Wild Ride - The Alternative Version (Book 2)

Chapter 39~Helping Danika, Part 1

Elise's POV

When I got home from work and had started making supper Thursday night, I was sitting up on the counter with Jimmy while the food cooked, just drinking sodas and eating chips while we talked. He dug a handful of chips out from the bag, and he picked one of the bigger ones from the selection up.

"This one kind of looks like Darth Vader's head, y'know, the helmet he wears." He said.

I looked at it, cocking my head to the side a little. "I'm not seeing it." 

"Look," He took his finger and outlined the chip, trying to make it more obvious to me.

"Nope, it's not registering." I shook my head.

"Then what do you see!?" Jimmy asked, looking at me.

"A blob." I shrugged a little.

"You're no fun. Here, see how much you like the Darth Vader head in your mouth!" Jimmy cupped my chin and forced my mouth open, shoving the chip into my mouth.

"Mm, tasty blob!" I rubbed my stomach in circles. He tried to narrow his eyes at me but then he just started laughing and kissed my cheek. Just then, Abbie came around the corner, coming from upstairs. She wandered over to where we were, standing in front of me.

"Mom?" 

"What's up, kiddo?" I greeted her.

"I need your help." She said seriously. 

"With what?" 

"Well, it's about Danika." Jimmy and I exchanged glances, and she added, "Don't worry, she's not bullying me again, she's not bullying anyone. We've actually decided to be friends." 

"Oh, ok." I responded with a lighter tone. I moved closer to Jimmy and patted the spot beside me, and she jumped up onto the counter beside me. "What's going on, then?" 

"Well, I was talking to her today at recess, and I asked why she bullied people if she already knew it was wrong. She said it's a way for her to take out her frustration against her parents, to relieve her stress." Abbie began. She went on to say explain how Danika's father was in business and always travelling, so she barely sees him and when she does, she gets practically ignored. He's just your average workaholic basically. Then, she told about Danika's mom, and how she's been making Danika into this person that she's not. Abbie described what Danika's mom makes her out to be, and who Danika really is on the inside, and that Danika doesn't want to pretend anymore.

"I told her she should talk to somebody about her parents, because she really just wants her dad to be around more often and pay attention to her, and she wants her mom to just let her be her and appreciate her for who she really is. But, she doesn't want to talk to the guidance counselor or a teacher, and she doesn't have anyone else that'll listen to her. I know that you kind of went through a similar situation with your mom, and I was wondering if I could have her over some time, and you could talk to her. I thought that if anyone were to understand how she feels, it'd be you." Abbie looked up at me hopefully, and there was just no way I could say no. This sounded so much like my mother and I, it wasn't even funny. 

I smiled down at her, putting an arm around her. "I'd love to help, so if she wants to, and she can get permission, she can come over tomorrow after school, and it'll be the first thing we do when I get home." 

Abbie smiled back at me before she wrapped her arms around my middle and hugged me. "Thanks, Mom." She said softly, and I kissed the top of her head. "Can I go call her and ask if she can come over tomorrow?" 

"Sure, go ahead." I replied, and she let go of me, jumping down from the counter and running into the living room to get the phone. I looked over at Jimmy who had a dumbfounded expression on his face.