The anger rushes through me at the mention of my brother. Mess with Chase? It was his son. Let it go, Dylan, he’s pushing buttons.
I look to him as he moves in. A man poised to take control once again—I’ll give him what he wants ...for now.
“I was wrong; I see that now. I won’t make that mistake again,” I say.
“And the girl—that’s done. Her kind doesn't belong in our world, Dylan. If she doesn’t bring you down, she’ll take it all from you, or at least try. Women like her are only good for one thing, and I think now she may be of no use to you for that either.”
Pure instinct has me wanting to lunge at him and tear him limb from limb, but I can’t. “You don’t ever have to worry about her. She’s out of my life.”
He nods. I can’t see his face all that well, but I’m assuming it’s holding a smirk of victory. “Well, then welcome home, son.”
Chapter 22 Velyn
3 Months Later
It’s been quite the long haul, but I was finally able to come home today. It’s different not coming back to the apartment, but then again, that never really felt like home either. Not because it wasn’t big or beautifully decorated like our old house was, but because there I felt like I was alone. Sure, I had my father, but he was never really there. However, I think this place will be different.
Dad still has a few more months in rehab, but he’s doing great—one hundred and thirty-two days sober. I’m so proud of him, but better than that, he’s proud of himself.
Since I’m out of the hospital now, I'll only be able to see him once a week, but we can talk every day. I’m just happy I have him back. I’ve been to group meetings for family, and they tell us not to get discouraged because there will be tough times. I know there will be, but I also have faith.
Then there’s Dylan. That’s also been one hundred and thirty-two days and still nothing. I had hoped that when I spoke to Connie and gave her the letter that he would come around but he didn’t. Now that’s the one thing in my life keeping me from moving on. I told him in the letter that I was going to live my best life, but I can’t. Not yet, anyway. Ava keeps telling me that I need to move on. Poor Jordan, he just lowers his head, shaking it in regret. He mentioned that he’s spoken to Dylan; that he saw something there and hoped that maybe he got through to him. I believe he did get through to him. I just think Dylan’s own determination to protect himself is standing in the way.
My question is, how to get through that?
I love him. I know I told him that I was going to live my life with or without him, and I will. The thing is, I’m still not ready to give up on Dylan.
“Okay, so I picked up some groceries for you. If there’s anything else you need that I didn’t get, just let me know,” Joan mentions as she and Stu walk in behind me.
I look around the apartment, and surprisingly for the size, with all the windows and natural light, it seems quite open.
I turn to Joan and Stu. “I don't know how I’ll ever repay you for all of this.”
Joan offers me a smile. “By getting strong and
healthy again.”
“I will. It’s all slowly getting back to normal.
Ava’s taken care of my registration for school for the first term, and with the online classes, I was able not to fall too far behind, so that’s a plus. But I do need to work.”
“Velyn, you’re doing great, but don’t push it. The doctor said there’s still much healing that needs to be done,” Joan says.
I nod. “I know, and I won’t do more than I can handle, but I was thinking.”
Stu lets out a chuckle. “Oh, boy, here we go.”
I turn, giving him one of my sweetest smiles. “Look, I agree there are still some things that I’m limited in doing, but I can still help out in the kitchen. There’s no reason I can’t work doing the mundane condiment refilling or cutlery wrapping. I can’t stand for too long, but those are all things that I can pull up a stool and still do.”
Joan looks to Stu then back to me, but I can tell she’s still not convinced. “I don’t know, Velyn. I don’t want to risk you pushing yourself too much.”
“Please, I promise it won’t be too much. We can start slowly at first. An hour here and an hour there. Joan, I appreciate your concern I truly do, but you and Stu have already gone above and beyond for both my father and me.”
“We wanted to. You and your father are like family to us,” Stu says.
I smile. “And that means everything to me. But when my father comes home, I want him to have at least some sense of normalcy, and that’s going to mean us making our own way.”
Stu looks to Joan, giving her a nod, so she speaks, “We’ve actually spoken with your father, Velyn.” I look to both her and Stu in anticipation, so she continues. “Stu and I are getting up there in age. We can’t keep this up too much longer.”
“At the most, maybe another five years,” Stu adds in.
Joan nods in agreement. “Stu’s right, if that.”
I’m starting
