Page 43 of Angels and Skulls
I’ve tried to be the best mother, but I know I’ve fallen short. God, this is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. A mom should never turn their child’s life upside down, but I’m about to do just that.
I pause to look at Daisy. Tears are streaming down her face. Fuck. I don’t want to read anymore.
She shakes her head. “You have to keep going,” she whispers.
My head falls, and I reluctantly draw my eyes back to the words on the page.
Please, remember I love you. Please promise me that. I understand you might hate me after this but know that I love you.
I’ve kept a secret from you. I had my reasons, and she had hers … but, god, I don’t know. Now that I’m writing this, it all seems so crazy. A part of me believes all of this is my karma. But this is my way of making amends. Please don’t blame her. Give her a chance. I accept full responsibility for this. She was hurt and scared. I was too, but for entirely different reasons. Some that I’m not proud of.
“Who the fuck is she talking …” I say out loud more to myself than Daisy. My words stick in my throat as I catch a glimpse of her next sentence.
My heart stops for a full minute as I re-read her words.
Your angel mom is alive.
My angel mom is alive. What does that even mean? I scratch my head and look at Daisy. “I don’t understand.”
She places her hand over my heart, her eyes spilling over with tears. “Your biological mother is alive.”
“My biological mother is alive?” I ask, still confused. We buried my mom when I was little. Her grave is down the roadfrom my house. I visit her there at least once a week. Always have. What the hell is she talking about?
“Jackson, I need you to listen to me. Rachel and your mother worked together to keep her hidden from the world. They did it to keep you both safe.”
My gaze drops to the letter in my hand, and suddenly it hits me. I jump from my chair. “My mom is alive!” I yell, jumping up and down like a damn little kid. “Oh my god. Please tell me this isn’t a joke?”
Daisy smiles at me and shakes her head. “It’s not a joke.”
I pace the patio, firing off several questions in a row not knowing if she’ll even be able to answer any of them. “Where is she? Is she close? Does she want to meet me? Oh my god, my mom is alive!”
The patio door slides open abruptly, and my dad steps out. “What did you say?”
Daisy stands, and I look at her. Oh. Oh shit.
His entire body is shaking. “I was upstairs. We came back for something.” He points to Dirk and Jesse’s open window above us.
“Dad,” I say, stepping toward him. I can’t read the look on his face.
He backs away. “Did you say your mom was alive?” he asks as if it’s the most ludicrous thing in the world to say.
My mouth falls open along with Daisy’s because fuck, what do I say? I’m sure my mom had a plan for this secret to come out, and I’m positive it did not include this.
Dirk walks out behind my father. “What the fuck, man? Why did you run out of the room like that?”
Dad turns toward him with a crazed look in his eyes.
“Why don’t we sit down and talk?” I pull out a chair for him.
His gaze snaps to mine. “Tell me.”
I sigh because fuck …
He steps toward the table and picks up the letter I left laying there.
“Dad, wait.” I try to snatch it from his hand, but he turns away from me.
Daisy is furiously typing on her phone as the door opens, and my sister joins us. “Sorry Dan and I are late, but we’re here to help,” she tells Dirk.
