The Preacher’s Son: Falling For You

**Candy POV** Another Saturday that we have to spend at church. Ugh. I mean, I like it most of the time but it gets old having to spend almost every Saturday night at another singing service. The church my family and I attend goes to special services at other churches ALOT! I mean, I’m 16. I could be out enjoying life with my friends and having fun. But no. My Dad drives me crazy. I’m not allowed to do literally anything. I think he’s overcompensating for how he was when I was younger. He used to be an abusive drunk. Physically, emotionally, sexually, verbally.. you name it. My mom finally had enough and left him a few years ago. But he decided to turn his life over to God. He quit drinking and cussing and started going to church. Mom waited a few months to see if he was going to stick with it and he did, so she came back to him. When we left, I figured that was my chance to tell it all. I had so many secrets. I had never told anyone the things he’d done to me. But when the police questioned us, I couldn’t help it. Everything came pouring out. From there, they took us to the child protection people. At the time I was 12. They asked in great detail everything that happened to me. How old I was when it started and when the last time was that it happened. It was overwhelming to finally get off my chest what I’d been dying to tell for years, to say the least. When we finally got to leave and go back to the safe house, I thought it was over. That I’d never have to see or speak to my dad again. After a few days there, my mom’s mom, Grandma Karlen, came to get us. She lived in a small town in another state. Most of the people that ran the town were family. So even if he tried to get us, chances were he wouldn’t get far. But after a few months of being there, mom told my sister Whitney and I that we were going back. She told us that dad wouldn’t be moving in right away and that they would make sure we were comfortable and ok with it before he did. Whitney was thrilled. And I was a mess. Just a few months before I had been sure that he would go to jail and be out of our lives for good. No more visits to my room at night or pulling me on his lap when mom fell asleep. No more screaming and crying. No more having to worry if my mom was going to make it out of the beating he gave her. No more having to hold my sister and sing to her to try and drown out the sounds of the chaos between our parents in the other room. But apparently that was all just wishful thinking. When she told us we were going home I have to admit, part of me was glad that I’d get to see my friends. I missed them. But most of my feelings were hurt and betrayal. After mom found out what he did, she swore to keep me safe. Now she’s decided to go back and try to make it work with that monster. And how did the whole thing just disappear so fast? His boss has money. Maybe he paid someone off. I guess that’s what you get when everybody knows everybody in a small town. We came back in September. Dad stayed next door with my Grandma and me, mom and Whitney loved in our house. He was still doing the church thing. Mom always wanted to go when I was little but he’d never allow it. We’d usually go on Easter, but that was it. So I was kind of excited to do that at least. But I hated that we even had to be in the same vehicle as him. He robbed me of so much at such a young age. It just wasn’t fair. Here it is, three and a half years later. It’s the first Saturday in June. I turned 16 back in March and while most of my friends got their license to drive when they turned 16, I was just finally allowed to get my permit. A year behind everyone else because Daddy Dearest decided I had to take Driver’s Ed before I could get it. Stupid school didn’t have it available until second semester my sophomore year. Sorry. I get mad and my thoughts run away to flashbacks and I start ranting. I can’t help it. I guess that’s how I cope with this miserable life. Right now I’m getting ready for church. Again. One good thing about all these services we go to is, there’s usually some super hot guys. And something about them intrigues me. They seem innocent. And. We’ll. I’m not. I’m pretty “boy crazy” as Daddy Dearest says. It makes him so mad and I love it! Ha ha! He hates when guys pay attention to me. I stand in front of my mirror and turn off my hair straightener and start on my makeup. When I’m done, I look to make sure I’m up to my standards. Straight long dirty blonde hair, full face makeup but with all natural colors, and my man catcher outfit. It’s pretty simple, but I look good in it. A snug black pencil skirt with a fitted black 3/4 sleeve top that has some white and red abstract lines through it and a silver buckle on the shoulder, with black heeled straps sandals. As I look at my reflection once more, I wonder if maybe tonight will be the night that I meet my future husband. The one that will be my escape from the hell on earth I’ve been in for so long. Satisfied with my work, I take a deep breath and head towards my bedroom door. Here we go again!