Karma Bites Read Free Page A

know if she has anything to hide, I’m not going to find it there. The bed is my first destination. I know it seems silly, but maybe there’s something underneath. I mean, it’s not like I’m ever under her bed for any reason.
    There are a couple boxes beneath, so I yank them out. Let me tell you, it’s not easy to look through them quickly while trying not to disturb anything. The first one is filled with old clothes of hers. I go through the stacks and don’t find anything between, so I push it back under.
    For a second, I stop. Listen. No sound except my own pulse thrumming in my ears.
    I open the second box and start picking through it. My baby stuff: old bibs, shot record, drawings. A minute later that box is closed and pushed under the bed with the first one.
    My heart is going to break through my chest at any minute, but I keep going. Now that I’m here, all those unanswered questions are fueling me, pushing me forward even though I could be caught any minute.
    I jerk open her closet door. I shove clothes aside, scanning shelves with my eyes, before walking around in a little circle. There has to be something! Why isn’t there anything? I see another stack of boxes in the corner. I push them out of the way, and that’s when I see the small lockbox.
    This time, my heart stops. I know this is it. I know there is something inside she doesn’t want me to see. Her birthday is the first code I try. Nothing. I try mine. Still nothing. I know I don’t have much time, but no other numbers are popping into my head. Without much else to go on, I try the first six number of my social security number. Then the last numbers, and the box springs open.
    Don’t do this, Abbs. You’re going to break her heart. But I don’t stop. What about my heart? It’s been broken for years.
    My baby book rests on top. My fingers shake as I open it, knowing there has to be a reason this book isn’t in the box with the rest of my stuff. It’s the usual stuff in the front, weight, length, time and place I was born. Nothing new there.
    I listen again, but still hear nothing.
    My fingers flip through the pages and a piece of paper falls out. It’s old, I can tell. I can hardly open it my hands are quivering so badly.
    Patricia, it starts out. I don’t know how, but I know this letter is from my dad.

    I wasn’t sure how else to reach you, but we need to talk. You can’t let your parents come between us. I love you, Red, and I want a life with you. With the three of us. Yes, I know you’re pregnant, though I don’t understand why you haven’t told me. Don’t you know I will love our child just as much as I love you?

    Tears leak from my eyes, one after another, playing follow the leader down my face. He loved me. He never met me, but he loved me.

    I want to take you away. The three of us, somewhere, anywhere, just as long as it’s only us. We can start our family. You’re eighteen, sweet one. There’s nothing they can do. Let me love you. Let me love you and our beautiful child away from the people who want to tear us apart. Meet me tonight whenever you can get away. I will wait for you. You know the place.
    All my love,
    C

    The letter is ripped from my hand. I whirl around, my eyes stinging with tears. “Give it back!” There is nothing in the world I want more than that letter right now.
    “What the hell are you doing, Abigail Cristen?” She’s huffing, she’s so angry, but I don’t care. Her anger has nothing on mine.
    “Isn’t it obvious? I’m looking for answers you won’t give! I want the letter back. It’s from my dad.” My dad, my dad, my dad.
    She turns to walk away, but I step out of the closet to follow her. “I want it. I need it. Can’t you stop being so selfish for one minute?”
    Her face pales. I feel as if I slapped her. It takes her a minute to reply, and when she does, her chin quivers. “I’m selfish? You’re the one snooping through my things, looking for information I keep from you for a