Chapter Twenty-Seven #2
My entire family is here and have been for the last two hours.
Every single one of them gave me the biggest hug the second they saw me and I felt the love they already have for me.
Roger’s mom, my aunt Virginia, didn’t want to let me go when she hugged me.
She pulled back and told me I was the perfect combination of my parents.
I have my dad’s hair and eyes and my mom’s fair skin and freckles.
I didn’t even realize I had freckles because it’s not something I’ve ever paid attention to.
There’s really no point in me staring at my reflection in the mirror.
All of my cousins are really funny and tried to outdo one another in making me laugh with their stories and crazy antics.
Right now, I’m sitting between my aunt and uncle watching everyone around me.
My cousins are all talking to everyone here with us today.
What captures my attention is Ivy. She’s sitting with Manic as he holds Charlotte against his chest. The two of them are talking in hushed tones and I can see the interest in both of them.
Picking up my camera, I snap pictures of everyone before my uncle David gets my attention.
“Honey, did Roger tell you I’m building a case against your mom’s family?” he asks me as I turn to look at him.
“He did. They deserve to rot in prison for the rest of their lives,” I answer him honestly because everything they did is criminal behavior.
Out of the corner of my eye, I watch Manic stop talking and pay attention to the conversation I’m having. This isn’t something he needs to concern himself with.
“Good. The only problem I see is you getting on the stand to testify against them. I know it won’t be easy for you, but it might have to happen,” he informs me as I lift Oreo in my arms as a source of comfort.
“Oh. Well, if that keeps them locked up so they can’t ever hurt anyone else, I’ll do it. Is there any way we can have no one else in the courtroom if I have to testify?” I ask, unsure if that’s even a thing allowed to happen.
“I can’t promise anything, Annistyn,” he says with a frown.
“Anni,” my aunt begins as I whip my head toward her.
“Please don’t ever call me that. My aunt used to call me that vile name. You can call me anything else you want as long as it’s not that,” I say, remembering times the horrible woman would scream out that name because I wasn’t doing what she wanted me to at that exact moment.
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t know,” Virginia says as everyone stares at me.
“You have nothing to be sorry for. I’m sorry.
It’s just the first time I’ve really heard it since everything happened and it brought up a ton of memories.
Not good ones. It’s something I’ve been working on, but that is one aspect of my past I haven’t had the chance to deal with yet,” I say, burying my face in Oreo’s soft fur as she snuggles deeper in my arms. It’s like she knows I need her in this moment and she’s giving me all the comfort I want.
“Why don’t we bring out the desserts?” Roger says, standing from his seat and directing the attention away from me. “Annistyn and Ivy made everything you’ve eaten today. Including all the desserts inside waiting for us.”
“Everything was really good,” Naomi praises us as she gets up to help Roger bring stuff out.
I set Oreo on the ground at my feet and go to stand as Viper walks by and places a hand on my shoulder.
“You stay here, Annistyn. I’ll help them. Visit with your family,” he says, giving me a smile I don’t return as I look away from him.
I’m discovering I can hold a grudge. It’s not something I ever knew about myself and I don’t think I like it.
Master is the other man here today. He keeps watching me, but hasn’t tried to say anything to me yet.
I did see him talking to my uncle earlier and I have a feeling it was about my other aunt and uncle.
I won’t ask though. It’s none of my business.
“Annistyn, I think we should take a girls trip. We can go somewhere warm with a beach. I’ve been to a few places I think you’ll truly enjoy.
I know you don’t drink, but there’s a few clubs we can check out.
I won’t drink with you so you’re not the only sober one there.
I love to dance and get lost in the music,” Casey says as she moves closer to me and David gives up his seat for her.
“That sounds amazing,” I tell her honestly and I can feel the eyes of Manic and Master on me. “You let me know when you have time and we’ll go. I could definitely get away from here for a while.”
“Perfect. My semester is about to end soon so we can go then,” she says and the two of us start talking about college and what I’d have to do to get into one.
“Sweetheart, if you want to get your GED, let me know. There’s a program I run that can help you. I’ll get you set up with an appointment and you can take the practice tests so we can see what you need help with,” Aunt Virginia says with a smile on her face.
“That would be amazing. Thank you,” I tell her as I lean back in my chair and continue talking to almost everyone here.
The rest of the afternoon is filled with conversation, laughter, and stories about my parents.
My aunt Virginia is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to them and I listen intently to every story she shares.
Apparently, my parents met at school and it was love at first sight.
They were inseparable from the second they met.
Part of their story reminds me of how Kreed used to be with me and I have to step away for a minute while I cry.
No one comes near me or makes a comment when I return to the group.
By the time everyone gets ready to leave, I’m sad to see my family go.
It won’t be for long though. I have plans with every family member in the upcoming weeks.
I help Ivy get Charlotte ready for bed and she’s quieter than normal.
I want to make sure she’s okay, but I don’t want to hear anything about Manic.
The two of them spent the entire day together and he’s now staying the night in the house so he’s close by my friend and her daughter.
Once they’re in bed, I avoid Manic and Viper as they sit in the living room of the house.
I grab a bottle of water and Oreo follows me out to the porch so I can watch the stars for a while before bed.
No one joins me as I cry while remembering laying in the back of Kreed’s truck and star gazing with him.
After a while, I finally head in for bed and the living room is empty.
I don’t see anyone as I enter my room with Oreo and go through my nightly routine.
Today was a good day with a few bad parts.
I think I did pretty well considering who was here.
Hopefully tomorrow I can ignore them better and they will continue to leave me alone.
Nothing about my life is to be known by them because I have a feeling they’ll tell Kreed anything they see or hear.
He doesn’t deserve to know a darn thing about me any longer.
He lost that right when he chose to ignore me.