Swan Goin' Wolf

A Child

Why did she have to go? I thought everything was perfect. A nice house, a stable job and marriage, a little girl to brighten our days. But instead she's unhappy and she takes not only herself, but my little girl away from me. She took her and now I'm left with on;y this empty house and two sick parents that need more help each day that goes by.

"Charlie. You need to stop this. She's been gone a month and your killing yourself. The judge said that you have shared custody. You'll have her every summer." Billy said trying to get me out of this bed. What did he know? He had his loving wife and twin girls. His life was perfect and mine was falling apart.

"Charlie, you're getting out of that god damn bed if I have to drag you out myself. I'm not going to stand by and watch you waste away and die on me Charlie. What about your parents they need help and if you are this bad when Renee sees you next she'll refile for sole custody and you'll lose your little girl, Charlie. Now help yourself and get out of that bed." Billy demanded. Lose my little girl? No, I can't lose her, not when I've already lost Renee. I slowly pulled myself out of bed and stared at Billy as he stood in front of me.

"Good." Billy said with a nod.

"Now go shower, shave and get dressed. Sarah's making dinner and you're going to come and eat with us. I'll wait downstairs." Billy said and walked out of the room. I waited for him to get down the stairs and settle on the couch before I got up and made my way into the bathroom. The ride down to Billy's was quiet and long. Sarah prepared a large dinner, I knew was delicious but I couldn't taste it. I thanked her and endured the long ride back to my empty house. I started for the fridge, but was stopped by a hand wrapped around my arm.

"You have to work tomorrow and need sleep not from passing out drunk each night." Billy said and walked into the kitchen taking my beer and pouring it down the drain. I glanced at the answering machine and saw the red flashing light that indicated a message. I pressed played and waited for the message to run through.

"Charles Swan, this is Anne Lyle from Child Protective Services. It would be much appreciated if you would come to out Port Angeles office tomorrow at six thirty. Thank you." A slow woman's voice said before the beep ending the message.

"Why would Child Protective Services be calling me. If something had happened to Renee wouldn't they want me to come to California to get Bella?" I asked Billy and he shrugged. He looked concerned, but he only knew as much as I did.

"The only way to find out is to go to the city office tomorrow." Billy said.

The next day after work I made my way to Port Angeles to meet with Child Protective Services at the office downtown. When I walked in there was a blonde receptionist at the front desk typing away at a computer. I stood there for a minute thinking she would look up to see what I needed, but she didn't.

"Excuse me, ma'am?" I asked and the clicking finally stopped and she looked up at me.

"Can I help you, sir?" She asked and I nodded.

"Yes I got a call from an Anne Lyle informing me to come here at six thirty." I said and she nodded before clicking a couple of things on her computer.

"Yes, Mr. Swan she s expecting you. Go up the stairs to your left to the second floor. Ms. Lyle's office is the fourth door on the right." The receptionist said and I thanked her before following her directions. When I came to the door I knocked and waited.

"Come in." I heard from the other side of the door and turned the knob to open the door. The office wasn't very big a nice sized desk sat against the far wall, there were a couple of pictures on the wall and the desk, and two chairs sat on the other side of the desk. Behind the desk looked like a woman in her mid thirties with light red hair in what looked like a light red pant suit.