Escape

Chapter 17

Monday, January, 24, 2011, 1:32 p.m

"Alright Julia it's safe!" I call, aiming my voice somewhere towards the stairs.

I hear her squeal and then trip up the stairs.

"I'm alright!" She calls as I hear her stumble up the rest of the stairs.

I laugh and then sit back down on the couch.

"So...?" Julia says, obviously wanting to know how I'm feeling.

Also, knowing Julia she probably wants a detailed description of what happened.

"I'm not really feeling up to talking about it, can we just go downstairs and watch Switched At Birth like always?" I ask, being quite truthful, I am really tired.

"Also can you fold up the stroller and bring it downstairs for me?" I ask, not wanting to leave evidence of using her older brothers baby things.

She agrees and does what I asked. I pick up, and sadly, wake up Austin. I fold up the playpen and then bring it downstairs with us.

"You sit and put on our show, I'll put these away." Julia says, grabbing the playpen out of my hands.

I sit with Austin in my lap and put on the episode of Switched At Birth that we're on.

For hours Julia, Austin and I just sit and watch, Julia and I laughing and crying depending on the situation in our show.

Then we hear her dad come in through the door upstairs.

"Girls I'm home!" He shouts. "And I'm in vacation! Woot-woot!"

We can hear him practically starting up a huge party and decide it's best to go upstairs. Once we get there we see he brought home pizza from Pizza Hut. The amazing aromas overwhelm me.

"Hawaiian?!" I basically shout. "My favourite!"

I grab two pieces with my spare hand and then toss them on a paper plate.

"Coca-cola?" Julia's dad says, handing me a red solo cup full of bubbling pop.

"Thanks!" I say and place it down beside my plate.

"Music?" I ask, turning the T.V. On to the Much Music channel.

The song that's playing is mine and Julia's song; Starships by Nicki Minaj. Instantly both of us look at each other and burst into a laughter so hard it starts to make my eyes water. Even Julia's dad was laughing along with us. Eventually we all cooled down and were just dancing around and singing to the different songs that switched on. I love it. The dancing, the pizza, the pop in solo cups, the singing, everything. This is what a family is, and I'm finally a part of one.

* * * * *

1:34 a.m.

All night I have tossed and turned. I just can't seem to get comfortable. So I get up and go upstairs to get a glass of water. As I turn into the kitchen I see Julia's dad sitting at the island.

"Hey.." I say, a little shocked.

"Hi.." He says, "couldn't sleep either?"

I shake my head no.

"Me either.." He replies, "Wanna sit and talk?" He says, gesturing to the chair beside him.

I sit and look at him.

"I feel terrible asking you for this...after you took me and Austin in and everything...you've already done so much..." I say starting to tail off.

"Yes hon...and I'd do so much more. What do you need?" He says, placing a hand on my shoulder.

"Do you think...maybe you could watch over...I mean, babysit Austin...just so that I don't have to put him in daycare. I would ask Julia but she works too...I'm just trying to get back on my feet."

"Of course Cassy. You're like another daughter to me. I'd do anything for you. Plus I really like the little guy. He's so adorable."

"Thank you so much..but I'd better get back to bed..I've got work tomorrow."

"Okay..goodnight Cassidy."

"Night."

* * * * *

6:30 a.m.

I wake up and sit for about two minutes before my alarm goes off and Austin starts crying. I stand with him in my arms and place his soother in his mouth. Then I bounce walk with him as I pick out my outfit. I put on a pair of beige khaki pants and a red, short sleeve collared shit. Then I clip on my name tag which has "Target" printed on the top in red letters and "Cassidy" printed below it in black letters. I throw my hair up in a messy ponytail, but on a pair of socks and then look at the time, 7:12 a.m.

I shake Julia awake and then head upstairs where I can already smell the coffee.

"Morning Cassidy." Julia's father says, quickly glancing at me and then returning to his coffee making.

"Good morning." I say, sitting down at the table with Austin on my lap.

"So what do you work today?" He asks, not turning around to look at me.

"I'm opening the store with a few of my coworkers this morning so I'm working 8:00 to 4:00. But I'm stopping to pick up a few things on the way home. Plus with the bus schedule I probably won't be back until closer to 5:00 or 5:30." I reply.

"Alrighty. Do you want a ride to work? I have the girls old carseats downstairs for Austin." He asks, still making his coffee.

"Sure if you don't mind." I say.

Then I stand, holding Austin in one arm and I make my way to the counter. I pick out some Cheerios and pour some in a bowl for me and some in a smaller bowl for Austin. I pour milk in mine and grab a spoon, then I sit back down with him on my lap and we eat our breakfast.

After I clean out dishes I run downstairs and grab my backpack. I run back up and toss an apple and a bottle of water in a plastic bag, then I toss it in my backpack. Then I look in my bag to make sure my running shoes are in there before I head over I the door. I put on my coat and boots. Then I put a warm sweater on Austin along with his little running shoes. Then with a carseat in hand, Julia's dad, Austin and I head out the door.