Don't Let Me Go ~ N.H.

I rushed downstairs only to see Mom bleeding from her chest. Andre had shot her in the heart! I grabbed Mom’s cell phone and dialed 911.

~~~~~

I waited in the hospital waiting area for about an hour. A black doctor finally approached us, and he didn’t look too happy.

“Carlie Jennings?” he addressed me.

“Is she dead?” I asked.

“Yes, I’m afraid your mother’s dead. I’ve called your father, and he’s expecting you at the Dublin airport in eight hours.”

“Okay.”

~~~~~

Seven hours plus an hour of packing later, I arrived in Dublin. Daddy was waiting for me at baggage claim.

“Hey, I heard about Mom,” Daddy said when I was within earshot. “I’m so sorry.”

Daddy held me close while I cried on his shoulder. “You don’t even know what it’s like!”

“Yes, I do. I saw my own mother pass away when I was your age.”

“Was she murdered?”

“Well, no…she had cancer. But I still know what it’s like! By the way, what’s with the belly?”

“I got raped four months ago.”

“Did you tell Niall yet?”

“No, I lost all connection to him. Is he still waiting for me?”

“Yes, he is, and I’m sure he’d be more than happy to hear from you.”

Daddy and I drove home, and as soon as we got there, I heard a bark. I knew it was Buddy, and he came running, followed by Lorna. “Hi, babies!” I said, petting them as they jumped on me.

After the mini-meet and greet, I called Niall on Mom’s cell. He answered on the third ring.

“Niall, it’s me, Carlie!” I said.

“Uh…Carlie who?” he asked.

“Carlie Jennings? Your girlfriend?”

Niall laughed. “I’m just playing! Of course I remember you! How’ve you been, love?”

“Well…there’s something I should tell you. You’d better sit down.”

There was a pause. “Okay, I’m sitting down. What’s up?”

“Remember my mom’s boyfriend? The one who leered at me?”

“Yeah, what about him?”

“Four months ago, he raped me, and now I’m pregnant with twins.”

“I told you not to let him do anything to you!” I burst into tears. “I’m not mad, love, just surprised! When are the babies due?”

“Five months from now. Can I come over?”

“Well, it’s late, but sure.”

“Okay, see you in a few.” I hung up and turned to Daddy. “I’m gonna go sleep over at Niall’s.”

“Okay, see you in the morning.”

Notes