A Daughter Nobody Wanted

Chapter 2

Melissa stood outside the gate she couldn’t get the words out of her head ‘when Melissa

"When she’s gone, we’ll finally have peace."

The gate clicked open, Grace held a bowl in her hands. She paused at Melissa’s appearance for a moment, then her expression softened.

“What are you doing out here?” Melissa’s mouth was dry. “You want me to leave?”

Grace rocked the bowl in her hands. “Don’t be ridiculous”

“I heard you.” Melissa snorted, A silent laugh that only came out in shoulders trembles. Grace narrowed her eyes quickly.

“Were you listening?”

She brushed her thumb across her cheek. It drew across her lip then. Melissa blinked “No mom, I’m just…coming home.” There was a long pause. You could’ve cut the tension between them with a knife.

“You’re exhausted, You’ve been running around the hospital all day your brain must be….” Grace thumped her temple “seeing things” Melissa shook her head curtly. “No I heard you. You were saying that”....

“Why don’t we just skip the nonsense since you listened with that door anyway.” Grace huffed. Melissa sucked in a sharp breath.

“This is really happening?.”

Grace nodded slowly. “Yes sweetie, “Melissa paused. She braced herself “It’s happening.” Something inside Melissa broke.

“Why?”

“Money.” Grace crossed her arms over her chest. “We need it.”

“You want to sell me? Melissa stated flatly.

“I’ll have you mouth washed out with soap if that’s how you speak to me one day.” Grace pierced her with her gaze “I am helping you Melissa.”

Tears sprung free to Melissa’s eyes. She made no attempt to hide them “Help me? By getting rid of me? You want to send me away”

Victory Williams isn’t some stranger.” Grace stated firmly.

"So?" Melissa stepped forward "People say he’s dangerous. People say his staff don’t last 6 months." Grace shrugged "People talk.

"No." Melissa shook her head "I won’t go. Grace’s eyes narrowed. "What about your father’s hospital bills?" Melissa stopped breathing. Grace saw it her mouth curved

"Exactly." Melissa voice cracked. You planned this didn’t you?

"Planned what?" "All these years." Melissa’s voice shook "Who paid for Dad’s medicine?"

Grace moved closer, voice low. "Victory Williams pays in one month what I make in a year. You work for him your father lives.

The word lives hit like a punch; Melissa looked away. "You’re using him." I’m saving him."

"No. You’re using him."

Melissa’s knees felt weak the yard tilted, For 22 years she had carried water, cooked, washed, and taken the blame. And now her own mother was putting a price tag on her, Her hands started shaking she pressed them to her sides so Grace wouldn’t see. But Grace saw everything.

"Ungrateful!" Grace shouted "I fed you! I raised you!" Melissa laughed the sound came out cracked, Ugly, like glass breaking in her throat; "You raised Evelyn."

The air went still. "Say that again."

"When did you ever choose me?" Melissa yelled back. "Every time Dad was sick, I stayed home. Every time Evelyn needed something, you gave it." Her voice cracked "You never gave me anything."

A door creaked. Evelyn: new dress, fresh braids, Skin glowing "What's happening?"

Grace melted instantly. "Go inside, sweetheart."

Evelyn’s dress was yellow. The one Melissa had asked for last year for her birthday, Grace had said "no money" But here it was, brand new, with ribbons in Evelyn’s hair. Melissa felt something cold settle in her stomach.

Of course, Sweetheart" Melissa stared at the ground she’d never heard that word aimed at her. Evelyn looked at Melissa; Then at Grace "Is this about Mr Williams?"

Melissa’s head snapped up. "You knew?"

Evelyn didn’t answer that was the answer. Everyone knew "Everyone except the girl being sold. Melissa turned and ran down the road past the bench until her lungs burned. "She dropped onto the wood the crying came out loud, Wet, it echoed down the empty street. "Why am I never enough?"

The wood was damp under her It smelled like rain and dust. She pulled her knees up and made herself small, the way she had as a child whenever Grace shouted. Most days, the bench stayed empty. Only her father ever sat here and wiped her tears."

Melissa?" She jerked up; Harris, her boyfriend. Two years of secret texts he sat next to her and didn’t touch her.

"You’re crying."

"I’m fine."

"No, you’re not."

Her phone buzzed against the wood, Grace. It buzzed again before she could even breathe and again.

Melissa answered. "What?"

Silence, then her chest caved in "A sob ripped out. Another she couldn't catch her breath.

"Melissa. Grace’s voice shook the hospital called."

Melissa stood up so fast the bench tipped.

"What about Dad?"

A sob "They said your father stopped breathing..... "The world went black at the edges."

What?"