Read Online Every Shattered Thing (Come Alive) by Elora Ramirez - Free Book Online Page B

our own thoughts about what we just witnessed. I’d been wondering where Valerie disappeared to, I hadn’t seen her all year. We use to be inseparable, always over at each other’s houses. In some ways, I wasn’t surprised she found herself mixed up with my father. She was always so curious. Defiant. But underneath was a hunger for acceptance which was a target large enough for any creep to see.
    I’m so deep in thought that I almost forget Kevin walking beside me. He’s the first to speak and his voice sounds loud against the silence.
    “Should we call the police? I mean, what’s going on isn’t exactly legal and it may be what they need to put your dad behind bars for good.”
    I glance at him and for the first time, begin to comprehend what it would be like to live completely innocent of any familial dysfunction. I carefully weigh my words so I don’t lash out at him.
    “Have you ever had to hide bruises when CPS came to visit so you and your siblings wouldn’t be split up in foster care? Have you ever felt the need to lie—to protect yourself and those you love from the backlash of the truth? It’s not easy.”
    I look towards the horizon, where the sun’s rays were just now starting to greet the blackened morning sky.
    “Calling the police is the correct answer, but it’s not always the safest.”
    Kevin slows down his pace a little and glances at me.
    “What do you mean? Valerie is a minor. Your dad already has a file and has a history of dependence on alcohol and violence and abuse. You don’t think this could nail him once and for all?”
    I hesitate. I have nothing to lose, so I stop and grab Kevin’s hand so he looks at me.
    “No, Kevin. I don’t. I don’t think it will stop my father. In fact, I know it won’t.” His eyes pinch together, and I continue before he can ask a question, “It’s happened before. Valerie isn’t the first. My dad has a history of befriending my girl friends.”
    Kevin takes a step away, gape-mouthed. He swallows, rubs his hands across his face and thinks for a few seconds.
    “The cops know this? Your father has been reported? What about the parents? Did they find out?
    Stephanie...your dad is a sick bastard.”
    I laugh and turn my eyes to Kevin. “The cops know. My dad’s file is thicker than anyone’s in the county. However, you don’t book someone on a crime if you’re guilty of it yourself.”
    Kevin studies my face. “I don’t understand. Who’s guilty?”
    I hesitate again, my eyes fixed on the rising morning. Kevin reaches out and gently squeezes my hand.
    “Hello? Is anyone home? What’s going on, Stephanie?”
    And there it is. The question I can’t ignore. I take a deep breath and look away, not wanting to see his reaction.
    “My father sold me, Kevin. In order to keep the police from saying anything, he got one of his buddies in the force to accept a bribe.”
    “You were the bribe.”
    I exhale slowly. “Yeah. Five guys. It started one night when I was twelve. Most of them still leer at me when they see me walking down the street. Some smile and tip their hat as if I should be excited to see them and now all of them turn a blind eye to my father’s indiscretions.” I drop my head, focusing on a crack in the sidewalk. “My father is a sick man, Kevin—but he’s also brilliant. He’s cheating the system and he’s milking it for all it’s worth. I just never imagined that I’d be lumped in with his conquests.”
    The memories are coming full force now. The confusion, the fear, the glint of their knives pressed into my neck, the pain, the heavy breathing of the men in the dark room as they continually push and tore their way into me. The first time it happened, I stayed home the next day—too sore to do anything. My dad covered for himself, telling mom I had the flu and would probably need to be left alone in my room so she wouldn’t get sick herself. She never even came to check on me. No one did. It took about a week to fully