Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 80699 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 323(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80699 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 323(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
The ride to the diner was tense; the emotion inside the cab thick in the air. I could feel his eyes on me in the rearview mirror each time we stopped at a red light. I refused to look up, knowing I’d break if I did.
Thankfully, the trip into town was quick. Kid places the SUV in park outside of the diner we shared a beautiful lunch at a few short weeks ago. Why I opted for this place, I’ll never know. Maybe because it is filled with happier memories for both of us.
He gets out and pulls my door open before I have the chance to do it for myself. I climb down, not making eye contact with him.
“Happy birthday,” he says softly. His warm breath ghosts over my neck, warmer than the air around me.
I close my eyes and for a minute imagine that things are different. That second of reprieve is smashed to hell when the image of Snapper opening his door flashes in my mind.
“Thank you,” I mutter and walk inside the diner.
***
“So what exactly are you saying?” I ask my case manager.
“Services are limited for those that don’t start the process a year before they age out,” she answers.
“So there’s nothing that I can do?”
“I’m not saying that, Khloe. There are application processes that take some time. We can submit the applications, but they take time. We should’ve done this months ago.”
I stare at her. “You never even mentioned any of this a year ago.” I’m doing my best to remain calm, but my frustration is growing.
I dart my eyes to the other side of the diner and see Emmalyn and Kid with their heads lowered in deep discussion. Of course he chose the side of the booth that would be facing my direction. I’ve felt his eyes on me the whole time I’ve been sitting here.
“I did mention this to you, Khloe,” she says taking a drink from her soda cup. “You told me you had other plans and wouldn’t even entertain the idea of assisted aftercare.”
I don’t remember the conversation, but it’s entirely possible that it took place.
“Do you want me to start the application process?”
“Yes, please.” I mean, what else can I do?
“Listen, Khloe. I need to apologize to you.”
That gets my attention. “Gary Reamy was indicted last week on sexual assault of one of the girls he and his wife were fostering. I should have listened to you years ago when you told me he hurt you.”
I swallow my tongue, filled with rage that another girl was hurt when it could’ve been prevented if they’d have trusted me.
“The statute of limitations hasn’t run out. You can still go after him for what he did to you,” she adds.
I shake my head. It wouldn’t make any difference, and I’m not certain how much longer I will even be in town. Reliving those memories, telling my story to a jury is not something I’d want to have to come back and do.
“Well,” she says pushing her plate away, “you have a few more years to make that final call. I’ll get to work right away on the service applications, and I’ll let you know if I hear anything.”
I stand from the table and walk away from the woman who, for the most part, I’ve seen as a thorn in my side for almost ten years, knowing I’ll probably never see her again. After the shit I’ve been through and the lack of support on her part, even never is too soon.
Kid stands when he sees me walking across the diner. He holds the SUV door open for me without a word this time; I’m grateful for his silence.
“Can we stop at that U-Haul place on the way back?” I ask Emmalyn as she buckles up.
“Sure,” she says giving Kid a pointed look since he’s the one driving.
I catch his pleading eyes in the review mirror for a split second before I force myself to look away.
“Eight thirty-two,” the clerk says ten minutes later. I’ve picked out some sturdy boxes to pack my things in even though I have nowhere to go.
I rifle through my wallet, knowing I have enough from my last twenty that I had to break last week to grab tampons on a shopping trip with Rose.
Kid walks up and slaps a ten dollar bill on the counter, before scooping up the boxes and walking out the door with them. I swallow my pride at his offer to pay for the very boxes I’ll use when I leave; an action that is sure to kill us both.
Emmalyn is waiting just outside the door to the tiny, square office as I walk out. I ignore Kid as he angrily shoves the boxes into the back and slams the gate closed with more force than necessary.