Learning to Forgive (The Learning Series) Read Free Page A

looked at me. One day I decided to have some control of my life and colored my blonde hair red. I felt hidden, improved… even braver. Now that girl that stepped off that bus all those years ago is long gone… dead. Just like my brother. Just like my soul.
    I block out my inner rambling and try to concentrate on what I’m going to say to Janet. I ditched my phone long ago as well as anything or anyone to remind me of what I lost, and I ran. With any luck, she still has my stuff that was left when I took off. Maybe my job is still open. Since Mandy left me high and dry, I gotta start from scratch. Again.
    Most of all, I hope that that bitch Trudy isn’t working there anymore. She deceived my brother and dated some rich guy. Benji was so broken. Maybe she quit, dropped out of school, and married that Jax guy. Or maybe she lost her job and the guy. That would be even better, even though she deserves far worse for what she did to Benji.
    As I make my way down the street, I notice the stares I receive from everyone I pass. It’s not from the guitar slung over my shoulder or my bright red hair. I’m sure it’s from my fuck me boots and ass kissing shorts I’m wearing. That bitch Mandy took off with all my shit and only left me a few of the slut outfits we purchased for some jobs. And let's not forget that I’m braless in a white tank top. She didn’t even leave me a bra to hold up my tits, just a mere hundred dollars and a few pieces of clothes to cover my ass. I don’t know where that bitch went, but when I see her again, I’m going to go ballistic. Every time I think of her, I become more livid. Not to forget that today, I’ve had a shitty bus ride, and I’m starving. So yeah! I’m bitchy.
    “Hey, baby. Want to party with me and some friends?” Some drunk guy stumbles by my side as I make my way down the crowded sidewalk. It’s Saturday night, and the college kids are on the prowl. But this loser needs to work on his hunting skills because I am not his next target.
    “Fuck off.” I continue while passing onlookers and familiar buildings. When his arm slings around my shoulder, a familiar fear creeps in, and my heart kicks up its pace. But I remember I’m not there anymore. I’m not her anymore. “Don’t fucking touch me, you prick.” I throw his arm off.
    “Oh, come on, baby.”
    Before I can set this annoying little shit straight and tell him I’m not his or anyone’s baby, I reach Jay Jay’s parking lot and stop dead in my tracks. My eyes spot a piece of my past that I wasn’t expecting. Parked a hundred feet in front of me is Foxy, Benji’s pride and joy for the last year before he died. He saved for so long just so he could buy that ugly bike. Well, it used to be ugly. He spent all his tip money and spare time just to make it run and look good. He swore he’d get me on it one day, but I was scared to death of getting in a wreck. I told him over and over again how he’d die one day from being his usual risk-taking self on it. How wrong was I?
    Stepping closer, I see the tag still on the back, displaying its stupid name. He loved this fucking piece of junk since the day he laid eyes on it. He made it into something and always believed in the underdog. I guess because that’s what we were growing up. Plus, he hated sharing the Camry and stated I was messing with his game. So he brought home Foxy from some junkyard. But what I’m looking at isn’t the same bike I left behind.
    Instead of being dull black with chrome pipes, it’s polished with silver and red flames on the gas tank. I rub my finger along the cold metal and let what I see sink in. Something I left in Janet’s possession for safe keeping… Something that was too heavy to take with me, unlike his guitar, but means just as much or even more… Something that’s one of the last pieces of my brother I have left. Something drove here tonight by someone who’s not Benji. What the hell! I don’t know why the fuck it’s here or who