Note: This is a very short chapter but please review and respond. I am still going to try and post a chapter per week. I have written all the way to 16.
Warning, the next couple of chapters will be a bit rough. But I have this vision and we are soon reaching one of the most heartbreaking scenes I have envisioned.
Please R&R!
Thanks
XOXO
Chapter 13
Friday, May 16th, 1997
"Are you absolutely sure about this?"
Tara sighed, more out of frustration than anything else. She gripped the phone tightly.
"Yes Katie, I am sure. Jax is done with the bullshit of this town. We talked about it last night and I could feel that he wants out but doesn't know how to go about it. He feels like he owes too much to Samcro and doesn't want to betray the people he considers family. All he needs is the right push. Now the question remains-are you going to help us?"
Tara felt her heart beat against her chest as she waited for her cousin to respond. As the silence lingered on, she wondered if it was a massive mistake to call Katie.
"Fine."
"Fine?" Tara asked.
"Yes, fine. I'll wire you the money but Tara, if he bails..." Katie sighed before continuing. "If bails, fuck him and come to New York. Don't put your life on hold for him."
Tara hung up the phone without responding to her statement.
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Tara parked the Cutlass and made her way to the employee break room.
She saw Oswald talking to one of his foremen and waited on the side until the older man finished talking before approaching him.
"Well, hello Tara," the man smiled.
"Hello, Mr. Oswald," Tara gave him a small smile. "Is it possible for me to talk to my Dad?"
"Of crew is about to go on break in about 5. Hang around and I'll send him your way."
Tara muttered a thanks and watched as Oswald walked away. She sat in a nearby chair and waited for Derek.
Nervously tapping her foot, Tara watched as her father made his way to her, his movement sluggish due to his heavy drinking the night before. Tara felt a sudden sadness spread across her body. Her father had aged horribly in the last few years. The weight of his choices were evident by the way he carried himself. His footsteps lagged and he looked to the floor as he made his way to her, not making eye contact at all.
When he stood in front of her, Tara stood and gesture for them to walk around to where the Cutlass was parked. She didn't want the news to reach the wrong ears before it was time.
As they made their way to the old car, Tara couldn't help the knot that was forming in her throat. She was the only person her father had left and she was leaving him behind in order to pursue her dreams. Reaching the Cutlass, Tara turned and faced her father, crossing her arms in front of her.
Swallowing back her tears, Tara looked into the eyes of the man who was suppose to be her ultimate protector. "I'm leaving Charming."
"When?" he asked without missing a beat.
"Within the next two weeks. Jax and I are going to New York. We are going to start a new life there. Away from all of this..." she motioned her surrounding with one of her arms. "Just thought you would want to know."
She looked at her father and noticed his shoulder shagging a bit more.
"And here I thought you would have the guts to do what she couldn't..." he muttered.
Tara tilted her head and looked at her father with wonder. "I don't understand," she whispered.
"You don't realize. Charming isn't the poison-he's the poison. Just as long as you have Jax Teller anywhere near you, you will sink into the filth he is."
Tara felt her anger flair up. "Don't talk like that about the only person who has given a crap about me since Madison killed herself."
Derek flinched and shook her head. "If only you were to see what I do, my dear."
Derek turned around and went to work, leaving Tara standing silently by the Cutlass.
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Tara made a dash inside the house as the phone blared.
"Hello," she picked up, trying to catch her breath.
"Fucking finally. I have been calling all afternoon."
Tara laughed. "You know, if you continue being so hostile all the time, you will keel over."
"Oh fuck you, Knowles. I am not hostile. I have just immersed myself in the New York lifestyle," teased Katie.
"Oh that's what you are calling it?"
"Yep," Katie responded without missing a beat. "Now listen, I wired you the money. Go and pick it up in Stockton when you can. Another thing, I ran around the shops around Tisch and the owner of my favorite coffee shop, is willing to hire you two. It's part time, but whatever. In New York City, something is something. You could start in the fall. All you two need to do is get your ass to New York by August. You think you could get the blonde biker God to cut the umbilical cord by then?"
"How about we make it there by early next week?" Tara bit her lower lip.
"That soon?" Katie sounded surprised.
"Yea, that soon. I graduate on Monday. I could drive to Stockton today and pick up the money in the Western Union there. I could go and buy our bus tickets today and have the essentials packed by the weekend. Tuesday morning, we could be on our way, if thats ok with you."
"Fuck Tara, thats absolutely fantastic. Yea, yea, make your way over here. My couch is eagerly waiting for its new tenants."
Tara laughed. "Thanks Katie. Thanks for all of this. For taking me and Jax..." Tara felt the tears dwelling in her eyes.
"Please don't get all sappy on me, Knowles. Just get your ass to Stockton and do what you have to do. The sooner you get everything done, the faster you could get your ass to the City that Never Sleeps. Okay?"
"Okay."
