Chapter 26

Alexis:

There was no way in hell that I was going to play along with my father's shenanigans. For the tenth time, again, he had chosen his own happiness over his daughter's, and I was extremely hurt by his decision.

After hearing his long speech about my mother, I assumed he was going to learn from his mistakes and try to fix our broken relationship, but no, he wanted to chase Michelle.

It had been about two days since Aubrey left. I'd called and texted her cellphone at least a million times, but I was sent straight to voicemail and the chats never turned green. Either she didn't have her phone or she had blocked me. But I ruled out the blocking and guessed that Michelle had probably taken Aubrey's phone to keep her from contacting me.

It was late at night and I was starving. My father and Michelle had dined out every night since they'd come back from the trip, so sit down dinners weren't a thing anymore. And because of that, I was left to fend for myself. Once I heard my father's bedroom door slam shut, I tiptoed quietly to the kitchen and pulled out the leftover pizza I'd stashed from my trip to Papa John's last night, placing it in the microwave and cringing at the loud beeping of the buttons.

When my food was hot enough, I grabbed a two liter soda and headed back up the staircase.

"Why do I have to send her away, Michelle? Aubrey is already gone. Alexis is fine. She doesn't bother us, it's okay. We're still a family." I heard my father cry out.

What?

I crept a little closer to their door and leaned my head against the wall to hear the conversation a little more clearer.

"It doesn't matter! My daughter left, you need to have yours leave too," Michelle yelled.

"And where am I supposed to send her, huh? We don't have any family!" he exclaimed.

"Yes, you do. I went through your sock drawer, Hank. I suggest you respond to all those letters from Alexandria," Michelle snapped.

My mother. All those letters?

I was truly in utter shock. Had my mother been trying to contact me? Those words had been enough.

The next morning, I was already up and dressed due to the fact that I hadn't gotten any sleep that night. Since I couldn't talk to Aubrey about it, I decided to talk to my best friend about it.

I was so early picking up Jay that he wasn't even fully dressed when I arrived outside his house. He came jogging out with his shirt hanging around his neck, jeans unbuttoned, and his sneakers in his hands. "You can't just pull up and then call saying your outside. I fell down the steps trying to get this this damn car." He hopped in, adjusting his clothes as I started the car.

"Why are you so early anyways?" Jay questioned, checking the time on his phone. I told him everything. From Aubrey leaving to the letters. "Damn. Did you read the letters?" He asked. "No. I don't have them." I replied. "Well, maybe you should read them and reach out to your mother."

"I don't know. It's been like ten years. I wouldn't even know what to say." I confessed. "How about all the shit that's going on with you and your father. I say, steal the letters. Read them and then contact her." Jay suggested.

I dropped Jay off and decided to go back home. Usually, my father was always there before I got home from school. This was the only time I'd have alone to snoop around.

"Are you feeling okay, sweetie? You're home early," Yolanda, the maid, greeted me.

"Uh, yeah. School's closed today. I totally forgot," I lied, jogging past her and beelining straight to my father's bedroom.

For some odd reason, my dad had always had a jungle-themed room. The walls were earth toned with a bunch of plants around the room and weird African tribal pieces dangling from the walls. I wasn't surprised though. His ex-wives always purred and made animal sounds at him and sometimes called him "Chocolate Tarzan." Ew.

In the closet, I pulled out the bottom drawer and dig my hands around until I was met by a stack of envelopes. All addressed to my name: Alexis Fields.

My Beautiful Baby Girl, Happy 16th birthday! I'm assuming your father hasn't given you my letters because I haven't received a response. I used to call twelve times a day but he kept changing his phone number. I want to see you. I want to be with you. I just really don't know where you two are or how to get to you.

There is so much I want to say and I know I owe you an explanation. If you've found this letter, please call me and talk to me. I miss you and I love you.

Love always,

Your mother

The letter was written inside a pink birthday card. On the back, a business card with a phone number was attached. As well as a hundred dollar bill.

Dr. Morris.

Cardiologist.

This was unbelievable. There were a bunch of other letters in the stack. I found myself in tears two hours later after I had finished reading all the letters. My father had lied to me for more than half my life. My mother hadn't abandoned us. She had abandoned him.

I pulled my cellphone out of my pocket and picked up my mother's card. My hand trembled nervously as I dialed the number.

"Thank you for calling St. Mary's medical center. You're speaking with Kelly." I assumed this was the receptionist.

"Hi, Kelly. My name is Alexis. I was wondering if Alexandria Morris was in today?" I answered.

"You're lucky. She was about to head out. I'll put you through. Please hold," she instructed.

"Dr. Morris speaking."

"Mom?" I called out into the phone.

"Alexis? Is that you?" By the tone in her voice, I could tell that she was crying. And I was too.

Before I could give my mother an answer, she went silent for a few minutes before speaking again.

"I'm coming to get you."