Sierra
Chapter seven
Istand up so I can move around the room, my legs having lost their feeling from sitting so long.
There’s not much to look at in this office.
There’s a framed diploma on the wall, but no other pictures.
As I step behind her desk, I can see the picture on it of her and a blonde girl sitting on her lap, who looks like she’s about five.
Standing behind them is who I’m assuming is her husband.
He’s okay looking. A small part of me hopes their home is full of love and no secrets.
My fingers trail along the edge of the wooden desk.
It’s something I used to love to do when I went to Wes’ house.
His dad had the most beautiful desk, and we used to play in his office all the time when we were kids.
It all changed that night. Now I hate desks.
Once again, here’s one ripping my heart to shreds.
The door opens and Mrs. Jenkins steps inside, followed by…
No!
What the hell is going on?
Why is he here?
“Sierra, this is Mr. Williams, your uncle.” She steps further into the room, allowing him to move closer to me. I feel my legs turn to jello as they tremble underneath me. My balance falters and I have to grip onto the desk to steady myself.
“Are you okay, Sierra? Here, take a seat.” He steps up, taking my elbow in his hand and guiding me to a chair.
“How?” I have so many questions, but it’s the only word I can formulate right now.
“My brother, Mark, was your father. You were happy with your mother, and I didn’t want to intrude.
If you like, when we’re settled, I can tell you more about him.
” I nod. It’s all I can do. So much has happened today and I just can’t process it all.
It’s too much. My heart is pounding so fast I feel like I can’t even breathe.
“Okay, so Mr. Williams can take you by your apartment and pick up your clothes before he takes you back to his place—”
“Actually, Mrs. Jenkins, I plan to stay at her home. Her aunt is not there and I’m sure she’s not coming back.
Sierra has had so much upheaval in her life in the last twenty-four hours, I feel as if she would be more comfortable in her own home.
” He stares intently at her, as if he’s daring her to deny it.
“That is not how things are done, Mr. Williams,” she responds, not backing down.
“I’ve already been in contact with the head of the department and it’s been cleared.
Feel free to contact him if you don’t believe me.
In fact, I have Henry’s number right here.
We just talked earlier.” He pulls his phone out of his pocket and hands it to Mrs. Jenkins, someone’s contact pulled up for her to see.
“It’s not our protocol, and it’s after hours, so if you are not wanting—”
He takes the phone back, hitting the button himself, placing the call on speakerphone for us all to hear.
“Williams, my man, what can I do for you? I thought you’d be busy getting your niece settled at home, explaining who you are.” The deep, husky voice filters through the line.
“I would be Henry, but it seems Mrs. Jenkins is not on board with the plan of Sierra staying in her home, versus mine, which would be better for her psychologically at this time.” A smug grin appears on his face as he watches Mrs. Jenkins’ eyes go wide.
“Take me off speaker and hand her the phone, please.” The once friendly voice on the line is now cold and hard.
She takes the phone, and all I can do is stare. What is happening here? How is he related to me?
Wait!
Related! So, he’s Sam’s uncle too? Why didn’t he step forward when our mom died? Why not get Sam, so she wouldn’t go into foster care?
“What are you thinking so hard about, Sierra?” He leans in and whispers in my ear.
“Why didn’t you take us in? Why aren’t you taking Sam, so she isn’t in foster care?”
“Because I’m not her uncle. The two of you don’t share the same father. I promise once I have you home, I’ll explain everything. Answer all your questions.” He looks at me, his face void of emotion.
A throat clearing pulls our attention.
“Here’s your phone. It appears special accommodations have been made and everything is set. You and Sierra are free to leave. We will be contacting you about her case and scheduling visits. Your bag will be dropped off here tomorrow and I can bring them to you or have them picked up.”
“Please, just call me and I will come by and pick them up. Now, I would like to take my niece home. She’s had a long day and I know she’s hungry and tired. We have a long night ahead of us as I answer all her questions.” He stands, reaching out and taking Mrs. Jenkins’ hand, giving it a shake.
“I will, Mr. Williams. Sierra, if you need anything, please call me. I’ll be in touch.” She gives me a smile, extending her hand to me, but I don’t take it. I’m done. I’ve had enough bombshells to last a lifetime.
Standing, I walk out of the room, biting my tongue until I can scream at him.
“Don’t say a word until we’re in the car. I’ll explain,” he whispers in my ear. I nod in understanding, moving down the hallway to the elevator that will lead me to some of my answers or more questions. Perhaps both.
An awkward silence fills the ride down to the bottom floor. I catch him staring at me out of the corner of my eye. So many questions plague me, but I’m abiding by his request and waiting until we get to the car. I just hope he’s ready for them.
As we step out of the building, I wrap my arms around myself, offering comfort I wish someone else could give me.
“I’m parked over here,” he tells me, taking me by the elbow and leading me to his car
He opens the door and I slide inside, same as I’ve done many times before, before moving around to the other side and getting in himself.
“Okay, start talking.” I’m curious and pissed the fuck off. Mostly the latter at the moment.
He pulls out his phone, types a message to someone, and then turns slightly in his seat so he can face me.
“Your mother was one of the sweetest women I ever knew. She was older than me when we met. I was fifteen, and she was eighteen. It was love at first sight for me, but she only had eyes for my brother and him for her.”
“Then why aren’t they together? Why didn’t he come for me when my mother died?” I want to know, but I’m glad he didn’t. If he isn’t Sam’s father, then we would have been separated then and I don’t think my heart could’ve taken that.
“Families aren’t always good. I’m sure you know that.
My father was the head of an MC, the Satan’s Rejects.
They were violent and above the law. They never cared who they hurt.
Mark was the spitting image of my father, and I knew he was going to follow along in his footsteps.
One night, your mother saw him with one of the girls at the club, and they got into a fight.
He didn’t like how she talked to him in front of the other guys there and made an example out of her.
” He pauses, giving me a minute to soak in what he’s saying. My father is nothing but an animal.
“What did he do?” My eyes are blurry as I hold back the tears, afraid of what he’s going to tell me next.
“He beat the shit out of her, right there in front of all the club brothers and whores. The next day, she was gone. Mark looked for a while, but it was as if she vanished. What he didn’t know was I had a friend of mine in another MC help get her a new life.
” He swallows, and I’m not sure if he is going to say more or if he’s giving me time to process.
“Why did you help her?”
“Because after my brother was done with her, he got drunk, leaving her on the floor. I scooped her up and carried her home. It was then she told me she was pregnant. She was afraid the beating he gave her harmed her baby. If I had a niece or nephew out there, I wanted them growing up in a different world, far away from here. My buddy Earl, he’s a good man, and he had his best guy handle all the details.
The next morning, she was on a plane, heading to a new home, with a bag full of money to help her get on her feet. ”
So, my dad’s a dick. Great. Just one more failure of a man in my life. At least this one I didn’t know. Shit! What if he finds out about me?
“Does he know about me?”
“No, he never did. A year later, I left, found your mom and hid in the shadows to make sure you were okay. At the time, you were. Then she died, but my brother was still alive, so I couldn’t risk stepping up to take care of you.
I had to hide who I was, and I thought your aunt would grow up and do what needed to be done.
For that mistake in my judgment, I’ll forever be sorry. ”
One evil for another. It was a lose-lose situation. In the long run, Sarah was the better option. Going into her care allowed Sam and I to stay together. Now I have to focus and do what I need to clear my name and get custody of Sam.
“Why come forward now?”
“Because he’s dead. Earl sent me word when it happened. I only wish I would have stepped up as soon as I found out.” My heart sinks.
He’s dead. My father, a man I never knew, is dead. A man I never laid eyes on, a monster, who helped create me, is dead. I’m not even sure how I’m supposed to feel.
“I promise you, Sierra, you’re going to be okay and Sam will be back with you. I’m already working on it.” He turns back around, puts on his seat belt, and starts up the car.
We sit in silence the entire way to my apartment. Knowing that I’m going to be walking through those doors without my sister tears me up inside.
When we pull up outside of my apartment building, all the emotions flood me at once, suffocating me. I can’t hold up the brave persona I’ve been trying so hard to do.
“Come on, Sierra. Let’s get inside.” He opens his door and gets out, making his way over to me.
“I don’t have my keys. We’ll need to go to Mrs. Butler’s.”
“We’re good. We can get in.” I don’t even have the energy to ask him how. Instead, I just follow him inside, my head down and arms wrapped around my body.