Derrick had asked her to try and mend fences with her adoptive parents when they first got together. However, as he learned more of the story, he had stopped pushing her.
Christy had never shared everything she had gone through with anyone but Derrick. He had sat there one night and held her, as she relived the past.
Derrick had held her tightly as she told him about the beatings she had received from the mother. “All the while the father would let it go on. But there was one time he did stop her. She was using a metal wire to spank me with. It hurt so badly, she didn’t hit just my butt either, but was hitting my back with each swat. I don’t know how long it continued, but he finally held her hand before she could hit again. When she pushed me off of her, all I could see in her eyes was pure hatred. Do you know what it’s like to be hated? She had asked him.
“No I don’t baby.” He had told her and kissed her lightly on the forehead. “I don’t understand how they adopted you and then made you feel so bad.”
“You know I didn’t either it took me years to actually understand it all. Right after we had Jimmy though I got it, I understood her.” She had responded.
“How did that make you understand here?” He had asked her, curious to what she had discovered.
“Remember I told you one time that they had lost their daughter? That was the reason they were looking for a girl to adopt. It was also the reason they had decided to adopt an older child like me. When we had Jimmy, that time he got really sick, and we weren’t sure if he would make it. I felt such fear, anger and so many emotions at one time. I couldn’t imagine what it would have been like to lose him. It would have literally broken my heart into a million pieces. Now you add in the fact that they pick a child who isn’t theirs and add them to the family. How could you really love this person? When you looked at the girl you would only want to see your own child. Instead you were looking at someone who wasn’t who you really wanted. I forgave her at that moment. I still think that they made a mistake. I don’t think she was mentally prepared for another child. They should have not even adopted me in the end. However, somehow I toughed it out until I was 17. But trust me once I could I got out of there. Would I like to tell her I forgave her? Maybe one day I’ll write a letter to her and tell her. But I don’t really want to see her face to face. Because even though I forgave her, I still would love to tell her that she made a huge mistake.” Christy had explained.
She had eventually written the letter to her mother. She didn’t place a return address on the envelope. As far as she was concerned she didn’t want to talk to them ever again.
Tomorrow would be their 10 year anniversary. Christy couldn’t believe the time had passed so quickly. So much had changed in both of their lives.
Derrick had been drafted by the Miami Dolphins and was already breaking many NFL records. He had driven them into the Super Bowl his very first year. Even though they lost that first time, they had run a couple in the past years.
Christy had sold her book, and was now a real author. No more ghosts writing were in her future. With each book she wrote, she used parts of her and Derrick’s love story. They sold like hot cakes, people loved her romances.
She had laughed one night when she had walked into the bedroom to find Derrick curled up on the bed reading her latest book.
He had looked up at her and said, “Hey you have the story about how we first met in here, that’s really cool!”
Christy traveled with him to away games, they were never far apart. She swore she had fallen even more in love with him with each passing day.
Derrick walked into the kitchen, Christy was cooking pancakes. “Oh man those smell wonderful!” He came up behind her and hugged her.
“They are your favorite!”
“Yeah I love these things; I swear I could eat them every day. But imagine how much weight I would put on.
“Where are the kids?” She asked.
“I told them to hurry down to eat or I would eat all the pancakes.” Derrick laughed.
Just then the three children piled in the door. “Dad didn’t eat all the food did he?” Jimmy asked.
He was their oldest; he was the result of her donor visit. He was the spitting image of Derrick, down to the dimples on his cheeks when he smiled.
“Hey tell John to stop touching all the pancakes.” Amanda yelled. “It’s gross did you even wash your hands?” She chastised her brother.
“I’m just looking for one’s with more chocolate chips.” He had said, rubbing his hand that had been hit by his sister.
“Now kids, I can always make more, so stop it. John, just eat from the top of the pile please.” Christy asked.
Amanda was 8 and in a phase where everything was gross, especially her younger brother. John was 6; he had a wicked tendency to push his sister even at his young age.
“You know what tomorrow is darling?” Derrick asked Christy.
“Of course I do, it’s 10 years!” She laughed.
“So since I’m off for a few months, how about we take a trip somewhere to celebrate?” He asked.
“Hey do we get to go?” Jimmy asked.
“Of course we wouldn’t go anywhere without you three.” Derrick answered.
“Oh can we go to Disney Land?” Amanda asked.
“Yeah can we dad and mom?” John asked as well.
Derrick looked at Christy, “What do you think?” He asked.
“Sure why not?” She shrugged her shoulders.
She looked over her family and pride filled her very soul. All those years ago she had felt so unloved in this very situation.
THE END