Like Never Before. (Niall Horan)

Chapter 1.

The Jolene Brownwater Story: Chapter 1

Joe P.O.V

I stood by the casket as people came up to us,my sister Eddy and I.They would hug me and offer a tissues and their condolences. I didn’t even know half the people here.

“Joe I’m so sorry for your loss. Nadine was a fine woman.” Said our neighbor Mr.Rubenstein.

Eddy tugged on my dress.

“What?” I whispered

“Where is he?” Asked Eddy.

“Eddy,he’s not coming.”

Our father, left when Eddy was 4. Now she’s 12, and has met him once. Our Dad, Marcus Kelly, had a bit of a drinking problem. He’d hit us, mostly my mother.

Eddy was sleeping when Mom kicked him out.

Flashback

I peeked behind the corner, and watched her shove him out.

“Marcus, get out just get out! I never want to see you again! I don’t care where you go. Just go as far away from here as possible!!” Yelled my mother.

“Nadine, please. I’ll- I’ll get better.”

“I’m tired of your excuses! Get out before I call the cops!”

Without hesitation, he slammed the door behind him. Mom sank to the floor. I was only 11. I sat down on the floor next to her and cried.

Flashback over

Eddy begged me to invite him to the funeral.

Sure enough, he came.

“Joe! He’s here!”Whispered Eddy.

I groaned and told her to step behind me. Marcus Kelly was different than I expected. He was wearing a suit,he had a clean shave.

“Jolene, Eddy, I truly am sorry for the loss you two have suffered.” Said Marcus, trying to hug Eddy.

“Don’t you dare touch her.” I said.

“She’s my daughter Jolene.”

“I don’t care. Don’t touch her.”

“Your mother didn’t tell you did she?”

“About what?”

“You’re moving in with me.You got accepted into the Manhattan Academy Of Dance Right? Your mother called me and told me that you weren’t going to accept it, so you could take care of her. She told me she was gonna die soon. She wanted me to take you both home with me to Manhattan.”

“My sister, and I will do just fine on our own without the help of our drunken Father.”

“I know you don’t like me but I demand respect from my own flesh and blood.”

“Respect is earned.”

“According to your mothers will, I have soul custody of Eddy. Even if YOU don’t want to come, Eddy must come home with me to Manhattan.”

“Screw the law! You are NOT taking my sister!”

“Come Eddy, lets go back to the house and get packed up.”

I thought about it. We did need a place to live, and he lived in Manhattan. He kind of became a millionaire after he left us. I still admire my mom for not taking him back after he got rich.

“Wait. I’ll go with you, but Eddy and I drive mom’s car up there ALONE. Got it?”

“Yes. I’ll give you gas money.” Said Marcus, pulling out a wad of 20 dollar bills.

.

“Dude, this is Texas,carrying around that money will get you mugged.”

“I’m giving it to you.” Said Marcus.

He handed me the money, kissed my forehead, hugged Eddy then left. We buried mom and drove home. Eddy said nothing. When we got home, I went through mom’s stuff. Her clothes were old and gross. Her jewelry was beautiful though. I found this one necklace, a ballerina leaping on it. I clasped it around my neck. I gave Eddy mom’s blue bracelet. Eddy and I boxed up mom’s stuff and ordered Chinese for dinner, before heading to Marcus'.

Eddy had already started to pack. Mom had a red pick S.U.V. packed her stuff in the back seat first. Eddy put her suitcase in the trunk. I put the picture of Mom, Eddy, and I in the front seat. Eddy, and I sold all the furniture. We were sleeping in the living room on cots. A rotating fan between us. I turned the light out and went to sleep.

(THE NEXT DAY)

Eddy got dressed in shorts, a white tank top and pink flip flops with a little bag going diagonal down her shoulder. She hopped in the front of the car. I handed her the laptop so she could watch Netflix while I drove. After 3 hours we took a break and stocked up on food so we wouldn’t have to stop until we had to use the restroom. When entered New York City,it took an hour just to get on Marcus’s block. He lived in a pent house. He helped bring Mom’s boxes up the stairs and into a closet. He had Eddy’s room all made up. The walls were pink, and her bed was pink.Then Marcus took me to my room.The walls were turquoise, and the bed was purple.

“Your classes start on Thursday. Dinner will be ready- - “

“We already ate.Thanks.”

“Jolene, I assure you that I will never hurt you. Or Eddy,ever again.”

I got close to Marcus and pushed him up against the wall.

“Oh I know you won’t. Because if you so much as lay a hand on Eddy, I will gain custody of her and move back to Texas. You will never see her or me ever again. Are we clear?”

“Yes. Now Jolene,unhand me.”

“Fine. And Its Joe.”

Written by Lydia.