Read Determinant -Guardians of Vesturon [3] for Free Online Page A

“What about your parents? Isn’t that what parents are for anyway?”
    Bless Maddie! She darted her eyes my way, but then answered Carlson before I even had a chance.
    “Carlson, not everyone is lucky to have parents with unlimited amounts of cash to dole out to their kids. Everyone has their own situation. Please think about that before you throw out comments like you just made.”
    I felt the corners of my mouth turn up.
    “Gracious me, I didn’t mean to offend anyone. I’m so sorry!” Carlson exclaimed.
    Like I said, she really didn’t have a clue.
    “Well, I’m just saying,” Maddie concluded.
    I looked at Maddie, smiled and mouthed a “Thank you” at her. She nodded.
    “I’m sorry January. I meant no harm,” Carlson added.
    “No problem Carlson. Don’t worry about it. Some of us are luckier than others so do me a favor and thank your parents. You’re one of the lucky ones,” I replied.
    That night I fell asleep thinking about Tommy and Sarah, wondering if they were missing me as much as I missed them. My stomach clenched every time I thought of how their sweet faces looked when last I saw them. I reminded myself to write them a letter the next day.
    *****
    The first semester sped by and Thanksgiving was the following week. Seth and Lynn begged me to join them in Spartanburg, but I declined their kind invitation. Even though we spoke frequently, and I missed seeing them, I had no desire to return there. My memories of it did nothing but bring me down, making it a depressing thought altogether.
    I loaded up my work hours again. Lou couldn’t have been happier because the Purple Onion was open on Thanksgiving and everyone was vying for the day off. I said I would work as long as he needed me so some of the others could spend time with their families. All my roommates would be gone so I didn’t mind doing it. Besides, those extra greenbacks would come in handy.
    Maddie was going to Cat’s for the holiday and Carlson was heading home to Raleigh. I had applied for permission to remain at school so I was the only one in our suite. While it was a bit disconcerting, it didn’t bother me much. On a whim, I decided to try to call my parents (as I still thought of them) hoping, but not expecting, to speak with Tommy and Sarah.
    I punched in the numbers on my cell phone before I lost the nerve. Please let Tommy answer the phone. Please, please, please…
    “Hello.”
    Oh no, it was my mom!
    “Hi! It’s me, January. Happy Thanksgiving.” My voice shook.
    “What do you want?” Her tone indicated this wouldn’t go far.
    “I was hoping to speak with Tommy and Sarah. Please Mom, let me speak with them. I won’t say anything bad, I promise. I just want to hear…”
    “I TOLD you not to EVER come around here again. I meant it. And that goes for phone calls too. Don’t EVER bother us again!” The phone slammed in my ear.
    Her mean spirited words left me shaken and rattled, not to mention how they had thoroughly spoiled my Thanksgiving. What I wouldn’t give to hear Tommy and Sarah’s voices. The gnawing ache in my belly reared its angry head again.
    I had avoided thinking this way, but I finally had to admit to myself that phase two wasn’t working out quite the way I’d envisioned. I never had time for anything fun because I was working, going to class or studying. In frustration, I threw my cell phone across the room.
    Maddie and Cat were great. They both tried to get me to open up, but honestly, I simply didn’t feel like discussing it with them, or anyone else for that matter. It humiliated and embarrassed me to even admit to myself the horrid circumstances of my birth. I was sort of close to both of them, but definitely not that close. I wanted this secret buried and buried deep so it would never resurface.
    “January, I’m worried about you and your schedule. You’re burning the candle at both ends and I’m afraid you’re going to burn out soon,” Maddie commented one day. Her concern was