Not Without You

ese were the people he had grown up with, those he'd come to respect and even love. They were also the on

ion for as long as he could remember. But tonight, surrounded by the laughter a

scarded plastics and recycling them for coins. Jack never knew his parents. His only family was Grandma Grace and the old stories she told him about love

red if he'd been abandoned because he wasn't worth loving. And yet, Grandma Grace had once told him the fu

her story came

She had no family of her own and no one to turn to, so she'd returned to the old farm she'd inherited from

andma Grace had nearly dropped her suitcase in shock. Why would a wealthy woman be giving birth, alone, on a farm?

ust once. With a shaky breath, she whispered, "Call him Jack...

ace is the Mason family heirloom," she murmured weakly. "My name is Rita Mason. I'm the only daughter of the Mas

rom a family that had betrayed her, and the story of how she was nearly killed by her personal

ita whispered, clutching her son's tiny ha

n, where they could live quietly and away from any lingering threat. She'd held on to Rita Mason's credit card and ID, but fear had kept he

, sensed that there was more to his life than he knew. His grandmother's guarded nature, the whispers

. After all, if he'd been truly loved, would he have been lef

ght, and soon enough, his world would

re them, to block out the mocking voices, but the sting of humiliation cut too deep. He took a deep breath, then stood

?" he asked, his voice

bring her here for a celebration. He wanted to see her smile, wanted to make her happy. But instead, they'd run into old classmates-the same ones who'd made his life miserable in school, mo

he said softly, but the words stung. "I'm not leaving with

ended on Lucy in so many ways; she was his one refuge from the world's cruelty, his anc

to hear. "The hood rat's been told to leave! You really can't take a hint, can you, Jac

you for real? You're really not coming?" His voice softened. "I sti

hest felt tight. Was she tired of being known as "the hood rat's girlfriend"? Had she grown ashamed

y bottles-maybe make a little something for Grandma Grace." He leaned forward, a cruel smile curling his lips. "I mean, I'm not heartless. You know you do not

at them. But he knew it wouldn't make a difference, after all, he was a poor child and a hood rat who had a poor grandmother who could barely protect herself. Th

ok up, that something might change in her face. But Lucy kept her eyes averted, the distance between them growing unbeara

etrayal. The stars above the Homestead Cooking Hut seemed dimmer tonight, and the streets felt lonelier than ever. He walked, his footsteps ec

old night air stung his face, but it was nothing compared to the ache in his chest. He had spent so many days saving up for Lucy'

tions. Maybe he had been foolish to believe Lucy would ever look at him as more than just "the hood rat." Ma

a cold, hard resolve. He stood outside for a moment, looking at t

toward the door, an uneasy feeling settling in her stomach. Maybe, she realized, she'd just made the biggest

n having a conversation with Grandma Grace, he quickly adjusted

ace asked, as she looked behind Jack hoping to

ys, Jack chimed in. Aunty Charity blushed'' Oh Jack you are such a sweet talker, Lucy is so lucky to have you''. Here sit down let's all have a chat, she patted the chair but Jack pol

aited till Charity left before knocking on the door. She

om, her face a mix of relief and concern. "You're back ea

hings... didn't go as planned," he mum

own, Jack," she said softly, guiding him to the small couch in the living room. The familiar crea

ting hand on his shoulder. "I know that look,"

someone who would not shed a tear for anything or anyone but today because of how Lucy had joined others against him Jack sobbed bitterly. Grandma Grace was

at, just be patient, it's only just a little longer. How is Lucy she asked?'' Jack's body stiffened, he just didn't want to hear that na

e of attending college or university? I get paid peanuts at Homestead Cooking Hut, we can barely feed well including the plastic waste that you sell which I kno

The world will hear of you and as for y

words. "I don't understand, Grandma," he said, his voice wavering. "I thought Lucy cared about m