Epilogue
Bodie
“We’re going to be late,” I said to Karma.
“I’m almost ready,” she told me.
I chuckled. I’d learned in the last few months that “almost ready” meant it would be at least fifteen minutes until she came out of the bedroom.
After the semester was over, Karma and I got an apartment with Major and Kayleigh. I guess apartment was putting it mildly. It was half the floor of the building, so it gave us enough space, so we didn’t all kill each other. The girls would have to go back to the dorms when school started but I was pretty sure Major and I were going to keep this place.
Twenty minutes later, Karma emerged from the bedroom and my eyes nearly popped out of my head.
“I hope you’re going to put something on over that.”
All she had on was a tiny red bikini.
She laughed. “You said your parents Fourth of July party was a pool party.”
“It is. But … Jesus, Karma, I won’t be able to stop myself from wanting to fuck you in the car on the way there. Don’t you have something that covers a little more of you?”
She was grinning at me, so I knew she was just messing with me. “I’ll be two minutes,” she said, and went back to the bedroom.
One of the things I loved about Karma was how confident she was in her own skin. I didn’t really care if she wore the red one, but I knew I might not be able to control my reaction if anyone looked at her. Yes, I’d become one of those guys.
True to her word she was back in two minutes, this time the top looked like a sports bra and the bottoms actually covered her ass.
“Thank you,” I said, and gave her a kiss.
“You’re welcome.” She put on a cover-up and we left.
Twenty-minutes later, we drove up to my parent’s house.
“It’s about time you two got here,” dad said, when we walked back to the pool.
“Karma took forever, as usual,” I said with a smile.
She elbowed me in the ribs but was smiling too.
“I’m going to go say hi to your mom,” she said and went into the house.
“You look happy son,” dad said.
“I am,” I told him.
“I have some news but I’m not sure if this is the time.”
“If you say mom is pregnant, I’m leaving.”
He laughed and clapped me on the shoulder. “No, but she is pretty hot.”
“Stop, just please stop.” That made him laugh more. “Just tell me dad, whatever it is.”
He took out his phone and handed it to me. I read a report from the California Department of Corrections. I read to the bottom and then read it again. Anthony was dead. Killed by an inmate three days ago.
“Is this for real?”
“Yeah. I confirmed it yesterday.”
“Wow. Can’t say I feel bad though.”
“That’s not the only thing,” he said, handing me an envelope. “This came to the office. It was addressed to me, but I think Karma needs to see it.”
I opened it. It was a letter from Pagano Imports dated two weeks ago.
Dear Karma,
I know I’m probably the last person on earth you wish to hear from, but I hope you’ll take the time to read this. I have spent the last few months thinking about what Anthony did to you and I will never be able to apologize enough for it. He was my son and therefore his actions reflect on me. I realize I haven’t always been the best father since I was away a lot, but I had no idea Anthony held such resentment towards me. I am truly sorry you got caught up in that. I somehow need to make amends for what he did. I know you won’t accept money from me, and I understand why, but I feel it’s necessary to do some good to make up for his actions. Therefore, I’m creating a scholarship in your name starting for the next school year. It will be to help kids in high school get to college for what they love, whether that’s sports, the arts or anything in between. This has shown me that we need to do better in the world and leave a legacy that we can be proud of. Finally, I’d like you to be part of this and help with the selection process. I understand if you feel you can’t do this, but I think it would be good for both of us to participate in this. I beg you to at least think about it.
Sincerely,
Antonio Pagano
I held the letter in my hand and just stared at it. “I don’t know what to think about this, dad. How do we know it’s not some trick or something?”
“When I got this, I went directly to Antonio to question him about it. He showed me the paperwork, gave me the attorney’s information and everything else I asked for. I wanted to be sure it was a real thing. I investigated everything I could find and found nothing I shouldn’t have. It’s for real.”
“What’s for real?” Karma asked, coming up beside me.
“Uh, come with me, okay?” I said, and took her hand.
We went to dad’s office since I knew we’d be alone there.
“What’s going on Bodie? You’re freaking me out.”
“Dad just told me a couple of things that you need to know. First of all, Anthony is dead. He was killed by an inmate three days ago.”
“Okay, am I supposed to be happy about that?”
“You can feel however you like, I just wanted you to know that we don’t have to worry about him ever again.”
“Okay, what’s the second thing?”
I handed her the letter. As she was reading, I was prepared for her to throw one of the fits she was famous for, but once again she surprised me.
“I’ll do it,” she said quietly.
“Huh?”
“I’ll do it,” she repeated. “The more kids that get to go to college the better, especially for something they love. I want to help with that.”
“You are so amazing,” I said, and moved closer to her. “You have so many reasons to be bitter, but you rise above that for others. I love you Karma.”
Her mouth fell open and I realized I’d never actually said those words to her before.
“I love you, too, Bodie. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me,” she said, and started giggling. “God, we’ve turned into one of those couples we used to make fun of.”
I chuckled. “I guess we have, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“Neither would I.”
The End
Author’s Note
Thank you for reading my book. If you enjoyed it, please consider
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Thank you!
Katie Holland
About the Author
Katie Holland is the author of Young Adult and Romance novels. If she's not writing you can find her reading, cooking or baking for her family. Her love of writing goes back to elementary school and her love of books goes back even farther than that. She loves seeing new places and enjoying what nature has to offer.
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