Page 42 of Mr. Edwards
My mind tries to process everything I’ve just learned. What she’s been through both saddens and infuriates me, and I’m sure I don’t know the half of it. There’s also a huge part of me that’s immensely proud of the kind of person she is today, despite it all.
She’s a survivor. I love that about her.
I’m struggling to wrap my head around it, but none of what I learned tonight makes me want to bail. It just confirms that overwhelming feeling that’s been swimming around inside me since yesterday…she needs me just as much as I need her. Every single part of me wants to wrap her in my arms and protect her from all the ugliness in this world.
It’s been less than twenty-four hours since I first laid eyes on this woman, but something deep inside me screams she’s myone. That special someone my dad talked about. Those words he spoke that day suddenly have clarity. Is she the person I’ve been searching for?
I’ve had beautiful women clawing down my door, blowing up my phone, and literally throwing themselves at my feet from the time I hit puberty. But my reckless ways are no longer fulfilling. The women from my past are all the same. Carbon copies of each other. None of them have been able to keep my attention for long. That’s because they weren’t Carlee. In my heart, I know she just shared a part of herself that she never gives anyone, and that means everything to me.
It takes a few moments for me to pull myself together; when I do, I turn back around and reach for her. I crush her tightly against my body, burying my face in her hair.
“Where was your dad when this was happening?”
She shrugs. “Not around, but I doubt he would’ve cared even if he was.”
I exhale a long breath. She lucked out on the parent front. I didn’t even know her back then, so rationally I know there’s nothing I could’ve done to prevent any of this from happening, but I hate that there was nobody around to protect that little girl.
“I won’t let anyone hurt you again,” I whisper. And I mean every word.
She doesn’t reply, but I can feel her mouth curve into a smile against my chest. That right there is enough.
Chapter 10
Carlee
(11 years old)
As soon as the school bell sounds announcing the end of the day, I leap out of my chair, grab my backpack, and dash for the door. I don’t even bother to stop at my locker to store my books inside. I’m too excited.
The past year things have been looking up. If I’m honest, I’ve gotten a taste of the good life, but I know my recent experiences are just the tip of the iceberg. Today is the day of new beginnings. It’s the day I’m going to get that happier ever after I’ve always wished for. Something that once felt so far out of my realm, I was foolish for even thinking it was a possibility, but thankfully I was wrong. Meeting Reece was a lucky break for a kid like me, and him posting those letters to my dad in prison is what brings me to this very moment.
We’re finally going to meet.
Eeep!
Well, technically he was around when I was little, so we’ve already met, but I don’t remember much about that time. It’s been eight long years and I can’t begin to tell you how eager I am to see him again. I’ve dreamt of this day.
Cutting across the lawn at the front of the school, Ibypass the bus I usually take home. It’s traveling in the opposite direction to where I want to go. I’ve been writing back and forth with my father for the past six months.Thanks to Reece. Roxy went ballistic when she found out, apparently, she’s still harboring a lot of anger toward him for going to prison and lumbering me with her. I’m pretty sure he didn’t have a say in it. Nevertheless, he’s my dad, she can’t stop me from communicating with him.
In his last letter, my father informed me he was being released. He said he couldn’t wait to see me. The feeling was mutual. I haven’t been able to think of anything else over the past few weeks.
My heart is thundering so hard in my chest as I race toward my destination; I hope it doesn’t give out before I get there. I’m so happy I could squeal, and I’m by no means a squealer. Today is the day my life changes for the better. Sure, I can’t abandon Roxy, despite everything rotten she’s done, she’s my mom. But having my dad back in my life will be amazing—the start of a brighter future. And I cannot wait.
That’s why I’ve arranged to meet him at Reece’s new gym this afternoon. I don’t want my mother to ruin this for me. Reece has been nothing but supportive and he’s become a huge part of my life over the past six months. He’s my first real friend.
After our initial meeting at Juicy Lucy’s, bags of food started appearing regularly on my front porch. They were always dropped off sometime during the night, or early morning. He’d come a few times a week, always leaving enough essentials to get me by until his next visit. One day I decided to stay up, waiting for my fairy godfather to show, because in my heart I already knew it was him. Who else could it be?
It was just after 5:00 am when I saw the car lightsapproaching in the distance. He didn’t park out the front of our trailer, instead choosing to pull over further down the road. I was sitting in the far corner on the front porch, completely shielded by the dark.
I watched on as he got out of his vehicle and removed a bag from the back seat. He casually strolled toward our trailer, tiptoeing up the front steps and across the threshold.
“Hey,”I said, standing as he bent to place the bag down.
“Jesus, kid.”He stood back to full height, retreating a step.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.”I held my hands up in front of me, letting him know I didn’t mean any harm.
“You didn’t scare me,”he scowled.“I just wasn’t expecting you to be out here is all. Are you locked out?”
