Logan:
We sat there at the table, hot cocoa in hand, Alicia looking beautiful with her hair still a bit damp wearing my t-shirt and boxers that were both way too big for her, and I thought about how I could even start to tell her. How do I tell the woman I love with all my heart that my dad is a criminal and has been in prison for the last 4 years, and oh ya, he played a significant role in my mom’s death.
She sat there waiting, sipping from her cup looking up at me expectantly. So I had no choice but to dive on in.
“We were a pretty normal family in the beginning, at least I thought we were. We lived in a town closer to the city east of here. I looked up to my father, I loved my mother, Maryanne was always with us and we loved her too.” I smiled and Alicia smiled as well.
“Mom and dad began fighting a lot. It seemed to me that mom was complaining about something that dad was doing and I always thought it was her fault they were fighting. That she was being a nag or something.” A tear fell out of my eye. “I even yelled at her to stop bugging dad so much, that she’s starting fights over nothing. The day I said that, she looked at me the same way you did in school today. You remind me of her a lot.” Alicia grabbed my hand and had tears in her eyes.
“One night I woke up hearing odd screaming in the house. I came out of my room to see what was happening, and there were some men all carrying guns and demanding my mom tell them where my father was. My mom glanced up the steps and saw me and gave me a look that told me to hide. She didn’t know where my father was because he would stay out all night on the weekends, and would never tell her where he was going to be.” I looked down at where Alicia had hold of my hand. “They didn’t believe her. They tied her to a chair and tortured her all night, cutting her, beating her and then eventually shot her in the head while I watched. I just hid at the top of the steps afraid to do anything. Like a coward.”
Alicia had tears streaming down her face, I reached up and wiped her cheek. “Once they were gone, I called the police then Maryanne. Maryanne was there before the police and she immediately came to me and held me while I cried.”
“Oh Logan.”
“Turns out there had always been an extensive investigation going on of my father and his affiliation with a crime syndicate. They were waiting for enough evidence to link them all to a heinous enough crime to put them all away. I guess my mother was it. They all went away for a very long time with the evidence stacked against them, and my father along with them. Only he was linked to small dealings and was sentenced to six years.” I took a breath. “I have been raised by Maryanne ever since, trying to live my life without my mother and who I thought was my father. We moved into a neighbouring town and tried to pick up the pieces.”
“I’m so sorry Logan, no kid should ever have to go through that. I’m just glad he’s in prison..”
“He’s back Alicia.” I interrupted her. “He’s been let out. That’s why I left home, that’s why I tried to keep you away. He’s already tried to contact me several times wanting back in my life, he will always be there.” I paused. “I can’t let him get to you Princess your the only good thing besides Maryanne that I’ve had in my life in a very long time. I thought I could give you up to keep you safe but I can’t even do that. I feel like the kid on the steps again, afraid to even make a sound while horrible things are happening around him.”
“Logan, your mother wanted you out of harms way. She would not have wanted you to come save her if it meant that you might have died along with her. She wanted you to live.” She put her hand on the side of my face. “And as for me, I’m not sure what all this means, but I do know that I am by your side. We can figure out each step together. I promise.”
I leaned my cheek closer to her hand and closed my eyes. She wiped a stray tear out of the corner of my eye and I brought her over to my lap. We sat there hugging each other for a long time not wanting to let go. Eventually the front door was being unlocked and the door swung open with Maryanne carrying bags full of groceries.
Once she shut the door behind her with her foot, she looked up at us. “Oh thank the heavens he didn’t screw it up too badly.”
I rolled my eyes while Alicia giggled.
“Well are you gonna just sit there cuddling your girlfriend or are you gonna come help this old woman with these bags.”
“Ah sorry.” I lifted Alicia up and walked over and grabbed the bags from Maryanne.
“Half the food in there is for you anyhow your eating me out of house and home.” She had to state.
“Come on Maryanne, that’s not true. I’ve only been here for one night.” I grumbled while Alicia continued to giggle.
“It sure is, I’ve never seen anyone eat so much.” She smiled at Alicia and took both her hands. “Come on, while Logan puts the groceries away you and I are gonna relax in the living room and talk.”
I huffed while they took off to the living room and began to sort the groceries. Truth is I actually spent a lot of time here when she first bought the place, just hanging out when I didn’t want to be alone in my house. She thought she was giving me my space, but I think I needed her to stick around. I was just glad she found a place close by, so I could hang out and eat her food. I thought with a smirk.
I heard laughing in the living room and my first thought is they must be telling stories about me again. But I loved the sound. Maryanne said that I could live here until I went to collage if that’s what I wanted, and I was beginning to think that is exactly what I want. Let him have that big house all to himself and leave me out of it. The thought made me smile as I continued to put the groceries away.
I was almost done and about to join the ladies in the other room when there was three loud knocks at the door. I stood there frozen not positive what was on the other end, but almost certain it was him. Three more pounds on the door and the ladies were by my side.
“Logan, who is it?” Alicia asked.
I just sadly looked at her in response and it’s like she knew what I was thinking. Then all was confirmed.
“Logan! I know you are in there now open up and talk to your father! I’m not taking you ignoring me anymore son now open up!”