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was yesterday. The look on the doctor s face when he read the results. The pity in his eyes. The sound
of my mother sobbing in the corner. The tears streaming down my father s face. Over a decade later,
and I just can t erase the memory of it all.
I haven t even looked in DeShawn s direction since the hearing started. I have no idea what he
looks like or what he is wearing, I couldn t bring myself to look; nevertheless, I know that the next
thing I have to say needs to be directed at him, not the parole board. My father knows what is
coming, so he slides to the end of the row, grabbing and holding my hand. I turn my body to face
DeShawn, and look at him for the first time since that fateful night. What was once a handsome, young
athlete, has been replaced by a disgusting thug, with a face covered in prison tattoos. If I could bring
myself to feel anything, it would be pity. Fortunately, I feel nothing, which is exactly what he
deserves. I look him in the eyes, square my shoulders, and carry on.
 That was the day that I found out I was pregnant. DeShawn s eyes go wide, but that s not what
has caught my attention. It was the loud gasp from the back row that has me turning around.
And there it is. My sanity. My rock. My stubborn, pig headed, never listens to me, best friend,
Delilah. Her hand is covering her mouth, tears streaming down her beautiful face. But that s not all I
see. She is encased between two devastatingly handsome men; Nick, whose jaw is locked tight, his
eyes cold as ice, staring at DeShawn; and Parker, who looks like someone just shot his puppy.
How d these bitches find out? Thank god they re here.
I turn back around, needing to finish what I started.  The rest of the details of my hospital visit
are not really much of importance at this point. What you should know, is that an innocent life, which
was in fact conceived from evil, was lost that night. An ectopic pregnancy is what they called it.
Resulting not only in the loss of the fetus, but also my left fallopian tube. With massive scarring
throughout my right tube, the doctor informed me that I would never be able to get pregnant. Try
telling that to a young girl, who has only dreamed of getting married and starting a family.
It is time to wrap this shit up and go home. I turned back to the board members to address them.
 I said when I first stepped up here that I am not a victim. I am a survivor. And as of about, oh,
two minutes ago, I became neither. I am healed. I am no longer lost. I am whole. After today, as
soon as I walk through those doors behind me, I will never speak of this again. I will never think
about this again. This never happened. I will begin to live my life to the fullest. I will not live in fear.
I will embrace my family, my friends, and anyone worthy of being in my life. I will trust freely. I will
love openly. And I will do it all with an unburdened heart, free of the heavy weights which have been
holding me back and dragging me down. Don t get me wrong; the things that I am spouting may sound
all kumbaya, but I still want this child-raping, virginity- stealing, dream crushing, cocksucking, filthy
animal to rot in prison. Excuse my French and thank you for your time.
I turn toward my father just in time for him to stand up and give me the bear hug that I need. He
tells me how proud of me he is and we sit back down. My mom grabs me as soon as I get close and
plants a wet one on my cheek. I couldn t feel more loved. We sit in silence as a few more people take
the lectern to have their say. I am startled for a second when my ass vibrates, and then remember that I
shoved my phone in my back pocket when we got here. I pull it out to see a text from Delilah.
LaLa: I love u!
Charlie: luv u 2
LaLa: I am so proud of u :)
Charlie: Thx :(
LaLa: no sad face. U rocked!
Charlie: lol. It is what it is
LaLa: Come on char, u are the strongest girl I know
The tears I ve been holding back slowly start to roll down my cheeks. Dammit, I was good until
this. To hear words like that from my best friend in the world mean everything to me. Bitch.
Charlie: Thx, La
LaLa: Now, about that embracing life u mentioned
Charlie: Oh, shit. What?
I stifle a groan and roll my eyes. Where is this going?
LaLa: 2 words. Calvin King
A slow smile crawls across my face. Leave it to Delilah to know exactly what I m thinking.
Charlie: His fine black ass is mine
LaLa: Ha! Now ur talkin! Let s blow this popsicle stand
Charlie: Meet u outside in 5
I lean into my father and whisper in his ear that I am leaving and that Delilah will see that I get
home safely. I tell him that I can t stand to listen to one more person speak in support of his release,
and I don t want to breathe the same air as him anymore. He completely understands and gives me the
permission to leave I was secretly praying for. A few hugs and kisses later from my parents, and I am
out of this joint.
I step outside and the sun is shining brightly, completely polar opposite from the dark and dreary
room we just came from. My mood lightens immediately, and then a sudden panic sets in about what I
just shared. What my friends just heard.
I look up at Delilah, Nick, and Parker who are already waiting for me. Smiling. I look into their
eyes and see nothing but love. Open arms. No judgment. My salvations.
Calvin
Where the hell is everybody? I ve called Nick and Parker multiple times, and I ve tried Charlotte
and Delilah a couple of times. No one has picked up. It s been hours since I ve spoken to anyone. I
can t imagine that everyone is so fucking busy at the same time that they can t answer their damn
phones. So what could have happened to them? Were they out together and got into a car accident? I
hate not knowing! I finally had to quit calling because I had to get ready to go to the club, which is
where I am now, stewing in my agitation.
I am in my usual spot overlooking the crowd then I see the four of them walk into the club. They
are all smiling and having a good old fucking time as they head over to the bar. Nick is wearing a
plain black mask. Parker& fucking Parker is wearing a goddamn Batman mask& asshole. Delilah s
mask is red and black, and Charlotte s is silver, which does nothing to hide her incredible crystal
blue eyes.
I set up a group text on my device; something that not many people in the club know is possible to
do. But I m the boss; I can do anything I want. I send my first text to my friends as I start toward them.
C-dog #413: Where the hell were the 4 of u all day?
They all look at their devices at the same time then look around at each other in confusion.
Nico #812: Where u at C-dog?
C-dog #413: Right behind u
Nick turns to look at me as I come up behind him.
Ham Bone #069: How are we in a group message?
C-dog #413: I m the goddamn owner. I can do what I want. Now someone had better answer my
first question
I glare at the four of them from behind my navy blue mask. Charlotte is looking beautiful in a
modest floral print dress. I m having a hard time taking my eyes off her.
Charlie #228: Sorry, I had something to do & I couldn t answer my phone
I meet her eyes, which are silently asking me not to ask any more questions. I give her a small [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]