Kissed by a Bullet

Chapter 22 ~ All I need is a stripper and 20 one dollar bills and I will be set

Song of Chapter: Fighter by Christina Aguilera

I open the front door noticing all the light are off, hopefully mom is in bed. I walk in and shut the door and start walking into the living room and notice my mom is asleep on the couch. I tip toe towards the kitchen.

"I see you." My mom says, I sigh and turn around where I see her sitting up.

"Hey mom." I say walking towards her and she smiles.

"When you snuck out I could have sworn you were wearing pajamas." She says and I scratch my neck and look at her.

"Well umm-" She cuts me off with a laugh and I look at her in confusion. "I saw Jace outside the window, almost called the police." She says and I laugh.

"You're good mom." She smirks at me.

"Oh I know, I figured you needed time to blow off some steam." I nod and she grabs my hand with a sorrowful smile on her lips.

"I love you Melanie and I just want you to know even though I'm not always around., or the times when I wasn't the mother and you had to be. I'm always here for you no matter what you, can talk to me. As for your father I'm sorry he came around, he said he's going to come back but for right now we can breathe. Okay?" I nod and give her a small smile.

"I know mom, I love you too." I say and kiss her head and turn around to walk away when her words stop me in my tracks.

"I'm glad you have Jace in your life Melanie, I know he's gotten himself into trouble before but he's a good boy at heart. Melanie I just want to see you be happy and he makes you happy, I have eyes, I see it when you two are together." She says and I just stay in place not looking at her just staring at the wall in front of me.

"I am too." Is all I could say agreeing with her that I too am glad that Jace is in my life.

I make my way up the stairs, walking into my room. Just sitting on my bed staring at the wall. Thinking about nothing in particular. When something in the corner of my eye catches my attention.

My father's gift.

I just stare at it, slightly wishing it would go away, but it just sits there reminding me of the nine years he wasn't around.

I take a deep breathe, I get up and shuffled my feet towards it. I couldn't bring myself to pick it up so, I stare at it some more.

I finally reach out my hand and place it on the small package. Right when I touch it, it was like pain shooting towards my heart.

My brain was telling me to throw it away. My heart however, was whispering open it for the eight year old that didn't get a gift on the anniversary of me being born.

I close my eyes and take a deep breathe, I open them once more and pick up the gift. I tear away the wrapping paper and was left with velvet box. I lift the lid and just stare at what was inside.

A bracelet that was great grandmother's, I always adored it. It was sterling silver with December birthstones in bedded into it. The month of her birthday and the month of Luke and I's as well.

I grazed my hand over the bracelet reminiscing about the past and how much I missed, how it was before my dad left.

Feeling a pang in my chest causes me to close the box, putting it back on the desk. I walk back over to my bed and lay down. Not evening bothering to change my clothes. I take off my beanie and throw it on the floor. I wrap the covers around me and shut my eyes.

Wanting the sweet darkness to take over my body and leave all the pain and hurt until to tomorrow.

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