Total pages in book: 128
Estimated words: 125020 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 625(@200wpm)___ 500(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 125020 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 625(@200wpm)___ 500(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
That and that alone causes me to wake and push harder each day. The fundraisers are placing me in all the right rooms. Other than the lack of sleep, I couldn’t be happier.
I lean my head back and close my eyes once I’m seated in the back of the Bentley. I grin to myself as the seat invites me in. This is only one of three in my new collection. My life hasn’t missed a step, my father can go fuck himself.
“We’re here, sir.”
I open my eyes and look around. The first thing to grab my attention is the small child sitting on my front step. I haven’t seen True and Cat in a few weeks.
I rush from the car to make sure he’s okay. His tearstained face sets my blood on fire. I look around to see if I can deduce what’s going on. Nothing seems amiss.
“Hey, buddy. What’s up? What’s going on?”
He launches himself at me and wraps his arms around my waist. He’s shaking with his tears. “I can’t do this. I can’t do this on my own,” he sobs.
“Do what?”
“Mommy is sick. My dad left. It’s my job to help take care of us now, but it’s too much. I’ve been trying. I’ve been doing my best.”
“Wait, what’s going on? Your mom is sick?”
“Yeah, she’s been going for treatments, but they make her so tired. If they find out she can’t take care of us and our dad is gone, they’re going to take us.
“I can’t let them take us. I’ve been keeping Cat clean for school and making sure she has lunch. I stay to myself, so no one asks questions and Cat promised not to tell.
“We’ve been fine. I’ve been getting us to school and Mommy has been getting to treatments. I pack Vernice’s bag for her on the mornings they have to go out, but today, today I couldn’t do it. It was too much,” he cries.
I rub a hand against his back. My mind is reeling. I had no idea all of this was going on. Now that I think of it, Mary has looked tired the last few times I’ve seen her. Vernice is only a few months old. I thought she was tired from dealing with a newborn.
“What happened today?” I ask, trying to get my thoughts together.
“I woke up tired. I tried to make our lunch for school, but the bread started to rip when I put the peanut butter on. I got frustrated and knocked over the orange juice I poured for Cat.
“I was cleaning it up when Vernice started crying. When she wouldn’t stop, I knew something was wrong. I got to the baby’s room and…and there was poop everywhere. Vernice was covered in it.
“I couldn’t clean her up and get us to school. My mom can barely move today.” He lifts his head and looks at me. “I can’t lose my mom. She can’t lose us. She needs us to fight. She’s fighting for us, but I can’t do this on my own. I can’t help her by myself. I need your help. You said you’d help me.
“Please help me. I need to be there to fight because she needs me, but I know I can’t do this on my own. My dad doesn’t care and Cat is still a baby. Don’t let them take us, don’t let me lose my mom. Help me,” he sobs.
I’m speechless. He’s a baby. True is six and Cat is four. I wasn’t much older than them when I lost my mom. I can’t imagine the fear and hopelessness he must be feeling.
However, my mom was taken from me in the blink of an eye. I didn’t have to watch her die. I wasn’t given time to fight with her, for her. This isn’t a hurt I’d wish on anyone, especially not these kids.
“Little bro, I promise you’re not alone. I’m here. I’m going to do this with you and if you can’t do it with me, with her, I’ll do it for you. You have help.”
“Thanks, Mr. Josh.”
“You can drop the mister. Call me Josh or J. We’re family. Come on, let’s go take care of your mom.”
We stand and he places his small hand in mine. As tired as I am, everything else is forgotten. I nod for my driver to place my bags in the house and walk down the block with True.
When we get there, I note the empty driveway. It’s still early, so I’m giving his douchebag father the benefit of the doubt. He better show up before the end of the day.
We step into the house and it’s clear things have gotten out of hand. There are toys and clothes all over the place. I shrug off my suit jacket and begin to pick things up.