Gifts

Chapter 4 – Free Yourself–1

“I’m just saying,” Janeen says, shrugging as she slides an omelet out onto a plate. “It’s a red flag when a guy doesn’t want to meet her friends and family. I mean, who even is this Daniel guy, anyway?”

I stop dead on the stairs hearing these words, just three steps away from the kitchen. I stay still, hoping to hear what Janeen and dad really think.

“I’m just saying,” dad says, shrugging in his chair at the table. “I think you should trust Fay a little more. She’s a clever girl.” He turns and looks directly at me. “Aren’t you, kid?”

I scowl, embarrassed to be caught eavesdropping. I take the final steps down into the kitchen and give dad a kiss on the cheek, sitting down in the chair next to him. “I’m smart, but I’m not a kid anymore. Time to update the nickname.”

“Never,” he says, smiling at me. “You’re my kiddo forever.”

Janeen brings me a plate of eggs, patting me on the head. Even though we’re not related by blood, she treats me just as any condescending big sister would. I came to live with David and Janeen when David married my mom.

Even after mom died in her car accident only two years after the wedding, David never gave me any reason to think of him as anything besides my dad. I love him just as much as any blood relation. I have no memories of my biological dad and no idea

where he is.

– Free Yourself–2

Daniel is a great guy.” He looks at me, then, a little pity in his eyes. “Like she says,

tears of mirth. “I just want more for our Fay baby! You deserve passion in your relationship, as well as respect

happy,” I murmur, finishing my eggs as quick as

Janeen says, reaching out and taking my hand. I can tell that she’s trying to make amends. “I’m not working tonight, and we can go have some fun! We’ll get free drinks and

has been a night owl, working at various clubs as a stripper. Not cheap sleezy places, either, but really high–end ones where they respect her work as a kind of art. She’s very talented, and she makes a

flowing.” She dances in her chair, showing us some of her moves, ending with a sexy flick

laugh. Janeen has such an effervescent personality, it’s hard not to want to go wherever she’s going. “I’ll think

mine. “You work way too much.

into

stopping Janeen from doing precisely what she wants, so why not go

smile at the memory, grateful, again, for such

in touch with my body and my instincts. My cheeks grow red

his dirty deeds, but the sites I’m looking show him standing in front of a tech company in Silicon Valley, calling

lists positive reviews of his many businesses, with employees suggesting that he’s a great boss.

it as I look through these results, trying to match it with that ruthless man I met in the prison

looking at?” Janeen says, flopping onto the couch and

I say, snatching at it. “Janeen, give it

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