“The books never lie. And my Google search was right on.”
My nose tingles from the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and ground beans. People’s laughter and employees calling out orders over soft jazz music fill in the covered space outside. We sit around a small metal table and Alek stands up to go place our order. I take a deep breath and fill my lungs with warmth.
Dreams come true. I don’t need Dorothy’s red slippers anymore. She didn’t need them either. The power to change, to fight, was within me, but I could only summon it after I realized it existed. Victor helped me believe that. So did Alek and Abi. But most importantly, I fought to see this within myself.
As soon as Alek comes back with a basket full of donuts, my hands are the first to grab one. I moan around a bite of beignet. “These are to die for.”
“I’ll try to make them at home from scratch,” Victor says.
“You know they have a box mix you can buy,” Abi says.
“Mhhhmmmm.” I can’t help it. They are delicious.
Victor leans in and whispers in my ear, “If you moan one more time, I’m taking you right here. And I’ll sprinkle powdered sugar all over you and lick it off.”
I blow out hot air, and powdered sugar flies everywhere on the table. “It’s not my fault these beignets are orgasmic.”
Victor opens his mouth to say something, but Abi interrupts.
“Hey guys, you better smile,” she says as she hands her phone to a lady sitting at the table next to us. My smile is wide and my lips are covered in sugar.
“Abi, will you text me the picture?” I say as she takes her phone back.
“You’ve been taking a lot of pictures,” my brother says.
“I’m working on a new project,” I say.
I’ll show them my new dream board when it’s finished. I only have one picture of me and Victor on the corkboard, but there’s so much space left, so many new dreams to fight for.
Without warning, Victor leans in and licks the powdered sugar from my lips. I giggle, trying to wipe off the rest.
“Your public display of love is gross. I liked it better when it was happening behind my back.” Alek rolls his eyes but he’s smiling.
“Oh, shut up, babe. You do the same.” Abi laughs.
Alek takes a sip of his coffee. “Twinkle, there’s something I wanted to tell you.”
I take another bite of beignet. “Hit me. Nothing can ruin my morning.”
“I visited Mom.”
Okay, that might ruin my day. I wait for what’s next.
“I felt like she needed to know about what happened to you. I thought maybe it would be her wake-up call…to get clean. I told her about Charlie and you and she cried a lot. She wanted to talk to you, call you, but I told her you’ll call her when you’re ready.”
I’ll call my mother—but I need some time to think about it. Will Mom be okay? I worry about her, not only about her health, but also about her safety. Charlie was arrested, but he may have henchmen on the outside to do his dirty work. I hope we can convince her to check into rehab or a shelter. I’ll get her help.
“Thank you, Alek.”
Alek sends a strange look to Victor. So I wait again.
“There’s more,” Victor says. “We didn’t want you to have to see Charlie again… well, for now at least.”
Victor takes my hand, ignoring the sugary stickiness. “Alek and I tracked down Charlie’s dad.”
“What?” I yelp.
My pulse quickens immediately.
