A Brand New Day

Chapter 37

River's pov
I woke up this morning, feeling like shit. 'This is all your fault.' Maddie said when she got on the phone. There was venom in her voice. I shake my head and turn over. I decide since I'm up I should shower and get dressed. Which I do. Then I go down to the kitchen and make a pot of coffee. Not too long after Meadow comes down with messy hair, sweat pants and a t-shirt. We look at each other. Then I turn away to the fridge for the creamer. She opens the pantry and I grab the fruit. She comes back out with a jar of pickles, a can of pineapple, a bag of chips, a bag of popcorn, and some candy. I take a drink and watch her silently. Then she grabs a bag and turns to leave out the back door. "What are you doing?" I ask her before she closes the door.
"Leave me alone." She snaps. I step toward her and grab the bag. "Let go." She says.
"Where are you going?"
"None of your business. Leave me alone."
"No, you're not taking that junk."
"You're not my boss."
"I'm your sister."
"Fuck off."
"Don't talk to me like that." She shrugs away from me but I keep following her. "Why do you think that this is okay?"
"Why do you think you can mother me?"
"Because you didn't have a mother." I snap getting frustrated.
"That doesn't mean that you can take the role."
"Fine. Then I'll go get mom."
"Now, she's mom? Yesterday, she was Demi. Anyways, go get her. I don't care, I'm going to eat this, and she's not gonna stop me. By the way obviously you didn't get the memo but we're not talking unless the therapist is here. So just fuck off and leave me alone."
I sigh and go back inside. She's not my kid any more, she's not my problem. I don't have to deal with this alone. So I go up to Mom's room and knock. Dad opens the door. He puts his finger to his lips as he steps out. "What's up?"
"Meadow took some food and climbed a tree. She's gonna eat it all..." I whisper.
He sighs, "it's 7:30 in the morning." He whispers.
I look down as my eyes well up, "I'm sorry."
"It's not your fault. I'll get her, why don't you just lay down with mom. We have therapy in 2 hours."
"Actually, I need to email my teachers so that they can send me my assignments. Can I use my computer?"
"Yeah, but only if you stay in there with mom. But first I want my five second hug."
"It's ten." I groan.
He chuckles, "oh yeah." I lean in to him and he wraps me up. "1, I love you. 2, I love you. 3, I love you. 4, I love you. 5, I love you."
"Okay, let me go." I whisper, but smile, "I'm going to get a refill. Will you leave my laptop on the bed." He nods and I go back downstairs. I stop at the back door and stare at Meadow. She's already finished the jar of pickles it's on the ground empty. I gag. It brings back memories. I'll bring it up in therapy I guess. Dad comes down and makes a cup off coffee then goes outside as I go back upstairs. I open my computer and immediately send emails to my teachers for my work.
As I hit send I stare at mom. She has a baby in her. How is that possible, I mean of course I know how but it's just crazy. That baby is going to be so lucky if we can get normal before it comes. I hope I'm not all fucked up when it comes.
I pull my thoughts from mom and open up my personal email. I have a lot of spam mail. I begin to go through it when on subject line catches my eye. 'RIVER GIRL OPEN ME.' I gasp. Immediately I can't breathe. I open it.
'Hi, River girl. I thought I would reach out and let you know I've been thinking about you. I miss you so much. I know you got my message, we're going to take everything away from you. Your parents house, your tree house, and your new mom and dad. You have no idea, but I'm going to get you really soon. I have so much planned for us. I just wanted to remind you of all the good times we have so here's some pictures. I can't wait to make you count again. See you soon.
Sam.'
I want to throw up. I wipe my face. Mom sits up, "riv?" I try to close the email but she snatches my computer from me. "Oh, god." She says as she reads.
Then she goes to click on the attachments and I scream, "No!"
She flinches. "Okay."
"Please, don't look at them ever please." I sob. She closes the computer and looks at me.
"I'm —" she stops. Then rushes to the bathroom. She throws up and comes back with her toothbrush In her hand, "I'm calling the cops." She says as I cry. I just sit there bawling. "This is ridiculous. I don't know how he is doing this." She says getting pissed, "He can't torture you. I'm fucking done." She brushes her teeth then goes to the closet and changes and comes back with the letter and my phone "Have you gotten anything else?" I shake my head. "Okay, I just want to make sure I have all the evidence we have. Im going to call my lawyer and the police. Do you want to be there make sure I get the details right?" I shake my head, "do you have any idea who he could be working with?"
"Drake." I whisper.
"Anyone else?" I shake my head. "Come here." She says. I shake my head again. "Im going to hold you for a minute whether you like it or not." She says pulling me into her.
"You shouldn't get involved." I whisper as she holds me.
"Not your choice. This is what moms do. I'm kinda excited..." I pull away to look at her, "I can feel the mama bear clawing to come out. I'm going to fucking destroy this piece of shit and his crew. I'm done with this shit." She says.
"Thanks." I whisper.
"Okay, I'm going to take your laptop. Go chill out. I'll tell if I need you." I nod and walk away. I decide to go out front and shoot some baskets and let Shadow run around. First I check the gate camera and make sure it's closed and locked. Then I grab a basketball and go out front.
"River... come in here." Mom says opening the door. I'm not sure how long I've been out here but I'm drenched in sweat. I put the ball down and go to the door. "Okay, gross." She says as I get closer. I smile. "Well, go shower and then come eat. Cassandra will be here in 15 minutes."
"What did the police say?" I ask as I follow her to the kitchen.
"You want some yogurt with fruit?"
I freeze and stare at her, "don't pussy foot around this. What did they say." I snap.
She sighs, "I told them everything. They said that they will get in contact with the prison and make sure he loses all his privileges."
"And? What are you not telling me?"
"They said that they want all the names of everyone that was involved in your kidnapping. Because Sam is not just working with drake. They said to get you to spill your guts."
"I'm not telling you anything." I snap.
"Then your going to have to tell Cassandra... we can't help you unless you tell us everything. They said the sooner the better." Mom looks at me sadly.
I begin to cry again, "I don't want to do this."
"Go take a shower and come eat. We have to start this today, they said the sooner the better. So go shower. You have to eat."
"I feel sick to my stomach."
"It's nerves."
I nod and go to my room and shower. I change into sweats and a hoodie and put my hair up. I go back down to the kitchen and it feels like a war zone. Mom and dad are sitting across from meadow. I sit next to dad. "Thank god the princess has arrived." She whispers.
"What's your problem?" I ask.
"You." She says.
"Well, join the club." I snap. "But here's the the thing Meadow you are not my problem anymore."
"I didn't ask to be your problem. You made that choice. I don't want or need anything from you ever again."
"Remember that." I whisper.
"You too, knock it off." Dad snaps. "Meadow, you can't antagonize her." Meadow chuckles and rolls her eyes. Honestly, she's freaking me out. While mom, dad and I stare at her horrified the door bell rings.
It's therapy time! Yay! Said no one EVER.