She dialed Lily back, "hello sweetie, sorry when I got to the phone it was to late."
"That's okay you called right back." Lily said.
"What did you want?"
"Uncle Marcus said you were better and left the hospital did you go home?"
"Yes, I just got home. I was putting my things away when you called."
"I'm glad you are all better. Daddy got me a new Nanny. He is big like Harper. Daddy said that I need to keep Mr. June close and not go anywhere with out him. When I go to the bathroom a teacher has to go with me. Mr. June has to go to school with me too."
"Your Daddy just wants you to be safe. How is your cheek?"
"All better now. I told the class what happened. Everyone thought I was brave but mean old Peter said I was a liar so I gave him a black eye. Uncle Marcus said I need to be careful cause that is how my mommy and him became best friends. I don't think I can be friends with Peter because he is mean to me."
"What does he do?" Ariel was now laughing.
"He pulls my hair. Pushes me around. He even stole my sandwich and ate it."
"I think he likes you. Try making him a lunch then maybe he will be friends with you."
"That's what Uncle Marcus said too."
When Harper came to tell her the food was there she help up her finger so he would not talk.
"Honey, I need to go now. I'll talk to you later. Just try the lunch ok."
"Ok bye."
Ariel hung up and headed down to eat.
"Dinner is ready." Harper said
"Ok, Thank you for not talking just now. I want Lily to think I am back under the sea with my father."
"I understand."
"I will be working at Heather's Cafe do you know it?" She asked.
"Yes, I know Heather She use to help us out when we were just boys."
"How did you all meet?"
"Eat and I'll tell you. We were all around 13. I was in a bad place in life. My Dad left my mother and me. He also left a huge debt. Mom was wearing herself out and I started running the streets and doing petty crimes to bring home extra mommy to help my mother.
On one job we were caught by the police and I was sent to a boot camp for bad boys. That is were I met JJ. He was there for the same reason but he was caught saving another boy. If he would of left him he would of gotten away. He is a born leader so he became our leader at the hell hole we lived in for two years.
The next in our group to arrive was Hiny. He was a wicked genuine and great healing us when any of us got injured. He was sent there for beating a gang member who had raped a friend of his.
Then was a kid Nelson Lord we called him Mickey. He had a squeaky voice. He was sent there after his sister was almost beat to death and he cut off the guys arm. He is Heather's son.
Then was Richie. He was sent as a punishment from his father. Money sent this kid there but he was smart. He could hack into the security so we could sneak out. He really did not belong with us misfits so we all protected him.
Last to arrive was Tubby. He was a skinny bean pole that like JJ and me did petty thefts. He did it to help rasie his sister. They were both on the streets because their parents were junkies.
As I said we spent two years together then one by one we got out but agreed to keep in touch. After all of us but Richie was out and we found out he was now getting beat badly so we found his brother and told him what was going on. It took another few months before he was released. He had changed and was withdrawn it took over a year before he started to act like the Richie we loved again.
It was not till Mickey was killed we all became as close as we are now and would drop what we are doing for each other.
Ariel he needs someone to care for him. I have never seen him care for someone as much as he cares for you. He never let us meet Kimmy but he could not wait to have us meet you."
Ariel listen to everything he said and her heart now acked for Marcus but she still needed time to find herself again.
"Thank you for telling me all this. Know I care for Marcus but I need to figure out who I am now that I can no longer do what I loved to do."
"I understand. I'm going to shower and get ready for bed. If you need anything just yell out." he said.
"I will. Thanks." Ariel cleaned up and did the dishes before heading to bed.
She laid down and looked at her phone then dialed Marcus's number.
"Did you arrive safely?"
"Yes"
"Is Harper treating you good?"
"Yes"
"How are you feeling?"
"Good, Marcus I am sorry."
"It's all my fault don't apologize. I am sorry I did not listen to you."
"Give me a while to figure things out and then we can see each other and talk. I just need to clear my head. My world has changed again and this time I don't know how to keep going."
"Ariel, I will always be there for you no matter what you decide. I love you enough to let you go if that is what you chose but know if you let me be yours, I promise to always listen from now on." He said.
"Thank you. I'll call to talk in a few days just give me time right now." She hung up feeling a little better.
She set up her cpap and went to sleep.
Marcus hung up the phone. She had been the one to reach out so now there was hope. He understood what Hiny had said to him about protecting her and controlling her. He never wanted to control her.
He then looked at the file that JJ had given him. Bob King had been released from jail.