The Other Man

Chapter 1

A week later, I got home from the hospital.  The police still do routine check-ups on me and see how I am and ask if I remembered anything else.  The officers came today since it was my first day home.

"So how is everything going," Officer Jones asked.

"Alright, still hurting, have you found the guy," I asked.

"No, not yet. We have the whole department on this case," Detective Basso replied.

"Oh that's too bad."

"Yeah, but we got a good description from when he left the scene of the accident and from the jewelry store's security cameras."

"That's' great. I really appreciate you guys checking on me! Thank You!"

"Ok well it's our pleasure, see you soon" Detective Basso replied as they exited the house.

I still have to go to a physical therapist to help with my broken arm. I have to have this cast for a few more weeks. I was still pretty laid back. My sister and I have to go to counseling at school and we all go to a family counselor every Saturday. My sister could never get used to her daddy not coming home at night. Every night she would ask "When's daddy coming?" I guess that this is her way of coping.

When I came back to school it felt like I was the center of attention, since my dad was in the military and graduated from this school. My friends always were surrounding me and I got really annoyed with them after awhile. One night, my mom told me I was in charge and that she was going out.

I asked "Where are you going?"

"Just heading out to get something to eat"

"Are you going with a guy?"

"That is up to me!" she said in a loud, stern voice.

Molly came out to investigate on all the noise. "What's wrong mommy?"

"Nothing pumpkin, mommy's just going out for a little bit. While I'm gone your brother's in charge. Ok," my mother said.

"Ok, mommy, I love you very much," she said.

"I love you, too. Bye," she said.

"Alright, Molly go get ready for bed and we'll watch a movie," I said as I shut the door.

"Ok Jake. Be Right Back"

I couldn't stop thinking of whom or where she would be going to with. It really bothered me, but I had to keep on track so I picked her favorite movie out, Princess Life 2: Fun All Around The Globe. We watched the movie until she was asleep, then I moved her up to her bed and I watched TV, till my mom got back. I was sitting there when the door opened and my mom emerged with a tall, masculine man.

I got up and confronted her saying "How could you do this dad hasn't even been gone for a month!!!!"

"Jake.... Wait come back it's not what it looks like... Wait!" She shouted as I stormed up the stairs, crying.

I went into Molly's room because I heard her calling me. I went in there and said:

"Everything's alright. Go back to sleep." I spoke in a calm voice.

"Is mommy home, yet" she asked me.

"Yes, I'm home" She said as she walked in.

"Mommy" She exclaimed, as she jumped up from her covers.

I gave Molly a kiss and walked out. Once my mom was done putting her back down, she came into my room.

"Jake, this guy was Amy's husband, Bill, he was just walking me in and she was following behind him" My mother explained to me.

I was still mad at her, but I went to bed thinking about dad, this bill guy, and who killed my dad. The next day, I woke up showered got dressed and ready for the day. As Molly and I were heading to the end of our driveway, to wait for the bus, the same masculine man as the night before approached me and Molly. I immediately grabbed Molly by her backpack and yanked back tight to my legs.

"What are you doing here?' I sternly asked.
He did not reply. He walked toward the house.

"HEY, Where are you going?" I yelled. At this time the bus had arrived and Molly was already boarding the bus. I took one last look at him as he entered our house.

The bus ride seemed longer than usual, I guess it was because I was thinking about that "Bill" guy.

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                After-school I rushed to the bus where I found Molly sitting in her seat, like usual. I usually sit in the back with my friends, but I decided to sit next to Molly. I guess I felt an urge of protection; to protect her. 

"Move over, Molly", I told her as I swung my backpack off my shoulders.

"Ok, but don't you want to sit with your friends", she asked confusingly.

"No, I want to sit with my sister today", I spoke as I put my bag on my lap. 

             Our bus ride was about a half hour. When we got home there was a black van sitting across the street. We went inside and as usual my mom wasn't home because she had gone back to work. I had a lot of work I needed to make up, so I helped Molly get started with her work. Next, I sat at the desk in the living room, with Molly on the couch, and began my homework. 

"I can't wait till summer vacation", Molly said with an excited tone.

          "Yeah, me too, I'll have so much time to relax", I replied to her as I worked on my Algebra. All of a sudden, I heard a vehicle pull in the driveway. I looked over at the clock and saw that it was quarter of four. My mom didn't get out of work til four o'clock. I looked out the window and saw it was the police. They were probably here to do another routine check up so I returned to the living room to tell Molly that I was going out to the dining room to talk with them.                                                                                                      They knocked twice and entered as they saw me look out the window at them.

"Hello Max", Detective Basso said.

"Good, come over and sit down," I summoned to the two,"how are you, Officer Jones?"

"Doing pretty good", he replied. Jones didn't sit down but, instead stood next to the entry door. It was as if he was guarding the door almost.

"Max, we have some good news and bad news. What would you like to hear first," Basso asked me.

"Bad news", I said tentatively.

"Ok, well the bad news is that you and your family isn't safe."

"WHAT????!!!!", I shouted.

"It's okay we are setting up officers to watch you and your family. Officer Jones is leading up the group. We recently got a tip that the man who supposedly killed your father is getting involved with your family. So we were wondering if you knew anything about that?"

"Well, my mom has been going out with this guy and he seems mischievous." 

"Do you have his name or any other information?", Officer Jones interjected.

"I know his first name is Bill", I answered.