Page 30 of Bound by Family
B: My dad is.
I relate to this a lot. I have to ask …
Me: Your mom?
B: Died.
The ball drops to the bed as I stare blankly at the ceiling. Funny how this part of our lives is similar. What are the odds?
Me: Damn, babe. Sorry.
B: It’s the circle of life or whatever.
The urge to tell her about my situation hits me. I never shared that part of me with any woman before, and I’m not sure doing it over text is the right thing. It’s a bit heavy. Not everyone can handle the fucked-up story of my biological mother who didn’t care for me and ended up dead because she was stupid. My father only told me the full story when I got older. Truthfully, the entire thing only allowed me to appreciate my mother, Princess, all that much more.
It’s strange even contemplating talking to her about it. Deep inside, the words want to come out.
Me: Remind me sometime to tell you my story.
B: You assume there’ll be a next time.
Me: I can promise you that.
The feeling swirling inside of me from this one conversation feels too damn good to not have again.
B: My eyes are drooping. I need sleep.
Me: Get some sleep, beautiful.
B: Night.
I fall asleep with Bristyl on my mind.
Chaos surrounds me like a shroud of darkness. The weight on top of me pushes my small body hard into the linoleum floor of the clubhouse. All the while, screams echo the space.
Leggs slaps a hand over my mouth and whispers in my ear, “Shh … Cooper. You’ve gotta stay really quiet.” Her weight holds me down to the point I can’t move my legs or arms.
I squirm, wanting to get free.
I look around, lifting up to see a man holding a gun to my grandma’s head. He’s yelling, or at least with my one ear covered it sounds like it.
Fear hits me as the man holds the gun out, aims, and fires. The sound is loud and cracks like a whip.
My head jerks to the side as I watch my mother fall to the ground with dark red blood coming out of her leg.
“No!” the words are muffled by a hand that grips tighter, Leggs’ words for me to be quiet ignored.
I use every bit of strength from my tiny body to try to get free, wishing I was big like my dad, then I could move.
My mom is only a little bit away from me. I just need to get to her.
Tears spring from my eyes as she holds her leg, making sounds she shouldn’t be making.No, Mommy!
I bolt up from bed, gasping then blinking. A light sheen of sweat coats my skin.
Rubbing my hand over my face, the memories cling to me like a dark cloak. In that moment, I knew I’d do anything to protect those I love. Whatever price. Whatever it took. My family comes first. We are bound together. If I could only shake the dreams.
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