Forgive Me (Color Me book 3 H.S) EDITING

CHAPTER 38

****IMPORTANT AUTHOR'S NOTE AT THE END.****

CARLI

"So who is this man?" I asked Harry for the hundredth time. We had just dropped Leo of at Harry's mom's house.

"Carli, you'll see when we get there. Do you think you could have a little patience please? You're stressing me out." Harry said as he took a right. I rolled my eyes and sat back in my chair. As I mumbled complaints, I saw that we were traveling down a lonely gravel road. The trees were tall and green, wrinkled with age and carelessness. It was slightly cold in the car, so I turned the heat up and smiled as Harry placed his hand on my thigh. "I must warn you, he isn't the nicest man in the crayon box. If you speak out of line he isn't afraid to put you back in your place."

"He sounds like a charmer." I mumbled.

"Now that I think of it, he slapped Sophia because she said no when he asked her to stop talking." Harry chuckled to himself, suddenly stopped as he saw the horrified face I was sending him. "Sorry.."

"I just wont say anything." I said, taking off my seat belt as we got to the nice house that was sitting behind a grove of trees. My heels dug into the soft earth as I got out of the brand new truck Harry had bought this morning. It was expensive but he told me that things costed money and he had the means to buy anything he wanted. And me, for that matter, was engrossed in trying to not be too prideful when I didn't need to think twice about the thousands of dollars I spent in shops.

I shut the door softly and took off my sunglasses, eyeing the beautiful structure in front of me. Karl and a couple men pulled up behind us, watching me carefully as they got out of the car. Karl had told me on the way to the vehicles that no woman accompanied Harry when he went to see this man. He always went alone or with Karl. The men would think highly of me, but some would be jealous and rude because it seemed as if I was getting special treatment. Which, I would say to that, would be good. I birthed his son and I'm the one who keeps Harry's house in order. I held onto my purse as Harry took my hand, leading me up to the glass doors. 

It was a couple of minutes after Harry rung the bell before someone came down. He was an older man, his hair graying and his face wrinkled. He outstretched his arms as Harry walked in, a grin on his face. "My son!" The man said, hugging Harry as they both chuckled.

"How are you Richard? It's been too long." Harry said as he smiled genuinely.

"Age is biting me, but other than that I'm swell." Richard turned and eyed me, his smile never faltering. "And you must be Carli."

"Yes, sir." I smiled, shaking his outstretched hand.

"Well! You have a firm grip." Richard said as he cupped my hand in his two. "Please, call me Richard."

"Okay." I nodded.

"So what brings you to my humble abode?" Richard asked as he walked us through his house.

"We have a situation on our hands that I need your help with." Harry asked, playfulness running from his voice. It was replaced with seriousness and demand. 

"Sophia is back." Richard said, looking over at Harry.

Harry stopped, his hands held behind his back. "How..?"

Richard laughed. "She came to see me the night of the ball. I was home only about a few minutes when she just walked in. Like she was welcomed or something. You probably know I don't care for that heifer."

Heifer means... Cow? Oh my.

"I know that." Harry lowly chuckled.

"Anyways, that's beside the point. She came into my office and begged for me to help her. She said something about her connection in this town was faltering and she needed a backup plan in case everything failed. She said she had money, ha, she even said something about sleeping with me. Being the old faithful man I was, I knew what she had faked and did to you. Harry, I trust everything you tell me and I consider you my own flesh and bone. I raised you in this gang family and I want to keep my heart on your side. So I told her no. I kicked her to the curb and said I had loyalty to you. She screamed and even threatened to take me down. Can you believe that?" Richard laughed as he held his gut. 

"Sir.. Sorry to intrude." I softly spoke. Harry quickly looked at me, mentally asking me to shut up.

Richard looked over at me. "Of course, dear. I'm much nicer than Harry thinks." He said as he elbowed Harry.

"How do you know Harry?" I asked. "He never told me that."

"Well, when he moved here I was friends with his father. When his father failed him, I took him in and connected him to his first gang business. After that, I was his mentor and supporter. I might have even been the first one to be there for him when Sophia snaked her way through and 'died'."

I nodded and listened. "He was my old man." Harry joked.

"Even if I'm old I can still kick you in the butt." Richard playfully hissed. "Sophia said something that intrigued me though. Did you know who she's working with?"

"No, unfortunately."

"Well... This might shock you."

"Who is it?" Harry pushed.

"You must be out of the loop then...."

"It's your Step Mom, Harry."

WHOO. 

Okay so I signed up for college and I start monday. So I don't know when I can update but I will try my best. If you must know, I'm okay today. I've worn my grandmother's sweatshirt and the hat she knitted me. It still smells of her so it makes me feel better somewhat. Her funeral is tuesday so I don't know if I will update that day. Thank you so much for your support, you guys are honestly the best. Today I went to the doctors and found out I have an ear infection and a sinus infection. 

YAY me!!

Richard is played by Jeff Bridges. 

QUESTION.

What is your utter most fear? It can be stupid or silly. Mine is drowning (in a car, mostly) and drinking spoiled milk. 

YOURS?