author note: hey guys! I'm sorry it took so long to update the second part, but my computer wouldn't let me onto my login page and then the site was down yesterday, so here it is! and thanks to ALL of you who have reviewed! you guys are the reason I write, you're what keep me going...without you I would have no reason to write, so thanks for all the encouragement and positive feedback..I love you all!

CocaCola1052: the reason I didn't add all 3 parts was to add the element of suspense, my dear Karissa...lol...and by not adding part 3, I'll be keeping you in even more suspense, MWUAHAHAHA! Also,thanks for the idea for this wholechapter...I probably would never have even thought of this idea, had you not planted the seed in my head..lol..so thanks again!

Butterflyswest: I'm so glad you're lovin this! that's aHUGE compliment, especially coming from a Reela junkie...lol...

Simple Plan Rulz: Wait no more! the next installment of Chapter 18 is finally here...and I wanted to thank you for letting me run stuff by you, I'm not sure ifI ever thanked you for that...so I'm thanking you now...

now that I've rambled for a good 5 minutes, here is Chapter 18 Part 2!

Chapter 18 part II: Too Much to Handle

Rays POV

The phone rang a couple of times, and I hoped she wasn't sleeping. I really didn't want to wake her; she could be a bitch when she gets woken up.

"Hello?" she answered after the third ring.

"Hey, how ya doin' sweetie?" I asked.

"RAY!" she squealed excitedly. "I was hoping you would call."

"Really? Aw, I feel special now." I joked, but underneath it I did feel special. To tell the truth, I absolutely adored my little sister.

"Really really." She replied, playing the game we used to play when we were younger. "I'm sorry I wouldn't talk to you this afternoon. It was just kind of awkward, since your new girlfriend was with you. But after Abby and I talked, and I realized what she meant by 'You should know that,' I felt kind of foolish, cause we always used to tell each other everything, and it was what I'd missed so much. I didn't want you to be mad at me, because you thought I was keeping secrets or something."

"Aw, babe, I could never be mad at you...well, stay mad at you, at least."

"Now you tell me." She said, and I knew she was rolling her eyes.

"Ok, down to the serious shit, er, stuff. I really need to know everything that has happened since I left town, so I can help you. It's crucial that you don't keep anything from me."

I could sense the walls going up again.

"Look Madison, I know this is hard, and I know it hurts, but you have to tell me everything, or else I won't be able to help." I think she finally realized how serious this really was, because I only used her whole name when I meant business.

"You know I'm not doing this to hurt you, I'm doing this to help you."

'Oh God, I'm starting to sound like Wendell.' I thought to myself.

She sighed resignedly, knowing there was no way she was going to get out of this.

"Everything started about a week after you left. I'm pretty sure it was because you weren't there to protect me anymore. You're a lot bigger then he is, and he knew if he did anything while you were still here, you'd kick the shit out of him."

'You got that right.'

"So when you weren't there anymore, he had no reason to stop. I guess it was because he was angry, angry with mom for leaving us, angry with himself for not noticing how she sick she was before it was to late, and angry at you for leaving, since you always took care of me, even when mom was still alive. He wasn't used to having a kid to look after. He was barely able to take care of himself, much less a 17 year old he didn't even want in the first place."

"Still, there are kickboxing classes or something for this, there're solutions other than taking your anger out on your only daughter."

"At first he left marks, but when teachers started sending notes home and neighbors started asking questions, he started hitting without leaving marks."

"Yeah, I know he does. Frankly, I was surprised when I saw that bruise on your arm."

"That bruise wasn't from him. It was from Nick-"

I cut her off "Nick!"

"Let me finish! Jesus. As I was saying, it was from Nick, grabbing me, trying to get me out of the way of the car, but he wasn't quick enough."

"Oh. Sorry. I didn't mean to cut you off."

"It's ok. Anyway, things progressively got worse. He started drinking more, and pretty soon he got laid off. He stopped paying the rent, and the bills. I had to use the money I'd saved for college to pay for that. He got in a bar fight, and got hauled off to jail, and I had to borrow money from Nick to pay bail. I'm still paying him back."

"Jesus, Madi. Why didn't you call me? I would have sent money. My pay may be shit, but I'm sure it would have covered those costs."

"I don't know, I really don't know Ray, there was just so much shit goin on at the time. I guess at the time it just seemed like you walked away from Glen Ellyn without ever looking back, well, almost like you were abandoning me."

That took me completely by surprise.

well, go on, press the lil purple gray? button...you know you want too! lol

luv ya guys!