If you are sensitive to abusive situations, you may not wish to read this but I wish you would --- I'm not graphic but it really goes along with the title of my story and so if you could just look past it, you might enjoy this story.
(John caught up to his girlfriend and stopped her from walking any further...)
John: You can't do this! You can't go home and take another one just to keep your brother from getting it. Your dad will kill you for leaving in the first place.
Allie (Wiping tears away): John you've no idea what will happen to Tony if I don't get back home.
John: Yes I do; the same thing that happened to you and I'm not willing to lose you because of it. Let Miss James' dad take your dad away! Please?
Allie: No! I love my dad and...
John: Allie, you have to listen to me! You can't go home to him; please don't! It's just going to get you put in the hospital or worse.
Allie: I love you John but I can't let my brother get hurt. It's just not worth it.
John: What's not worth it..? Allie, whose to say that your brother won't still get it even if you take most of the wrap for him?
Allie: Just let me go home!
John: No; I've got a better idea. (John put his hand into his pockets and pulled out a black velvet box) I was waiting to give this to you until you turned 17 but...(He opened the box and there was a beautiful diamond ring in it. Allie just stared at it) Will you marry me? (Allie wouldn't answer him)
Allie: John I...(Allie began to think about things and wouldn't give him an answer right away)
John: If you say 'no' I'll have to take the ring back. (John put the ring on her finger) Please..?
Allie (Small smile as she looked at the ring): Yes; I'll marry you! (He gave her a kiss)
John (Pulling out his car keys): Let's go for a ride!
Allie: What..? No, I *have* to get home to my brother!
John: Allie, c'mon! Just get in the car with me and let's drive around for a while. If after we've both talked a while you want to go home I'll drop you off at the front door myself. (Allie gave him a look for a minute trying to figure John's intentions out) Please babe?
Allie (Sighing): All right! Let's go! (The two of them walked back to the Nesmith home, got into his car and took off)
&&&&
(Several hours went by before Peter sobered up and began to pay mind that he had a missing family in the home...)
Peter (Yelling out): ALLISON..?! (No answer) JENNY..?! (No answer) TONY..?! (Tony emerged from his room with a cut to his mouth) Um...did I do...(Peter pointed)
Anthony: Who else would have done it? (Peter didn't say anything right away) I got home from school and with no warning at all you knocked me out. I just now came around.
Peter: Where's your mother and sister?
Anthony: I don't know. I've not seen either since this morning. (Peter and Anthony heard small crying sounds coming from the back bedroom)
Peter (Listening): Jenny...?! (Peter walked to the back bedroom with Anthony walking behind him) Jenny...? (He just heard crying and followed the sound to the left side of the guest bed. She was beaten up, crying and scared) Babe I'm so sorry! (To Anthony) Call an ambulance!
Anthony: Why? She won't go. She don't want you arrested.
Peter: Anthony Ryan *don't* *argue* with me! Just do it! (Anthony sighed and walked out to the kitchen to get the phone) Jenny, I'm so sorry! (He went to pick her up but she swung at him in fear so he didn't touch her. Anthony returned a few minutes later)
Anthony: They're coming but they said you'll be going to jail. That's why mom never lets you call them.
Peter: I don't care about that right now. See if you can find your sister.
Anthony: I already looked for her and she's gone.
Peter: What...?!
Anthony: Sissy's gone. I looked in her room, my room, the basement, the laundry room and any other room that she'd be hiding in; she's gone.
Peter: Where would she...(He began to think) she wouldn't dare! Give me that phone! (Peter took the phone from his son and made a call)
** Mike's Voice: Hello?
Peter: Michael, where is my daughter..?!
** Mike: She's not here Peter. She came here several hours ago and I aint gonna tell you what I thought of her condition, buster! She left here about 2:00 and I've not seen her since.
Peter: Let me talk to your son then!
** Mike: Can't; he's not home either. He chased after her and I haven't seen either since.
Peter: What kind of a dad are you?
** Mike (Sarcastic laugh): You gotta lot of nerve asking me that question, Peter!
Peter: You gotta have some idea where they might be.
** Mike: Whenever they want to be alone, they usually go to the beach and talk. You can check there first.
Peter: I can't go look for them. I've got...bigger problems on my hands at the moment. If she gets home within the hour, send her up to the hospital.
** Mike: Why?
Peter: Just do it ok? (Peter hung up and looked up at his son) I need help, Tony.
Anthony: You want help...? You're actually asking for it this time...? (Peter nodded) Do you mean it?
Peter: Yes. I can't keep doing this. It's...it's just not who I am. She's worse than she's ever been and I...well I just can't bear the thought of living without her; not like that.
Anthony: If you're serious about wanting help...? I'll call my friend's dad up. He was an alcoholic once; sorta like how you've been the last few years. He'd get to drinking, hurt his family and not remember anything 'til the next day. One day his family left him and when he realized they weren't coming back he put himself through rehabilitation. Now he's a Pastor.
Peter: I'm not gonna be a pastor.
Anthony (Laughing): No; I don't think you'd make a good one anyhow. (That got a small smile from Peter) I guess my point is, those meetings and things he went to helped him. They made him realize that when he was drinking like that he was hurting those around him. Would you be willing to talk to him?
Peter: Um...maybe. (There was a knock at the door) Can you get that?
Anthony: Yeah; be right back! (Anthony walked out of the room and returned with the medics behind him) Dad...? The medics are here. (The medics walked over to where Jenny was laying and began to tend to her)
Medic #1: What's her name sir?
Peter: Jennifer Thorkelson. She's 35 years old.
Medic #2 (To #1): We're going to need an oxy mask. (Peter moved out of the way; to Jenny) We're going to take you for some help, ma'am. Ready? (They put her onto the stretcher, did some other things to help stabilize her and took her out to the ambulance)
Medic #1: Are you her husband?
Peter: Yeah.
Medic #1: Did you do this to her? (Peter wouldn't answer him) Sir...
Peter: Yes. (The police showed up at that time)
Medic #1: I'm going to get your wife to the hospital. You can meet us at the ER doors. (The medic left the house for the ambulance and let the cops take it from there)
Officer: Peter, must I really have to do this?
Peter (Looking at his son's face and then at the cop): Yes, Chief. I want help and this is the only way I'm going to get it.
Chief James: I'll tell you what I'm going to do; and I wouldn't do this for just anyone but since you are my friend I'm going to take you to a special hospital. It's a place for people like yourself to get well.
Peter: What am I going to do with Tony and Allie?
Chief James: They can stay with Mike.
Peter: No! Allie and John have already been caught together and I...well I just don't want them together.
Chief James: My daughter can take Allie to her place and Tony can stay with Mike.
Peter: Your daughter...? But isn't she dating Mike?
Mike (Now before them): Yes but I like his idea.
Peter: What are you doing here?
Mike: You asked me to look for the kids and I did. John called me and said that he and Allie were on their way to my place. I guess they drove around for quite some time because Allie couldn't go home to face you.
Peter: I don't blame her at this point. You'll really take my son for a while?
Mike: Most definitely. Tony and I get along great; don't we buddy?
Tony: Yeah; but only because you've got a pool, a tennis court, a basketball court and face it, your house is a museum compared to this one. (They laughed)
Peter: Rachel, will you really take Allie for a bit?
Rachel: Yes, Peter; 'least until Jenny's out of the hospital. Allie and I have a lot in common anyhow and her mom and I are pretty good friends. I don't think Jenny will mind me taking care of Allie at all. You just worry about yourself and go get that help!
Peter (To the Chief): Can you take me up to see my wife first?
Chief James: Most definitely. Let's go! (To Rachel) If you need me just call ok, honey?
Rachel: I will dad. (The Chief took Peter out the door to his squad car. Tony watched his dad leave and tried to remain brave in front of Mike and Rachel)
Mike: How bad was it?
Anthony: I don't wanna talk about it Mike. Can we just go to your place? I wanna get some sleep.
Mike: Sure; let's go! (Mike took Rachel's hand and together they walked out the door to Mike's car)
Chapter 2
Chapter 4
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