Page 133 of Poison Aches
So, I text Jackson back.
Me:Let’s meet at five. Let me know where!
Jackson:I can’t wait to see how beautiful you are!
There’s nothing that quite screams OUT OF FUCKING PLACE than a wide-eyed, luggage-hauling, boots-wearing, stunned and stupefied girl who’s trying to evade the rush of angry, determined New Yorkers on the street coming at her from every which way.
“Get out the fucking way!” someone sneers at me, but when I look at them, they're already half a block away.
How do they walk so fast without tripping, let alone have time to curse at a stranger while they are at it?
“Sorry,” I mumble, moving to the left, only to bump into a woman who’s ‘attempting’ to reel in a set of loud toddler triplets.
“Hey, watch it!” she snaps.
“My bad, sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry, just get out of the fucking way!”
Umm… I’d heard stories about New York City before.
Hell, I’ve binged-watchedSex and the City,The Devil Wears Prada, and all the chic movies they don’t make anymore now.
All of them had mentally prepared me for how different this city is, but holy mango sorbet on a hot July afternoon… there’s nothing quite like the frenetic flow that is this living, breathing monster of a city.
"If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere…"Yeah, Alicia. I just need to make sure I’m not trampled to death orthat my luggage won’t get kicked out onto the street before I can conquer this block, let alone the damn city.
I suck in a deep breath, clutching the handle of the suitcase closest to me with a death grip.
I’m finally here. After so many years of wondering and searching and yearning…I’m now just a ride away from them.
Just as I think that, my phone buzzes with a text.
Melissa:Oh that sucks! I really think Daddy would love it if you stayed with us while you are here.
A burst of hope blooms in my chest.
I almost squeal but I’ve never made that sound before, and it always seems unnatural to me, but I can’t help the buzz that starts in my belly.
Me:Oh, I don’t think it’s right. I’m so nervous.
Melissa: Oh hush. You have no idea how Daddy can’t wait to meet you…after all these years.
Me: Really?
Melissa: You’ll see for yourself! Just come, get to know us while staying with us! The fact that I have a sister! It’s bonkers…almost unbelievable still.
My stomach dips and twists until I feel like I might pass out from nerves.
I have a sister…
Fast-forward from emails and texts, I’m here and I get to meet my biological father, and a half-sister who found me, and tonight… I get to meet them!
They even want me to stay with them.
If Grammy and Samuel ever find out what I’m doing here, I’m pretty sure they’d hate me.
After all, from the stories I’ve heard, whatever happened to my mother was the fault of the man she fell in love with.
