Broken Lives

by Brenda Kennedy

  Bridget says, “I hope so; she looks so thin.”

  She cries and Sam tries to comfort her.

  “We need to get home, the kids will be coming home. If she comes back, call me. First Step will hold her bed for a few more hours.”

  “Thank you, Alec and Emma.”

  We stand to leave and Emma turns around to say, “I’m really sorry, and I pray that she gets the help she desperately needs.”

  “Thank you, Emma,” Bridget says.

  Molly

  When the detox symptoms become unbearable, I leave. I sneak out of my childhood home while my parents are asleep. I throw up in the bushes before getting into my car that I left parked down the street. The needle pricks on my arms, the nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and cramping are more than I can handle.

  I drive to the hotel to get my fix. Bobby is in the room having a party. He looks up at me and smiles. “Hey, Doll, I was starting to get worried about you.”

  I look around the room; people are passed out on the bed and on the chairs. I hear sex noises coming from the bathroom. I quickly walk over to Bobby while scratching my arms, “You got something for me?”

  “Doll, have I ever let you down?”

  Digging vigorously at my arms, I say, “No, Bobby, you never have.”

  As soon as I get what I need, I sit back on the bed and wait for it. When I start to feel warm and happy, I know it is working. This is what I have been wanting. I smile for no reason and look at Bobby and think of how much I love him.

  Bobby leans closer to me and asks, “Feeling better?”

  I smile and kiss him because I am so in love with him.

  “Oh, yeah, Doll, that’s what I’m talking about.” He climbs on top of me and I can’t remember what happens next.

  A few days later, I drive around and see a sign at a local church advertising that an Addicts Anonymous class will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:00 p.m. I pull in the parking lot and look at all the cars. It’s 6:45 and the class will soon be over, but I decide to go in anyway.

  The basement door is open; I can hear talking. I quietly walk inside and take the only seat in the back of the room. I look up at the podium and see a man my age standing there with his hands in his pocket. He has spikey blond hair and beautiful white teeth.

  “Please give Chris a round of applause.”

  “Thank you for sharing your story with us, Chris. It’s not easy coming up here to tell your story to a room full of strangers. But remember, the people in this room — us — do not judge others. Hi, everyone, my name is Adam McDaniel and I am a recovering drug addict. I stand here tonight and I can proudly say that I am one year, two months, and three days clean.”

  The room applauds and he smiles.

  “Thank you, it wasn’t easy and I still have a long way to go. My biggest battle now is trying to earn the trust of my family. Once you lose the trust of your loved ones, it takes a very long time to get it back.”

  He stops talking and looks around the room, before his eyes lock on mine. He smiles at me and I quickly look away.

  “At one time, I thought the detox was the worst part that I was going to have to go through. Don’t get me wrong, that was no picnic. I detoxed once and that was enough.”

  The room laughs and he smiles.

  “I see you know exactly what I am talking about. Detox is no joke. You can’t be a sissy and detox — only the strongest ones can do it.”

  Everyone claps and he smiles again. I look around the room and everyone is nodding in agreement.

  “But seriously, it’s the lack of trust that I struggle with now. The cravings are gone, and I am thankful for that. I remember seeing the pain in my parents’ eyes and it is almost unbearable. Every time I leave the house, I can see the fear in their eyes. The fear that I put in there. Even after a year of sobriety, they still worry I’ll fall back into the nasty habit that stole two years of my life.”

  He stands away from the podium and steps forward so he is closer to his audience.

  “Every day it gets better, and every day it gets easier. Hang in there and remember, you are not alone. That’s about all I have to say this evening. I’m going to leave my business cards up here; please take one on your way out and feel free to call me anytime. If you have a problem or if you just want to talk, I’m only a phone call away.”

  He looks around the room and his eyes lock on mine again. “Thank you for coming, and I hope to see you all on Thursday.”

  I quickly leave and wait in my car for the last car to pull out of the parking lot. When the last person leaves, I walk back into the church to take one of his business cards from the podium. When I turn around, Adam is standing there watching me.

  “I’m sorry, I just wanted to get one of your cards,” I say, trying to scoot past him.

  “Hi, I’m Adam,” he says, holding his hand out for mine.

  “Hi, I’m Molly,” I say, shaking his hand.

  “I noticed you sitting in the back of the room. Is this your first meeting?” I look at him, and he gives me the friendliest smile.

  “I was driving by and noticed the sign. I’m sorry, but I need to go.” I walk past him and walk quickly towards the back door.

  “I hope to see you on Thursday, Molly.”

  I don’t say anything. I just keep walking.

  Bobby

  I remember the first time I saw Molly. I was hiding in the shadows of an alley, and she was being propositioned for sex. I knew just from looking at her that she wasn’t that kind of girl — well, not yet anyway.

  “Come on, Baby, you know you want to give it up,” someone said to her. “I can make you feel real good.”

  I watched as she was trying to ignore them. They got out of the car and walked over to her. She put her head down and continued to walk away.

  One of them grabbed her by the arm and said, “Come on, Baby, I can give you something you ain’t never had before.”

  She tried to pull away from him, but he tightened his hold on her. I stepped out of the shadows and into the muted street light, “What can you give her that she’s never had before? AIDS?”

  They looked at me and smiled. “Well, lookie, lookie, the big guy has jokes.”

  “Let her go.” I slowly walk over to them and repeat my words calmly, “I said, let her go.” I look at the girl. She has her head down and her eyes closed.

  “Keep walking, big guy. This has nothing to do with you.”

  When he refuses to release her, I hit the guy farthest from the girl as hard as I can with my fist. He falls to the ground holding his bloody nose.

  “My nose, you broke my nose.”

  I hold my hand out for the girl, palm side up. “I said, ‘Let her go, now!’” I say more sternly.

  He stares at me before he releases his hold of her arm.

  “Come on, Doll,” I say. She takes my hand and I stand in front of her.

  “You might want to take your boyfriend to the hospital. I think he broke his nose,” I say, nodding to the guy still lying on the ground and holding his hand to his bloody face.

  I turn and walk back into the shadows with the dark-haired beauty. I can feel her shaking as she holds my hand. Once they leave, I walk her back into the dimly lit alley. “You’re too pretty to be from around here. What’s your name, Doll?”

  “Molly,” she stutters.

  “Where you headed, Molly?”

  She shrugs her shoulder and stares at the ground.

  “Have you eaten?”

  She shakes her head without looking at me. “How did you do that?”

  “I was a boxer in a previous life and I hate when guys pick on girls.”

  “A previous life?”

  “Well, it feels like it was a lifetime ago,” I say.

  “Thank you,” she says, and still doesn’t look at me.

  “Let’s eat; fighting always makes me hungry.” We went to a diner where we both order cheeseburgers, French fries, and chocolate milkshakes. We have been hanging
out ever since.

  I stand in front of the mirror and tuck my shirt in. Today is the one day of the year I have been dreading. Molly bought me some new clothes and we have been staying in this hotel with the money she got from her ex-husband for her part of their house. I comb my hair and wait patiently for Molly to return.

  When she pulls up, she looks as though she has been crying. Molly isn’t like everyone else. She doesn’t belong on this side of the tracks. Some girls, you just know they were born and raised to do drugs, but not Molly. If anyone can get out and get their life back, it’s Molly.

  “Are you all right, Doll?”

  She tries to give me a smile, “I’m fine, are you ready?”

  “Yep, I need to stop by a florist first.”

  “You look nice, I’m glad the clothes fit you,” she says, as we walk out the door. “You clean up real good.”

  “Thank you. I’m glad the clothes fit, too.”

  She drives me to the florist and I return with a large bouquet of pink roses. I give her directions and we pull into a cemetery. She had no idea where I needed to go today. She didn’t ask, and I didn’t offer to tell her or explain.

  “Do you want me to go with you?”

  “No, Doll, stay here and wait for me.”

  She doesn’t argue but does what I want. I take the flowers and walk down the grassy area until I come to a gravestone with this name on it: Jamie Sue Grether. I kneel down and move the fresh-cut flowers over to make room for the roses I brought. I stare quietly at the black and gold tombstone. I don’t cry, I don’t pray, and I don’t say anything. Memories flood my thoughts and I wonder why it isn’t me lying there. It should have been me, and not Jamie. I gently touch the tombstone, rearrange the flowers, stand, and walk away.

  Chapter Seven: New Changes

  Emma

  “Did you guys have a good time with grandma and pap?” I ask, shutting the door after them.

  “We did, we played putt-putt golf and pap made a ball in one,” James says, excitedly.

  “James, Pappy made a hole in one.” Raelynn giggles.

  “Yep, a hole in one, and we went bowling and Rae made a stripe.”

  They both laugh and Raelynn corrects, “James, I made a strike, silly.”

  “That’s what I said.”

  “Well, it sounds like you both had a wonderful time,” Alec says, ruffling James’ hair. “Now, go get washed up so we can have lunch.”

  The next day, Brooke watches the kids while Alec and I work. When I arrive at work, Brea and Sara are already there. Sara shows Brea her hand and they hug.

  “It looks like it’s a great morning in here.” I smile.

  “Good morning, Emma, and yes it is.” Sara smiles.

  “Are you going to tell me or do I have to guess?” I ask, placing my purse under my desk.

  Sara waves her hand at me and the diamond engagement ring sparkles under the lighting. I look at her and she squeals, “I’m getting married!”

  My smile now matches Brea’s as I walk over and hug Sara. “Congratulations, I am so happy for you.”

  “Thank you, I am so excited.”

  Brea and I both look at her hand — the ring is stunning. It’s a gold, one-karat Marquise-cut diamond solitaire.

  “Hi, everyone, I hope you’re all hungry,” Donovan says, as he walks in through the back door carrying several bags of food. He is in a suit and tie and wearing a smile to match Sara’s. She hasn’t stopped smiling since I got here this morning.

  “We are starving. You brought us all lunch?” Sara says, as she gets up to meet him.

  “I know you didn’t have time to bring anything this morning,” he says, as he bends down to kiss her.

  “Thank you and congratulations,” I say, as I walk over to hug him.

  “Thank you. I’m pretty happy to finally make Sara my wife.”

  Brea also hugs him and clears the table off for the food.

  “I can’t stay, I need to be in court. Enjoy your lunch, ladies, and I’ll see you at home.” He looks at Sara and smiles.

  “Hold on, I’ll walk you out,” Sara says, walking to the back door with Donovan. “Don’t wait for me to start eating. I’ll be back soon.” She walks out the back door arm in arm with Donovan.

  While Sara is outside talking to Donovan, Brea and I discuss plans for a wedding shower. The front door opens and in walks a very pregnant Angel wearing a dress and flats. I think this is the first time I have ever seen her without high heels.

  Brea laughs and says, “Let me guess, Mason stopped you from wearing heels?”

  “Yes, and I’m not happy about it either,” she says, taking a seat nearest to the door.

  “Is he afraid you’ll topple over?” Brea asks, still laughing.

  “Brea, I didn’t laugh at you when your short legs were in flats.”

  “Ok, you’re right. I won’t laugh and I won’t mention it again.”

  “Thank you, where’s Sara?” Angel asks.

  “She’s outside with Donovan,” I say, taking a drink of my soda. “How are you feeling?”

  “Actually, I feel wonderful despite being my womb being densely populated. The babies move all the time.”

  “Do you know what you are having yet?” Brea asks.

  “We find out the gender of the babies Friday — that’s one of the reasons why I’m here.” She rubs her belly and adds, “We are going to have a gender reveal party Friday at the house, and we want you all to be there.”

  “Is that where you reveal the sex of the babies to your family and friends?” I ask excitedly.

  “Well, it’s where we’ll all learn the sex of the babies at the same time. Mason and I want to learn the gender or genders of the babies at the same time our close family and friends learn it.”

  Brea asks, “How do you plan to reveal the sex?”

  “The doctor is going to call our bakery and tell them the sex and they are going to bake a cake. A blue cake for a boy, a pink cake for a girl, and a blue and pink cake for one of each. The icing will be white, but the bakery will use food coloring for the cake itself.”

  Sara walks in and asks excitedly, “How about a Valentine’s Day wedding?”

  “Who is getting married?” Angel asks.

  “Oh, my God, look at you,” Sara says, walking over to Angel. “You are huge. If you get any bigger, astronomers will discover a new planet in the solar system.”

  “Shut up and who’s getting married?” Angel asks, laughing.

  Sara flashes her hand and Angel squeals. We share our lunch with Angel as we talk through lunch about Sara and Donovan’s wedding and about the gender reveal party Friday night at Mason and Angel’s house. She tells me to please bring Raelynn so she can meet her and to bring James because she misses him. She also tells me they will also have food, and it won’t just be cake.

  During the week Alec works overtime at the hospital and we go to taekwondo on Thursday so we can attend the gender reveal party on Friday.

  We pull up at Mason and Angel’s house. “Look at all these cars,” I say, looking around the driveway.

  “You did say they were going to invite family and friends,” Alec says, parking the car.

  We walk in the house and I realize most of these people were at Mason and Angel’s wedding. Angel walks us around and introduces us to everyone. We meet Angel’s aunt and uncle, Maria and Raùl, and we meet Mason’s mom and dad, Bruce and Lilly. Two friends of Angel’s family, Carl and Josephine, are also there. Angel explains they were her neighbors and are very close friends of the family. Mason’s sister, Madison, as well as Sara, Donovan, Brea, Vincent, and Arturo are also there.

  We walk past the kitchen and see a guy taking professional pictures. “You hired a professional photographer?” I ask, not believing it.

  “Mason did; he wanted to make sure we had pictures of tonight. You should get a family picture taken before you leave. The photographer is paid by the hour, so you should take advantage of it.”

  “Th
ank you, maybe we will.”

  A large spread of food is on the large formal dining room table, and a very large cake with white icing is on a separate table near the food.

  We have dinner, and James and Raelynn spend a lot of time with Angel.

  “Alec, I have great news for you.” I look up and see a stunning brunette standing there.

  “Emma, have you met Mason’s sister, Madison?” Alec asks.

  “No, I haven’t. It’s very nice to meet you,” I say, holding my hand out for hers.

  “Hi, Emma, I have heard great things about you. It’s nice to finally put a face with the name.” She ignores my hand and gives me a hug instead.

  “You said you have some news for me?” Alec smiles.

  “I do. You can close on your house next week.”

  Alec reaches for my hand and says, “That is great news.”

  “I thought you would like it.” She smiles at him. “Let me know if you want to look at that other property. It won’t be on the market for long.”

  “Thank you, I will.”

  “Emma, it’s great meeting you and I’m sure we’ll see each other again,” she says as she walks away.

  “Are you looking to buy a house?” I ask, looking over at Alec.

  He smiles, “I’m just keeping my options open.”

  I walk around the room and Angel introduces me to her Aunt Maria and her Uncle Raùl.

  “Are your parents here tonight?” I ask.

  “No, my parents have both passed,” she says sadly.

  “I’m sorry, Angel, I didn’t know.”

  “Thank you, I’m grateful my aunt and uncle are here to play the roles of the grandparents.”

  “Angel!” Mason yells from across the room. “It’s time!”

  She excuses herself and I walk back over with Alec.

  Someone clinks a spoon against a glass and we all look in the direction of the noise.

  “My son, Mason, and his lovely wife, Angel, would like to thank everyone for coming and sharing this special day with them. Could we get the cake brought out here, please?”

  I see Donovan and Vincent wheeling the cake over to the center of the room. They stop right in front of the guests of honor. The cake is a large sheet cake covered with white icing and pink and blue baby booties and rattles.