Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 83777 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 419(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83777 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 419(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
Things got a little tougher when the hearings started, and the kids discovered what exactly their father had been up to. I was afraid the whole thing would drag out for months, but it seemed they wanted to sweep this one under the rug. Maddox pleaded guilty and took a plea deal that kept him from being charged with attempted murder.
In a matter of a few weeks, the trial was done, and he was moved to the Arkansas Department of Correction in Grady. He’d already been there a couple of days, so I needed to get moving. I grabbed my cut and was on my way out the door when I heard the soft murmur of voices coming from the living room.
Devin's voice was low and soothing, like she was trying her best to talk someone off a ledge. I took a step closer and leaned against the doorframe, just out of sight. That’s when I saw that she was talking to Chrissy. She was curled up on the edge of the sofa with her arms wrapped tight around her knees.
Devin was sitting right beside her, rubbing slow circles on her back as she listened to Chrissy say, “He’s not who I thought he was. I never thought he could do something like that.”
“I know. It surprised me, too.” Devin shrugged. “But he messed up. He messed up big, and now, he has to pay the consequences for it.”
“I know, but fifteen years. That’s a lifetime. What if he doesn’t make it in there?”
“Your dad’s stronger than you think, baby. And this isn’t forever.”
“That’s what everyone says, but it doesn’t help anything.” Chrissy shook her head and let out a frustrated sob. “It just feels like I’m losing him forever.”
My chest tightened.
That kind of helpless hurt was something I knew all too damn well.
I stepped into the room, and they both looked up. Devin’s eyes met mine, and I could see the silent plea in them. I walked over and crouched down in front of Chrissy. “I know all of this is a lot, and it doesn’t feel fair. Hell, maybe it isn’t. But his being in jail doesn’t change the fact that he is your father. He still loves you, and even though he’s made some bad decisions, you can still love him. You can love him just as much as you always did.”
She wiped at her eyes but didn’t say anything, just stared at the floor like she was trying not to fall apart. Devin leaned in and added, “And when you’re ready, you can write him or go see him. Whatever you want. You don’t have to shut him out.”
“I don’t know...” Chrissy hesitated, that crack of pain still fresh in her voice. “What if he doesn’t want to see me?”
“He’ll want to see you,” I answered without hesitation. “You’re his kid, and you’re pretty awesome. He loves you and will want to know you’re okay. He’ll want to know that you haven’t given up on him.”
She nodded, and I leaned in and kissed her forehead. “You’re a good kid, Chris. He’s lucky to have you. I know I am.”
I stood and reached for my keys on the table. “I’m heading out for a bit. Be back before dinner.”
“Okay. Be careful.”
“Will do.” As I stepped through the door, I called out, “Love you.”
And they replied in unison, “Love you, too.”
And just like that, my day had been made. I headed out to my bike, and half an hour later, I was at the clubhouse meeting up with Goose. We were only there for a minute before we were on the road to ADC. We needed to pay a visit to a close friend of the club’s and ask him to keep an eye on Maddox.
Goose wasn’t exactly thrilled about the idea and started pouting as soon as we made our way inside. He let out a muffled curse then grumbled, “I hate it here. It sucks.”
“I think that’s kind of the point.”
The clank of the steel doors echoed behind us as Goose and I made our way down to the prison’s visitor area so we could have a word with our good friend, Pookie.
He wasn’t a brother.
Not even close.
But he was a strong supporter and easily influenced. It only took a little love to get him to do just about anything we wanted him to do, especially if it was Goose giving him the love. Goose would play along, but he wasn’t happy about it, and he made sure to let me know. “It smells like sweat, bleach, and stale regret in here.”
“It’s a prison. How do you expect it to smell?”
“I don’t know. Haven’t they ever heard of a Glade plugin.”
“Doubt it’d do any good.”
“Probably not.” He let out an annoyed breath as he said, “Remind me never to end up here.”