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“Kinley! Baby!” she called out when she sawtoward her “Come dance!”

“Where’s your clothes, Mom?”

“Is this your daughter?” so me off further This must have been his idea

“Yes! Isn’t she stunning?! My beautiful baby!”

I grabbed her jeans and shirt off the ground—she was only wearing her bra and panties “Moain if you don’t—”

“You’re such a party pooper! We were just swi with us!”

It was only then I noticed her guy for the night wasn’t wearing anything but his boxers Shoving her clothes onto her chest, I deo”

“No! I’o I’ll be home later”

“No, you’ll be home now You can’t—”

“I’m the adult, Kinley You can’t boss me around”

“Then act like one for once!”

“Your kid is a drag,” the random man chimed in “I’m outta here”

“Good! Fucking leave! You have no business with her! Did you know she’s on parole—”

She pushed

“Fuck you, Kinley! Get outta here! You’re the one who has no business being here!”

I wasn’t surprised by her harsh words This wasn’t the first or last tiot like this It was hard enough to get through to her when she wasn’t drinking Alcohol added to the endless problem that was my mother

“Mo your meds—”

Before I could finish my sentence, she backhanded me across the face so hard I instantly saw stars I wish I could tell you this was the first time she’d laid her hands on et she’d hit me at all

My hand iainstblood, and it was only then she realized what she had just done

Slowly, she backed away from me ide eyes “Kinley, I’m so sor—”

“You alright, sweetness?”

My stare shot up, locking eyes with the guy I least expected Once again he’d saved me, except this time it was from my memories

—Christian—