Initiation: A Novella (Initiation Trilogy Book 1) by Franny Marie Read Free Book Online Page B

the register keeps his gaze on me, I'm not looking at him, but I can feel it. I walk up and down the aisle trying to find the perfect shade of purple roses for my mom’s tombstone which I spend a few minutes doing so and succeed. I hold the neatly wrapped and beautifully decorated bouquet of roses giving a small smile. Perfect for my mom. Walking up to the cashier to pay, I take a small smell of the roses.
                  “How are you today?” he asks, his tone void of compassion.
                  Like he gives a fuck. “Fine and you?” I respond, my tone matching his and my eyes focused on him.
                  He scans the roses and nods.
                  “Will that be all?” Flat, like a tire that blew on the highway. Flat, like a popped balloon.
                  “Yeah,” I say, annoyed. Why does he keep looking at me like he's got a fucking problem or something?
              “That will be fifteen dollars even.” His eyes never leave mine as he rips off the price tag before handing the roses to me. I wish he would wipe that fucking smirk off his face. I ignore it and give him sixteen dollars cash.
                  “Keep the change,” I say in a gruff tone and walk out the door.
                  I get into the car and set the flowers down on the passenger seat, switching on the ignition and driving down the road to my mom's grave site.
    *****
                  After a while, I finally make it to my mom's grave. I walk around the other tombstones and try to find hers. I always seem to forget where she is at, so I guess I better start visiting her more often, but I know she's always around me in spirit. When I finally find her grave, I take a seat on the bench across from her, keeping the roses in my hand.
                  I smile and think back to when all I use to get her is purple roses; her birthday, mothers day, hell, even Christmas. She'd put on a huge grin and her eyes would light up with excitement. She would give me a big, tight hug and a kiss on the cheek, then she'd immediately take out the old ones and put the new ones in the vase with fresh water. Even when the roses died overtime, she would keep them there till she had new ones. I always loved that she cherished the little things.
                  I take a knee in front of her, setting the roses down next to her tombstone. Then, taking one of the roses out and rolling the stem in my hand, nervously, I take a few moments to gather my thoughts, trying to figure out what I want to say to her.
                  I sigh before I speak.
                  “I already know that you're probably pissed at me for not watching over Leanne... But I know who has her and I'm sure you do too. I hope they're not harming her in any way and I'd go ballistic if I see one scratch on her. I pray that you are keeping an eye on her till I get there, Ma. I know you been watching over us these last few years and I'm sure you noticed that I have changed. I actually am proud of myself and I hope you are too. I had a feeling this shit was going to come back and bite me... I wish it didn't and hoping it wasn't, but it did and I know I have to handle it like a man. I- I don't want to do this, but I have to get Leanne home safely, even if that means going back in to my old gang then so be it, knowing you don't approve of it, mom, but I stuck out for as long as I could.”
                  I sigh before continuing. “I made you a promise that I wasn't going to step one foot back in the gang, but now it has to be broken in order to keep Leanne safe. It’s her life over mine. I do apologize in advance. I ask of you again, please to keep her safe till I get there, mom,” I say to her as a tear falls down my cheek. I wipe it away as I put the purple rose I took from the bouquet, laying it in front of her tombstone. I sit back