Short Stories

Debbie Ocean: I didn't know where else to go

HEAVY TW: School shooting. After writing I feel like this could have gone better as Lou's daughter but I wrote this at 2 am so it's staying.

Debbie's POV:

The whole world stops spinning as my daughter comes running into the door of Lou's home. She barrels past everyone and into my arms. Everyone is stopped dead in their actions, wine glasses in midair, sentences half-finished, and actions stopped completely. I don't know what she is doing here all she was saying was, "Momma. Momma. I...I'm...I didn't...I..." She was overwhelmed and afraid I could tell from her voice. 

I pull her tightly against my chest, "(Y/N). (Y/N). Listen to me sweet pea." She doesn't stop shaking and breathing heavily. I rub her back before picking up my 17-year-old daughter. I'd missed 5 years of her life I wasn't going to hold back. Once she is safely in my arms I move us to the empty kitchen and sit her on the counter. "Okay. Can you let me go for one second so I can get you some water?"

She shakes her head against my chest. Whatever scared her did a good job. Tammy comes in, "Do you need help?"

"Can you get me some water in a glass and a washcloth with cold water?" I speak over the scared sobs of my sweet child. Tammy passes me the washcloth first and I place it on her neck she doesn't stop crying but it isn't as violent. I turn to Tammy and ask, "Ice packs please."

When she returns with that I place two on her wrist and this does the trick she still has tears but she is rocking against my body trying to soothe. Tammy goes to put a hand on her back but as soon as it touches (Y/N) yanks closer to my body and away from Tammy. I smile apologetically at her. After a few minutes, (Y/N) breathing stills and I know she is asleep. I pick her up off of the counter and take her through to the living room where Lou is sitting, "Can I set her down in your room?"

"Yeah of course."

I take her upstairs and then lay her down on Lou's bed. Once she is tucked in I get her a kiss on the forehead and then leave a note on the night table, 'Just downstairs my love.'

Going back downstairs I am greeted with eight pairs of eyes staring. I sit down and Lou speaks first, "Who is she?"

"That is my daughter...(Y/N)."

Everyone stares at me in shock, "You have a daughter?"

"I do. She is 17. She lives with me now. I don't know what happened. She knows where she can find me today in case of emergencies," I explain. 

I go back to the kitchen and clean up the mess I made and Tammy comes in, "Why'd you never tell us about her. Even all those years ago?"

I sigh, "Until recently we didn't even live together. She lived with her father's parents until they passed then she went into foster care because I was in prison. Now she is living at home with me."

Everyone respects my privacy and quiets down. About two hours later footsteps come down the stairs, "Debs?"

"Yes, darling?"

She looks around nervously and I reassure her, "It's safe here darling. These are your aunts." Still not sure if she can trust them she runs from the bottom of the stairs to my arms. I wrap my arms around her as she settles. After a second she looks up and I introduce everyone, "(Y/N). These are your aunts, Lou, Tammy, Daphane, Nine Ball, Constance, Amita, and Rose." She sinks backward into my body and does a small wave. I haven't had her this close to me since she was a baby.

Once settled I ask her softly, "So what happened?"

"Momma, no more school." I give her a hug and then my cell phone rings, "Miss. Ocean?"

"Yes,"

"We are calling to inform you of a school shooting that happened today. We tried to get ahold of you earlier but we couldn't. As soon as (Y/N) was out of the building she took off running. We haven't seen her since."

"Uhm. Okay. You didn't try calling my emergency contacts?"

"We've had a lot of people to call ma'am."

"But my daughter could have been missing and you didn't try the emergency contacts?"

"No..."

"She's with me." I hang up the phone and turn to (Y/N), "No more school. You're safe here baby. No one can hurt you."

With her held tightly into my arms, I kiss her head and whisper, "We'll home school. I'm sure one of us can figure that out." With all of the women nodding knowing that they are going to help and I won't be figuring this out on my own.

She giggles and leans into me seeking all the comfort she'd need.