Total pages in book: 139
Estimated words: 127146 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 636(@200wpm)___ 509(@250wpm)___ 424(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 127146 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 636(@200wpm)___ 509(@250wpm)___ 424(@300wpm)
The weight of it all rests heavily on my shoulders, and if I had the means to make my father disappear and make this all end, I would, but I don’t. He’s far too powerful, and I can't make a single move until I have better leverage on him. Leaning over, I lay my head on the bed by her hand. There’s so much at stake here, but helping my mother get better is the most important thing. She's been sick for years, since before I went to college, and no matter what we try or what my father says he tries, she doesn't ever seem to be getting better.
I’ve asked the doctors numerous times and always get the same answer. It’s some form of aggressive cancer, but even with all the treatments and experimental drugs, there's been no change. My father refuses to allow me to attend any of the appointments, and any questions I have result in no answers and a beating from my father. Even Lee hasn’t been able to find my answers, and he’s damn good at hacking the systems. I’m starting to think my father asks them to do paper records instead.
I’ve learned quickly that asking questions gets me nowhere. Shifting, I look up into her deep brown eyes, grinning back at her when she smiles at me. With her other hand, she runs her fingers through my messy hair. The wind on the bike dried it, but it's not lying flat now. Not that I care.
"Tell me all about yourself. Do you have a girlfriend yet?"
I jerk at the question but resettle. "No, Mom. I don't have a girlfriend. I don't have time to date between The Mill and football, plus my classes."
She makes a humming noise at the back of her throat that sounds a little like she's calling me out on my bullshit. Fine. I’ll take the bait.
"There is one girl I think I'm interested in."
I don't share what I'm interested in her for because that aspect doesn’t really matter. A mere mention of interest is all my mother needs to glow. She has always been a romantic at heart. It makes me wonder how she ever ended up with a man like my father. The bubble of joy from the moment bursts in an instant when the hall door creaks open, and my father walks in. I guess I didn’t realize it was this late in the afternoon. I thought for sure we’d have more time together before he arrived home. His fingers work to loosen his tie, and I watch as the light on my mom's face dims. She still turns her smile to him. A fucking smile that bastard doesn't deserve.
"Andrew, we weren't expecting you today.” His tone is curious like he expects me to explain why I’m here. Obviously to see my mother, idiot.
I stand and pat my mom's hand tenderly. "It was a last-minute drop-in."
My father crosses the space, clamping my shoulder in his hand, his grip hard and heavy. "Do let us know next time, so we can make sure we're prepared to have you stop by."
Not fucking likely, asshole.
I lean in and press a kiss on my mom's cheek. "I'll see you later, Mom. Get some rest."
She lifts her head and shakes it. "No, don't go yet. You only just got here. We have so much to catch up on."
Instead of trying to speak around the lump in my throat, I give her another smile and head to the door. My father says nothing as I exit. Asshole. I stand on the other side of the cracked door and watch them for a moment. I wouldn’t ever put it past my father to hurt my mother, not when he hurts me as he does.
My father leans down and gently kisses her forehead. She cups his cheek and whispers, "Leon, you haven't been coming to see me either.”
“I’m sorry, sweetheart. Things at the office have been hectic, and we’ve taken on a few more clients.” His soft tone is gentle, but it's empty and vacant. He doesn't care any more about her than his fancy watch or his designer suits. Especially when he threatens me with withholding her pain meds or her nurses.
I stare at my father's joke of a mask, of the way he plays the doting husband, and it's enough to make my stomach turn. He doesn't give a shit about her or me. I can only hope for the day when the truth about the man he is and all the things he’s done come to light.
I take a step away from the door when I hear my mom's soft voice. "I think Andrew's found himself a girl..."
My father responds softly, "Oh, how interesting. I’ll have to ask him about that the next time I see him. He never mentioned anything to me."