Chapter 3- Freedom

I got up and kissed my father good-bye and walked out. Just as I was walking out, the nurses and doctors were rushing in. I didn't even look at my mother and brothers or the Torettos and Vince. I just walked right on by, making my way out of the hospital. I took a seat on the sidewalk and waited for Tony and the others to come out and look for me. While I sat there, I buried my face in my hands, rubbing away at the tears. My lips trembled when I refused to let out the scream that was building up inside of me. I was a 13 year old girl who was dangerously bottling up emotions of all sorts. Sadness. Hate. Anger. Fear. Depression. Confusion. It was overflowing inside of me.

I lowered my hands and noticed four shadows towering over me. I slowly stood up and turned around, swaying slightly. Dom and Vince both reached out at the same time and supported me. White and black spots were dancing before my eyes and my vision became blurry. Before I succumbed to unconsciousness I muttered softly to them and my deceased father my sincere apologies.

"I'm sorry for screaming at you. I'm so sorry, Papa. I'm so sorry she did this to you. I'm so sorry she treated you like this. I'm sorry for yelling. I'm sorry for not being there."

I slowly stirred awake to the smell of bacon and pancakes. I rubbed my slightly swollen eyes and sat up, my hands immediately going to my sides. The sharp pain was gone but my muscles were tense and stiff. I got up and stretched my legs a bit before I made my way into the kitchen. I ran my hand through my hair, untangling a few knots. I must have looked like a complete mess. As soon as I saw Tony talking away to Dom, Vince, and Mia I remembered everything that happened last night.

Oh god! My father is dead. It hit me like a ton of bricks and I fell back into the doorway. All four of them looked up and Mia quickly stood, moving over to me. I lightly pushed her away trying to be as nice about it as possible.

"I'm fine." I choked out. Mia sat back down and Tony came over, offering me a hand. I took it and allowed him to usher me into a seat. Mia looked a bit hurt. I didn't mean to shrug her off but I felt more comfortable with Tony's sympathy then I did with hers, Dom's and Vince's. It was Tony's job to show me sympathy and to treat me like a china doll. The others were just doing it because it felt like the right thing to do.

"You hungry, Letty?" Vince asked trying to break the silence.

I shook my head but then nodded when my stomach let out a low growl. I laughed weakly along with the others and waited for Tony to hand me my plate. He laid it down before me and I immediately dug in. It only took me a little over 10 minutes to finish off the 2 pancakes and 4 pieces of bacon. When I was done I scooted the empty plate away and next to the other empty plates.

"Pig." Vince muttered out in disbelief over the fact that I ate it so quickly.

I rolled my eyes and slowly stood up and made my way across the kitchen to stand by Tony. Dom, Vince, and Mia were all watching me carefully. I leaned up against the counter preventing my weak knees from giving out and looked up at him, watching him cook away.

"How ya holding up, sweetheart?"

I shrugged my shoulders, gripping onto the counter edge tightly. "Has my mom called?" I asked quietly. I felt so embarrassed for the way I acted yesterday. I screamed at Dom, V, and Mia for no reason and I nearly got Tony involved in a fight between my mom and me. I felt so bad.

"Yeah. She wanted you to come home last night but I suggested to her that going home probably wasn't the best thing for you. We managed to work out an arrangement."

I stood up straight but continued to grip onto the counter. I looked over towards the others and then up at Tony.

"What do you mean by arrangement?"

"You're going to be staying here for a couple of weeks. Your father's funeral is going to be held on Monday."

Monday. Today was Saturday. School. Detention! I gasped and looked at the clock. I was late for detention.

"Oh shit! I have to go to detention. I can't afford to ditch another one." Tony quickly dropped the fork he was using to turn over the bacon and grabbed me by the shoulders.

"Letty! It's alright! I called into school and told them there has been a loss in your family. I also told them that you wouldn't be in school for the next couple of school days, okay? Calm down, it's okay."

I nodded slowly and slid myself down the counter and onto the floor. Mia stood up and came to take a seat next to me. I rested my head on her shoulder and sighed. This just wasn't fair.

"I'm going to take a shower." I said randomly and got up exiting the room, making my way upstairs.

I prepared the water, checking its temperature with my hand before stripping out of my clothes. My muscles were so sore. I stepped in and moaned lightly when the hot waters poured down my worn out body. I ran my hands down my sides, letting my fingers lightly tail over the bruises that tainted my skin. I wasn't going to go back home. I was going to do everything I could to stay here. Hell, I would go anywhere but home. I closed my eyes as I bowed my head into the waters, trying to wash away the fading bruises that were on my cheeks and chin.

I loved taking showers because I use to think of it as my time to repent. I have never stepped foot into a church but I did believe in God. I thought he was a lousy man because he let people get sick and die but I believed in him. I always liked to think that the waters were washing away my pain and my misery just for the time being. All my transgressions were being sucked down the drain until I was clean on the inside and the out.

I washed my hair, soaped up, and then washed off, washing away some more burdens. Once I felt fully refreshed I turned off the water and got out, wrapping a towel around me. I stepped before the foggy mirror and wiped my hand once over the cool glass, staring at my reflection. I didn't see me at all. I saw a sad looking girl with bruises not only on her face but also on her ego. She was weak. Her heart was shattered into a million pieces and her soul was empty. I saw a girl who never smiled and never laughed.

I quickly turned away and walked out of the bathroom, heading for Mia's room where I left my bag. I stepped inside and got out my clothes. I stepped into some black and blue basketball shorts and then pulled on my white wife beater. I then grabbed my hairbrush and took a seat at Mia's dresser, combing through my hair. I smiled weakly when I saw all the pictures that decorated the outside of her mirror. She had pictures of Dom and her holding each other, pictures of her father smiling happy at them, pictures of Dom and her dad working together beneath the car; she had pictures that served as a reminder to her that she had a family and that she was loved so much. I never had pictures of my friends and family to decorate my mirror with.

I got up and gathered up all my things before making my way downstairs. Mia was sitting on the couch watching TV.

"Where are the others?"

Mia looked over at me and smiled. "Outside working on the Charger. Wanna go join them?"

I knew Mia found cars to be the most boring thing ever but for me she put up with it. I nodded and together we walked out back, heading for the small white painted garage where Tony and the boys were. Mia took a seat on the bench and I moved over to stand beside Tony. Dom and Vince were working under the car.

"I would ask you to help me out but you just took a shower." Tony nudged me gently.

I shrugged and grabbed some tools to help him out anyway.

We all spent the rest of the day working on the Charger. Mia even helped by passing us all the right tools. It felt good to be working around a car. I forgot everything. Well, I didn't forget it all but I didn't worry about it. I was stress free.

That evening we ate dinner and watched a couple movies. Tony excused himself to bed first and then Mia and Vince followed, leaving Dom and Me to watch the ending of the movie by ourselves. Dom came and sat next to me and I was in heaven. I felt relaxed around him but my heart was racing. I felt his eyes on me and slowly I looked up, staring into those warm brown eyes of his.

"You okay?"

He was really concerned about me. He really did care. But he still didn't see me in the way that I saw him. I guess I was cool with it…for now. But that didn't stop me from wishing that maybe someday he would notice me. Maybe just one day…

"I will be. I think I'm still in shock that he's gone. It all seems so unreal, y'know?"

"Yeah, I know."

Dom and Mia use to be in the same spot as me. They lost their mother to cancer. Dom was the one who was most affected by it all. Words can't even begin to describe how close Dom was to Diane. Dom was only 6 years old when she died and Mia was only 3. 6 and 3 years old and they lost their mother. It wasn't fair that Diane never got to finish watching them grow up. She would have been proud of them.

"Yeah, I guess you would know what it's like. I'm sorry for screaming at you yesterday. All I could see is my mother. I didn't see you or Mia or Vince. I just saw my mother, screaming at me and getting ready to hit me."

My voice shook as I fought back the tears. Dom scooted closer and wrapped his arm around me. Well, this was new to me. I would have never thought Dom had a soft side.

"Letty, can I ask you a question?"

I looked up and him and nodded. "Ask away."

"Why does your mom hit you?" He stared down at me, studying me closely. I guess he was trying to make sure I was really okay with the question. He looked like he was ready to retract his question at any minute.

I cleared my throat and took a deep breath. I wasn't even sure on how to answer him. I always blamed it on her jealousy but I wasn't even positive if that was it anymore. I just didn't know.

"Truthfully, I don't know. I use to think that she was always envious of me because my father gave more attention to me than he did to her. I don't know."

Dom nodded and slowly got up, turning off the TV and VCR before waving good night and disappearing upstairs. I stretched out on the couch and sighed, replaying random events in my head. The death of my father. Working on the Charger. Taking a shower. Early mornings of wrestling with Papa. Getting hit by my mother. Going to school.

I rolled over and sighed tiredly, surrendering to the sleep that was biting away at me.

Sunday came by and I woke up to a pair of hands that were shaking me gently. I thought they were my mother's so I sprang up, gasping out.

"Letty, it's me! Calm down!"

I stared up at Vince who was smiling down at me. "Jumpy?"

"Don't go there, V." I snapped back and got up, stretching out my muscles. "What time is it?"

"10:30. Tony sent me down here to wake you up. We're all gonna work at the store today 'cause Stacey called in sick so get dressed."

Stacey was Mrs. Toretto's best friend and after Mrs. Toretto died, Stacey volunteered to work at the store. Stacey was always there when she was needed. I think the reason why Mr. Toretto is so calm and collected is because he had Stacey to guide him through the loss of his wife. Dom and Mia adapted to her really well, too. She was really sweet and caring and spoiled those two to no end. I think Dom was even succeeding in getting her to buy him his own car for his 17th birthday.

I got up and put on my shoes and then put my hair up in a ponytail before I marched off with the gang and headed for the store. I didn't care if I was still wearing the same close from yesterday. They were still clean, despite a few oil smudges from the Charger, so I had no problem with them.

When we got to the store I helped myself to a soda and bag of chips and then joined Mia behind the counter while the boys took a seat in the small cage office and looked at car magazines. The cool thing about working at the garage was that Tony often let Mia and me help out. A lot of the time I would take the money while Mia went off in the back to get their order. I didn't mind being up front with Tony and Mia but sometimes I really wanted to go in the office and talk to Dom and V about cars.

A car pulled up into the lot and I recognized it right away. I panicked and got Tony to stand beside me while my mother got out of the car and walked up to us. Tony rested a hand upon my shoulder and smiled up at my mother. She smiled back and waved hello to him and Mia before turning her attention towards me.

"Hola Leticia."

I narrowed my eyes at the tone of her voice. She didn't sound like she just lost her husband. She sounded like she just won the lottery. I balled my hands into fists, speaking lowly through clenched teeth.

"Hola Mama."

She straightened out her posture and I figured she read my emotions through the tone of my voice. She cleared her throat, ignoring my piercing gaze.

"I just stopped by to drop off your clothes for tomorrow morning. They're out in the car."

I nodded and walked out from behind the counter and out to the car to get my clothes. I was glad to see that my mother stayed behind but I was bit uncomfortable that she was talking to Tony. I grabbed my dress clothes and shoes from out of the car and transferred them to Tony's truck before walking back inside.

When I was close enough, I heard my mom speaking and her words made my heart drop into my stomach…or so it felt like my heart just dropped.

"I've decided to take Letty home tomorrow after the funeral so make sure she brings all her things with her."

Tony gave her a fake smile and nodded understandingly. Mia just looked up at him in disbelief. I noticed Dom and V listening in too and they didn't look happy at all.

My mom turned and leaned in to give me a kiss but I pulled away. She glowered down at me but then laughed it off and drove away. I was mad. No, I was pissed. No, scratch that again. I was furious. I turned towards Tony and glared at him.

"You're letting her take me home? You can't! You know I can't go back there."

Tony sighed and leaned forward against the counter, trying to calm me down but I just shrugged him off, demanding for an explanation.

"Letty, I can't just keep you with me. I'm not responsible for you. My hands are tied."

"Yeah, and the second I step inside my home, my hands are going to be tied too and she'll beat me nonstop! I can't believe you're letting me go back there!"

"Letty I'm sorry."

"Dad!" Mia shrieked out once she finally found her voice.

"Girls, I'm sorry. I truly am."

I spent the rest of the day avoiding the others. I just sat outside on one of the patio tables and pouted away. I just knew that I wouldn't live to see Tuesday come. Monday was going to be my last day I just knew it. Things were falling apart just when I thought they were slowly coming together. I thought about running away but the heat and sun would fry me before I would even get a couple miles out.

I remained outside until the others came out, informing me that it was closing time. I looked around and sure enough, twilight was just around the corner.

The car ride home was short and silent and so was the rest of the evening. Everyone came in and tried cheering me up but I just got up and left the room. I waited until everyone was in bed before I slipped outside and took a seat on the patio. I sat on the swing and slowly rocked myself back and fourth. I stared up at the stars and sighed sadly, knowing the soul of my father was somewhere up there looking down at me.

"I hope I made you proud, papa. I hope I made you so proud!"

I got up and moved back inside, heading up for Mia's room. I couldn't stand to sleep another night away on the couch. My back was killing me. I got a sleeping bag out of Mia's closet and crawled in; falling asleep and for the first time in a long time I had a good dream. I dreamt that papa and I were walking together in a park, hand in hand, laughing happily. Oh papa. I miss you so much.

"Letty, wake up! It's time to get dress!"

I blinked my eyes open and looked around. Mia was towering over me, looking tired. No, she looked sad. I couldn't blame her. Today was going to be a long and dreadful day. My last day. I got up, showered and got dressed. I made sure to take as much time as I could. I didn't want to go to the funeral but I had to. I didn't want the funeral to end because that would mean that I would have to go home with my mother.

Once we were all suited and dressed up, we drove off to the church were my papa was being laid out. It was an open casket so I was excited to be able to see him one last time before saying good-bye to him forever.

There were a lot of people there, which made me very happy. Papa was a very popular man. He was impossible not to love. He got along with everyone. He helped out wherever he was needed and in return, people gave them their trust and love. It was the best feeling in the world to be standing next to my father and have random people come up to him and demand to be introduced to me. I felt important.

After the service, I walked up to the casket and peered inside, staring down at the man who use to be my father only it wasn't him. It couldn't be him. He looked so pale and small. He looked too thin. I looked him over and smiled as he wore the suit he loved so much. He looked so charming in his black silk tie and iron-pressed black pants.

I noticed the dog tags he wore around his neck. He got those when he went to war on his 18th birthday. He would always tell me stories of the war and how exciting it was. I use to get scared and have nightmares about them.

I laughed softly and reached out, turning the necklace around so I could get to the fastening. I unclipped it and took it off him before clipping it back up and putting it around my own neck. I fingered the tags softly before kissing each one once and turned around, gasping when I saw my mother standing behind me. I looked past her and noticed that no one was paying any attention to us. The Toretto's and Vince were all talking to some woman.

I looked up into my mother's eyes and cowered back. She looked so mean and cold.

"Ma-"

She reached out and grabbed the dog tags tightly in her hand.

"These are your father's! How dare you think you are the one to wear them! You little thief!" She raised her hand and slapped me hard across the cheek. Several people turned their heads and looked over at us but no one came over. The Toretto's were still deeply involved in their conversation.

I shrunk back, crying softly. My mother ripped the necklace from around my neck and grabbed my arm tightly. I tried pulling away but she was too strong.

"Mama, let go! You're hurting me, Mama! Stop!"

This time she punched me hard in the jaw and I felt her rings cutting into me. I lost my footing and fell back, nearly knocking the casket over. Several people started screaming and I felt all eyes on my mother and me. I heard Vince and Mia screaming my name and I heard Tony and Dom trying to get people to move out of their way. My mother kicked me in the side, hitting me right on my bruises. I reached out quickly and grabbed the dog tags, putting them back around my neck before I blacked out. The pain was just too much.

I never saw Dom pull my mother off of me and hand her over to the ushers. I never felt Tony lift me up in his arms or heard Mia and Vince asking if I was okay while they tried to wake me up.

I never felt the nurses stick the IV needle inside my arm nor the soft cold touch of the doctor's hands against my side. I never felt the stitches being inserted into my bottom lip.

What I did feel is Tony tucking a strand of hair behind my ear and place a gentle kiss upon my forehead.

What I did hear is Tony whispering softly in my ear, "You're free now Letty. You're free."