sed and turned in bed, then I gave up, flipping on my bedside light. I reached into my bedroom cabinet, pulling out a photo that was creased in the

ds and allowed myself to fall into the consuming grief that I'd been carrying with me ever since

ane and her signature song was Santa Baby by Eartha Kitt. I didn't have a t

ided for me and loved me unconditionally. Every early morning, when we would get back from the club, she would stay

he was hit by a car and left for dead. They never caught who did it. I didn't go back to school during the fall, i

that wasn

place for long. I didn't want their parents to realize and call Child Protective Services. I refused to go into the

r came and ever

n called BitterSweet. The green awning over it gave me some protection from

ng up – she practically helped raise me – I didn't want to ask her for help. Ever since my mother died

ing for help and trying to feel closer to my mother. Also, I was also very stu

er club for a chat. Reluctantly, I followed her, thinking s

led at me. He stared at me like I was an angel sent from heaven, not some dirty homeless kid who hadn't had a sho

Ambrosia. I didn't know why she was allowing this to happen. She knew me since

nsinuation and he opened his mouth to

ened to her. It's taken me a while to track him down since he got a new number and everythin

y gaped

hometown in Ohio and came here. John," again she gestured to the ma

no," I stuttered

even know who my father wa

ery young when she became pregnant and grew up in a catholic communi

rted

c place with a free meal, I went with him. I ordered three meals and gorged myself as my father explained he still

me off that the state was placing me with a man I didn't know. At first, I thought he had ill

, I realized that my father only had my best intentions at heart and that we had many things in common. Like our love f

judge to take our picture on his old Polaroid camera. I was too happy to be

aledictorian. After I obtained my bachelor's degree in criminal jus

see how much he sacrificed for me when he moved states. My

why he wa

. I was too young to do anything about my mother's killer, but I

ademy and returned to the 'underworld'. Thi

one. I made a cup of chamomile tea to calm myself down and opened my bedroom closet again.

ed, fru

into place. Even though I had the Moltons right where I wanted them, I refused to make m

ould be disappointed. He would want me to

just c

ed me from the streets, this was where I grew up and in times of

ge on someone who didn't deserve it. If my father could see me now, I wouldn't wa

nto bed and said a prayer. I wasn't religious. I wasn't speaking to God. No, I was speaking to my paren

to it to turn back, even if I wanted to. Which I don't. I know what you would both say if you could see me now. You would tell me how this is a

reath and stare

pe that you can understand. Please know that I love you guys and I think about you every single day. Now, Dad, if you're

It's not just our physical attraction. No, there is something about him that just draws me to him. I can't even fully explain it beca

me, smirking at me from the ceiling. I ha

hormones, urges me to kiss him when he's standing close. I shouldn't even be thinking about Daniel. I already have too much on my plate," I carried on. "Anyway, I miss and love you guys. E

pancakes and my dad's laugh. I also dreamed about Daniel'