Point Of View 2 [*Do not read until you've read the same chapter of ATW]

Chapter 76 & 77 Hard Season/ We All Fall Down

Ren drives us to my church after lunch. Evan acts as our bodyguard in case anything happens but Nate has him wait in the car for now. No one is here. Once inside, I head right to the front almost like during Alter Call. I slide into one of the first few pews and bow my head. I have so many prayers to ask I don't even know where to begin. First I say my usual prayers asking God to watch over my family and keep the girls all healthy and safe. To heal my mom and now Katie. And then to heal me.

I then pray for Julia's health and emotional healing, Nate's heart and thank God for giving us Jonah and Casey to care for us. I pray for protection over Paul and Evan while they protect us. I pray for my relationship with Trisha but then contradict myself when I pray for Julia to somehow change her mind and choose me.

I pray for my lawyer, for the judge, for the jury. I pray they will see what happened for what it was- an accident. I never meant for anyone to get hurt. I pray my punishment will be fair but won't be time in jail. I even pray for Colton West that he understands it was not some malicious act on my part and that he is fair and doesn't go after me because he can't stand Addison. I even pray for Nadine Jones who is grieving the loss of her uncle because of me. I pray for complete emotional healing for her as well as to forgive me for what I've done.

Then I pray for myself. I begin to cry as I pray for my own physical healing. For a full recovery. Something I don't see happening.

I pray for Jeremy, that sick bastard. I pray he gets the help he needs and never lays a finger on another woman.

Then I pray for Joe Gallo. I pray he will somehow change his ways and turn to God. That he will try to be a better person but also pray he will stay away from my family. I pray he moves far away and never bothers us again.

But God has a sense of humor sometimes with the timing of things.  Because when I hear the familiar sarcastic laugh from the side entrance of the sanctuary, I tense up, knowing exactly who is here. My stomach ties in a knot and bile travels up my throat within seconds as my nerves get the best of me.

My father enters the church. My abusive asshole prick of a father, Joe Gallo, stands in the doorway laughing at me praying. He always laughed whenever he saw us trying to do right by God. In his world, HE is God, and we should all be praying to him.

Not happening.

"Had a feeling you'd be here, son." The roaring voice continues to laugh. "Prayer ain't gonna get you outta this one, Jamie."

I look over and my stomach turns at the sight of the man. Of all days for my father to show his fucking face. He knows this is the church we go to. He's known for years. But to come here when there's no service?

I wipe my eyes and stand but when Joe takes a step closer to me, by instinct, I take a step back, so I am out of the pew and on the other side. I haven't seen Joe since the car accident, and he is thoroughly enjoying the sight of my shaky hands. It's weakness. Joe thrives off of other's weakness.

"Relax kid."

"Why are you here, Joe?"

"I expect you to call me dad." He is dead serious, too. I swallow hard and try to control my breathing. "You have no shot surviving jail now. Look at you." Joe takes another step forward and laughs when I take another step back. "That coma fucked with your head, boy. Now who's gonna take care of your mother?"

"Rot in hell." I retort. He's threatening my family right now? My hands are in tight fists as anger pumps through my veins.

"No son. That will be you. You fucking killed a man. I knew you had it in you. Looks like I'll be taking good care of Carol and the girls while you're serving time."