by Nicky Shanks
I cringe. “Don’t call yourself that. You’re not a mother.”
“Right, that woman who raised you is your mother, yeah? Marva? You know she isn’t who she says she is, don’tcha?”
I clasp my hands together to keep from slamming them in anger on the table. “I know who she is—I know she’s my grandmother. You don’t have any ammunition to use against me, you know that, right? I know about your drug habits, I know Casey is my half-brother, I know Vic had an affair with Mrs. Atchley that produced my father. I know it all.”
She snickers. “It seems that you do. Does Julie know it all, though?”
My teeth grind together. “Don’t fucking say her name.”
“Grow up,” she snaps. “Do you think I want to be in here? Do you think I want to be this way? I started out just like Julie: young and naïve and in love with a Jackson boy. I never claimed to be a perfect mother or even a good person…but I’m done living this way.”
I crack my knuckles. “As far as I’m concerned, you can rot in here.”
In place of a tantrum, she inserts a knowing nod between us and finally looks me directly in the eye. “I know I’ve lost my chance at being a mother, but maybe you can help me be a human?”
“What do you mean?”
Her gaze fixes on the glass window behind me. “Send me to rehab, help me get away from Mac. I’m finally at a point where I want to break free. Julie is right: I didn’t want to kidnap her. Mac forced me into thinking it was the only way. I found Casey, I talked to him. He declined my offer. I needed someone who hated you enough to help me, and Mary just sort of popped out of nowhere while you were in the hospital. I overheard her talking to someone about you and it clicked.”
I growl. “You’re not helping your case.”
Her bony fingers rise in the air. “Let me finish. I’m absolutely disgusted with myself and I’m ready to follow the rules now. I’m ready to follow your rules, whatever you set them to be for me.”
I laugh. “I’m not responsible for you.”
“Maybe you should be. I need you, son.”
This isn’t happening.
“You can’t be serious. You actually think I’d do this?”
Her cough is deep and rough. “I want to be some kind of mother, Ollie Bear.”
My muscles tense. “Don’t call me that.” Her gaze meets mine and I know she wants an answer. “I have to talk to Julie about it. We’re going to need to think about it.”
For a long, long fucking time.
About the Author
I live in Kansas City with my husband and our son, Ryker. I have been writing for over a decade, I started out writing songs and music and then realized that those stories were too short for the tales I wanted to tell, so I switched to writing books and articles, which then blossomed into writing contemporary romance and fantasy novels. I am in indecisive person at heart, I love coffee more than a Gilmore girl and my most favorite time to write and create is during a rainstorm (with coffee!).
I love hearing from those who read my stories, I love to hear how much people relate to each character and how they are rooting for their favorites to succeed! I don’t only create stories, I create entirely new worlds and people that come to life!
Facebook:
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Twitter:
https://twitter.com/nickyshanks84
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Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/68847149-nicky-shanks
Wattpad:
https://www.wattpad.com/user/NBenson
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