Struggling to Remember
That night the boys and Ben were eating supper while Amelia was lying upstairs resting.
"You think Amelia gave Roy enough information to get those men who kidnapped her?" asked Joe. "I'm not sure son. I pray to God that Roy can catch 'em but I won't lie and say that it would be better if Amelia could identify them" said Ben.
"I'm worry about her Pa" declared Adam. Ben looks at him concern. "Why?" he asked curiously but more concern.
"Because she's gonna run herself down by forcing herself to remember who kidnap her and we all know how determine Amelia can be. I'm worry that she's gonna put herself at risk of a relapse to her recovery" said Adam.
Ben, Hoss and Joe exchange glances; they knew Adam was right. "We better make sure that that doesn't happen" said Ben.
After supper Joe walks up the stairs and into his sister's room. What Adam had said really worried him and he just wanted to make sure that Amelia wasn't putting any pressure on herself to remember.
He finds the room empty but the window on the far end of the room was open. Joe quickly walks over to it and looks out to see his sister sitting on the roof not far from the window.
Joe quickly walks over to the chair next to the window and grabs a blanket and craws through the window and walks towards her.
"Mind if I sit with ya?" asked Joe. Amelia looks up and was surprise to see Joe standing next to her. She doesn't say anything and just nods her head.
"What are you doing out here? You should be in bed resting" said Joe worriedly as he sits beside her draping the blanket over his sister's shoulders and putting his arm around her.
Amelia looks up at him and smiles as she rests her head on his shoulder. "I'm tired of resting I just came out here to look up at the stars" said Amelia.
Joe looks up at the bright stars that decorated the clear night sky. "They're beautiful tonight" said Joe. "I wish it was like this every night instead of worrying about what's gonna happen tomorrow. I'm so sick and tired of being scared. Every time I close my eyes I can picture that awful room I was in" said Amelia.
She looks up at Joe. "I'm scared Joe" she admitted. She hated to admit when she was afraid it made her feel weak and didn't like that feeling especially in front of her brothers.
She always wanted them to think that she was brave like them and not like a baby. Joe understood how Amelia felt about admitting she was scared and knew how difficult it was for her to admit that especially to him or their brothers.
"Scared about what?" asked Joe worriedly. Amelia turns her head away trying not to cry. Joe puts his fingers under her chin and tenderly turns her head to face him.
"Please tell me about it I promise I won't judge you" assured Joe pulling her close to him wrapping his arms around her protectively.
"I'm scared that they're never gonna get caught and they'll hurt me again" said Amelia in a shaky voice as tears ran down her cheeks. She buries her face to her brother's strong chest.
"I'm sorry Joe... I don't want to be a baby but I'm so afraid" sobbed Amelia desperately wanting to be comforted by her brother.
"Shh...You're not a baby everyone gets scare" assured Joe. Amelia pulls her head away and looks up at him. "Like whom?" she asked curious.
"Well I get scare sometimes and I know Adam and Hoss get scare sometimes even if they don't want to admit it. And you know who else gets scare sometimes?" asked Joe. "Who?" asked Amelia curiously.
"Pa" whispered Joe softly. Amelia's eyes widen stunned. "Pa gets scare too" said Amelia bewildered. "Sure he does but I want you to know that there is no shame to be afraid and there is no shame for you to not be able to remember who kidnap you" said Joe.
"I know you're scare and you have every right to be and I can't begin to fathom what you been though. It breaks my heart that you are scared and I can't begin to tell you how scared I was when I found you in that cabin" said Joe with tears in his eyes that threaten to fall.
"I'm so sorry I put you through all that" said Amelia full of guilt. Joe takes his sister's hands in his.
"It's not your fault baby and I don't ever want to hear you blame yourself. I love you please believe me when I tell you I love you. Don't ever doubt it not for a second especially if we fight and say things we don't mean. You are my only little sister and I am so glad that I have you in my life because without you it wouldn't be complete and neither would this family" said Joe.
"I'm so glad you're here... I don't feel so scared when you're with me" said Amelia. Joe smiles and kisses her on the cheek.
He then whispers in her ear "I'll always protect you no one's ever gonna hurt you. Your big brother won't let anything happen to his baby sister I promise".
There wasn't anything in this world that Joe wouldn't do for his sister. He'll give her the brightest star in the sky if she wanted it or the whole world if she asked for it. Amelia was more than just a baby sister to him she was his best friend the one girl he'll love no matter what.
Amelia nods her head and hugs him. "I love you Joe" she sobbed. "I love you too" he said in a shaky voice. They pull away from each other and both got up.
"We better get inside before Pa worries about where we are" said Joe. He was about to climb through the window when Amelia nervously grabs his arm.
Joe turns back and saw the nervous complexion on her face. "What's the matter sweetheart?" he asked concern.
"I was hoping you wouldn't say anything to Pa, Adam and Hoss that I was scared. I don't want to worry Pa and I don't want our older brothers to think that I'm a baby" said Amelia.
"Oh honey! They won't think of you like that but if it would make you feel better I won't say anything" said Joe. He climbs through the window and helps her climb through it.
Amelia climbs back into her bed and Joe tucks her in. "Night sweetheart" said Joe. "Night Joe and thanks" said Amelia tiredly. They kiss each other on the cheek.
Joe sits with her until she is sound asleep before walking out of the room.
Author's Note: Hi everyone! Thank you for all the reviews I'm glad many of you like the story so far.
Just to give you a heads up I don't know how long this story is gonna be or what will happen next. So it might be a while for Chapter 14 to be updated. I hope you all will be patient with me on this.
And if you have any suggestions let me know either by message or just leave a review. Thanks