Chapter 14
Dawn
Elijah was homemost of the time the following week, making it more enjoyable. He left once to go to the grocery store, after having me help come up with a list of items we needed. It truly didn’t matter to me what he bought, as I would eat or try to cook just about anything. I normally cooked easy things that had the directions on the packages, since I had to teach myself how to cook. I had refused Joslyn’s help, not wanting to take up more of her time than she was already giving up to stay with me. She’d brought a couple of cookbooks that were fairly easy for me tofollow.
On the day he went out, Joslyn came over, along with Emily and Zack. I could tell something was up, as Emily was nervous and fidgety. Zack acted like there wasn’t anything to worry about, sitting in the living room and playing on hisphone.
Joslyn had brought a big dark green scrapbook full of pictures and was telling Emily and I some of the stories that went along with them. One set of pictures was of Elijah holding a newborn baby who was sleeping and wrapped in pink. She had a small bow on her head. Zack sat beside Elijah, pouting and looking off to a different direction. They both had the same color of darkhair.
“Elijah was thrilled to finally hold you, Dawn. You were a week old, and he promised to protect you from the world that day,” Joslyn had said, as she pointed to the picture. “Zack wanted nothing to do with you, and refused to let me take one goodpicture.”
Emily gave out a laugh. “Just like now, you know if he’s not happy if there’s somethingwrong.”
Another picture showed Elijah pushing me on a tire swing. The ground was covered in white flowers. My eyes were bright with happiness. Elijah, at the age of twelve, was happily pushing me, as I sat on the black tire swing tied with a heavy rope to the tree branch highabove.
“You were about three here, and loved that tire swing. You would only let Elijah push you when we were all up at the cabin. Elijah said the swing was only for his girl,” Joslyn said with asmile.
Another picture was of Elijah and Zack, with me sitting on a chair between them. Both boys had on matching Batman shirts, their hands in the pockets of their jeans. They didn’t look too thrilled about the picture. I was a tired looking ten-year-old—a thing that became normal forme.
“You were upset because your father had died the night before, and your entire world was shifted. You wanted nothing to do with your mother, even though she was just out busy getting things in order for the funeral a few days later. Elijah stuck to your side, and helped you along so you weren’t so sad,” Joslyn said. “That was a tough time for all ofus.”
“Do you have any pictures of my parents?” Iasked.
Zack looked up at me, shocked I’d asked. I guess I hadn’t really talked much that day, and some days were quieter ones. And Elijah wasn’t there. He smiled happily at me before turning back to hisphone.
“Yes, of course,” Joslyn answered as she began to shuffle some pages. “Ah, here is one of the last ones I was able toget.”
My parents stood side by side, but not touching. My dad wore a long flannel shirt and a pair of stained pants. He had his fishing hat on, covering his black hair. His brown eyes were filled with laughter, but I could see a sadness behind it. His hair was cut short. My mother looked tired, but full of life. Her green eyes hid secrets, but determination. Her blonde hair was pulled back into a messy side bun. I looked nothing like her. I was pleased with that, but not entirely surewhy.
“What was my dad like?” I asked, tracing hispicture.
“He was full of life. He loved fishing and camping. He worked hard, but always made time for you,” Joslyn answered, remembering better days. “I’ll have to get some of the things he left you out of storage. He wanted to make sure you got some things your mother would have sold, since they do hold somevalue.”
“She was a great mother to you,” Elijah said as he entered the room and sat on the coffee table. “She made sure you came first. But when money got tighter, she got into some things that caused her priorities to change. She got into the wrong group of people; she had to pay off debts, and got in too deep. Quentin knew, and wasn’t too pleased. Not only did she lose her priorities, but she also lost track of who she was. Drugs can cause all sorts of issues, no matter theperson.”
“Oh,” I said, at a loss for words. I knew my dad was dead, but I couldn’t quite get my mind to wrap around the idea that she could ever do anything like that. “Is that why she was withMorgan?”
“I’m not sure, but it’s a good possibility,” Elijah answered, laying his hand over the one on my lap. “And for that reason, I haven’t allowed your mother to know where you are. She knows you were found, but not by whom, and it must stay that way. You aren’t a slave to be bought and sold to whoever has the most money. Joan has changed from when I knew her years ago, so I personally don’t trust her, but if you want to call her, or even text her, I will be happy to get you a phone so you can. She’s still with Morgan,” he finished. His eyes were filled with worry and love as he looked atme.
“I don’t know if I want to talk to her,” I said, with tears in my voice. I blamed her a great deal for my kidnapping, as she was spending so much time with the one that took me, and was still withhim.
“That’s perfectly fine,” Emily said, pulling me into a hug. “You have all the time youneed.”
“Well, until the trial comes up. You will have to talk and let the judge hear your side of things, and then, depending on how things go, you may want to go back to her,” Zack statedsadly.
“No!” I said, eyes wide with panic. “I . . . I can’t go back toher.”
“Why not?” Elijah asked calmly as he moved to sit besideme.
“I . . . I think she had something to do with the planning for Morgan to take me. The week before my birthday, I overheard them talking about prices and methods of repayments. Could they have been talking about me?” I said in a nearwhisper.
“It’s very likely. It’s something we’re looking into,” Zack replied with agrimace.
“You are of age, so the state can’t force you to go if you don’t want to. You’re welcome to stay here with me for as long as you’d like,” Elijah said withdetermination.
“You could just get married,” Zacklaughed.
“No way,” Elijah seethed. “I won’t force you, Dawn, into anything likethat.”
