Red Band Society: Perfect-ish

Chapter 20: Drunkards and babies

I stood outside in the cold waiting for Josh to be returned into my arms. I was all he had now. I would never let go of him or Leo. I shivered while the strong wind hit the side of my face. I looked around. The cars where wrecked and I saw a body bag being zipped up.

"I love you daddy," I said with a whisper as a tear dropped from my cheek. Mom was going to be okay though. Right? I heard small chatter and heard slurs in the words being said.

"Noo! They crashed into me dummy!" said the drunk driver, sitting on a bench. I inspected him so closely I could see every wrinkle and crevice. He looked about 28 or 27 years old. From the second I laid eyes on him, I hated him. I did not want to be near him or look at him. Yet,I found myself charging towards him with anger in my heart. He had killed not only all I had, but my treatment, my chance at recovery, and worst of all, Leo.

Once I reached him I screamed more curse words than I thought I knew and the next thing I knew my feet were off the ground, my back to the wall, and my windpipe being crushed. I gasped for breath.

"What did you call me bitch?" He breathed in my face with the smell of whiskey. How could no one notice? He dragged me into the bushes and stuffed a bandana into my mouth to keep me quiet and held my hands behind my back. He had let go of my throat but held strongly onto my hands. I squirmed but all he would do was punch. He whisper things in my ear too foul to repeat.

"Where is the other driver?" I heard someone question.

I squirmed out of the man's arms and ran into the open. The officers ran towards me and I ran behind them. I spit out the bandana and then heard a simple gunshot. Who had shot? Who had gotten shot? Who Was Dead?

I turned slowly and saw the drunkard lying on the ground, gun still in hand.

I then heard cars approaching and saw Josh being carried towards me. Everything seemed to move in slow motion. Like I was in a movie. I looked around, taking everything in and I suddenly saw Leo standing in the doorway. I ran into his arms, teras and all. I felt a tap on my shoulder and saw Josh being held by Nathaniel. I brought him into my arms and held him close. He was asleep and I saw Nathaniel and Mary walk away to give me some space. I felt arms wrap around on my hip and shoulder. As Leo held me close, I felt tears roll down my face. I walked into the hospital, holding Josh and asked Leo to give me a minute. I stood in the entrance to the emergency cradling Josh. I heard the doors open and looked up only to see Leo's parents standing there, concerned.

"Leo just went upstairs...If you want to go visit him." I spoke.

"I'm so sorry, Sabrina. I truly am. You are to sweet of a girl and don't deserve this honey. I spoke to Dr. McAndrew. Being Leo's girlfriend, you are part of our family now. And we never let family get hurt or left behind. We are going to start paying for your treatment." said Mrs.Roth.

I looked up breathless.

"That's too kind. You won't have enough money. Are you sure?"

"It's not too much. And when you get better, you can come live with us. And so can your little brother. Since you are only 16, we are going to become your legal guardians, if you want."

"Thank you, Just thank you so much."

I leaped up from my chair and hugged them as hard as I could without crushing Josh. The I was happening. This a real.

I leaped out of my bed, sweating and breathing heavy.

It was only a nightmare.

It was only a dream.