Page 57 of Wicked Nasty

“We all have choices in our life. But I guess I’m the only one in this family who knows how to make the right one.”

He sighs, walking into his office.

“That’s right, dad! Just walk away like always!”

A storm raged inside me, brewing anger and despair at the absence of the man I used to call Dad. The one who would spin me around in circles, laughing as I squealed with delight. The one who would wrap his arms around me and tell me he loved me.

But now, all I saw was a stranger. He comes back out of his office, in his hands, an envelope and my car keys.

“This is for you,” he says, his voice heavy with emotion.

I take the envelope, feeling a mixture of curiosity and dread. “What is it?”

He glances up at the stairs, then motions towards the front door.

We step outside into the cool evening air, and he takes a deep breath. “I haven't been honest with you. There's so much more...I...."

My mother's angry screams can be heard from inside the house. He lets out a defeated sigh.

"I have to handle that. Just know I love you. I love you more than anything and I am so sorry I had to keep this from you."

Without another word, he turns and heads back inside, leaving me standing there in a state of confusion and heartache.

The driver pulls up in my car, a wide smile on his face as he opens the door for me.

"Have a great evening," he says cheerfully.

I sit in the driver's seat for a moment, unsure of where to go. But deep down, I know exactly where I need to be - the truck stop.

I make my way there, silently praying that Liz and Jim will be working tonight. As I pull into the familiar parking lot, a wave of relief washes over me as I spot Jim's massive eighteen-wheeler parked towards the back. And sure enough, Liz's warm smile greets me as I park.

"What's going on, girly pop?" she asks, with a hint of amusement in her voice.

"So much," I reply with a nervous chuckle.

We head inside together and I immediately spot Jim seated at the booth near the window. The smell of hot coffee and freshly cooked food fills the air as we make our way over to join him.

I sit down and look at the both of them across from me. “Well… I got arrested today.”

Jim nearly spits his coffee out. “Becca!”

I shrug. “It was worth it. That bitch Ashley was running her mouth. Pushed me and, well… here we are.”

Liz laughs. “Proud of you for that one.”

My laughter slowly fades as I pull the envelope from my jacket pocket. “My uh, dad, gave this to me. Told me there’s so much I don’t know.”

Jim scrunches his eyebrows together. “Like what?”

“We’re about to find out.”

They both reach across the table, holding onto me as I open the letter. My father’s neat handwriting covers the front and back of the letter.

My dearest Becca,

I can only hope you understand the gravity and complexity of this situation. As you are a young, educated woman now, I want to tell you about what really happened with Katya.

My heart drops at the sight of her name. But I keep reading on.

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