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That feels like a cop out answer. I need her to tell it to me straight.
“Then what’s it like, huh? Because from where I’m standing, it looks like you abandoned me.” I can’t help the anger spilling out of me with each word.
“All those years ago, I wanted to get out. I threatened to leave and take you with me. Your father went ballistic; he beat me so severely that I couldn’t open my eyes for a week.”
My chest aches at her words. I remember that time. She told me that she’d fallen down the stairs and hit her face. God,I believed her. How could I be so stupid to not realize a fall wouldn’t mess her face up that bad? Yeah, I was a young kid, but even back then, I already knew what a piece of shit my father was.
“After that, he made a deal with Harvey, and sold me to him. The deal was that I’d work for him and be out of your father’s hair. He said if I even thought about escaping and coming back for you, he’d torture and kill you, and he’d make me watch. I knew he was serious... I couldn’t let him hurt you like that.”
Anger fills me at her words, because they’re dead fucking wrong. She left, but he still hurt me. Of course he still hurt me; he enjoyed inflicting pain too much to stop.
“You knew he’d still abuse me, just like he did when you were there. But guess what? It got worse. He turned me into him. He’d take me into the woods, cut up my skin, and make me do horrible things to innocent people. You knew this would happen. You knew it, and you still left me,” I spit out.
I can see all the emotions she’s feeling right now splashed across her face. Hurt, anger, regret. “He… he would’ve killed you, Greyson.”
“Well that might’ve been better than what I had to endure.” I know that was a cheap shot to her, but part of me actually believes those words.
Her tears turn to sobs. “Don’t say that, Greyson. You were my sweet little boy. I had to stay away to save you. It was the only way I could protect you from him killing us both.”
“There was no saving me from him. He was going to hurt me whether you were there to witness it or not. If you thought even for a second that he wouldn’t torment me when you weren’t there, then you are not the same mother I once knew. The mother who loved me and treated me like I was her world. That man couldn’t go a day without letting the darkness inside of him out to play,” I mumble, reliving all the times he attacked me without warning.
“I’m... I... I thought I was protecting you. I should’ve known better. I know I made a mistake, but the alternative option was you being dead, and I couldn’t risk him killing you.”
My anger with her starts to fade the more she talks. I know my father was a manipulative liar, so it really wouldn’t surprise me if what she’s saying is true.
“Dad let me think you didn’t care, that you just left me with him knowing what he’d do. He said you left us for a better life with another man.”
She reaches out and lays her hand on my bicep. “Oh Greyson, honey, I stayed away to save your life. I love you so much. I wanted so badly to keep you safe. I had nobody to turn to for help, and I wasn’t strong enough to get you out by myself. I hate myself every day for that. I wish I could’ve done right by you, I wish I could’ve done better. Not a day goes by that I don’t regret leaving you. I was just so afraid, and then once I arrived here, I was trapped.” Tears stream down her face. “How is he… your dad, I mean?”
Is she asking because she cares about him, or because she wants to know if he’ll be coming back for her someday?
“Dead.”
“Oh…” she whispers, but I sense happiness in her tone.
Yeah, I’m glad he’s dead too.
“Enough about that asshole. I’m here for something else.”
My mom’s demeanor does a complete one-eighty. It goes from happy to see me to looking like she’s seen a ghost. “Whatever it is you’re here for, I suggest you forget it. You need to leave, right now. Sutton isn’t here, but he could be back at any second.” Her voice is rushed and full of fear.
“I’m not scared of him.”
“Please, please… Greyson.” She cuts me off before I can say anything else. “You don’t know what he’s like, what he can do. You need to leave and never come back. I don’t want you getting hurt.”
I’ve faced men like Sutton my whole life and I don’t give a shit about what he can do to me. He preys upon the weak, making them think he’s a tough guy—but the moment he’s outmatched, he crumbles. I can do worse shit to him than he ever could to me.
Disregarding what she’s saying, I insist, “I’m not leaving here without Lainey.”
“Lainey? Who’s Lainey?”
What does she mean who’s Lainey? Shit, she doesn’t go by Lainey here.
“Skye. Where is Skye?” I ask.
“Oh, Skye!” Her voice rings in recognition. “How do you know her?”
I’m growing impatient. Every second that goes by is another that Sutton has to do whatever he wants with her.
