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“I’ll be fine, Mom. Uncle Irish has an air conditioner in the shop and will make sure it’s cool in there for me. I’m not going to do anything that will jeopardize my health,” I assure her, kind of getting upset because I’m old enough to know what the hell is going on with me health-wise.
This is how I’m treated on a daily basis. I’m not a complete bitch and understand my family worries about me. Still, I’m not a child anymore, and I will recognize the symptoms of anything feeling off or different on a daily basis. This is why I still live at home at twenty years old, haven’t gone to college, and my only friends are the kids I grew up with in the club. It’s difficult to make and keep friends when you’re not allowed to do most things other kids do. By saying this, I mean going to the lake with friends. Or heading out to dinner or a movie without having at least two family members accompanying us.
“I’m heading out,” I tell my parents, not even finishing my breakfast.
“Rea,” my dad warns, his voice holding that calm-down tone he’s not really known for.
Of my two dads, Joker is the most likely to joke around and mess with us. He pulls pranks on us, laughs his ass off when we’re being overdramatic, and is usually the most even-tempered of my parents. Cage is the hard one of the trio. He’s unrelenting when it comes to our safety and protection. While he has been known to play games and hang out with us, Cage is usually my parent who does the most discipline. Mom is laid back unless it comes to me. My health always has her concerned and filled with worry. I love all three of them, but I’m not a child, and they need to understand this. They don’t know I’ve been applying to colleges and want to escape Clifton Falls. The rest of my brothers and sisters are starting to head out on their own, and I want to be able to do the same.
“I love you both, but I need to go to work. I’ll see you later,” I say, giving them both a quick kiss on the cheek before racing from the house.
Walking out, I get in my mom’s SUV. Starting it up, I leave home and make my way to the tattoo parlor. Parking at the back of the building, I notice Irish’s bike is the only one here. Letting out my breath, I shut the engine off and head inside to see if I’ve gotten any mail.
“Uncle, I’m here,” I call out, locking the door behind me.
“In the office,” Irish replies as I make my way there.
He’s sitting behind his desk with a frown while looking through the mail. When Irish looks up at me, his eyes are filled with mixed emotions. This is not a good sign.
“What’s wrong?” I ask him, sitting down in the seat across from him.
“You didn’t tell me you were applyin’ to colleges so far away. This is not what I want to see, Rea. I’m not gonna keep this secret for you for much longer. You need to talk to your parents about this shit,” he tells me, handing over several envelopes to me.
“I know. I’m sorry, Uncle Irish. I’ll talk to them soon.”
“Okay. For now, get the room set up. You’ve got a Prospect comin’ in for a tattoo. I’ve got his drawin’ here, and I’ll bring it in soon. I just need a minute to process this shit,” he tells me, his voice filled with emotion.
None of my family wants to see me leave Clifton Falls. However, it’s the only way I can live some sort of life without someone constantly watching over me. I’ve thought about this more than anything else, if I’m being honest. The worst part of this is I have absolutely no clue how to even begin a conversation about this with my parents. This is not something I want to do; it’s a necessity. For now, I need to concentrate on my day and get through it before I can look at any of the letters I’ve gotten so far. I’ll look when my day ends, and I’m locked in my room tonight.
