It had been two weeks since all of my friends were discharged from the hospital. I was grateful no one was seriously hurt after my roommate Madison decided to kidnap all of them and stuff them in her closet in our dorm room on campus. After everything that happened, the biggest shock to us all was that the detective that was on the case was Ava’s biological father. Her mother spilled the beans in their hospital room right before they were discharged. Like, really.

Chapter 1

Samantha

 

It had been two weeks since all of my friends were discharged from the hospital. I was grateful no one was seriously hurt after my roommate Madison decided to kidnap all of them and stuff them in her closet in our dorm room on campus. After everything that happened, the biggest shock to us all was that the detective that was on the case was Ava’s biological father. Her mother spilled the beans in their hospital room right before they were discharged. Like, really.

 

“Good morning, Samantha, dear! How did you sleep?” my mom asked.

 

“I slept like a baby, Mom, since you’ve been here. I am so happy you decided to come and stay awhile.”

 

“That makes the two of us,” my mom replied. “You know, Sam, I thought about transferring my job and moving here so I can be closer to you. I was thinking about getting a house so that way you can stay at home and not on campus. What do you think?”

 

“Mom, that would be awesome, but you don’t need to do that. I will be just fine. Besides, I don’t think my sisters will like the sound of moving away from their friends and starting a new school. Now, Dad, on the other hand, probably wouldn’t mind.”

 

“I think they will be alright with the move and transferring to a new school, Sam. It’s not like the two of them have many friends. You know, they basically stick to themselves.”

 

“Yes, that’s true.”

 

“You look as if something is on your mind. What’s wrong, Sam?”

 

“I am worried about Madison and Ava, Mom. Do you think Ava will forgive her mother for not telling her the truth about her father?”

 

“I think she will eventually come around, Sam. I am sure it’s going to take some time for Ava to forgive her mother.”

 

“That’s what I thought, Mom. I can only imagine.”

 

“In my opinion, Sam, I think a parent should always be truthful to their children about the absent parent. They should let the child make their own decision if they want a relationship with the absent parent or not.”

 

“Mom, not only did she not tell Ava about her father, she also made it seem as if he was a deadbeat, a loser, an irresponsible guy.”

 

“Sam, that is something her mother is going to have to live with.”

 

“It is not Ava’s fault that her parents split up. In my opinion, I really think the child should know who their parents are regardless of their background or lifestyle. People should let the child make their own decisions if he or she don’t want anything to do with them.

 

“Yes, I strongly agree, dear. Well, there is nothing we can do but support Ava. After all, it’s her decision.”

 

“I guess you are right, Mom.”

 

“Of course I am, dear. Now, what do you want for breakfast?”

 

“I really want some pancakes and bacon.”

 

“What, no eggs, Sam?”

 

“No eggs, Mom. I just don’t care for them like I used to. I guess I am burnt out from all of the fried egg sandwiches I ate.”

 

“Alrighty, then. Pancakes and bacon coming right up.”

 

When my mother went downstairs to cook, I got up and jumped in the shower. As I was getting in the shower, I couldn’t help but think about Madison and Ava. Regardless of their situation, they both needed support from close friends and family. I decided that when I got out of the shower, I would text Madison’s parents and Ava to see how they were doing.

 

When I got out of the shower, I could smell the bacon cooking. I hoped my mom cooked the entire pack because she knew I liked bacon. Unlike the fried eggs, I knew I wouldn’t get burnt out of the bacon. People always say bacon isn’t good for you. I don’t care because it’s good to me. I was going to keep on eating the way that I did until I was told otherwise by a doctor.

 

Once I finished getting dressed, I walked downstairs to the kitchen.

 

“Thanks for the breakfast, Mom.”

 

“You are welcome, Sam. I really like this house. I wonder if I can rent it.”

 

“Have you ever rented a house that you reserved using your time share, Mom?”

 

“No, but it wouldn’t hurt to try.”

 

“I guess not, Mom. I can’t believe you are thinking about moving here.”

 

“Why not, Sam? It’s time for a change. Besides, Texas has a lot to offer. Gulfport has the beach and casinos, but it’s not Texas. Have you talked to any of your friends?”

 

“No, not yet. I’m happy you reminded me. I was going to text Madison’s parents and Ava when I got out of the shower. I forgot until you just reminded me. I am going to do that now.”

 

I picked up my phone and sent two texts:

 

Good morning, Ava. I was just checking on you. Sam

 

Good morning, Mr. and Mrs. Wilkins. This is Samantha. Just a friendly text to check on Madison’s status and to see how you all are doing.

 

“Now that I got that out of the way, Mom, what do you have planned for today?”

 

“I was thinking about going to the mall to see what I can buy. What about you? Do you have to work today?”

 

“Matter of fact, I do. I have to be there at 11:00. It is already after 10:00. I’m going to finish the rest of my breakfast then go upstairs and put on my work uniform.”

 

“Will Nathan be picking you up to take you to work?”

 

“Yes, he will, Mom.”

 

“What time will you be getting off tonight?”

 

“I close tonight. So, I will be home around 9:30-ish.”

 

Ava

 

As I stood there looking over the city from the hotel window of our room, I couldn’t help but think about all that had happened to me in the past few months. During my first semester in college on the college grounds, I was drugged, kidnapped and placed in a closet with several of my friends by a girl at school that I had tried warning others about. On top of that, my mom had told me in front of my friends and their parents that the detective who found us was my father. For years she told me my father was a deadbeat, a loser, a bomb so broke she was too embarrassed to tell me who he was. For the life of me, I was trying to forgive her for not telling me the truth but I couldn’t see that happening any time soon.

“

Ava, dear, please talk to me! How long are you going to continue with the silent treatment? I was only trying to protect you. I didn’t want you to get hurt like I did!”

 

“Candace, leave her alone. Just let her be,” Lonnie said. “You have done enough damage already. Just wait until she wants to talk.”

 

“Lonnie, don’t tell me what to do with my daughter!” my mom yelled.

 

“She’s my daughter, too. Remember, you let that be known several weeks ago in front of a lot of people,” Lonnie argued.

 

“If that incident had never happened, you still wouldn’t know,” my mom replied.

 

“Candace, what the hell is wrong with you? Are you on something?” Lonnie exclaimed.

 

“No, I am not, Lonnie!” my mom cried.

 

“Well, it seems as if you are! I can’t believe you kept my daughter from me all of these years,” Lonnie argued.

 

My mom crossed her arms defensively. “It’s not like you wanted a child, Lonnie.”

 

“How the hell do you know? We never discussed children, Candace,” Lonnie said.

 

“Well, I figured you didn’t want any children, Lonnie!” my mom yelled.

 

“Girl, I was in love with you. I would have moved mountains for you. And to have fathered a child with you is all I needed,” Lonnie said defensively.

 

“You are saying that now, Lonnie. I am sure if I told you that night at the theater that I was pregnant, you would have left me. You would have dumped me!” my mom cried.

 

“You knew you were pregnant with Ava, Candace, when you broke up with me at the theater that night?” Lonnie said in anger. “How could you be so cold-hearted, Candace? You should have told me instead of assuming I didn’t want her.”

 

“Can you please just stop it?” I interrupted. “I am so tired of hearing you two argue about the same thing. The damage has been done. It’s been done for over twenty years. If you two want to continue to argue, I will leave this suite.”

 

“I am sorry, Ava! I don’t know what has come over me. Is there something I can get you?”

 

“Mom, no! I don’t need you to do anything for me. Just stop arguing, please!” I pleaded. “I do want to know why you… you have always talked bad about my dad but the man that is standing in the room with us is a well-educated guy with a money-making job. He is not a drunk! He is not a deadbeat! He is not stupid and he sure in the hell is not broke! So, please tell me why you lied to me all of these years about my father?”

 

“Ava, dear, I thought I was protecting you,” my mom cried.

 

“How is that so, Mom? When my dad is a private investigator! It’s what he does for a living!”

 

“You know what? I think we all can use some time away from the big city life,” Lonnie replied. “I am on vacation for the next two weeks. How would you two like to go up to my cabins with me in Colorado?”

 

“Really, Lonnie? You actually think we are going to go on vacation with the way things are right now? Are you serious right now?”

 

“What do we have to lose? Ava is out of school for the next few weeks and I am sure you can take some time off from work, Candace. Besides, I really want to get to know my daughter. My only child. What do you say?” Lonnie asked.

 

“I don’t know, Lonnie,” my mom replied.

 

“What do you think, Ava? Would you like to come with me to Colorado?” Lonnie asked.

 

“I don’t know. Everything is moving too fast,” I cried.

 

“Let’s do this. How about I come back later to see if you are at least considering going. I will pay the round-trip fares for the both of you to fly there.”

 

“Why are you deliberately trying to make me look bad?” my mom questioned.

 

“What do you mean, Candace?” Lonnie replied.

 

“Stop trying to buy my daughter!” my mom said.

 

“What are you talking about, woman, trying to buy your daughter?” Lonnie replied.

 

“You know what you are doing, Lonnie, and you know I know it, too,” my mom said.

 

“Look, damnit, I have over twenty years to make up for. I don’t mind one bit spoiling my daughter,” Lonnie said. “She’s a young adult who I am sure is capable of making decisions on her own. Including going on vacation with me. Stop answering for her, Candace. She is not a baby.”

 

This man had only known for two weeks he was my father. He was already taking up for me and wanting to spoil me. I had never seen anyone who could go toe-to-toe with my mom. She may have the beauty, body and brains, but she is not the one you want to mess with. She’s the last person anyone should mess with.

 

“I am leaving to go see my friend, Sam. I’ll let you know something when I come back, Lonnie,” I said.

 

“I will be waiting Ava,” Lonnie said. “That’s better than saying no or nothing at all. Do you still have my number saved in your phone from when I gave it to you regarding the case?”

 

“Yes, I do.”

 

“Text me when you’ve thought it over,” Lonnie said.

 

“Okay, I can do that.”