Anytime, Anywhere For You

2. Complications, Heartache and Confessions

The three of us are in the living room talking to the officers that came out. They called for an ambulance to inspect Josiah's bruises.

Josiah hasn't left Jey's side since the police showed up. I watch silently and offer the police the same story Josiah told us.

"Have you ever met the child's mother?" Officer Warren asks.

I nod. "We've met a few times."

"And has she ever seen erratic or violent towards you?" He asks.

I clear my throat and cross my arms over my chest.

"Um.. she's never liked me and has called me a few names here and there. But, she's never put her hands on me." I say.

The officer writes in his pad and I look towards Jey and Josiah on the couch. This situation is so fucked and all I wanna do is be here for Jey and Josiah.

"The mother's boyfriend, have you ever met him?" Officer Warren asks.

"No. This is my first time hearing about him."

Officer Warren nods.

"Thank you for your cooperation, Ms. Perez." He says and I nod.

"I wanna press charges. I wanna take my son from her." Jey says and Officer Warren puts his notepad in his chest pocket.

"I don't see why you wouldn't get full custody, once we report this to the judge. Judge Briar is a good friend of mine. I'm sure he'll be on your side." Officer Warren says.

"You need to take the proper measures and take pictures to show to the judge. You need to call his office bright and early tomorrow and report what's happened."

Jey nods. "Oh, I will."

Officer Warren nods. "Here's my card. If you need anymore help from me, please call."

Jey takes the card and thanks him. The doorbell rings and the ambulance people come in. A nice young woman talks to Josiah and Jey comforts him.

I go to take care of dinner, while they handle everything. As I'm walking out the living room, Josiah calls to me.

"Auntie Niyah, please don't leave!" He panics.

I turn to him. "I promise, I'm not going anywhere. I'm just gonna take dinner out the oven, ok?" I reassure him.

Josiah nods and I watch, as Jey comforts his son.

After everyone leaves, Siah says he's tired and wants to skip dinner.

"You have to eat something, Buddy. You can't go to bed hungry." Jey says.

Josiah sighs and nods.

"Do you want a peanut butter and jelly sandwich? I can make it for you." I suggest and he nods.

"Ok. Go take a bath and I'll have everything ready when you come back." I smile and he nods.

Jey goes with him and I turn the oven off.

I feel drained, as well from tonight's events. I don't know what to do with all the feelings gathered up inside. I feel sad, angry, and helpless. I'm sad about what happened to Josiah.

I'm angry at Amber for allowing her child to be hurt. And I feel helpless that I can't do anything to ease the pain of my sweet boy and the man that I love. I sigh and wipe the tears from my eyes.

This month has been filled with nothing but tears and I feel mentally and emotionally drained.

Jey and Josiah come into the kitchen and I give Josiah his sandwich and some milk. He eats all the sandwich and takes a few sips of his milk and goes to Jey's room.