“ Heath calm your ass down. I am sure we can all talk this out.” Michelle says chiming in with a little anger
“ Ok we can and since this is my house You, that jackass and this bitch can leave.” I state pointing at each of them Michelle, Chris, and Tiffany
“ What!” That all three say in unison
“ You heard me I said leave.” I say again as I feel a hand on my left shoulder
Without hesitation I grab the hand and pull the person to me as I bring their arm down on my left shoulder. I hear everyone screaming for me to let go and I keep pulling until I hear a snap.
“ ARRGHHHHH!” Chris yells as I just dislocated his shoulder
I watch as the parents come over to Chris as he goes to his knees. I guess with everything happening so fast I didn’t notice Michelle stand quickly in front of me. I feel a slap against my face as she glares up at me.
“ I love you Heath, but what you are doing is way not you.” She tells me as I stand there looking down at her not phased before I slap her back knocking her on her ass
I look around and see everyone in shock or terror at what I’m capable of. I hear my kids crying as my mom is so scared she’s shaking. My god fathers are trying to get between me and the kids, who had woken up, to calm them down. I walk towards the front door as everyone gets out of my way. I grab my car keys and head to the garage.
I open it and start to my car, but then I see my old Ranger. After I bought my Corolla for work Jack asked what I was going to do with it. ‘Keep it for around the place like a yard truck’ I answered. He looked at me before asking if he could toy with it. I looked at him and he said he wanted to build a Thunderbolt. I looked at him as he saw I had no idea what he was talking about.
‘Bro imagine a F150 Lightning on the Ranger platform. They are crazy sick and I want to build one…please’, he looks at me like the twins do when they really want a cookie before dinner. I hand him the keys and say,’Have fun.’ Jack had just finished a week ago and had taken me out for the maiden voyage. He had completely redone the suspension, added 4 wheel disc brakes with large calipers. He had got his hands on a 5.4L engine with a six speed transmission with a short throw shifter and put an oversized cam and pistons in it, port and polished heads and a supercharger.
He had it dyno’d and it was putting out something like 1200 horsepower to the rear wheels. It was a monster but looked like a stock truck. I walked over to the Ranger to see the keys were in it and thought if I’m leaving I’m going big. I opened the garage door and climbed into the ranger. I fired it up and popped in the clutch.
I revved the engine and when it got to 5000RPMs I popped the clutch out. I was flying out the garage spinning tires leaving a cloud of smoke and brunt rubber as I left going god knows where. As I was about to hit the street I look back and see my sons go running trying to catch me as Dakota falls and Lil Greg stops to help his twin up.
I sigh as I leave not knowing where I’m going and for the moment I don’t care. Once I get into town I hit the bank and withdraw like twenty thousand as I wanted money so I couldn’t be found. I think for a second and decide I need a trip. I call up a former employee and ask that they buy me a plane ticket and they happily do. I make my way to the airport and go to the customer sevice area to get the ticket. I show my ID and tell them I have no bags to be loaded. They nod and tell me Gate 8.
I make my way to the plane as it taxis off. About three hours later I’m at a place I thought I wouldn’t come back to. ‘I’m home dad’ as I make my way to the Hertz Car Rental. I rent a little Fiat and drive to my dad’s grave. I get there to see that it has been well maintained. I smile knowing Aunt Ellie would always look after her brother.
I take a knee as I begin talking to my dad as if he was still alive,’Hey dad. I had to talk to you because you always gave me good advice. You were and ARE my hero. I have three babies that I wish you were here to see. Karen is my baby girl with Tiffany and then we have the twins,Greg for you and Jasmine is his mother and Dakota is from Diamond.
I always wonder if I am making you proud? I try so hard to make good decisions not for myself but my kids. I know you always put the needs of those two people I call siblings and myself before yours and mom’s needs. I wish you could give me some advice I can hear. What should I do dad? I mean I love Michelle,Travis,Mom,Tiffany,Selena and Chris, but they all betrayed me. Can I forgive them? Would you forgive them?’ At that moment like my dad answering my questions it began to rain.
Not a hard rain but a nice refreshing shower…one that seemed to wipe the pain away from me as if my dad was telling me to forgive those as I knew they loved me and I loved them. I stood there for what seemed like days, but I knew it had only been thirty minutes. I made my resolve to find a place to stay and sort things out. I head into town and rent a room. I sit there thinking how to forgive each person and what I needed to say to each. I smiled feeling a weight being lifted off me.
After a couple days the stress of the past was gone and I headed home. Once back in VA I grab my Ranger…well the family Ranger and head home. I kill the engine and glide to a stop in front of the house. I open and close the door quietly so I don’t alert anyone of my presence. I open the door to see everyone clinging to one another or crying. Batman is the first to notice me and cries while he barks at the same time. He hits me and I think he is trying to take me off my feet.
All four of my rugrats run to me,’Daddy, Uncle Heath’ they scream as I drop to a knee and hug them. My loves look at me and before I know it they have joined in.’Baby where have you been?’ asks my Latina sweetness.”Darling please don’t do that again” states Diamond with tears in her eyes. They break the hug and I try to get up, but the kids have me pinned.’Guys you have to let me up’ I state but Karen ‘s answer hits me like a freight train,’No if I let you go daddy I’m afraid you’ll leave me again. I just got to meet you and I never want to lose you again. Mommy and I cried ourselves to sleep because you left.’ I look at Tiffany and she nods telling me our daughter was telling the truth. I somehow am able to stand holding all 4 babies before I speak,’How about a family vacation?’
They all look at me with confusion and shock. I chuckle at all their expression’s when my baby girl spoke up.
“ Where we going daddy?” She asks as I look at her
“ Actually on a cruise I figure to start off.” I answer as the kids go wide eyed
“ Baby um did you hit your head the past few days while you were gone?” Diamond asks as I shake my head
“ No beautiful I didn’t so what do you all say?” I ask as they all look at one another
I look around to see the god parents talking as well as my mother and Faye who I see are getting along pretty well. I make a mental note to ask about that. Jack, Sierra, and Mandy seem to be talking things out with Adam and Michelle. Chris and Selena are discussing it as I see his right arm in a sling in which I feel bad about. Hannah comes up to Jasmine, Diamond and I as Tiffany follows. After all of my family discuss the idea Mike stands up looking at me with a serious look.
“ Heath son first off I am glad your home. Second are you really serious about all of us going on a cruise?” He asks as I smile giving a nod
“ But why Heath? Why have everyone go?” Ellie asks as I let the kids down to take Jasmine and Diamonds hands walking over to the living room in front of everyone
“ My reason is that it may help this family come together stronger. Look I have been thinking very strongly on this and have already made arrangements.” I tell them all getting shocked expressions then smiles
“ Well when do we leave for the cruise?” Nate asks with a smirk
“ In a week as we will fly down to Florida. So say 5 days until then.” I exclaim as they all smile
I look around to see the women looking at themselves before momma Faye stands up.
“ Ok ladies out to the garage we have a few days to look good in bikini’s for our men and women.” Faye says looking at my mom who is blushing
I look at my girlfriends who just shrug as Hannah giggles. I just shake what I saw out of my head before going to Chris. I look down as he sits in my chair with Selena in his lap.
“ Chris I am sorry for hurting you man. My anger got the best of me.” I say apologizing to him with all my heart
“ Heath I know as I should of never placed my hand on you, but bro you need to see you are loved. I know things have been awkward between us all, but seriously Heath you know I have your back as does our brothers Adam and Jack.” He tells me as I see Adam and Jack both nodding
“ I know and thank you as I forgive you as well Chris.” I tell him seeing a tear start to show
After that I turn to look at Tiffany as she gives me a look of concern.
“ Tiffany I am sorry for all that I said. Truth be told I don’t want you to leave. It would be like I lost you a second time in my life. Besides Jasmine and Diamond you have a part of my heart that keeps me warm. I know things happen for a reason.” I tell her getting a warm smile as she came up giving me a hug
“ Aww that is what I like to see friendship coming back together.” Ellie says as she looks over at her old friend who is my mother
After we break our hug I look over to see Michelle looking at me as if she was scared. I walk over to her as she holds onto Adam. I took a step back as mom stood up placing a hand on my right arm.
“ Heath she is scared of what you did a few nights ago.” She tells me as my eyes go wide
I look to see my sister nod before I get to one knee and carefully reaching for her hand. She cautiously places me her left hand in my right.
“ Michelle I am so sorry for what I did. Again I let my temper get away from me. Look I love you Shellie. I want my sister back since she has her brother back. Please forgive me my Shellie.” I say in a small pleading voice
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