Moonshine(43)

“Ugh,” I slammed my fist onto the dresser. How could they? How could this boy of hers not see that something was seriously wrong with her? I want to punch his face in too. I have read every letter that he has written her and I never once saw any sign that he knew what was going on. I need to talk to him. I need to tell him that someone has done something like this to her, and maybe then he will come and rescue her. Maybe he will treat her with all the true love and compassion that she longs for. There was a longing there. I saw it in her eyes. I know how much she was turned on by me and I couldn’t believe that someone had taken that away from her. They had made her experience so treacherous that she never wanted to be touched by a man again. Even after her past she is not broken. She can easily be loved and love someone back as long as she trusts them. I know that she loves this boy Moon, and I will find some way to get through to him. There has to be some way. I just hope that Shine will forgive me for butting in or maybe she won’t even have to know at all.





23



Moon

“There is a letter here for you today.”

“Seriously, Mrs. Gerry,” she waved the envelope in front of my face.

“Now you know I don’t have no reason to be tellin no lies. Now get outta here boy. It’s graduation day.” She handed me my letter and kissed my cheek before I left. I couldn’t believe it. There was actually a letter for me after all this time. Shine had been there for seventy five days and this was the first time that I had got anything from her. This was the best present ever. It was also Graduation Day so I couldn’t be happier. I couldn’t wait to see what she wrote; even if she really just signed her name I would still be the happiest S.O.B ever.

There were no words on the outside of the envelope. I opened up and my heart sank to the floor. It wasn’t from her. This wasn’t her handwriting. It was a dude’s and when I flipped it over it was signed by some guy named Bradley. What the hell? I took a deep breath and figured it was now or never. If she was trying to tell me to get lost I guess it was time I heard it. I just never expected it to come from another guy, and on Graduation Day. She had to know what day it was.

Do I read it now or do I wait?

First I graduate. I’ll read it tonight. I slung the papers into the passenger floor board and headed for school. I would get my diploma today, and I’d be damned if anyone would take that away. I pushed the gas pedal to the floor.





I couldn’t believe it. It took three damn hours and lots of boring speeches, but I did it. I walked across that stage and got my diploma and school was over. It was by far the best day I have had in a long time. I even managed to get a D+ in French, Holy hell right?

Mom was waiting outside for me when I came out. I was ready to get out of these clothes and head out with Josh. He and I had plans to meet at the old mill for one last hoo-raw. A bonfire and a fifth of whiskey sounded like a pretty good idea to me.

“Hey Son, come and give your momma a hug.”

“Hey Momma,” I hugged her close to me. “Can you believe it?”

“Of course I can. I’m proud of you. What I can’t believe is that you managed to pass French. It’s a daggum miracle.”

I laughed at her. She was one of a kind. “Yes ma’am it is.”

“So what are your plans tonight?” She asked as we walked to my car.

“Me and Josh were planning on hanging out at the old mill. There may be a few other people coming to hang out. Why, what’s up?”

“I have supper on at home. I just wanted to make sure you were coming home to eat before you went out for the night. Plus, I got ya something at home.”

“Momma, you didn’t have to do that. I already told ya I didn’t want nothin, and I was serious. The damn diploma was all the present I needed.”

“You better watch your mouth boy,” she smiled.

“Yes ma’am.” I shut the door to my car and rolled down the window. “I’ll be right home. I need to change anyway, and you know I won’t miss supper.”

“I know little boy.” She leaned into the window and kissed my cheek. “I really am proud of you.”

“Thanks Momma.”

“She’d be proud of you too.” I knew who she was talking about. I could see it in her eyes. She never mentioned dad, and I was grateful for that. We all know just how proud of me he’d be. Maybe someday I would forgive him, but not today. Today was my day. “See ya at home, Son.”

I waved goodbye as she walked away to her car. I reached for the papers in passenger floor board. I was tired of waiting. I had to read what they said.