Chapter Twelve

1995 – The Northwoods Island City

When Erin awoke the next day, her eyes burned from crying and the etching on her chest burned. She slowly got out of bed, opened her bag and pulled out the rubbing alcohol. Lifting her shirt over her head, she then applied the antiseptic to the tattoo. I wonder if Jack’s is feeling like this too. Memories sent a flood of heat through her, memories of their bared chests while she created, Jackson’s eyes blazing into her own, and Jackson’s mouth on hers.

“Oh, my God, ” she breathed. “Jack. ”

She could feel a slow inferno building inside her. Thinking of their half-naked torsos touching was sending all sorts of warmth throughout her body. Her next thoughts were less exhilarating as they proceeded to the shouting match that ensued when she returned to the cottage. Katie had been out of control and Erin was actually a little afraid. Her mother had been irrational before, but last night was different. She was just grateful her father had walked in when he did, even if he had been disappointed in her. That was an awful feeling for Erin. He’d always been proud of her, and to have that image marred was troubling. One thing she knew, she could always talk to him and she would surely do that today.

Putting her shirt back on, she opened her door and went to use the bathroom. The couch was empty and her mother’s door was still closed. Dad must have gotten up early and gone out fishing. She walked into the bathroom and closed the door. Looking at her image in the mirror, Erin lifted her shirt to view her design from a different perspective. When the tomahawk came into view, she couldn’t help the smile that appeared on her face. She was very proud of her creation, regardless of what her mother thought.

She used the facilities and turned on the shower. Erin got into the spray and sighed as the warm water trickled down her body. As thoughts of Jackson sifted through her mind, she began to hum, smiling unconsciously as she lathered her body. The tattoo stung a little, but that subsided when she rinsed off the soap. As she grabbed the bottle of shampoo, she heard the door to the bathroom open. Her heart raced when she saw her mother’s silhouette on the other side of the shower curtain.

“Mother, I’m taking a shower. Can’t you wait? ”

When no answer came, she began hearing the strains of the string arrangement from the movie Psycho in her mind. Before another second went by, the curtain was unceremoniously pulled open, baring her naked form to her mother’s angry eyes.

“What else has she marked on you? ” Her mother began pawing at her like a crazy person. “Show me! ”

“Mother, stop it! What is the matter with you? ”

“I don’t want you near that girl! She is the devil’s spawn! ”

Not knowing how best to deal with the irrationality, Erin pushed her mother away and aimed the showerhead; the water drenched her. “Get out of here! I can’t believe you would come in here and do this! ” Erin screamed. “Look at yourself, Mother! ” When her mother didn’t move, she yelled again, “Get out! ”

Her mother gave her a glance of fury, grabbed a towel and left the bathroom. Erin quickly jumped out of the shower, locked the bathroom door, and began to cry. She sat her wet body on the toilet seat and wept into her hands. “Jesus Christ. ”

When Erin had finished her shower, she hurried from the bathroom to her bedroom. She closed the door and began to dress rapidly to prevent another examination by her mother. Disbelief for what her mother had done was still racing through her mind. When she was dressed, she dragged a comb through her wet hair, slipped on her thongs, grabbed her pack, and opened her door. Her mother was sitting at the kitchen table, unmoving. Anger bubbled inside of Erin. She desperately wanted to lash out at her mother for such an invasion of her privacy. The cowardice in her won and she opted not to say a word. She shouldered her backpack and turned toward the door.

“I’m serious, Erin, I don’t want you around her anymore. ” The voice was icy.

Erin turned to face her mother. “I’m going to hang out with Jack until I leave, Mother. If she hasn’t cast an evil spell on me in the last three weeks, one more day isn’t going to kill me. ”

They stared at each other for a long time before her mother looked away. “You’d better be home before ten tonight if you know what’s good for you. ”

“Mother, I’m going to be twenty in about three weeks. I’m a little old for a curfew. I’ll be home before midnight, as usual. I’ll confer with Dad when I see him on the docks. ”

“I’m sure you will, ” she snapped.

Erin turned abruptly and left her mother alone in their cottage. As her feet hit the grass, she spotted Jackson on the dock talking and laughing with her father. Her mood instantly brightened and her step became lighter. Erin’s stomach did a little flip at the sight of Jackson wearing only shorts and a bikini top.

The two of them waved at Erin and her anger vanished as she smiled and waved back. Jackson ran down the pier to greet her. “Hey, you, ” she called, adding a discreet wink, causing a small blush to color Erin’s cheeks.

“Hey, back. ”

Jackson noticed the red rimming around Erin’s eyes. “Hawk, what’s wrong? ”

Erin shook her head. “Not in front of my dad, okay? ” she whispered. “I’ll tell you later. ”

Jackson nodded. “Your dad wants to take us fishing since it’s your last full day here. You up for that? ”

“Yeah, Peanut. Let’s catch that elusive muskie today, whaddya say? ”

His exuberance was addictive and she couldn’t help but agree to go. “Well, what are we waiting for then? Let’s go get it! ”

The afternoon was spent in the warm sun and after an hour of fishing, the girls put their poles down and went to the tip of the boat to lie in the sun. Their bodies were side by side and their smiles toward each other were warm. Joe couldn’t help but notice the shift in their demeanor. Their heads were closer when they spoke, the tone of their voices was softer, and as they bathed in the sun, he didn’t miss the brief squeeze Erin gave Jackson’s hand. He turned and continued to fish while his mind absorbed the new information. It wasn’t a surprise, it was just different to be thinking something than to see it outright.

The dinner hour eventually arrived and Joe, as usual, took his family to Bosaki’s for dinner. Katie absolutely refused to have Jackson sit at their table for another meal and after the shower incident, Erin was not going to go to battle with her mother, so it was just the three of them. Dinner was a quiet affair, and in Erin’s eyes, it was the most peaceful time she’d shared with her mother in days.

When they returned home, Erin grabbed her sack and went toward the door. She turned to her father who was sitting on the couch. “I’ll see you before midnight, Dad, ” she said, not addressing her mother at all.

“Okay, Peanut. Have fun. ”

Without sparing her mother a glance, she left the cottage.

Jackson was waiting for Erin in the boathouse loft. When she heard footsteps getting closer, her heart began to hammer. When Erin’s red head appeared, a large smile spread over Jackson’s face.

“Hey, ” Erin greeted.

“I’ve been waiting for you forever, ” Jackson said with a pout.

“What for? ”

“So I could do this. ” Jackson pulled Erin to her and kissed her passionately. Their lips fused together and soon their tongues began to dance. A moan escaped Erin’s throat, which ratcheted up Jackson’s already insatiable desire for Erin. They stayed that way for several moments, reacquainting their mouths. They pulled away slowly and Erin was the one to breathe out in wonder.

“Wow. My God, you’re good at that. ” She giggled. “Why don’t you have a girlfriend, again? They don’t know what they’re missing. ”

“I’ve been waiting for you, ” she said seriously.

Erin met her eyes and knew she wasn’t teasing. “Wow. ”

Jackson smiled. “Your vocabulary seems to be stunted when you’re kissed properly. I’ll take that as a compliment. ” Erin lightly slapped her arm and Jackson added, “Oh, hurt me, baby. ”

Erin’s face couldn’t have been any redder, but she couldn’t stop laughing. “Jack, stop! ”

Jackson loved to tease Erin and now she had a whole other arsenal to bring into play—sexual discovery.

Erin moved away from Jackson’s grasp to sit on the blanket. Jackson plopped down across from her, lying on her side with her hand supporting her head. As Erin looked at her, her mind began to paint. Jackson had been the subject of many pictures, but this one could be her most favorite.

“Jack, will you let me draw you like that? ”

Jackson’s eyebrow rose. “You want to draw me like this. ” It was more of a statement than a question.

“Yes, with the light coming in through the window and the lighted candles, you look… simply beautiful. ”

Jackson blushed red-hot at the compliment. “What do you need me to do? ” she whispered, heaviness in her voice.

“Just stay put as long as you can and I’ll tell you what happened this morning with my mother. ”

Jackson took a deep breath. “All right, Picasso, let’s get this show on the road before my hand falls asleep. I might need it to knock your mother’s block off. ”

“Ha, ha. ” Erin’s look went from playful to serious. “You won’t like what she did, though. ”

“I’m listening. ”

Erin’s fingers flew across the page with grace and passion. As she sketched, she told Jackson about the incident in the shower and had to verbally restrain her from going after her mother.

“Jack, it’s okay, I’m fine. Lay down, so I can finish. ”

Jackson’s anger made her cheeks flush brightly. Erin didn’t comment, but it did add nice color to her picture.

“Hawk, if she ever lays a hand on you, I…I just won’t be responsible for my actions. How’s that? ”

“Thank you for coming to my defense; it means everything to me. ” She shook her head. “She’s really over the edge these days. I have no idea what pushed her over, but she’s just…gone. ”

“Maybe she needs to see someone and, I dunno, get on some medication—an antipsychotic or something. ”

“Maybe? ”

“Okay, she does. ” They shared a laugh.

When Erin was finished, she turned her sketchbook around so Jackson could see the finished work. What she saw made her eyes well up with tears. Erin obviously saw her in a way she’d never seen herself.

“Wow, Hawk, this is just…breathtaking. And the picture is nice too, ” she joked, trying to clear the tears from her eyes.

Erin had already seen her reaction and was extremely pleased. “This is how I see you, Jack. You are breathtaking to me. Sometimes when I look at you, my heart just…hurts. ”

Jackson looked deeply into her eyes. “I know that feeling all too well. ”

Erin pulled out the drawing and gave it to Jackson. “Thank you. Now I can say I knew you when, ” Jackson teased.

Erin smiled, put her sketchbook away, and looked at her watch. It was after ten o’clock. Her heart sank at the knowledge this was their last night together. She pulled some Wet Naps from her bag and wiped the ink from her fingers.

Jackson watched in amusement. “Such a tidy young woman you are. ”

After a couple of heartbeats, Erin looked squarely into Jackson’s eyes. It was unnerving for the women at first, but they soon lost their shyness at the emotions they felt radiating from each another.

“Jack…I have something else I want to give you. ” Erin swallowed nervously.

“Oh, yay, I love presents. ” Jackson sat straight up. “Gimme. ”

“It’s right here, ” Erin said softly.

Jackson’s heart began to beat wildly. Did she just say what I think she said? She swallowed hard, took a tight rein on her libido, and sought crystal clarity. “Where is it? ”

Erin pushed the tiny shirt strap off her left shoulder then repeated the motion on her right. Jackson moved closer and cupped Erin’s face. “Are you sure you want to do this? ”

Erin leaned forward and captured Jackson’s lips in a tender kiss. “Very sure. ”

Jackson returned the kiss, the gentleness of her lips causing Erin to sigh. They both leaned forward in their seated positions, then Jackson slowly rose to her knees with Erin following suit. Jackson cupped Erin’s face gently, kissing her with incredible tenderness. She reverently placed kisses on her lips, cheeks, and eyelids then moved back to her mouth.

Erin felt like she was being worshipped and her body was responding in a way that was totally unfamiliar to her. She could feel the arousal building between her legs and she was only kissing Jackson. She wasn’t sure if she could handle much more.

Jackson used her weight to pull Erin toward her. “Come here. Let’s lie down. ”

Jackson’s hands were shaking, Erin noticed, and she looked into Jackson’s eyes. “I’m so glad you’re nervous too. ”

“I am. I’m still waiting to wake up. ”

Erin kissed her gently then lay down and looked up at Jackson’s smoldering eyes. “I promise I’m not a dream. ”

“You are to me. ” Jackson moved to lie on top of Erin. Erin’s hands found their way into Jackson’s hair and grasped it gently. Jackson leaned up and stared down into her blue eyes. “I love you, Hawk…more than I can ever say. ”

“Then show me, ” Erin whispered, and Jackson soon possessed her mouth with her lips and tongue.

Their bodies were on fire. Jackson’s hands were everywhere at once, and Erin was whimpering with desire. Jack raised Erin’s shirt and gently traced lines on her stomach with her fingertips. Erin’s stomach shook with fevered tremors. When she felt the first tentative touch on her breast, Erin grasped Jackson tightly. Both women sighed.

Jackson lifted Erin’s shirt as high as she could, until Erin offered to remove it all together. While Erin took off her watch, shirt, and bra, Jackson did the same then pressed their bodies together. The intimate contact made them both exhale sharply and press more tightly together. Jackson opened her eyes to see Erin’s closed in rapture. It was a beautiful sight. Looking down, she saw that their tattoos were touching.

“Look, they touch when our bodies are together. This bonds us completely, Hawk. ”

Erin smiled at the sentiment and reached up to caress Jackson’s soft cheek. “I love you, Jack. ” Putting her hand behind Jackson’s neck, she pulled her down to kiss her with all the love in her heart.

The passion took Jackson by surprise and she moaned into Erin’s mouth. Jackson’s kisses moved down her jawline to Erin’s throat. She blazed a trail of hot kisses down her throat to the swell of her left breast. She reverently kissed the tinted skin, then moved lower to pull Erin’s nipple into her mouth. She moaned at the texture of the pebbled flesh against her tongue. Erin’s body began to move against Jackson’s, her center wet with desire.

Jackson moved her hand down to Erin’s shorts then further to her thigh and back up. She left her hand at the apex of Erin’s legs and added a little pressure with the heel of her palm. Erin moved against the hand, throaty moans escaping her mouth. Erin grasped Jackson’s upper back and tugged her tighter against her body. Jackson ground her hips onto Erin’s thigh, causing her own moan to slip from her lips.

With a flick of her hand, Jackson opened the button on Erin’s shorts and deftly slid her hand inside. Her caress touched dampness, and she smiled at Erin’s arousal. Reaching beneath the undergarment, she found the flesh she’d been craving for so many years, wet and waiting for her. For me. Jackson stroked the engorged flesh, lightly touching the area around Erin’s entrance. Erin’s body jerked up, encouraging the exploring fingers.

Her fingers were relentless with their teasing and Erin soon found herself begging Jackson to make contact. “Please, Jack, please…touch me. ”

Without pause, Jackson moved her fingers to Erin’s enlarged clitoris and began to lightly stroke all around it. Jackson’s eyes closed at the intense feelings. Never in her life had she imagined she’d ever make love to Erin, despite how desperately she wanted it to happen. Erin’s passionate moans made her aware of just how real this was. Jackson’s fingers concentrated on the inflamed flesh and soon felt the tremblings of Erin’s impending orgasm. Erin’s body began to writhe uncontrollably and her panting became louder. As her passion hit its zenith, Erin’s body shook against Jackson and grasped her arm as it continued to dictate her every move.

Jackson moved up to kiss Erin and smooth the damp hair from her face. The touch against Erin’s skin became feather-light and soon she simply palmed her hand against the wet flesh.

Jackson and Erin were so engrossed in their lovemaking that neither heard the footsteps climbing the ladder, the sharp intake of breath, and the feet of the intruder beating a quick retreat. They continued to kiss as they reveled in the aftermath of one of the most beautiful experiences of their young lives. Erin kissed Jackson passionately, but soon couldn’t catch her breath.

“Wow, ” she breathed at a twinkle-eyed Jackson. “That was wonderful, Jack. I always knew you’d be a passionate lover to whomever was lucky enough to love you. ”

Jackson tried her best Dirty Harry impersonation. “Are you feeling lucky, punk? ”

“I am your lucky punk. ” She wiped Jackson’s sweaty brow.

“Yes, you are. ” Jackson traced Erin’s eyebrows, cheekbones, anything she could get her hands on.

“I’m really sorry to do this, but what time is it? ”

Jackson reached over and grabbed Erin’s watch and instantly grimaced. “Oh, shit. ”

Erin sat up abruptly. Jackson handed her the watch that showed fifteen minutes past midnight. “Shit, Jack, I gotta get back before my mother comes looking for me. I know she will. ”

“Okay, okay. Let’s get dressed and I’ll take you back. ”

“No, I gotta run. ” Erin looked at her harried expression and she kissed her to soften the abrupt exit. “I’m so sorry for leaving without um…you know. ” She blushed and looked down.

“Don’t worry about me. I think I did already anyway. ” It was her turn to blush.

“Without me actually…” She gestured toward Jackson’s body. “Wow. ”

“I love that you are so tongue-tied, Hawk. Come on, you gotta get out of here. ”

Erin dressed quickly and put her watch on, then gathered her sack and kissed Jackson goodbye. She flew down the ladder and ran out of the boathouse, Jackson close behind her. After a quick wave to Erin, she hightailed it home.

Erin ran past the pier, coming to a sudden stop when she heard, “Hey, Peanut, ” from the dock chairs. She looked around quickly, a flash of panic racing through her. Once she realized where the voice had come from, she breathed a sigh of semi-relief.

“Dad? What are you doing out here? ”

“Looking for you. Come here for a minute. ”

His voice held a tone she wasn’t familiar with and it worried her. She walked out on the pier and sat in the chair next to her father. He was silent for a few minutes.

“Your mother was ready to come out searching for you. She was pretty angry you’d stayed out later than you promised. ” He turned to face her. “I’m so glad it was me instead of her that saw you with Jackson in the loft. ”

Erin’s cheeks flared red and her heart skipped a beat. “When were you in the loft? ” Erin hoped against all hope it wasn’t when she thought it was.

“At the worst time a father could ever walk in on his daughter. ”

Erin’s eyes welled with tears. “Oh, Dad…” She buried her face in her hands and cried. “I’m so sorry, ” she choked out. “Does Mom know? ” she said after a few moments. “Did you tell her you saw us? ”

“Some people might think I seem a little odd, but I am not suicidal. I wouldn’t put it past your mother to kill the messenger. ”

Erin sighed in relief. “She’s really going to go through the roof about Jackson after this. ”

“You can’t tell your mother about this, Erin. As much as I like Jack, and you know I do, this would throw her over the edge and I’m not sure even I could handle her. ”

Erin’s tears were flowing hard. “But, Daddy, I love Jack. ”

He wrapped his arms around his daughter in deep sympathy. “I know, honey, I know. I’m just afraid for you, Peanut, I really am. Your mother isn’t balanced and I don’t know what she’d do if she found out about this. ”

Erin squeezed her father tighter. “What do I do, Dad? ” She was almost hysterical. “I can’t imagine my life without her. God, she means everything to me. ”

Joe pulled back and cupped his daughter’s face. “Sweetheart, I can’t make this decision for you. I know this is huge, but so is the situation. Just think about it with all of your heart and you’ll make the right decision for you and everyone around you. ”

He kissed the top of her head. The action, so reminiscent of Jackson, made her cry even harder. “I never meant for you to see me like that. I’m so sorry, Dad. ” Fresh tears ran down her face. They were wiped away by warm, callused thumbs.

“Peanut, a father never wants to see his daughter in any intimate situation, and really doesn’t expect to see her with another woman, but I know you’re sorry. I know this embarrassment will be tricky for both of us to get past. We will get past it, though, I promise you, ” he said reassuringly. “I’ve thought for a while that there might be something between you two, and after today in the boat, I was pretty sure I was right. That’s not to say I’m used to the idea or happy with what has transpired, but it’s just not surprising to me. We’ll get through it, ” he looked into her eyes, “no matter what you decide, okay? ”

“I’m sorry I disappointed you. Your opinion means so much to me. I’m sorry I didn’t talk to you and Mom about my tattoo. It just came to me last night when I was looking out over the water, then I just did it. ”

“Sometimes impulsive decisions can be very disruptive, though. Just make sure you think things through before you act on them, okay? ” He kissed the side of her face.

“Thank you, Daddy. I love you so much. ” She hugged him again.

“I love you, too, Peanut. Let’s go in before your mother calls the forest ranger or nine-one-one. ”

Erin held her father’s hand, grateful for his calm. He thought communication was the key to any situation. She knew he was angry, but he had a way of expressing it that made her think about things. It was a wonderful trait that had skipped her mother completely.

Father and daughter walked into the cottage together. Katie was on the couch waiting for them. “You’re lucky I didn’t call the authorities to come look for you, young lady. Where were you? Oh, wait. ” She stopped Erin before she could answer. “Don’t tell me. You were with Jackson, ” she said snidely.

“Katie, don’t start. I found Erin and Jack on the pier saying goodbye to the lake, ” he lied. “She was almost on her way in. ”

Katie looked from her husband to her daughter. “I don’t know which one of you is worse. ”

“Mother, we’re leaving tomorrow. Is it really such a big deal? ”

“Yes! You said you’d be here and you weren’t. That sounds like deceit to me. You’ve gotten really good at that. I’m sure it’s just another lovely attribute you picked up from dear old Jack. ”

“Katie, we’re done with this. I want a peaceful night’s sleep before I have to drive six hours, ” he directed sternly. “I don’t want to hear about this crap in the car, either. We are leaving tomorrow. Let it go. ”

Katie shook her head and stormed off to bed without a goodnight to either of them.

“Thank you, Dad, ” Erin whispered.

“In all my years of marriage, I have never lied to my wife before tonight. ”

That statement hit Erin hard.

“I don’t really want to do it again. ”

“Dad…”

“I don’t want to talk about this night again, Erin. Ever. ”

“Okay, Dad. I promise. ” He leaned over and kissed her cheek and went to bed, leaving her alone with too many thoughts to process.

She walked slowly to her room and closed the door. Flopping down on her mattress, she put her hands behind her head and stared at the ceiling. Images of Jackson floated through her mind like a warm, exotic hallucination. Their assignation felt like a dream. Images of how her mother would react to their pairing came into view, causing her stomach to churn. All the small details of her mother’s verbal abuse were crashing down on her—the nasty comments, the brutal deconstruction of Jackson and her aunt, and the irrational behavior in the shower. The vivid recollections distressed her immensely. Would her mother ever accept their relationship? Would she ever accept Jackson as part of their family? Would she be able to say her name without the venom that dripped with each syllable?

Erin rolled on her side, not knowing what to do. I finally follow my heart only to have her put up a blockade the size of the Great Wall. Do I possibly blast through to the other side, or do I just sit here afraid of what she’ll do to our family? Tears welled in her eyes and spilled over down her face. She knew that whatever she decided, the results would stay with her forever.

The morning sunshine was cruel to Erin’s unrested eyes. She’d packed her bags and loaded them in the car before her parents were up. Checkout time was nine o’clock and it was coming far too fast. Her parents woke to find her sitting at the table, staring out the window in deep thought.

“Good morning, Peanut. ” Her father smiled at her. Seeing her eyes, he knew she’d had a very sleepless night.

“I’m gonna go find Jack and say goodbye, okay? ” she said, knowing he wouldn’t understand the impact of those words.

“Okay. Your stuff all ready to go? ”

“It’s in the car already, so I’ll be ready when you are. ”

He leaned to kiss her cheek as she stood. “Tell Jack goodbye for me. ”

“I will. ” She didn’t even acknowledge her mother’s presence.

With a heavy heart, Erin left the cottage in search of the one person in her life who made sense to her in every way. She found her giving a small child an inner tube from the boathouse.

When Jackson’s eyes met Erin’s, she instantly knew something was wrong. “Hawk, what is it? ”

Erin shook her head. “Not here. ” She motioned to the loft. “Can we go up? ” With a nod of her head, Jackson led the way.

Up in the loft, Jackson’s stance was tense as she waited anxiously for Erin’s news. Erin’s back was to her but she could tell she was crying. “Hawk, honey…” She touched her shoulder, and Erin recoiled at the contact. Jackson immediately pulled back.

Erin turned around, tears falling freely down her face. “I can’t…” She took a deep breath and started again. “I can’t see you anymore, Jack. ”

Jackson’s eyes went wide with confusion and hurt. “What? What are you talking about? Did I do something? ”

“My mother knows about us. She came up here last night while we were making love, ” she lied.

Jackson’s mouth shaped into an O. She realized there was no way she would’ve heard anyone while she was making love to Erin. She was so focused she was oblivious to anything else.

“I’m not strong enough to handle her, Jack. I’m just not, ” she cried. “Not even my father can control her anymore. I can’t do this to him. ”

Jackson’s face fell. As she realized Erin was trying to make peace between her parents for her father’s sake, any hope she had of changing Erin’s mind was gone.

“She’d never accept us as a couple. Hell, she doesn’t even want me to be friends with you. ” Erin’s voice was nasal, filled with emotion and tears.

“Hawk, you’re almost twenty years old. Can’t you just move out or…I don’t know—get away from her somehow? ” Jackson was becoming more desperate with each second that passed.

“Jack, you know I can’t. She’d make my dad stop paying for school. She’d damage my relationship with him. I can’t do that to him. I just can’t. ”

She was sobbing, each tear shattering Jackson’s heart into a million pieces.

Jackson opened her arms and Erin instantly fell into the offer of comfort. She wept harder than she knew possible, her sobs choking the breath from her. Erin knew she needed to leave Jackson, but it was killing her to even think about moving. With strength she didn’t know she had, she kissed Jackson with everything she could possibly give to her to show her the love in her heart.

Jackson kissed her back, a kiss filled with pain and sadness. They pulled apart and Jackson’s strained voice asked, “Can I call you at least? ”

Erin shook her head almost violently. “No. You can’t. Please don’t call or write to me anymore, Jack. It’ll be too hard. ”

With those final words, Erin fled down the ladder, out of the boathouse and out of Jackson’s life. Heart shattered, Jackson blindly climbed down the rungs of the ladder. She watched as Erin reached the car. She could see her crying, but was helpless to stop her tears. Her own tears would come later.

Katie came out just as Erin flew past her, tears streaming down her face. A brief look of confusion flashed over her face, until she saw Jackson staring numbly at Erin, now seated in the car. With a sneer of victory, she walked over to Jackson.

Only just resisting the urge to slap the woman, Jackson’s anger spilled into her voice. “Well, I guess you finally got what you wanted. ”

“Yes, I did. ”

“Have you asked yourself if Erin is getting what she wants? ”

“She doesn’t know what she wants, ” her mother spat maliciously.

“She is almost twenty years old, isn’t it for her to decide? ”

“She’s too young to make decisions like that”

Jackson shoved down the swelling need to rant. “I’d have to disagree with you there. ”

“Well, I guess it’s good that your vote doesn’t count then. ”

“To Erin it does. ”

“Like I said, you don’t count anymore. Do us all a favor, Jackson, and stay away from my family. ” The implied threat was not an empty one.

“You know this isn’t over. One day Erin is gonna get tired of your bullshit and then where will that leave you? ”

“We’ll just have to see. Right now, I have my daughter attending a prestigious art school and soon she’ll be finding a wonderful man to share her life with. I’d say that leaves me pretty happy. ”

“I’d say delusional, but you say tomato…”

“Goodbye, Jackson. ” Erin’s mother turned toward the car.

“See you later, Katie. ”

Jackson’s arms were folded over her chest, almost as if she felt she could hold the rage and hurt inside. As the car pulled out of the lot, a part of her died, and she wasn’t at all sure that she would ever feel alive again.

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