Unstable - Sequel to "Snatched"

Chapter 6: Songs And Notes

I didn't edit this since I was so excited to finally update so sorry for the thousands of mistakes this chapter probably has

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I'd awoken another nightmare about Melvin last night, but didn't bother mentioning it to Danielle, who never woke up because of me. I was tired of looking weak in front of her. Instead, I'd taken a walk outside in the peace and quiet darkness. I thought about Mel and the memories that we had together.

One of my favorites was when we was at this waterfront type place in an area near downtown. We sat on a cement wall that divided a walkway and a river not too far down below. It wasn't too much of a special moment; we was just talking and drinking. But we were away from home since my mama and step daddy were arguing yet again, and we went out to a few places before we went to the waterfront to chilll. We talked about some real deep shit; everything in our past, and everything we wanted to do in the future. This was before Melvin got into drug dealing; he aspired to be a tattoo artist, because he could draw really well, and that job could make him a lot of money. He even wanted to own his own shop and all that. He didn't talk about it much once he got into dealing though.

He still had his life ahead of him. He was in his early 20s, without a real job, without a girl he'd fall in love with and marry someday. He wouldn't have kids and I wouldn't have nieces or nephews. I only thought about that fact last night for a few minutes before I decided to block it out and think of nice memories.

I wanted so badly to go back to the waterfront, but it was too far out and I would be gone long; I didn't wanna risk Danielle waking up before I came home and realizing I was gone. Plus, I would be there alone, without my close brother to sit there next to me, living and breathing and understanding me as I spoke whatever I had on my mind. It wouldn't be or feel the same.

Sadness lingered over me as I went back home, and I felt so depressed that I didn't even have much will to be here anymore. I opened and closed the front door as silently as I could behind me and slickly slipped off my shoes, then went back to my room and quietly went into our closet. I pulled out a box that was on the floor under my hanging clothes, and found it full of random items I had. But what I wanted was my songwriting notebook, which I found and took out, with a pencil already stuck in the spiral of it.

I exited the closet and the bedroom and sat at the table in the dining room. Back in my younger years, I would write a song of I were really happy, angry, or upset. Lyrics would pop up into my mind and I'd pour out my feelings onto paper, usually satisfied by the end with the outcome. This was a good time to write how I felt through music.

I wrote how I felt. I wrote about my struggles in life, I wrote about how I felt trapped and sometimes just wanted to... give up.

I felt like I faced a lot of obstacles in life. I feel like even though I have faith in god, that I have hope for a forever happy ending, something new gets put on me. I have Danielle and my baby girl on the way soon, but it feels as if gaining my daughter meant losing one of the closest people in my life.

my hand shook when I got to the bridge of the lyrics, and I dragged my freehand down my face. As I wrote down my thoughts more consumed me and I couldn't do it no more.

I almost started getting even more upset, but then I realized I was thinking too negative and I shook my head, rejecting the feelings.

 I gotta be strong I told myself. For my girl, for my daughter, for me.  Things will get better. And with that, I huffed and closed the notebook, crept back to the closet, and stuffed it back into the box underneath other useless objects I've owned in my life. I didn't want Danielle seeing it sticking out and snoop through it or some shit.

"August?"

I flinched, spooked at the sudden noise. Though Danielle had a soft, sweet voice, hearing it out of nowhere scared me a bit.

I stretched my neck back so I could look out the closet doorway, where I could barely see her sitting up in bed through the dark.

"Yea baby?" I responded.

"Why are you in the closet?"

"Why are you so nosey?" I asked.

"Just 'cause I can't see you well don't mean I can't hear that attitude loud and clear. Watch it."

Danielle was always crabby when she first woke up, but I still realized I was taking my mood out on her.

I walked back into the room, climbing into the bed and sitting close to her. I could see her much more clearly now, and simply stared at her face; even though she was looking at me tired, annoyed, and confused, I agreed with myself that her face was more beautiful than anything I ever seen.

"I'm sorry baby." I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her into a laying position with me, holding her as close as I could - despite her big baby bump - and stroking her hair.

"Why you up anyway?" she asked groggily.

"I had a nightmare. I'm good though." I was still hurt inside, but I was trying to be positive.

"You sure?" She asked.

"I'm sure."

"Aug."

"Dani."

"Are you sure you don't need to talk?"

"Yes baby. I woke up hurting a bit but I'm feeling a little better. I'm trying to think about good things."

"Like what?"

"The fact that I'm with the most beautiful girl in the world, and the fact that she's gonna give birth to a little girl just as beautiful, and the fact that we're gonna be a family. You think we gonna be good parents?"

"I know we will be" She grinned at me. "And your brother will be so proud of you for being the best father you an be."

I just wish he could be down here meeting her in person.

She kissed my forehead then buried her face against my chest. I rested my chin on her head and hugged her tight.

"Don't think about that. Instead think about he will be able to watch her at all times, whenever he wants. And you wanna know what else he wants to watch?"

"What?"

"You being happy. You moving on."

I was able to fall back asleep much easier after that talk.

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Danielle

Since I was awake before August I decided I'd get up and make breakfast for him to wake up to. He still hasn't been eating as much but I been trying to get him to, and he's been improving. Plus, I was really craving pancakes.

But before I started cooking I decided I'd go check the mail like I did every morning. So I hauled my heavy self outside, noticing the sun rising beautifully against a calm, salmon sky. I smiled at the delightful scenery and carried on, opening the mailbox.

I didn't have any envelopes, but I did see a folded piece of paper.

Narrowing my eyebrows in confusion and wonder, I took out the note and quickly opened it.

I didn't have time to read it, because before I could, my water broke suddenly, causing me to drop the note which fell into the sewer that incrested the curb under the mailbox.