Family is Forever (Sequel to Running on Insulin)

Chapter 45

Samantha was less than happy when I told her she would have to attend the reading.

"He's just doing it to torture me!" She cried.  "He's got one last thing planned to mess me up!"

"Samantha, I know you don't want to go. We don't want to make you go. But you have to. We'll be there the whole time. I promise."

Samantha threw her arms around me and sobbed. She was terrified of what Stanley might have in store for her.

"Honey, there's also the matter of the letter from Mr. Gillingham. What do you want to do with it?" I asked her, holding her tight.

"I don't suppose he could possibly be worse than Stanley. Can you read it to me?"

"Sure, baby."

I got up and got the letter. I opened it and sat down beside Samantha. She lay up against me so I had her head in my lap. I stroked her hair while I read through the letter.

"Ready?" I asked.

Samantha nodded. Tyler came in and sat beside her and put her legs in his lap.

I took a breath.

"Dear Samantha,

I'm probably the last person in the world you want to hear from, or that you expected to. I'm not even sure you'll read this. For all I know, you saw this letter and immediately threw it out. Or maybe your parents didn't even let you see it.

Mr and Mrs Joseph, if you read this before letting Samantha see it, I can't blame you.

Samantha, I have no doubt you know how manipulative Stanley could be. For the longest time, he barely mentioned he had a kid. Someone mentioned you at some point and he admitted you existed.

I made the mistake of listening to him and letting him convince me he really just wanted to show he was a good dad.

I can't ever apologize enough for what we did to you. Because while it was Stanley who did the worst to you, I was complicit.

I know that the one act of getting you out of that house and back to your rightful parents is just a small redeeming act. And I'm not asking for your forgiveness. I don't deserve it. I made my decisions and I'm the one who went along with what Stanley was doing. I'm just glad that I was able to right at least one wrong.

Now that Stanley is truly gone, I hope you can finally have some peace, some security and that you know just how much your parents love you. They really, really do. The whole time you were with us, when I went go out to get supplies, your face was plastered all over the TV and the newspapers. I know Stanley told you they didn't care and that they weren't even looking for you, but they were.

Cherish your parents, Samantha. They really and truly love you.

If you find it in your heart to forgive me one day, I wouldn't mind the opportunity to apologize in person - while you're conscious and able to understand.

But I don't expect forgiveness.

Please have a good life from here on out, Samantha.

Best regards,

Nigel Gillingham."

I looked down at Samantha when I finished reading the letter. I couldn't quite read the look on her face. She didn't look angry, but she didn't look, apologetic.

"You okay, baby?" I asked her.

She looked at me and shrugged.

"I'm going to go upstairs for a bit, okay? Just to think."

"Okay. If you need or want anything or to talk, just let us know, okay?"

She nodded as she got up and went upstairs.

"What do you think?" I asked Tyler.

"I still want to throttle him, if I'm honest,"
He said.

"I can't say that I blame you," I said.

"What do we do about Samantha?" I asked.

"What we've been doing since the start. Supporting her, doing our best to protect her and remind her how much we love her," I said.

"I really don't want to take her to that will reading," Tyler said.

"I know. Me neither," I agreed.

———————————-
Samantha POV

I didn't know how I felt about the letter. I decided to text someone. I couldn't decide whether to text Sarah, Brendon or Josh. All of them had been around when Gillingham rescued me.

Just then, my phone dinged. I looked at it and it was Sarah.

"Hey there sweet girl. I was just thinking about you and wondering how the first week back at school went?"

"Weird. I was just thinking about you. And Uncle Brendon. And Uncle Josh"

"Lucky us. What's going on?"

"Stanley's will is being read on Monday and Mom and Dad said the lawyer says I have to go. I don't want to. I'm scared."

"I understand, sweet girl. They'll be with you though, right?"

"Yeah. They say they will be. But what if the lawyer makes them leave?"

"He can't. You're a minor. You're not old enough to make financial decisions according to the law. I know you're scared, but remember, Stanley is gone. He can't hurt you anymore. Even through his will."

"What if he tells me I have some long lost relative that I have to go live with?"

"The police did a very thorough investigation both when Tyler and Jenna took you in and again when Stanley took you and when he died. If there was a long lost relative, they'd have found them by now."

"What if they didn't want to be found?"

"Oh, sweetheart. I wish we could be out there with you. I can't imagine how you're feeling right now. Trust me, it's going to be okay. Jenna and Tyler will be there the whole time.
Now, how was your first week back?"

"Remember the kid who beat me up?"

"Vaguely,"

"He got expelled."

"When?! How?!"

"Yesterday. Mom and Dad went to talk to the principal because Adam said he wished Stanley had... well, you can imagine. I don't want to say it again."

"But you told them what he said? Good job sweetheart! And I'm glad Adam's out of your school. Now you can concentrate on you and that wonderful brain of yours. Uncle Beebo says hi and he loves you and we'll talk again soon, okay? Don't worry about Monday. But do let us know how it goes? Okay?"

"Okay. Thanks. Love you guys,"

I put my phone away and lay on my bed thinking.