No Shame (Book 2 - No Regrets)

Chapter Thirty-Seven - What We Wish

DOMINICK'S POV

Sitting through my second morning class for the day, my mind processes very little of the information but my hand scripples down notes. Then, I sat in the library, constantly watching the clock waiting for noon when Tyde would take lunch. Despite her calling seconds after noon, I answer the phone with an impatient, "Hello." I burst out of the library doors into the open crisp air.

Tyde hears the impatience in my voice and meets the sound with a sigh. "Dominick, please. Just listen."

"Okay." I agree.

"I was in the wrong for doing all of this beyond your back, even more so because of all I know." Tyde says sincerely. "I am so sorry. I know that you believe that taking Mollie to see a specialist is admitting something is wrong with Mollie; but that is not the truth and I need you to know that."

"It's more than that." I interject.

"I'm not finished. Please just listen." Tyde says, a little edge of desperation to her tone and her voice raises a level in volume. She takes a deep breath, "I love Mollie, just as you do, and I also want the best for her. This means grabbing every chance we can to help her."

"Are you finished?" I ask.

"Yes." Tyde answers.

"She doesn't need help, there is nothing wrong with her. She is not broken. She is a perfectly healthy and happy little girl."

"That's what you have made yourself see but it's not reality. She had a hard start at life," Tyde quickly follows the statement with an assuring, "and that's not your fault." A brief silence follows as she searches for the next words to say. In her voice I can hear she knows she is dancing around an edge. "She has overcome so much, better and stronger than anyone predicted, because of how much she is loved, but there is more for her to still overcome though."

"You broke my trust. You should have told me. I should have been there."

"You would never have let it happen if you knew. Dominick, do not take this wrong, but you are holding on to a delusion and that is crippling her." Tyde says. The words and air are sucked out of me, everything blurs around me.

Tyde must know how her words have landed, "I do not say this to hurt you. You must know that. I say and did all this for her."

"Are you sure this is for her?" I find my words, an ugly feeling boils in my stomach.

"Of course it is." Tyde defends.

"I am not so certain. I think this is more about you." The accusation is not fair, I know that even in this moment. I am now the one dancing on the edge, but I do not stop. "Don't project your problems on Mollie, just because you're a mess because your parents didn't give a sh*t about doesn't give you the right to turn my daughter into some type of lab rat to be pocked and proded at."

I am grateful I do not see Tyde's expression, it's a small mercy I do not see how my words wound her. "Tyde," my voice softens and are full of remorse. "please forgive me. That was uncalled for."

"I have nothing left to say to you except for this. I may be a mess, but I can live with myself." Tyde says with a tone laced with hurt. "It will be you who has to live with ruining that girl. She already looks like her mother, I will not stand by to see her meet a similar fate." That's all she says before she hangs up the phone.

~~~~~~~

The morning hours bleed into the afternoon, the work day finishes. I am tortured by the record of Tyde and I's conversation that replays in my mind. Tyde does not call or text me nor do I her. I head to the apartment where Tyde and Mollie are already.