47
Tell me something.
The reply bubble appears almost straight away, showing me she's typing, but the reply itself is slow to materialize. When it finally does, I understand her hesitation.
When my mom got really sick, my step-dad started drinking. I left with Jimmy when he broke my wrist.
I'm still staring at the words when she sends something else through.
Your turn.
You can't tell me something like that, then just skip past it, I type.
What else is there to say?
Does your dad know?
You really think he'd be a free man if he did? No, just you.
The authorities?
We came to an arrangement, Phil signed guardianship of Jimmy over to me and I didn't report him.
What about his new girlfriend? Izzy, you have to tell someone.
He's been sober for eighteen months now. He only ever hit me when he was drunk.
You think that makes it ok?
It is what it is. Jimmy & I are safe & that's where my priorities lie. I won't apologize for how things are.
I'm at a loss for words. On the one hand I can see why she did things the way she did, but on the other I'm mad as hell her step-dad's walking free and unpunished. I've still not replied when she sends another text.
Your turn.
I go with the change of topic this time, for now at least.
I was pulled over by your dad for speeding, but he let me off when he saw it was me.
He always did like you.
He thought I was a sucker.
Haha! Yeah, I guess he did. He respected you for sticking around though.
He was the only one who did. The rest of them are still giving me the same lectures now.
Who?
Kate a little. My mom a lot.
She hates me.
She worries.
She doesn't need to worry. I promise x
~S~