RUTHLESSLY

Homewrecker

Jody's P.O.V

I woke her up as I pulled into the driveway, needless to say she didn't seem very happy. She stared at the house straight ahead of us while fiddling with her thumbs, I could tell that she was nervous although I'd never understand why, I thought I could still help her feel better. 

She was seemingly lost in thought when I brushed against her shoulder with my hand causing her to jump and look back at me startled. I gave her a half smile, "Are you ready?" I asked carefully. 

Jade merely nodded. "Yeah. I guess." 

With that she pushed the truck door open and jumped out, walking over to the door. I sighed, leaning my head back on the seat. I wasn't sure if I was ready to do this, of course I wanted to help her but I didn't want to watch her hurt as she worked over all of the trauma she'd gone through here.  

I turned the truck off and walked up to the house myself. Jade had already disappeared inside, which should have been a warning sign by itself, but unlike the others I had trust in her. She just needed time.  I walked in to find her stopped in the middle of the living room with a blank expression, she followed every wall, picture and piece of furniture slowly with her eyes. 

"I never spent much time up here."  She turned to look at me expecting a response I unfortunately didn't have. She looked away again, towards the basement door this time and walked over to it tracing her hand downwards until it hit the doorknob. I made no move to stop her, I only watched with my mouth agape wondering what she was going to do next. Should I be doing something? Should I be stopping her? 

Jades hand shook as she tried to twist the knob, her shoulders sunk and shook too with a much steadier pace. I finally made my way over when a sob escaped her lips. I grabbed her by her shoulders to look at me. A red face told me everything I had already confirmed; She was trying to act strong, like she wasn't scared of this house, in reality she was terrified. "I thought I could do this..." She spit out, "But I can't, I-I'm sorry."

I was confused, "Do what?" She laughed in between sobs and I would have thought she was losing it, if it weren't for the face that I knew she has had a tremendously difficult seventy-two hours and an even worse week, and on top of that she was brought back here, with me.

"Be in this house!" she gestured to a wall, "You said we were going home, but this isn't home to me!" She took a picture off of the wall and held it in her hands tightly, a few tears landed on the glass before she threw it at the ground and it shattered. "I'm not even in any of these damn photograph's!" She proceeded to grab and smash every frame that graced the wall, leaving a mess of glass on the ground. I watched, my heart breaking for her. 

When the photo's were all on the floor, she moved to a shelf and knocked everything off with full force. Then the T.V,  a lamp,  and various plant pot's were demolished in a furious attempt at destroying everything that reminded her of how much she felt more of an unwanted house guest than family. It wasn't until she ripped down the curtains down and moved into the kitchen that she finally stopped. She fell on her ass after throwing a chair too hard.

I could hear her breathing hard while she tried to catch her breath. I only moved to the door way wanting to give her space. I wouldn't try to comfort her unless she asked me to. The last thing she threw was a ring, it bounced off the wall and made a ping sound as it fell onto the floor. "It's not fair!"  She cried into her hands,  looking up long enough to let out a few more words. "It wasn't my fault!"

She looked at me then, acknowledging that I was there and giving me a look that I understood all to well. I helped her off the floor and sat her in a chair that miraculously wasn't thrown across the room then I knelt in front of her taking her hands in mine. She cried and looked back into my eye's. "I just want my brother to be my brother, but he's never going to change, is he?"   

I knew the question wasn't rhetorically asked still it didn't stop me from wondering if she wanted an answer because in all honesty I had no idea. Did he imply that he was going to change? Technically, yes. Was he going to keep his word? He was on the right track sure, but I've never seen him actually make an effort to change anything. I took a breath and decided to have faith in him one more time and if he failed this time, I wasn't ever going to side with him again. I knew he was capable, I knew there was good in him, for some reason though he covered it up. Hid it. Really he was hiding the wrong part. 

"I.." She watched me whole heartedly, like she was depending on my answer, "I think he's trying to change." I wasn't lying, I was being honest. "But, that doesn't mean he's going to be the person you need right away." 

She thought sadly for a moment and I wondered if my answer had been wrong and I'd hurt her, then she looked up and gave a small smile. "I think, I just need a bit of alone time." I nodded in return. Maybe she did, everyone had been hounding her and following her every move. I let her go, even though it felt like the wrong decision. It wasn't until later on that I went to check on her, she was asleep in my bedroom with the lights still on. She was curled into a ball, tear streaks evident on her face. I hoped she would feel better in the morning as I pulled the blanket securely over her and headed back downstairs after turning out the light.

An hour or so later Karma called to check on us, more Jade. "She destroyed the house." I told Karma. She sighed, not seeming shocked at all. 

"I'll talk to Jason. I'm sorry Jody and thank you." 

I let out a short laugh, "Don't apologize to me, you may have worked things out with Jason, but Jade still has a long way to go before she can trust anyone." There was a pause, "So before you go running back to him, just know that includes you too." Then I hung up before she could answer. I didn't want to deal with anything else but sleep tonight. 

There was always going to be more tomorrow.