Missed My Train- Abbys Life 4 Years Later.

Im cold, ma Mia said through trembling lips. I know honey, were almost there. It going to be okay. I lied. Nothing is okay around here. Its the 14th of December, my daughters 4th birthday. I had Mia when I was 19, in college, with my abusive ex-boyfriend. Im 23, dropped out of college, working 2 jobs, living in an apartment with Mia. You hear everyone say that their child or baby is the best thing thats ever happened to them. Theyre wrong. Yes I think shes great, and I love her to death, but when I had her my parents disowned me, I was abused if possiblemore by my ex, and I had to give up college. My parents disowning me hit me the hardest; I had 1 sister, she was 2 years older than me, but she ran when I was 6. my parents were terrified they would lose me too, so naturally they be came extremely protective and mean. It wasnt until I was 18, when I left my hometown, which they left me alone. They thought he, a boy I slept with, could protect me, leaving us to meet more then I wished, which happened to be almost every weekend. When I became pregnant with Mia my parents were the first ones I told. Being themselves they blamed me and my mother would say hes a nice boy! and my dad would go off saying I always wanted a son. Ive always hated them after that. Ma? Are you okay? Mia was tugging on my hair trying to get my attention. Id been looking across the street when she said it, I was letting her slip out of my arms. Oh yes, honey. Mommy is fine. I reassured her. What was mommy looking at? she was now trying to turn around, I had rapped her so tightly in my pink blanket. Just. Just where mommy used to live, baby. I turned her around to see the huge 3-story mansion. Are we going to see Macy and Pete? I never allowed her to call them grandma and grandpa. No, honey. Not tonight. No, tonight we are going to see cousin Kimmy. And you and cousin Nelson are going to have a sleepover. Kimmy had been my favorite cousin and was only a mile from my apartment; ironically we havent seen each other for years, Why? Ma? she is so curious sometimes. She tugged my arm and I turned her around to face me, her nose was bright red and her cheeks like bright red cherries. Just a couple more minutes, kay? Almost there. She hid her face in my jacket and I rubbed her back for the next 5 minutes. We arrived at Kimmys red, 2-story house close to 9 pm. Mia was asleep. I knocked twice and rang the doorbell once. Kimmy and I always did it when we were little to let each other know it was not some delivery guy, but one another. Abby! Youre here! I thought youd never make it! she saw Mia; shed never seen her. Mia only knew her from the videos Id show her. is this her? Shes Precious! Hey, Kimmy! Its been so long! You havent even met Mia! This is her, 4 years old today. I forced a smile; I was freezing. May we come in? Oh! Yes! Of course! she widened the door so I could come in and set down my small suitcase and Mias Elmo backpack. Nelson is asleep. I set up another toddler bed in his room. Youll sleep in the master-sized guest room. She smiled and took my suitcase.

Thank you so much Kim! I just couldnt stand not having anyone for her to be with on Christmas. Her closest family has never met her. Youre a lifesaver. I meant every word. Were so excited to have you both! We have so much to catch up on! she headed up the gigantic staircase and gestured me to follow. You remember it here, dont you? Yeah. I barely breathed the word; Id come here when a kid, it had changed so much. Change it a bit, have you? This is a new rug. Beautiful place. Really. After my parents died, I got the house. She turned toward me, her long lightbrown curls flowing in the air. I forgot to tell you. When you called to tell me you were pregnant. It was the week after my parents died. When you told me, I got so emotional. Remember, I cried. It was only 2 months later I met Larson and we got married. I got pregnant with Nelson only 3 days after the wedding, which was 3 weeks later. So, naturally I told Larson wed live here. He didnt really like the idea, his house is much bigger, but I talked sense into him. She sighed. Where is Larson now? Enough about me, what about you? we reached the room. I told her my long story; she looked at me as though I was some sort of lost puppy. I didnt mind her pity; I just missed her so much. We were in the childrens room now. So thats nelson. He looks so much like her. We left the room about 10 minutes later without speaking. When we entered my room I almost fainted. It was enormous! A kingsized bed, 25-by-25 foot window with a great view, and a master bathroom. It seemed as though Id seen it in a dream. Or I have actually seen it before. It was my sisters bedroom, remember? I nodded. She also had a sister, she was 4 years older than Kimmy and very snooty, I hated and looked up to her. she also died. I whipped around; I had walked at least to the center of the enormous room. What? she began to laugh, what was funny? Im kidding. Although, that wouldnt be too bad. She got married and left the whole family behind. She walked toward me. Ive always hated that woman. We laughed and reminisced for hours on end until it was 2 am. We both had fallen asleep on the King-sized bed. It was like old times. It wasnt until 11 that we woke up and found the kids throwing ripped pieces of paper out the window. They definitely resembled us when we were at that age. I decided to clean up so I took a shower and redid my makeup. Around noon Mia was asking to take a bath in the band new bah room so I gave her a bubble-filled bath in the hot tub-sized bathtub. I took out my round-the-house dress, white, knee length, with one single hot pink stripe around the waist. To pair with the dress I wore my black leggings and my baby blue headband. I look happy today. I put Mia in her purple polka dotted dress, yellow leggings, and her lucky yellow hair-tie. She has always loved bright colors. I went down the stairs, Mia following me, two at a time. I found Kimmy in the Kitchen cooking something that smelled a bit like red velvet cake, my favorite. Nelson was in his booster seat at the table. Next to him, a frilly pink one with the name MIA printed on the side in a watermelon-pink. I turned to Kimmy but she only winked. All of this was to good to be true. I set Mia in her new seat and she and Nelson admired it together while I talked to Kimmy. Good morning!

To you too! Have a good night sleep? she turned around just in time to have to turn back as the timer for the oven went off. Actually, yes. Did you? Did I kick you? Did I knock you off the bed? Calm down. Matter of a fact. No., you did not kick or knock me at all. Just like old times, like a sleepover. She smiled. So did Larson leave for work already? I hesitated to ask, I hadnt seen him at all and it was about 1 in the afternoon so it was sort of a stupid question. Actually better question, where is Larson? I thought to myself. Um. Well. Yes. Yeah, hes left already. She looked down now but I go a glimpse of her face, it was glowing red. Kimmy, if anything is wrong I tried to make her look up. She fought back. I lost. Fine. I didnt want to do this. Kimberly Anne! Is anything wrong? she hated her full name, I thought it was beautiful. She only hated it because it was her sisters name but reversed. Nelson doesnt know. She lowered her head and whispered the next sentences. Larson has left me. When Nelson turned 3, last year, he went on a business trip, sent me a letter. Said he found another younger girl. Said he knocked her up. She lifted her head back to normal height while I digested the words. He. Is. An. animal! I stood up again and turned to Nelson and back toward Kimmy. Im so sorry! Yeah well, I got him back. Her face twisted into her i-won-face. I sent him a card and said sold all your stuff, got you fired from your job, met another man, dont come back. Ripped up your birth certificate. It was funny, cause I really did do all of that. Impressive. Very impressive, indeed, my little friend. Thank you, friend. We both smiled. Ma! Nelly Fell! Mia had yelled across the room. We turned around and, indeed, he had fallen. We quickly walked toward her and Kimmy kneeled down and put Nelson in her arms. I told him not to. He try to get down himself. Says he done before. Kimmy put him on the counter, a couple feet from the cake, to have a good look at him. You okay Nelly? Mommy is here. Shh. He was crying. He had fallen and grabbed his fork. It looked as though the fork fell first; he had 3 small, bleeding holes on his knee. His short overalls were red at the knee where the blood had stained them. I lifted Mia out of the seat and she tried to tell me what happened. I was only half paying attention, I was still thinking about the many similarities between Kimmy and I. At 3 Kimmy went to work and dropped Nelson off at the day care in town. She asked if I wanted Mia to go but I told her she has never left my side. It was true. Even when I went to work I had Mia following me. From 8 am to 2 pm I worked at a school as a preschool teacher-aid in the class Mia was in. from 3 pm to 8 pm I worked at a small day care out of town, Mia helped with the babies and helped fold blankets when I needed it. It was a good thing she was there! I have taken work off until January 4th so I could spend time with Kimmy. Mia and I explored the house until 4:30 and decided to take a nap. She slept longer than I did. I woke up around 5:30 and began to make dinner; I had to do something for Kimmy! I decided to make my best meal, Steak with strawberries on the side. I always loved making it.

Making the dinner didnt seem to help. Kimmy wasnt back with Nelson until 11 that night. Mia and I had already fallen asleep when Kim came home. The next morning around 6 am I got up and got ready again to find Kimmy hard at work cooking in the kitchen. Today she went to work at 8 am and, again, took nelson. Mia and I went grocery shopping at 8:30 until 1:15! The store we went to was huge and we continually got lost. We arrived at the house around 2:05 and i put the groceries away while Mia napped again. After she fell asleep I went into the Theatre room and watched a movie Kim had left in the DVD player. The movie was Twilight. Not my favorite movie but I still watched and laughed at the obviously stupid lines such as; say it. Out loud. And after watching Twilight, New Moon, and Eclipse I went in to check on Mia. With Mia still asleep I decided to give Nelsons day care a call. It was already 8 pm and I had some questions. Hello, this is Wendy with Sunny Ville Day Care. A receptionist had answered. Hello, this is Nelsons aunt, Abby. I was wondering if you would happen to be able to give me the time Kimmy usually picks him up. I hesitated then continued, Kim has been coming home late these past couple days and I never seem to know when to expect her to come home for dinner. Part of this was a lie; Id only been here for 2 days and 1 out of the 2 she had ever gone to work. It was a couple of seconds of silence when I heard a faint rustle of paper on the other end. Kimberly usually picks Nelson up around11 or 11:30 on a weekly basis. She replied. Thank you so much for your help. I said a couple of have a good evening type of things and we hung up. So she usually worked late. What does she do for a living? Nurse 100 people to health everyday? Little did I know, that was what she did. She is a surgeon at the hospital across town. Ive always liked her but now I envy her. I checked up on Mia again about 10 minutes later. She was awake now. Now she is going to be awake all night! I hadnt thought about that earlier. Uh oh. She had a fever and a runny nose, she was sick. Sick for the first time in her life. Again Kim came home late, but unlike last night I was awake. I was watching over my daughter when she came in, still in her scrubs, and holding the sleeping Nelson. I didnt tell her I was awake, I wouldve but she was acting very strange. She was talking to her self. I told Mia to keep quiet as I crept closer to hear Kim. 2 died, 8 lived, 1 to come back tomorrow. Yes, tomorrow. Another day. Another day, without Larson. Day 402 tomorrow. 401 day today. Sad, really. Its my entire fault actually. If I hadnt told him. He could have told me. Oh well. She held Nelson out in front of her, stopped by the stairs, and continued in a singsong voice, aw look at Nelly. Poor Nelly. Sorry, Daddy left mommy alone. Yes he did. She put Nelson back into her arms. I was about to turn around when I heard her speak again. That little jack-ass Ive never heard her say that. After my moment of shock I turned toward Mia and the TV when I heard a soft knock on the wall behind me. Didnt know you were still up, Abby. Aw whats wrong with Mia? Shes sick. I wanted to take Mia and run but I decided to play cool and said; I heard some voices so I just turned to see who it was. I was watching TV just a second ago.

She looked at her clothes and replied; Im going to get ready for bed and crash. Hope Mia feels better. She turned and shouted good night on her way upstairs. I fell asleep to Disneys Hannah Montana with Mia around 1 am. ___ I woke up to Mia crying and Nelson whining to his mother. Something about whens daddy comin back? Whats wrong? You still fuzzy? I was trying my hardest to ignore the other conversation behind us. I didnt get an answer, just more crying. It was odd, I wanted to help but I wasnt feeling all too great either. Today was Kimmys day off so she was home all day. It was about 4 pm when I was sitting in the kitchen talking to Kim. And then they stopped. Just, completely, stopped! We were trying to save this mans life! she was reviewing her previous day for me. nobody replied when I asked what happened or why they all stopped! They just stared. So, after they confirmed the man dead I went to check with any of the other nurses, if theyd heard anything. Big surprise, they had! What was it? I was sucked in; it was very interesting. you wouldnt want to know, youre not going to like it. She was probably was right, I didnt know what to think at the time. Tell! wrong choice Abby! Fine. So the man was about 25, right? He and his girlfriend are active she did quotation marks then continued; the man, was pregnant! The MAN! she was right I didnt like it. BANG! My head hit the wooden floor. ____ Abby? a voice said. Its okay. Abby. Settle down. Wait. Who said that? Abby? Abigail? the voice repeated. How come I cant figure this out? Who is that? A different voice spoke now. Shes fine mister.. he paused. Mr. Marks, sir. The voice finally clicked. Bryce? it was a whisper, my throat was killing me. Abby. You feeling all right? Kim told me all that happened. You fainted and hit your head. Abby? I hadnt moved or spoke since the dry, hoarse word before. Bryce. I couldnt believe it. Yes, Abby. It is I, Bryce. He grabbed my hand. Oh, Bryce! I flung my arms around him. Where have you been?! Why did I have to get hurt for you to come back? Well considering I ran away a few years ago I thought I should come back, so here I am, just on a bad day. Id also like to see my, um, my daughter. He was rubbing my back; we were still hugging. I let go of him. Mia? Bryce weve been over this. Shes not yours. Then tell me. Why does she have my eyes and your lips? Abby, I know shes mine! I just know it! he leaned over my bed now. I also just realized I was actually in the hospital. Listen, have you ever had a test done? An official test? No. But. . .!

Than you dont know! She could be mine or she couldnt be! Just please. Please, lets do a test. He saw my face and leaned back. Abby, I know youre scared. But I dont know what youre scared of! If shes mine we could all live in a home, I have a stable job, and youre obviously a great mother! Abby, please. One part of that hit me; live together? Abigail. I love you, and you know that! But I dont love you anymore, Bryce! I had sat up now. You dont mean that. How would you know, anyway?! Because Abby! Because, because if you didnt love me I wouldnt have come back! Sorry to disappoint you but you shouldnt have come back! Oh come on, Abs! he tried to grab my hand. Dont you dare! I slapped him. Abby, please dont do this! Bryce! Im serious! If you dont quit, you will regret coming back here! You dont mean that. He leaned, if possible, back even more and closed his eyes. I knew what was coming and I didnt want it happening again. Wait! I grabbed his hand and he opened his eyes. Bryce wait! Please dont freak out again, thats what separated us before! Fine. I wasnt going to freak out anyway. Ive been traveling for hours and Im tired. Good. Wait, where did you go after you left home? Away. He grabbed a strawberry one of the nurses had given me and swallowed it whole. Um first, wow. And second; I want to know. Tell me! I went to Paris. He shut the door, for what reason, I had no idea. Paris! Breanne, my best friend, had come back from Paris when we met up again. Why didnt you just tell me? I ran away thats why. Now, thanks to you, I had almost forgotten why I had came home. Lets get back to that. Really? I was enjoying this. I was only half joking. Now, you kept denying that you loved me. Because I dont, Bryce! But you dont mean it. He was joking but it still got me angry. I decided Id spit it out. Yes! Yes, I do! And I do know that shes your daughter! I know very well she is! I paused. I just dont want her getting hurt like I did! It wasnt even a second. Not even a second later was Bryce Mark kissing me and I was kissing back. And it wasnt even 15 seconds later I pulled away and said; youre right. I love you. I love you and I hate myself for it. We kissed again. ___ Good morning! Bryce had said. It was now the 23rd, Bryce had stayed with Mia and I at Kims house to help out and have somewhere to live until we move. I was beginning to brush my hair in the bathroom and Bryce walked in with our coffee.

Hey, guys. Im going to work until 5 tonight. Kim had walked into my room as usual and told us about her work schedule, we talked to her about her late-night-habit and she told us shed try as hard as she could not to work so late. so Ill be home around 8 tonight, then. Okay, have fun. I had just walked out of the bathroom still brushing my hair. Oh sorry if I interrupted anything she winked. No! Bryce and I both shouted the word. Oh, um, okay. Well bye! she walked through the door. wait! Nelson isnt going to day care today so please dont drop him. Dont want the 21st all over again, Bryce. She winked at him and waved goodbye as she exited again. How about I watch the kids and you do the shopping today? I, too, dont want Nelson to die. I began to brush my teeth. Fine, but Im going to buy the good cheese this time. We liked different cheeses. Actually why dont we take Mia and Nelson with us? They dont leave the house these days. Fine. But when Im grabbing the things for the Christmas Eve and Christmas dinners Im leaving them with you. Be careful. I was slipping on my holiday dress. Okay. He wrapped his arms around my waist. Oh crap! I felt his hands slide off as I ran into the kids bedroom. I was right. Mia had wet her bed again and was crying. Mia, go to my room and get Bryce to clean you up, okay? Can you do that for mommy? Good girl. She ran out of the room and down the hall. Crap, crap, crap! NOT again! I had finally cleaned everything up and was running Mias sheets to the washing machine when I spotted Nelson on the couch watching Barney. So he watches Barney and Mia watched Disney. Huh, two different personalities there. Abby. Bryce shouted. What? I shouted back. Come in here! he sounded happy but nervous. Coming! I ran back up the stairs. Mommy! Mia turned toward me with a huge smile on her face. The smile was bloody. She was shaking her hand in front of her newly cleaned, half dressed body toward me. I looked down on it as she opened it, a tooth. A small, pearly white, tooth lay in her hand. Congratz baby! You lost your first tooth! I hugged her and let go remembering her blood-dripping mouth. Lets get you cleaned up. I was putting on her little shirt when she gasped and ran to the sink. I though she felt sick but then she said Bryce couldnt finish because Mia finished for him. I said, Bry! Look at my toof! she began to giggle and then stifled it when I lifted her off the counter. Okay, Mia. All done. Just go watch TV with Nelson. Well be down in a few minutes, okay? I kneeled down and held her small hands in mine. and about the TV, nelson watches Barney okay? I know, just be nice and watch it until we come down and then we will tell you what were going to do today. She began to skip down the hallway and was about half way when I turned back around toward Bryce and looked into his eyes.

Whats up, Abs? he asked. Nothing. I grabbed his hand and walked toward the door. Really, what? Actually never mind. I let go of is hand and walked to the small red couch and sat down. He followed. Well what Kim said earlier? Its been bugging me. Oh that? Thats nothing. We were just reassuring her that she wasnt intruding on anything. Exactly! my hands were shaking a bit. I dont understand what your saying. He turned more toward me. Will she ever be interrupting anything? I turned more toward the window. Well, I thought, um. Abby. You know what we said about that. We said not unless he put two fingers on my chin and turned me to face him. not unless if we could handle another gift. I slid myself by him, thigh against thigh, and put my head on his shoulder. I know it was a stupid question. But, I just wanted to know! Im sorry. He played with my hair and we sat for a minute or two. I love this. I miss this. I need this. No, we need this. He got up carefully, making sure not to pull my hair, and held out his hand. I took it and we walked down stairs. Did I ever tell you, you look like a swan when you walk? Like a ballerina swan. Yes, actually, the night we met. Thats the first thing you said to me. I looked up at him and enjoyed him until POOF! The kids had gotten into a flour fight. And right then, instead of cleaning it up, I grabbed some and threw it at Bryce. It was only 15 minutes later we ran out of flour. We all cleaned up pretty fast and cleaned up the kitchen as well when we realized it was 10 and kids still hadnt eaten. We then fed them cereal and a banana, split between the two, cut up on top. After that I cleaned up while Bryce told them we were all going shopping, they seemed happy because when I had grabbed snacks and Mias blanket and Nelsons toy dino, they ran to the door. The store was the same, big, maze I had been in before. It wasnt even a full 5 minutes before I had to take out my phone and call Bryce to ask how to get to the front of the store. I am in aisle 17. Im trying to get to aisle 3 for the um oh hi can you help me? Hey Bryce found someone bye. Although the employee wasnt much help; he had to call the manager and even she said she didnt know her way around the store yet. Shed been manager there for five and a half years, it was built by manager six year ago. I called Bryce again. I meant to tell you theyre no help. He was first to say anything on the call. How do you know this place so well? It was built by manager six years ago. Yeah, so? I wanted an explanation. I was manager 6 years ago. He sounded like he was talking to a child. But youre only a year older than me. That makes you 24. you had to be 18 when it was built. You werent that smart! I said. Yes, I was 18 and I wasnt smart either. I had recently played a video game when I realized it was planning day. I just based it off the game. He made it sound so easy. A game, eh? Awesome! Thanks! I hung up adding a spring in my step. The trip to the grocery store wasnt so bad. ___

It was the following week, 3 days after Christmas, when I realized something was up. Whats wrong with you?! I yelled. Me?! Whats wrong with me? Youre the one with the problem! he yelled back. Tell me! Explain to me how this is all my fault! i felt my face numb with rage. You dont understand me! Get a job get a job thats all I ever get from you! his face was red. Because you need a job! Ever since you quit last week all youve been doing is eating, sleeping. Eating, sleeping, TV. Eating, sleeping, eating, TV, sleeping! I got a job! And Kimmy has had a job this whole time! You cant live off of us forever! Youve got to chip in and do your part! I turned, screamed in rage, picked up the crying Mia, yelled you better be gone or have a job when I come back! and slammed the door shut behind me. Where I was going, I had no idea. I just needed to get out! I swear! I thought to myself, if he even does the littlest as expect hes getting away with this Im going to have to kill him! I reached the car and drove for about 25 minutes before realizing I had no idea where I was. I was at my old middle school. I never totally loved it here but the memories came flooding back when I stopped the car. I got out and put Mia on my hip as I began to walk through the big front doors. It suddenly hit me that it was past Christmas break and all the kids would be back. I decided to go check the front office first and see if I could walk through. I was known really well at the school by about everybody so I wasnt surprised that the principle, the vice when I was attending, called me over by my first name. oh, hi! Its been such a long time Abigail. 6 years! Oh! she had just seen the little girl sitting on my hip and holding onto my neck. Oh and is this a relative of yours? She was really old fashioned, like old fashioned as in; she made up her rules, so she would have never guessed Mia was one of my own. Oh, this is Mia, Mrs. Kelly. Shes my um, well you see, shes my daughter. As I finished my sentence Mrs. Kelly gave her an odd sort of disapproving look but smiled at me and continued on talking. Would you like a tour of the old place? Or just walk it alone? she finished. Ill walk it myself, thanks. But I wouldnt be alone, remember? Ive got my daughter, Mia. I smiled and she laughed weakly. Walking through was disappointing, nothing had changed; everything the same dark grey and royal blue as it was when I began. I reached a hallway deep in the school, around mid-way. This hallway held the teacher I had as my homeroom teacher for all three years at this school. Mr. Hanner was, by far, my favorite teacher. All three years of school he requested my name on the Honor Roll Trophy and, all three years, I was on that trophy. The trophy! I thought to myself. The trophy! Maybe its still here! Mia follow mama! I had put her down and let her wonder or a while. Come on, baby.

Running in my heels didnt feel all to great on my feet, especially since I just walked a considerable distance of a middle school campus. It wasnt five minutes later when I stood looking upon the giant trophy case that held the Honor Roll trophy. There it is. I thought as I looked up at a bright gold trophy in the shape of a oversized goblet. There it is. The one thing I was proud of at this school. Stupid Abby! Abby, the one who always got top marks? Abby. the one who let her life slip. I could hear the remarks now. Abby, the one who let her education go because of one night at a party. Before I knew it I had taken off my heels, carried both in one hand, and was running. Running as fast as I could with tears streaming down my face. My life is a mess! Run! Run! Run, and never come back! Stop! Mia! Where had she gone? Did I scare her? But why would I care? She is the one who ruined my life! She is the one I have to blame! Mia! I slowed to a walk. No! This isnt her fault! Mia is the result of your stupidity! Its your fault, Abby! IT IS YOUR ENTIRE FAULT! I slid to the ground into a ball against the cold brick wall. 3 more feet I would be outside, in the rain, cold. It was then I heard what snapped me back to reality, the school bell. 4 times it rang; ding, ding, ding, ding! It was then that I heard a small voice in my ear. Maam? Excuse me. Miss! Are you alright? the girl was pretty with a small face, long curly blond hair, and purple eyes. huh? I only had a second to take her in, she looked so, so, so fake! are you alright maam? her purple eyes blinked at me and I saw another hand grip the girls shoulder. She turned her head, pointed ears! This was a dream! It had to be! Then she spoke again, Will. This pretty misses. She doesnt seem so good. Another voice now, this little girl said her mom was here. Is this your mommy, Hun? the man- tall, muscular, light brown hair- knelt down to a small girl. The girl had long dark hair in ringlets, a blue headband, and a powder blue dress on. The girl nodded. Uh huh that my mommy. She was holding the mans finger tightly, why my mommy crying? I wiped the tears off my cheek and the supernatural girl looked at me again and said, miss, would you like some help up? she held out her hand. I gripped her hand, it was small but warm, I wasnt so cold but I was shaking. She obviously noticed my shaking and began to rub my back while she turned to the man named will and said, Will, honey, take the little girl to the nurses office,. Im going to walk with her mother for a while. Will kissed the supernatural girl on the cheek and replied, of course, Molly. Come on cutie. Im going to take you on a walk. He smiled at the little girl holding his finger and walked away. The girl named Molly turned all of her attention to me for the next hour or so, skipping two of her classes. You look to young to have a daughter. She said. Yeah, well. I am. I said back. Uh huh. She stammered. I mean. The girl isnt mine. She-she isnt your daughter? Than why did she say she was? she slowed her hand on my back.

I, she, we. She is mine. I am her mother. We are mother and daughter. But you are right about the age. I was watching my feet. I was 17 when I had her, I was getting into college, I had to take my application back when I found out... You shouldnt have. She brought her hand back to speed. Couldnt your parents have helped? My parents? I had stopped, now shaking with rage. My parents hated me! They loved my late brother more than they loved me! Yeah right my parents would help! I, Im, Im sorry if I Intruded my personal thoughts and memories? Yeah! I slowly began to walk with her again. We walked for another half hour before I said, Arent you supposed to be in class anyway? With these words she turned her big purple eyes toward me, smiled, and replied, yes. But I can make up the lessons another day. Ill be fine, Mr. Hanner is very nice. I looked up, Mr. Hanner? You had him also, I take it? Yes, he still works here. She replied still very calm. He always mentions a young girl, says she was his best student. Homeroom hasnt missed a day with her name. she took a deep breath as though admiring a pretty flower. Her name was Abby. On the first day of school he brought the entire class to the trophy case to show us all four years she was on the Honor Roll. I was amazed and replied, He really liked me that much? This seemed to shock Molly as she stared at me, wide-eyed, jaw open, and amazed. You are the Abby he talks about? You are famous Abby? I blushed and nodded; From then on it was as though being in an interview. All of her questions were about me. All about my family, about the environment I grew up in, and the friends I had as I grew up. After the interview Molly and I made our way to her boyfriend and my daughter, I thanked him for watching her and Molly and I swapped numbers. By the time I was around the corner I was in a hurry to get home, get ready for the day, and do some stress cleaning. I was pulling into the driveway when I saw it; Bryce was against a police car, being handcuffed. He looked back at Mia, and me emotionless. I got out of the car, put Mia on my hip, and ran up to the police officer. What is going on here? Maam, the officer said in a hard, strong voice. Did you know this man, Bryce Mark is a runaway, legally defined, rapist? What? I yell. During his crimes he goes by the alias Luke Leroy and chases after girls ages 13 to 17 who seem distressed. The police officer then handed me a large picture of Bryce, towards the center of the picture it stated WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE. No, this cant be true! I ran up to the cops car, banged on the window and screamed at Bryce, Is this true! Is this sick, sick stuff really true! Bryce nodded, I ran to the officer, and yelled, I want this man dead! I put down Mia, took a step backward, turned around at Bryce, turned back to the officer and continued, in a more stable voice, with 8 words, and I would gladly do that for you.

I picked up Mia, took her inside, shut the door, walked calmly to my room, set her on the bed, grabbed all of Bryces suitcases, walked back down stairs, opened the door, and threw all of his items in the yard yelling, you raped my closest friend you filthy bastard!