Locust Lane

Chapter 2

With my back against the door, scenes played over and over in my head. I didn't want to have to be back in this room, but what other choice do I have? They've changed all the furniture in here, so it doesn't even remind me of how my old room used to look. I should be okay with it but I'm not. What can I do though?

The fact remains that I have nowhere else to go though. Jason made it very clear that he isn't letting me go so easy. He left so many threatening voicemails on my phone. I may be afraid of him, but I can't let his intimidation convince me to go back to him. If I go back at this point I'll for sure end up on the news. I should have been left, maybe then I would have avoided so many hospital visits. Maybe then I would have avoided getting an STD. Thank God it was a curable one though. I pray that I never catch something that I could never get rid of.

I...

The sudden knock behind me caused me to flinch up. It was so quiet and I was so deep in thought that I didn't see that coming.

"Saraji?"

I deeply exhaled, trying to calm down my heartbeat as I stepped away from the door. I opened the door to see my dad standing there with a concerned look on his face.

"Are you okay? Your mother told me you haven't been out your room since we got back this morning."

Early this morning he took me to a temp service before he went to work. Thankfully, they were able to find me a job even though I don't have any prior working experience. I will be starting my job at Greater Greens on Monday. They usually have the place open seven days a week, but second shift workers have the weekend off. Second shift was the only shift they had available so I just had to go with it.

I stepped back as he entered my room.

"Yes. I'm just fine. I was really tired so I've just been in here resting. That's all."

"If you say so Saraji. So are you ready to tell me exactly why you came back? I know you said things weren't working, but why? Did he cheat on you or something?"

I thought I already told him why. Things weren't working between my boyfriend and I, so I left. I'm not going to go into detail and tell him that he put me in the hospital. I'm not going to tell him that I had to stay in the hospital for a few days. I'm not about to tell him the same lies I told the nurses and doctors. I'm not going to tell him that I'm using makeup on my face and neck to hide bruises. The power of make up is absolutely phenomenal.

"Daddy I told you. Our relationship was going nowhere fast. I just feel like I'm better off being by myself and focusing on my baby and I." I looked to the side, expecting to see my baby in the bassinet dad bought her, but her tiny body wasn't there. "Speaking of her, do you have any idea where she is?"

I wasn't lying to my dad as of why I've been in here all day. I really was resting. I'd only woke up like ten minutes ago.

"Your mother has fallen in love with her grandbaby. She told me she's had her all day."

Well that's good. Often, children will end up not forming relationships that they should have had with people due to their parent's mistake. Didn't think she would, but I'm so grateful that my mother isn't taking out her hate for me on my daughter.

"So is mom not a dentist anymore?" She'd been one for pretty much my whole life. When I was born she was almost finished with school. She didn't let having a baby stop her from accomplishing her goals; I respect that.

"She is, she just had a lot of vacation time and she wanted to use some of it. She'll be back at work on Monday though."

I nodded my head then looked down at my feet. Lately I just feel so... insecure and uncertain of myself. It's crazy; there never used to really be a dull moment between my parents and I. Now I keep taking all of these awkward pauses in my conversations. I just don't know what to say most of the time.