Accidentally Tasha

Chapter 24

"What is your name?" he asks.

I swear that this guy's going to bore me to an early death.

"Julia," I say in a monotone voice.

"Your mother's name?" he asks me.

I study his fat face. He has the bluest eyes I've ever seen and a nose too big at the bridges, but I assume that he was handsome in his youth. He looks irritated.

"Your father's name?" he asks.

"I dunno," I say playfully.

I see him grab his notebook in annoyance and smile knowingly. I can be pretty annoying when I want to be.

The nurse comes in to announce that it is time for my medication. Officer Smith looks at me like he wants nothing more than to hit me in the head. I lean over to him and smile like we're besties.

"Come on, you know what I want. I won't talk until you bring Paul Gardner."

He heaves in exasperation and heads out. They've been ignoring my requests for the past two weeks. I think this time they'll listen.

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Later that evening, as I munch on delicious hospital red velvet cake, Officer Smith comes in accompanied by dad. I smile at the both of them. My smile is ignored. Dad sits down beside Smith.

"What's your name?" Smith asks.

"Uh-uh." I say "I want him to do the questioning."

They both roll their eyes in irritation.

"Fine." Dad says "What is your full name?"

"Julia Patterson." I answer.

His attention peaks at the mention of my last name. Good.

"Your mother's name?" he asks.

"Annabelle Patterson." I smile.

His face whitens in shock. "Jesus," he mutters.

"Your father's name?" he asks.

I look him in the eye. "You tell me."

Smith seems to understand what is going on and starts fidgeting in his chair. I think I hear a little gasp from him.

"Did she send you here?" dad asks, trying to calm himself.

"No," my voice is dead calm "because she died over a year ago."

I muster all my strength and walk over to him. I punch him in the face as hard as I can.

"That is for my mamma Annabelle. And for little fatherless Julia. And for Rachel, I know that you're cheating on her. And yes, I was the one in the bar, you jerk."

He doesn't say anything. He simply looks stunned.

"Get out!" I shout.

I don't need to say anything else. He excuses himself. I turn to Smith with a frown on my face.

"Now we can talk."

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Three weeks after I got hospitalized, I am transferred to the holding cells where I first met Ashton. I'm being arrested for identity theft. My thigh wound was not deep so it's healing up nicely. Most of my other bruises are gone.

I can't help but think of the people I've come to love here in Crestshore. The people I deceived.

Ashton. Jake. Mom. Nyanda. Olivia. Lars and Dan.

They must feel my betrayal. No wonder none of them came to visit me at the hospital. I cry, not only because losing loved ones is never easy, but because to them I'll never be anything but a lying scoundrel. I have proved myself unworthy in their eyes.

So I stay in the cell for two days, having nothing but time to think about my life. To think about my betrayal; the hurt that I've caused to all those good people; the embarrassment they must feel at my deceit. I am hurting, probably more than they are right now because I'll never justify myself. I'll never defend myself against lying to them. They don't know what I've been through; they possibly can't understand my actions.

Would I do it all over again? Yes. A million times over again.

I don't regret knowing Ashton. Falling in love with him was the easiest decision I ever made in my life and I wouldn't take it back.

I don't regret knowing Jake. His was a pure love; a love so innocent it hurts to know that he thinks differently of me now.

I don't regret any of it. Any one of them.

"Julia?" a young officer calls out to me "Your bond has been paid. You're free to go."

"By who...?" I start to ask.

My eyes land on Nyanda. She looks as scruffy as ever. She is wearing the same outfit I first saw her in. When I'm let out I hug her and start sobbing. I cry out all the emotions I've been keeping stuffed up. She hugs me tightly and lets me cry on her shoulder until her shirt is wet with my tears.

"You don't hate me?" I ask when I've cooled down.

We are sitting at Annie's, our favorite ice cream shop. I avoid asking about all the others, even though I'm dying to. I know I won't like what I hear.

"Oh come on. I think if everyone admits the truth they'll all say that deep down inside they knew you were not Tasha." she says.

"Tasha was one hell of a bitch. She'd never have made friends with someone like me. You're pure sunshine, darlin'. You made me believe in myself again, and that's a big gift."

I burst into a fresh bout of tears.

She then asks me if I've decided what I'm going to do.

"I'm going after Kate."

"I knew you'd say something like that. Here," she hands me a wad of cash.

"Where are you getting all this money?" I ask.

"Sold of all clothes my mom buys for me. I'll never wear them anyway," she smiles nonchalantly.

I hug her one more time. I'm too full of emotions to even speak. I think my eyes let her know of my gratitude.

"Find her," is all Nyanda says.

I nod. That's the only thing I can do to help sort out this mess.