The Girl.

  about two giant rats.

  Watching Brenda now scrubbing her face hard, Ella said,

  “We got to get those nasty rodents gone”.

  Behind the cloth Brenda replied, “Nasty rodents is mild from what they both done tonight”. Setting the cloth down Brenda looked mad just bobbing her head holding two fingers back up. Ella raised her eyebrows and said, “Oh Brenda try to calm down, you can set some traps”.

  Swinging the washcloth Brenda replied, “Yeah well I am not worried, because Paul Gene’s putting an end to the two low down rats”.

  Ella gave her a hug saying, “See things work out in the long run”.

  At that point, Brenda broke down crying heavily and Ella hugged her, patting her back. Suddenly, jumped from yells that sounded painful.

  “Ouch paw!”

  “Aw heck I am twenty”,

  “Owe okay paw get the picture here”,

  “OUCH!”

  “You’re breaking my arm”.

  “Owe paw I didn’t say nothing”.

  In a flash, Brenda threw the washcloth in the sink and said, “I am relieved Paul Gene trapped those two rats got um good”.

  Ella replied, “Thank goodness, because I am dehydrating”. Brenda hugged her tightly, as they smiled.

  Much later that night, about midnight the Wiley’s were all in their bedrooms. Paul Gene was reading a magazine in bed, as Brenda sat on the end of their bed rubbing lotion on her hands.

  He was under the handmade patchwork quilt when she asked, “I don’t really want to know what happened with our boys?”

  “Nope maw, no need to start boiling, you got a tan now because of your heat rise”. She crawled into bed pulling the covers up to her tightly.

  “You don’t have to tell me really, because see I’m like you, I know it all”.

  Paul Gene grinned from behind the magazine.

  “I know my boys done a very bad sexual act”.

  “Ew!”

  “Maw better burn more candles you spoke the forbidden word again”.

  Tossing in the bed, she nervously asked again, “Both at once, really Paul?”

  Set the magazine down and said, “Heck woman you must be upset, you never call me Paul except at forbidden times”, wiggles his eyebrows. Waving her hand said, “Oh hush”, and he said, “It’s been a long day try to get some sleep baby”. She smiled turning over under the covers and Paul Gene reached over shutting the lamp off on the nightstand.

  Brenda started giggling in the dark asking, “Paul Gene is that you?”

  “Yeah I am an honest boy, got to hush you up somehow”, when Brenda calmed down, but it did not keep her quiet, as she quietly cried Paul in a gasping row breathless.

  Exactly thirty minutes later after one heated up day, it still did not end and boiled over. Out in the living room, stood three yawning Wiley boys looking onto the fourth yawning and

  Ella hollering in his face.

  “How could you do this to me, oh my god your dirt like them,” cried Ella completely devastated.

  Paul Gene with Brenda stood there in shock again, and yawn.

  The other two family members were arguing hot and heavy, as Ella was literally pushing Saul. That actually went to shove her back and Paul Gene said, “Ah, stop right there boy”. In flowing tears Ella cried out, “Why do you hurt me like this, what gives you the right to break my heart always, by cheating, I’m sick of it”. Saul hung his head when Ella walked right up to him and said, “Remember what you once told me, that you’d never break my heart, well you sure did”, tears rolled down her face and Saul looked at her and said, “Aw I don’t what to say Ella except sorry”.

  “Sorry huh, you liar!”

  Saul stood there hanging his head and Ella with her hand placed against her heart said, “You’ve ripped my heart apart, shattered it, now torn to shreds, Wiley”, as she cried. Brenda hung her head feeling bad and the boys all felt bad, because this was awful of Saul that looked at heartbroken Ella and said, “I feel bad about hurting you”.

  “No you don’t”, tapping her foot on the floor.

  “Yes I do”.

  “Really you keep doing it”. She just looked at him with the rest of the family and he added, “I won’t no more”.

  Folding her arms, Ella said, “What a liar, you’ve told me that before then turn around hurting me some more, each time it gets worse”.

  Moving forward Saul went to touch her and she pushed him back saying, “Seriously, you just slept with some other woman, get away from me with your bitten up neck”.

  Saul hung his head and Ella asked, “How many has there been Saul since we been together?” He was silent, putting her hand up Ella added, “Doesn’t matter, I’d rather not know, I hurt enough thanks to you”, rushed away crying and the family heard her down the hallway, “He never loved me”, and Saul hung his head shaking it.

  Shaking his head, Paul Gene said, “ Saul, you hurt that girl bad, all I’m gonna say is you better make things right with her, the baby is coming soon, this is no way to behave”. Silently Saul just stood there hanging his head and Paul Gene said, “You hear me talking to you boy?”

  “Yes, I heard paw”. Expressionless then went walking away and Paul Gene yelled, “Straighten your act up boy”.

  Walking down the hallway, Saul stopped by Ella’s closed door, leaned his head against it, hearing her crying and said, “I’m sorry Ella, they don’t know a secret, but I sure do”, tears hit the floor and walked away.

  The rest of the family walked down the hallway heading to their bedrooms and Shane said, “Aw this is my fault”, Brenda paused snatching onto the back of his t-shirt asking, “What boy?” “Yeah, I had plans with Dana’s mom then Saul shows up hooking up with Dana”. Chapter 17.

  Brenda puts her hand against her chest saying, “Oh what a relief”, the three boys look at her, she added, “Well I thought something different”. Paul Gene winked at her and they all went to their bedrooms.

  Their boys that night had done the forbidden word in separate rooms and one to one having sexual intercourse.

  Saul was with Dana and Shane with her mom Jolene, far from what Brenda had thought.

  A few minutes later, Seth very quietly comes out of his bedroom and tip toed down the hall. Sneaking, reached Ella’s door, tapped softly the door opened and Ella stood there in tears that flowed heavily looking at him frown.

  “Please come in”, Seth went in, as she shut her door.

  He stood there hanging his head of long curls, as she cried out, “Oh why Seth”.

  Wrapping his arms around her and holding tight, as she cries out, “God it hurts real bad Seth”. Holding her tighter with all his might, “I just found out your brother has cheated from day one”. Playing with his long dark locks of hair and Seth just held Ella tight silently, she said, “I don’t even care no more just about this child”.

  Seth just listened, as she sobbed saying, “I feel that’s what made Saul’s feelings change”.

  Now Ella twirled his curls between her fingers and Seth said, “Yeah Saul does not seem ready to be a daddy huh?”

  “Far from, he’s not settled”.

  “Saul’s sure not done playing the field”, and Ella wiped tears saying, “No he’s not”. Standing embracing, “You are my best friend Seth Wiley, honest”. He gives a small smile she added, “Me and Saul never had deep talks like you and me, guess we are so close in age huh?”

  “Nah, I am just far different than Saul”.

  “Yes, it appears to be”.

  “Aw, I don’t believe in playing the field Ella, it’s not me”. “You definitely could too, you’re very pretty for a boy”.

  “Love between two people is supposed to be undying for the other not with every other”, added Seth.

  “You have such a kind heart Seth”.

  “Certainly a true one for the girl that holds it”, as his heart raced holding her tightly, she was wrapping his curls around her fingers. “A lucky girl she will be fr
om such a loyal fellow”. “Ella, you are my best friend, very important to my daughter Sammy that loves you”.

  Smiling in his strong arms that held her tight, she said, “I love her like my own, I’ve become attached”. In tears now, he said, “Thanks for your devoted heart to my child”.

  “Thank you for being my friend Seth, such a good one”.

  “Forever Ella”, as tears rolled down her face, staring at each other.

  Putting her hand against her back she said, “Oh, I have to sit down a minute my growing belly weighs me down”. Let her out from his arms and said, “Well I better head back”. Sitting on the bed hanging her head, as tears fell hitting the floor.

  “Please don’t go Seth, because I feel so alone, I honestly need you”.

  “I am very sorry Ella, how my brother hurt you”.

  She put her hands by her face sobbing, walking over by the bed Seth sat down grabs hold of her hand and said, “Aw don’t cry Ella, I won’t hurt you”, staring at him in tears, Ella said, “I know”, as he wipes tears away, hearts race.

  “Ella?” Stares, Seth said, “I am totally in love with you”, as she placed her hand against his face added, “I will have to go my whole life without the only girl that will ever hold my heart” Quivering, softly brushing her fingers against his face, Seth stood up quickly in tears rolling walking over to the door, “Seth, wait, please”.

  Gripped the doorknob hanging his head with his heart ready to jump out and sobbing she said, “Seth lock my door”. Breathing heavy, Seth locked the door, turned around and Ella quietly said, “Please hold me in your arms all night!”

  At once, Seth rushed back to Ella, placing both hands against her face, as she stared at him, he replied, “I sure will”.

  Thirty minutes later under the covers, Seth held Ella tightly and asked, “How do you feel Ella?” That placed her hand softly against his face and said, “Loved!” He smiles.

  A few hours later, Ella fell asleep wrapped in Seth’s arms and he kissed the top of her head then gently lay her back onto the bed, he leans his elbow on the bed staring at her with his heart pounding, “Aw it breaks my heart that you’ll never be mine”.

  Morning comes and Ella turns over in bed, eyes become big, she gasps looking at a red rose on the pillow next to her and said, “The boy remembers!”

  A few weeks go by, the Wiley family got a subpoena to appear in court over Samantha Faye Wiley.

  One day later, Shane’s big subpoena also come in and Brenda pulled her candles back out, as she knelt crying, “Please help our family lord”, and prayed for some time.

  Paul Gene was in the living room sitting on the brown recliner talking to his brother on the phone, three of the Wiley boys were home and another was not as usual lately.

  Ella was in her room and filling up a dresser drawer of baby things, she had recently bought. Smiled looking at the tiny little green sleeper and there was a pile of receiving blankets, as she had sure started stocking up.

  The whole drawer, becomes filled while Ella sorted through the fresh laundry basket, as she washed everything.

  Another few days pass.

  Chapter 19. It was court time for the custody battle first and in the kitchen, Brenda fussing with her belt yelled, “Come on Seth, your gonna make us late”.

  In his room and Ella had snuck in they were hugging when quietly she said, “It will work out Seth”.

  “Aw I hope”, stares at her staring back she said, “Your hair cut looks nice.”

  Putting his fingers through his much shorter curls he replied, “I hate it”.

  “No, you look very handsome”.

  He winked then said, “You better go before someone catches us”.

  She hung her head and replied, “Yeah”. Frowns.

  Gently, Seth lifted her head back up and said, “Don’t get sad girl, because you’ll never lose me or ever have to worry”.

  Tears he added, “I will always be there for only you!”

  “Oh Seth that’s so sweet”.

  “No it’s just how I feel for you girl”.

  “I feel the same for you boy”, they both smile and remembered their friendship.

  At that moment, she hugged him very tightly and whispered in his ear, “You proved to me you’re the nicest boy ever”, he held her. Hearts beat fast and Ella said, “Kiss me boy?” That placed his hands against her face she stares when he slants his face forward, softly brushing up against her cheek whispers, “I love you girl!”

  Softly lips connect for the first time, as hearts are pounding, Ella wraps her arms around his neck with his hands placed against her face, sharing an incredible kiss, as tongues circle slowly and very deep.

  Brenda shouted, “SETH BOY NOW!” Lips part and hated too staring endlessly Ella said, “You made me so wet”.

  Licking his lips, Seth straight-faced asked, “May I feel?” “Yes touch me boy?” Sliding one hand slowly down Ella’s pants both staring expressionless.

  Brenda yells, “Where the heck are you Seth?” Removing his hand smiling, as Ella was breathless he said, “You were right”, and winks, she giggled hurrying out of Seth’s room, he finished getting ready then walked through the house going in the kitchen where everyone was dressed up and no jeans or flannels.

  They all had on dress clothes like going to church or a special event.

  Paul Gene shaved his beard completely off and Brenda had shorter hair with bangs cut actually. She and Paul Gene both looked younger and Brenda was much younger anyway, as the bangs really made her look young.

  The Wiley’s all stood in the kitchen just about ready to leave and looked different.

  Seth had his hair cut into bangs and you could see his big browns the bottom was even shorter on his shoulders not below.

  Shane was holding Samantha and said, “You like my nose there little darling”. That she reached for then grabbed hold of, while everyone gave a smile and Seth especially.

  Saul had much shorter hair, still rather long though, but trimmed up, and Sebastian had shorter curls, it was a few inches above his shoulders with curly bangs. At last Sebastian’s bright blue eyes showed shining and the Wiley family sure looked nice along with presentable.

  They did not look like hippies no more since Paul Gene’s brother Danny Ray warned them look suburban.

  Samantha sure changed things completely around the Wiley house in a good way. The boys looked very handsome, as Brenda had tears looking at all their eyes after a long wait. At the county courthouse, the Wiley’s were all seated, and Seth was jittery, as he kept fidgeting with his hands nervously and his paw winked at him saying, “All will work out boy”. Paul Gene held his granddaughter that was making sounds and Brenda giggled, when in walked the other side.

  Dana had a few people with her and she looked over at Seth and smirked sitting down, her mom just sat down quietly and dressed decent actually and looked like a mother.

  Brenda mumbled under her breath, “Guess it took a belting to wake that woman up”.

  The four young men next to Dana kept looking at the Wiley boys and smirking, they even gave a few dirty looks at the Wiley’s. Noticing their angry looks, Saul with Shane just shook their heads and thought, jerks. Dana with one man literally laughed out loudly, as you could hear Seth’s name mentioned which made him fiddle with his hands more.

  Paul Gene whispered to his four boys, “Hey y’all, no matter what these creeps start don’t finish it here”.

  His boys agreed, for now anyhow when the judge entered and the bailiff said, “All rise”. Everyone did, as Samantha blew her famous raspberries, Paul Gene with Brenda grinned at their grandbaby

  The Wiley boys could not help giving dirty looks at the men by Dana, as Sebastian growls. They kept dogging them, even showing the Wiley boys their fists. Grinning Saul nodded mumbling, “Huh you think”, and his three brothers looked mad at them jerks.

  Paul Gene held onto Samantha, saw his boys and knew they were sure gonna finish those creeps since necks cra
cked.

  The custody hearing started when it actually went for the good and mostly in the Wiley’s favor. The judge held a long record in his hand against Dana, from drugs, to petty theft and even assault with a concealed weapon.

  Including prostitution with her mother, as Dana was one bad egg with a history of many charges. Seth made a snarling face you could now see and mumbled, “Yuck nasty girl”. In addition, was never really his girlfriend any way he thanked god though for Samantha that he loved with all his heart.

  The judge now said, “I see you own a bar?”

  Worried Brenda thought, oh no and Paul Gene said, “Yes your honor we do”. The judge said, “You have a secure steady income from having your own business that’s important”. Brenda felt relieved, as Paul Gene winked at her.

  The judge then said, “Seth Allen Wiley step forward”.

  Therefore, he did nervously as those men really dogged him and his three brothers saw them making fun of their youngest brother.

  Shane whispered over to them, “Aw guess what y’all are hit bad man”, pointing towards the back entrance, Sebastian snarled whispering, “See y’all outside real soon”.

  Paul Gene nudged Shane who still kept showing his big fist to them now.

  Then the judge said, “Seth Allen Wiley you are a sixteen-year-old minor very young standing before me to be a father”.

  Seth stood silently with his hands folded and the judge said, “I have seen before me many other minors in a much different situation”.

  Paul Gene and Brenda both gave a grin as he whispered, “Maw we done well”. Both happy they raised their boys all right in every way.

  The judge continued, “I come to a decision in the best interest of the child”. Seth’s legs wobbled and Brenda gripped her locket very tightly, with tears in his eyes, Seth mumbled, “Please god don’t take my little angel”.

  “Granting sole custody of Samantha Faye Wiley, to her biological father Seth Allen Wiley”. Brenda almost screamed out and was all smiles until the judge added, “One condition though”.

  “Oh no, now what?” Worried Brenda