AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Jayla, Sweetheart, that was so nice of you. Let’s get our ... belongings.”
“Will he be, okay?”
This little girl ... my daughter ... doesn’t seem to want to let me go any more than I do.
“Sure, my darling girl. He will, soon enough.”
“He looks like my picture book man.”
“What picture book man?”
“The one that has all the pictures of my daddy. He looks just like the man, Pippa. Is he?”
Mrs. Emory looks at me with concern and confusion written all over her face.
“Did ... we should go.” Mrs. Emory scoops up ... Jayla ... my daughter then places her on her hip. She turns to face me. “I don’t know what to do.”
“Me either.”
I genuinely don’t know. My arm is being tugged on. Noise, whispers and giggles along with music, float around us. A chill runs down my spine as the air conditioning kicks on again. None of it registers. I have a billion questions. No answers are coming. The tears are still slowly trickling down my face as I recall that night. The night I had my heart broken then destroyed.
“What’s going on? What’s the matter? Jake, are you alright?” I hear Hope ask. I am able to stand but can’t respond. “Honey, go get in the car while I talk with your uncle. Will you do that for me please?”
I watch him go while I try to figure out my next move. The good thing is the crying has ceased. The bad thing is I’m pissed, and I’m annoyed because I couldn’t follow through on the one task that was requested of me today.
“Jaxson? How’re you doin’?”
I shake my head then move passed her, heading out the front door. Mrs. Emory and ... mydaughterare long gone.
“Brooklynn ...”
“She’s doing fine. I just left her and Journee at the hospital.”
My focus snaps to her face.
“Why are they at the hospital? Did something happen to ...”
Hope pulls me away from the doorway so a group of people can enter.
“I’ll tell you all the details later. They’re both fine. Brooklynn is there with Journee. I’m worried about you. Jake said you were crying in public. He was worried you had some breakdown?”
I snort at the accuracy of that statement. That’s what it feels like. I feel like the shit keeps piling on and I’m close to buckling under the weight of it.
“I got some unexpected news that I’ll fill you in on when I have a chance to work it out for myself. I’m sorry I couldn't take Jake like I said I would.”
“No, it’s fine. I’ve got him. Are you okay to drive? Do you need me to go with you?”
I wave her off. Leaning in, I kiss her cheek before I turn to head to my car.
“I’m good. I’m fine now. I just need some time.”
I toss a wave to my nephew who nods but still looks worried. As I climb in my car, I make a mental note to call him later to let him know I’m going to be fine, and I’ll make it up to him.
Now, I have to determine how to make that thought a reality.
After an hour of vacillating from one choice to the other, I finally muster up the nerve to call the one number I never thought I’d dial again. I can’t believe it’s the same. It’s been years since I reached out to Brooklynn’s mother.
I’d only reached out then because I needed to know her daughter was all right. At that time, Brooklynn had been living with her mother and her then second or third stepfather.
