I am the author of my life.
I claim all of my mistakes, for in them are opportunities
Opportunities of growth, wisdom, and experience as dictated by my choices.
I am the writer of my life.
I make my choices as an individual and reserve my right to think for myself
Even when I am wrong, it is better to be wrong than to do nothing at all.
I am the creator in my life.
I think, I create a masterpiece, a story of my life.
Critics have no room in my thoughts or my masterpiece.
I claim no one under the heavens the right to my life.
I owe to no one my life and make no excuses for my existence.
Neither am I responsible for society's whoas.
I answer to no one but to my God.
I am blessed of Him with inalienable rights to my life, liberty and to pursue my happiness.
And because of the Almighty, I am the author of my life.
Monday, July 14, 2014
Part 3 Chaper 2: The Promise
The next day, Scot and his girls left the farm and hurried home where Bev, Celeste and Sarah were. Kelly, Ann, and Angie could hardly wait for the car to stop before opening the door to run in and discover their home. They didn't care that it was a trailer and they didn't care what sort of condition the trailer was in. They just knew that it was a place to call home, where they can finally be at peace knowing they had each other. They no longer had to feel out of place or not wanted. They were, simply, a family once again.
Kelly was surprised to see Sarah not crying anymore but walking around. She picked Sarah up and hugged her. Sarah smiled and laughed. Celeste also wanted to be picked up. Ann took Sarah so Kelly could hug Celeste too. She smelled. "Eeew, Celeste, you need a change. Let's go get mom." Kelly carried Celeste around, trying to find her mom. Finally Kelly found Bev in her bedroom on the bed. "Mom, Celeste stinks. She needs change." Bev just laid there in bed and stared back as if she was being bothered. Kelly was made full aware of the message; nothing has changed except for the house they lived in now.
Kelly took Celeste to Scot and told him that Celeste needed changing. Right away, Scot changes Celeste and Sarah. He sees that neither Celeste or Sarah had been changed for a long time, were in need of baths, and a good meal. His heart sank as he knew he was back to square one and could very well end up with the same problems as before. Scot was determined that what his family went through for the last year would not happen again. He sent the little girls out to the back yard to play and told Kelly to watch her sisters.
The five sisters went outside to play ring around the rosy. Kelly could hear Scot and Bev inside arguing. She didn't quite understand everything that was said but then she heard loud and clear, Scot yelling at the top of his lungs, "You don't give a DAMN about anyone but yourself! I should have divorced you and kept the girls away from you!" Kelly wasn't so much as surprised that Scot would say such things to Bev but shocked that her dad was capable of raising his voice so loud. Kelly got closer to the window where she could hear the arguing. Bev gave a cool minute and replied, "You really think that there's a judge out there that will grant custody of five girls to a single man? And besides, you know that I have bought off lawyers and judges before, I can do it again and make sure that you pay so much in child support and alimony, you'll never have that music shop you ever dreamed of." Scot was so infuriated with Bev's words and how cold and callous they were. He could do no more but walk away and start on dinner in the kitchen.
Kelly cried quietly. She knew things were never going to change and certainly not get better. It would be the same as before. Dad would go to work at night, come home to get her and her sisters up, cleaned, dressed and ready for school. Dad would make breakfast and send her off on the bus for school. Then he'll get some little sleep during the day keeping one eye opened to watch after the other girls that were still home. Then after having restless sleep, he'll get up, shower, dress, fix supper for his family of 5 girls. He'll play games with his daughters, read books and tuck them into bed before having to leave for work again.
Kelly went back to her younger sisters. Ann and Angie saw Kelly's solemn face. Angie wanted to know what was wrong with Kelly and Kelly didn't want to say. Instead she smiled at Angie and Ann. "I us to make a promise to each other just like what dad does for us."
"What kind of promise," said Ann.
"You both know that we had been through a lot in the last year. We hadn't been together and I don't know what it was like for you guys but for me I couldn't think of anything more than to be home with my sisters."
Angie interrupted Kelly, "I liked the farm and the bunnies. It was fun, but Ann always cried to be back home every night." Angie's face turned red because she didn't want to admit that she missed being home too. Kelly went on, "I don't ever want that to happen again, so I want to make a promise with all of us, that we will never be separated again."
Ann and Angie nodded. The Angie spoke up, "We need a needle!" Kelly was perplexed, "A needle? What for?"
"You know. To make a promise like blood sisters."
Kelly laughed, "OK. we'll need a paper too." Ann ran quietly inside to grab a needle from the sewing kit while Kelly grabbed a piece of paper out of one of the boxes in her room.
"OK, we got everything here." Angie piped up, "What about Celeste and Sarah?" Ann answered, "They're too little, they wouldn't understand. We can tell them about it when they get older."
Kelly scribbled on the paper, I swear that I and my sisters will never be away from each other again. Kelly went first, pricked her finger as fast as possible while squinting her eyes. She placed her finger on the paper. Ann went next and finally Angie's turn came. Ann helped prick Angie's finger. "Ouch! That hurt." Angie placed her finger on the paper. There it was done with bloody fingerprints one next to the other starting with the oldest sister.
Kelly looked at the paper with pride for her and her young sisters. She knew this was important for them and for her. They were a family, all five of them.
Kelly was surprised to see Sarah not crying anymore but walking around. She picked Sarah up and hugged her. Sarah smiled and laughed. Celeste also wanted to be picked up. Ann took Sarah so Kelly could hug Celeste too. She smelled. "Eeew, Celeste, you need a change. Let's go get mom." Kelly carried Celeste around, trying to find her mom. Finally Kelly found Bev in her bedroom on the bed. "Mom, Celeste stinks. She needs change." Bev just laid there in bed and stared back as if she was being bothered. Kelly was made full aware of the message; nothing has changed except for the house they lived in now.
Kelly took Celeste to Scot and told him that Celeste needed changing. Right away, Scot changes Celeste and Sarah. He sees that neither Celeste or Sarah had been changed for a long time, were in need of baths, and a good meal. His heart sank as he knew he was back to square one and could very well end up with the same problems as before. Scot was determined that what his family went through for the last year would not happen again. He sent the little girls out to the back yard to play and told Kelly to watch her sisters.
The five sisters went outside to play ring around the rosy. Kelly could hear Scot and Bev inside arguing. She didn't quite understand everything that was said but then she heard loud and clear, Scot yelling at the top of his lungs, "You don't give a DAMN about anyone but yourself! I should have divorced you and kept the girls away from you!" Kelly wasn't so much as surprised that Scot would say such things to Bev but shocked that her dad was capable of raising his voice so loud. Kelly got closer to the window where she could hear the arguing. Bev gave a cool minute and replied, "You really think that there's a judge out there that will grant custody of five girls to a single man? And besides, you know that I have bought off lawyers and judges before, I can do it again and make sure that you pay so much in child support and alimony, you'll never have that music shop you ever dreamed of." Scot was so infuriated with Bev's words and how cold and callous they were. He could do no more but walk away and start on dinner in the kitchen.
Kelly cried quietly. She knew things were never going to change and certainly not get better. It would be the same as before. Dad would go to work at night, come home to get her and her sisters up, cleaned, dressed and ready for school. Dad would make breakfast and send her off on the bus for school. Then he'll get some little sleep during the day keeping one eye opened to watch after the other girls that were still home. Then after having restless sleep, he'll get up, shower, dress, fix supper for his family of 5 girls. He'll play games with his daughters, read books and tuck them into bed before having to leave for work again.
Kelly went back to her younger sisters. Ann and Angie saw Kelly's solemn face. Angie wanted to know what was wrong with Kelly and Kelly didn't want to say. Instead she smiled at Angie and Ann. "I us to make a promise to each other just like what dad does for us."
"What kind of promise," said Ann.
"You both know that we had been through a lot in the last year. We hadn't been together and I don't know what it was like for you guys but for me I couldn't think of anything more than to be home with my sisters."
Angie interrupted Kelly, "I liked the farm and the bunnies. It was fun, but Ann always cried to be back home every night." Angie's face turned red because she didn't want to admit that she missed being home too. Kelly went on, "I don't ever want that to happen again, so I want to make a promise with all of us, that we will never be separated again."
Ann and Angie nodded. The Angie spoke up, "We need a needle!" Kelly was perplexed, "A needle? What for?"
"You know. To make a promise like blood sisters."
Kelly laughed, "OK. we'll need a paper too." Ann ran quietly inside to grab a needle from the sewing kit while Kelly grabbed a piece of paper out of one of the boxes in her room.
"OK, we got everything here." Angie piped up, "What about Celeste and Sarah?" Ann answered, "They're too little, they wouldn't understand. We can tell them about it when they get older."
Kelly scribbled on the paper, I swear that I and my sisters will never be away from each other again. Kelly went first, pricked her finger as fast as possible while squinting her eyes. She placed her finger on the paper. Ann went next and finally Angie's turn came. Ann helped prick Angie's finger. "Ouch! That hurt." Angie placed her finger on the paper. There it was done with bloody fingerprints one next to the other starting with the oldest sister.
Kelly looked at the paper with pride for her and her young sisters. She knew this was important for them and for her. They were a family, all five of them.
Thursday, July 10, 2014
Part 2 Chapter 2: The Promise
If there was a girl in the whole world that was happier than Kelly when Scot finally came to get her, then it was hard to find. Kelly was so happy she didn't notice her Aunt Jill throwing out her bag of things and shutting the door. She hugged her dad to make up for a whole year's worth of missed hugs.
Finally, Scot spoke, "What do you say we go get your other sisters and go home." Kelly nodded with a huge grin. They drove back to their home state and out to the country where Ann and Angie were staying. The farm was beautiful with a fish pond in front of the house, a neatly rowed garden to the side and sheds to the other side of the house with caged bunnies and chickens. Ann and Angie were outside with the bunnies. Angie tugged at Ann and pointed to Scot's car. "That's daddy!" Ann and Angie ran out to the car to greet Scot and Kelly. Scot and Kelly got out and hugged Ann and Angie.
Susan, the wife of the family friend who was taking care of Ann and Angie, came out with a smile. "Oh wonderful! I'm so glad you're here. These two girls were getting worried about you."
"I appreciate all you've done for me and my girls."
"They were a pleasure to have around. They've been such good girls and I will miss them but I'm glad you're able to come get them. When I told them you were coming to get them, they couldn't sit still. They kept looking down the road to see when you were coming."
That made Scot smile knowing that his girls still loved him and wanted him. It also helped knowing that Ann and Angie were loved and cared for when he could not. "Words can't describe how grateful I am to you and your husband."
They stayed the night at the farm and had supper outside. Kelly, Ann and Angie hadn't seen each other for so long, they didn't want to sit and eat. Instead, played in the freshly cut grass. While the sun was still out, they played hide and go seek, then some ring-around-the-rosy, and tag. As the sun went down, the fireflies would dance in the sky. Kelly and Ann would catch the fireflies and show them to Angie. Scot brought out a jar with holes in the lid for the girls to put the fireflies in.
Scot was finally feeling whole again and was starting to feel light again. He watched as the fireflies light up in the jar and then after awhile, he would open the jar and let the flies go. He would watch as the flies would take off and fly away. He felt as if each time one of those flies would take off, that his heartache was being carried away. His own soul that was once bound by chains of the unclaimable mountain of debt was lifted and he felt as if he could soar.
Finally, Scot spoke, "What do you say we go get your other sisters and go home." Kelly nodded with a huge grin. They drove back to their home state and out to the country where Ann and Angie were staying. The farm was beautiful with a fish pond in front of the house, a neatly rowed garden to the side and sheds to the other side of the house with caged bunnies and chickens. Ann and Angie were outside with the bunnies. Angie tugged at Ann and pointed to Scot's car. "That's daddy!" Ann and Angie ran out to the car to greet Scot and Kelly. Scot and Kelly got out and hugged Ann and Angie.
Susan, the wife of the family friend who was taking care of Ann and Angie, came out with a smile. "Oh wonderful! I'm so glad you're here. These two girls were getting worried about you."
"I appreciate all you've done for me and my girls."
"They were a pleasure to have around. They've been such good girls and I will miss them but I'm glad you're able to come get them. When I told them you were coming to get them, they couldn't sit still. They kept looking down the road to see when you were coming."
That made Scot smile knowing that his girls still loved him and wanted him. It also helped knowing that Ann and Angie were loved and cared for when he could not. "Words can't describe how grateful I am to you and your husband."
They stayed the night at the farm and had supper outside. Kelly, Ann and Angie hadn't seen each other for so long, they didn't want to sit and eat. Instead, played in the freshly cut grass. While the sun was still out, they played hide and go seek, then some ring-around-the-rosy, and tag. As the sun went down, the fireflies would dance in the sky. Kelly and Ann would catch the fireflies and show them to Angie. Scot brought out a jar with holes in the lid for the girls to put the fireflies in.
Scot was finally feeling whole again and was starting to feel light again. He watched as the fireflies light up in the jar and then after awhile, he would open the jar and let the flies go. He would watch as the flies would take off and fly away. He felt as if each time one of those flies would take off, that his heartache was being carried away. His own soul that was once bound by chains of the unclaimable mountain of debt was lifted and he felt as if he could soar.
Wednesday, July 9, 2014
Chapter 2: The Promise
Work seemed to be Scot's whole life in the following year. He would hardly sleep, ate peanut better sandwiches for dinner, skipped breakfast often times, and social life didn't exist. Scot had a goal and he was determined to reach it. Pain no longer mattered to Scot. What mattered to him more was his girls and getting them back home together. More importantly, his promise to Kelly was his bond and he was going to keep his promise to his little girl even if he died doing so.
It's a funny thing about words and promises. Words have no muscle unless you provide the muscle for them and yet they can break hearts if used lightly. Still, we disregard words as if they have no affect without realizing the backlash disregarded words have when they are returned to us. Scot made a promise to Kelly and to ignore his promise to her, Scot knew would not only break her heart but break his soul in sight of that broken heart.
Scot worked the night shift in the lab. Then he would go home for 5 hours of sleep to wake up in time to go to the shoe store and work as a salesman during the weeknights and on Saturdays during the day. During the weekend nights, Scot didn't have to go to the lab for work, so he would work at night cleaning floors for restaurants, offices and whatever other business needed floor cleaning. On Sundays, he attended church but then he would work in the yard for his mother in law to earn his keep.
In between things, Scot would comfort Sarah. Sarah was still in so much pain from the meningitis that she cried constantly. Only Scot could get Sarah to settle down. His arms were full of muscle and for Sarah, it was just the right amount of softness with a firm arm to make her comfortable. Sarah would fall asleep in her daddy's arms. Scot was glad that Sarah and Celeste could at least stay with their mom and dad. It helped Scot to take the edge away from missing his girls.
When Scot first realized the amount of debt that was going to have to be paid and then the amount of money that was going to be needed to find another home, it seemed as if it were an unclimbable mountain to shovel. At first, each day, he moved a pebble and then gained a boulder. He kept going and moving pebbles off the mountain. Soon, he was moving rocks with a shovel. Later he moved boulders until finally he moved an entire mountain. It took Scot over a year, but he finally reached his goal of paying off the debt.
Scot was finally able to rent a double wide trailer. It wasn't much, but Scot wanted to get his girls back as quickly as possible. As soon as the lease agreement was signed, he went immediately to get his girls back. He drove all night to get Kelly out of state.
Finally, he was there at Jill's house. He opened his car door and ran for the house and ranged the bell. Jill answered the door and her face turned into a glare. "Wait one moment and I will get Kelly." Scot didn't care how Jill behaved towards him. He just wanted to get Kelly and go back home. What was an eternity to Scott was a few minutes before Kelly opened the front door. "DAD!"
It's a funny thing about words and promises. Words have no muscle unless you provide the muscle for them and yet they can break hearts if used lightly. Still, we disregard words as if they have no affect without realizing the backlash disregarded words have when they are returned to us. Scot made a promise to Kelly and to ignore his promise to her, Scot knew would not only break her heart but break his soul in sight of that broken heart.
Scot worked the night shift in the lab. Then he would go home for 5 hours of sleep to wake up in time to go to the shoe store and work as a salesman during the weeknights and on Saturdays during the day. During the weekend nights, Scot didn't have to go to the lab for work, so he would work at night cleaning floors for restaurants, offices and whatever other business needed floor cleaning. On Sundays, he attended church but then he would work in the yard for his mother in law to earn his keep.
In between things, Scot would comfort Sarah. Sarah was still in so much pain from the meningitis that she cried constantly. Only Scot could get Sarah to settle down. His arms were full of muscle and for Sarah, it was just the right amount of softness with a firm arm to make her comfortable. Sarah would fall asleep in her daddy's arms. Scot was glad that Sarah and Celeste could at least stay with their mom and dad. It helped Scot to take the edge away from missing his girls.
When Scot first realized the amount of debt that was going to have to be paid and then the amount of money that was going to be needed to find another home, it seemed as if it were an unclimbable mountain to shovel. At first, each day, he moved a pebble and then gained a boulder. He kept going and moving pebbles off the mountain. Soon, he was moving rocks with a shovel. Later he moved boulders until finally he moved an entire mountain. It took Scot over a year, but he finally reached his goal of paying off the debt.
Scot was finally able to rent a double wide trailer. It wasn't much, but Scot wanted to get his girls back as quickly as possible. As soon as the lease agreement was signed, he went immediately to get his girls back. He drove all night to get Kelly out of state.
Finally, he was there at Jill's house. He opened his car door and ran for the house and ranged the bell. Jill answered the door and her face turned into a glare. "Wait one moment and I will get Kelly." Scot didn't care how Jill behaved towards him. He just wanted to get Kelly and go back home. What was an eternity to Scott was a few minutes before Kelly opened the front door. "DAD!"
Monday, July 7, 2014
Part 3 Chapter 1: Fire
Scott honestly didn't know what he could do for his girls. It's a strange sort of limbo. Often Scott was able to see what could happen down the road because he planned for it. He knew what he wanted, what goals to achieve, and what to expect. Scott even had a backup plan for his backup plans. He had this nice house with plenty of room for his family of 5 girls, a large half acre land with a huge garden, play set and grilling area for outdoor picnics. Scott was careful, or so he thought.
Scott had even planned on saving money to pursue his musical passions. If there was anything else that defined Scott, it was his love of music. Scott was the kind of musician that could pick up any instrument and play it like he had been playing for ages. He played the piano like a real pianist but he could also play the organ without a flaw. Not a lot of people can do both like Scott could. Scott had played accordions, trumpets, violins, cellos, drums, you name it, he played it. His dream was to share music with his girls, record some of his organ music, and own a music shop. But as the nightmare unfolded, his musical dream vanished quicker than the time it took to develop.
"We'll take one girl."
"What!?"
Scott couldn't believe his ears. Bev's sister, Jill, came from out of state to offer help. She just didn't say what kind of help until she arrived. Jill had four boys of her own and had a distaste for Scott and Bev's brood of girls somehow thinking that five girls was far too many than her four boys.
"Be reasonable Scott! You have far too many girls to expect anyone to house and feed them!"
"But you don't like any of my girls. What makes you think I will allow you to take any of them? And besides, I am well aware it's asking a lot for anyone to house five girls but I have to try! They already lost their home and everything they knew. They don't need to lose each other."
"Sentiment is not something a man in your position can afford! You simply cannot expect my aging mother to care and provide for these girls in this small house while you pull yourself together. I will offer housing to one girl, the oldest one. Take it, or leave it."
As much as Scott didn't like Jill, he knew she was right. He wasn't even sure how long it was going to take before he had another home for his family again and to ask someone to house five girls indefinitely wasn't a fair. Scott relented and allowed Jill to take Kelly back to her home.
The next day, it was time for Jill to go back home and take Kelly with her. She didn't have much to pack and more than anything, didn't want to go. Scott took Kelly by the hand and walked her out to the car. He knelt down to Kelly. "Kelly, I know this is hard. I promise you that I will work day and night to fix this. I will not stop until you are back home. Not until we are all back together again." He hugged Kelly to reassure her before getting her into the car with Jill. Soon after Ann and Angie were sent to a farm to with a family friend.
What is your worst nightmare honestly? Some people would say it's not having certain things, not knowing what could happen, or some terrible hurt caused to yourself. Scott didn't know what his worst nightmare was until it happened. Having to give up his daughters and not knowing when they would be back is where words fall short of how he felt. The only thing that kept him going at this time was work. While he worked, it made him forget how depressed he was as he would leave the cares of home life at home. For a little more than a year, Scott worked at the lab, a shoe store and cleaned floors on the weekends. He would not stop and kept his promise to Kelly.
Scott had even planned on saving money to pursue his musical passions. If there was anything else that defined Scott, it was his love of music. Scott was the kind of musician that could pick up any instrument and play it like he had been playing for ages. He played the piano like a real pianist but he could also play the organ without a flaw. Not a lot of people can do both like Scott could. Scott had played accordions, trumpets, violins, cellos, drums, you name it, he played it. His dream was to share music with his girls, record some of his organ music, and own a music shop. But as the nightmare unfolded, his musical dream vanished quicker than the time it took to develop.
"We'll take one girl."
"What!?"
Scott couldn't believe his ears. Bev's sister, Jill, came from out of state to offer help. She just didn't say what kind of help until she arrived. Jill had four boys of her own and had a distaste for Scott and Bev's brood of girls somehow thinking that five girls was far too many than her four boys.
"Be reasonable Scott! You have far too many girls to expect anyone to house and feed them!"
"But you don't like any of my girls. What makes you think I will allow you to take any of them? And besides, I am well aware it's asking a lot for anyone to house five girls but I have to try! They already lost their home and everything they knew. They don't need to lose each other."
"Sentiment is not something a man in your position can afford! You simply cannot expect my aging mother to care and provide for these girls in this small house while you pull yourself together. I will offer housing to one girl, the oldest one. Take it, or leave it."
As much as Scott didn't like Jill, he knew she was right. He wasn't even sure how long it was going to take before he had another home for his family again and to ask someone to house five girls indefinitely wasn't a fair. Scott relented and allowed Jill to take Kelly back to her home.
The next day, it was time for Jill to go back home and take Kelly with her. She didn't have much to pack and more than anything, didn't want to go. Scott took Kelly by the hand and walked her out to the car. He knelt down to Kelly. "Kelly, I know this is hard. I promise you that I will work day and night to fix this. I will not stop until you are back home. Not until we are all back together again." He hugged Kelly to reassure her before getting her into the car with Jill. Soon after Ann and Angie were sent to a farm to with a family friend.
What is your worst nightmare honestly? Some people would say it's not having certain things, not knowing what could happen, or some terrible hurt caused to yourself. Scott didn't know what his worst nightmare was until it happened. Having to give up his daughters and not knowing when they would be back is where words fall short of how he felt. The only thing that kept him going at this time was work. While he worked, it made him forget how depressed he was as he would leave the cares of home life at home. For a little more than a year, Scott worked at the lab, a shoe store and cleaned floors on the weekends. He would not stop and kept his promise to Kelly.
Thursday, July 3, 2014
Part 2 Chapter 1: Fire
"I'm very sorry Scott. There's really nothing I can do at this point." Mr. Ryan felt helpless as an insurance agent. "I know this fire was not any of your own doing but the fact remains that the house insurance was not paid for over a year." Scott couldn't believe a word he was hearing from the insurance agent. "But I paid! I paid money every month for the insurance. How could I possibly not have paid?"
"If that's true then we need to see proof of it otherwise my office hasn't received any of the money."
"That's not a problem! I write out the check every month and hand it to my wife...." Suddenly it dawned on Scott what happened with the money. He looked over to Bev, "What did you do with the money for the insurance?" Bev looked at him and said, "Same as always, drop it off here at the office. Maybe his office girl stole it."
"Hey! I don't appreciate accusing my employees of stealing!" Mr. Ryan was vividly upset. Scott, held his hand up to Mr. Ryan as if to say he would handle it. Mr. Ryan calmed down.
"Bev, you know that's not true. What did you do with the money?"
Bev got up and walked out of the room. "What did you do with the money Bev?"
Scott was stunned as he watch his wife disappear from the office and slowly turned to look at Mr. Ryan. "I'm sorry. I honestly thought I paid the insurance."
"No, I'm sorry Scott. I honestly want to help you but my hands are tied."
Scott left the insurance office with a sinking feeling about what lied ahead for his family of five girls. He worried about his daughters the most. To make matters worse, Scott called the mortgage company and found out that they too had not received payments in months and the house was about to be foreclosed on without his knowledge. The utility companies were also behind on payments. Credit cards were maxed out. The debt kept growing and growing with no end in sight. Already, he felt as if he overstayed his welcome at his in-law's house. Five girls in a small two bedroom house was more than cramped. It was over the boarder claustrophobic. To make matters worse, Scott's mother-in-law nagged and complained about five girls being too many to which Scott would reply with an inquiry of which daughter should he not have.
If things could get any worse, Scott did not want to know. He needed a reprieve from his gloomy prospect. Josh was the only person he could think of to get away to. Scott sat in a chair in the back porch of Josh's house. It was perfect. Josh had a forest for a backyard with a babbling brook not far. He felt welcomed in Josh's house and that's what he needed. A place where a stranger could relax and be silent. Scott appreciated that Josh didn't mind his silence and waited until he was ready to talk. Truth is, Scott wanted to talk. He just didn't know where to begin or what questions to ask. What scared Scott most was that he was afraid that if he did start talking, tears would stream and he wouldn't be able to stop the flow. Josh had known Scott for over five years. They became instant pals when Scott started working in the lab with Josh for a tractor corporation. In all that time they knew each other, Josh had never seen Scott like this. It worried Josh.
After an hour of solitude, Josh decided to help Scott put his thoughts together. He takes a sip of ice cola from his glass and takes a deep breath, trying to be careful as though he was about to break the glass. "Scott." Scott remained silent but just the sound of his name robbed him of a tear.
"Scott, I can't put into words how terrible I feel for you and your family. I can only imagine how hard it must be for you to wrap your head around what's happened." Scott closed his eyes and braced himself as he knew that it was finally time to face his horrible truth. "Scott if you ever need anything at all, you're welcomed to it, just please do me this one favor."
"What's that?"
"Don't take your life."
Scott laughed because he knew the thought did cross his mind. "I can't tell you how many times that thought crossed my mind." Scott leaned forward in his chair as his smile faded and tears were streaming now even more. He didn't want Josh to see the tears. "I moved here thousands of miles away from my own family for Bev because it was what she wanted. I worked this job and two others at the same time to save money for the down payment on the house. I could never get her support in the home. She doesn't cook, clean or do anything with any of the girls. My baby almost died in the hospital. My wife never visited the baby, not once! I had to work all night to come home to take care of the girls with very little sleep!" Scott stopped for a moment to breathe. The nice thing about Josh at this moment is he still kept silent as he knew Scott had more to say.
"And what does she do!? She destroys everything! She lies, manipulates and won't answer any of my questions. She tells me I'm accusing her when all I'm asking is what did she do with the insurance and mortgage money? She doesn't believe that I deserve an answer. Instead, she accuses me in front of her mother of sending our family to the poor house. And now I have all this debt that has to be paid and I have no home..." That was it, Scott finally gave way to uncontrollable tears and cried as he sat in his chair. Josh couldn't help but to shed a few tears himself as he watched his friend in distress.
"What are you going to do?" Josh finally asked. Scott took in a deep breath as a sense of relief had finally lifted his shoulders. He dried his eyes. "I'm not entirely sure. Bev's mother doesn't want all the girls to stay in her house for too long. The house is too small for five girls. I'm going to have to find a place for the girls to stay until I am able to get another home for them."
"Any idea of where they would go?"
"No, not yet but I'm going to have to. I just hope that this is temporary... A very short temporary. I don't like the idea of being separated from my girls for too long."
"Sounds like your daughters are the ones that keep you going."
"They are. My daughters steal my heart when they were born and everyday when they greet me at the door when I come home. They are the ones I look forward to everyday when I get home."
"If that's true then we need to see proof of it otherwise my office hasn't received any of the money."
"That's not a problem! I write out the check every month and hand it to my wife...." Suddenly it dawned on Scott what happened with the money. He looked over to Bev, "What did you do with the money for the insurance?" Bev looked at him and said, "Same as always, drop it off here at the office. Maybe his office girl stole it."
"Hey! I don't appreciate accusing my employees of stealing!" Mr. Ryan was vividly upset. Scott, held his hand up to Mr. Ryan as if to say he would handle it. Mr. Ryan calmed down.
"Bev, you know that's not true. What did you do with the money?"
Bev got up and walked out of the room. "What did you do with the money Bev?"
Scott was stunned as he watch his wife disappear from the office and slowly turned to look at Mr. Ryan. "I'm sorry. I honestly thought I paid the insurance."
"No, I'm sorry Scott. I honestly want to help you but my hands are tied."
Scott left the insurance office with a sinking feeling about what lied ahead for his family of five girls. He worried about his daughters the most. To make matters worse, Scott called the mortgage company and found out that they too had not received payments in months and the house was about to be foreclosed on without his knowledge. The utility companies were also behind on payments. Credit cards were maxed out. The debt kept growing and growing with no end in sight. Already, he felt as if he overstayed his welcome at his in-law's house. Five girls in a small two bedroom house was more than cramped. It was over the boarder claustrophobic. To make matters worse, Scott's mother-in-law nagged and complained about five girls being too many to which Scott would reply with an inquiry of which daughter should he not have.
If things could get any worse, Scott did not want to know. He needed a reprieve from his gloomy prospect. Josh was the only person he could think of to get away to. Scott sat in a chair in the back porch of Josh's house. It was perfect. Josh had a forest for a backyard with a babbling brook not far. He felt welcomed in Josh's house and that's what he needed. A place where a stranger could relax and be silent. Scott appreciated that Josh didn't mind his silence and waited until he was ready to talk. Truth is, Scott wanted to talk. He just didn't know where to begin or what questions to ask. What scared Scott most was that he was afraid that if he did start talking, tears would stream and he wouldn't be able to stop the flow. Josh had known Scott for over five years. They became instant pals when Scott started working in the lab with Josh for a tractor corporation. In all that time they knew each other, Josh had never seen Scott like this. It worried Josh.
After an hour of solitude, Josh decided to help Scott put his thoughts together. He takes a sip of ice cola from his glass and takes a deep breath, trying to be careful as though he was about to break the glass. "Scott." Scott remained silent but just the sound of his name robbed him of a tear.
"Scott, I can't put into words how terrible I feel for you and your family. I can only imagine how hard it must be for you to wrap your head around what's happened." Scott closed his eyes and braced himself as he knew that it was finally time to face his horrible truth. "Scott if you ever need anything at all, you're welcomed to it, just please do me this one favor."
"What's that?"
"Don't take your life."
Scott laughed because he knew the thought did cross his mind. "I can't tell you how many times that thought crossed my mind." Scott leaned forward in his chair as his smile faded and tears were streaming now even more. He didn't want Josh to see the tears. "I moved here thousands of miles away from my own family for Bev because it was what she wanted. I worked this job and two others at the same time to save money for the down payment on the house. I could never get her support in the home. She doesn't cook, clean or do anything with any of the girls. My baby almost died in the hospital. My wife never visited the baby, not once! I had to work all night to come home to take care of the girls with very little sleep!" Scott stopped for a moment to breathe. The nice thing about Josh at this moment is he still kept silent as he knew Scott had more to say.
"And what does she do!? She destroys everything! She lies, manipulates and won't answer any of my questions. She tells me I'm accusing her when all I'm asking is what did she do with the insurance and mortgage money? She doesn't believe that I deserve an answer. Instead, she accuses me in front of her mother of sending our family to the poor house. And now I have all this debt that has to be paid and I have no home..." That was it, Scott finally gave way to uncontrollable tears and cried as he sat in his chair. Josh couldn't help but to shed a few tears himself as he watched his friend in distress.
"What are you going to do?" Josh finally asked. Scott took in a deep breath as a sense of relief had finally lifted his shoulders. He dried his eyes. "I'm not entirely sure. Bev's mother doesn't want all the girls to stay in her house for too long. The house is too small for five girls. I'm going to have to find a place for the girls to stay until I am able to get another home for them."
"Any idea of where they would go?"
"No, not yet but I'm going to have to. I just hope that this is temporary... A very short temporary. I don't like the idea of being separated from my girls for too long."
"Sounds like your daughters are the ones that keep you going."
"They are. My daughters steal my heart when they were born and everyday when they greet me at the door when I come home. They are the ones I look forward to everyday when I get home."
Tuesday, July 1, 2014
Chapter 1: Fire
"Get up!" Kelly was frightened and scared as she tried to wake her mother up. "Mommy, get up!" The house was on fire. The closest neighbor would be blocks away and she wouldn't make it to them in time. "GET UP! The house is on fire!"
Bev stirred groggily as if not to notice the smoke in the room. "Get up!" Kelly demanded. Finally, Bev sat up and looked around. She sighed, slapped her hands on her lap and stretched up. Kelly was confused by Bev's reaction. "We need to get out of here," Kelly shouted. Bev waved her hand at Kelly and walked towards the kitchen. Kelly couldn't believe her eyes. She knew she had to do something. There was fire everywhere; in the kitchen, the dining room, the living room, on the walls, on the ceiling. Kelly coughed. The smoke was getting bad which Kelly knew it meant she didn't have much time left.
She ran towards the bedrooms where her younger sisters slept. She could hear Celeste crying in the crib. "Get up! Ann, Angie, get up! Come on, the house is on fire." As soon as they saw the smoke and noticed the fire, Ann and Angie sprang from their beds. Kelly then went to Celeste in her crib and pulled down the side of the crib to get Celeste out. Ann went to the other crib where Sarah was still asleep. Sarah was fresh out of the hospital after having spent months battling bacterial spinal meningitis. To move Sarah would cause pain; Ann knew this. She tried to pull down the bar of the crib but it was stuck. She struggled and still it would not move. Ann then tried to climb into the crib to reach for Sarah. Kelly pulled her down. "No! Careful." Kelly pushed a button on the latch that lowered the bar of the crib. Ann reached for Sarah and at the bear touch Sarah screamed as though someone was deliberately putting her in pain. Ann held Sarah close to her and tried to calm her but to no avail.
"Come on, we gotta get out of here." Kelly carried Celeste and led the young sisters down the hall. Suddenly the house shook. Kelly looked up, the ceiling was about to collapse. She jumped back as just in time.
There, in the hall, Kelly thought for sure she and her sisters were done for. What else could a 6 year old girl do with sisters younger than herself? Kelly cried. She slid down the wall to the floor with crying Celeste still in her arms. Ann and Angie joined in the chorus of tears as they saw their fearless leader cry. For all they knew, dad was still at work, mom didn't seem to care and no one knew where they were at.
Then something else troubled Kelly even more than the fire surrounding her. Sarah had stopped crying. "Ann! Give me Sarah!" Kelly exchanged with Ann Celeste for Sarah. Sarah stopped breathing. Kelly tried to wake Sarah up but to no use. "Sarah wake up! Wake up! Please wake up!" Sarah became lifeless. She had breathed in too much smoke. Kelly cried, "Please God help us."
"Hello! Anyone there?"
Kelly didn't recognize the voice but it was a voice nonetheless and it belonged to someone who could possibly help.
"Over here! We're over here! Please hurry!"
Two firefighters make their way to the girls through the bedroom window.
"This is Rob, we found the missing girls. Looks like all 5 of them. The youngest one is lifeless and needs medical attention right away. Have the medical team standby. We'll bring them through the north bedroom window." Rob picks up the lifeless body of Sarah in one arm and Celeste in the other. "Girls, stay close to me and grab my jacket. We're going to go to the bedroom over there and away from the fire."
No sooner as Kelly got through the window, she saw her dad and ran right for him. "DAD!" Ann and Angie soon followed. Celeste and Sarah were taken to the ambulance right away. Sarah was revived and let out a loud cry as the pain returned.
Scott was relieved his daughters were alive as he held his daughters tightly. Bev came out of the fire truck with a blanket around her shoulders. She grabbed Ann to hug her, "Oh thank God you're ok. I was so worried about you girls." She next reached for Kelly but Kelly backed away with a serious look in her face. Scott looked on at the burning house with a distant look in his face as the house crumbled to the ground with everything he worked so hard for to provide for his family. Tears stream down his face as he thinks about all the work he had to do to provide the home, the beds and pillows the family slept on, the backyard swing set he built for his daughters to play on. All the memories, good and bad, that were invested were now in flames.
Bev stirred groggily as if not to notice the smoke in the room. "Get up!" Kelly demanded. Finally, Bev sat up and looked around. She sighed, slapped her hands on her lap and stretched up. Kelly was confused by Bev's reaction. "We need to get out of here," Kelly shouted. Bev waved her hand at Kelly and walked towards the kitchen. Kelly couldn't believe her eyes. She knew she had to do something. There was fire everywhere; in the kitchen, the dining room, the living room, on the walls, on the ceiling. Kelly coughed. The smoke was getting bad which Kelly knew it meant she didn't have much time left.
She ran towards the bedrooms where her younger sisters slept. She could hear Celeste crying in the crib. "Get up! Ann, Angie, get up! Come on, the house is on fire." As soon as they saw the smoke and noticed the fire, Ann and Angie sprang from their beds. Kelly then went to Celeste in her crib and pulled down the side of the crib to get Celeste out. Ann went to the other crib where Sarah was still asleep. Sarah was fresh out of the hospital after having spent months battling bacterial spinal meningitis. To move Sarah would cause pain; Ann knew this. She tried to pull down the bar of the crib but it was stuck. She struggled and still it would not move. Ann then tried to climb into the crib to reach for Sarah. Kelly pulled her down. "No! Careful." Kelly pushed a button on the latch that lowered the bar of the crib. Ann reached for Sarah and at the bear touch Sarah screamed as though someone was deliberately putting her in pain. Ann held Sarah close to her and tried to calm her but to no avail.
"Come on, we gotta get out of here." Kelly carried Celeste and led the young sisters down the hall. Suddenly the house shook. Kelly looked up, the ceiling was about to collapse. She jumped back as just in time.
There, in the hall, Kelly thought for sure she and her sisters were done for. What else could a 6 year old girl do with sisters younger than herself? Kelly cried. She slid down the wall to the floor with crying Celeste still in her arms. Ann and Angie joined in the chorus of tears as they saw their fearless leader cry. For all they knew, dad was still at work, mom didn't seem to care and no one knew where they were at.
Then something else troubled Kelly even more than the fire surrounding her. Sarah had stopped crying. "Ann! Give me Sarah!" Kelly exchanged with Ann Celeste for Sarah. Sarah stopped breathing. Kelly tried to wake Sarah up but to no use. "Sarah wake up! Wake up! Please wake up!" Sarah became lifeless. She had breathed in too much smoke. Kelly cried, "Please God help us."
"Hello! Anyone there?"
Kelly didn't recognize the voice but it was a voice nonetheless and it belonged to someone who could possibly help.
"Over here! We're over here! Please hurry!"
Two firefighters make their way to the girls through the bedroom window.
"This is Rob, we found the missing girls. Looks like all 5 of them. The youngest one is lifeless and needs medical attention right away. Have the medical team standby. We'll bring them through the north bedroom window." Rob picks up the lifeless body of Sarah in one arm and Celeste in the other. "Girls, stay close to me and grab my jacket. We're going to go to the bedroom over there and away from the fire."
No sooner as Kelly got through the window, she saw her dad and ran right for him. "DAD!" Ann and Angie soon followed. Celeste and Sarah were taken to the ambulance right away. Sarah was revived and let out a loud cry as the pain returned.
Scott was relieved his daughters were alive as he held his daughters tightly. Bev came out of the fire truck with a blanket around her shoulders. She grabbed Ann to hug her, "Oh thank God you're ok. I was so worried about you girls." She next reached for Kelly but Kelly backed away with a serious look in her face. Scott looked on at the burning house with a distant look in his face as the house crumbled to the ground with everything he worked so hard for to provide for his family. Tears stream down his face as he thinks about all the work he had to do to provide the home, the beds and pillows the family slept on, the backyard swing set he built for his daughters to play on. All the memories, good and bad, that were invested were now in flames.
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