If Today was Your Last Day

Chapter 8

After Joe asking me that question I wasn't really sure what to say. What exactly am I supposed to say anyways. Clayton nods at me, secretly telling me to go ahead and tell the man.

"The lady said your name was..."

"Joe."

"Right, well Joe, I came to the police station today to report an incident."

"As I assumed, so miss your name is?"

"Scarlette."

"So Scarlette, have you ever been here before?"

"No." I look down at my hands picking at my nails, a nervous habit I have developed.

"Alright so here we do things a little bit differently then others, but here depending on how urgent you problem or issue is we direct you to certain people. I normally talk to the people like you folks, who have an issue but isn't life threatening. So please, tell me why you are here."

Finally looking up from my hands I take a deep breath and tell Joe about my father, some things I included that didn't need to be, but I was so caught up in the moment that the words seemed to be spilling out of my mouth. After I finished talking Joe spoke to me,

"Scarlette, I am going to ask you a few questions now. I need you to answer them for me with the complete and honest truth alright?"

"Okay."

"When was the last time your dad hit you?"

I open my mouth to answer but no words come out, maybe I am over reacting after all he hasn't hit me in a few weeks, he isn't all that bad either. My mind is screaming so many different things that I can't handle my own thoughts. I shake my head and press the palm of my hand to my forehead.

Clay places a hand on my shoulder, I almost forgot he was there he stayed silent the whole time and he didn't fidget or move either.

"Scar are you okay?"

I nod my head at him quick and fast. I now realize that I am making the right decision. Ever since my mom died I have never felt complete. A piece of me was either sad or angry, depressed or scared and nervous to. But I have figured out that it was because of my dad that I was feeling this way. Although I don't want to be completely detached from him, I do need a break. So it is time to do what is best for me and not think about everyone else. Even if it means turning in my dad.

"This afternoon, he hit me this afternoon."

"And this was because..."

"He got drunk which made him think that my mom was coming home. Which she never will, she passed away six years ago. Anyways he started yelling at me, to bring her back, but I couldn't, so I yelled back at him and that's when he hit me. I don't know if it was because of the tone or if it was-"

"No matter the circumstance he does not have the right to hit you." Joe cuts me off.

I look back to my hands and see that they are getting dry with the cool winter air. Wearing cream helps but the feeling of it often bugs me. I bring my eyes up to Joe just before he asks his second question.

"Are you comfortable with living with your dad still?"

This question hits me really hard. How am I going to answer this? I don't mind his presence, he doesn't usually hit me. I have learned the past few years to fend for myself. Normally by now his act should have cleaned up but it never really has, nor do I think it ever will. Do I want to be around someone like that anymore? even if he is family

"Not really." I look at Clay out of the corner of my eye to see if he shows any signs of shame or disappointment in me, luckily he doesn't.

"Okay Scarlette here's what's going to happen. I am going to go and talk to one of the policeman in case they have any concerns regarding your father."