"Mrs. Jones" I nod as I run through the hall way. "Which one would you like to take care of this time?" I wink.
"How about I get Teddy, you get Phoebe?" she asks.
"Sounds good" I smile. "It's been a few hours since I've held my baby girl."
"Shhh" I say softly as I pick her up. "It's okay. Mommy's got you" I add as I sit down in the rocking chair. "Hey baby girl" I coo. "I really hope daddy isn't about to do something stupid" I say as I begin to rock.
God, what a night this has been. I haven't thought about Steven in years. It's so bizarre… my mom just calls out of the blue and says she's marrying him again. I can't believe it. And I can't believe I told Christian. Why the hell did I do that?
"Because it was the right thing to do!" my subconscious yells at me.
I guess…but I'm really worried about him now. I know this is going to fuck with his head. How could it not?
The whole thing has just been off my radar for so long. And now suddenly it's at the forefront of my mind again. I shudder as the memory plays in my mind like a terrible movie I can't stop.
As the day finally ends I'm exhausted. I had two midterms today, and I'm convinced that I bombed one of them. Plus I'm so disillusioned with the petty drama that exists in the world of high school girls. I can't wait to hop into bed and curl up with a good book.
I walk over to the kitchen and start to heat some chicken soup on the stove.
"Hello Anastasia" I hear a male voice say eerily as I feel his breath against my neck.
"Ahh" I scream startled as I jolt away.
"Stephen" I say once I've registered who I'm looking at. "What the hell? I thought you and my mother we're going to be out tonight."
"Change of plans" he replies, and for some reason his voice sounds so creepy. It suddenly hits me that I don't know this guy very well at all and I start to feel very nervous.
"Do you want some soup?" I ask as I resume stirring it.
"No" he says. "Soup is not what I want Ana."
"Okay" I shrug. "I can make grilled cheese if you'd like."
"You're so sweet" he says softly. "Do you have any idea how long I've wanted to have some alone time with you?"
"Why's that?" I ask nervously as I subconsciously inch away from him.
"You're a very beautiful girl Ana" he says.
Oh shit. What kind of creepy-ass pervert has my mother gotten involved with. I turn to run, but I notice he has me cornered.
"Can I help you with something?" I ask shakily.
"Oh yes Anastasia" he murmurs as he slinks his hand down my shirt.
"Stop it!" I yell as I slap him across the face. "What the hell is wrong with you?"
"What the hell is wrong with you, you fucking bitch!?" he snarls as he holds his face in pain.
I turn to run, but he grabs my arm. I pull it from his grasp quickly the way Ray taught me to and knock the soup off the stove so it spills onto his feet.
"Ahh!" he screams in pain. I run into my room and lock the door behind me. Then I sit on my bed. Holy crap, did that just really happen? Before I know what's happening I'm crying, sobbing into one of my pillows. I'm not really sure what's wrong with me. I feel so scared, so uneasy. I've never felt this way before…
"Goodness" I shrug as I rock phoebe more vigorously. "Maybe it won't be such a bad thing if daddy does something to the bad guy. I know daddy's right about one thing- that man will never go anywhere near you or your brother. I don't care if he is marrying grandma, I'd die before I let that sick bastard hurt one of my kids.
A fresh wave of anger wells up in me as I remember my mother's reaction when I told her what happened. She didn't try to protect me, she didn't even believe me!
"Mom?" I say softly into the phone as I fight tears.
"Ana darling, can this wait?" she replies. "I'm very busy."
"No" I say shakily. "Mom, it's an emergency."
"What is it?" she asks urgently.
"I'm scared."
"Scared of what darling?"
"Stephen"
"Ana, don't be ridiculous!"
"Mom" I snap. "He just attacked me!"
"What?" she replies shocked.
"He just attacked me, he tried to- and I'm still in the house with him. Alone. Please come home I need help."
"Ana" my mom bites back harshly. "This is a terrible thing to lie about."
"I'm not lying" I sob.
"Pull yourself together!" she snaps. "I know the divorce has been tough on you, and I know how important Ray was to you, but…"
"Mom! Please, please believe me!"
"I'm sorry Ana" she replies "I have to go."
"But… no" I cry shaking my head as I hang up. "No, no, no."
"You know I think that hurt the most. That my mother didn't believe me. I felt so betrayed.
"I'll never do that to you Phoebe" I say softly. I will always protect you. I will always love you. I will always believe in you. Because I'm a mother, and that's what mothers should do."
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