Finding Us (Second Generation Book 1)

Chapter 31

“You changed your number.”

“I needed a fresh start. Now, what is going on with Mom and Dad?”

“It’s so horrible, Harlow. I don’t even know where to start. I’ve been trying to stick around the house to hear everything that is going on, but the more I hear the sicker to my stomach I get. I just...I can’t believe it.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about, speak please.”

“Sorry, sorry. Did you hear about Samuel’s plea deal?”

“I knew that he was going to make one, but Officer Ruiz hasn’t told me that he went to his arraignment yet.”

“He hasn’t, he’s scheduled to in a week once he’s released from the hospital. He’s going to get jail time, but it is going to be a reduced sentence because he flipped on Mom and Dad and Mr. Goodall.”

“Flipped? Did I hear you correctly? Do you mean that they were the ones responsible for my attack?”

“No, but just as criminal. Dad’s been stealing form the church and Mom and Mr. Goodall were helping him.”

“What?” I yelled at so loud that I was truly concerned that Tracy or Brian would come running in worried about me.

“That was my reaction too. They’re claiming that it wasn’t as bad as he’s making it out to be, but the lawyers have been here almost every single day trying to figure out the “story” that they’re going with and it is disgusting.”

“And you didn’t know?”

“Of course I didn’t! I’m just as shocked as you, about everything. I was dumb and naive about everything going on, Low. I’ve been praying every day for your forgiveness because what I did was unacceptable. It was so stupid to think that Mom and Dad knew better than you in regards to your love life. I was just, I don’t know…”

“Brainwashed?”

“It feels that way. I feel like this huge bubble popped and I’m seeing things clearly for the first time in my life and I’m disgusted by what I thought before. Had I know that his intentions were...well..I know you don’t need me to say it, I never would have made the plan with him. I just wanted you to be in a loving marriage like mine and for some stupid reason I thought the only way for that to be was with Samuel.”

“Can you tell me more about Mom and Dad?”

“Ugh, so you know how he runs those huge donation drives every year? The money that is supposed to go to the shelter downtown?”

“Yeah…”

“Well Mom has been fudging the books for years. They only donate 25% of what is actually made, but since Mom is the one that does the accounting work, nobody ever knew that they were taking the cash.”

“How does Mr. Goodall fit into it?”

“They give him the money under the table and in turn, he invests it into his company. When Mom and Dad get that money back in payoffs from investments, it doesn’t show up as anything other than payoffs like their other investments.”

“And Sam knew this?”

“Yeah. Turns out, he was threatening to go to the cops unless Dad and Mr. Goodall brought him in on it, but they both thought it was too risky so instead they put together what they thought was the next best idea.”

“Me?”

“Uh huh.”

“Dad was selling me off to keep Samuel’s silence. Oh my...I...he was treating me like some kind of cheap whore. All his lecturing about letting a guy take advantage of me and going down the wrong road and he knew the entire time that he was trying to push me towards Samuel for one reason only.”

“I’m so sorry, Harlow. I don’t know what else to say. I feel like I could say it a million times and it would never be enough.”

“And Dad is going to be arrested?”

“And Mom too.”

“I don’t know what to say.”

“I don’t know what’s going to happen here, but I’m trying to take care of as much as I can. Listen, I was in your car the other day.”

“My stuff..”

“Yeah. I know that we have a long ways to go to fix things, Low, but I want to get you all your stuff because if something happens to the house and it is seized or something, I don’t want your stuff to all be lost.”

“I would really appreciate that. Um, maybe you can have it sent here?”

“I could do that. How are you? I’m sure that’s a loaded question, but…”

“I’m good, Abs. Physically I’ve healed and emotionally I’m getting there. Lyle has been a lifesaver and his family too. You wouldn’t believe this place and how close everybody is. It is night and day from what we grew up with.”

“You deserve it. After everything you went through and how they treated you, you deserve the happiness that you found yourself.”

“I’m so in love with Lyle. He’s totally the opposite of who I thought I’d end up with, but he’s just so perfect.”

“I wish you could hear yourself right now, Low, I’ve never seen you talk about a guy this way. Maybe someday I’ll get the chance to meet him.”

“I like that, Abby, just baby steps.”

“Of course, I won’t push. Just you staying on the phone with me this long is more than I could ask for. Probably more than I deserve.”

The front door opens and Lyle walks in. He lifts his eyebrows to me as I’m still on the phone. I just give him a smile.

“Hey, Lyle is home, so I need to get going.”

“Yeah, of course. I’ll get all of your stuff boxed and then reach out about delivery, okay?”

“If any other news about Mom and Dad comes out, can you call me?”

“Of course. Go have fun with your man and do all that domestic stuff.”

“I will. Thanks for taking my call, Abs.”

“Thanks for calling, Low. Talk to you soon.”

“Bye.”

I hang up the phone and take a giant cleansing breath. I stand up and wrap my arms around Lyle. He holds me as tears begin to fall from my eyes again and he tries his best to wipe them away.

“Was that your sister? How did she get your number?”

“I called her. I just felt like I needed to talk to her. It felt good, Ly, it actually felt good.”

“I’m glad it did. What did you two talk about?”

“So fucking much. I’m going to get dinner started and you should get changed and then we can talk about it.”

“Sounds like a good idea.” Lyle starts to walk away and then turns back towards me, “Hey Harlow?”

“Hmm?”

“You’re a strong, beautiful, loving woman and I’m glad you’re mine.”

“Thank you, Lyle. I love you.”

“Love you too.”