Page 130 of His White Moonlight
“We’re so sorry we didn’t listen.We should have—” Her composure crumpled.Inside, mine wanted to do the same.
Mom finally understood.
And she was giving me space.She didn’t rush at me in her tears but stayed where she was, crying.Dad moved to hug her, watching me with sad eyes.
“We never wanted to hurt you,” he said.“We didn’t realize you felt alone and unwanted.If we thought for even a moment you were being hurt, we never would have left you there.All the reports we received were that you were quiet, but excelling.”
“Do you know why I was excelling?”I asked.“At first, I just wanted to make you happy.Then I realized it was the fastest way to prove to you that I could manage my own life.
“I forgave you for leaving me there a long time ago.My anger now stems from the things you’ve kept from me and the fact that, up until now, you still haven’t been listening to what I want.”
“We understand,” Dad said.“We promise we won’t interfere anymore.Tell us what you need, and we’ll do our best to provide it.”
“Right now, what I need most is the space and freedom to make my own plans for the future.”
Mom nodded, but Dad glanced at Bennett behind me.The significance of that look wasn’t lost on me.Neither was Bennett’s silence.He didn’t need to say anything, though.
I already knew Mom and Dad weren’t the ones attempting to control my life now.They hadn’t been for a long while.Bennett was the one I needed to put in his place.I just needed them to stop taking his side so that I could do what needed to be done.
I looked at Grandma.She gave me a sad smile, stood, and started for the garage door.Mom and Dad followed her.
Once they were gone, I sat at the table and reached for the burrito.
“I want my bankbook,” I said, knowing Bennett was somewhere behind me.
“I want names.”
Taking a bite, I focused on the food and how I wanted to respond to him.He patiently waited.
“What are you going to do when I give them to you?”
“Make them pay.”
“How?”
“Depends on what they did.”
“What about someone who locks me up for seven years in a place where other people abuse me?”
The back of my chair crackled ominously, and a thread of fear wormed its way down my spine as I imagined him gripping it and leaning over me.
“Tell me what punishment I deserve.Tell me how to make this right.”
Setting down my food, I spun in my chair and met his uncomfortably close gaze.
“Let me go.Forever.Find someone else.”
He closed his eyes.“I can’t do that.”
“Can’t or won’t?There’s a difference.”
“Can’t, Wrenly.I’m barely hanging on.Please give me?—”
“Go to hell, Bennett.I’ve given enough.”
I turned back around and picked up my burrito.
The chair crackled again, but I ignored it and finished my breakfast.He reached around me and took my plate to the kitchen.Once he was gone, I went upstairs to get my things.I didn’t know he’d followed me until I turned around with my wallet in hand.
