“Yes! Yes, we can!” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “He deserves to be in jail for what he did!”
She shook her head, as though she was brainwashed by him in some twisted way.
“Mom! You need to leave him! Why won’t you leave him?” My heart felt as though there were claws wrapped around it, trying to forcefully tear it out of my body.
“He’s your father, Sierra!” My mother didn’t sound like my mom anymore. “He’s just frustrated.”
I fought back the scream threatening to rise from my throat. “Hehurtyou, Mom! What if the next time, it’s worse?”
She shook her head, as if in denial. “It won’t be.”
I blinked back tears, my jaw tense. “You don’t know that.”
“I’m not having this conversation with you, Sierra. I need to go to the police station to talk to them.” As though she didn’t quite know where to go or what to do, Mom looked around a few times. Then, like she suddenly snapped out of it, she grabbed her purse and walked out the door.
Nothing happened that night. A no-contact order was placed, so my mom couldn’t do anything, but because he was charged with PFMA, he also had to wait until he appeared in front of a judge to have his bail and release conditions set.
But three days later, at his first appearance in court, the judge allowed for my father to be released on bond. The no-contact order was lifted after my mom insisted he be allowed to come home, and he gave an empty promise to attend counseling.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
hayden
NOVEMBER, JUNIOR YEAR
My hands fidgeted as I waited for Sierra in our usual booth at Ranger’s. Ever since her dad got arrested again, it felt like a rift had formed between us.
Since the day I asked her if she was okay and confronted her about avoiding me, it seemed like she’d made even more of an effort to stay away. I tried not to let it bother me, but the truth was it felt like a thousand nails were being driven into my chest with a hammer.
Here. In our usual booth
Sierra
I’m almost there
“Can I get you started with something to drink, Hayden?” Susannah stopped at the table.
“One regular Coke and one cherry Coke, please,” I replied. “Sierra should be here soon. Can you add some extra Maraschino cherries for her?”
“Of course, dearie. I’ll have those right out for youkids!” She disappeared into the back, whistling a cheery tune as she went.
The bells on the front door jingled shortly after, and my head snapped up to see if it was Sierra. Unfortunately, it was just Clyde, one of the older gentlemen who always ate lunch here. I should have known. It was eleven forty-five on the dot, and Clyde was always punctual.
I tapped my fingers against the wood-grain table, impatiently waiting for Sierra to show up. She would show up.
“Here’s those drinks.” Susannah placed the glasses of soda and a couple of straws in front of me. “Should we wait for her to get here, or do you want to put in some food?”
“I’ll wait. Thanks, Sues.”
After putting my straw in my drink, I flattened the wrapper, folding it up before unfolding and folding it again.
Finally, after another ten agonizing minutes, Sierra walked through the front door.
She huffed out a breath as she sat down. “Sorry I’m late.”
“It’s okay.”
Sierra leaned back on her side of the booth with her shoulders slumped, her eyes heavy with dark circles under them.
