Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 102929 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 515(@200wpm)___ 412(@250wpm)___ 343(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102929 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 515(@200wpm)___ 412(@250wpm)___ 343(@300wpm)
I didn’t know what shocked me more—the fact that she was actually there or that she knew about Julius, too.
What else does she know? Has she been keeping tabs on them? With whom? Roland?
My mind spun faster with every word that flew out of her mouth. She seemed to be all over the place, and I silently prayed she wasn’t high. Although she didn’t smell like booze, her eyes weren’t glossy or red, and her pupils weren’t dilated. There were no obvious signs of drugs.
The longer I sat there, listening to her share so openly, the further I sank into my seat with worry. This was more than I ever thought she’d share with me. I didn’t even think I’d ever meet her. I wasn’t expecting her to come back into their lives, not after everything I’d learned last night.
One thing was for sure: it took a lot of strength and courage to do what she was doing, or at least trying to. I had a good idea how Julius would react based on his confessions, but with Kraven, I had no clue.
I took in everything she was saying, wanting to soak up as much information as I could when it came to her headspace, hoping that maybe I’d be able to help. Assuming neither would want to hear her out, I could be there, standing my ground, or a mediator.
They would probably want me to butt out of it, but how could I…?
Especially when the love in her eyes for them was very much alive and beating all around us, as she added, “I tried to do the best I could with raising them right when all they saw was wrong. As they got older, it became more apparent that the best I could do for them was leave. I didn’t think Joe would… I guess what I’m trying to say is I’m finally here to be their mom again.”
“I thin—”
“But I did do something right! Just look at how amazing Julius is. He’s always been my golden boy…”
“They’re both good at heart, Melody.”
“Thank you. It’s nice to hear that.” She peered down at her lap, her demeanor quickly changing. “I’ve made some really bad choices. The boys were the ones who suffered the most because of me, and I failed them both. It took a very long time to accept that and move on. But now I’m here. My boys need me, and this is where I belong. It’s where I’ve always belonged.” She stood. “Anyway, this isn’t about me. I want to know about you!”
I nodded, allowing her to change the subject. She already told me so much. I didn’t want to cause her any more pain than what she visibly carried, and I knew the hurricane that awaited once Julius woke up.
I smiled, easing her anxiety. “There’s not much to tell.”
“I find that hard to believe. I mean, look at you.” She raised our hands in the air. “You’re gorgeous! We should go dancing! Or better yet, the boys can play for us, and we can dance.” She spun in a circle, holding out her maxi skirt. “It was one of our favorite games. They played, and I danced. I used to invite the whole neighborhood to our home concerts, as we called them. I can’t tell you how happy it makes me that they still play all over town for people. They’re so talented, naturally born too.”
Wow, she knows everything.
“You taught them how to play?”
She radiated, looking out in front of her. She might have been there with me, but her mind was somewhere else entirely. She was remembering something that played out in front of her as if it were happening.
“My boys are their own worst enemies. They’ve been through so much, and I’m to blame for all of it. It took me a long time to accept that as well. Over the years, it turned into a domino effect. The last thing I want is for you to think I’m innocent,” she divulged, and I felt a huge weight lifted off my shoulders. That was clear too.
“I know you’re probably wondering why I’m telling you all this, but I was just hoping that maybe if you heard me first, then you could help me with them. Maybe you could make them understand…” She tenderly smiled at me, speaking with conviction. “I’ve never seen my boys this happy, and I have you to thank for that. I couldn’t have asked for a better girl to have walked into both of their lives. Regardless of the circumstances and situation y'all are in or why you’re here in the first place, we’re all family now.”
Abruptly, Julius’s voice echoed, “The fuck we are!”
My stare flew to his. He stood at the end of the stairs, glaring directly at his mom.