Dillon: My Right to Choose, #2

By Sharon Lopez

Hope and Dillion are forming a life filled with love for each other and God as they move past high school. Dillon has convinced everyone that he has dealt with his abusive childhood and devotes his time to those that find themselves in similar situations. When he meets Oliver, his past issues resurface leaving his life in turmoil.  Can his friends see him through these trials or will it take God's intervention?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sharon Lopez
• Release date: Jul 22, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393378037

Sharon Lopez

Sharon is a multi-genre young adult author that dabbles in adult tales from time to time. It’s all about the story is not just a catchphrase but a spirit that is inside all of her books. When she is not writing, she can be found getting lost in other author’s worlds, watching Slice Of Life Anime, or getting annihilated as she tries her hand at various video games. She is inspired by many things. Whether it’s an encouraging word, a kooky dream, or a personal experience, she will put it to excellent use. As a defender of the defenseless, Sharon’s characters take on this persona with strong female leads and males that are protective, perfect, boyfriend material.

Book preview

Chapter 1

I woke from a restless sleep. I heard Uncle Howard’s voice and then saw Hanna sitting on the floor curled up in her blanket. Her brow furrowed, and her eyes open wide. She tucked her bottom lip under her teeth. I got out of my bed. I sat next to her, and she put her head on my shoulder. We both sat there and listened. Uncle Howard and Aunt Helen’s voices roared at first but quieted into a sad discussion. I wasn’t sure what they were talking about, but after hearing my name I knew. This happened almost every night for the first six months I lived with them. They were nice enough to me for a while, but then something changed.

It was my sixth birthday. Aunt Helen was busy readying the space for the guests that would fill her house. Hanna and I were playing on the tire swing out front. She was laughing as I pushed her around. Uncle Howard was late. I only knew this because Aunt Helen had mentioned it several times.

Mrs. Thompson from around the corner came over with her daughter, Hope. She and Hanna were inseparable. Hope ran over to us and smiled.

Happy Birthday, Dillon.

Thank you.

I stopped the swing so Hope could climb up with Hanna. They both laughed as I pushed them. Howard pulled into the driveway.

Hello, kids.

Hi, Hope and I replied.

Daddy, look at me! Wee! Hanna grinned.

Uncle Howard laughed. You be careful up there.

Ok, daddy.

Uncle Howard went inside the house but came back out a few minutes later.

Damn it, I forgot the ice cream, he mumbled.

Ooh, ice cream, Han.

I want some too. Dill, stop the swing.

I stopped the swing and helped Hope and Hanna down. Uncle Howard started the car. A few seconds later he left it and went back into the house, saying something about his wallet.

We want ice cream, Hanna said, pouting at me.

Your dad is going to get some.

I want to go too, Hanna said running to the car.

Han, me too, Hope said racing after her.

The three of us piled into the car. Hanna and Hope sat in the car seats, which meant I would have to sit in the front. There were only two seatbelts in the back, and Aunt Helen always put on our seatbelts when we got in the car. I threw myself on top of the back of the seat and then slid down the front. I landed on the driver’s seat face first. I sat up using the steering wheel and then crawled toward the passenger seat. Suddenly, the car moved backward. When the car went out into the street, I fell back into the driver’s seat once again. I heard Uncle Howard screaming, and then the car came to an abrupt stop.

Aunt Helen, Mrs. Thompson, and Uncle Howard ran over to the car. Aunt Helen and Mrs. Thompson took the girls from the car while Uncle Howard grabbed me by my arms. I felt a pinching sensation at first and then my entire body shook.

What is wrong with you?!

The shaking stopped as he hoisted me off the ground. The force in which I met my bedroom floor made me topple over onto my bottom.

What in the hell is wrong with you?! Uncle Howard was yelling as he grabbed me by the arms, yanked me to my feet, and shook me once more. You could have killed them! Why Dillon? Why!

The shaking stopped, and I felt a sharp burning in my face as Uncle Howard’s hand met my cheek.

My car is not a toy! Do you hear me, boy?! It isn’t bad enough that your poor mother...

I felt a stinging sensation in my mouth. Blood trickled down my chin, and my tears fell.

You stop that damn crying right now!

I took a deep breath and held it in until he left the room.

After the accident this birthday, and every one after, was permanently canceled.

Uncle Howard changed that day. He was absent from the house a lot. When he was home, he smelled of alcohol and we could hear his voice hollering throughout the house. I never seemed to work hard enough or move fast enough.

Where is that boy? Uncle Howard screamed.

I heard the word school come from Aunt Helen as I reached the bottom step. In an instant, he snatched me up by the front of my shirt.

What did I say about that garbage, boy!

Dangling within Uncle’s grasp, I swallowed hard, hoping to avoid his wrath. Yes, sir. I will do that right now.

He dropped me to the floor. Get to it then!

I scurried away, thankful that the floor was all that met my body that morning. A few weeks later, I wasn’t so lucky.

I heard the front door slam. I jumped to my feet, wondering what this day would bring. I dressed quickly and opened my door.

Boy!

I ran downstairs. I met Uncle’s glare as I entered the kitchen.

He pointed toward the floor. Clean this up!

I turned my attention toward the floor and noticed a broken bottle. The smell of beer filled the room.

Yes, sir. I hurried to the closet where the broom was. When I opened the door, the broom fell out and hit the floor with a clack.

You throwing things in my house, boy!

It wasn’t a question. He rarely asked me anything. It was a statement that he believed to be true, and I would pay dearly for it. He clutched the back of my shirt and hoisted me off the floor. He threw my seven-year-old body across the room and I landed against the wall. The pain seared through my head and shoulders as I half sat, half laid on the floor.

Get up! he yelled as he stormed toward me.

I did my best to get to my feet before he seized me once again. I wasn’t quick enough. My back met the wall with a thud. He held me there with one hand while unbuckling his belt with the other. The bite of the leather against my skin brought tears to my eyes. I inhaled deeply, hoping that the tears would not fall. He dropped me to the floor where I stayed until I heard the front door slam behind him. I quickly cleaned up Uncle’s mess and went to my room. Hanna was there waiting for me.

Dillon. Hanna reached for me, but I flinched. She stood silent and still in front of me for a moment and then embraced me. The tears came, but this time, there was no stopping them. I dropped to my knees and cried as she cradled me.

The day after the broom incident was a Saturday. I hated having to lie to people at school about Uncle’s temper. Mrs. Thompson took Hope, Hanna and I to the park to ride bikes. Well, for Hope and Hanna to ride bikes. Since birthdays were nonexistent for me, I didn’t have a bike. Hanna and Hope took turns letting me ride their bikes, though. The day was excellent. Spending time with Hope and Hanna was always my favorite. It didn’t matter what we did as long as we were together. They were the best friends I ever had.

I huddled behind the couch. My eyes were closed tight and my heart beat out of my chest as I listened to Uncle Howard’s attempts to find me, and Aunt Helen’s pleas for him to calm down. I prayed for God to keep Howard from discovering my hiding place. He had yanked me from my bed long before the sun would think of rising. Howard was slurring about nothing I could comprehend as he violently shook my body. It wasn’t until he threw me down the stairs did Aunt Helen come running from their bedroom talking about their neighbors and the police. I scrambled to my feet and dashed toward the couch.

As he entered the living room, my body trembled. I had seen him angry, hell; I had felt it, but this was a whole extra level of rage.

You best come out if you know what’s good for you, Boy!

Howard, please the neighbors.

Screw the neighbors, Helen. Boy! You hear me!

It was around this time he made his way to the couch. He kicked it hard, pushing it just enough for the corner of it to hit me in my already cut open lip. The slight whimper I made was all it took for him to stumble around the backside of the couch to find me cowering on the floor.

There you are!

I braced myself for his hands to snatch me up, but they