Declaimers, author's notes and so on are at the end; except for this :) I know a lot of people who might not want to continue reading this story after the first scene, but please don't stop. This is a story about bad beginnings and happy ending. I'm not just sadistically writing, there is a plot line I'm trying to follow, so please don't give up on me. Kay? Besides life sucks, you don't get to skip over the bad parts…unless you're in a coma :D
Wipe Away the Tears
Chapter 3: Anywhere but here!
By: Illyria
03/24/08
"Lita, do you want to tell me what happened during lunch?" Ms. Dean asked cautiously. The young girl was currently sitting in front of the principal. The soft yellow walls and comfy, cream-colored chairs were meant to calm and soothe, but the two girls currently sitting opposite the old battered desk, were far from calm.
Lita was slumped down in the chair, chin on her chest, swinging a very worn pair of sneakers, which connected with the desk in a soft thump, thump-thump, thump, thump-thump.
"We had a fight." She offered, although her posture oozed defiance, her voice was unsure, and as she met Ms. Dean's eyes; for all of five seconds, the woman could have sworn she saw fear in her gaze.
"Well I know that, I want to know about what. I was under the impression you two were good friends." She asked confused.
The other girl in the room was sporting a black eye, complete with icepack and a fat lip, which quivered as she tried not to cry. Her long black hair was disheveled, and a pretty pink and white skirt outfit she had chosen to wear that day was dirty and wrinkled, the top missing a few buttons. She sat with her back ruler strait, and was pointedly not looking at the girl to her left. "Nancy, do you want to tell me?"
As the principal asked the question, Lita sprang out of her chair in panic, rounding on Nancy. "You'd better keep your dam mouth shut if you know what's good for you."
By this time Ms. Dean had come around the desk and pulled Lita back from Nancy, who forged trying to look brave, and was cringing back in her chair, fresh tears running down both cheeks. "Lita, I'm shocked at you! That language is not permitted, nor is fighting. I will be calling your father." Hearing this, Lita tore out of Ms. Deans hands, opened the office door, and was out of the school building before Ms. Dean could take three steps.
Soon after Lita's parents had been called, there was a knock at the door as Nancy's mother came to pick her up. After a short conference, Ms. Dean turned her attention back to Nancy. "Well young lady do you have anything to tell me?"
Nancy shifted under Ms. Dean's stern gaze. "No Ms. Dean." She whispered, but the little girl couldn't help but feel guilty as her mother led her out of the room.
Lita had been wandering the park for hours, it was starting to get dark but she was scared to go home. her father had been called hours ago, yet he hadn't come looking for her, she knew he wouldn't, he would wait till she came home, and Lita would go home, after all, "Who'd take in a skinny, worthless, bitch." as her father pointed out, but oh how she hated to go home. She knew she was in for another beating. Lita had worn long sleeves, and pants her whole life, wind, rain, or shine, always saying she was clumsy when she wasn't, so no one would find out her secret. No matter what she did, she couldn't pleas her dad, if she so much as sneezed in front of him, she'd be slapped, and that was on a good day. As Lita walked home, full of shame, guilt, and regret, she cried for Nancy, she hadn't meant to fight her, but she had been desperate. Nancy and Lita had been friends since Lita started school.
Earlier this year Nancy's mom cornered Vick; or at least that's how he seen it, in a grocery parking lot and invited Lita to a birthday party, to keep up appearances Vick had allowed Lita to attend, only after beating Lita, ignoring her protests that she didn't know about any birthday party, that she wasn't scheming against him. During said party, which Lita had embarrassingly been forced to take a old battered toy from her father's favorite store 'GoodWheel'. Nancy had accidentally walked in on Lita with her pants down in a bathroom, her legs and rear cover with bruises and welts. Lita had managed to convince Nancy not to say anything, until this afternoon in the girls' restroom.
Nancy was still in the stall, talking about the P.E. coach who had given Lita a hard time for not dressing out, Lita was only half listening, after all it was the same'ol thing three times a week. Lita had taken her jacket off to wash her hands, she heard the squeak of the stall door opening, then spun around when Nancy gave a startled cry, telling Lita her back was bleeding. Lita had been wiped the night before; she had been searching in the over packed hall closet for any pair of shoes that didn't have holes in them, when she accidently discovered her adoption papers among other things from her birth mother stuffed in beat-up shoe box. Angry and hurt, she made the mistake of confronting Vick, who obviously didn't care for her sneaking around behind his back, he refused to answer any of her questions, saying adopting Lita was the worst mistake he had made, while demanding the papers and effects back. Lita had refused to hand them over, or tell him where she stashed them; she was whipped for disobedience, and any other thing Vick thought of at the time. Nancy had said she couldn't keep Lita's secret anymore, she was afraid for her friend, and was going to get the nurse. Lita's heart stopped as Nancy walked out of the restroom; she frantically pulled her jacket on and ran after her friend.
Lita pulled out of her thoughts as she walked up to her porch and knocked on the door, it was a while before her mother let her in. Lita looked at her mother as she passed, but the women offered no comfort, merely locking the door before quickly retreating to the kitchen. Lita tried to be angry but couldn't, she was a victim too. She was different then Nancy's mom, Lita liked to think her mother simply didn't know how to be as nice and caring as Mrs. Crow, how could she learn? when dad treated her so bad, but she was nice in her own way; when she could get away with it, a second serving at meals, extra blanket, longer bath, sleeping in, or letting her play outside before he found something for Lita to clean, as far a Lita could see, Vick only kept her around for someone to cook and clean.
Lita slowly made her way into the living room, where her father usually could be found watching TV with a beer. Lita was surprised to find him missing, 'maybe I missed the belt on this one' she thought. As Lita made her way to her room, she jumped at every little creak the floor made, she felt very much like the mouse waiting for the cat to pounce, when Lita opened the door to her room she froze, it had been ransacked her few things had been tossed everywhere, no inch had been left unturned. Shocked Lita moved further into the room breaking the first rule never let your guard down, not in Vick's house, when her hair was viciously yanked back Lita lashed out on reflex.
"You fucking little bitch!" He stunk of beer, his voice coated with malice. "You can never stop causing trouble, can you? Well, you like fighting? Let's fight."
03/25/08
Ms. Dean had been surprised yesterday when she walked into the nurses' station and seen the two girls in opposite corners. Although Nancy could be rambunctious, the only trouble previously contributed to her, was talking during class, or late to class for the same reason. Lita herself was a quiet, shy, sometimes clumsy, but otherwise decent student, she's had a few squabbles with other students, but nothing compared to this fight with Nancy. In fact, aside from trips to the nurses' station, from accidents during recess, Lita avoided the office like the plague.
Mrs. Dean tried to be as involved in her students as she possibly could, when Lita first started school, Mrs. Dean pegged her as a trouble maker. The girl was thin, tall for her age, her pants too short, shirts too big, and a chip already on her young shoulders. Mrs. Dean had only seen the girl's parents a handful of times since that first day of school, on that first day, as she explained the paperwork for lunch discounts, and school supply help, she knew the family was on the bad side of poor, so she keep an eye on Lita. Mrs. Dean was pleasantly surprised to find the little girl caused little to no trouble, also in her first week she had been cornered by Nancy Crow, who always looked as if she just stepped out of a J.C. Penny catalog, Nancy declared them friends, and so they've been ever since.
The fight yesterday was a complete confusion and neither girl cared to explain themselves. She was pondering what to do with the two, when. Knock, knock
"Come in." she called. "Nancy hi, what can I do for you." she greeted brightly.
"Ms. Dean, Lita didn't come to school today?"
Hearing the worry in the little girl's voice Ms. Dean put down her paperwork, and moved around her desk to crouch down to Nancy's level. "Her dad called in, he said she was sick."
Even though she spoke calmly, Nancy started crying. "No Ms. Dean, I don't think Lita's sick."
"Brian, get that doughnut out of your face. We got a call." Dale called; slapping the hood of the squad car before sliding into the driver seat. Brian scowled and looked wistfully at the pastry before sliding into the passenger seat. "What's the call?"
"Suspected Domestic disturbance, a young girl at Rikers elementary claims her friend's father, beats her friend. Apparently the girl was in trouble at school yesterday and her parents were called." Dale bleeped the siren a few times to get around a traffic snag. "When the girl didn't show up today Nancy Crow went to the principal and confessed the others secret. The principal is now worried, apparently she and a nurse suspected something was up, just not what."
"Why is that always the case?" Brian asked exasperated. "People have the obvious staring them in the face and they chose to do nothing until it's too late." Dale nodded in sympathy at his partners rant but could offer no explanations or excuses, sometimes people were just ignorantly blind.
"We're meeting a social worker at the home." He said solemnly.
The entire neighborhood was an old abused, neglected suburb. The old houses, being as rundown as they were, made great byes for the young couples looking to renovate the house of their dreams. Because of that the neighborhood was making a turnaround from, project rejects, to something from Normand Rockwell. That however wasn't the case for this house, it sat crooked on its foundation, its mismatched paint job was badly faded and peeling, and the yard was nothing but dirt, rock and trash.
Brian knocked very firmly on the door, half expecting it to fall in, Dale right behind him. They had gotten there before the social worker, but neither man wanted to wait. Brian raised his hand to knock again, when the door was opened. The woman was a foot shorter then Brian's six-one, her clothes were thin, faded and hung on her skinny frame loosely. Brian had the fleeting thought, that her hair would be a light honey brown, if only she washed it. Though it hung down in long, scraggly strands, it did nothing to hide the bruises from around her neck, or the fresh one that formed from her chin to just below her right eye. "Hello, Mrs. Roberts? We got a domestic disturbance call, may we speak to your young daughter."
Dale had to give it the woman she didn't even blink; aside from a brief flick of fear when she opened the door her once pretty face was blank, if only a bit annoyed.
"I'm sorry; you must have the wrong house my kids at school." Her voice was shockingly different from her appearance, Dale would have guessed something sounding timid and soft, but she spoke with a dry, grating voice, as if she'd been smoking since the age of five.
"Really?" Brian asked skeptically. "Because the school says she's absent today." Her eyes flicked down, then over to dale before going back to Brian.
"Well, Lita does that. She's a lot of trouble." A bruised hand that had been tugging at the collar of her shirt started to creep up to cover the nasty blue and purple marks around her neck. "She's probably at the park. I'll have to speak to her about skipping school. Thank you for stopping by." A nervous tone edged her voice as she spoke quickly, tripping over her words.
As she made to close the door, Dale stopped her. "Ma'am, we'd really like to see your daughter."
Brian had to fight not to be sick as anger and disbelief turned his stomach "Dale, call an ambulance and get this…person under arrest." Brian had to jump over all the debris in the room to reach the little girl; she was laying half in, half out of the closet wearing only panties, coved in buries, welts and bleeding from various wounds, the offending belt was next to the girl's head. Brian checked her pulse; inside he was sure she was dead. 'How could anyone survive this, she's only a little girl' Lita moaned when she felt someone next to her, her jaw was probably fractured, but it didn't stop her from protesting. "Noo…addy…sop…" by then the ambulance had shown up to take her.
04/11/08
"Hey, it's Officer Brian." She smiled automatically when he stepped off the elevator. He unconsciously quickened his pace.
"Hey Amanda, it civilian Brian today, I just."
Amanda held out a hand, palm up. "…say no more, we moved her into room three."
Brian leaned on the counter, putting himself closer to Amanda. "Is she doing any better?" he asked concerned.
"Much, her bruises and welts are healing nicely, most have faded. Her leg and arm were put in a cast, we got her on meds for the pain, but her main complaint is they itch."
Brian smirked at that. "She's a tuff kid."
Amanda nodded in agreement.
"Her exploratory surgery went well, and she didn't need to have her jaw wired shut, it was just dislocated so don't go chatting her up all day." She teased. Brian started walking backwards. "Oh, I need someone to chat with all day Amanda." As he turned down the hall her laughing voice followed him. "You're shameless, Brian."
Lita tried to smile, but it came out as more of a twitch as Brian walked into her room. "Hey there, feeling better? I know it's hard for you to talk but I brought something by for you." At her questioning look Brian pulled out a battered hello kitty lunch box.
"You found it." Lita whispered. When she had first come-too in the hospital, Brian had been there. He continued to visit often, unlike most of the endless parade of adults that had come into her life since her step-father nearly beat the life out of her. Brian didn't dismiss her, or treat her with suffocating pity, Lita thought he was pretty cool for an adult, and eventually trusted him enough to ask him for a favor. The lunch box held her adoption papers and birth mother's things. Lita started crying.
"Hey, you're going be ok kiddo, its going take some time but you'll be just fine. Know how I know?" she shook her head, as Brian grab a tissue from the nightstand to dry her eyes. "It's in your eyes. You're a great person, no one can take that from you unless you let them, and you won't let them right?"
Amanda move back from the doorway dabbing at her eyes. 'So what if visiting time is over …I should really get his number.' she thought and smiled.
06/20/08
Rei Hino was experiencing sensory overload, not only was she not in the basement but she was outside, in a dress, in a public park, at a party, this was the best day of her young life. Too bad she wasn't having fun; her mother had pulled Rei aside when they arrived. "Don't even think about leaving my side or you'll be in the basement for a month." Rei was never let out of the house, not even for school, so today was a very rare treat and she'd do just about anything to stay. Rei watched dejectedly as her father made rounds among the parents, apparently it was his boss's kid's birthday today. Rei had hoped her father would bring her along, anything to get away from her mother but she was ignored, like always. To her father Rei didn't exist, she wasn't the son he was looking for, if it wasn't for her mother's constant complaining about her she was sure her father wouldn't even remember her name.
"Hi Rei" she jumped at her name and turned, a lady was standing next to her holding out a bag. "Hi sweetie I'm Mrs. Kraft, Andrews mom." Rei was a bit stunned, she was almost never around other people and to her Mrs. Kraft was one of the most beautiful ladies she had ever seen, with the kindest smile that reached to her eyes, straw colored hair, and though she wasn't the stick thin her mother was, Rei imagined her hugs were all the better for it.
"Hello Mrs. Kraft" she spoke carefully and politely, keenly aware of her mother not five feet behind her.
"I noticed you didn't have a party bag."
Rei looked at her mother, keeping her face blank of excitement, when she didn't protest Rei took the bag. "Thank you ma'am." Mrs. Kraft grinned at her quiet response.
"Mrs. Hino you have a beautiful little girl and so polite to. I love her hair." Rei's hair was down past her rear, and was something she took pride in. her mother had allowed her to have a brush, she never let it get tangled, but that didn't stop her mother from complaining as she put a half ponytail in it this morning.
"Rei, don't you want to play with the other kids?"
Rei didn't even look at her mother. "No thank you ma'am." She was trying for earnest, but from the look on Mrs. Kraft's face she didn't quite manage.
"Oh you can't fool me, I seen you looking at the bounce house. I'm sure your Mommy won't mind. I even have bike shorts you could use so you won't have to worry about your dress, I've learned from last year's birthday." Rei's shoulders tightened up and her gut clenched, as Mrs. Kraft prattled on. She was too afraid to look back at her mother.
"Yes," Mrs. Hino piped up. "My Rei is a shy child. I've told her to go play but…"
"See it's settled then" Mrs. Kraft beamed. Rei looked warily back at her mother as Mrs. Kraft led her towards the bounce house 'maybe I won't get in trouble …after all I didn't ask to play'
"Ok Rei what sized shorts do you wear." Mrs. Kraft asked happily, she had noticed the little girl grow quiet as she walked away from her mother and was trying to pick her mood up.
"Umm, I don't know ma'am." Rei looked nervously back to her mother, but the woman had joined her husband.
"Well, you look about a small…darn I've only medium left."
Rei snapped her attention back, and suppressed a sigh. "That's ok; I can go back to my mom." Mrs. Kraft chuckled. "Rei, silly, they have a draw sting. You can still wear them, what color would you like?"
Later that day on her way back from the restroom, two older girls were having a fight of sorts, Rei ignored and walked around them, luck however was not on her side. One girl decided to rush the other girl at that precise moment, which caused them to bowl in to the seven year old. Rei was effectively knocked silly and tangled in the girls fight. Mrs. Kraft, her husband, and Rei's father happened to see the incident and rushed over. Rei was pulled to safety by Mrs. Kraft, tears streaming down her cheeks and hugged. "Oh sweet heart, are you hurt?"
"No ma'am" Rei hiccupped.
"Rei come here." her father picked her up in a rare show of affection. "It's getting late, we should get her home." he announced, after checking her over. "Thank you for inviting us." Crying and not because of the fight, Rei waved weekly to Mrs. Kraft as she was carried the entire way to the car by her father; to keep up appearances of course.
Rei's mother yelled at her the entire ride home, but the little girl didn't care. she had been outside today, had played, eaten her fill, had cake and ice cream, and left with a party bag, Which she's proud to say she didn't drop, even in the fight fiasco. Even with the punishment she was bound to receive, it was the best day of her entire life.
As soon as the garage door was shut Mrs. Hino pulled Rei out of the backseat and all the way into the living room. "Look at you, just look at you!" she said as she shook her, on her last shake she let Rei fall to the floor, Rei just lay there lest she piss her mother off even more. 'I'm not going to cry. I am not going to cry.' she silently chanted. Rei watched as her father walk into the living room. She tried to ask for help with her eyes; 'please Daddy, help me don't leave me with Mommy,' but her father only turned away, heading to his bedroom. Taking with him all Rei's resolve and any hope she had been clinging to, and Rei cried.
Rei's mother gave her kick. "Aren't you fucking even listening to me you little bitch?"
"Please, Mommy, I...I didn't do anything." Rei begged from the floor.
"Didn't do anything, you didn't do anything!" Ms. Hino fumed and pounced on her daughter, she dragged Rei over to the couch, sat herself down, standing Rei in front of her. "You've been nothing but a fucking embarrassment all day, I told you to stand by me, did I or did I not say that?" Rei couldn't answer fast enough for her mother and she was slapped twice.
"But…but Mommy…Mrs. Kraft…she…"
"Oh yes Ms. Kraft, That fucking bitch interfering in my family. I saw you sucking up to that snob. I saw you hug her!" Mrs. Hino had Rei's arms in a death grip, and everything below her elbows were turning numb.
"N...… Mommy I…I didn't."
"Are you calling me a liar?" Mrs. Hino yelled while giving the little girl a series of slaps and punches. Rei's lip split from one of the punches.
"Ma...ma...mommy s…stop! You're hurting me!" Rei was choking on her tears, and everything hurt.
"Just look at you." she said in disgust. "I spent my time and money to get you a beautiful new dress, you go and dirty it up, and now your bleeding all over it." Mrs. Hino roughly turned Rei around and proceeded to rip the dress from her body.
"You don't even act like a proper little girl, wearing boy shorts." Mrs. Hino made to take the shorts off of Rei but the little girl stopped her.
"There mine" she protested weakly.
Mrs. Hino slapped Rei. "Take them off now! You look ridicules, like a fucking boy!"
Rei stuck her chin out. "I don't care if there for a boy." Rei tried to sound firm, she was so tired.
"You. Little. Bitch! I hate you, you should have never been born you ruined my life your father's life; I should have taken my beautiful boy to the party today. Your father should have had an heir but we got you, a selfish spoiled brat instead, while you want to act like a boy, you don't want to act like a daughter fine." Mrs. Hino dragged Rei by her hair into the kitchen.
Rei seeing the big orange scissors she picked up struggled to get away from her mother. "No don't! No Mommy, don't cut my hair!" Rei tried to twist away but her hair couldn't follow, and started to tear out of her scalp.
"Shut your fucking mouth!" Mrs. Hino backhanded her daughter, giving her a good shake and started to cut. Rei stood there and cried as her mother pulled her hair, hitting Rei at regular intervals. It was too much for the little girl and she fell to her knees when her mother released her. Mrs. Hino not wasting the opportunity kicked her daughter over before grabbing the little girl's foot. "And just look at these shoes, their all scraped up and cover with mud. Worthless son of a bitch! I don't know why I even try."
Rei had been stood up, yet again to face her mother. Rei wiped her hand across her lip and seen red, the blood on her hand and what her mother just said and done pushed the little girl, and in a very rare show of anger she pushed away from her mother. "You…you don't try. You don't do anything! The dress and shoes were messed up from before you got them, at the goodwill last minute to impress Daddy's boss. I hate you! I don't want to be your daughter!" Even as Rei finished her speech her anger fizzled out and fear sped in. Rei only managed two steps back before the black, formally shiny shoe, started to strike.
6/21/08
"Get your ass out of bed. I won't tell you again." Rei was woken up early the next morning. She rolled out of her still toddler bed, but her legs weren't as awake as the rest of her and she landed with a thump on the floor. Rei cringed as she was lifted up by her mother, she didn't protest as she was roughly examined. "Quit your whining." She sneered as she backed away from Rei. "I'm leaving. I won't be back till late, I want your mess in the kitchen to be cleaned up before I get back." Mrs. Hino started to leave.
"What? …can I wear?" Rei asked cautiously, tugging on the underwear she had been left with last night.
Mrs. Hino turned around and picked up the red bike shorts, throwing them at Rei. "Wear your precious shorts."
Rei waited a good half hour after her mother left before leaving her room, she cried when see seen the hair all over the kitchen floor. Rei hadn't seen the disaster her mother had made of her once beautiful hair; she'd just turned towards the bathroom, when there was a sharp knock on the front door. Rei froze, she hadn't cleaned the kitchen yet if that was her mother she was dead. 'But wouldn't she have a key?' She thought by the second knock. "Who is it?" she asked tentively.
"It's Mrs. Kraft. Is that you Rei?" The woman asked brightly.
Rei swallowed the sudden urge to cry. "My Mommy's not home right now Mrs. Kraft."
"Oh that's ok Rei; your Mommy just left her purse at the park yesterday." There was silence form the other side of the door. "I know you can't open the door for strangers. So I'm going to leave your Mommy's purse by the door ok?" Mrs. Kraft started to leave the porch when she heard the familiar click of a door opening. The smile on her face died as she turned around. Rei was standing in the doorway crying, the sweet little girl she had meet yesterday was only wearing the red shorts from the party, she had angry red scratches and burses all over her body, and her hair had been chopped down about three inches at the most and showing skin, with a few long chunks in other places. "Rei!" Mrs. Kraft came forward dazed. "Who did this to you?"
Rei ran in the woman's arms and just cried. "Rei did your Mommy or Daddy do this? Rei look at me please?"
Rei turned from her shoulder. "Mrs. Kraft, please don't leave?"
"Oh Rei…let's get you some help."
03/22/08
"What do you guys think? A lot of kids showed up."
The three interviewers separated ten profiles from the fifty that interviewed that day, after two augments, one lunch run, and a spilt soda they were down to casting the lead.
"I like these two girls." Jack said; he was an older gentleman with salt and pepper hair and what he referred to as a distinguishing mustache.
"I agree, though the first has more experience." offered Bob, who at thirty still acted about twenty, keeping his blond hair in a long ponytail, and a van dyke beard neatly trimmed.
"Yes but the second has potential. How about we call them in and give them something new to read, see how they do." Jack suggested.
"Hey, what about the blond?" Becky interrupted. Her red hair newly styled, green eyes wide with naive expectations, Becky had been one of many to get chewed up and spit out. Now five years past, at twenty-five she was more than grateful to Jack for taking her under his wing.
"What blond?" Bob asked, already shoveling photos off the table.
"This blond Aino" Becky slid the head shot and stats over toward Jack and Bob.
"I don't think that's going to work" Bob barely glanced at the photo.
"Why not? She's the closest appearance wise were looking for; she knew her lines by heart. What's the problem?" Becky argued.
"Her name's Aino!" Bob said dramatically.
"yesss, Mina Aino. What's the problem?"
"Her mother is Tina Aino." Jack said knowingly.
"Ok spell it out for me, because apparently I don't know what you know." Becky said confused.
"Ok, Tina Aino was a big shot in her day, she had talent, looks, she could sing, dance, the whole kit–an-kaboottal. But she started getting cocky, only willing to do prime roles, demanding higher salaries, when it got to the point of retirement she refused to go out quietly. Her agent dropped her and she made a fool of herself in the studio heads office, now she drags her daughter to every and any interview."
"You've seen the kid's profile? She has experience yes but only with the small time or starting out directors, and only them cause they didn't know there history, much like you." jack finished.
"Well, that shouldn't have any Bering on the kid." Becky said skeptically.
"Normally it wouldn't Becky but…I was working with frank Samson last year. He had the kid, it was only a secondary role, and I wasn't even working anywhere near the her, but I could tell you some horror stories about Tina Aino and how she treated her daughter. Not to mention the way she holds up production, she's a pain to have on set. I also got the distinct impression the kid had no desire to be an actress." Bob supplied.
As her coworkers left to pull in the two kids they decided on, she reluctantly crumpled Mina's head shot. "Sorry kid, if only you had a different parent."
Mina had taken the news of her rejection rather well, her mother on the other hand had demanded to know, what if anything, mina had done wrong, and then proceeded to make loud, snide comments about the others kids' talent or lack thereof while storming out. Mina sat in the back seat of the car and smiled. She had learned last year about her mother's status in the movie business Tina was what you'd call, black listed, and in extension so was Mina. Mina however didn't mind this one bit, at one point Mina had liked all the attention and classes her mother put her in. at seven Mina Aino knew how to play piano, and violin, she also knew another language, and was a grade ahead of other kids her age. Mina may have liked acting if her mother had kept it a fun extracurricular activity, mina would have happily done anything her mother asked of her, if only her mother would actually care about her, mina had learned long ago that Tina only cared about how people perceived her perfect family, never about mina personally.
After all the voice, acting, speech lessons, and endlessly trying to win her mother's love Mina hated every minute of it, rebelling whenever she could. However her mother had made it her position in life to make acting Mina's only career, she had once been crazy enough to tell her mother she wished to be a cop, after seeing a action movie were the hero was a female detective, mina had been awed by the gadgets and special effects. Mina had learned that speaking your mind at least to her mother was a bad idea. Tina had forced mina to stand for hours as she yelled and berated her. The mere suggestion that mina wanted to be her own person was unacceptable. The little girl had never been so angry or afraid at the same time, angry that her mother couldn't love her for who she was, afraid because as the hours passed Tina drank more and more alcohol, getting increasingly angry. If there was one thing Mina could be grateful for concerning her mother, was she was never hit. You can't have buries when you audition after all.
"Mother, we have nothing else to do today right?" Mina held her breath in anticipation.
"What's your point, Mina?" Tina glared at her daughter in the rearview mirror.
"I would like to go to my friend's birthday party." Mina pulled a bright pink paper from her small handbag, and tried to be as polite and charming as her mother's lessons taught her.
"What friend is this" Tina asked mockingly.
Mina's cheeks turned red with anger, but she kept her voice smooth. "Carrie from volleyball"
Tina made a sour face. "Oh Mina, no! We are not going to any birthday party. It's not even anyone important." Tina voice was full of condescending contempt.
Mina's control only held for so long and she snapped, striving to sound as self-important as her mother. "It's important to me mother. She's my friend; I already said I'd go."
Tina's dry, ridiculing laugh filled the car. "Well to bad! I'm not wasting our time at some brat's party! Especially when there's nothing in it for us, what do we get out of going to this party? Huh mina? Nothing, that's what," Tina's voice took on that sharp edge that it always did when she was imparting one of lessons to her daughter.
"Mother I want to go!" Mina demanded furiously. "I did your stupid audition today; I want to go to the party!" Her eyes were starting to burn with unshed tears. Mina griped her small handbag so tightly the invitation inside crumpled.
"Yes and you lost the part!" Tina said acidly. "And you'd better put a lid on that attitude. You're lucky I let you play that offal sport, in-fact your quitting volleyball and starting ballet."
Mina contemplated kicking her mother's seat, but she knew her mother's tone all too well and shied away from pushing her luck too far. "You can't make me." Mina said with venom.
"Don't push me little girl. You're doing ballet and that's final. We are going home, and you are going to go over the entire script so I can see what you did wrong." Mina ignored her mother and stared out the window, crying for another lost chance to be normal, wishing she belonged to any of the houses they passed, it didn't matter which, just as long as her mother wasn't there.
04/14/08
Jodi Morgan had been working for Tina Aino for an unheard of two years. At that time Jodi had been desperate for a job, her grant money for collage having run out. Jodi fast became a regular at the temp agency, and had the fortune one day (or so she thought, at the time.) to be in session with her counselor, when an angry Tina had called, ranting about the inferior help they had been sending over. Long story short, with very little experience Jodi, amazingly, was hired for the position of domestic assistance, consisting of light housework, including errands, and moderate childcare. Those first few weeks Jodi didn't understand the amount of turnover for one sweet little girl and light housework, she soon learned the truth fast enough.
Jodi's day consisted of getting mina up and ready for school, or lessons depending on the day, then with Tina acting as her Go-fer until Mina was out of school, going again to lessons, then home to do schoolwork, basically parenting Mina. Jodi's unofficial job was keeping mina upstairs and out of Tina's way, and then cleaning up at night after Tina's more questionable parties, because Tina never kept the staff past eight-PM. except for Jodi. After dinner had been served the cook and maid were dismissed, leaving Tina to have her nights uninterrupted. Jodi wanted to quit more times then she can remember, if she stayed at all it was because of mina, she had grown to love the little girl, hating the way Tina treated her daughter. Mina was nothing more than an object to parade around when Tina needed the attention, any other time Mina was ignored and left to her own devices. That's the real reason Jodi had been hired, because Tina just couldn't be bothered with the young girl.
"Mina, what are you doing out of your room? It's late." The small girl was on her knees in the large loft that opened up into the foyer below, half hidden were the railing ended and the wall began.
When mina realized it wasn't her mother swooping down on her she let the breath she was holding out with a whoosh, the fear that had caused her to jump already fading as she got to her feet. "I hear noise Jodi."
The young woman paused briefly to listen to the obnoxious laughter that floated up thru the foyer. "Yes, well. Your mother had some unexpected guest and is now entertaining." Keeping her voice casual, Jodi ushered Mina back to her room. "Mina did you comb your hair in the dark?"
Mina turned with a huge grin before making a flying leap onto the bed. "How'd you guess Jodi?" she asked wile bouncing. The little girls long blond hair was pulled into two very uneven, poorly made braids, and getting worse with every bounce.
"Lucky guess." Jodi grinned turning into minas bathroom, as she emerged, brush in hand mina suddenly stopped bouncing. "Can I comb your hair?" Jodi tried happily.
Mina's expression turned cold. "I'm just going to bed, why can't I leave it like this?" she spit out defiantly, flopping down on the bed.
Jodi sighed and sat facing mina. "I think you did a really nice job." She said softly. "And if you want to leave it, that's ok with me." When Mina only glared at her toes, Jodi moved to place the brush on the night stand.
"Wait. I better fix my hair, will you help me?"
Jodi flinched at Mina's dejected tone. "You know, I don't think your mom will check on you tonight." Jodi tried.
"No, id better fix it." Mina turned her back to Jodi. "Anyway I like when you comb my hair." She finished merrily.
Jodi brushed in silence and waited until Mina turned back around. "I heard you were quitting volleyball."
Mina fidgeted on her bed. "Well, I'm going to start ballet." Mina tried to sound upbeat, but didn't try so hard on her expression.
"You can't fool me Mina Aino, I seen that look." She teased.
"You're not mad, are you Jodi?" Mina asked worriedly.
Jodi smiled down at the girl, months ago she had convinced Tina to allow Mina to do other activates at a youth sport center she volunteered at. Jodi was surprised Mina had been allowed to stay in the sport this long. "Why would I be mad? If you want to quit that's ok." Jodi reassured. Mina look away, anger flashing across her face.
"Secret Jodi?" Mina said making a crooked v sing over her heart.
"Secret." Jodi relied.
"Mother made me quit. I have to start ballet next week." Mina made the international sign for gagging. "I didn't even get to tell Carrie goodbye."
Jodi pulled the blankets back and tucked Mina into bed. "Don't be so sad Mina; Carrie's a nice girl she'll understand." Mina gave a big yawn, pulling the blanket to her chin.
"You think so?" Mina pouted.
"I know so. I'd better get going sweetheart her highness has dismissed me." Mina giggled as she hugged Jodi goodnight. Jodi was great, Mina didn't feel as though she had to be her mother's little doll with Jodi, the woman loved her regardless. Jodi was family as far as Mina was concerned.
"Jodi Do you have to go?" Jodi stopped at the door and only looked back at the little girl they've been thought this.
"Ok, ok." Mina grumbled.
Jodi stopped in the doorway and was reminded of Tina's guests as the sounds of a party drifted up the stairs. "What are the rules?" Jodi asked a little more seriously, turning back to Mina.
"Stay in my room no matter what, keep my door shut, and you'll be hear first thing in the morning, to make me breakfast."
Jodi didn't trust Tina's judgment in guests; on nights when Tina dismissed her she did what she could to make sure mina was safe, without scaring the little girl. "Night Mina. I love you."
"Night Jodi. Love you to." As Jodi walked down stairs she couldn't help but smile. The first time Jodi had told the girl she loved her Mina had been unconvinced, it wasn't till later that Jodi learned she was the only person to say I love you to the little girl, Jodi would do anything for Mina. As Jodi was leaving the house she could hear the loud obnoxious laughter of Tina and her guests the smell of alcohol, smoke, and pot followed her out into the night.
At 11:05 p.m. nervous, an undecided Jodi with an old friend walked into the police station. "Hi I'd like to speak with a detective about child abuse." Jodi had been unable to get an interview with a CPS agent so late at night, and was anxious about making a report over the phone. Working with Tina limited her time to inquire or ask questions, it didn't help that she was paranoid about Tina finding out and firing her before she could get help for mina, which was why she was waiting in the middle of the night for a detective to meet with her.
"Jodi Morgan? Hi my names Brian Chase, I'm sorry I kept you waiting so long." Brian smiled apologetically as he shook hands. Ms. Morgan was visibly nervous bordering on frightened, the man that accompanied her was eyeing Brian with open skepticism.
"Hello detective chase, this is Dan Hathaway I've asked him here to give me advice. He's a lawyer." Jodi clarified.
"Aren't you a little young to be a detective?" Dan chose to speak up.
Brian bristled "I just transferred recently. I'm working with a seasoned detective; he just left for the night. I'm perfectly capable thank you."
Jodi jabbed Dan in his side with her elbow. "Detective Chase I'm sorry about Dan he's just …Dan." The two stared each other down before nodding.
"Let's go to my office." Brian offered.
"Jodi you really got yourself in this one." Dan scolded as they walked to the car.
"Damn it Dan! I asked you here for help and support, not to work against me." The meeting was not what Jodi had expected. Detective chase had pointed out that her accusations, whether they were valid or not, rested on a he said, she said base giving him very little to go on, not to mention he needed CPS to make a formal complaint against Tina Aino before either services could proceed in the best interest of the child.
"Ok! Don't rip out my throat." he soothed as they got into the car. He continued a bit more cautiously. "The confidentiality contract Tina Aino had you sign when you started working is pretty tight, but if CPS and the detectives find cause for a case I could argue that you broke contract for the well being of the child."
Jodi sighed. "Just as long as Mina comes out of this ok."
Dan nodded absently, already thinking of the future. "If the shit hit's the fan you better hope I can turn it off you, or you'll be facing serious consequences. Do as the detective said, follow your normal routine, take notes, and when the CPS agent shows up. You know nothing about it."
05/17/08
"Mother! I don't want to do ballet." Mina stamped her foot for emphasis. She was standing in her room wearing a white one-piece, with light orange thin lace for the skirt, complete with one matching orange ballet shoe, and after two weeks decided she hated ballet.
"Why the hell not Mina! I already paid for three months worth of lessons, plus your outfits. You are not getting out of this little girl." Mina didn't have an answer for her mother. She didn't understand it herself, she just didn't like her instructor, but gathering her courage Mina tried. "Mother, I don't like him...he's…" Tina snatched the missing orange shoe from beneath the bed and rounded on her daughter with a scowl.
"Mina!" Tina interrupted. "There are a billion people in this world. You are not always going to like them, and they won't always like you. I should know, so quit this temper tantrum and get your lazy ass down stairs." Tina glared at her daughter until the little girl moved out of her room.
"Where's Jodi?" Mina demanded, shoving on the hated shoe.
"The girls off today, she does have a life, you can't expect her to always be around you! Now quit stalling and move." As they entered the solarium, where Tina had set up for Mina's lesson, Tina nudged her daughter from behind.
"Good afternoon Tommy." Mina dutifully replied.
"Good afternoon Mina. Don't you look pretty today." Tina failed to notice that his smile was a little too bright, and lingered a little too long on her daughter.
She did however notice that he was in great physical shape, and had no ring on his finger, not that it would have caused her pause regardless. "Well I'll leave you to it Tommy. I'll be in my office on business, so I won't be able to observe the lesson for today." She said disappointedly, while throwing Tommy a sly smile.
"Oh, I'm sure we'll get by somehow." Tommy smiled. "Mina, let's do our stretches." He suggested as Tina shut the door and walked away.
05/18/08
"Mina, oh come on baby, won't you open the door, it's only me." The house had been eerily quiet that morning as she came to work; usually Mina greeted her in the driveway but not today. Tina had stopped Jodi at the door, saying Mina was sulking and being a pain, due to not getting a toy, and then drunkenly stumbled away. Jodi only nodded for Tina while thinking that it didn't sound like the little girl she knew. When she was sure Tina was occupied elsewhere, she decided to check on mina.
"Mina? Ok, I guess I'll just have to spend the day all alone." Jodi tried to sound as if she was disappointed rather than the worry she really felt. 1...2...3...click. "That's my girl." No sooner had Jodi stepped into the room and shut the door, Mina clung to her and cried. "Baby what happened?" Mina was shaking and looked deathly pale, her eyes were puffy and red. Jodi moved to the bed and held Mina until she calmed down enough to talk. "What happened? Baby tell me."
"Hi, detective chase? It's Jodi Morgan; I need you at the Aino residence. I really don't know what to do. I was going to call 911, but I thought it would be better to call you." Her voice hitched as she tried to choke back angry tears.
"Jodi calm down, tell me what happened."
"I don't know. I came to work this morning and Tina was drunk. When I checked on mina I…I don't know, all I can get out of her is that she's been assaulted, and it sounds like her mother's paid off the pervert. She's so scared. I barely got her to let me call you, she keeps crying, saying it has to be a secret. I don't know what to do Brian." Jodi pleaded.
Brian pushed away from his desk, grabbing his jacket and sliding his gun into the holster. "Jodi calm down, you can't help mina if you panic. I'm on my way. I'll be right there, don't move. Neal?" Brian turned to his partner as he hung up the phone.
"I heard." he pointed to the extension. "I sent a squad car ahead of us; we can call CPS from the car."
10/07/07
"Molly, over here, do you have time for lunch." The woman bounced on her toes to wave over the crowd.
"Hey Lina." Molly greeted her friend with a hug. "I was just heading over to the café."
"So how did your job training go?" Lina asked as they were seated at a table.
"Man I was kidding myself. I thought it was going to be like when we were thirteen, just more organized. Man was I wrong." Lina shot Molly an I-told-you-so look.
"See this is why I didn't apply with you. I hated watching those rugrats back in the day." Molly only rolled her eyes.
"I have to get certified CPR lessons. You wouldn't believe the classes I sat thru today. Everything from how to keep the child entertained, down to how to spot child abuse. Our motto is; we at Kids-R-Us provide a needed service to the many families that do business with us, But no paycheck comes before the safety of a child"
"Wow that's intense." Lina said
"Yea I got to go thru a couple more classes before I get any assignments. They take everything pretty serious there."
Lina waited as their salads were served, and the waitress left. "You going to be able to do all this and school"
Molly shrugged. "It's just babysitting when you get down to it, and I'm only classified as filler, a couple hours here and there no set family. It gives me enough time to study and have a life."
02/19/08
"Mr. Mizuno?" Molly questioned as she walked into the apartment.
"Molly you're late" Greg said stiffly, he darted from his office while stuffing papers into a briefcase.
"I'm sorry Mr. Mizuno, your elevators out of service. I had to take the stairs." All fifteen flights she thought grudgingly.
"What? They were fine last night." Greg stated as he thru his coat on. "If the elevators busted that means I have to take the stairs, and if I have to take the stairs that means I'm late, and that means goodbye Molly. I will talk to you tonight."
Molly watched Mr. Mizuno scramble around the apartment then run out the door with his cell phone glued to his ear, and made a note to never be late to the Mizuno's again. This was the first time she had seen Greg Mizuno anyway other then calm and cool, she suspected a lecturer on punctuality tonight when he got home, but Greg Mizuno was nice enough and wouldn't complain about her to the agency.
05/13/08
"Hey Molly, you missed the party last night." Lina greeted.
"From what I hear, I'm glad I missed it, otherwise I would have been arrested." Molly questioned.
"It wasn't that bad, the cops only took away Brad and his stupid frat brothers for fighting, the party deflated after that no one wanted to risk getting the cops called back …Mel was there." Lina said off handedly and watched her friend try and hide the smile on her face.
"Oh…was he…" Molly tried for indifference.
"He asked for you." she said happily.
"Lina don't tease me" Molly begged.
"I'm not! He asked for you, and walked around the rest of the night crying. Ok maybe not that bad, but he was disappointed when I told him you were working. So whose house were you at anyway." Lina asked.
"The Mizuno's." Molly automatically replied, she was happily daydreaming of Mel and his disappointment in not finding her, until she was poked in the side.
"You're not even listening to me." Lina complained.
"I was so Lina …what did you say?" Molly grinned sheepishly.
"I said. That kid you watch is creepy."
"Amy is not creepy, she's shy, and how would you know you've never meet her." She said defensively.
"You've told me enough that I can gleam that she's creepy, like them aliens that take over your body…something must be wrong with her. Look I have to get to class I'll call ya tonight we can talk about Mel."
Molly thought about her friends comment as she walked. Molly came to love working three times a week at the Mizuno's, her job was to feed Amy, keep her out of trouble, help her with homework, since she was home schooled, and clean the house but the house was always immaculate, everything in its place if anything Molly only had to dust. The first night Molly had been to the Mizuno's she was surprised at the little girl's shyness; Amy…Amy was the quietest, well behaved little girl Molly had ever met. Amy got thru her homework quietly, with barely any help and was so quiet when playing; Molly on occasion forgot she was there. Amy never fought with Molly or gave her any sort of trouble. Molly loved the Mizuno's, it was a vacation compared to the other kids she watched. Amy was not creepy…was she?
06/17/08
"Molly?" Amy asked quietly.
"Yes Amy?" Molly was sitting in the dining room working on schoolwork and looked up to see Amy peeking around the corner with tears in her eyes. Molly quickly moved off the table. "Don't cry sweetie its ok." Molly soothed while giving her a lose hug. "Come on, lest go." Molly held out her hand and led the girl to the bathroom, were a clean pair of panties and clothes waited. "I'm sorry Molly, Are you mad?" Amy's small voice hitched. Amy'd been apologizing in the same disparaging whisper since Molly started striping the bed sheets down to put in the wash. Amy's frightened question was a surprise. Molly pulled the knob to start the washer and lifted Amy, sitting her on the dryer. "Amy, look at me please?" the little girl flinched at Molly's firm tone but didn't look up; her hands were twisting the hem of her shirt anxiously. "Amy." Molly lifted her chin a new set of tears streamed down her cheeks "Amy when have I ever been mad at you. I know it was an accident. Did you have another nightmare?" Amy's face twisted in shameful fear and nothing Molly ever said reassured the little girl. Molly could only hold her as she cried endless apologies.
Although Amy gave Molly very little trouble, she did have accidents more often than not. Amy took regular naps despite her age. Molly had once asked Mr. Mizuno about it, he'd answered that Amy didn't sleep regular hours at night due to night terrors; his explaining had been a bit curt. Molly had felt bad about asking, thinking the situation had to be hard on him not being able to help. When Amy had her first accident during Molly's first week, she cried as if the world was ending until Molly had promised not to tell. From her first day Molly knew Greg Mizuno wasn't the type that accepted accidents, he seemed like the stereotypical single father, strict if sometimes distant. She'd never told on the little girl.
"Amy, I brought you something." The two were putting the finishing touches on the freshly laundered sheets. Amy's tears had slowed down but failed to stop completely.
"Why?" Amy asked evenly.
'Crimeiny, it's hard to get this kid excited about anything.' Molly smiled, drying Amy's tears. "It's a surprise, if you want to know what it is; you have to come to the living room." Molly walked out of the bedroom. She only had to wait two minutes before Amy peeked around the corner and slowly moved in front of Molly on the sofa.
"Oh, hi Amy, Where have you been?" Molly asked while suggesting she hadn't seen the little girl all day, and was rewarded when Amy gave a rare giggle.
"Molly, we were just in the room, you said you had a surprise."
"We were? I did?" Molly taped her forehead. "I seem to have forgotten." Molly tried to keep the dazed look on her face.
"Molly, you didn't forget." Molly grinned at Amy's slow smile.
"I did. I might even need a hug to remember." Amy hesitated a second before quickly hugging Molly.
"Ok." Molly laughed, grabbing the bag next to her. "I got you a paint set; it comes with paper, three different brushes, and eight colors."
Amy was effectively surprised. "You got these for me! But I'll make a mess. Daddy doesn't like messes." Amy was clearly reluctant; however Molly didn't miss the excitement in her eyes.
"That's ok. I brought you an old shirt to wear, so you can spill on it and not dirty you pretty dresses." Molly sat and painted with Amy, reassuring her that she wouldn't get in trouble for the green streak on the shirt. Amy for her part was having a blast.
As Molly drove home that night she made up her mind to talk to her boss the next day, she had some questions and needed answers before she made any assumptions.
That same night Greg was having a heated debate over the phone. "I said no! There's just no way. Look I can send out another package, but that's it."
"Greg you better listen up, you're in the fucking preverbal fire and unless you deliver you're going to fry. The clients not satisfied with pitchers and video any more. You were told to be ready months ago."
"She's not ready yet." Greg stalled.
"That's not our problem!" The voice on the phone yelled. "You decided to get into this business. You knew you'd have to share eventually. He's on the way to your place, I suggest you let him in. because if you break contract, we break your legs." The phone went dead in Greg's hand. The dial tone pulsed in his ear until he slammed the phone back on the cradle.
"Amy!" Greg yelled. "Get over here now." Amy came running into the kitchen, already in a pink frilly nightgown.
"Yes Daddy" she asked fearfully. Amy watched her father pace back and forth looking mad. "Daddy?" she tried again.
"I want you to go to your room, put on the yellow dress." he said forcefully. Amy's heart fell strait to her feet.
"No Daddy, I don't want to. I don't want to make a movie." Amy started crying. Greg grabbed her arms, giving her a rough shake.
"You get in that room and put on that dress, or else. Move now!" Greg yelled. "And I better not find you crying." He called after her, as she ran to her room.
A bit later Greg continued his angry pacing until his guest showed up. The other man made no move to introduce himself, only handing Greg a yellow envelope filled with money, and Greg only concerned for his ability to continue walking said. "Down the hall, second door on the left."
06/19/08
"Hello Molly. Thank you for doing this short notice, but a friend from out of town showed up unexpectedly. I really can't put him off."
"That's ok Mr. Mizuno, that's what I'm hired for after all."
Greg Mizuno gathered his coat and car keys, but paused at the door. "Ok… I should be back by eleven, so five hours give or take. umm Amy is grounded to her room. She should already be sleeping so I don't want her disturbed, for any reason." Greg said sternly.
"No problem Mr. Mizuno." Molly smiled at his hesitant look. "Have fun tonight. Don't worry, I promise I don't mind watching Amy." As Molly shut and locked the door she wondered what in the world Amy had done to get grounded, and decided to check on the little girl. Molly knocked on the bedroom door before opening it and found Amy tucked in bed, crying into her pillow. Amy jumped when Molly sat on the bed. "It's only me Amy; I didn't mean to scare you. Are you ok, do you want to talk?"
Amy turned over slowly. "I wet the bed Molly. Don't tell Daddy, he'll be so mad." She whispered.
"Oh it was just an accident, don't cry, I'll help you clean up and change the sheets. Ok, he doesn't have to know." Molly smiled to reassure the little girl, pulling back the comforter to let Amy crawl out of bed, and gasped. Amy looked down at herself and promptly fainted at the sight of blood. Molly didn't waste time; she gathered Amy up and rushed out of the apartment not even bothering to shut the front door. The young woman drove to the hospital in shock and anger; she was never going to forgive herself for being so blind.
01/15/08
Serena was hungry. Her Daddy had left this morning after breakfast, and Sammy hadn't come home from school yet, but the memory of the spanking she had gotten the last time she had tried to get herself something was fresh in her mind; she hadn't meant to spill the milk, so Serena walked over to the front window and impatiently waited for her brother to come home.
"Hey Sam, you can't leave now. We're tied."
"I have to go. I've stayed to long already." Sammy grabbed his bag and slung it over his shoulder.
"Why? So you can run home to that brat sister." the other boy teased.
Sammy turned and jumped his friend twisting the boys arm. "Don't ever, talk about my sister again." He said coldly. Sammy got up and walked away from the other boys, before they could work up the courage to fight back. The boy called after him when he was a safe distance away. "Sam, don't ever come back, you big pussy." the other boys yelled in agreement.
Sammy only walked away, cursing his friend but the further he got he really couldn't blame them. They didn't understand, they had mothers who cooked for them, mothers that loved them, and fathers who cared. Their fathers didn't ignore them, or beat their sister just for the hell of it; No Sammy couldn't blame them, but as he turned onto his block he couldn't help but hate them, he hated everyone.
Sammy walked into the house, only to lose all breathing ability as Serena grabbed him in a death hug. "Serena, I can't breathe."
"I missed you Sammy. I'm hungry to." Sammy half walked, half shuffled into the living room.
"Well I can't make you anything, if you don't let me go." He said playfully. Serena changed her grip to Sammy's hand and followed her brother into the kitchen.
Serena greeted Sammy like this every time he entered the house. At seven Serena was a very scared and timid little girl; her father had kept her at home, away from school and anyone in general. When Serena was five she had braved her father's office to ask if she could go with Sammy to school, she was spanked and lectured endlessly. Her father had yelled, "Why would I let anyone see you! You're nothing but a mistake, a shame to the family." Serena was tossed into her room and didn't eat for two days. Sammy was kept away, to Serena that had been the worst thing to happen in her small world, in her eyes Sammy was life, he and only he cared for her, he fed her when Daddy forgot or just didn't want to, Sammy was the only one who hugged her and told her he loved her, Sammy never yelled or hit.
Serena loved her brother and was deathly afraid he would be taken away.
03/19/08
"What you doin Sammy?" Serena had been sitting on the bed playing, she was so quiet Sammy had thought she d fallen asleep and jumped at her question.
"I'm doing homework." Sammy sighed at the long pencil line across his math paper as he started to erase it. Serena pushed the cars she had been playing with to the side and slid off the bed.
"I do homework to Sammy?" she asked.
Sammy looked to the hall before pulling out a blue folder and handed it to his sister. Serena took the folder and moved to sit on the floor near her brother's desk; it blocked her view from the door in case Ken walked by. This last year Sammy had been asking the first grade teacher for school work, giving the excuse it was for a boy he babysat when she asked. The first and only time his dad had found out Ken had ripped up the work Serena had done, he'd been furious at Sammy for going behind his back. Serena had gotten the worst of his temper, she always did Ken made sure the little girl knew she was stupid and would remain so, before hitting her and tossing her into her room. Sammy believed, his father thought that if Serena was spanked and tossed into her room enough times she would just go away. Sammy helped his sister whenever he could but there was only so much a little boy could do, if they were caught Serena would be the one punished.
"Sammy." Serena whispered. "What's this?" Serena was referring to a worksheet labeled Shape Identifying.
"It's a rectangle not square, a square is the same on all sides, a rectangle has two long sides and two short sides." he explained.
"Ok Sammy." Serena turned back to her spot, tong sticking out of her mouth as she worked.
06/24/08
Serena's bedroom was a place she avoided at all cost, a place she feared, her father made sure of that. Being placed in the room meant punishment, it meant no Sammy, being in the room meant she was alone, Serena was afraid to be alone. She was forced to sleep there at night unless her brother snuck her out or himself in. the room itself was cheery enough; it had been painted a soft pink with cute white bunnies hopping around the wall about chair rail high. The room hadn't changed since her mother had finished it a month before Serena was born, all but a few toys had been removed, and baby clothes were replaced with whatever her father had grabbed at the secondhand store. The crib had collapsed long ago; blaming the little girl Ken refused to get another piece of furniture for her to brake and left only the crib mattress for her to sleep on. At this moment Serena was under her brother's bed hiding, she had been forced to sleep in her room alone during a thunder storm and wet the bed.
"Serena you come out of hiding. If I find you you'll only get it worse!" her father yelled from the hall way.
Serena slowly crawled from under the bed. Ken spotted her and grabbed her from the back of the neck, pushing her into her room and forcing her face into the wet sheets.
"Look what you did, you fucking brat."
"I'm sorry Daddy. It was an accident." She pleaded.
"I'm tired of you accidents, your nothing but trouble." Ken ripped the wet sheets off the bed and left the room.
Serena was relived for about two minutes until her father came back with the paddle, Serena tried to back away but he was too fast and grabbed her.
Bent over Serena screamed for her brother who was currently sitting in science.
07/16/08
Serena was alone yet again, her father and Sammy left early this morning and she was restless. Serena wondered around the house aimlessly, she turned on the T.V., quickly flipping thru all the channels before shutting it off, afraid her father would somehow find out. Serena repeated this throughout the whole house, only avoiding her Daddy's office, in the kitchen she opened all the cabinets then shut them, she sat in every dining room chair, ran thru the entire downstairs, three times, before hopping backwards up the stairs. She continued to bunny hop right into the bathroom, flushing the toilet twice, and then washed her hands with as much bubbles as possible, but that only held her attention for so long.
Running downstairs, Serena looked out the window for her father's car and checked the door was locked, before running back upstairs into her Daddy's room. Serena moved towards the closet slowly and quietly listening for any noise that would tell her Daddy's home, and opened the door. In the very back of the closet was a pink box, and in this pink box Serena had found treasure.
Pictures, hundreds of pictures ones of her Mommy, and ones of Sammy when he was little. There was also a baby book that her mom had started, but Serena couldn't read well so it was ignored. There was jewelry in the box and a bottle of perfume, Serena's favorite thing was a silver necklace, hanging from it was a little crescent moon with a rose. Serena put the necklace on and shifted thru the pictures, laughing at this one, or that one, stopping when she spotted one of her Mommy and Sammy dressed in fancy close, her Mommy's hair was up in two buns and was smiling at Sammy.
'She looks so pretty.' Serena thought and reached up to her own hair, which was currently tangled and falling out of a ponytail. "I what to look like Mommy." Serena stated and went to fetch her brother's brush. After much struggle Serena looked into the closet mirror and smiled, the buns were lopsided, uneven and had pieces of hair sticking out of them but Serena was proud of herself.
Until she noticed her father reflection behind her, his face was bright red and he was breathing hard. The heavy feeling of fear rushed up to Serena's brain and before she knew what she was doing, slipped past her father and down stairs. She managed to put her hand on the front doorknob before she was pulled back.
Sammy was two houses down when he heard the screaming. When he opened the front door the living room was trashed, the Coffey table had been thrown near the dining room, the lazy-boy was overturned and everything from pictures hanging on the wall, to rugs, were thrown everywhere. Ken was standing over Serena with the paddle, he swung it aiming for her side but Serena stepped back and tripped, the paddle connected with her head.
Sammy moved, doing a flying leap onto his father's back. "Dad stop! You're going to kill her."
Ken flung Sammy off and went after him. "You're a trader to this family Sam. how could you defend that…that thing, she killed your mother! She killed our family!" Ken struck out and kicked his son, keeping him on the floor, hitting him with the paddle repeatedly. The yelling woke Serena up, when she managed to get to her feet; she froze screaming as her father hit Sammy.
Ken turned around and went for the cause of his misery.
"Run Serena!" Sammy yelled, spiting blood out his mouth. Serena only managed an inch before Ken had grabbed her again. Sammy staggered around couch and tried to pull his sister out of his father's hands, to his relief Serena was dropped.
"Dam it! stay out of it Sam." Ken picked up his son and thru him across the room. Sammy landed with an auditable crunch on the Coffey table, which collapsed under him; Ken didn't even flinch as he turned back to his daughter.
Serena had started to move toward her brother when her father picked her up and slammed her against the wall. "You killed your mother! I hate you!" His fragile grip on sanity had slipped away to far to get back, ken started to choke her.
Little black spots started to dance in her eyes when she heard a strange bang. 'Thunder.' Serena thought, the hands around her neck started to loosen and she fell to the floor.
Ken turned around and faced the barrel of a .45 Magnum which usually lived in the bottom drawer of his desk. "Sam?" Ken asked, his face cycled through anger, hatred, confusion, pain, anger.
"You can't hurt her anymore dad." Sammy cried pleading.
"Give me that Sam." Ken lurched forward, his eyes wild with hatred.
Sammy pulled the trigger until the gun emptied. He fell to his knees suddenly week and crawled over to where his father dropped Serena. "Don't cry Serena, it's going to be ok." Sammy cooed, as he pulled her into his lap. The side of Serena's head was covered in blood, and her breathing was harsh. "Hey I like your hair." Sammy tried to reassure her, finally resorting to a lullaby his mother sang. Sammy never noticed when he fell asleep. Serena just cried brokenly into her brother's chest, listening to the glug-glug-glug of his heart getting softer.
The first officers on the scene found the little girl lying quietly in her brother's arms, staring into space. How is he? Dale asked as he lifted her away, his partner just shook his head.
Okay, standard disclaimers come first. I own nothing …except the story itself. Hehe suckers…crud did you hear that?
A plethora of thanks goes out to…Me. I'd like to take the time to thank Me for the many hours spent editing, I never could have done it without Myself. Hum now that I look at this, I think I'll be making some staff cuts…don't tell Me I'll be so disappointed.
Author's notes: well after my speech at the beginning I hope I didn't scare anyone off, raise your hand if you're still with me, woo hoo a thousand…ok, ok it's late and I'm a bit delusional with sleepiness. Well review; let me know what worked and what didn't. And to sport my beginning speech; I consider these three chapters as acts, three acts, five scenes each, kind of like a-day-in-the-life type of thing, so after this things get better. Well talk to you soon, hope you liked it enough to stay …review!
Illyria