ARTEX
Chapter five-Haley's friend
2 months later
Everything was back to normal. Haley was now in Grammar School. Emma was so proud of Haley. Deej was careful now not to accuse Stephanie now. Stephanie's cast had come off a few weeks ago. She was back to normal and teasing Kimmy.
Kimmy took off her shoe for a moment because something had gotten stuck.
Everyone at the kitchen table moaned. Emma pretended to fall off the chair.
We laughed. It was the afternoon. Kimmy, Michelle, Stephanie and Deej had all come home from school. Haley was due any moment.
Sure enough, she bounced in merrily with one of her best friends, Piper Harris. Piper was the same age as Haley. She had long dark brown hair and brown eyes.
"Hi everyone!" Haley said, brightly as she plopped her backpack down on one of the kitchen chairs. Danny was in the living room, vacuuming.
"Hey. How was your day?" Emma asked, cheerfully.
"Good. Mrs. Arnold passed gas during class," Haley said, roaring with laughter.
Stephanie choked on her milk as she laughed too. I made a raspberry sounding noise.
Everyone laughed harder.
EMMA.
I turned to Piper.
"Hi. How are you today?" I asked, kindly.
"Good," Piper replied.
I noticed a bruise on her arm, just below the elbow.
"Hey. What happened here?" I asked, gently taking her arm and examining it.
"Oh. I bumped into a cabinet at home," Piper said, quickly smiling.
I could tell it was forced though. I raised my eyes to Joey's. He frowned and followed my gaze.
The bruise looked more like fingerprints than a normal bruise.
"Oh yeah. I've done that lots of times," Joey said, smiling at Piper.
"Piper? Would you like to stay for dinner?" Haley asked, cheerfully.
"Um, I don't think I can," Piper said. "I have to call my dad. Is it okay if I use the phone?"
"Sure. Go right ahead," Joey said.
"Thanks,"
Piper headed over to the phone and she began dialing.
Joey sat beside me.
"That didn't look like an ordinary bruise to me," he whispered.
"I know. They looked like fingerprints," I whispered back.
We waited patiently as Piper got off the phone.
"There's no answer," Piper said as she came over and sat down in Danny's chair.
"Is he supposed to pick you up here?" Michelle asked, helping herself to some cookies.
"Yeah. I told him I was coming here," Piper said, looking anxious.
"Don't worry…he probably went out to the store. Try again in another half hour," I said reassuringly.
"Yeah…you're right," Piper said, as she started to calm down.
"While you're waiting, why don't we get started on our homework?" Haley suggested.
"Okay," Piper said.
Both of them headed upstairs.
Haley was now in her own room. Deej moved downstairs in the basement/garage. Danny came into the kitchen next.
"Is Haley home?" he asked.
"Yeah…and she brought a friend," Joey said.
"Piper? She's a nice kid," Danny said.
"Danny, we saw bruises on her arm that looked funny," I said.
"Really? Like what?" Danny asked, becoming attentive.
"Like fingerprints," Joey said.
"She said she walked into a cabinet at home," Stephanie said.
"Hmm…maybe we'd better question Haley about it," Danny mused.
A half an hour later, Piper came down to try again.
"He's mad at me," Piper said. "Can someone drive me?"
"Sure honey. I'll drive you," I said, kindly.
"Thanks," Piper said, as she hurried back upstairs to gather her things and then came back down.
We hurried out of the back door and over to my new car. Joey had gotten me a Toyota Camry. I had Piper sit in the passenger seat and buckle up. I climbed into the driver's seat, closed my door and started the car. We pulled out of the driveway and Piper told me her address.
When we pulled up in front of her house, I turned to her.
"Why's your dad mat at you?" I asked.
"Because I'm late," Piper said, as she quickly began gathering her things.
"But he wasn't home…that's not your fault," I said, astonished.
"Thanks for the ride. Tell Haley I'll see her tomorrow," Piper said, as she pushed open her door and climbed out.
Just then, the door to her house opened and a man dressed in torn jeans and a flannel shirt stepped out.
"WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?" he bellowed irritably.
"I'm sorry!" Piper apologized.
He grabbed her roughly by the arm and literally threw her into the house. He closed the door and I heard a scream followed by cries of pleading. I jumped and felt tears forming in my eyes. I put the car in drive and headed back home.
As soon as I entered the kitchen, everyone looked up.
"Emma? Is something wrong?" Danny asked.
I swallowed.
"Where's Haley?"
"In the living room," Joey said, keeping his eyes on me the entire time.
Without a word, I rushed into the living room and found her sitting on the couch, playing with Niki and Alex. I went over to her and threw my arms around her and hugged her.
"Mom? Are you okay?" Haley asked, as she hugged me back.
I didn't let go of her for a bit.
I heard the swinging door opening. I looked up. Joey and Stephanie were standing there.
"Okay…Mom? Air getting less….can't breathe," Haley said, gasping.
I finally let go of her. She eyed me warily.
"Are you tanked? Or are you missing a few marbles?"
"Aunt Emma? Is everything okay?" Stephanie asked, concerned.
"Yeah. I just wanted to give Haley a hug," I said, taking a deep breath.
Joey was eyeing me warily like Haley was.
"Kids? Do you think I could speak to Emma alone?" Joey asked.
"Sure. No problem," Stephanie said.
She took Niki, Alex and Haley into the kitchen for ice cream.
"What's going on?" Joey asked, standing in front of me.
I began pacing. I dug the heels of my palms into my eyes.
"I dropped Piper off. Her father grabbed her by the arm and literally threw her into the house…then I heard her scream," I said, shutting my eyes, trying to make the images and sounds go away.
"What?" Joey asked, seriously.
I repeated what I had just said.
"Do you think he hits her?" Joey asked.
I could see he literally wanted to pommel this guy and I didn't blame him.
"I don't know! But something's going on here," I said, letting my arms drop to my sides.
"Okay…we'll question Haley," Joey said. "HALEY!"
Haley came hurrying back into the living room.
"Yeah, Dad?"
"Sit," Joey said.
Haley sat on the couch and looked at us curiously.
"Listen…I want you to tell us the truth," Joey continued.
Haley nodded, signaling that she understood.
"Okay…did Piper tell you anything about her father?"
The color drained from her face, signaling to us that she had said something.
"What is it?" I asked, standing beside Joey.
Haley sighed.
"She told me that a while ago her dad would beat her,"
Joey angrily did an about-face.
"My God," I said, raising a hand to my mouth.
"But he doesn't now!" Haley said. "She told me he stopped."
"I don't think so. I heard her scream after I dropped her off," I said, quietly.
Haley looked upset.
"Why would a father hurt their kid?"
"Because they have a problem," Joey replied. "We'd rather hurt ourselves than hurt you and the girls."
"Listen, please don't tell her I said anything. I promised I wouldn't," Haley pleaded.
"Haley…" I began but she cut me off.
"No! Please! Don't!" Haley pleaded.
Joey and I looked at each other defeated.
"Okay. Go wash up for dinner," Joey said.
Haley hurried upstairs. I plopped down on the couch.
"This is exactly like Stephanie's friend from class that the father hit him…remember?"
"Charles," Joey said, slowly.
"Yeah. I'm glad he ended up in a nice, loving family. Becky told me," I replied.
Joey sighed.
"I really can't understand how someone could hurt their child,"
"Neither can I," I added quietly.
"Hey, listen…don't worry about this. We'll figure something out," Joey said, wrapping his arms around me and drawing me into a hug. I hugged him back tightly.
"I love you," Joey whispered into my ear.
"I love you too," I whispered back.
He gently gave me a kiss before pulling back.
"Guys? Time for dinner!" Becky's voice called from the kitchen.
We got up and headed into the kitchen. Becky made chicken casserole.
"Great. This is not going to leave my body for another 3 days," Jesse replied, teasingly.
"Keep it up and I'll make you sleep with Comet," Becky retorted good-naturedly.
A low chorus of "whoo's" went around.
Jesse turned to Joey and I.
"Can I ask you two a question?"
"Sure," Joey said, handing Michelle a roll.
"Why is it that you two never fight or give each other a hard time?" Jesse asked, breaking into a grin.
"Yeah…why is that?" D.J. said, also grinning. "You're like the perfect married couple."
Joey and I looked at each other and slowly grinned.
"Well, that's because we listen to each other and compromise," Joey replied.
"That and if we fight, I told Joey he's got to sleep in the toilet for a week," I added grinning.
They laughed.
I leaned close to Becky.
"Plus no 'reward' for a week," I winked.
Becky nearly choked on her soda. She began laughing and coughing at the same time. Jesse patted her on the back.
"Whoa, Becky…you okay?" Danny asked.
Becky was too busy laughing and she was turning red.
"What did you say to her?" Joey asked, amused.
"Never mind," I said, as she and I caught each other's gaze and giggled too.
"Too much sugar," Jesse replied.
Just then, there was a knock on the door.
Stephanie answered it. It was Kimmy.
"Hi Tanerino's!" Kimmy said, cheerfully as she stepped into the kitchen.
"Oh look who it is," Stephanie said. "It's Barbie."
Joey snorted.
Kimmy frowned at Steph before coming over to me.
"Hey. That old boyfriend of yours was killed yesterday," Kimmy replied.
Every fork was dropped and clattered onto the plates.
"What?" I asked, slowly.
"What happened?" Danny asked.
"Don't know exactly…one of the inmates got a hold of him," Kimmy said.
"Old boyfriend?" Haley asked, looking from Joey to me.
Before I could reply, Kimmy told Haley everything. Joey and I didn't want to tell her anything because we were afraid she'd get scared and worried.
"Yeah. Your mom's old boyfriend came to the radio station one day and knocked her out. That's when she couldn't remember anything," Kimmy said.
Haley's expression dropped. All the color drained from her face.
Michelle smacked herself on her forehead.
Haley turned her eyes onto Joey and I.
"Is that true? You all told me that Mom wasn't feeling well," Haley said, looking around at everyone else.
Everyone began mumbling something but Haley cut them off.
"I see," Haley said, getting up from her seat. "Thanks for everything."
Her voice was shaky as she tore upstairs.
"Nice job, Kimmy," Stephanie said, rolling her eyes.
Joey and I looked at each other.
We both stood up, wanting to go and talk to her.
"I'll go. Stay," Joey offered.
I nodded and sat back down. Joey headed upstairs.
JOEY.
I found Haley lying face down on her bed. She had the pillow over her head. I knocked and waited until Haley acknowledged the knock.
"Go away," Haley said her voice muffled.
"Can I talk to you?" I asked, gently.
"Whatever," Haley muttered.
I went over and sat down on the edge of her bed. I put a hand on her calf.
"Why didn't you and mom tell me?" Haley demanded.
"Because we didn't want to worry you," I said, softly.
"You lied to me,"
"I know…we just didn't want you to be worrying. We took care of that man," I said.
Haley pulled her head out from under the pillow and sat up, facing me. There were tears in her eyes.
I looked at her startled.
"I don't want anything to happen to you or mom! Where would I be then?" Haley cried, as tears slid down her cheeks.
"Oh," I said, gently. "We're not going anywhere. Trust me."
"But what would've happened if mom's memory hadn't returned? We would be perfect strangers to her!" Haley cried. "That would bother me the most!"
I put a hand on her shoulders.
"I know…but let's thank God that it did and she's okay,"
"What else happened that you never told me about?" Haley demanded.
I sighed. I might as well tell her everything that happened.
I launched into the whole story.
When I was done, Haley's eyes were the size of silver dollars.
"God…he sounded horrible," Haley said, exhaling loudly.
"He was…and is. When I first met your mother, I fell in love with her immediately. She was nervous to get involved because Mike used to hit her badly. But once she saw that I wasn't that type of person, she calmed down,"
"Geeze," Haley said, gasping.
"But everything is okay now…don't worry. You mother and I are not going anywhere," I said, reassuringly.
Haley hugged me.
"Let's go back down, Okay?"
Haley nodded and we headed back downstairs.