Ties That Bind Read Online Free

drink himself to death!” Aunt Toots bellowed.
    “It’s a real shame too because he just got a record contract with RCA,” Aunt Margie said before adding under her breath, “What an idiot.”
    “I’ll talk to him. I’m pretty busy helping Charles with the business, but I’ll make time to see him.” I told them both.
     
    ***
     
    I did as I promised and tried to talk some sense into Whitey, but drinking and women seemed to be his passion these days along with singing and making records. It was a shame that was the path he chose.
    I learned a long time ago, you can’t help those who will not help themselves. Whitey went on to become a famous singer and guitar player, but his drinking made him a one hit wonder, and sadly, it eventually cost him his life. What a shame too. He really had talent.
     
    ***
     
    Charles and I decided to start a family, and I couldn’t be more pleased. The pitter-patter of little feet was exactly what I needed to fill the empty void I felt. It wasn’t long before we had our first child, a boy, who we named Charles Jr.
    Charlie, as we affectionately called him, was the love of our lives. We worshiped him as much as any parent could. He was happy, healthy, and we were madly in love with that little boy!
    I still helped with the business, but mainly just paperwork. I wanted to be part of Charlie’s life, that was a priority. Every now and then, I would get sad about Charlie not having grandparents nearby. Aunt Toots and Margie were the next best thing, and they smothered him in love just like they’d done for me as a small child.
     
    ***
     
    When Charlie was about two, along came Carole. Carole was the name of Charles’s little sister who’d been killed. Our Carole was a quiet child, but she filled our hearts as much as Charlie did.
    It was great to have the kids only two years apart. To this day, they’re close. We had a little longer break in between Carole and child number three. We decided to change letters and capture names that started with “P” like my own, Patricia.
    Peter was a delightful child, but headstrong. He was always challenging my authority and kept Charles and me on our toes. He would be the child that continually pushed the boundaries.
    There was about eight years difference between Peter and Carole, but she didn’t see him as a bothersome little brother. She loved to take him for walks, and played with him outside. Charlie was also a big help with his little brother. I knew if Peter was with either of the older children he’d be well taken care of.
    Life couldn’t be any better. I had a house with a picket fence on a tree-lined street, married to the love of my life, and three beautiful children. What else could a girl want?
    I still felt a void that I couldn’t fill, even though Charles did his very best and the children kept me extremely busy. Every now and again, thoughts of Iowa, Mother and Dad, and the article explaining my entrance into their lives came creeping in. It would cover me like a dark cloud. The kids would irritate me or I would pick fights with Charles for no reason. Other days, I would be too depressed to get out of bed.
    I think back to some of the things I said and did, and I’m ashamed of myself. My family never mentioned the instances of instability. It was just a way of life. As I grew older, there were less of them, as I had accepted my fate, and once I let it go – all the baggage, I was a much nicer person inside. I regretted it the moment I hurt any of my family, but it was hard to take it back once the damage was done.
    After several years of this on again, off again happiness I felt Charles suggested I talk to a professional. I scoffed at the idea.
    “Me, talk to a professional about my birth parents not wanting me?”
    “Now, honey. It’s not that they didn’t want you,” he tried to reason.
    I ignored his request, and instead, regrouped and became the happy go lucky mother of three. It was short-lived, though. About