Page 97 of My Rules for Revenge
“After what happened in the auditorium, I told her how everything had worked out, and then she saw it online, so she sent us a voice message,” Carlos explained.
“Play it!” I exclaimed.
CHAPTER 24
HEATHER
Iwas in my room, crying my eyes out. My life was an absolute disaster. My mom was furious that I got suspended, and we shouted at each other for several minutes until I barged into my room and slammed the door shut. My grades had slipped because of my preoccupation with destroying Jacob’s life. I was also still confused as to what exactly happened in the auditorium. I knew there were details I was missing, and I wanted to find the answers. Actually, I needed to find the answers. My mind was in a whirlwind of chaos and confusion.
I wish I were able to talk to my dad. He would have told me what to do. He typically did. I scrolled through the various pictures I had of us on my phone. When he passed, I was angry—a lot angrier than now, if that was possible. Over time, that feeling began to fade. As a result, I chose to fully embody his life’s philosophy and to stand up for myself no matter what. “Theworld will be cruel to you if you allow it to,” was what he always said. That was his mantra.
I remembered the last time I saw him in the hospital. He was very thin and pale. He was hooked up to a machine, and his breathing was irregular. I sat near him while I ate an ice cream cone. I was very young. When he woke up and saw me, his face brightened up. I would relive our last conversation from time to time.
“Hi, Daddy. Are you okay?” I asked.
“Hey, honey. I’m doing okay. I’m doing a lot better now that I’ve seen you,” my dad said.
“Do you want some of my ice cream?”
“Oh, I would love some, but I can’t have any. It might make me explode like that blowfish we saw at the aquarium.”
He made an explosion sound, and I giggled so hard my mouth hurt.
“Thank you, though. You’re a generous daughter.”
“And you’re a generous daddy. That’s why I love you so much,” I said in a loving way.
My dad shut his eyes as a few tears rolled down his cheeks.
“Thank you, sweetheart. I love you too. More than you can ever know,” my daddy expressed.
“I do know,” I replied gently.
“How’s Mommy doing?” my daddy asked.
“She’s okay. I think. She’s talking to the doctor.”
“Okay. I’ll talk to her later. Listen, Heather, I need to tell you something,” he said in a concerned tone of voice.
“Okay.”
I got up from my chair and jumped onto his bed. I affectionately gripped his arm and listened closely. He smiled.
“I know you understand how important it is to stand up for yourself.”
“Yeah, of course. You always tell me, like that guy who tried to steal Mommy’s flowers.”
“That’s exactly right, but Mommy doesn’t understand. She’s too nice to people and too good for this world. I need you to promise me that you’ll always stand up for her. She needs it,” he explained.
“I promise, Daddy. I will. I swear I will.”
“Good, good. Sweetheart, I’ll be going away soon,”he said sadly.
“No!” I whispered.
“I’m so sorry,” he replied with a tone of hopelessness in his voice.
“No, no, no. Don’t say that,” I urged.
