Maybe the first day wasn't so terrible, but to Jessica it was a nightmare. No Sarah, No Danny. Just her and so many faces she didn't know.
Jessica borrowed her mother's mini van today. Not the cool car her classmates drive, but Jessica didn't care. She just got her license, before now Sarah and Danny drove her everywhere. Jessica isn't a huge fan of driving.
"I am soooo ready to get home and see my baby girl." Jessica spoke to herself.
When she arrived Isla and Catherine stood on the porch waiting to greet her.
"AHHH! THAT'S MOMMY! THAT'S MOMMY!"
"It's Mommy!" Catherine matches her excitement.
Jessica gets out of the car and runs to her daughter as Isla hurries to her mother.
"My precious girl! I missed you so much!"
"I missed you too, Mama! How was school? Did you make new friends? Did you cry? Did you finger paint? If you did I can put it up on the fridge next to mine!"
Jessica giggles and kisses her cheek. "No baby I didn't finger paint, or cry. . I didn't make any friends either. Well what else is there to do?"
"I payed attention in my classes." Jessica shrugs.
"Well good girl!" Isla smiles and gives her mother a gentle pat on the back.
Catherine smiles and looks down to her phone. "Danny's calling me." She gives a weird look.
"He tried calling me but I was driving. He's probably worried. Tell him I'm calling him now."
"Alright." Catherine then answers the phone.
"Danny needs to come home now." Isla says. Her plumped lips pouting.
Jessica pouts. "I wish. He'll visit this weekend."
"YAY!" Isla kicks her legs and claps her hands with excitement.
**
"Hey beautiful! I was worried when you didn't answer." Danny answers.
"I'm sorry love, I was driving home."
"It's okay. How was your first day?"
"It was fine. Not bad, but I miss having you and Sarah there soooo much!"
"You miss me a little bit more than you miss Sarah, don't you?"
"A little." Jessica says with a giggle. "I can't wait to see you this weekend!"
"About that. . ."
"You're not coming?"
"I'm sorry, Jess. I really want to! It's just that some guy on the team is throwing a party. I really don't want to go, but if I don't-"
"Then all the new guys will make friends and you'll be left out. Don't worry, Danny. I totally understand!"
"I want to see you so much though." Danny's voice goes sad.
"Next weekend." Jessica smiles. "And you can't back out!" She giggles.
"It's a date! I can't wait to see you, hug you, kiss you. . and a whoooole lot of other things!"
Jessica giggles as her face blushes. "I'm looking forward to it, mister football."
Danny laughs at her little nickname she's given him. "I love you so much."
"I love you too, Danny."
***
Saturday.
Jessica had a few things she needed for the week so she and Isla went on a Target run. Isla of course sat in the basket. After that incident when she was a toddler, Jessica doesn't take any chances. Especially when she's alone.
"I don't know why Danny can't come home. Doesn't he love us more than a stupid football party?"
Jessica quickly covered Isla's mouth. "Hush your mouth! Don't say that word!"
"Well it is a stupid party! STUPID!"
"Enough!"
"What else do we need? We got the eggs!"
"We did get the eggs." Jessica chuckles softly.
"I need a few things for your lunch next week."
"Like fruit roll ups?"
"No. Not anything like that. That candy will make your teeth fall out."
Isla shrugs. "My big ones are gonna grow in anyway."
"The answer is still no."
"Oh no fair!" Isla makes a face, stands in the basket, and crosses her arms.
"Isla Rose, sit down." Jessica says in a stern voice.
**
While shopping, Jessica had a very weird and uncomfortable feeling. She felt she were being watched. Jessica looked around and didn't see anyone, but that creepy feeling never went away. With that Jessica decided it were time to go home.
"Alright little one; it's time to check out and take all this yummy stuff home."
"Can I please help you scan?"
"Not today baby. The lines are long and we just need to hurry up and get out of here."
"Pleeeaaase!" Isla whines.
"I said not today. Drop it, Isla."
"But Mommyyyy!" She shouts.
"Shh! Quiet!"
Isla threw a little fit, but once Jessica grabbed a lollipop and handed it to her, she completely calmed down. Though Jessica doesn't like to give her sweets, at this point she just wanted to quiet her down.
Walking out of the store and to the car, Jessica unlocked the door and turned to get Isla out of the basket when she heard a repulsive voice. "Your daughter is so beautiful."
Jessica turned to the voice and her heart felt as though it stopped.
No. Not him. It can't be him.
Then a hit to the head and everything went black.
