Page 6 of Behind the Bars

“But since you’re not hungry, I’ll tossit—”

“No!” I shouted, shaking my head back and forth. I cleared my throat and sat up straighter on my bed. “I mean, I’ll takeit.”

He laughed and tossed me the food. “You’re perfect the way you are. Don’t starve yourself for the dream, Snow White, and don’t starve yourself for your mother. Neither are worthit.”

“Thanks.”

He nodded. “And whenever you want me to talk to your mom, let me know. I got yourback.”

“Ray?”

“Yeah?”

“Do you love her?” I asked, my voice low. The two of them never acted like they were in love. Not as far back as I could remember, at least. Maybe there was a time they were, but it wasn’t something that existed in mymemories.

Ray gave me a tight smile. Which was a clearno.

“She’s mean to you,” I toldhim.

“I can handle it,” hereplied.

“Why do you stay with her? Why would you stay with someone you don’t even love who treats you the way shedoes?”

He cleared his throat and stared at me with the gentlest eyes I’d ever seen. Then he shrugged his shoulders. “Come on, Snow,” he softly spoke. “You know the answer to thatquestion.”

Because ofme.

He stayed because ofme.

“I love her because she gave me you. You may not be my blood, Snow White, but don’t for a second think that you are not my family. I stay for you. I’ll always stay foryou.”

My eyes glassed over. “I just want you to be happy,Ray.”

He snickered. “You know what makes mehappy?”

“What?”

“You being happy. So, just keep being happy—and eating—and my heart is full, Snow. That’s all I’ve ever wanted. Your happiness.” He walked over to me, kissed my forehead, and stole one of my fries before he headed tobed.

Ray might not have been my biological father, but there was no doubt in my mind that he was mydad.

Chapter Two

Jasmine

The happiest momentsof my life were spent in a high school building. Most people would’ve been happy to miss out on going to school, but it was the first time in my life that I felt as if I were exactly where I was supposed tobe.

Having a break from Mama was so nice, nicer than I’d ever imagined it would be. I loved her, but sometimes I needed a breather, and school gave me that space to breathe. When I walked the hallways, people made me feel included in something. I wasn’t surrounded by adults in the music industry, talking about grown-up things. I wasn’t auditioning for parts I didn’t want. I wasn’t making sure Mama was proud ofme.

I was just akid.

But it wasn’t always like that for others at school. I was one of the lucky ones. Others often fell victim to the likes of Todd Clause, the typical handsome senior who lived forapplause.

“Jasmine, hey!” Todd called after me. He leaned up against a locker, wearing a white T-shirt with a gold chain necklace, and nodded me over. He was one of the most popular kids and half the time he was a complete jerk to anyone who wasn’t as striking ashim.

Me though, he thought I was beautiful—or at least he thought the size of my chest and the fullness of my lips wasbeautiful.

Luckyme.

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