Before this story goes any farther, I should introduce myself. My name is Kelsey Brown and I'm 22 years old. I'm a runaway, you might call me, but I'm a runaway with a two year old baby girl. So many things had happened over the past couple years I don't know where to start. I guess I should start with when I got married. My husband and I had been dating since high-school and three years ago he asked me to marry him. I loved him so much and my parents both liked him so of course I said yes. After that, however, is when the problems started. After we were married Andrew got mean, nasty, and abusive. He would come home from work every-night and always yell, punch, kick and throw things at me. When I got pregnant, he softened a bit. He would get things for me and was nice to me. After Cassie was born he went right back to the mean state, but he didn't throw, kick or punch at me. He would verbally abuse me and this was usually after Cassie was in bed or when she was with someone else. We did get divorced, but an incident happened that really got me on the run. About four months ago, I was at my younger sister's house. My cousin-who was like a brother to us-was there too. I had just put Cassie in her crib for a nap when I heard some noises out in the family room. Running out I saw Ryan-our cousin- on the floor with a cut lip and bruises on his face. Andrew was standing in front of him, hands on his hips. He saw me and smiled. "Get your things. We're leaving. We're gonna be a family: you, me and Cassie", he said. I backed up slowly. "No, Andrew. I'm sorry. If you wanted to be a family you shouldn't have signed the divorce papers", I said. He narrowed his eyes and started towards me. "Are you deaf, Kelsey? I said we're leaving", he said. "NO! I'm not going with you. We're done, Andrew. Finished, done, not even gonna think about it", I spat back. I shot down the hallway into Cassie's room and slammed the door behind me. She woke up but didn't even cry, just looked curiously at me with those beautiful blue eyes of hers. I picked her up from her crib and settled her in my arms, a blanket wrapped around her. I grabbed my suitcase with mine and Cassie's clothes and grabbed Cassie's baby bag. I opened the door and fought my fear when I saw Andrew standing there. "Come on, Kelsey", he said. I didn't answer; I just swung the suitcase in his face. He got stunned and that gave me enough time to escape down the hallway, yell goodbye and shoot out to my car. And we've been on the road ever since.
Today I walked into a coffee shop with Cassie on my hip. I wasn't sure what time it was, but I was so tired that all I could think about was getting something I drink and eat. I walked up to the counter and ordered a milk, two bagels, and a coffee. "That will be $5.30", he told me. I reached into my pocket, pulled out no money, frowned, looked in the other pocket and got the same result. "I don't have the money to pay for it", I said apologetically. He frowned at me. "Then get the hell out of my shop. You think I'd let you order something and you can't pay for it", he demanded. "CALVIN", a voice yelled from behind him. A girl about a year older than me came charging out of the back of the shop. "Get her what she ordered. Who do you think you are, yelling at her like that? Can't you see that she's worn out and the little one is hungry? Put a muffin or two in with that", she said, glaring at the man. He blushed and went to get my food. She turned to me with a sunny smile. "Sorry about that. He's usually not like this. Where are you going?" I stared down at my feet for a minute before glancing back up at her. "Nowhere I guess. I can't. My car broke down a few blocks down and I have no money to get it fixed. The only things I have are my baby girl and the two bags outside", I replied, starting to tear up. She looked at me with pity. "I'm sorry. Gosh, that's so awful. Maybe I can help you out". My food came and the girl led me to a table. "My name's Brittany. What's yours?" I had been popping muffin pieces in Cassie's mouth and bagel pieces in mine but I looked up. "Kelsey. This is Cassie", I replied. Brittany smiled. "I know I just met you but I want to help you out. What's your story", she asked. I bit my lip for a minute, conflicting emotions running through my body. I finally sighed and told her everything. When I finished, she looked full of pity. "I'm gonna help you, Kelsey. It's late and almost time for me to go home. You can come with me", she said. Tears filled my eyes at those words. "I don't want to cause you any trouble", I said. Brittany shook her head. "No worries. You shouldn't be treated like that".
It was about fifteen minutes later that we pulled up in front of a big house. "It's huge", I exclaimed. "I know. I like having a big house. Oh, Val's car is the driveway. Trying to surprise me, little sneak", Brittany said with a pout. "Val, that sounds like a nickname. Val… you're dating Valtteri Filppula", I exclaimed in surprise. Brittany looked at me. "Yes I am", she said with a smile. My eyes widened. "That's so cool! A NHL player, he plays for Detroit no less! You know, I used to have a crush on him", I answered with an even bigger smile. Brittany laughed. "Oh, I know! He's a cutie alright". I got Cassie and Brittany got our bags. We walked up to the house and opened the door. A man whom I recognized as Valtteri was sitting on the couch with a phone in his hand. He looked up. "Hi, Brit! I was wondering where you were. I wanted to surprise you. Who's this lady", he asked all in a rush. I felt embarrassed and could feel a blush coming to my cheeks. Brittany set my bags on the floor and wrapped her arm around my shoulders. "I met her at the coffee shop. She's staying with me for a while". Val grinned. "Does she have a name or is she just 'she'", he asked. I had to roll my eyes. "My name's Kelsey", I said, shifting Cassie to my other hip. He looked at me for a minute and I found myself blushing. "Nice to meet you, Kelsey. What are you doing with a young girl on your hip and two bags this late", he asked. I shook my head, tears coming to my eyes. I had told Brittany and Val was her boyfriend, he seemed friendly enough, but I was so tired that I couldn't say a thing. Cassie stirred and opened her little eyes. "Thirsty, momma", she said. I bit my lip again but Brittany just smiled. "I've got milk in the fridge". I nodded and set Cassie on the floor. "Go with Brittany, honey. She'll get you something", I told her, messing up her beautiful dark hair. I ran a hand through my tangled hair and sighed. I probably looked like death to them. "What brings you here, Kelsey", Val asked again. I frowned and glanced down at my feet before looked before looking back at him. "What I tell you… you must not repeat. Brittany already knows but no one else must know… for now at least", I said. Val nodded. "I won't tell. I promise". Before I could say one word my emotions overwhelmed me and I just fell on my knees and started crying. Brittany had Cassie in her lap, but she placed my daughter on the couch next to Val and came to me. "Oh, sweetie, you're so tired! You have to get to bed", she said, helping me up. I glanced at Cassie, who was playing with Val's shirt. "I can't. I have to take care of Cassie". Brittany smiled. "She'll be fine. Can't you see that she takes to both Val and me? We'll put her to bed, I know how". I bit my lip. "Well… she hasn't had anyone but me put her to bed in a long time", I replied. After several reluctant minutes, I agreed. I nearly fell over from exhaustion but Brittany caught me. "Cassie, momma's going to bed, honey. Stay here with Val and Brittany. And be good", I said.