Books, Boys, and Basketball: Junior Year

RESENTMENT

After being released from the hospital, they sent me to live with my Grams on my dad's side until they could sort all the details surrounding both my home life and life at Candor out. Child protective services were concerned with allegations I'd suffered abuse at the hands of my dad. Add that to the fact that my parents ignored my cries for help, and it didn't look good for them.

My grandmother lives in Elk Grove in a big house that she shared with my grandpa until he died a few years ago from a stroke. I didn't know she lived that close to me because I never get to see her.

Grams is a lot like me, and she shed some light on why my father hates her so much. That his father used to treat him the same way my father treats me. And he's mad Grams would never come to his rescue. One would think he would spare me what he had to endure, but it's the exact opposite.

He became his father...

The other reason they had a falling out is over an issue he has with his brother, Jonathon. He felt like Grams always chose his brother Jonathon's side and it made him angry.

Whatever...

At least I still have Trisha and Josh, who brought Joshua by Grams's for me to see. I haven't seen them since gaining my freedom.

"I can't believe the stuff they're saying you went through," Josh looks me over with his overprotective big brother eyes.

"I don't want to talk about it."

"Don't blame dad, Sidney. Mom and dad thought they were doing the right thing," he defended them. "They didn't know. I mean, how could they?"

"Look, I'm not mad at him anymore for sending me there. I know that was my fault now, given all the therapy forced down my throat. I'm angry because I told him so many times what it was like and he didn't stop to listen. All the signs were there, and he didn't believe me. I was one missed meal away from not even being here," I sigh. "Don't get me wrong, I know I can be a handful, but you friggin had a baby, Em claims she's bisexual, and somehow I'm the only one he punishes all the time. My straight A's never afforded me a get out of jail free card the way it did for you two. So, spare me the poor dad talk."

"Fine, but you can't stay mad at him forever, Sidney."

"I won't stay mad forever. Just until I'm forty," I joke.

"Come on, Sidney," Trisha chimes in. "If you want them to trust you and giving you freedom, you can't disobey them and expect them to let you get away with it. Do yourself a favor and meet them halfway, you'd be surprised."

"Have you seen Drew?" I ask, changing the subject.

"I knew that name would come up eventually," Josh rolls his eyes.

"I haven't seen him since moving in here."

"That's because he's been spending all of his time with Kimberly."

My heart slams into my chest. "What do you mean?"

"Well, ever since you left for Candor, Drew and Kimberly have been going pretty strong."

"They're exclusive, Sid," Trisha blurts out what I'm assuming Josh is politely trying to dance around.

Drew and I have spent countless hours together, and not once did he ever mention that he and Kimberly were exclusive. Come to think of it, I found it weird that he hadn't tried to kiss me once while he was helping me through my ordeal.

Dread grips my heart, but my head refuses to allow any emotions to penetrate my now fragile mental psyche and heart. I'd cross that bridge when I got to it. Right now, Drew is communicating with me and anytime I call him he comes. That's all I care about.