Preface
There's Gotta Be Somebody
" Higher Mommy! Higher! "
A small child, no older than five or six, sat in a park swing, her mother pushing her from behind. The little girl smiled and giggled as her mother applied more force, making the small child fly higher into the sky.
" Mommy," The child grew quite, a small thoughtful look on her innocent face, " where is Daddy?"
Her mother seemed to shrink, her long dark hair seemed less vibrant, her gray eyes becoming clouded and dark. A small frown found it's way to her mother's full lips.
" He's... on a trip for work baby, he'll... be back soon."
Her mother looked sullenly at the ground.
" How about I take my favorite girl out to eat and to a movie? "
The little girl smiled and cheered, never noticing the way her mother seemed in a less friendly mood, and how she seemed to drag out going home.
The same little girl sat at their small kitchen table and worked a craft. A look of utter concentration placed upon her tiny features. Her tiny tounge poked out of her mouth, a small crease in her brow. Her mother looked at her from the stove and smiled.
" Laurie, what are you doing baby?"
The little girl looked up, her bright green eyes lit up with excitment. Her small rabbit like nose twitched as she threw her dark vibrant curls over an elegant shoulder. She looked back down at the picture she was drawing, her own full lips pursed in determination.
" I'm drawing a picture for Daddy, for when he comes back."
Her mother drew in a sharp breath as tears stung her metallic eyes. she put down the wooden spoon she had been using. Her hands trembled as she walked to her table and took a seat.
" Baby,... I think there's something that i need to tell you."
The little girl put down the blue crayon she had been using and turned her full attention to her mother.
" What is it Mommy?"
" Laurie, your daddy isn't coming home. He didn't really leave on a work trip, he left for New York City. He said that once he gets there he's moving as far away from us as he possibly can."
Laurie's little hands moved up to her mouth, a look of shock on her face. She shook her head violently, her dark brown curls flying wildly in all directions.
" No! You're lying! Daddy wouldn't do that to us. He knows how much we need him."
Her mother shook as silent sobs overcame her petite frame. Tears of anguish ran down her pretty face, her head resting in her work worn hands.
" I wish I was lying baby, I really do. But I'm not."
A small high pitched sob filled the silence that had engulfed their tiny kitchen. Laurie sank to her knees as her body was racked with sobs. Melanie bent down to her child and gathered her in her tired arms.
" Shhhhh, it's okay baby. We've still got each other. Shhhhhh."
Melanie tried in vain to comort her small daughter.
" Let me tell you someting baby." She whispered into her child's ear. " We are fighters. We'll make it through this together. Fighters survive. We don't need your father."
Laurie sniffed and her sobs subdued to little sniffles.
" Promise me something baby."
Layrie nodded and leaned into her mother.
" Promise me you won't let a man use you the way your father used me. Promise me you'll find someone who loves you for you. Not for your body."
Again Laurie nodded. her eyes clearing and becoming determined. She huggued her mother and rose to her feet.
" I promise to stand up for what's right mommy. I won't let a man control me."
And with that she picked up her drawing, threw it in the trash, and walked out of the kitchen and turned on the radio in the living room.
Laurie woke up in a cold sweat. She looked around her room. Questions raced through her head. What had caused her to relive that terrible night? Why had she dreamed of it? Was she ever going to really fufill her promise to mother? Was there really someone out there for her?
She looked over at her alarm clock. The bright green numbers flashed 12:08 A.M in her face face. Pulling her blue and green fleece blanket up to her chin, she sighed. she rolled over on to her left hip, her back facing the alarm clock.
" There's gotta be somebody for me out there."
She closed her eyes and drifted back to sleep, her mind thinking of a handsome stranger sweeping her off her feet and into the sunset. her breathing evened out as sleep over came her.
A/N: Okay, this is my first chapter, so ummm, I appriciate construtive critism and I am up for any suggestions. Please rate and review.
~DarkxBeforexDawn