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I turn the knob and step out.
The morning’s nice. The sunlight’s strong on my face. My skin tingles in the fresh air and I wonder how long Jackie’s been in that room, taking drugs all day, sleeping all morning, doing whatever she does at night. I wonder if she realizes how deeply her family controls her still, even all the way out here, even in the depths of her addiction.
I walk down the steps and I make a decision.
I won’t become like her.
Even if Kat never comes back, I won’t go back to my family. I won’t let Grandpop control me the way he wants to control everyone else. Riley can be his little puppet and he can dance for Grandpop while the old man’s still around. I don’t give a damn about them anymore. I want freedom, real freedom, and the only way to get there is to go through all this shit.
Something good’s waiting for me on the other side. I just have to reach it first.
I open the door to the car. Don’s waiting in there. He cocks his head at me. “You find her?”
“I found her.”
“And how’d that go?”
I shake my head. “She’s a lifelong addict.”
He nods like he knows exactly what I mean, but as I turn toward the driver to tell him to get going, Don touches my shoulder. “Look.”
I turn and stare out the window.
Jackie’s standing on the balcony. She’s got a bag on her shoulder and she’s looking around, squinting at the parking lot, one hand shading her eyes. I push the door open and stand up and wave, and she looks at me for the longest time before waving back. I think she might be high, but when she gets nearer, I can tell her gaze is clear.
“You said you were paying?” she asks.
“You won’t owe me a thing. I’m doing it for Katherine.”
“Real freedom then.” She glances away. “I know who’s been keeping me alive all these years.”
“You’re a survivor.” I walk over and take her bag. “Did you take that dose?”
“No. I figure I might as well start now.”
“It’s a long drive back to Dallas.”
“I’ll be fine. I’ve been through worse.” She grins at me and I toss her bag in the trunk.
“Jackie Stockton, this is Don Lamon.”
“Pleasure,” Don says.
“Charmed,” Jackie says.
“Drive,” I say and the car pulls out.
Chapter 28
Kat
Ilie out by the pool in the midafternoon sun and stare at the ring on my finger.
It’s a different ring. Not the ring Ford gave me. Another ring, a new ring, diamonds and gold. It’s big, gaudy, expensive. It’s ugly as sin and I hate it.
It’s my win. Might as well be a chain.
I lean my head back and close my eyes. It’s a beautiful day and I’m sitting by the water on a comfortable lounge chair and all I can feel is miserable. I should be happy—I’m getting married soon!—but there’s only bitterness and disgust left in me.
