Chapter 8: Almost goodbye

A month later, Amy was on her way to mending nicely. Her cast had come off but she still had to wear a brace. Michael had stayed around for a while- He had started, with Peter's permission to teach some self defense to the kids. He could see a lot of the kids that had much potential and that pleased him. He and Peter sparred frequently. It was nice to have another of the same rank as him to spar with. Peter proved to be a worthy adversary.

Amy had started eating a little more and was starting to look healthier. She and Peter had regular sessions every other day to keep an eye on her progress. She had an easier time opening up to Peter now and really was making an effort to deal with everything that her uncle had done to her.

Her friendships with the other cliffhangers were also deepening. She found that she had quite a fondness for everyone, and they for her. They could frequently be found in the common area practicing their skills. Amy also noticed that her friendships were changing her little by little.

Scott, Shelby and Amy were always talking about their past abuse and drawing strength from each other. Scott had had to go to court recently and Amy had spent the better part of the week before psyching him up for it. He was still nervous and didn't want the judge to say that he had to go home for the weekend or anything. Amy knew how he felt to an extent. He would be going home to his stepmother. And Scott didn't want that.

Auggie really had talent for the martial arts. Amy knew that it came from having to fight, being in a gang and all. She really felt that Auggie could really make something of himself in Martial Arts. Auggie displayed quite an affinity for Amy. He became her older brother, protecting her, even though he knew that she could well protect herself. Her friendships with the others strengthened as well.

One day Amy knocked on Peter's door for their usual meeting. She was a few minutes early. Peter motioned her in as he was on the phone. Amy nodded and pointed to the couch where she settled and picked up the magazine that she had started flipping through the last time she was in his flipped through a magazine while absently listening to Peter on the phone.

"Yes Sir. I know that these are serious allegations that she has leveled against your client. But I assure you that they are with merit. She would not just say these things happened if they didn't. What I don't understand is why your client thinks he needs to come up here and talk to her. It's not going to help his case, and I will not stand for the blatant intimidation of my students." Peter was quiet. Then he raised his voice.

"Well I will have to talk to her. She may not want to see him. It is her decision to make not mine. I advise you to advise your client NOT to come up here unnannounced. I will alert the sherriff if I have to. Fine. We will be in touch. Have a nice day." Peter hung up the phone and then picked it up again.

"Sorry Amy, I will be just a few more minutes. then we can get down to business." Amy nodded and went back to perusing her magazine.

"Hey Curtis. Yeah it's Peter. When you have time will you run up here? No, no one has left but I may have a problem and I want to bring you up to speed so you are informed. See you then. Bye." Peter hung up the phone and came out from behind his desk. He pulled his chair over near Amy and looked at her.

Amy knew just by looking at Peter, that the phone calls somehow related to her. She scooted to the far end of the couch. She realized with dismay that Peter had put himself by the door so he could catch if she attempted to leave. She didn't like that. She also didn't like the fact that Michael materialized at the door. She felt good and trapped. She moved to the opposite corner of the room.

"Amy. It's ok. Yes those phone calls were about you. Your uncle's attorney was calling. Your uncle wants to see you. About what I don't know. I am assuming that it's something big from the way the attorney was acting. Amy, You should sit down- You look really pale." Peter reached for her arm.

"DON'T touch me! I am fine. I am ok." Peter looked skeptical. Amy rolled her eyes.

"Amy, I can not tell you what to do. The decision is yours. If you do not want to see your uncle, just say no and I will block him from setting foot near you. If you want to sit down and listen to what he has to say just say so. and you are NOT ok. You are being faced having to decide if you want to see your uncle. I understand that you have just been sent into a spin. Don't lie to me." Amy rolled her eyes and flipped him off.

"Amy." Amy didn't turn around she just kept staring out the window. Michael went over to her and touched her shoulder. She growled. Michael ignored it and wrapped his arms around her and held her against his chest.

"Let. go. of. me. now." Amy beat on his chest, trying to push away from him. He held on, refusing to let her go. Finally she let go and started crying. Heart renching sobs that shook both her and Michael who was still holding on. After a few minutes she stopped crying, and fell down on the floor. Michael kept hugging her.

"Amy. I need a decision. I have to call the attorney back." Amy nodded and cleared her throat. Just as she was about to speak, there was a knock at the door. Peter yelled come in.

"Peter. There is someone here to see you. He said that he doesn't have an appointment but that he has a pressing matter that needs your attention about a student. What should I tell him?"

"Tell him to sit and make himself comfortable. I will be with him as soon as possible. I am in the middle of a meeting with a student right now. Did he happen to give a name by chance?"

"He said his name was Jim. He's a big heavyset guy. Beard, makes him look like Santa Claus. He kinda gives me the creeps if you know what I mean" Peter nodded and looked at Amy, who had gone completely pale. He swore.

"Tell him that we have nothing to-" A voice cut him off.

"Show him in. I'm ok Peter. I can do this." Peter nodded and told the girl to show him in to his office and to also give Curtis a call and tell him to get up here immediately. The girl nodded and left the office. Peter turned to Amy.

"Amy, Are you sure about this? I can have Curtis here in a matter of minutes to arrest him if he doesn't leave. You don't have to do this. He's trying to force you to meet with him." He looked at Michael. He shrugged.

"Peter. I am going to be ok. Whatever happens in here- I'll be ok with. Within reason. But yeah give Curtis a call definitely!" Peter nodded and took his seat behind his desk. Amy sat on the couch with Michael next to her rubbing her back and whispering soothing words in her ear.

KNOCK KNOCK

Peter motioned for the student to open the door. She did and Jim stood there in the doorway. Peter thanked the girl and she left, pulling the door shut behind her. Peter gestured to the chair in front of him. Jim sat down, setting his briefcase down next to the chair.

"Mr. Scarbrow. I am really quite sorry to barge in unannounced but as I told that nice young lady. It was a very pressing matter that requires your immediate attention." Peter merely nodded, gesturing for him to go on.

"I would like to see Amy please." Peter shook his head.

"I am afraid that is out of the question. Amy is the middle of a lawsuit in which you are the other party. This appears to me to be a clear case of intent to intimidate. I think that you should leave or I will have no choice but to call the local authorities." Jim remained seated.

"Why are you here?" Jim stood up and turned around and faced Amy, who had stood up from the couch. He came toward her and she held up a hand and stepped away, pressing closer to Michael. She sneered at Jim

"I asked you a question. Why are you here. I deserve to know why you are here. And don't lie to me Jim. Oh , yeah I don't bother calling you Uncle anymore. You don't deserve that title." Jim glanced around and laughed nervously. Then he tried to act stern.

"Young Lady, I am not going to discuss anything with outsiders standing around privy to our family discussions. Is there somewhere more private we can go?" Amy Laughed.

"Why? So you can threaten me with bodily harm if I don't back down? Tell me that you are going to hurt me more? That you are going to hurt my parents? That you are going to make my life miserable? I am immune to your threats." Jim smiled suddenly.

"No, my dear. I came here today to tell me that you are coming home. Your parents wouldn't consent so I went through the courts to get legal custody of you, Obviously they don't care at all for you, if they are willing to let you just sit in this awful place."

Amy just stood there and looked at him. Peter and Michael were standing there in Shock. Jim took a step towards Amy. Amy didn't move. Peter grabbed Jim's arm and pulled him away from Amy.

"You are really sad and pathetic. You know that right? The courts will not grant custody of an adult to anyone. Loser. I turned 18 a month ago. You really should know me better than that." Amy turned and sat down on the couch.

"Obviously you think that I would never question a single thing that you did Jim. You assume that I would just go with you and live happily ever after. Well you know what. It don't work that way. Life is not neat and pretty. It's messy as hell. I want you to leave. I do not want to ever see your face again. Only in court when I take the stand and tell them EVERYTHING that you ever did to me. You sick perverted sonofabitch. Make no mistake- They will know everything. And I will take you down. Peter, I want him gone- I want him to leave. I am done with him, I have nothing more to say to him." Peter nodded and picked up his phone.

"Who is he calling Amy?" Jim stood up only to be pushed back down by Michael. He sat like that quietly for the next few minutes until Peter got off the phone.

"Curtis will be here in a few minutes. Roger is going to come keep an eye on him until then. Amy we should get you out of here- You need to get some food and rest." Amy nodded and waved to Peter and Michael. Before she made it out the door, Her uncle had one more parting shot.

"Don't worry my dear- We will see each other again. I am sure of it." Amy flipped him off and walked out shutting the door quietly.

She passed Roger and Curtis and continued on her way to the dining hall. She ate dinner and told the others that she was going back to the dorm. She wanted to have an early night. They said their goodnights and Auggie walked her back to the dorm and then went back to where they were going to have a football game.

Amy took a shower and got dressed for bed. She read for a few minutes before turning out her bedside lamp and turning over onto her side. While she lay there, she did some thinking. She had never in her entire life stood up to her uncle. She had taken every single thing that he had given and never said different. She felt very proud of her self for having taken the first step to reclaiming her life. Standing up to him. With that thought she rolled over so that her back was to the door and fell asleep, unaware of the stranger creeping into the cabin.