Let Me Love You
Chapter One
Haley:
I began to shiver uncontrollably as
the icy wind whipped across my face. I rested my head on the
tombstone as I let the last of the tears fall from my eyes.
I’ve cried all of the tears that my body would allow.
Letting out a deep sigh, I looked around the graveyard, noticing
that the air and atmosphere matched my mood on today. Cold and
uninviting. Even though he always said that this moment should be
a celebration, there wasn’t anything joyous about this
occasion. There was nothing and no one left for me now.
Tommy was the best guy I have ever
had the pleasure of knowing. We met when my mother left me for
dead eight years ago. She dropped me off at the park one
afternoon and told me she would be back at two o’clock
sharp – but she never returned. I was only ten at the time
and something told me that reasoning for leaving me was because
the man she loved hated children. He would always act different
towards my mother when I came around. From that day forward, I
vowed to never let a man have that type of control over me the
way he did over my mom.
Though Tommy was different from
every other guys I’ve came across, he respected that my
wall was built of the strongest brick and guarded by the fiercest
monster. That didn’t stop him from entering my life,
surprisingly. He was like a breath of fresh air in a dark,
polluted environment. He found me the night of my abandonment,
hungry and looking like someone’s lost pet, and begged his
mother to take me home with them. She reluctantly agreed and we
all rode silently to their mansion. Ms. Rose Jones soon became
the mother that I knew God had meant to give me. She took care of
us like it was her life’s only duty.
Everything was perfect for Tommy
and me until the day Mrs. Rose died unexpectedly. Our whole life
turned upside down. We were only fourteen. We had no source of
income and none of Ms. Rose’s money could be given to us,
so the house foreclosed and we were forced to live on the
streets.
Those streets of Houston were our
only source of livelihood. We did everything, from pick pocketing
to scavenging for food. Every dime Tommy came across, he saved
for me. He wanted me to go to college and better myself. He
always told me that I did not have to be a product of my
unfortunate series of events and that, despite every obstacle; I
could go on to become someone important.
Sadly, the funeral only consisted
of me and the lifeless corpse that was once inhabited by his
carefree and vibrant spirit. I didn’t have any contact with
the Jones’ family and friends to tell them the tragic news.
Honestly, I don’t even think I wanted to share this day
with anyone else.
Sitting on the muddy ground, I
opened up the crumpled piece of paper that Tommy had given me on
that fatal night. I hesitated reading it, at first, because that
would mean that the inevitable had happened. I couldn’t
bring myself to acknowledge that he would never be by my side
again.
Haley--
I know that if you’re
reading this, I’m already dead and gone. I apologize that I
can’t be there to protect you anymore. I know you’re
feeling alone right now, but don’t you know that I always
have and always will have your back? With that said, I have saved
up $2,000 for you. I want you to go and get on a plane to Los
Angeles. I have a cousin there who owes me. His name is
Zayn. He will take care of you. You don’t have to worry
about a thing. He knows all about you.
Take Care, Haley. I love
you.
-Tommy.
