The Deeper We Get (21 page)

Authors: Jessica Gibson

BOOK: The Deeper We Get

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“Deal.” I kissed her again. Suddenly being in love didn't sound like a death sentence anymore. I was in deep, and I couldn’t wait to see how deep we could get.

“Are you sure you don't
want me to come in with you?” Scarlet looked worried.

“Yeah. I need to do this on my own. I promise I’ll be
okay.” I squeezed her shoulder and walked through the metal doors into the visitor’s area.

I scanned the picnic tables for an empty one and sat down to wait. It didn't take long for
the prisoners to start filing in.

My eyes finally landed on the person I had been waiting for.

“I didn’t think you would ever come,” he said softly.

“This isn't for you, it’s for me
,” I said to my father as he sat down across from me.

“Whatever the reason, I’m happy to see you.” He smiled sadly. “Why did you come?”

“I have some things I need to say to you. Can you wait until after I’m done to respond?”

He nodded.

“I need to get rid of all of this hate and anger before it eats me alive. I’ve been angry my whole life, as long as I can remember. I don’t want to have that in my life anymore. So I came here to tell you that I don't hate you anymore.”

“Does that mean you forgive me?” He looked hopeful.

“I’m not at forgiveness yet. I have finally gotten to a place where my blood doesn’t boil at the mention of your name, or when I see the scars on my body, or hers.”

“I’m so sorry Chad. For all of it. I never should have come to California to find you. I should have left you alone to live in peace. None of this would have ever happened.”

“I wish that had been the case too Tom. Are you getting the help you need in here?” I was genuinely curious. I knew that drugs could be gotten for a price, even in prison.

“I’ve been seeing a drug counselor for a few months as well as a regular one. I’m getting better little by little. The nightmares are still there, but not every night anymore.”

As I listened to him I realized that I hadn't had a single nightmare in over eight months.

“I truly hope you can live a happy life despite all that I have done to you. I hope that you marry that girl and have a bunch of kids. Don't let the past hurt you anymore. Go away today and know that I’m sorry and if I make it out of this place before my time is up I
won’t come looking for you again.”

I got up from my seat. “Take care Tom.”

“I love you Chad.” He had tears in his eyes.

I nodded and walked back the way I had come, feeling lighter than I ever had.

Scarlet was reading a magazine when I came out, and she looked up at me expectantly.

“How did it go?”

“Better than I had thought it would. I can finally close this chapter and not look back. Let’s go and make some new memories to fill our books.” I kissed her and took her hand and we both walked out of the prison together.

A huge thank you to all of you amazing readers! You make this job so worthwhile. I love hearing your thoughts on the characters and seeing the passages you love. I hope I have done you justice with this book.

Another big thank you to the Mark My Words team! You all are rock stars and have made my life so much easier. Rachel, thank you for seeing potential in me :) Ashley, thank you for putting up with my craziness! It’s only going to get worse from here.