Chapter one
'' So you are a dad,now'' Wow I didn't think that as soon as I left my small town to go to school that everything change so fast. I didn't even know that my big brother would go off and have a baby with his long time girlfriend.
'' Yeah, if would have picked up your phone you would have know but since you when to New York, You cant pick up for your hillbilly family. '' Mark said with annoyance. HE looked the same after three years away. The only difference was the deep blue circle under his coal color eyes. He looked overtired. The white shirt on his body had mystery stains, His usually styled hair was greasy sticking to his forehead. My brother was feeling the effects of being with a women.
'' Sorry , Mark. You have to understand that I had so much going on. School, work. I didn't mean to go so long without checking in on you guys.'' I whispered. I really didn't mean not to call back.'' Things were so fast in New York that time could run away from you in no time. I was counting change to keep a roof over my head. My phone was off a good bit of the time.
Mark's blood shot eyes glared at me with red hot anger, '' You came all the way back . You must be ready to beg to live with us. You know mom and dad are going to say no. Not with my family already here. There is no more room. The baby stays in your room now. You cant come back after running away because we don't like your life style. ''
Pain and regret slammed into my chest , '' What life style , Mark, that I want to be with a man. You know, just as much as me that if I stay here . Dad would have took me to the church so the priest could pray away my sins. They would have took me back to the camp. '' My hands shook , My body turn hot cold with each breath as the memories took over my body. Breathing become shallow. Blackness swallowed my vision. I knew this was going to happen that is why I left in the first place. Why did I think I would be safe here. I am never safe. Not even in New York.
'' Stop being dramatic. You know they cant take you back you are to old. It didn't help, you know that.'' Mark said with exhausting sadness.
Of course, it is me being dramatic. I have to stop before I hyperventilated. Something I can feel. Think , Ashton, think. My shoes are too tight, cutting into my feet. Something I can hear the old Gotti cuckoo clock ticking the rhythm with calmed my running heart. Something I can see , The fake wooden floor of my family home . My breathing slows with each minute. My vision comes back with lights to bright.
'' I will take my leave now.'' I said with a broken voice. My feet feel like ten pound sand bags.
The old wooden door that slams be hide me seals my faith with my family. I am really alone now. I have no money. No where to go. All I have is my car and maybe four hundrent
dollars to my name. What am I going to do? Tears were warm agaist my checks. They wont stop.
WIth a turn of my keys, I leave my parents' home for the last time.
