AN: A little more drama before things get better for Phoenix.
Phoenix's Confession
After percussion class, Phoenix and Ally walked to the bathroom so they could talk in semi-privacy.
"Ally, you know why I got sick and passed out so much at band camp this year?" Phoenix asked her friend.
"I was wondering about that because last year you were fine, but I didn't really want to pry on you or anything," Ally said.
"Well, my step dad…he…he hits me a lot. I don't why. It really just, I don't know, affected my immune system or something, cause my body is always so busy trying to heal all the cuts and bruises." To Phoenix's shame, tears threatened to spill over from her eyes.
"Phoenix…I'm so sorry. You should have told me way before this. I should have picked up on this a long time ago," Ally said.
Phoenix looked at the ground. "I would have told you sooner, but he said if I told anyone, he'd pull me out of school and band and everything else! Basically cut off all my escapes from him. He'd make my life even more miserable!" A lone tear rolled down her cheek and Phoenix angrily swiped it away. "That's why I didn't want to take off the bandage in class. Everyone would see all the marks and figure out what's going on. And that would be the end for me!"
"Phoenix, if I had known, you know I would do everything to help you. I'm going to help you, starting right now, and he doesn't have to know. We'll keep him from finding out, I promise. Why don't you spend the night at my house tonight after the game?"
Phoenix nodded. She couldn't speak for the tears that choked her. Ally pulled her best friend into a hug and wiped away Phoenix's tears with the back of her sleeve. "It's gonna be okay. We'll get you out of there, whatever it takes."
As promised, Phoenix spent the night at Ally's house that night after the football game and Capalbo's. Ally's parents didn't mind Phoenix's presence in the least since she often spent the night there. When the girls got back from Capalbo's, they went upstairs to Ally's room and Ally got on the internet. She Googled "abusive step parents" and read aloud what she found.
"Hey, Phoenix, listen to this," Ally said. "'Authorities can help in cases of child abuse, no matter how mild or severe. Your local police station is an excellent place to report cases to.' Phoenix, we're going to the police station."
"Right now?" Phoenix asked. "Ally dear, in case you didn't realize, it's like two o'clock in the morning. Who's gonna be there at this hour?"
"Well not right this second. I was thinking more like tomorrow after breakfast." Phoenix sighed; Ally knew she wasn't going to give in easily. "Phoenix, do you want to be in pain forever? It's only going to get worse if you don't tell the police. And if you don't get better you won't be able to march, even after you recover from your other mishap. Do you ever want to march again?"
Ally's last statement cracked Phoenix. "Alright!" she relented. "We'll go tomorrow morning."
At the police station the following morning, the girls were directed to a police officer's office by the woman at the front desk. They entered the small office and the officer gestured to two chairs in front of his desk, inviting them to take a seat. "Name?" he asked.
"Tamera Mills," Phoenix replied.
"And what brings you young ladies here today?" the officer inquired, taking out a small notebook to take notes on the conversation.
"Well we came here to report a recurring incident involving my step dad," Phoenix said, then paused, suddenly unsure that she wanted the officer to know the whole story. The threat of her step dad's wrath if he found out about her going to the police made Phoenix shiver.
"What is this 'recurring incident'?" the officer prodded.
Phoenix took a deep breath. We're already here, may as well just get this over with, she thought. Then she said simply, "He hits me a lot."
"Interesting." The officer scribbled in his notebook. "What's your step father's name?"
"Earl Hangood."
"Okay. And I take it your mother doesn't know about this?"
"No, sir," Phoenix said.
"Alright, why don't we just give her a call? Could I have her number?" the officer asked.
Phoenix paled slightly. "But what if he answers the phone? Then he'll know what's going on and I'm toast!"
"Don't worry, Tamera. We can handle him. He'll be in the hands of the law soon anyway. It'll be fine," the officer told her.
Phoenix sighed, "Okay." She gave the officer her mother's phone number and he called her from his desk.
The girls could hear the phone ringing on the other side. When Phoenix's mother picked up the officer said, "Mrs. Mills? This is Officer Fulsh. I have some interesting news involving your daughter and husband." He then explained the situation to Mrs. Mills. Ally and Phoenix could hear her gasp in shock. Officer Fulsh hung up the phone a few minutes later and told Phoenix, "Your mother is on her way here now. She should be here shortly."
Ten minutes later Mrs. Mills burst into the office where Ally, Phoenix, and Officer Fulsh were waiting for her. "Oh Tammy, I'm so sorry!" she cried as she hugged her daughter.
AN: Hope you enjoyed! Reviews are highly appreciated wink wink