Page 45 of Sacrifice
Her chin trembles. She cups her hand over her mouth, tears filling her eyes before the dam breaks and they flow freely down her face.
I want to go to her, hold her. When I attempt to move, she holds her hand up and releases a deep breath.
“I’m okay. I’ll be fine. I just need to get through this.”
She reaches for a Kleenex off the end table, dabbing it under her eyes.
“When I found out I was pregnant with you, things had only begun to get worse. I couldn’t trust him, and sure as hell wasn’t going to trust him to take care of you. I was terrified of the people he was running around with. They were bad people, and I had a feeling it was the reason why Gage was gone. I didn’t want you to grow up in this life. I wanted better for you. When I saw the opportunity to get out, I ran like hell out of Arbor Creek, and I didn’t look back.”
I can practically see the weight of the secret lift off her shoulders. She slumps back against her chair, her hands shaking as she runs the tissue underneath her eyes.
She takes a deep breath. When she finally looks up and meets my gaze, a small smile curves the edge of her mouth.
“I’m sorry, Hae. I’m so very sorry.”
My heart aches at the sight of her like this. I know without a doubt she was doing what she felt was best for me. Knowing he’s in prison now solidifies it.
“You have nothing to be sorry for, mom. I will never be sorry for walking away from Atlas because I know it was what was best for me and for Huxton.”
She chokes out a sob, covering her mouth again as she nods her head. This time I give in and go to her, kneeling on the floor in front of her as she leans forward to wrap her arms around me in a hug.
“I should’ve told you sooner. You deserved…” her voice cracks. “You deserved to know the truth and I’m sorry it took me so long to have the courage to be honest.”
“It’s okay.”
I pull back and brush my thumb under her eyes, wiping the tears away.
“When you were born, I gave you my last name. There aren’t many people who knew the truth. The last time I spoke to your father, I made him promise me to keep it that way. He agreed, only because he knew I was right. When he got put away, he brought down with him a large drug operation. I didn’t want them to try and hurt him by coming after us. It took years before I felt safe enough to come back here, but Arbor Creek is my home.”
I move to the edge of the chair and wrap my arms around her. Huxton eventually comes out of his toy room, peeking his little head around the corner.
“I think it’s been more than a couple minutes, Mom. Can I come out now?”
I chuckled. “Of course, honey. C’mere.”
I wave him over and he crawls up with us, sprawling his legs out across our lap.
“I’m going to take off and let you and Gram spend some time together.”
I kneel in front of Huxton and wrap his small body in a hug.
“I’ll be by tomorrow morning to pick him up. Maybe we can all go get breakfast. Ooh, or some chocolate pancakes. I know this great place downtown we can check out. You in?”
Huxton’s eyes light up and he nods his head enthusiastically.
“Count me in!” He gives me two thumbs up, a crooked grin stretching across his face.
My mom’s gaze burns into me. I know how much regret she’s feeling right now, and I hate how much it’s bothering her.
“It’s okay, Mom. Please don’t beat yourself up over this.”
I pull her in for a hug, running my hand over her back.
“Some decisions come with sacrifices, but we can’t be sorry for protecting the people we love.”
Her sad smile returns, and she nods, peering down at Huxton from where he sits on the floor in front of us, playing with his Hot Wheels.
“Some sacrifices are worth it all.”
