Page 52 of Jonny’s Redemption

I shook my head because I didn’t but also because my throat was tingling and I was afraid to talk.

“The way you love is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever witnessed. And knowing that you have that in you despite how you grew up says a lot about you. All of it good. Your love, your loyalty, your friendship—you give it freely. I’d say you’re not them but I’d rather say you’re you. Beautiful, smart, funny, giving, wise, cute, sexy. You are not what they could’ve made you become. You’re too strong to be that. You needed to leave them to become who you were always meant to be, the woman who you just are. You didn’t learn to be her, you were simply born this way.”

I couldn’t catch my breath. It was painful and erratic and I could feel Jonny’s praise blazing through me. Every word he said felt like a needle piercing my skin, the meaning behind those words the thread.

He was stitching me up.

Sewing all those old gaping wounds closed.

I actually, honestly, genuinely believed Jonny meant those things.

I was a good friend and I was goddamn smart.

No, I hadn’t done it wrong. I forgave, but it wasn’t about the weight of my family’s transgressions being lifted.

It was this—letting go of the insecurities that had been drilled into me by those who had done me wrong. By forgiving, I had absolved myself of the punishment of their wrongdoings.

“I believe you.”

“That’s good, baby, because I speak the truth.”

“Are you going to let me return the favor and believe me when I tell you all the reasons why I think you’re a good man? How smart I think you are. How strong and brave and honorable.”

“Soon.”

Before I could press him, his phone rang. It rang twice then stopped. Then a few seconds later it started up again.

“You should get that.”

Jonny sighed but reached into his pocket. I could see the screen, but by the way his body tensed, I knew he didn’t want to speak to whoever was calling.

Which meant I didn’t need to see the caller ID to know who it was. His mom or possibly his Uncle Bryan.

“It never ends,” he mumbled and lifted his phone to his ear. “Uncle?”

Okay, the better of the two. At least I thought that until Jonny started vibrating.

“She what?” he sneered.

Oh, boy.

“That’s not going to happen,” Jonny continued then there was another brief pause. “Right. This is the last time. I’m not joking, Uncle. This is it. I’ve been down this road so many times it’s pathetic. After this, you take her somewhere and get her help.”

Jonny lowered his phone, gave me a squeeze, then dipped his chin. Damn, those blue eyes had turned artic. “I have to go to my mom’s. She’s locked herself in the bathroom and refuses to come out until I’m there.”

Damn her.

“Okay, let’s go.”

“Bobby—”

“Oh, no, Jonny, don’t start. You know I’m not letting you do this alone. We can argue about it but you know I’ll get in my car and follow you. So please save me the gas and take me with you.”

Jonny didn’t move. I would swear he didn’t even breathe. He simply stood frozen staring at me. He did this for a long time. Long enough I was preparing for battle. But he finally exhaled and nodded.

“He didn’t say, but she’s likely drunk. Which means she’s gonna be nasty. Ignore her. Whatever she says to me, about me, don’t pay any attention to it. Most of the time she doesn’t remember what she says.”

Or she pretends like she doesn’t. I kept that thought to myself. Further, I kept my disdain for a sick woman locked away so Jonny couldn’t see it. He had his own emotions to keep in check without attempting to settle my contempt. Besides, it would’ve been in vain—there was nothing Jonny could say that would excuse a mother being nasty to her son.