Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 81285 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 406(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81285 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 406(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
She loved us fiercely, just not always when we needed it most. She glanced over at Dad, and years of marriage and understanding passed between them. Finally, he stood and started down the hall. “I’ll get it.”
Mom turned her attention back to me as she whispered, “Mom wouldn’t want this.”
“I know.”
I hated that Nana’s ring, a symbol of love that had lasted a lifetime, was about to become my last hope.
Dad walked back into the room and placed the ring in my hand. “Is this going to be enough to cover it, or will you need more?”
“I’m not sure, but I’ll figure it out.”
“I can help.” He glanced over at Mom as he slipped his hand into his pocket and pulled out an old baseball card. “You can sell this.”
I glanced down at the card, and my chest tightened when I saw that it was his cherished Mickey Mantle card. It was something he’d held onto for years, saying it was his retirement plan. I had no idea how much it was worth, but I knew it was valuable. Otherwise, Dad wouldn’t have kept it locked away in his safe. I knew it was important to him. There was no way I could take it from him.
He was a prideful man and worked hard to provide for his family. He’d always done exactly that, until he had a stroke a couple of years back. It had taken a real toll on him and the family finances. The hospital bills wiped out all their savings, and they were still trying to get back on their feet.
“No, Dad. I can’t take that.”
“I don’t want you losing everything to help your sister. It isn’t right.”
“We’ll manage. We always do.” I stood and slipped the ring into my coat pocket. “I know you will anyway but try not to worry. I’ll get it sorted.”
“Then, take this.” He reached in his pocket again, this time pulling out his Jackie Robinson card. “It’s not quite as valuable, but it should help.”
“Are you sure about this?”
“No. I think you should take the Mantle card, but you’re the one running this show.”
“I’m not running it. I’m just trying to survive it, and the Robinson card will be a huge help.” I stood there a moment longer, then whispered, “I gotta get going.”
“Are you sure there isn’t something more we can do?” Dad pushed.
“It’s fine, Dad. You’ve done plenty.”
I reached up and gave him a quick hug, then turned to Mom, hugging her, too. A tear trickled from her eye as she said, “I hate that it has to be this way.”
“It’s fine, Mom. Nana would understand.”
“She would be so proud of you. I know I am.”
I nodded because there was no way I could speak. Before Mom could break my heart even more, I grabbed my things and slipped out the door.
The drive home felt longer than usual. Every mile gave me time to think and to second-guess whether or not it was a good idea to sell all my worldly possessions. My heart screamed no, but it wasn’t enough to convince my mind. I knew I had to do it.
It was the only way I could save my sister.
It’s what I should’ve done from the beginning.
Maybe then, I wouldn’t be so worried about Davis and his plans for screwing over Luke. I wanted to warn him, but there was no way I could do that—not after the threatening text message I’d gotten from Davis.
If I said anything to anyone, he would give my address and Lila Kate’s to every foul man he’d ever met, and after they’d had their fun with us, they’d put bullets in our heads.
I wasn’t sure I believed him, but I wasn’t taking any chances.
So, I kept my mouth shut and tried to come up with the money on my own. As soon as I pulled into the driveway, I spotted Lila Kate sitting alone on the front steps. Her legs crossed at her ankles, and her sunglasses were pushed up in her hair like she’d been waiting there for a while.
I parked, and I’d barely had time to get out, when she was in my face, shoving a wad of cash into my hand. “Here.”
“What’s this?”
“Eighteen grand.”
“What? How did you manage this?”
“I sold my car, and those diamond earrings Sawyer gave me for Christmas last year.”
“Why would you do that?” I gasped. “You need your car for school, and…”
“And you needed yours for work. That didn’t stop you from selling it.” Tears filled her eyes as she said, “You’ve done so much. Way more than you should have, and I couldn’t just stand by and do nothing.”
“You have done something. You’ve come up with almost twenty thousand dollars. That’s not nothing.”
“I know, but I need to do more.”
“I hate this.”
“I hate it, too. I hate it so much, and I’ll never forgive myself for getting into this mess in the first place. I’m trying to make it right. But I’m sorry to say we’re still a good bit short.”