Chapter 77
\nThree Years Later, He Came Back Begging novel Chapter 77<\/p>\n
He was so full of life, always pushing forward, unstoppable like a fresh breeze.<\/p>\n
Bonnie admired that about Lawrence. She envied his easy confidence, his warm family. She wished she could be part of all that, to belong, to be swept up in the wind with him, carried high into a bright, endless sky like a kite.<\/p>\n
The feeling hit her hardest the first time she visited the Lane family and met Lawrence\u2019s parents. She couldn\u2019t help but compare\u2014if these became her future in-laws, that wouldn\u2019t be so bad. Actually, it sounded pretty wonderful.<\/p>\n
Back then, Hannah was still in Russia for her exchange program, so Bonnie would go to the Lane house a lot. When Shirley found out, she scolded Bonnie harshly.<\/p>\n
She called her useless, said she was throwing herself at people and had no pride as a young woman.<\/p>\n
Lawrence overheard and took the phone from Bonnie\u2019s hands. He talked to Shirley quietly, out of Bonnie\u2019s earshot. He spoke for a long time, and after that, Shirley never brought it up again.<\/p>\n
Bonnie never knew what Lawrence had told her mom. Lawrence would just encourage Bonnie to say no if she wanted, to stand her ground, to choose what she wanted without fear.<\/p>\n
Over that year together, Bonnie really did change. Maybe that\u2019s why, after Shirley slapped her in anger and disappointment, Bonnie finally found the courage to say she wouldn\u2019t come back again.<\/p>\n
She told her mom she was free now.<\/p>\n
But now, standing in this neat, spotless home Shirley kept so perfectly organized, Bonnie realized something for the first time. In running away to try and find her freedom, she\u2019d left her mom alone to deal with everything.<\/p>\n
A tight ache built in Bonnie\u2019s throat. She went to the living room for a glass of water. Just as she swallowed, her phone rang from the bedroom.<\/p>\n
She set her cup down and walked to check. It was Aiken.<\/p>\n
Bonnie cleared her throat and picked up the call. She barely said hello before Aiken\u2019s voice came through, laughing. \u201cHey, did you just wake up or were you crying? Your voice sounds a bit off.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bonnie couldn\u2019t help but laugh. \u201cAre all cops this sharp? It\u2019s nothing, my throat\u2019s just scratchy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Aiken joked, \u201cIt\u2019s my job to keep an eye on people. Especially you\u2026 You\u2019re my top priority.\u201d<\/p>\n
Aiken didn\u2019t reply right away, but a couple minutes later he called.<\/p>\n
It was noisy on his end, but she still caught the friendly, proud laugh in his voice. \u201cSo, did you like it? If I go pro, you\u2019d better be my number one fan.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bonnie grinned. \u201cOf course. Every concert\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
She didn\u2019t get to finish. He interrupted with a shout, \u201cGotta go, got a call.\u201d<\/p>\n
The call dropped. Bonnie set the phone aside and scooped up some of the taro chicken stew Shirley had cooked. She hadn\u2019t even swallowed it before her phone rang again.<\/p>\n
Thinking it was Aiken calling back, she answered on autopilot.<\/p>\n
\u201cDidn\u2019t you just get a call? How come\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"template":"","class_list":["post-745","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/kampoengnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapter\/745","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/kampoengnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapter"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/kampoengnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/kampoengnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=745"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}