Spoiled Secrets (29 page)

Epilogue

              Amber has been in the mirror all morning obsessing over her face.  Every time she points out her black eye, busted lip, bruised cheek or bruised neck, I smile and place a gentle kiss on every mentioned body part then walk away. 

              She has never been as beautiful to me as she is in this moment.  It’s not that I’m a sadist or anything of that sort.  For every imperfection that she sees when she looks in the mirror, I see pure strength and determination. For me, there is no bigger turn on, she’s perfection.  I see a woman that knows herself.  I see a person who will not cower in the face of an oppressor…I see a survivor!

              I’m proud to call her my woman.  Most people in her same shoes would give up.  They would give up on themselves and the situation, but not her, she fought through it.  At the lowest point in her life when he tried to strip her of every ounce of her dignity, she fought…she came back for me. 
Damn, I love her!

              We’ve gotten reports that her father is currently in ICU.  When I say, he was thoroughly fucked I wasn’t joking.  Amber, broke his jaw, his arm and a couple ribs.  Unknown to me at the time, the paramedics were working on him because he couldn’t get enough air due to a collapsed lung.  Yeah, she worked him over pretty good!  My beating on top of all of that…I’m surprised he’s still around.

              It turned out that Mrs. Wallace is good friends with the judge. She was told that we had nothing to worry about.  We were not charged for the beating we served him, that was most defiantly justified.  We have it on good authority that Mr. Wallace will be serving a lengthy sentence. 

              When we whispered those freeing words to each other yesterday, “
It’s over!”…
actually, I need to do one more thing before I can close the chapter on this part of our lives.  Believe me, I’m leaving the past in the past, but I am determined to begin our future on the right foot. 

              I take a few minutes to look behind me to locate Amber.  She’s a beautiful sight to behold.  She’s clad in her gold graduation gown staring right at me.  I mouthed to her,
I – Love – You
.  She blows me a kiss as my row of graduates are called to the stage to receive our diplomas.

              As I reach for my diploma from Mr. White, he winks at me.  This night is unfolding as planned.  I return to my seat with diploma in hand, I take a moment to wonder how our lives will be once we arrive in Atlanta.  Amber and I will be straight that’s for sure, it’s our crazy ass friends that we will have to keep an eye on.  Is it bad to say, that I can’t wait to see what troubles they will get into?

              I am brought back from my thoughts as the last row of students prepare to head for the stage.  Being at the far end of the alphabet, Amber is the last of our graduating class.  I excuse myself as I stand up and shuffle out of the row.  My fellow graduates have begun to whisper and point in my direction, no doubt, wondering what I’m up too.

              I reach the stage as Amber moves forward to receive her diploma.  I’m given a microphone as I walk up the steps as Mr. White shakes her hand and presents her with her diploma.  As she turns, she notices me and stops in the center of the stage.  She’s looking confused, she actually turns to look behind her, as if I’m on the stage for anyone other than her. 
Come on Babe!

             
I walk up to her, kiss her on the lips which causes the crowd to go wild.  They whistle and cheer us on, but I’m not doing this for their entertainment, it’s all for her. She’s been through pure hell, my girl deserves the enchanted fairytale ending. I proceed to kneel on one knee.  Her right hand goes up to cover her mouth as I grab hold of her left. 

              “Chase?”  I smile up at her.

              “Amber, we’ve been through a lot.  We have been tried and tested by the worst situations imaginable and we have managed somehow to land on our feet.  I would not have thought in a million years that I would ever be on bended knees staring up at the most exquisite angel, gathering my nerves to ask you to have mercy on me.  I can honestly say, I will not love another the way I love you.  Most people find it hard to locate or hold on to the person they love, thank GOD I don’t have that problem.  I have been blessed with an overabundance of this miracle we call, love.  My cup was already full with the love I have for my mother and Peanut.  Truly, my cup has overrunneth, because I was blessed with loving you.” 

              I’m looking into eyes that are overflowing with tears…finally, we have been blessed with happy tears.  I kiss her left hand and reach into my pants to retrieve the ring I bought for her. My mother and Peanut helped me pick it out a few weeks ago.  Her hand is shaking as I slide the engagement ring on her ring finger.

              “Amber, you are my world, the air I need to breathe, would you do me the honor of marrying me?”

              “Yes!”  She squeals her answer.  I have just enough time to stand as she flings herself against me. 

              Cheers erupt in the auditorium and graduation hats are thrown.  It’s time to leave the past in past and move towards our happily ever after.

              I whisper in her ear.  “You better plan this wedding pretty fast.  I plan on making you my wife within the next few weeks.” 

              “What…are you kidding?” 

              “Amber, I want you!  If I could, I would run to the courthouse today and marry you.  I thought I could wait until after we got finished with college, but after really looking at our situation we’re practically married now.  Plus, mom couldn’t say anything about us sleeping together if we’re married.”  I smile wickedly at her.

              She kisses me hard and laughs.  “How’s the backyard at the new house?”

              I’m confused about why she would change the subject when we were talking about marriage.  “It’s pretty big, why?”

              She graces me with the most beautiful smile.  “How about a back yard wedding?”  She holds up four fingers.  “In four weeks.” 

              I pick her up and swing her around.  “I can’t wait!”

About the Author

              My philosophy is, “You only have one life, so why waste it.”  I don’t live by the old code of,
should of
…
could of
…
would of
.  I live by the code of, “I can do that!”  I will be honest with you and admit, this small declaration has gotten me into some peculiar situations. 

              The older I’ve become the more I realize that I am the master of my universe.  I have decided that if I want to do something….
Damn You
, I’m going to do it!  What’s life if you’re not living it to the fullest?  I don’t want to sit back when I get old and say,
I always wanted to do that honey
.  Life is about experiencing, loving and enjoying different things. 

              I plan to live my life to the fullest.  I plan to dream and achieve every goal I place in front of me.  I don’t know if writing books is what GOD has planned for me, but what I do know is that I woke up and said I would love to write three books.  I have written my fist little novella about my life and all the craziness that follows me (it’s all true) “It’s my life & I’m living it!” is the name of my novella.  I did not know how many people would read it.  I was banking on my immediate family and that’s about it, yet, I was surprised at the number of sales I received. Especially, since it was a trial run for me. 

              Even though I said I wanted to write, I didn’t know that I had it within myself to actually sit for hours, putting thought to paper.  Wow!  I actually surprised myself upon completion of the novella.  Now for the truth, was the novella a true depiction of me putting my best foot forward?  No!  HELL, NO!  But, I still made an effort and I was true to myself.  The novella was the catalyst for me to embark on the next journey in my life.  I’ve learned a lot about myself throughout this whole process. 

              I’ve learned that, if this is what I want to do I better develop some thick skin because some people can really shit on your achievements.   Yes, I understand that some people might not get my work or dislike it altogether.  But, please take into consideration the time and effort it takes to actually put thought to paper.  It’s tuff people!  All I ask is, if a review is negative, its okay, I wholeheartedly accept constructive criticism.  I’m new to this writing thing and the good and bad helps all writers become better.  But, the nasty comments…
please, I beg you, don’t slay me.
The nasty comments hurt…just a little.

              Spoiled Secrets, is my second book and I hope you enjoy it.  It’s a story that hits close to home for me.  I would like to thank you for taking the time to read my work and spending your hard earned money on my book….you could have had a number six at any fast food restaurant, instead you decided to purchase my book. I thank you for taking the time to support me, an unknown author.  I would really appreciate it if you can leave a review on,
www.Amazon.com
.  If you would like to contact me you can email me at,
[email protected]
.

              Don’t forget to tell your friends about my book!