Page 63 of Dear, Carson McDermott
I took a breath, looking at Cross as she sat on the floor in front of Carson’s mother. Carson’s mother had yet to say a thing as she watched us two. I reached out in my pocket for the new iPhone that Carson got me. I pressed the number 1 to dial him. It didn’t even ring that long as he picked up,
“Baby?” He said. He sounded dejected.
“You okay?” I asked.
“I need you; I really do but finish what you have to and then come to me, please.” The way he spoke made me shut my eyes.
I thought back to when he first asked me to stay with him when we were in high school. The way he felt so remorseful for something he didn’t do. The way he was apologetic when there was no problem with how he expressed his feelings of being upset at the diner.
“I love you; you know that right? I’m not going anywhere but I need you to promise me one thing.
I heard him take a deep breath,
“Anything,” He replied.
“I know it’s not too late for you to go pro. I want you to give me the one thing you promised me you would. You promised that you wouldn’t give up on your dream, baby, please don’t give up. Please,” I begged him.
He grunted,
“you know I never want you to beg me for anything but for you, I’d do it. I’ll keep my promise. After all, this is said and done, I’ll do it. I love you, Lil’ darlin’.”
This made me smile.
“I love you too, Bubba. I’ll see you soon.” I hung up.
Cross looked my way with a smile on her face,
“I like this, I might stick around longer this time.”
I chuckled as I joined her on the floor.
“You sure it isn’t because a certain someone hasn’t made you realize how much you love him and how stupid it all is?”
Before Cross could answer, Carson’s mother decided to talk.
“Will you just get on with it already? I know you’re going to kill me! So just do it.”
I cocked an eyebrow and before I realized it, I had smacked the shit out of her. It was all out of pure instinct.
“You have no right! None! You dare open your mouth when you know what you did!”
Cross whistled, “I knew Bubba loved you for a reason. That violent streak in you is something else, mama,” She winked at me and then she reached out for the duct tape placing it over the witch’s mouth.
“Thanks,” I smiled. “Okay, now what?”
Cross wiggled her brows as she gripped one of Carlie’s foot, so I grabbed the other one. I watched her as she picked up her knife, so I grabbed the one she had for me.
“Now, you know how there are pressure points in the feet?” She asked. “Well this one between the big toe and the middle toe, the thick skin, if you apply pressure, it helps with your vision, leg cramps, and even liver disease but we’re not trying to help you, now are we, Carlie?” Cross said her name as though she were a snake releasing her venom into her victim.
Cross knew I was watching so she stuck the tip of the knife into that same chunk of meat. I smiled as I stuck the whole knife in. Carlie’s muffled screams were like fuel to my soul. I never understood why I didn’t do this before. I chuckled as I took it even further, I removed the knife and cut off her middle toe.
“Look!” I said to Cross, “it’s like a small fuck you to the world.”
Cross lightly chuckled but shook her head. “You are definitely a match made in heaven or hell, I’m not sure yet.”
For a moment, I thought I answered her as I concentrated on the blood flowing out of her foot. I lifted her foot as I sliced through the sole of her foot. I turned to face her, “Whatever do you mean?”
Cross’s eyes widened.
