pregnant with you. I kidnapped her. No matter what I said she couldn’t keep the needle out of her arm. I did it for you. To keep you healthy. It was the only way.”

My mouth forms a perfect little o, but no words follow.

“I can’t let you go back there,” he says while watching me struggle for words.

“What do you mean? I live there.”

He shakes his head. “Not anymore. You live with me.” He points up the path towards the cabin. “I brought you a laptop and everything you will need for the online classes I enrolled you in.”

I stare blankly at him.

“The school counselor helped me get it all set up. She said that you had enough credits you could have graduated at the end of last year but that you had wanted to continue your education on through your senior year.” He stops waiting for a response from me.

When I don’t offer one he continues.

“Dan is getting you set up with a work area at the warehouse. There are plenty of clients right in our own club. You can flex your tattooing skills on them.” He’s tip toeing now. He knows he’s treading in dangerous waters.

The slow thud of my heartbeat is picking up speed with each word out of his mouth. “I…I don’t understand,” I mutter, pulling my legs up and hugging them to my chest. “I’m talking, isn’t that what you wanted? Isn’t that why I’m here? I’ll tell you whatever you want to know.”

He reaches out and tucks my hair behind my ear. “I know you are, baby girl.” His hand drops away. The mountain draws his attention away from me. He stares out for a long time before turning his eyes back to me.

“I’m sorry I wasn’t there. I left you with your grandparents. I thought you would be safe there.”

“I was,” I murmur quietly.

He smiles sadly. “I know you were.” He picks up a stick, scratching absentmindedly in the dirt. “I tried to petition the state to give Candice temporary custody, but I couldn’t get anyone to listen to me. Your mother didn’t put me on your birth certificate.” He stabs the stick in the dirt. “It was all one big cluster fuck. I was young and stupid. I failed you.”

“It’s fine. I survived. I need to go back to Trap, dad. There’s so much…”

He raises his hand cutting me off. “No. Let me finish.”

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