Total pages in book: 206
Estimated words: 192184 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 961(@200wpm)___ 769(@250wpm)___ 641(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 192184 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 961(@200wpm)___ 769(@250wpm)___ 641(@300wpm)
“Nice rock,” he commented, and it was said almost in a prideful way, like he was taking credit.
It made me feel a little queasy.
“I want some truth from you, Dad.”
He let out a breath. “The truth is that I know I was a lousy father, but I’ve always loved you. You’ve always been the apple of my eye. Tom Ferrano set his sights on you and there wasn’t a damn thing I could do about it. You don’t know how it is in this world, Tia. The man had power and reach and there was nothing I could do. Your mother grew up in that world and I know she didn’t want it for you, but I just prayed you’d somehow be happy and safe. It looks like you are. I wanna be in your life. I feel like I can finally be in your life now that I’m not looking over my shoulder all the time. I tried to stay away to keep you safer. It didn’t work, and here we are, but maybe it’ll be okay. Maybe now we can move ahead, put all that behind us.”
“You left me to rot in foster homes to protect me?” I was incensed.
“Crenshaws? That big house? That was rotting?”
I didn’t like the snark in his voice, like I’d had it so easy.
“You had no way of knowing where I’d end up and I wasn’t there the whole time. Do you know the stories I’ve heard from some of the girls? Some of them that lived in group homes or who got molested or abused by other foster kids, foster dads? You had no way of knowing I’d be okay. You’d go months without checking on me. And as good as they were to me, they took me because you abandoned me. You. You abandoned your daughter after her mother died and social services paid someone else to do your job, to raise me. Everyone tells me I’m very well-adjusted considering what I’ve been through in my life but Dad, you get zero credit for that. Zero fucking credit.”
“I’ve never seen you so angry.” He looked down.
“This? This is nothing! Let’s talk about how you tricked me on my high school graduation day to be your “marker” when you knew, you fucking knew what you were really doing! You basically sold me into slavery, Dad.”
Dad winced. Tommy was still seated on the conference table, arms folded while watching me with an unreadable expression.
“I was sold like a piece of chattel,” I continued, rage propelling my words. “I was treated like a piece of property to be pawned off. And then when I escaped because it was fucking unbearable…” I glanced at Tommy, but he made no moves, his expression didn’t change. “What did you do? Did you help me? Did you? No, you called Tommy and told him where to find me. Do you know what I had endured up to that point? Do you have any idea? Do you even care?”
Dad shook his head. “I had no choice. And you were obviously safer here than down in Mexico. Imagine what might’ve happened to you if I hadn’t told him where you were? If you’d gotten nabbed before he found you, maybe escaped a bit longer he wouldn’t have wanted to rescue you from Mexico. Maybe you should’ve just did what you were told and stayed put.”
“That’s enough,” Tommy spat.
My eyes were wide, I was shocked. What kind of twisted logic?
“Listen,” Dad drawled, smiling now, trying to salvage this, his eyes darting to and fro between Tommy and me. “I did what I thought I needed to do. I always did. I just wanted you safe. I was no match for the Ferranos. I knew you’d have a good life here. Tommy is a good man; he’s taking care of you. You’re happy. I never understood why Mom wanted away from this life. I tried to work my way up, but Tom wouldn’t let me in. I thought I was a dead man, that Tom would have me taken out after your mom. But he didn’t. Then when he came for you I thought through you, I dunno, maybe I’d know we were now safe and then I’d be a part of your life. Tommy, I’m available. I’m happy to start at the bottom, I–”
“Get out,” I interrupted.
Dad looked at Tommy beseechingly and stayed perfectly still. There was silence for a beat.
Finally, Tommy notched a brow and jerked his chin up. “You heard her. Nino will walk you out.”
“Uh,” Dad got to his feet, “Can I uh… can I get a lift back home? I don’t have cab fare, I…”
“Get the fuck outta here.” Tommy pointed toward the door. “Nino!” he hollered, making me jump a little.
The door flew open and Nino was in the room, looking ready to crush bones.