Chapter 4 – The Gift

The next morning Tommy woke up around 9:32 AM. He looked down to find Jude. She was still sleeping in his arms. He smiled and kissed her forehead lightly. This is the way things should be.

"So it wasn't all a dream after all. She looks so peaceful." He thought as he was looking at her. He pulled her closer to him but Jude's eyes swung open.

Jude: "Tommy?" she asked still half asleep.

Tommy: "Morning beautiful. How did you sleep?"

Jude smiled now completely opening her eyes and remembering that she had spend the night with Tommy "Morning handsome. I never slept better."

Tommy: "Good. You hungry?"

Jude: "Depends. You cooking?"

Tommy smiled and got off the bed "Anything for you, Girl. What do you feel like eating?"

Jude was just looking at him. His manly shape. His irresistible six-packs. She had dreamed about this for so long that now she couldn't believe it was really happening. Tommy was everything she ever wanted. He was perfect in every way.

Tommy: "Jude? Are you checking me out?" he laughed not believing she actually was. He waved his hand in front of her face.

Jude: "Huh….pancakes."

Tommy: "What? Pancakes? Oh you want pancakes? Coming right up." he left the room still in his boxers and headed for the kitchen.

Jude got off the bed and looked for her phone to see if her mom had called. It read "3 missed calls. 1 missed voicemail." When she checked her call log they were all from Sadie except one that was from her mom. Then she dialed her private 4-digit code to hear the voice mail. When she heard Sadie's massage she froze. Still in Tommy's clothes she ran out of the bedroom, grabbed her purse from the living room and headed for the door. Tommy seeing she was leaving hurried and stopped her.

Tommy: "Where are you going? I was making you breakfast."

Jude: "I have to go. Something is wrong with Sadie."

Tommy: "What? How do you know?"

Jude just threw the phone at him. Tommy listened to the massage. His face expression changed. His face turned white.

Tommy: "Wait 2 seconds. I'll go change and I'm coming with you. Try to call her while I change."

Tommy ran to his bedroom while Jude took her phone again and dialed Sadie's number.

Operator: "The number you have called is not available."

Jude: "Oh no."

She dialed her home number. It was ringing but there was no answer. Just as Jude hung up Tommy ran out of his room fully dressed. They both headed to Tommy's car and drove off to Jude's house.

When they arrived in Jude's driveway a police car was parked outside. Sadie's car was in the driveway but it didn't mean anything since Sadie had left with Nathan in his car.

Jude: "Police? What are they doing here?

Tommy trying to comfort her as they hurried to the door: "I'm sure its nothing."

Jude swung the door open and ran inside. Victoria was sitting with 2 policemen in the living room. Sadie was no where to be seen.

Jude: "Mom where's Sadie? What's going on?"

Victoria ran to Jude and put her arms around her. "Oh honey. I don't know. She didn't come home last night. I got scared and called the police. I tried calling you."

Jude: "She didn't come home? At all? Oh God." she began to panic.

Tommy just stood there listening. "This is all my fault. If I had gone with her she would have been alright. No that would have meant that Jude would have left with that moron. I knew there was something wrong with that guy." He blamed himself.

Police Man #1: "I take it you're the sister? How did you know Sadie wasn't home?"

Jude letting go of her mom turned to the police officer: "Oh she left me a massage. I just got it about half hour ago and hurried here."

Police Man #1: "Can I listen to it?"

Jude: "Yeah, of course." she handed him the phone and he listened to it.

Police Man #1: "Ok this is what we're going to. Right now you two go down to the station and file a missing person report. My partner and I will go over to this Nathan's house and question him."

The cops left and faded sirens could be heard. Jude turned to her mom: "Can you go down to the station by yourself?"

Victoria: "Yeah, but why can't you come?"

Jude: "Tommy and I are going to go down to where the concert was. Maybe we can find out something. Maybe someone had seen her."

Victoria: "That's a good idea. Call me the instant you hear something. Oh and Jude, be careful."

She kissed Jude's cheek, gave Tommy a hug and whispered in his ear: "Take care of her. I trust you."

Tommy: "No problem."

And with this they all spread out and went in search of Sadie.

Both Tommy and Jude were silent in the car.

Tommy: "JudeI'am sure she's fine." he tried to comfort her.

Jude turning to him: "Fine? Then why isn't she home? I will never forgive myself if something happened to her." tears were starting to roll down her cheeks.

Tommy put his right hand on her left knee

Tommy: "Jude this is not your fault. You couldn't have done anything even if you were there."

Jude: "If I didn't agree to your stupid plan Sadie would be home now. Safe. Every time I'm having a good time something bad happens. First Darius' death and now Sadie is missing." she shut her eyes closed when she realized Sadie could have suffered the same fate Darius had.

Tommy: "If you hadn't agreed than you might be missing today. I wouldn't be able to bear it Jude."

Jude couldn't look at him: "Better me than her." she said through sobs.

Tommy pulled off the highway and parked: "Jude, don't say that. Please don't. I can't imagine my life without you. I would have looked for you until the day I die. I know I shouldn't say this but I'm glad you didn't go with that creep last night." he said pulling her to him.

Jude sank her head in his chest and cried harder: "Tommy what if she's not alright? What if we have to bury another loved one? I can't take this. I should have picked up my phone last night. I could have helped her. She needed me." she cried harder but pulled away from Tommyand said "Let's go. We're wasting time."

Tommy put the engine on but turned to Jude before driving again: "Jude even if you had picked up the phone we don't know if that would have made a difference. I promise you we will find her." and with this they drove off.

When they finally got there no one was anywhere near by. The place looked like a pig sty. Trash everywhere. As Jude and Tommy walked around looking for anybody they could question Jude's phone rang. It read Mom and Jude flipped her phone open answering

Jude: "Mom? Did you find her?"

Victoria: "No Honey. Are you having any luck?"

Jude's throat was dry: "No."

Victoria: "Honey the police man just called me. He said he had gone over to Nathan and talked to him. He told them he had received a call from his aunt yesterday with a family emergency and he left early. Sadie stayed behind. That was the last time he'd seen her."

Jude: "Oh no." she closed her eyes as tears rolled down her cheeks again.

Tommy stood there quietly trying to hear what Jude's mom was saying.

Jude: "Where are you now?"

Victoria: "I just came home. I filed the report. I'll stay here in case-" silence

Jude: "Mom? You there?"

Victoria: "Oh my God."

Jude: "Mom? What's going on?"

Victoria: "Jude. She's home." beep

Jude swung her eye lids open farther, grabbed Tommy's hand and ran over to the Viper.

Tommy: "What's going on Jude?"

Jude: "Tommy drive. To my house. I don't know. Mom was saying that she filed the report and than she just said She's home."

Tommy: "So she's alright? She was talking about Sadie?"

Jude: "I don't know."

Jude smiled as a glimpse of hope crept up her spine. Tommy took her hand and held it the rest of the drive to Jude's house. They drove in silence. When they finally arrived, Jude ran out and headed for the door before Tommy had even parked the car. She swung the door open and ran inside just like she had that very morning. As she ran inside the living room Sadie and Victoria were sitting on the couch. Sadie looked like a mess. Her clothes were torn. Her hair was all tangled. Her make-up was smeared. Jude ran in her sister's arms.

Jude: "Sadie. Oh my God you scared me. I am so sorry I didn't get your message until this morning. Where have you been? You almost gave me a heart attack."

Sadie just wrapped her arms around her sister taking in the comfort of a loved one. Tears were now streaming down her face. Tommy ran through the door but stayed quiet when he saw the moment between the two sisters.

Sadie: "I'm Ok. It's not your fault."

Tommy: "Sadie. I am so sorry I should have never let this happen."

Sadie now looked up at him: "Tommy. It's not your fault. I'm home now." she said trying to smile like everything was alright. Jude, Tommy and even Victoria saw through that façade but neither knew what happened to Sadie or where she had been all night long. Sadie let go off Jude and got up to her feet. They could tell she was weak.

Sadie: "If you don't mind I'm going to go up and take a shower."

Victoria: "Of course honey. I'll go and fix you something to eat and call the police to let them know your home."

Sadie just walked away from them without a response. The three remained clueless looking at each other.

Victoria just smiled and walked out to the kitchen.

Jude: "Tommy I think you should go. Tell Georgia I won't be in today. I'm just going to stay here with Sadie for the rest of the day."

Tommy: "Ok Jude. You sure you don't need me to stay?"

Jude smiled sincerely: "No Tommy. I think Sadie needs me right now. I'll call you later."

Tommy walked over to her and kissed her lightly. She hugged him and let her hands fall to her sides.

Tommy: "If you need me, call."

Jude: "I will."

Tommy turns around and walks out. Jude closes the door behind him and locks it. She didn't know why but she just didn't feel safe right now. She turned around and headed up the stairs to Sadie's room.

Jude opened the door to Sadie's room but she was still in the shower. She decided to wait. An hour and a half later Sadie walked out.

Jude: "Hey. I was beginning to worry. I thought you might have drowned in there." she said as she tried to lighten up the mood.

Sadie smiled but Jude knew it wasn't a real smile. She knew Sadie faked it.

Jude: "Sadie, what happened last night?"

Sadie looked at Jude. She walked over to her bed where Jude was sitting and sat beside her. She closed her eyes as if picturing last night's events. Jude saw tears coming down Sadie's cheeks and she threw her arms around her sister. She wanted to comfort her. She wanted to take her pain away whatever it may be. But Jude knew she couldn't do that. Sadie finally picked up her head and wiped her tears

Sadie: "Jude. You have to promise you won't tell mom."

Jude: "Sadie. I promise."

Sadie: "God Jude, it was awful. Nathan and I got to the concert and everything was going so good. We had so much fun. About 2 hours into it he gets a phone call from his aunt. She told him there was some big emergency and he had to go home. I told him to go and not to worry about me. He was hesitant to leave me but I was convincing. So he finally left. I stayed another half hour or so but it wasn't fun all by myself so I decided to go home. I walked out of the arena and realized I didn't have a car cuz I came with Nathan. I tried calling a taxi but my cell phone didn't have reception. I walked a little while down the street looking for a pay phone. When I didn't find one I saw a group of people standing across the street. I walked over and asked if I could use one of they're phones." tears started coming down her cheeks again. Jude saw pain in her sister's eyes. Sadie closed her eye lids as if trying to forget what had happened next. Jude just stood there not knowing what to say.

Finally, after a long pause, Sadie went on: "They pushed me around and took my purse. They ran off with my wallet and everything else I had except my phone. I had it in my hand. I was left all alone in a deserted alley without money. I decided to walk down to the train station. Finally my phone got signal and I tried calling you but I only got your voice mail. Half way there I was stopped by a couple of guys just when I was leaving you a message. They….they …." she cried even harder and threw herself in Jude's embrace.

Jude's eyes filled with tears as she held her sister. She knew what Sadie was trying to say.

Jude: "Shhh. You're Ok now. I am so sorry Sadie." she cried with her remembering Sadie's message on her phone. The screams. The horror. The fright Sadie must have felt. Jude could almost picture it.

Sadie tried going on: "They tried to rape me." she spit out the words. Gulped. "One was holing me down while the other two tore at my clothes. I tried fighting back. I screamed my lungs off but no one heard me." she said crying. Tears following more tears. Jude's tears now matching the size of Sadie's.

Sadie: "When I gave up fighting I saw a forth guy. He threw the other three off of me. He beat them up pretty bad. They ran off. I just laid there on the ground. Crying. I felt so dirty. He picked me up and eased me in his pick-up truck. He asked me for my name but I couldn't get it out. He said his name was Jason. He said I was safe with him. I didn't try getting out of the car. For the first time that night I felt safe. After about driving for 10 minutes in silence we arrived at a little house. He took me inside and made me hot tea. I drank it and just sat there looking at him. We sat there the whole night. He didn't try anything. I couldn't sleep, I was too scared. But he didn't try anything; he just brought me home this morning."

Sadie finally stopped. She held on to Jude like there was no tomorrow. They both cried in each others arms.

Victoria: "Girls. Breakfast is ready." she yelled from downstairs. Jude and Sadie let go of each other and smiled.

Jude: "You want to go down and eat something?"

Sadie: "Jude you promised you wouldn't say anything. You know she would blame herself. I don't want her to feel guilty."

Jude: "I know. I won't say anything. Come on let's get you something to eat."

Together the 2 sisters made they're way downstairs hand in hand.

"This is all my fault. I should have never agreed to go to prom with Tommy. This would have never happened if I hadn't been so selfish. All I thought about was me and Tommy. Every time we are together something bad happens. First Darius and now Sadie. We're just not meant to be. I know what I have to do." Jude said to herself as she watched Sadie eat her breakfast. Tears were filling Jude's eyes. How was she going to do this? Could she? Would he let her?

The Harrison woman just spread out on the couch and enjoyed each others company and comfort when about 2 hours later the door bell rang.

Jude: "I'll get it." she said and walked over to the door unlocking it.

A young, handsome man stood in front of Jude. She had never seen him before.

Jude: "Uh can I help you?"

Guy: "Ah is there a blond living here? She's around 21-22 years old. I dropped her off this morning but she never told me her name." he stood there looking lost.

Jude's eyes almost popped out of her sockets: "Jason? Are you Jason?"

Jason: "Uh yeah."

Jude threw her arms around the young man.

Jude: "Oh my God. Thank you so much for helping her last night. Her name is Sadie. Please come in."

Jude released the confused man and pulled him inside.

Jude: "Sadie. It's for you." she yelling in the direction of the living room.

Sadie walks out. Her hair was up in a pony tail. She wore a pair of white sweats and a black tank top.

Jason: "Hi. I just dropped by to see how you were doing. I was worried."

Jude: "I'll leave you guys' alone." she said and walked back inside the living room.

Sadie: "Hey. I'm better now. All thanks to you. I don't know what would have happened if you hadn't showed up."

Jason: "Don't mention it. So your name is Sadie? Pretty name."

Sadie: "Thanks. I never told you my name. Did I?"

Jason: "No I think you were in shock. I'm sorry something like that had to happen to you."

Sadie: "Yeah. I still am. But nothing happened because you saved me. Is there anything I can do to repay you? Do you want to come in? It's just me, my sister and my mom."

Jason: "I'll pass. But maybe we could go out some time?"

Sadie: "Yeah. I'd like that. Gives me a chance to pay you back."

Jason: "That won't be necessary. I just enjoy your company."

Sadie: "Or the lack of. I mean I wasn't really a chatter box last night."

Jason smiled.

Jason: "Well I have to go now but I'll take you up on that date."

Sadie: "Ok. Thank you for coming by."

Jason: "No problem. I'll see you."

Jason turned around to leave but Sadie stopped him giving him a hug and a kiss on the cheek. He smiled once more and made his way to the driveway where his pick-up truck was parked.

Back in the living room Jude was sitting with her mom watching TV when she decided to go up to her room and grab some magazines to read. Sadie walked back in the living room with a smile on her face for the first time today.

Jude: "You look better."

Sadie: "I feel better."

Jude: "I take it that Jason guy had something to do with that." she teased.

Sadie just gave her a look and walked passed her to the living room. Jude smiled at Sadie and walked up the stairs to her room. Just as she was opening the door her cell phone rang. Jude walked over to her night stand where her phone was being charged and picked it up. Tommy's picture flashed on the screen.

"Tommy. Should I pick up? It's better if I get this over with now." Jude decides and flips the phone open.

Jude: "Hey Tommy."

Tommy: "Hey baby. How's Sadie?"

Jude: "She's better. We had a talk."

Tommy: "Did she say what happened?" he asked sounding concerned.

Jude: "Yeah but I don't want to get into that over the phone. Let's just say it was a night she won't forget anytime soon."

Tommy: "It's all my fault. I should have known better than to let her go off with a stranger." He said rubbing his eyes in frustration.

Jude: "Don't blame yourself Tommy. Besides it wasn't Nathan's fault either."

Tommy: "Yeah I guess. Hey you want to go and grab a bite to eat?"

Jude was quiet for a minute thinking about what she had to do the next time she sees Tommy. Tears curled up in her eyes. Her heart hurt but she knew it was what needed to be done.

Tommy: "Jude you there?"

Jude: "Uh yeah. I'm not that hungry but I need to see you. We have to talk."

Tommy: "About what? Anything specific?"

Jude: "I'll tell you when you pick me up. Are you still at the studio?"

Tommy: "Yeah I'm just walking out now. I'll be there in 20 minutes. Jude is everything Ok?"

Jude: "Yeah. It will be just as soon as I see you."

Tommy: "Ok baby. I love you."

Tommy waited for a response but only got a beep. Jude had hung up. She just looked at her phone. Tears were rolling down her cheeks. "How am I going to do this? How do I tell the man I love that I can't be with him anymore? Tommy is everything to me. Jude you know this is right. You have to do it for the sake of your family and friends. Every time Tommy and I are together something bad happens." Jude was ripped from her sobs and confusing thoughts by the Viper's familiar honk. She brushed away the tears and ran towards the car letting Sadie and Victoria know she was going out with Tommy.

Finally getting into the car Tommy leaned in for a kiss but Jude turned her head.

Tommy: "What's wrong Jude? Your eyes are red. Have you been crying?"

Jude: "Tommy. I…"

Tommy: "What is it? Is it Sadie?" he asked concerned.

Jude: "No, she's fine. I'll tell you when we get there."

Tommy: "Where are we going?"

Jude: "Somewhere private. Dover hill."

Tommy: "Jud-"

Jude interrupting "Just drive, Tommy."

Tommy just concentrated on the road. The rest of the car drive was silent. He heard her sobs but decided not to ask her what was wrong. If she wanted him to know she would have told him. "What's going on? Why is she crying? And what was that turning her head from me? This has something to do with what happened to Sadie. Could it have been that bad?"

10 minutes later they finally arrive at Dover hill and Tommy parks the car. Jude walks out to smell the fresh air. It was around 8:30 PM now. A cold November night. It was freezing but Jude didn't care. Tommy followed her and put his arms around her to embrace her in a hug. First she let him wanting to feel his arms around her one last time but than remembers what she had to do and pulls away. Fighting tears from surfacing.

Tommy: "Jude what is going on?"

Jude: "Tommy there's something I need to tell you."

Tommy: "Ok but I want you to know that there's nothing we can't work through. Oh by the way. I got something for you." he reaches in his pant's pocket and pulls out something shiny. He holds it up for Jude to see.