Dad had to resort to his checkbook.
I looked at Mom. “Your absence from my
birthday will be the best gift.”
Dad couldn’t take it anymore.
“Ashley, stop playing around with me. How long
are you going to keep using the amnesia?”
I smiled. “You really think I’m doing this for
sympathy?”
“I’m so glad that I forgot everything. You
treated me so badly that I probably would have
killed myself.”
I pulled out the diary.
In it was every birthday that Brittany had ruined.
<
“You always sent me away when I wanted your
attention.”
“Now, I don’t want you.”
“You should be glad that I chose to forget. Hate
would have been worse.”
- 20.
Jake took me to the highest point in the city.
He had prepared some roses and a cake.
“Congratulations on turning 18, Ashley!”
“I’m not a crybaby anymore, don’t call me that.”
Jake touched my nose.
“You’ll always be my shorty who has a doll and
won’t stop crying.”
<
His breath was hot.
He wrapped a necklace around my neck.
“I want to always keep you with me, but I want
you to be on the stage.”
“This will protect you, no matter where you go.”
I knew.
He didn’t want me to leave the country, but he
also didn’t want to stop my future.
So, he made a promise.
He’d be there if I ever needed him.
- 21.
When I left the park, I saw that Dad had been
calling me.
<
When I got home, he pointed and yelled, “What
did you do to Brittany?”
Brittany was on the couch, bandaged up.
“Did you put tacks in her shoes? Are you out of
your mind?”
