"Mike, No! What are you doing? Where are you taking my son?” Carol helplessly cried out causing nine-year-old Nicole to toss and turn in what was once a peaceful slumber.
Her mother’s screams turned Nicole's innocent dream into a horrible nightmare. Her torso jolted from its resting place as she shouted her brother’s name in search for comfort, “Damien!” Startled by the commotion outside her bedroom window, she eased hesitantly out of bed and peaked timidly through the glass. There he was -- her protector, her hero, her brother. But why was he in that car? And why wasn’t he affected by all the chaos happening around him. Most importantly, why was mom yelling? She never yells.
Mike explains in a voice that’s way too calm for the situation at hand, “You mean our son. And I’m taking him with me. I, we, can’t be here any longer”, while throwing a small suitcase in the trunk of the silver Mercedes-Benz ML350 SUV that looked all too familiar. That’s when she showed her face through the driver’s seat window.
“Look Carol, you’re only making this harder on yourself. And if you knew what was best for you and your family, then you would just let us leave in peace.” Janet spoke in a solemn tone that was also terrifyingly calm. Something wasn’t right.
“Am I still dreaming?” Nicole thought to herself as she hugged her teddy a little tighter.
Carol’s voice broke, “What about your daughter? Huh, Mike? What will she do? What will she think? Were you even going to say good-bye?” Tears poured from her red, swollen eyes.
“I…” Mike glanced at his mistress and then at his wife, “Good-bye” and rushed into the vehicle before it sped off. All the while, Damien never once looked up.
Nicole couldn’t believe her eyes. “Damien?” she whispered. “Dad, no!” she shouted. “Damien!!!” she hopelessly cried out. She ran down stairs dropping her teddy along the way. Mr. Cuddles would have to forgive her later. “Mommm? she searched. "Mommy!”
Carol wiped her face with the edge of her sleeves, “Honey! No, what are you doing up? You, you shouldn’t be…”
“Where’s Damien? Where is daddy taking him? What was Janet doing here?”
“Baby, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry you had to see that.” Carol’s attempt to hold back her tears failed as she studied the frantic face of her little girl. She grabbed her daughter and held her close. Refusing to let go until they both cried their last tear.
“Damien, come back.” The girl’s voice cracked “Come back.”
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He was her protector... her hero... her brother. But after he chose to live with their cheating father as oppose to their loving mother, Nicole wants nothing to do with her so called brother, Damien. Not only has her trust in men completely faded but, now she will have to face the one who ultimately betrayed her as Damien moves back in after five long years. But, no worries. She taught herself a long time ago to not care about those who don't care about her. Will her philosophy be challenged once Damien comes back into her life? Will she ever be able to forgive and forget? Or is she just fine forgetting everything, including her brother's existence?
Join me as I write a story on love, forgiveness, and faith after what seems like the end of a perfect sibling relationship. Not only does Nicole have to deal with her ex-brother, but she has a secret of her own that no one, not even her best friend Ashley can know, or else she risks being left alone, again.
