Leslie’s eyes filled with tears as Karla spoke. “Oh honey, we love you too. These past few weeks with you have been the best weeks of our lives. Let’s do what you need to do.”
When they got out of the car Karla stepped between them and took each of their hands. “Thank you both for coming with me.”
“Karla we will always be with you whenever you need us, and probably a lot when you don’t. You’ll never be alone again.” Andrew reassured her as they walked onto the elevator, still holding hands.
Chapter Thirty
Karla stood in front of Diane’s hospital room door with Leslie and Andrew. There was a guard from the jail there, but other than him the hall was empty. She was still holding their hands, but knew she had to do this alone. When she released their hands they both looked down at her. “I need to go in alone, but I also need to know that you will be here when I come back out”
“We aren’t going anywhere. You can count on that.” Andrew assured her before him and Leslie took a step back and grabbed hands.
Karla took a deep breath, grabbed the doorknob, paused, then turned it, opened the door and walked into the room.
As she approached the bed she realized that this could be the last time she would ever see her mother alive. When she got to the foot of the bed she looked at her mother. “Diane, yes I’m calling you by your name instead of mom now, in these past few weeks I have learned what having a mom is really like. Her name is Leslie and she loves me. She has never once raised her hand to me and she would defend me if anyone else ever did. You are nothing to me anymore. You may have given me life, but you also made me wish for death on a regular basis over the past six years.”
Karla stopped when she realized there were tears running down her cheeks. She grabbed a tissue from the table and continued. “When I was younger I knew nothing but love from Grams and Pops, but after they died love was something that only existed in the books I read. You used to talk down to me about reading, but that waste of time as you called it is why I am in the Advanced Program at school now. Speaking of school, you said that was a waste of time too, but I love it. I have friends now. We were never in one place long enough for me to make friends, and I couldn’t anyway because of the bruises, but now I have three really good friends.”
She stopped again to get another tissue, she was crying more than usual and couldn’t figure out why. Suddenly it hit her, she was sad because she had always wanted a real mother/daughter relationship with her mother. She had never gotten what she wanted with Diane, but she had it with Leslie. She knew what she needed to say now.
“I came by to tell you goodbye so I could close the chapter of my life that had you in it, but now I’ve realized that I can’t close that chapter. Everything you did to me, or allowed others to do to me, molded me into the person I am now. No matter where I go or what I do I will always be your daughter. I will always have part of you with me. I will never love you the way a daughter should love her mother, but that isn’t my fault, it’s yours. You made me feel the way I do about you, but you also taught me something. You taught me how not to treat people. Despite everything you did to me I am not like you. I know how to love and how to accept things I cannot change. Thank you Diane, for making me strong, for making me self-reliant, for making me a better person than you ever were.”
Karla started walking toward the door, but stopped and turned back. “Goodbye Diane.”
This time she walked out the door with her head held high. When she closed the door behind her she immediately saw Leslie and Andrew. They were waiting for her, just as they said they would be.
“Can I ask for something?” She asked Andrew with tear filled eyes.
“Anything Karla, you know that.”
“I remember Grams once told me that Diane’s favorite color was purple. Can we buy her a purple casket to be buried in? I know that won’t matter to her at this point, but it matters to me.”
“Of course we can honey.” Leslie answered as she pulled Karla into her arms. “Is there anything else?”
“I want her to be buried someplace nice, someplace I can visit when I’m older.” Karla answered as she clung to Leslie. “I can’t forgive her right now, but I think I will be able to someday and when that day comes I’d like to visit her grave and tell her.”
“We can do that. I’ll see to the arrangements when the time comes.” Andrew answered as he wrapped his arms around her and Leslie and pulled them close. “I think you’re making a very grown-up decision here. I am very proud of you.”
“It’s the only thing I can do for her right now. It’s what my heart’s telling me is right.”
They had been standing there for only a few minutes when the doctor taking care of Diane approached them. “Excuse me Dr. Peterson, I was told to inform you if there was any change in Diane Hall’s condition.” When Andrew nodded he continued. “I’m sorry to tell you, but she just passed. She never woke up so she wasn’t in any pain.”
“Thank you Dr. Mitchell. We’ll take care of everything.” When Dr. Mitchell walked off Andrew turned to Karla. “Are you okay honey?”
“Yeah. I’m okay. I just want to go home.”
“Anything you want sweetie.” Leslie answered as she took Karla’s hand and led her down the hall to the elevators.
When they stepped into the parking garage Karla took Andrew’s hand in her free one and they walked to the car as a family unit.
Chapter Thirty-One
On the way home from the hospital they stopped and picked up Chinese takeout and when they got home Karla set the small table in the breakfast nook. Once they were seated and eating she looked at Leslie and Andrew. “I think it’s time for me to tell Rylee, Conner and Callie about my mom.”
“Are you sure honey?” Leslie asked, concerned.
“Yes. They need to know where I come from and I’m wanting them there with us when we bury her. I don’t think we need to have an actual funeral, but can’t they do something where they say some words at her grave side before she’s actually buried?”
“It’s called a grave side service and yes, if that’s what you think is best that’s what we’ll have done. Let me call one of the funeral homes and see what I can get set up. When are you wanting it set for sweetheart?”
“I have a cook-out tomorrow at the Newberry’s and I doubt everything could be planned by then anyway. Plus I need to talk to my friends. I think Sunday or Monday afternoon will be best. What do you think?”
“I agree that we wouldn’t be able to get everything set up by tomorrow. I’ll call around after dinner and see what I can get set up for Sunday.” Andrew said.
Karla stood, walked around the table and wrapped her arms around Andrew. “Thank you for all of this.”
“Karla honey, there isn’t anything we wouldn’t do for you.”
“You two are the best thing that ever happened to me.”
“And you are the best thing that has ever happened to us Karla.”
When they were finished eating Karla went upstairs and showered. When she was done and in her pajama’s she sent Rylee, Conner and Callie a text letting them know that she needed to talk to them tomorrow before the cook-out.
Rylee was the first to respond. Everything okay? You can call me if you need to talk tonight.
Karla: No, I’m okay for tonight. I want to tell all of you together.
Rylee: Okay, if you change your mind I’ll be up for awhile
Karla: Thanks Rylee. You’re a really great friend
Rylee: So are you Karla. Are you sure you’re okay? I can come over if you need me too.
Karla: I’m okay Rylee. I promise.
Rylee: Okay. If you change your mind just text me and I’ll come over.
Karla: I will. I promise. Good night,
Rylee: Good night. I’m here if you need me.
A few minutes later Conner responded. Hey, what’s up?
Karla: Not much, just need to talk to all of you tomorrow before the cook-out. Thin
k we can meet up a little early?
Conner: We can definitely met early. Everything okay?
Karla: Not really, but I’ll explain tomorrow. Can you text Rylee and see if she can be there about ten tomorrow? I think I’m going to sleep now. It’s been a really long day.
Conner: Yeah, no problem. I’ll let Callie know not to text you back. She’s in the shower at the moment. Lol!
Karla: Well I’m lying in bed trying to keep my eyes open. Night Conner.
Conner: Night Karla ;)
Karla plugged her phone up, crawled out of bed and walked down stairs. She found Leslie sitting in her usual spot at the bar. When she walked in and sat next to Leslie she laid her head on Leslie’s shoulder. She stopped working and wrapped her arm around Karla’s shoulders. “I’m scared Leslie. I know I need to tell them about my mom, but I’m scared to tell them everything. I will, I just hope they’re still here after I do.”
“Karla, I want you to listen to me for a minute. I have met these kids and I can tell you that they all genuinely care about you. I think they’ll still be here after you tell them.”
“I hope you’re right. School will be a nightmare without them.”
“Honey you’re going to make yourself sick if you don’t stop worrying about this. I think you should get some sleep and we’ll see what happens tomorrow. I love you and Andrew loves you. We will always be here for you, no matter what.”
Karla hugged Leslie tight and kissed her cheek. “Thank you Leslie. I’ll see you in the morning. I love you too.”
When Karla walked back upstairs and climbed into bed she saw that she had a text. She opened it and smiled. It was from Rylee. Smile because I love you :-D!!
Karla smiled again and closed her eyes, falling asleep instantly.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Karla awoke the next morning and realized she’d slept later than she’d intended to. It was almost eight already and she was meeting her friends in two hours. She dressed quickly in blue jean shorts, a green t-shirt and green flip-flops then pulled her hair into a ponytail and headed downstairs.
She found Leslie and Andrew sipping coffee at the bar when she walked into the kitchen. Leslie looked up from her laptop when Karla walked in. “Good morning. Want me to fix you an omelet?”
“Good morning. No thanks, I’ll just have some cereal. I’m meeting everyone at ten and wanted to finish my algebra homework before then because I’m sure I’ll be over there the rest of the day.”
“Okay sweetie. How are you doing this morning?”
“I’m hanging in there. A little nervous about telling them, but I know in my heart that it’s the right thing to do.” Karla answered and sat at the bar beside Andrew. She glanced at his computer screen and saw that he was looking at caskets for Diane.
“Can I help pick it out?” She asked tentatively.
“Of course.” He answered and turned his laptop so she could see it better. They looked together as she ate her cereal and after a few minutes she spotted the perfect one. It was lavender with little white flowers.
“That’s the one.” She said as Andrew started to scroll down.
“Which one honey?”
“The lavender one with the little white flowers. It’s perfect.”
“Okay. Then that’s the one we’re going to get. It says it’s in stock, which is good because I have the grave side service set for three tomorrow afternoon. I hope that’s okay with you.”
“That’s perfect. Thank you Andrew. I don’t know what would have happened to me if you hadn’t been my doctor that night.” Karla said as a wistful expression crossed her face.
“You would have survived Karla. You had Bob, Mr. Jennings, on your case and he’s one of the best. No, he is the best.” Leslie said with a smile. Her older brother was the best.
Karla thought about that for a minute before she responded. “I don’t know. I still say that you two saved me. I’ve researched the foster care system and I was really lucky to find you. Most kids aren’t so lucky.”
“We’re the lucky ones Karla. We had an emptiness in our house and hearts. You’ve filled that emptiness. You’ve brought us more joy and happiness then we ever thought possible.” Leslie’s eyes filled with tears as she spoke. “Now why don’t you go do your algebra? You have about fifty minutes before you have to leave to meet your friends. I’ll drive you over when you’re ready.”
“Thanks Leslie. I love you both.” Karla smiled and left the kitchen after rinsing her bowl and spoon and putting them in the dishwasher.
Half an hour later she had finished her homework, brushed her teeth and was headed back downstairs when her phone signaled a text message. It was from Callie: We’re all here waiting for you. Hurry up!! Lol!! ;)
Karla laughed before she walked into the kitchen to let Leslie know she was ready.
Five minutes later Leslie dropped her off in front of the Newberry’s house and she was immediately greeted by two large dogs. She cracked up at Conner when he ran out of the house and waved his arms over his head yelling, “KANE, ABEL!! DOWN BOYS!!”
“Kane and Abel? Really?” She couldn’t help but laugh again.
“Yeah. They’re my brother’s dogs, but since he’s away at college I’m stuck taking care of the mutts.” Conner said as he lovingly patted their heads.
“Mutts huh? Seems like you genuinely like the mutts.” Karla grinned and bent over to pet Kane and Abel’s heads. “They seem like big sweeties to me.”
“They are.” Callie said when she came out the front door.
“And they love making new friends.” Rylee added when she joined them.
They played with the dogs for a few minutes before they headed inside.
“Mom! Karla’s here.” Callie yelled when they walked through the door.
A tall, thin woman with long, jet black hair and sapphire eyes walked into the room. Karla instantly knew where Conner and Callie got their looks. “Hello, Karla. Welcome to our home.”
“Thank you Mrs. Newberry. I’m happy to be here.”
“Conner and Callie have talked endlessly about you. I was thrilled when they said you’d be joining us today. The whole family is here, except Dylan who is away at school. Kelsey’s fiancé, Jason, will be here in about an hour and a half. Why don’t y’all go upstairs to the game room until he gets here?”
“Sure thing mom. Is there anything to drink in the fridge up there?” Conner asked.
“I have no idea, but Kevin’s been up there all morning so probably not.”
“Great. Thanks mom.” Conner rolled his eyes and led the group upstairs.
When they made it to the game room it was empty so Conner closed the door, grabbed them all a Coke from the fridge and sat in the chair across from the couch the girls were sitting on. “Okay Karla, the floor’s all yours.”
Karla took a deep breath and closed her eyes. When she opened them she said, “My mother died last night.”
Chapter Thirty-Three
No one spoke as Karla told them everything that had happened to her, including what happened with Tony. Rylee and Callie both moved closer to her on the couch and put a supportive arm around her. Conner stayed in his chair across from them and looked at the floor.
When she was finished Conner got up and went into the bathroom. He was back out in seconds and handed Karla a box of tissues. She took them with a watery smile and he sat on the floor at her feet, his shoulder pressed against her legs in silent support.
“Do you want us there tomorrow?” Rylee asked Karla once her sobs had subsided.
“I won’t be able to do this without you guys. The three of you, and your parents if they don’t want you going alone, Andrew, Leslie, Mrs. Jones, Captain McGraw, Detective Greeves, Mr. Jennings, his wife Meghan and their son Harvey are the only ones I want there, except for my brother and sister, but they can’t be here. There isn’t anyone else in my life, and even if there was they wouldn’t matter like you all do.”
“We’ll be there. Do you
want Callie and me to stay with you tonight? It may be easier if you surround yourself with the people who care about you.”
Conner, who still sat at Karla’s feet, turned to glare at Rylee. “You two are not the only ones who care about her you know.”
Callie instantly picked up on Conner’s emotions. “I think I’ll stay home with Conner and we’ll just come over in the morning. Is that alright Karla?”
Karla nodded. “Yeah, it should be. Let me call Leslie and make sure though. I’ll be right back.”
Once she left Callie turned to Conner. “Con, you alright? You look kind of pale.”
“No, I’m not alright Cal. I have no idea what has happened, but when Karla was telling us about everything I had this overwhelming urge to hit something. You both know that I don’t have a temper, but something about Karla makes me want to hurt anyone that has ever hurt her.”
“Wow!” Rylee said. “This is so not like you.”
“Con, I really like Karla, but if you two start dating then break up, it’d be awful.”
“Yes, I know this. That’s why I haven’t said anything about it before.”
“Okay,” Karla said as she walked back into the room. “Leslie said it was alright if you all stay. She’s going to set up the entertainment room with sleeping bags for all four of us.”
“I never thought about that.” Rylee grinned. “I’ll call mom right now and make sure it’s okay with her.”
“I’ll run down and ask our mom, but I already know she’ll say yes.” Callie smiled as she got up.
“Why don’t we all go down? I bet Jason’s here by now. I’m starving.” Conner said with a grin that caused his sapphire eyes to sparkle. He was okay now that he knew he could be there for Karla.
A New Beginning (The Second Chance Series Book 1) Page 9
