Second Chances

Chapter 12

Max was getting ready to leave Darrian's house two days later. He and Darrian had just kissed each other goodbye. Kaylie came up to them with two pieces of paper in her hand. She was still sick but getting better.

"I made these for you Max." He took them. They were drawings Kaylie made.

"Thank you." "I love them."

"They're for helping take care of me."

"I was happy to help." He bent down and gave her a hug. "I hope you feel better soon."

"When are you coming back?"

"Next weekend."

The front door opened. Greg walked in. He was always disrespectful to Darrian by not knocking before coming in. She hated it. It was the first time Max had seen the disrespect.

"Daddy." Kaylie said happily.

"Hey honey." Greg said. She went over to him and hugged him.

"Kaylie, I'm gonna walk Max to his car." "Stay here with your daddy."

Darrian and Max went outside to his car.

"God damn it." Darrian said annoyed. "I hate when he does that."

"Yeah, he always came across as a dick to me."

"He is but he knows how to manipulate and charming." "Him not respecting me is his way of still trying to control me." "I haven't told you how bad things got." "I know you have to go." They kissed.

The following weekend Max had just gotten to Darrian's house. They were all in the living room.

"Have you guys eaten dinner yet?" He asked.

"No." Darrian said. "We wanted to wait for you."

"Let's go out."

After dinner Kaylie was sitting on the couch with Max. He was reading her a story.

"What's this word Kaylie?" He asked pointing.

"At?"

"Very good, good girl."

Darrian walked through the living room holding a laundry basket. As she heard Max read to Kaylie she smiled.

A few hours later Darrian got in bed next to Max.

"I love seeing the way you interact with Kaylie." Darrian said. "You're gonna be a wonderful father someday."

"Do you want more children?"

"Eventually yes."

"I've been wondering about something." "Last weekend you told me Greg and you had a bad relationship." "How bad?"

"I told everyone I divorced him because he was cheating on me, which he was." "Nobody knows the real reason why." "Six months after I gave birth to Kaylie, he started beating me up."

"Were you married at the time?"

"We got married when I was three months pregnant." "The first time he only smacked me." "Then he started beating the shit out of me."

"Did you ever report it?"

"I didn't want anyone to know about it." "I was ashamed and embarrassed." "I know I should've." "He used to tell me since I had his baby, he could do anything he wanted to me."

"That bastard." "How long did it go on for?"

"A year and a half."

"I'm so sorry that happened to you Darrian." "Thank you for trusting me enough to tell me."

"I'll never tell anyone else." She kissed him. "I love you."

"I love you too."