Free The Shocking Truth About Ramsey by Jennifer L. Ray Page B

controlling."
    Panic.  Panic like a fiery electrical shock streaked through Jackson's veins.  He sat back again and was totally mute.  He couldn't think of a thing to say to Ramsey's father that wouldn't sound disrespectful or either pathetic.  He refused to ask any questions or make any comment at all.  His anger was like an inner monster.  He sat there calmly and wrestled with it as Herby watched. 
    "Settle down.  I know what women do to men.  They make us crazy.  You just have to use your mind and refuse to give her what she wants.  She'll come around.  Pam did a number on that girl of mine, but I blame myself.  I was a weak man in the beginning.  I'm turning it all around now though.  I didn't survive a bullet to the chest just to go back into my little hiding place."
    "Ramsey is nothing like Pam," Jackson said angrily. 
    Herby stopped talking and stared at Jackson.  His eyes turned glacial and hard.  
    "You don't know anything about Pam.  So, be careful.  That woman's life began before she married me or had Talmus and Ramsey.  You don't know anything about her," Herby said through gritted teeth.
    "I know she lied and said I raped Ramsey and that she harassed my parents until they had to send me away and eventually move away themselves to get away from her," Jackson fired back. 
    "If your parents sent you away, it was their decision.  Don't put that at Pam's feet.  If Pam said you raped Ramsey then she had good reason to believe it and from what I know about Pam, you came off easy, boy, if she thought you actually did it.  So, like I said, be careful.  Better let the past stay in the past.  That's my advice."
    Jackson let it go.  He took deep breaths and calmed himself.  He had to figure out what the Devil was going on with Ramsey and what she meant by telling her father that he was not in her future plans.  She had just agreed earlier to get with him this very night.  Jackson was confused and he didn't like it. 
    "Look, I need to go check on my grandfather.  I just came to meet you and to make sure you were alright.  I have to go now."  Jackson couldn't wait to get out of Herby's room.  
    "What are you going to do about Ramsey?" 
    "Nothing.  It’s her choice," he said and left the room. 
    Herby looked at the empty doorway and shook his head.  He remembered being that young and that dumb. 
    #
    Talmus was dressed to go out.  It was nine o'clock, a little too early to hit the club, but he was going.  He had not rested well, but he couldn't spend another minute in the house by himself.  He needed to be around people.....laughing, loud, and boisterous people.  He was just going through the door when his cell rang.  He answered it to hear his mother's voice on the line.  
    "Talmus, I need you to get your father and keep him at your house until he heals up," she said. 
    Talmus froze.  She had to be kidding.  The man had abandoned them.  Left him to be raised by a woman who sometimes smothered him with love and other times couldn't bear to look at his face.  He was his own man and would never be a man's man because his father had left leaving him to form his own kind of manliness.  He was unguided, unsure, and half of everything he should be because Herby Laughterdale had left and never bothered to call, come get him for the weekend or anything.  Oh, heck no, he was not going to get him.  He could care less whether he healed up or not. 
    "No.  That's not going to happen, Mother," he said stiffly into the phone.  She was quiet on the other end and then she began to speak. 
    "I made him leave, Talmus.  I accused him of doing bad things to you and Ramsey.  He is a good man and could have been a good father.  I ran him away.  He was innocent and younger and couldn't handle my demons.  Go get him and give him a chance.  I owe him so much.  I can't make anything up to him without you and Ramsey helping.  So, please son.  He owns my house.  He paid for it so that you