The One. (The Girl #2)

by Laura Lee Fall

  “Sure you do brother” replied Shawn patting Shane’s back.

  “I want to forget it, but I never will, I hurt a girl wrong, how do I live with that?”

  Looking at Shane upset, Stanley added, “You’re a good man it was not your fault”. “Yes it was, the girl is pregnant now by me, if I ever find those men I’ll hurt them bad”. “We all want to find them”, added Saul.

  In the van on the ride home, glancing back at her sons Brenda asked, “Shane, bet your hungry?”

  Frown, replied, “Nah far from, you got any of those antacid pills left?” His brother cracked up laughing and held his stomach said, “Aw I feel sick maw”. Pitying expression, replied, “I’m sure you do son after all you been through, now learning about another child”.

  Hand up heaving, noticing Seth scoots way over almost on Stanley’s lap and pushed him off, says, “Shane’s about to puke!”

  The other three look and driving Danny Ray asked, “Should I pull over Shane?” Saw her son gagging, asked, “You okay son?”

  Lay head back against the seat replied, “Never will be”.

  Making it back home, stood on the front lawn surrounded by happy children arms folded Seth said, “Shane is back in munchkin world”.

  Hugging his boys remarked, “Best place ever”, Seth winked.

  The kids all made a welcome home banner hanging on the front porch. The rest of the family smiled happily, one was now home and later that happy day, Brenda with Charlene made a huge welcome home dinner.

  Everyone was there all except Ella that told Saul she had a bad migraine as he went with the kids alone.

  Actually, Ella was not feeling sick, but she just could not bear sitting at the table without Sebastian.

  Later that evening after dinner, playing a game of twister with the kids that had a blast against the grownups and a few did not crying wanting the spinning board. Grabbing little Kayla up into her arms, Charlene walked away saying, “Y’all play”. Hurried in the living room asking, “Which little ones crying?”

  Bent down on a color Stanley replied, “Taken care of maw”, “Okay, have fun”, turned walking away mumbling, “My sons love those games”, giggled.

  Suddenly frown heard Shawn and Seth arguing over the game.

  Rose eyebrows high says, “Here they go”, walked into the kitchen hearing laughter now said,” Lord I need one of those stomach pills”. Glanced towards the living room saw Shane play wrestling his son Lance on the carpet her young grandson laughing mumbles, “So glad their daddy is home, been worried since they have no mother anymore”, wipes a few tears that rolled.

  Later after playing games, munching on popcorn, walked with her son and grandchildren over to Shane’s apartment.

  Walking into the door, Shane paused and Brenda said, “It is okay”, his little boys said, “Come on daddy”.

  Walking in slowly, looking around, Brenda said, “I am going to lay Sabrina down”, he just nodded.

  The three boys went up to their father telling him goodnight and glad your home as he gave them another big hug.

  The boys run down the hall and Shane walked over to the entertainment center looking at many pictures of him with Tara, then one of her holding Joshua as a new born, tears rolled down his face.

  Walked out from the back bedroom, Brenda saw Shane standing looking at pictures and went over by him.

  “You all right Shane?” Staring at the pictures.

  Rubs his back saying, “Will you be okay?”

  “Yeah maw, I survived, Tara did not”, hung her head patting his back.

  “I am just shocked that one night took her away so fast”.

  Took a deep breath and said, “Oh Shane, in a split second ones whole world can turn upside-down it’s that unpredictable and sudden.

  Hung his head and said, “Maw truth is, I am going to need your help a lot, and I don’t know much with babies”.

  “You will have it daily, do not worry, Charlene with Stanley are staying for good so she will help”.

  “It’s going to be a lot for you”.

  Rose her hand up, saying, “Nah, do not go there with a mother of many Shane”. Yawned and noticed he was wore out, patted his back, said,

  “Get some sleep son”.

  “Will the baby get up?”

  “Yes, maybe twice tops, because she is two months now”.

  Took his hand adding, “You can do this Shane just get the bottle”, and hugging both said goodnight, Brenda left.

  Locking the door, headed to check on his kids and walking into his bedroom sniffling paused in the middle of the room, looked at the bed, clean, noticed a new blue comforter, tears rolled.

  Walked further into the room, glanced down by the foot of the bed, puts his hands against his head remembering that horrible night and what he was forced to do, and cries, covering his ears remembering Stacey screaming out right in his face. Looking towards the dresser saw a picture of him and Tara on their wedding day went over picking it up, said, “I did not protect you”.

  “You died because I was weak”.

  Hands tremble holding the picture, cries out, “My wife died because of me”, and threw the picture against the wall shattering the glass frame shouted, “I’M SORRY TARA!” Breathing heavy and upset, Shane sweeps his hand across the dresser knocking all the pictures onto the floor shouting, and started rocking the dresser when the big attached mirror wobbles.

  Shane lost it, tipping the dresser over and in his boys bedroom, heard him yelling now glass shattering.

  Nicky sat up on his bed asking, “Josh you hear dad?”

  “Yeah I do”. Rolling dark eyes.

  “What should we do?’

  “Nothing he’s sad”. Staring at the ceiling.

  “About losing mom, right?”

  “Yes”, Teardrops.

  “I am to”. Holding his action figure.

  “I know, it will be okay try to sleep”.

  “Yeah, right with dad freaking out”.

  Josh rose up, saw youngest Lance sitting up on the toddler bed, and asked, “Hey Lance want to sleep with me?”

  Runs fast getting on the bed with his big brother, Nicky smirks and heard ruckus asked, “Maybe, we should call Nana?’

  “For what”.

  “Ah, to help dad”.

  “Nah it’s late, she’s so busy needs her sleep”.

  “We have to help dad”. Playing with his toy.

  “Nothing we can do just go to sleep“. Huffs lay head onto pillow Nicky added, “This is just awful”.

  Glancing over Lance cuddled close Josh replied, “I cannot wait until I’m older”. “Why?” Nicky sitting back up.

  “Because I’m going to find those guys that killed our mom”.

  “I’m right with you”, and Lance swung tiny fists forward saying, “Fights”. Josh and Nicky cracked a slight smile.

  A few minutes later, there was silence and sitting up again Nicky asked, “Hey Josh?’ “What?” Staring at the ceiling.

  “Wonder if dad is okay, go check Josh”.

  “Why me?”

  “Your oldest”. Smirks.

  “Lucky me”, getting out of the bed walking towards the door, Nicky added, “Be careful dad likes to swing”, waving hand walking out of the room going down the small hallway paused looking into the bedroom at his father sitting on the floor surrounded by broken glass and a huge mess.

  Standing by the entrance, Josh asked, “You okay dad?”

  “Get to bed boy, school in the morning”.

  “I know but are you okay?”

  “Heck no”. Hands against head.

  “Can I help dad?”

  Lifting his head up, tears rolled Shane replied, “Yeah, be stronger than I am one day”. “Come on dad, you’re the strongest man ever”.

  Laughs out, “Aw not anymore”.

  “Why you talking this way dad?’

  “I let those men kill your mom”.

  “No you didn’t’.

  Jumping u
p, Josh steps back and Shane yelled, “Yes I did, should have kept her safe”. “How dad, you were already hurt there were too many”.

  “Go to bed Josh”, standing there.

  “NOW BOY!”

  Running back to his room, went in quickly and sat up, Nicky asked, “Well”. “I made things worse, dad has to get over this without us helping”.

  Morning comes and the boys ready for school walk by their father’s bedroom, they pause noticing their grandmother kneeling on the bedroom floor picking up broken glass. Eyes big, Josh asked, “Nana?”

  Turns looking at them and said, “Hey there boys”.

  Pointing asked, “What are you doing cleaning up this mess Nana where’s dad?” “I do not know, your daddy called me around 2:00 am telling me come sit with you all he left out of here crying”, she broke down crying.

  Both boys go in the room, knelt down by their sad grandma and Josh said, “It will be okay Nana”.

  Looks at him saying, “What a brave strong boy you are”.

  “I am a Wiley”.

  Nodding says, “Yes you are”. Brushing his long dark wavy bangs back says, “Need a haircut”.

  “Never Nana”, points added, “You to Nicky” replied, “Nope”, swung long blonde hair. Hugging them added, “Better get out for the bus”.

  Standing up heading out, Josh turned back saying, “Love you Nana”, hand places to her chest replying, “I love you boys”, walk away when baby Sabrina starts crying Brenda stands up walking through the clutter mumbling, “Oh lord this is awful my grandbabies lost their mama and my son lost his wife”.

  Hurried into the nursery over by the crib, Brenda took one look at two month old Sabrina and cried heavily as the baby cries, Brenda cried out, “How will Shane do this alone, oh god help us”.

  Lifting Sabrina out of the crib and walking into the room Shane asked, “The baby all right?”

  Turning around looking at him, Brenda asked, “Are you?”

  “Yeah maw”, hand over his face crying.

  “Oh Shane, I know its hard honey, but please you will get through this, you must be stronger than ever for these kids”. Wiping tears replied, “I know maw”. “Where you been all night?”

  “Sitting by my wife’s grave”.

  “Oh son”.

  The baby screaming, he squints and Brenda said, “Go get the bottle Shane”. “Aw what do I fill it with?”

  Reaching screaming Sabrina to him, Brenda said, “I got it just hold your girl”. Hurrying out of the room, Shane held his crying daughter looking down at her said, “Hey tiny darling, do not cry daddy is still here”.

  Rocking her gently in his arms saying, “Daddy might not know what to do, but will learn I promise sweet girl”.

  Returning with the bottle, stood by the doorway listening to Shane talking to Sabrina. Calming down, he added, “One thing for sure, I might not have kept mommy safe, but swear I will always keep you from harm tiny darling, I will protect my girl”. Brenda had tears rolling walking into the room held the bottle out saying, “Want to feed her so I can finish the cleaning”.

  “Aw I should maw, heck I made the mess”.

  “You just feed your girl then will do it together”.

  Taking the bottle, said, “Thank you maw”, patting his back saying, “Will get through this together”, tears roll Shane sat down on the rocking chair feeding his daughter with Brenda standing there watching.

  Furthermore, from that day forward, Shane pulled himself together as it was the hardest thing he ever had to do, but had no other choice since he has a family to raise. Chapter 4.

  A few weeks later, walked into the flower shop and behind the counter Ella noticed him looking around walked out from behind and walking up to him asked, “Shane?” Turning around, “Hey there Ella”.

  “How are you?”

  “I will be fine just wish everyone would stop asking”.

  “I’m sorry”.

  “Nah, I’m sorry, you were Tara’s good friend”.

  “Yes I was and still in shock”.

  “Aw Ella I’d rather not talk about it”. Runs fingers through longer hair.

  “Sure, I understand”, nodding, she asked, “Are you looking for, flowers?’ “Something to let someone know I’m sorry”.

  Looking at him Ella replied, “Any arrangement will do and you can write that in the card”.

  “Can you help me pick out something real nice Ella”.

  Pats his back replying, “Sure will Shane”. Nods and Ella picked out a beautiful flower arrangement, a dozen rainbow roses in a fancy purple vase and ringing it up Shane glancing around saw teddy bears asked, “Hey can I add one of those small stuffed animals”.

  “You sure can”. Held a pen out to Shane asking, “What’s that for?” “The card”.

  “Aw heck, I’m not good at this stuff, can you write it for me Ella?’ Gives a slight smile replying, “Of course”.

  “Nothing mushy though”.

  “Okay, but need your help also, what do you want it to read?”

  “I’m so sorry Stacey for that night, I know this can’t erase what I done to you, but it’s a start I hope”.

  Teary eyed, Ella said, “That’s perfect”, tucking hands into baggy blue jean pockets Shane asked, “You really think it is okay”.

  “Oh yes, that was very sincere”.

  Puzzled expression Shane replied, “I’m glad never had a way with sweet talking words”. “You did just fine”. Nodding, said, Thanks Ella”, points asking, “Letting your hair get long, you always had it short?”

  “Time for a change, thanks again Ella”.

  “You’re very welcome Shane”, waved heading out.

  One week pass, Shane cried himself to sleep the first few nights over losing Tara and hurting the girl, even had nightmares about that horrible night.

  Jumping up on the bed in a cold sweat mumbling, “Why did it happen”, “Why!”

  Lay back down hugging the pillow saying, “I miss you so much Tara”.

  A few days later, the instant shock of reliving one tragic night faded and fast due to the three boys keeping Shane busy.

  Josh and Nicky seem to tease and squabble over everything.

  Including tooth paste even, in the early morning with Shane yelling, “Aw heck y’all, I’ll buy two tubes!”

  Shane had his hands full and become very tired after working all day as he would fall asleep fast, soon as he got into bed.

  Was out like a light and never heard baby Sabrina crying for her bottle, when Nicky got out of his bed and went waking Josh up saying, “Hey the baby is screaming?” Instantly, Josh got out of bed with Nicky right behind him and went into the kitchen. Where he stood filling the bottle, then warmed it up in the microwave a second and both hurried by the screaming baby. Shane never heard a sound as he snored. Furthermore, Josh had been woken nightly and took care of his little sister. One night, noticed her diaper was soaked and looked at Nicky put his hands up saying, “Yuck, no way”.

  Pointing down at the baby, “We cannot leave her like this”, and shrugging his shoulders Nicky replied, “Change her then, because I’m not”. Shaking his head.

  Grabbing the diaper and at first Josh did not know how to put them on. However, a month later Josh become a pro and learned to diaper his baby sister.

  The next evening at Brenda’s home, standing by the kitchen sink washing dinner dishes as Charlene helped drying, a few grandsons sat by the table doing homework, Brian, Jared, Jessie and Josh was telling the others, “Sure hope I pass this test I hardly sleep”. Turning around looks at her grandson Brenda asked, “Why boy?”

  “Aw taking care of Sabrina”.

  Rose eyebrows high Brenda asked, “You do?”

  “Yep sure do Nana”.

  Setting the sponge down asking, “Why doesn’t your daddy?”

  Laughs out, “Shoot he never hears the baby”.

  Nicky added, “Nope sure don’t Josh has been taking care of her”.

  “
What?”

  “It’s true Nana”.

  “Yes I realize this, but what the heck is wrong with your daddy?” Boys shrug. Upset, Brenda finished washing dishes and later that evening when Shane comes home from work was greeted by the door to the apartment by his mother asking, “Are you doing all right?”

  Dirty from working all day wearing a baseball cap over long sweaty bangs as it appears Shane let his hair grow longer, he replied, “Yeah why maw?”

  Arms folded said, “Well a little birdie told me you haven’t been tending to the baby at night why is that Shane?”

  Hung his head replied, “I’m tired”.

  “I understand, but it’s not up to your twelve-year- old son to take care of her”. “Heck maw, I never hear the baby”.

  “Better start son, it is up to you”. Finger waving close in his face.

  “I know maw, don’t need you to remind me”.

  “I must, because you’re not doing your job”.

  “Yes I am, look at me maw”.

  Studying him replied, “I don’t not mean just working, you have a job at home to”. Aggravated, pulling the cap off his head replied, “All right got the picture”. “I know it’s hard, but these are your children”.

  Hand up said, “Okay stop maw please”.

  Turns around going into the apartment noticing such a mess, dishes piled up with dirty bottles scratching his head, Shane said, “God I want my wife back this is not easy”. Door opens, in walked Brenda holding the baby with Josh, Nicky and Lance at her side. Glancing, around she remarked, “Lord what a pigpen”.

  Hanging his head mumbles, “Here we go again”.

  Walking through the clutter of crumbs and toys on the floor holding the baby in her arms Brenda said, “Time to clean this place”.

  Annoyed, Shane mumbles again, “Sure maw, ready to collapse, but hey I’m strong right”.

  “Will help daddy”, said Josh and looking at his boys Shane replied, “You have been Josh I’m mighty proud of you thanks boy”.

  Smiling said, “Come on Nicky lets help dad”.

  Snickered saying, “Do I have to”.

  Messing with his belt Shane added, “What was that Nicky”, eyes huge.