Away.
Years Later...
Harmony stood quiet in the mourning, as its residents began to stir up and begin their days.Marcus Brown, trotted the stairs to his best friends duplex.He knocked, in a loud manner knowing he'd be fast asleep.
"Jesus Christ, what!?"Miguel moaned, as he opened the door furiously.
"mournin' to you too, Miguel." Marcus snickered, as he let himselft in.
"so, what brings you to my house...at six in the mourning?"he began as he closed the door, and followed behind.
"looking a little pudgy aren't we."Marcus observed, as he made himself comfy on Miguel's couch.
"what do you want, Marcus?"
"remember when we used to jog in the mourning."
"yeah,"Miguel sighed as he sat himself down."we still do."
"not as much, and as you can see we aren't as fit as we used to be."
"speak for yourself."Miguel snapped, at the truth they haven't gone out for that jog in months, maybe even in a few years."let's go."he finished as he got up and made his way upstairs.
The phone began to ring boldly in Jessica Bennet's apartment building, as her hand searched her night table for it."hello?" she answered half asleep.
The faint voice woke her up compleatly, as she stood up compleatly"so your really going to go through with this,"
"what other choice do I have Jessica, I can't stay here...it's too dangerous,"she paused."for both of us."
"I know, but your taking a big risk comming back here I mean with---"
"I know their still there, and it's okay I've come to terms with things...I'm guessing they have too, but I'm really not thinking about that right now Jessica, I'm thinking about what's best for Daniel right now, and I'll be damned if"she paused regaining her calm"--we just can't stay here."Charity spoke softly"I have to call my mom, tell her we're comming."
"oh--okay,"
"bye."
"Charity..."Jessica called out.
"yeah."
"be careful."Jessica stated solemly.
"I will, bye Jess."
Charity turned off the cell phone as she continued to drive, she looked up at the front view mirror capturing her son,he slept peacefully.Halfy putting her at ease.She was scared, mortified Charity knew this was the best thing she could do.Even though their wasn't any possible way to make matters better, Charity decided to turn on the radio to lighten things up a bit.
"why don't you tell me the real reason you wanted me to jog with you today."Miguel breathed out, as they did just that.
Marcus shrugged, as they ran."do I have to have a reason."
"when it's six o'clock in the mourning you're damn right you, have to have a reason."
Marcus sighed as he stopped jogging."are you alright man?"
"I'm fine, Marcus."
"bullshit"Marcus roared."you wanna know why I wanted to to jog with me this mourning, I haven't seen your ass in months."
"so,you've missed me."Miguel teased.
"quit playing around, Miguel.We both know why you're acting this way, and I think it's time that you talk about it."
"talk about what?"Miguel retorted"there isn't a damn thing to talk about."
"I can't believe---"
"look, if I wanted to sit here and be your phsychiatry patient...I would!" he stoped as he glared back at Marcus, trying to regain his calm."just...save all of your advice, someone who really needs it."he took a deep breath before picking up a jog once more.Marcus following not too far away, he knew something was wrong with his best friend just as much as he knew Miguel would never say anything about it.
Faith had just gotten, a call from Charity and she was extatic she was comming down.The two talked briefly through out the years and her and David were there for Charity's wedding to Jackson, but it was nice to finally have her home, where she really belonged.
The door bell rang suddenly, as Faith went to answer it."oh, hey David."
"is this a bad time?" he questioned at the other end of the door.
"no, not at all please come in."she invited, as the two headed down the hall she continued."I just heard a call from, Charity her and Daniel are comming to visit,"
"oh that's wonderful, what about Jackson?" David questioned.
Flashback.
"so,"Charity turned around to face her mother."how do I look?"
Faith just shook her head in dissaproval, as she watched her daugther on the platform, she felt bittersweet...this was supposed to a happy occassions, but the circomstanses harshly bittered the whole thing"don't make me do this, Charity."
"so you don't like this dress."
"don't joke about this, you know exactlly what I'm talking about."Faith hissed as she glared at her daughter.
Charity sighed as she got down from the platform."I know, and I'm really tired of everyone telling me how wrong I' am for doing this, Jackson is the father of my child and I intend to marry him.Why can't you just except that?"
"because you're too young!"Faith thundered."Charity, you're just a child you don't know the first thing about marriage and yet here you are jumping into it, with a man you hardly even know."
Charity turned back to the mirror observing her wedding dress.
"I love you honey, and I know you think you're doing what's best for Daniel"Faith sighed as she tried to reach out for her child."but if you go through with this marriage, you'll be doing that boy damage beyond repair."
"I'd rather die than hurt Daniel mom,"Charity started still facing the mirror."and that's why I'm doing this,I love Jackson and I know this is going to work...it has to."
"honey--"
"look, I called you up here because I needed your support."Charity turned to face her mother."you're all I have, mom; but if you can't except my decision, I think it best you just go back to Harmony."
And so, Faith sat through the wedding she prayed wouldn't happen.She still believed that Charity marrying Jackson would be a mistake.too young., she thought to herself, as she watched the wedding ceremony fly by she was holding Daniel protectively in her arms, his eyes so bright and innocent.She cradled the child in her arms as she watched on at his parents,she was still against the idea but if it meant Daniel had a chance at having a real familly...she'd grit her teeth, and hope for the best.
"well, that's the thing.Charity didn't really say anything about him, but I know they're having some problems."Faith sat down at the kicthen table."I don't know what to make of it, David.I don't even know if their marriage is acctually going to last."
David sat beside her, placing his hand over hers"I'm sure that's not the reason she's comming, you always think the worst!" he teased, trying to lighten things up.
"I guess you may be right."
"so when are the two comming?"
"Charity said, they'd make it in by tomorow mourning."
"Daniel,"he smiled atthe though of the little boy"he must be getting so big."
"he is." Faith responded warmly.
"why don't we do something together today?"
Faith laughed, at David's spontaneous idea."what would you have in mind Mr. Hastings?"
"depends on your answer Ms.Standish."
"well, I'll think about it...why don't I fix you something, you look hungry."faith observed him as she got up from her chair.
"you know I'm really not---"
"sit!"Faith ordered.
"yes m'am."
Mourning went to evening, and Charity had stopped in a small motel to rest for the night.Daniel was complaining he was hungry, as he woke and she had to admit she was to.Fortunately, there was a pit stop beside the restaurant that could hopefully do for tonight.
"happy birthday to you...
happy birthday to you...
happy birthday dear Danny,
Happy birthday to you!"
The diner staff sang to the little boy, as Charity watched him blow out his candels with a mighty gust of breath.
"so what did you wish for?"Charity questioned, as she smiled.
Daniel just remained quiet as he glared over at his mother.
"oh, so you're giving me the silent treatment now."she laughed, while a small smille brushed her face.
His only response was, digging his small fork into the large piece of cake.
"Danny,"she sighed, as he looked her in the eye."I know how much you wanted your dad to come on this trip with us, and I know you don't understand what the point of this whole thing is...but you just have to bear with me on this one."her voice was sincere and solem, as she tried to explain things to her son.
He tried his best to ignore his mother, as devolged into his birthday cake; But he couldn't stand to see her this upset, slowly his small stuby hands, slid th eplat in the middle of the table.
"don't be sad, Mommy."he thrusted his plastic fork at her."have some chocolate."
She laughed, at her son's humour as she took the fork from his small hands."thank you."she smiled, as the two devowered the small cake.
"c'mon, Danny wash up before we get back to the hotel."Charity began as she wathced Daniel push open the stall door"do you need help?"
"no!" he huffed as he closed the door, tired of his mother fawning over him all the time couldn't she see that he was three years old!? He was a big boy, and certainly didn't need his mom treating him like a baby.
"okay, okay."Charity laughed, as she truned to the water tap and slowly turned it on.She lifted her shirt and took a quick look at her bruise, it looked horrible she knew she should of went to the hospital before they left but she couldn't take any risks.As she braught her fingertips to it, she felt a burning pain surge through her body.She hushed her self, while pursing her lips sure not make Daniel ask any questions.After dabbing some water on her wounds, she turned her shirt down.
The sound of the toilet flushing filled the room, as Daniel proudly strudded out.Charity nelt down and picked Daniel up, putting his hands towards the tap.
"but, I'm not tired"Daniel yawned out, as Charity tucked him under the bed sheets.
"I'm sure you're aren't, but it's time for little boy's like you to be in bed."
"I'm not a little boy, mommy..."Daniel protested." I'm a man!"
"oh is that right?"Charity giggled, as she continued to tuck her little boy in."well, I'm sorry sweetie, it's time for little men like you to be in bed."
"mom--"he pouted.
"goodnight, little man" she teased while sitting beside him."I love you." she ended while securing Daniel into bed, and kissing him gently on his forehead as he softly drifted away.
"me too mom."he whispered as he finally shut his eyes, as clung tightly to his teddy bear.
She stood while looking over at Daniel, as he slept peacefully crossing her arms slightly she checked to see if the door was locked, and the blinds were shut.She braught herself up to the window, and felt mezmorized by all the cars whizzing by and the bright neon lights reflecting from every direction.There Charity felt calm...
Flashback.
"don't! please!" she pleaded with him but he just wouldn't stop.
His slurry voice spoke once more as Charity could smell the hard alchohol in his breath.He grabbed her arms, and tackled her to the floor violently.She begged him, but he wouldn't let go she faught but his grip got tighter and tighter.why wouldn't he stop. her mind raced.why won't he stop. it repeated.
The passing cars shook her out of one of her dazes, as she hugged herself tighter than before.Those horrid days she'd just have to put behind her, and move on just like she'd always done.
just move on her mind ordered her, as she layed beside Daniel hugging him as tightly as she could and closing her eyes.
Years Later...
Harmony stood quiet in the mourning, as its residents began to stir up and begin their days.Marcus Brown, trotted the stairs to his best friends duplex.He knocked, in a loud manner knowing he'd be fast asleep.
"Jesus Christ, what!?"Miguel moaned, as he opened the door furiously.
"mournin' to you too, Miguel." Marcus snickered, as he let himselft in.
"so, what brings you to my house...at six in the mourning?"he began as he closed the door, and followed behind.
"looking a little pudgy aren't we."Marcus observed, as he made himself comfy on Miguel's couch.
"what do you want, Marcus?"
"remember when we used to jog in the mourning."
"yeah,"Miguel sighed as he sat himself down."we still do."
"not as much, and as you can see we aren't as fit as we used to be."
"speak for yourself."Miguel snapped, at the truth they haven't gone out for that jog in months, maybe even in a few years."let's go."he finished as he got up and made his way upstairs.
The phone began to ring boldly in Jessica Bennet's apartment building, as her hand searched her night table for it."hello?" she answered half asleep.
The faint voice woke her up compleatly, as she stood up compleatly"so your really going to go through with this,"
"what other choice do I have Jessica, I can't stay here...it's too dangerous,"she paused."for both of us."
"I know, but your taking a big risk comming back here I mean with---"
"I know their still there, and it's okay I've come to terms with things...I'm guessing they have too, but I'm really not thinking about that right now Jessica, I'm thinking about what's best for Daniel right now, and I'll be damned if"she paused regaining her calm"--we just can't stay here."Charity spoke softly"I have to call my mom, tell her we're comming."
"oh--okay,"
"bye."
"Charity..."Jessica called out.
"yeah."
"be careful."Jessica stated solemly.
"I will, bye Jess."
Charity turned off the cell phone as she continued to drive, she looked up at the front view mirror capturing her son,he slept peacefully.Halfy putting her at ease.She was scared, mortified Charity knew this was the best thing she could do.Even though their wasn't any possible way to make matters better, Charity decided to turn on the radio to lighten things up a bit.
"why don't you tell me the real reason you wanted me to jog with you today."Miguel breathed out, as they did just that.
Marcus shrugged, as they ran."do I have to have a reason."
"when it's six o'clock in the mourning you're damn right you, have to have a reason."
Marcus sighed as he stopped jogging."are you alright man?"
"I'm fine, Marcus."
"bullshit"Marcus roared."you wanna know why I wanted to to jog with me this mourning, I haven't seen your ass in months."
"so,you've missed me."Miguel teased.
"quit playing around, Miguel.We both know why you're acting this way, and I think it's time that you talk about it."
"talk about what?"Miguel retorted"there isn't a damn thing to talk about."
"I can't believe---"
"look, if I wanted to sit here and be your phsychiatry patient...I would!" he stoped as he glared back at Marcus, trying to regain his calm."just...save all of your advice, someone who really needs it."he took a deep breath before picking up a jog once more.Marcus following not too far away, he knew something was wrong with his best friend just as much as he knew Miguel would never say anything about it.
Faith had just gotten, a call from Charity and she was extatic she was comming down.The two talked briefly through out the years and her and David were there for Charity's wedding to Jackson, but it was nice to finally have her home, where she really belonged.
The door bell rang suddenly, as Faith went to answer it."oh, hey David."
"is this a bad time?" he questioned at the other end of the door.
"no, not at all please come in."she invited, as the two headed down the hall she continued."I just heard a call from, Charity her and Daniel are comming to visit,"
"oh that's wonderful, what about Jackson?" David questioned.
Flashback.
"so,"Charity turned around to face her mother."how do I look?"
Faith just shook her head in dissaproval, as she watched her daugther on the platform, she felt bittersweet...this was supposed to a happy occassions, but the circomstanses harshly bittered the whole thing"don't make me do this, Charity."
"so you don't like this dress."
"don't joke about this, you know exactlly what I'm talking about."Faith hissed as she glared at her daughter.
Charity sighed as she got down from the platform."I know, and I'm really tired of everyone telling me how wrong I' am for doing this, Jackson is the father of my child and I intend to marry him.Why can't you just except that?"
"because you're too young!"Faith thundered."Charity, you're just a child you don't know the first thing about marriage and yet here you are jumping into it, with a man you hardly even know."
Charity turned back to the mirror observing her wedding dress.
"I love you honey, and I know you think you're doing what's best for Daniel"Faith sighed as she tried to reach out for her child."but if you go through with this marriage, you'll be doing that boy damage beyond repair."
"I'd rather die than hurt Daniel mom,"Charity started still facing the mirror."and that's why I'm doing this,I love Jackson and I know this is going to work...it has to."
"honey--"
"look, I called you up here because I needed your support."Charity turned to face her mother."you're all I have, mom; but if you can't except my decision, I think it best you just go back to Harmony."
And so, Faith sat through the wedding she prayed wouldn't happen.She still believed that Charity marrying Jackson would be a mistake.too young., she thought to herself, as she watched the wedding ceremony fly by she was holding Daniel protectively in her arms, his eyes so bright and innocent.She cradled the child in her arms as she watched on at his parents,she was still against the idea but if it meant Daniel had a chance at having a real familly...she'd grit her teeth, and hope for the best.
"well, that's the thing.Charity didn't really say anything about him, but I know they're having some problems."Faith sat down at the kicthen table."I don't know what to make of it, David.I don't even know if their marriage is acctually going to last."
David sat beside her, placing his hand over hers"I'm sure that's not the reason she's comming, you always think the worst!" he teased, trying to lighten things up.
"I guess you may be right."
"so when are the two comming?"
"Charity said, they'd make it in by tomorow mourning."
"Daniel,"he smiled atthe though of the little boy"he must be getting so big."
"he is." Faith responded warmly.
"why don't we do something together today?"
Faith laughed, at David's spontaneous idea."what would you have in mind Mr. Hastings?"
"depends on your answer Ms.Standish."
"well, I'll think about it...why don't I fix you something, you look hungry."faith observed him as she got up from her chair.
"you know I'm really not---"
"sit!"Faith ordered.
"yes m'am."
Mourning went to evening, and Charity had stopped in a small motel to rest for the night.Daniel was complaining he was hungry, as he woke and she had to admit she was to.Fortunately, there was a pit stop beside the restaurant that could hopefully do for tonight.
"happy birthday to you...
happy birthday to you...
happy birthday dear Danny,
Happy birthday to you!"
The diner staff sang to the little boy, as Charity watched him blow out his candels with a mighty gust of breath.
"so what did you wish for?"Charity questioned, as she smiled.
Daniel just remained quiet as he glared over at his mother.
"oh, so you're giving me the silent treatment now."she laughed, while a small smille brushed her face.
His only response was, digging his small fork into the large piece of cake.
"Danny,"she sighed, as he looked her in the eye."I know how much you wanted your dad to come on this trip with us, and I know you don't understand what the point of this whole thing is...but you just have to bear with me on this one."her voice was sincere and solem, as she tried to explain things to her son.
He tried his best to ignore his mother, as devolged into his birthday cake; But he couldn't stand to see her this upset, slowly his small stuby hands, slid th eplat in the middle of the table.
"don't be sad, Mommy."he thrusted his plastic fork at her."have some chocolate."
She laughed, at her son's humour as she took the fork from his small hands."thank you."she smiled, as the two devowered the small cake.
"c'mon, Danny wash up before we get back to the hotel."Charity began as she wathced Daniel push open the stall door"do you need help?"
"no!" he huffed as he closed the door, tired of his mother fawning over him all the time couldn't she see that he was three years old!? He was a big boy, and certainly didn't need his mom treating him like a baby.
"okay, okay."Charity laughed, as she truned to the water tap and slowly turned it on.She lifted her shirt and took a quick look at her bruise, it looked horrible she knew she should of went to the hospital before they left but she couldn't take any risks.As she braught her fingertips to it, she felt a burning pain surge through her body.She hushed her self, while pursing her lips sure not make Daniel ask any questions.After dabbing some water on her wounds, she turned her shirt down.
The sound of the toilet flushing filled the room, as Daniel proudly strudded out.Charity nelt down and picked Daniel up, putting his hands towards the tap.
"but, I'm not tired"Daniel yawned out, as Charity tucked him under the bed sheets.
"I'm sure you're aren't, but it's time for little boy's like you to be in bed."
"I'm not a little boy, mommy..."Daniel protested." I'm a man!"
"oh is that right?"Charity giggled, as she continued to tuck her little boy in."well, I'm sorry sweetie, it's time for little men like you to be in bed."
"mom--"he pouted.
"goodnight, little man" she teased while sitting beside him."I love you." she ended while securing Daniel into bed, and kissing him gently on his forehead as he softly drifted away.
"me too mom."he whispered as he finally shut his eyes, as clung tightly to his teddy bear.
She stood while looking over at Daniel, as he slept peacefully crossing her arms slightly she checked to see if the door was locked, and the blinds were shut.She braught herself up to the window, and felt mezmorized by all the cars whizzing by and the bright neon lights reflecting from every direction.There Charity felt calm...
Flashback.
"don't! please!" she pleaded with him but he just wouldn't stop.
His slurry voice spoke once more as Charity could smell the hard alchohol in his breath.He grabbed her arms, and tackled her to the floor violently.She begged him, but he wouldn't let go she faught but his grip got tighter and tighter.why wouldn't he stop. her mind raced.why won't he stop. it repeated.
The passing cars shook her out of one of her dazes, as she hugged herself tighter than before.Those horrid days she'd just have to put behind her, and move on just like she'd always done.
just move on her mind ordered her, as she layed beside Daniel hugging him as tightly as she could and closing her eyes.