Page 143 of Jackass

“Charlie isn’t yours.”

I was almost there. Just a few more steps.

“Yes! She is mine,” she screamed.

Marsha lifted the gun just as I reached for it. Her finger was on the trigger, and I turned her wrist as quickly as I could. When the shot rang out, I expected pain.

Marsha’s eyes widened. “Derek,” she whispered.

Her hands released the gun and moved to her belly. Blood seeped from the wound between her fingers, and I stepped back. I shoved the gun into the waistband at my back as Marsha fell to the floor.

I knew I needed to call 9-1-1, but I also knew someone had heard the shots. My priority was Charlie. I left Marsha bleeding on the floor and rushed to the bathroom.

“Charlie, honey, it’s me. Uncle Derek.”

She sat up from the tub, tears running down her tiny cheeks. I walked over, and she reached for me. Something landed in the pit of my stomach. This little girl trusted me.

Me.

The bastard who gave away his child without ever setting eyes on her. The asshole who beat her mother so bad she ended up in the hospital. The little boy who never looked for his baby brother because he was jealous he got out and away from the abuse.

I lifted her into my arms, pushed her face into my neck, and held it there. Leaving the bathroom, I hurried through the room and out the door, closing it behind me as I heard the sirens.

I sat on the ground against the building, holding Charlie tight. I made her a promise and I would damn well keep it.

No one would hurt her.

Police and ambulances sped into the parking lot.

I sat there with Charlie in my arms.

The sheriff walked over, his gun drawn and held at his thigh. I could see Jack and Samantha by his car, being held back by deputies.

“Mr. Reynolds, can you tell me what happened?”

“I kept her safe, Sammy. Until you got here. I promised her I would. I know I broke my promise to you, but I won’t break my promise to her,” I called out.

My eyes watered. I tried to blink back the tears.

“Mr. Reynolds, can you tell me what happened?” the sheriff asked again.

“I kept her safe.” I buried my face in her hair.

“Sheriff, let me talk to him, please.”

I looked up at the sound of Sammy’s voice.

“I kept her safe, Sammy.”

“You did, Derek. Thank you,” she said, sitting down against the building beside me.

“Sammy.”

“Stay back, Jack. Let me talk to Derek,” she insisted, her eyes never leaving mine.

“Hey, Charlie.”

“Hi, Mommy. Uncle Derek saved me.”