171 Family Bonds

(Winona)

I go to her and hold her now and we sob together. I finally got it. Why she never could leave and why she never contacted me after I was taken away. She made the ultimate sacrifice so I would go on to have a bright future.

I think of Abby and I know I’d do nothing less for her if I had to.

Just then, Jayden steps back inside, and I can see his expression and I know he’s heard. “I swear that slug is going to get what he deserves one day.”

His hatred for Steve evident.

“I wish he was dead,” Mom says quietly, her voice shaking. “But I’m grateful he never came back here. I’m grateful he left you alone.”

“Not exactly. He’s been in our lives recently, remember? He’s the one who told me he’d left you almost here and pregnant. I wasn’t sure what I’d find here, or if either of you survived, but I’m so glad. He’s actually done me a favor.”

“My short-term memory is a little shot. So many years of drug abuse took its toll.”

“It doesn’t matter. He’s gone now. I don’t think he’ll be back.”