We arrive at the house late enough for Father to have made it home.
I call Grace, and she comes down to let us all in. Unfortunately, we don't get settled before my father comes out of his study.
"Back again for some more, Dominic?"
"No, I came for the same reason I came yesterday. This time I won't leave without Grace and Evan."
"Like I said yesterday, Grace can do what she wants, but Evan is a minor."
Tension hangs in the air.
"Mr. Young, I have in my possession the papers to give custody of Evan Young to Dominic Young. But be advised, I also have in my possession and in an undisclosed location, articles to send to papers about your behavior. I also have in my possession proof in the form of photographs of the physical harm that has come to Evan Young since July 29, 2020. If you do not sign those papers, that now lay in front of you, the original photographs will be sent to the Barlow Police Department for them to take action against you for child abuse. I wonder what your friends and colleagues will think of what goes on behind the doors of such a trophy home by an acclaimed professional."
My adoptive father turns red—his head about to explode. He snatches up the pen to sign the papers.
"You'll fail, like you always have," he says with venom in his voice.
"No, Matt, I've never been the failure. You've been the failure this entire time. You take in kids to raise with the only intention of having them as trophy children. Mom tried her best to give us love and attention, but eventually you wore her down to a shell of the woman she is today."
"Mrs. Young, I can also draw up divorce papers, you can move to wherever your children do."
"Laura." Dad warns.
"No, Matt, this has gone on long enough. You've broken every promise you ever made to me. Why should I stay with you?"
"Because I provide for you."
"Like I can't get that elsewhere. No, this is the end of the line."
"Whatever. I can always get a new trophy wife." He sneers.
A tear escapes my mother's face before she comes over to stand beside Ande, who gives her a warm hug. I smile at the scene.
"Here's your damn papers!" My adoptive father pushes the papers across the table before standing up. "Now get those worthless kids and wife out of my house!"
Walking over to the coffee table, I bend down and pick up the papers. However, I decide to leave my adoptive father with something to think about.
"You never approved of anything I did. I spent most of my teen years trying to please you—what a waste. You aren't going to dictate my future. You no longer have control of me but..."
"Can I?" I ask EJ.
"Quickly," he responds.
I go to the end of the couch and conjure a small fireball. "I've dreamed of burning this house down with you in it."
My adoptive father gasps. "What are you?"
"Something you'll never know about." I reply and let the fire burn out.
EJ chants something, and my adoptive father has a blank look on his face.
Sam's eyes are wide. "You were kidding about burning the house down, weren't you?"
"Only an unrealized fantasy." I explain.
Mom and the others rush up the stairs to pack what they can.
"And don't take anything that isn't yours, Laura." He shouts up the stairs.
A voice I haven't heard in a while shouts back. "Whatever I take I earned, Matthew. I think years of abuse gives me the right to take whatever is mine — regardless of who bought it and with what money."
My mom came down with some bags, but Evan and Grace also have boxes. I'm glad he got a van to rent.
"Let me check those bags and boxes!" Father shouts.
"Mr. Young, I'd advise you to step away from them. Check your possessions after we leave and file a police report if you think something has been stolen. Remember what is coming next—divorce papers."
"Whatever. Take everything." Father says before walking to his study.
Evans' eyes widened. "Can we?"
"Did you leave something you wanted?" I ask him.
"I think. Let me go check."
Evan and Grace head up to their rooms.
"Mrs. Young," EJ starts.
"Just Laura," Mom responds.
"We'll need to stop at a UPS store and mail some of those boxes."
"Whatever we need to do to get past this nightmare." Mom turns towards me. "I'm sorry, Dominic, for not being a better mom. I stayed because I figured it would be the best way to stop your father from doing more damage than he was already accomplishing. Can you ever forgive me?"
"Of course, I can forgive you. You probably forgive me forever thinking you didn't love us enough. I was so caught up in my own world, I didn't stop to think of what you might be going through."
Mom comes over and wraps me in a hug.
Evan and Grace come back down with more boxes.
Evan looks down sheepishly. "Sorry Mr., Mr. What was your name again?" he asks EJ.
"Just call me EJ."
Evans leg bounces. "Maybe we don't have room."
"We'll make it work." EJ says.
Everyone and everything is stacked up in the van, minus Sam. He walked home.
"Are we all ready for the next adventure?" EJ calls out through the van.
He puts the van in drive and heads to the hotel to make arrangements and get some sleep. I have a feeling that this is going to become a luxury.
"Where are we going anyway?" Mom asks EJ.
"For now," EJ says. "All you need to know is that we are part of the Bermuda islands."
"Really. This is going to be fun." Mom says with a smile, and I bask in the knowledge that we are all out from underneath that man's grasp.
YOU ARE READING
The Protectors: New Generation Book 1
FantasyTallulah James wants to know where she belongs and what her life's purpose is. The only problem, she doesn't have all the facts. But who is keeping secrets from her? How does magic play into her life? Will she finally find what she's been longing...
