Legacy

Chapter 78

Emily left the hospital after hugging Stacie. Emily said she would wait to walk out with Stacie, but Stacie needed a minute to herself. Emily understood, she hadn't left Addy's side, and now, with her going, she knew that Stacie would feel at a loss. Emily walked out, seeing Beca get into Jesse's car, and then looked see Ali sitting outside the hospital on the bench, to her left reading a book. Ali didn't see Emily until she sat down next to her and then she closed her book and looked at her girlfriend. Emily looked at Ali and then grabbed her hand Emily breathed out and then smiled at Ali. Ali got up taking that as hint she was ready to walk back to her new home. 

"How was it?" Ali asked as they began their walk back. Emily had gone to Ali's with her stuff but had mainly spent her time in the hospital. Ali had got Emily's room all set up for her not telling her yet, waiting for it to be a surprise, but it may not be as happy as she set it out to be. Ali just thought that it would be one less thing for Emily to worry about. She knew she could stay in contact with two of her sisters but she knew that wouldn't take away the sting of what would be lost. 

"Weird, it doesn't really feel like she left more like she is going to be back later. I thought it would be easier to breathe now that we are out of the house but I just feel like I am still in the middle of the ocean but I have an inflatable device." Emily smiled but it didn't quite reach her eyes. 

"Well I will keep you afloat for as long as I can," Ali smiled kissing the back of Emily's hand. Ali felt like an idiot when she was told. She should have pushed harder for information from her friend. She knew something wasn't right, she knew it was probably being abused by her mom but she never knew it was quite this bad. Or maybe she did she just didn't want to see it. She had cried for hours in her moms arms when she had found out because she couldn't understand why any one would do that to her best friend. She had avoided the part about how much closer she had got to Emily in case her mom wouldn't be allowed to take Emily in. They had also fought for Addy to come but the social worker wouldn't allow it as they didn't have enough space. 

"I don't understand why they couldn't tell us where Addy is going. We aren't going to hurt her we just want to know she is safe. I hope it isn't too far I would feel horrible, if I did all of this to get her sent away," Emily said as they crossed the street. 

"Hopefully once Addy is set in her new home then they will tell you were she is. She had her phone right? You can call her still," Ali said. 

"Yeah, we can. It's just not the same. And I'm dreading going back to school. Everyone will be talking about us and where Addy is?" Emily moaned remembering that she should be going back soon. 

"Me and Jesse won't tell anyone we already discussed it and our moms have been in contact to work all together with the three of you for now, but four soon. So that we can do what's best for you. Also mom said you don't have to go to school until you are ready to and if you need me there to keep you company I can probably get a few off as well," Ali nudged Emily playfully. 

"Thank you for everything," Emily stopped pulling the girl back. 

"Anything for you," Ali said closing the gap between the two and kissing her girl friend and then resting her head against her best friend. 

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Stacie composed herself and grabbed her suitcase, duffel bag and school bag, which she had kept with her at the hospital. She didn't want to walk out with Emily because she needed a moment to calm down and not let her emotions take over her. She had met the women who was running the group home with Miss Ranyon the other day. Her name was Susan and only liked to be called by her first name to build an open friendly relationship with the girls. She went to the front of the hospital and saw the woman sitting in the waiting room. Susan also worked with her daughter which was Miss Ranyon's friend, Beth who was currently at the house. 

"You all ready to go, sweetie?" Susan said, she was middle-aged and seemed firm but fair and, when talking, really seemed to care about the girls that lived with her. Stacie had made a point of saying that she wanted to take custody of her sisters when she was 18 when talking about what she wanted. Susan respected her decision and said that it wouldn't be as easy as she thought but would help her any way she could. 

"Yes ma'am," Stacie said carrying all her stuff. 

"Please call me Susan, and here let me take a bag for you, Did you need to pick up anything else or is this it?" Susan asked.

"This was all I could take for now," Stacie said handing over the suitcase as it was the easest to carry. Susan nodded and pulled it along. Stacie had more than enough stuff but what she really wanted to bring was her car but they didn't let her take it yet. They were confirming it was all in her name as her mother was claiming she owned it. 

"Will you tell me as soon as you hear something from Addy?" Stacie asked sounding like a child for the first time in a long time. 

"Yes, honey as soon as I hear anything I will tell you straight away. They shouldn't take her too far or cut off communication so I will keep chasing them for you," Susan said loading her stuff into the car. Stacie sat in the front seat next to Susan and thanked her. 

"You are lucky and will be getting your own room, we give the single rooms to the older girls so don't worry no one will have a problem with this. Also if you change your mind about letting the doctors check you out or make a statement to the police just tell me and I will bring you straight back... I know you are worried about the backlash or if anything were to go wrong but I really think you should rethink about making a statement. It would only help your case not hurt it," Susan said pulling out of the hospital parking lot. Stacie sighed and looked at the window, every adult in their life had been saying the same thing. 

"I will think about it but I can't make any promises. Especially not until I hear about where my sister is," Stacie turned away from the women. It had been so long since she had been in the passenger seat and she hated it. She felt out of control and like a failure. She couldn't shake that she should have done more and the sense of loss she felt. The weight that was meant to lift when she wasn't living under her mother's house seemed to double sitting her alone in the car.