Bye, I Guess... (Sequel and Third Book Included!)

Four

"Hey honey, how are you?" Milo said sweetly.

"Don't call me honey. You were never my dad and never will be," I snapped.

I was visiting my 'dad' while he was in prison. He only has four months to go, and I'm thankful he can't get custody of me when he gets out.

"You wouldn't be on this earth if it weren't for me," He mumbled, but making sure I could hear him.

I rolled my eyes.

"So anyway, did you find your mother?" Milo asked.

"No, but the police were able to find her phone number for me about a week ago. I still haven't worked up the courage to call."

Then it was an awkward silence.

"So, how's school?" Milo asked.

"It's okay. I have the most annoying English teacher. She likes to get all up in people's business," I said.

"I remember when I was in middle school, my History teacher would always call on me because I never knew the answers. What a dumb***," He said.

"Shut up you stupid kids! And Allie, stop telling them stuff and being such a dumb***!"

"Allie, you are just a worthless little bratty dumb***! Get over here right now!!!"

"Allie, you were a mistake. Go die in a hole somewhere, dumb***."

I winced, blinked, and began to lose my touch with reality. No one can say that word around me, and it's worse that my own 'father' said it. I typically go into panic mode because it reminds me of all the times I was called that and many other words while I was 'kidnapped'.

I started to breathe really fast and I felt my heart rate go up.

"Al, you okay?" Milo asked.

I started blinking really fast and I pulled my legs up from the floor onto my chair so I was sitting in a ball. I rested my head on my knees and started counting backwards from fifty, trying to escape from the panic attack.

Milo's POV

I noticed my daughter was acting strangely once I made a funny comment about my middle school experience. I figured she was having a panic attack, so my instinct was to comfort her. I bolted up from my chair and took the few steps to her seat, then rubbed her back and counted with her. An officer came over and tried to get me away from her, but I resisted until Allie was no longer freaking out. Then, the officer put me back in my seat and reminded me of the rule about 'no getting out of your seat unless directed by authority'.

I rolled my eyes at the guy and then looked at Allie.

"Are you okay now?" I asked.

"Yeah, actually. Thanks, I guess," She said with a half smile.

I smiled back. I had never seen such a cute smile from my little girl.

•••

I had made so many terrible choices earlier in my life. I got married straight out of high school and missed Allie's first four years of life for working a job during the day and going to college at night. I almost never came home. I was always drunk and that's why I ended up nearly killing that girl Ginger-May and injuring those poor other girls. I am eternally grateful to the girl Annie, since she brought Allie comfort and hope.

I have always been determined to get my daughter back, but now more than ever.