Two different stories, similar theme

[Best 817ch]

[They both are surprised to see one another.] It was a beautiful night with a full moon that lit up the sky making the stars look even brighter. The soft air blew through Doblin's hair as he stood at the edge of the building about to throw himself off. Marsha slammed open and shut the door startling Doblin. Marsha noticed and approached with caution, "Uh? What are going to do?" Doblin all of a sudden felt stupid. He turned to look at her then got off the ledge. "What does it look like I was going to do?" Marsha stepped back with hands waving in the air at his reaction. "You were really going to throw yourself off the building?" She said with a mocking tenor. Doblin wished she would just go away and was about to ask her to leave as she lit up a cigarette. He looked at her. She looked at him back, "Do you want one?" He waved her off, "They could kill you, you know." She laughed, "Than you should take the whole pack, and I might have some money for more." They both laughed. Doblin hadn't felt that feeling for a while now. After his wife died and no children, not even a dog with her, he was feeling lonely. Especially during the holidays. Her family would invite him to spend it with them, but it was too painful.

Marsha stared at him as he got lost in his own thoughts. "How long have you been living here?" He snapped out of his daydream. "My wife and I moved in about five years ago after we got married." With curiosity and sarcasm she inquired, "Oh, so you're married? What does she think about you wanting to plunge to your death?" He paused and said, "I was hoping she'd be waiting for me with open arms." This confused Marsha, and Doblin saw it on her face. "Oh, she passed away about nine months ago." Marsha gasped, "I am so sorry to hear that." She then started thinking about her parents. The way they fought she always feared that one of them would end up dead. "Penny for your thoughts. Since you managed to get me off the ledge here." Marsha shook her head as if trying to shake something off her head. "No because I don't want your two cents." She smiled at him, "I was thinking, did you ever fight with your wife?" Just then Doblin recognized who the young lady was, he hadn't seen her or maybe hadn't notice her since his wife's passing had consumed him. She was still waiting for an answer. "Um, well, no. I mean yes..." He knew why she asked since he could not avoid hearing her parents voices carry through the thin walls. "We had our disagreements, confrontations, debates, but full-on arguements? I don't think we had enough time together to get to that stage. We were still in the honeymoon stage." He caught himself smiling instead of feeling depressed or wanting to cry when he talked about her. "Sounds like a perfect marriage." He felt her pain for some reason. "Not to pry, but do you want to talk about something or I promise if you jump, I jump." They both laughed again. He was feeling somewhat better since she walked out.

She was done with her cigarette, "I really need to go back inside. It was really nice to meet you, I'm Marsha." She offered up her hand for him to shake. When he touched her hand they both jerked back as electricity ran between their hands. "Whoa, what was that? That's never happened before."  Doblin offered her his hand again. With caution of course. "I'm Doblin and I'm on the first floor, first apartment. If you ever need anything." She smiled. "Well it's good to know that you won't be jumping off after I leave." He smiled at her and said, "I think you just saved my life." She blushed and walked back into the building.

Marsha was dreading on going back to her apartment, and realized that she wanted to stay outside with Doblin. 'Doblin? Who names their child Doblin." She thought to herself. She dragged her feet as she was approaching the door to the even louder screams. The door flew open and her father came flying out of the apartment. He dismissed Marsha and just kept on walking. Her mother came running to the door, "And don't come back." She yelled at the fleeing man. Her mother turned to look at her, "Oh, Marsha, I'm so glad you came home, and I'm sorry that you had to hear all of that." She had her arm around Marsha's waist leading her back into the apartment. "Mom? This isn't the first time I had to rush back here because dad put you in the hospital. I've taken care of you since I was younger." Her mother shot her a look, "He did not put me in the hospital. I took myself." Marsha threw her hands up in frustration, "Mother, stop!" Her mother stared at her daughter, stunned. She had never raised her voice at her. Marsha continued, "Mom, I love you, and I used to love dad, but it seems like ever since it's been just you two, he is getting worse." The mother sniffled, "He's just stressed out, and I shouldn't have talked back at him." Marsha knelt in front of her mother, "Mom, I don't want to see you like this, and Greg and Jane have already given up. Mom, you're not giving me a choice, but to leave you with an ultimate." 

They looked into each others eyes, and Marsha could really see her pain, but it wasn't fair to Marsha. "Mom, I'm sorry, but next time you call me, I'm not going to jump on a plane at the last minute to rush to you because of what dad did." Her mother's eyes widened at the words her daughter just said. As if her world came crashing down. Her other two children were already where she was headed - giving up on her. Marsha hugged he mother, "How's your arm? Did you take some aspirins and the medicine the doctor prescribed?" Her mother did not move and continued to stare at her daughter. She starred silently for a long minute and Marsha stayed right in front of her until she was ready to speak. Finally, her mother says, "I have a savings deposit box in a bank that I had been saving and adding to for just this precise moment." Marsha was confused and finally got up off the floor to sit opposite her mother. She didn't want to lose eye contact with her to see how serious she was. "Mom, what are you saying?" Her mother shot up off the couch and ran to her bedroom. She began scrounching around in her closet. She pulled our a suitcase. "If we don't leave right now, your father will kill me trying to stop me from going." Marsha's eyes grew like saucers, "What about my stuff?" I have plenty of money to get you some more stuff. We have to get out of here before he gets back or he'll do it again." Marsha saw her mother shaking.  She had seen them argue and her mother never backed down, but at that moment she could tell her mother was frightened. As they were walking out the front door, they saw Marsha's father on the monitor screen out front walking into the building. Marsha had to think fast. She grabbed her mother's suitcase and told her mother to follow her. They crept through the back steps. She led them to the first floor and stopping at the last step she turned to signal her mother with the universal sign to be quiet. She slowly walked to the lobby to check if anyone was there. When she saw no one she ran back to pick up the suitcase and signaled her mother to follow. She reached the first apartment and slightly knocked. Her mother moved from behind her and knocked a little bit louder. The door opened, Marsha's mother whisked through the both of them and signaled Marsha to get inside. Following her mother and with Doblin stepping aside to let her in she walked into the apartment just as the elevator rang and swung the doors open allowing her father to step out furiously.

Doblin led them into the living room. "Is everything okay?" Marsha looked at her mother. "Where are my manners? Please have a seat. Would you like anything to drink?" They both said water, and Doblin stepped out of the room. "When did you meet him?" Marsha rolled her eyes. Her mother looked at her again, "I'm glad you did." Marsha was still in shock but managed to ask, "Mom? Are you really doing this? Can we just go to the police so we don't have to sneak around? Domestic violence carrie's a lot of weight?" Her mother was about to say something when Doblin walked in with a tray. "I decided on tea instead. You two look like you need something to calm you down and I have cookies." Marsha looked up at Doblin with fear and tears in her eyes while her mother offered Doblin a hand, "I am  so sorry to have barged in like this, my name is Camile, Marsha's mother." Doblin shook her hand. "This may not be any of my business, but you two look like you've been through hell. Marsha looked up again, "Doblin. You just saved both of our lives."

Doblin was set aback. Saving one life for two was worth meeting Marsha. After a couple of moments of silence  they drank some tea and ate some cookies, Camile finally broke the silence, "If we go to the police there will be an investigation, which will require us to not leave until the investigation is over. In which time your father will be furious, but will be at his best behavior until they find no evidence because he will deny everything leaving it to my word against his. When they find nothing on him and after the police are off his back he will put me in the hospital again and threaten to look for one of you. That is why I told Greg and Jane to stop coming and I know they were just about ready to give up on me, but that realization hit me tonight. " Camile paused to wipe her face and to take another sip of tea.

By that time, Doblin had an idea of what was going on when they heard a pounding on the door. Camile and Marsha jumped up and rushed to the bathroom. Doblin proceeded to the door. In front of him stood a man in jeans and a flannel shirt with a beard and a worried look on his face. He brought up a picture of him and a woman who appeared to be Camile, "Have you seen this woman?" The rugged man pointed to the woman in the photo. Doblin pretended to really look at the picture to play off what he was about to say, "No. Is everything alright?" The man frustrated said, "I'm sure everything will be alright, but if you do see her, can you let her know her husband is looking for her. It's not like her to just up and leave. Have you seen my daughter? She is about five foot five, dirty blond hair, green eyes, dark complexion?" Doblin, to play it off, thought about it, then said, "No. I don't think I have, but if I do I will be sure to relay the message." With that the man thanked Doblin and walked away. When Doblin closed the door he made sure it was locked before checking on Marsha and Camile.

"Are you guys okay?" Marsha was holding her crying mother. Doblin simply said, "I'll leave you two alone." Marsha almost knocked her mother over when she jumped up to grab Doblin's arm. "Please, stay in here with us." Marsha couldn't be strong for the both of them and was forever grateful for, as well as, in debt to Doblin. Doblin stepped into the room and sat next to Marsha. He wrapped his arm around her for support. "I'm sorry you ladies have to go through this, and wish there was more that I could do." Camile sniffled, "Doblin, you are doing more than enough." Marsha looked at Doblin, "We will be out of your hair tomorrow morning. I wish I'd brought some of my stuff, but..." Doblin looked at Camile who was more petite compared to Marsha. "You mean like clothes? I think I could help with that." Marsha was so embarrassed.  "Doblin it's been more than enough." Doblin went into his walk-in closet and walked out with a suitcase set. "Then you could help me." He stood there half smiling half in pain. "You could help me get rid of my wife"s stuff. Since you need stuff, I'm sure you'll find plenty of stuff you could use, that I know I won't...I'm babbling aren't I?" The ladies nodded. "I'll leave. You two, please, just help yourselves. You'll be helping me and really doing me a favor." With that he walked out of the room.

"What happened to his wife?" That's when Marsha told her mother how they met and everything they talked about. "It may seem wrong, but he also seems to want to help and more so, he wants you to help him." After unfolding, folding, picking, and choosing, the ladies had finally cleared Doblin's wife's side of the room. When Doblin stepped back inside the room, he was set aback. "I thought this was what you wanted?" Marsha was at his side as if he were going to fall sideways. "No. It is. It is. It's just... it's... just so empty." He managed. "Oh, and by the way, while you were in here doing... this, I was in the kitchen making us a meal. Are you guys hungry." The ladies looked at each other, "I could eat." They said together. After they ate and cleaned up, they sat right where they had started. "I don't mean to be nosey, but what are you ladies going to do?" Camile fiddled with her fingers, "Well as you could tell, I am leaving my husband, and in a way, I can say you both have saved my life. If Marsha hadn't had been here and said what she had said before her leaving, I wouldn't have had the rash notion to do it." Doblin was curious, "What exactly did she say?" Camile took Marsha's hand in hers, "She basically said she was giving up on me, and I had already two of my children go, the thought of losing another would have killed me if it wasn't her father." Doblin was even more curious. "What made you stay with him? I know it's what everyone asks a woman in your position, but I've never had the chance to ask one of them so my curiosity peeks."

Camile let go of Marsha, or at least tried because Marsha didn't let her. "The honest truth is a lot more complicated than to simply say because 'I loved him' which is the typical answer women in my 'position' say. There is an in depth explanation as to why women stay in a relationship where they are being abused, and those reasons vary, but none the less they are deeper than to a very simple answer." Doblin had no words, and Marsha couldn't stop crying as Camile continued, "So after Marsha said she wasn't going to come back, I decided to leave. Right then and there. Besides I knew if I didn't..." She paused putting her head down, "...he isn't going to change." She whispered. "Mom, said she has a savings box that she's had and been adding to for this precise reason. Mom, if you knew you had to leave, why wait so long." Camile sniffled, "That is the same thing as asking me why did I stay." Marsha blushed, "I'm sorry, mom, I just don't understand." Camile touched her daughter's cheek. "And I hope you never do."

Neither Camile, Marsha, nor Doblin could sleep. There were moments of silence, moments of small talk, and finally Doblin spoke up.
"Since there is no actual plan, and neither of you have transportation. I can't send you out there with the possibility of running into... It's too dangerous, and well, I have no obligations, let me escort you two to where ever you go."
Marsha and Camile looked at each other, "Mom? Where exactly are we going?" Camile put her head down, and thought about it for a while. She then looked at Doblin, "I appreciate everything that you have done for us, and as soon I get my money, I will pay you for everything you have done so far. Please. Do not insult me by being modest." After Doblin hesitantly agreed, she continued. "The bank opens at nine, but we have to be out of the building before your father gets ready for work." She paused and just sat there staring into nothing. Eyes looking distant. "Momma." Marsha tried to get her to continue. "Momma, I know this isn't going to be easy, but it hasn't been easy on any of us for years. I promise, momma, things will get better."
Camile looked at Marsha, " I have a whole new identity." Marsha was confused. "I never told you this but the reason why I married your father, was because he killed my sister. I was a twin." Marsha's blood rushed to her toes making her face turn pale. Doblin's jaw opened wide with shock and their eyes glued to Camile. Camile couldn't look at either of them. She began a story that would haunt them forever.

I was born a twin, her name was Karen. My parents weren't traditional when it came to naming us like other twins. When she was sixteen she began dating the most popular guy in school. I was the shy type and not as easily approachable as my sister was, and she got a lot of attention. Anyway some how some way she started dating some other guy from another school. She had accidentally set up dates with both of them on the same day. I was dragged into it so she had me go on the date with the new guy since Robert already knew what Karen really looked like she thought I could play off being her. Of course, I was a lot more shy and less outgoing so the guy confronted me. I apologized but the guy wasn't too happy and asked me where we could find them. He wanted to confront my sister in front of her boyfriend. I finally told him, and Robert was calm about it in front of the guy, but as soon as he was gone. He started really going off on Karen. Karen wasn't backing down. I thought it was my fault for taking the guy to confront her so I got involved. Robert threw me against the wall and Karen charged at him, but when Robert saw her coming at him he tossed her. She fell breaking her neck.

He blamed me for everything, including her death. We took her body and tossed it in the river. I couldn't stop crying or shaking. He then told me that I was going to go home and tell my parents that she ran away because she caught me and him together. And that's what I did. He moved me in with him and we've been together since. I took Karen's identity and when I turned eighteen, I safety deposited it along with the money my parents left us after they died. They were in an accident just short of my eighteenth birthday." Camile was sitting, and trying to stop from shaking. She couldn't cry for what she had done. She cried every night since that night, and Robert just ignored her. She felt some relief letting her secret out, as if some weight had been lifted off of her. She began to pray for and to her sister, to forgive what she had done. She didn't know any better, but she was going to bring her sister back through herself. As sinister as it sounded, she didn't know what else to do. Lost in her own mind, Marsha snapped her out of it. "Marsha, maybe she needs some time alone." Doblin suggested. Doblin knew he had a purpose in life, but he didn't expect this. He noticed how beautiful both women were, one being younger than he and the other older, but he never expected to begin to feel as he did. He wanted to protect then at all costs. He and Marsha slowly exited the room leaving Camile to her thoughts.

Marsha was almost hyperventilating, "Did you... just.. hear that?" She said between breaths. "Yeah, didn't you?" Doblin was reaching for a glass of water for her. Marsha drank it like it was her last drink. Doblin reached to get her some more, but Marsha stopped him. Marsha couldn't believe that her mother held such a secret for so long and for a man not worth it. Sure he was a good father and he never hit his children, but the way he treated their mother was inexcusable. Camile walked into the kitchen where Doblin and Marsha were silently sitting at the table. "The bank is in Canada." She announced. If they left at that moment, they'd make it there by the time the bank opened.
After everything was settled into Doblin's car they were in the highway towards the USA and Canado border. Camile had ran this through her mind plenty of times through out the years, but it was nothing compared to actually doing it.  They all stayed in silence as they drove. Once they reached Washington state Camile told Doblin to drive towards the ocean. "You guys can't come with me." Marsha's eyes began to water, "Why not?" She practically screamed. "Because you'll need to use identifications and you can't be seen with me. I do not want any of me to trace back to you. I will take the ferry into Canada, settle what needs to be settled and I will be calling you when I am settled." Marsha felt like she didn't even known her mother, but her mother knew her. "I wouldn't want you to remember me like her anyway." Marsha was shocked. Nonetheless, she respected her mother, she had to trust her mother, and most importantly she wanted nothing more than for mother to be safe and away from her father. "Don't tell your siblings just yet. We can tell them together after I get in touch with you, okay?"
They held each other tight as they cried once they reached to ferry building as Doblin went to purchase her ticket. Once Doblin returned, the announcement of the ferry departing was heard over the noisy crowd. Hesitantly, the two women let go of each other and Doblin put an arm around Marsha. Camile took out an envelope and handed it to Doblin, "I told you I'd pay you for everything you have done. Please make sure she gets home safe." She then gave him a hug and walked away. Doblin held Marsha as she shed tears watching her mother walk away.























Story #2

Typical boy sees girl, boy approached girl, girl falls in love, boy marries girl, but of course nothing is ever happily ever after. Especially when the person you married  makes a complete change and begins to try and control you. Which is what happened to Faith and Angel. Perfect couple with perfect names were going to raise perfect children. At least that's what Faith had hoped for. They started off as high school sweethearts and Faith had a planned out future that did not include Angel so when her single mother of three found out she was furious. She had already raised Faith's oldest siblings, Brenda and Brandon the twins. They had followed through with their plans of college, career, then marriage and children. Faith was much younger than her twin siblings, and they treated her as such. Sure they spoiled her at times, but most of time they acted like they were her parents. Of course their mother had to work to provide for her children which left the twins to watch little Faith. Ever since they moved out to start college they seemed to forget about Faith. Faith acted like it didn't bother her and continued her life as such. He mother, no longer having to worry about leaving three children home alone took up a second job so Faith spent most of her time alone at home. She couldn't go to friends houses and she couldn't have anybody over either.

One day she ran into Angel as she rushed to one of her classes. For Angel it was love at first sight, "Excuse me." He said as he held onto her after bumping into him. She looked up at him, and her face turned red, "I'm sorry. I should have been paying attention." He smiled at her, "I'm glad you weren't." She blushed even more, "I... I've got to get to class." He didn't want to let go, "Oh. Yeah. Now I'm sorry." She smiled as he let go she backed up a little as she did she looked at him from toe to head. When she got to his face his eyes were on her. She was so embarrassed. "Do like what you see?" He asked her as soon her eyes locked with his. She immediately put her head down and started to walk around him, "I have to go." He reached out to grab her, "Can I meet for lunch in the cafeteria?" She nodded while trying to break free from his touch. He let go, and she proceeded to class. Just before entering, though she ran into her friend Shiela, "Who is that, and what was that all about?" Faith walked right past her rolling her eyes to have a seat for her lesson.

The whole time she wasn't paying attention. "Faith, will you read the next paragraph please." She looked down at her book, but it wasn't even open. "Faith, you seem distracted. Do want to see me after class." Faith was so embarrassed, "No, teach, I apologize." He told where to begin. The class felt like it was never going to end and then finally the bell rang. Sheila walked up to Faith, "We're eating off campus today, do you want to go?" Sheila looked at her friend, "You know how my mom is." Sheila rolled her eyes, "That hasn't stopped you before." Faith tried not to show that she was nervous, "Not today, Sheila." Sheila threw her hands up in defeat. "Okay, okay. I'll see you last period. Bye. Sheila walked away and Faith walked to the cafeteria. She spotted Angel who had spotted her first and he was walking towards her. Faith was nervous and kept fidgeting while she waited for him to approach her. "Hi." He smiled at her and offered her his hand, "I'm Angel. What's your name?" She shook his hand, "Faith." She couldn't look at him, "I saved us a table, and already grabbed us some lunch." He said as he escorted her to the table he had for them to eat lunch.

They began to date promising her mother not to not ruin her plans for college. Faith kept her promise, but instead of moving on campus, she moved in with Angel. Angel had worked at he father's garage since he was in middle school and had had enough for them to rent a decent house. Faith's mother wasn't very happy but Faith promised to keep going to school so the mother had no choice but to have faith in her daughter.  At first, Faith thought it was because of her inexperience if living with a male that made Angel to begin to change. It started with the way she cleaned up, or didn't clean enough. That led to the way she did her hair, or wore her make up. Then he would tell her how to dress, and it was worst than while living with her mother because she couldn't even talk to her friends in the phone. After a year of Faith putting up with the subtle changes she realized that she was no longer Faith Ochoa, she was Angel's little doll. Her grades began to slip, but she drew the line when her mother came knocking on their door. Angel opened the door,

"Where is Faith?" Her mother demanded to see her daughter. "Hold on. She's right here." Faith was at the door as soon as she heard her mother's voice. "I have been calling, leaving messages. Did you know your phone is cut off?" Her mother began. "You're coming home." Angel jumped in front of Faith's mother, "I'm sorry, Linda, but you can't do that." Faith was confused and rushed to grab her phone. She dialed any number, but it couldn't go through. "You said you were going to pay my phone bill." Angel shrugged his shoulders. "I lied. Besides, we have a house phone. You don't need a cellphone." Faith had had enough. "I'm taking my daughter, and you are not going to stop me. Come on, mija, let's go." Faith looked at Angel, "You really want to go? Go." He said to her. Faith left with her mother.

While in th me car Linda started to talk to Faith since Faith just sat there crying. "I know it hurts, baby, but how do you think I felt when I couldn't get a hold of you. I'm leaving messages and you're not calling me back. I knew something was wrong. And look at you, mija. What are you wearing? You're still beautiful without make-up, but that's not you. And did you cut your hair?" Faith broke down. Linda pulled over to hug her baby. Linda wondered what else had Angel been doing and not telling Faith. Linda didn't want to tell her daughter about how some of her friends seeing Angel with other girls while he was supposed to be working.

A couple of weeks go by and Faith managed to avoid Angel. She took some time off of school and even went to visit her sister, nieces and nephews. "Sis, are you okay?" Brenda hugged Faith. Faith hugged back and fought back tears. "I'm not a child anymore." Faith barked at her sister, "You don't need to baby me anymore." Brenda looked at her sister with so much concern. "You don't know how serious this is, huh, Faith?"
"What do you mean, it was just a stupid crush, and its over."
"Faith you lived with him for a year. That counts for more than just a crush, and he was trying to keep you away from your friends, your mother. Mom had me call once and he told me you had left him that's why mom went to go look for you." Faith couldn't hold back anymore. She was in Brenda's arms as she consoled her, "Let it all out, sis." After a couple of minutes they heard the doorbell. "I called Brandon." Faith was emotional. "You did? Why?" Brenda got the door "Faith, he's your brother and he was concerned too. I had to stop him from going to look for you himself." Faith was embarrassed. She couldn't believe that it was that serious.

Brandon picked Faith up in a big brother bear hug. "I've missed you, baby." That's what Faith was to him, the baby. "I missed you too BB." BB for big brother. "Are you okay?" Brenda walked to invite them to the kitchen, "I told her I had to stop you from going to look for her." They walked into the kitchen where Brenda had set up lunch. "How'd you know I was hungry?" He smiled. "You're my twin." They sat down and for a little while Faith felt like herself again. They laughed and joked about the old days. Finally, Brandon had to go. It was a week day and had to pick up his kids from school. "You guys are still coming up this weekend right?" Both his sisters agreed as they hugged their brother good bye.

"Just a few more hours before my girls come home. Is there anything you want to do before they get here?" Faith was feeling content and just wanted to lounch. "Come on then, let's go set up your room. I thought you would have wanted to do it instead. I put the girls in the same room, and Faith..." She turned to Faith to look at her, "...you could stay as long as you want. Don't feel like you have to rush home. Okay?" Faith hugged her sister, "Okay." Brenda let Faith settle into her temporary room. At around five PM the girls went flying into the room, "Auntie Faith, Auntie Faith!" Both girls leaped onto the bed to hug her. Faith had been reading a book and startled her. "Hey girls!" She hugged them back. "We're so glad you're here. We've missed you. How's Mama Linda doing?" Faith's heart leaped in her chest. "Mama Linda is... being Mama Linda." They all laughed. Brenda was at the door admiring her girls with her sister, and then her husband came from behind her. "Hi sweetheart." He gave her a kiss then looked up at Faith. Hi, Faith, hope you enjoy your stay." Faith smiled at her brother-in-law, "I'm sure I will. In having fun already." Refering to the full on attention from her nieces. He let out a little laugh before he excused himself to his room. Brenda followed.

"How's she doing?" Brenda's husband inquired. "I'm not sure. She seemed to have a good day with me and Brandon, but I sense there is more than what she's been telling us." Her husband was changing out of his suit and into something more comfortable. "What do think that is?" Brenda let out a loud sigh "I'm not sure, but my mother said she looked like a whole other person when she picked her up. Which makes me feel bad for not being there for her more than I was." Her husband goes to hug her. "You can't blame yourself for any of this. The guys is a jerk and she's here now. All you can do is make the best of it." They kiss. "I'm so glad I have you, Gabriel."

"I'm glad you have me too." They laughed and kissed again. "Mom!" The couple looked at each other. "It's your turn, besides they called you not me." He kissed her one last time and padded her butt cheek as she walked out of the room. "What is it, Maya or was it you Mariah?" She walked into Faith's room to find Faith crying. "Girls, can you go get ready for dinner please." The girls were concerned. "Mom, what's wrong with Auntie Faith?" Brenda escorted them outside.
"I don't know sweetheart. Go ask daddy if her could order take out instead. Let me have a talk with Auntie Faith. I promise she will let you know when she feels better." Brenda closed the door behind them. Faith, honey, what's wrong."
"I'm pregnant." Brenda wrapped Faith into her arms. "What do you want to do?"

"I don't know."
What can she do? Faith didn't want to have a bastard baby, but she wanted to have her baby. Although she missed Angel, she didn't want to go back to him after what he had done. "There's a lot more, sis? A lot more." Faith couldn't hold back all of what she had buried inside of her came flooding out. "He started by throwing all my makeup away, them he cut my hair, and made me wear what he wanted me to wear. He stopped paying my phone bill so I couldn't talk to my friends, and had mom not gone to look for me, he wasn't going to let me see her again either.  I stopped going to school two weeks before mom showed up, and he wanted me to get pregnant. He said it was the only way he was sure to keep me." Brenda was shocked and angry, but what can they do.

They couldn't go to the police with only an assumption that by Faith having this baby, Angel was going to have her sister locked up in his house. Their biggest fear was if she had the baby Angel might want to fight her only to have Faith return to him. At the same time Faith didn't want to abort her baby. Things were a lot more difficult than they could handle. "I don't know what to do, Brenda. How could I have gone and ruined my life for some boy." Just then the phone rang. Gabriel knocked on the door, "It's your mom." Brenda got on the phone. "Where is Faith?" Linda was frantic on the phone. "Brenda, Angel just called threatening me to tell him where Faith is. Please don't let her leave." Faith snatched the phone from Brenda's hand, "Mom, what's going on? Are you alright? What did he do?" Linda was panting, "He came here demanding to tell him where you were. I told him to go to hell. Then he tried to open the door by kicking it in. Luckily Sam had put the dead bolt so I called the police. He was gone before they got here. Faith, promise me you won't leave Brenda's house. I'm okay. Sam is on his way."

Faith didn't know what else to say, "I'm so sorry mom, I should..." Linda cut her off, "Faith it's too late for that, just promise me that you won't go anywhere by yourself." Faith lowered her head, "I promise." Faith handed the phone back to Brenda. "I heard everything, mom. I'm going to call Brandon to come get her." Faith was so embarrassed.
Brandon was there with no time to spare. "Why, mommy, she just got here? Why does she have go with Uncle Brandon?" Faith sat on the couch and brought her two nieces down with her. They giggled. "I'll visit, I promise. Right Uncle B. You'll bring me down to visit? "I'll think about it." He teased. The girls hugged their auntie as she gave them kisses. Brenda was filling Brandon in on the phone call they had received. "You guys I am so sorry." They sandwiched her, "No need to be sorry. We're just glad that nothing happened to you, that you're safe with us, and we aren't going to let anything happen to you." Faith looked at Brenda, "Did you tell him about..." Brenda said, "No. That's on you. It wasn't my place."

"Tell me what?" Brandon looked confused. "I'm pregnant." Brandon wasn't sure how to feel about that, but he still congratulated his little sister and gave her a hug. Then they were waving good bye as they drove off. "Don't worry, baby, we're going to do all we can to protect you and now my niece or my nephew. If I have to find him myself." Faith raised her voice, "No! Please don't get your hand dirty on him. He's not worth it." She looked a Brandon who was too focused on the road. "Then I'll find someone to do it for me."