That’s a feeling, I’m sure no parent ever wants to experience, yet she felt that shit alone.
“Sloane Garnier’s family?” The voice breaks through my thoughts and I step into the shadows of the room as I look upon the woman through narrow eyes.
What the fuck is she doing back here?
Last time I saw her was the day my heart turned black.
All because she had to be a traitorous, greedy bitch.
Twelve Years Ago
Glancing at the clock on the wall I shake my head realizing Angelina isn’t coming. For some reason I knew she wouldn’t be able to get away tonight.
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know of her parents dislike for me due to me not meeting their standards. But they’ve never not allowed her out on the weekends.
Turning out the light, I head to my room, remove my shirt, and crawl into bed. Only a bit longer and we wouldn’t have to put up with her uptight fuckin’ parents. Mamma even said just give it time and it will all work out. I’ve always believed in her since she doesn’t lie. Having the gift she does, my mamma refuses to lie to someone yet she also doesn’t want to tell them what she sees. It’s why she sometimes speaks vague or in riddles that you need to figure out on your own.
I’m surprised my sister, Raven, isn’t showing signs of having Mamma’s gift. Then again, Raven’s unique in her own way. Her and my best friend Chains’ sister, Victoria, have a talent to do things but Pops refuses to allow this just yet. They’re still too young and Victoria is stuck with her adoptive parents for the time being and doesn’t get the chance to practice as much as Raven does.
A sigh passes my lips as I throw an arm over my eyes and think about my girl. Angelina seemed off today and with the way she’d kissed me after school it was as if she were saying goodbye.
I don’t fuckin’ know but I’ll find out tomorrow.
Too bad tomorrow never came and I didn’t see her again. She vanished leaving me with a letter stating I would never be able to give her what she needs, nor would I be enough for her. The gutting part of the letter was the way she signed it, at the bottom ‘Love you always, ma raison d’être’.
Then a week later, I’d been asleep in my bed on my houseboat when I woke up to the damn thing burning up. Flames dancing all around me. I escaped the fire by breaking out the window above my bed, but I didn’t escape unscathed. Nor did I miss the men, standing on the riverbank laughing with Angelina in the arms of one of those men.
Shaking my head, I turn on my heels and storm out of the hospital after hearing Tiny and the twins, River and Brook, were going to be okay.
Finding she was here was not something I expected and I sure as fuck don’t want to be breathing in the same air as her.
Nor do I want to have to see her face, not after all this time.
Chapter Two
Angelina
Present Day
Leaning against my kitchen counter, I try to shake off the unease I’ve been feeling constantly for the past year. Why did I think it would be okay to come back here? I should have just gone somewhere else entirely, but I’d missed Louisiana. This was home and I’ve spent far too long away from here.
I’d been back for nearly a year working at the local hospital and I’ve been lucky enough not to run into that many people I knew. Well, besides the one time when I’d performed an emergency C-section on a woman who was connected to a man that use to be best friends with my ex-boyfriend.
When I saw Chains, I hoped like hell he wouldn’t recognize me, but of course, my luck has always been shitty and he knew exactly who I was if the sneer on his face was anything to go by. I honestly didn’t think I looked the same as I used to back in the day. Though my hair is a lot longer, I keep it pulled back constantly, not wanting the long locks in my face when I’m working with patients. I bet if he knew it was me who performed his wife’s C-section beforehand, he’d have objected, but I was one of the best in the area. I could have applied for a position at any hospital, but I’d wanted to come home.
It might be home but really there isn’t anything here for me anymore. I’ve been gone for a long time now. My parents disowned me a long time ago. And due to things that happened, I’d been afraid to come back here. Until a year ago.
Sighing, I blow out a heavy breath.
Knowing I’ll never actually truly be home again but I’d do anything when it comes to someone I care for. I work my butt off to provide to put food on the table, even when that food isn’t for me, but rather my son, Carson.
He needed food more than I did. Considering I’m the only one he has to provide that for him, I do everything I can to make sure he has it as well as all the other things a twelve-year-old requires. I’ll go without to give to him. I eat just enough to keep me going.
From the time he was born ‘til now it’s always been him and me. It definitely hasn’t been an easy ride, but I do everything in order to keep him from feeling the bumps.
Closing my eyes, I lower my head in exhaustion. Good thing I have the next three days off from the hospital, I need them to catch up
